Li Feng stood his ground, his body aching from the fall. The Netherfang Wolf growled, its dark mist curling through the air like living shadows.
His breathing was ragged. His Qi reserves were drained. If he fought in his current state, he wouldn't last more than a few exchanges.
The wolf lunged.
Too fast!
Li Feng twisted his body, barely avoiding the beast's snapping jaws. Claws raked across his arm, tearing through his robes. Pain flared, but he had no time to dwell on it.
Think! I can't overpower it… but there has to be another way!
His fingers tightened around the Starcore.
It had responded to him when he was falling. Could it still help him now?
He closed his eyes for a split second and focused.
The Starcore pulsed.
A surge of celestial energy erupted from his palm, coursing through his meridians like molten fire. His vision blurred, and deep within his mind—
He saw an ancient constellation.
A voice, distant yet powerful, echoed in his soul.
"To those who walk the Path of the Eternal Star… let your flames burn away the darkness."
Li Feng's eyes snapped open.
His Qi ignited.
Golden flames burst to life around his fists, flickering like miniature stars. They weren't normal flames—they carried a celestial force that made the air around him tremble.
Starfire Qi.
The Netherfang Wolf hesitated. It could sense the change in him.
Li Feng didn't wait.
He charged.
The wolf slashed its claws, but this time, Li Feng didn't dodge.
Instead, he met the attack head-on, his Starfire-coated fist smashing into the beast's claws.
BOOM!
The dark mist around the wolf burned away, and the beast let out a pained howl. Li Feng didn't stop—he twisted his body and unleashed a second strike—
"Starfire Burst!"
The golden flames exploded upon impact, sending the wolf crashing into a tree.
The beast struggled to rise, but its body was scorched by the celestial fire. It let out one last growl before turning and vanishing into the darkness.
Li Feng staggered, breathing heavily. His hands still flickered with golden light, but the power was fading.
He looked down at the Starcore, its glow dimming as if it had just passed another test.
He exhaled. He had won.
But before he could rest, movement from the trees caught his attention.
A figure stepped out from the shadows.
A woman.
She wore a flowing blue robe adorned with silver patterns, and her eyes—sharp and calculating—studied him carefully. She carried a long, curved blade at her side.
She spoke, her voice smooth but firm.
"I didn't expect to find someone fighting a Netherfang Wolf in these parts."
Li Feng tensed. "Who are you?"
The woman smirked. "You can call me Lan Yue. And you, stranger, just made things very interesting."