Eric Bennett understood that without strength, he could only be at the mercy of others, which was why he revealed his body refining abilities.

“Brother Yue, he’s only at the sixth level of body refining. Why accept his terms?”

Indeed, the sixth level of body refining was equivalent to just the first level of a martial artist. Besides, they had martial techniques—how could a lucky body refiner compare? Not to mention, they had three second-level martial artists among them; there was simply no need for this.

“Heh, it’s just temporary. Letting someone else hold onto it for now means we get an extra sixth-level body refiner as cannon fodder—why not? Besides, all the Flying Tiger team members are dead. Now, a master suddenly appears to scout ahead, and at such a low cost. Heh, if it were you, would you refuse?”

Jack Bolton glanced at the young man beside him, let out a light laugh, and spoke proudly.

“Brilliant!”

“Brother Yue, you’re awesome!!”

As soon as Jack Bolton finished speaking, the other youths immediately began to flatter him.

On the mountain, ancient trees towered overhead. Eric Bennett moved like a nimble ape, darting, turning, leaping, and dodging through the forest.

“Hmm?” Suddenly, as he was sprinting, Eric Bennett stopped in his tracks, focusing his attention to observe his surroundings.

After a moment, he turned and ran in another direction. Just a second ago, he had caught a whiff of blood from nearby.

“Hiss…” After walking several dozen meters, Eric Bennett stood on a tree trunk, looking ahead, and couldn’t help but gasp.

Ahead, severed limbs and remains were scattered everywhere. Judging by the clothing on the remains, Eric Bennett recognized them as members of the Flying Tiger team. But what had they experienced to die without making a sound? He was completely baffled.

Eric Bennett stood motionless on the tree trunk. He still didn’t know where the danger was coming from, so naturally, he didn’t dare go forward. Never mind being at the sixth level of body refining—even third or fourth-level martial artists wouldn’t dare be careless on the outskirts of the Sirius Mountains, or they’d surely die without a trace.

“Hmm? Brian Cooper?” Suddenly, Eric Bennett saw someone lying under a tree, covered in blood, showing no sign of life.

Seeing Brian Cooper, Eric Bennett gripped his broad-backed knife and cautiously approached.

When he reached Brian Cooper, he didn’t encounter any danger, which made Eric Bennett breathe a little easier.

He didn’t dare delay. He reached out and grabbed Brian Cooper’s pulse. After about a minute, Eric Bennett let go of Brian Cooper’s wrist, took out a needle pouch from his chest, and began inserting golden needles into the vital points on Brian Cooper’s chest and abdomen.

When checking the pulse, Eric Bennett had discovered that Brian Cooper still had a faint breath left.

As long as he wasn’t dead, there was a sliver of hope in Eric Bennett’s hands—especially since this person was his friend.

Eric Bennett gently twisted the golden needle stuck in Brian Cooper’s chest. As he did so, a mysterious life force surged from his mind, flowing through the needle into Brian Cooper’s body.

This bit of life force entered Brian Cooper’s body through the needle, rapidly repairing his injuries.

As the life force was channeled, Brian Cooper’s pulse grew stronger and stronger, while Eric Bennett’s face began to pale, and beads of sweat broke out densely on his forehead.

At this moment, Eric Bennett was giving it his all. As Brian Cooper’s injuries healed, Eric Bennett’s life force dwindled.

Whew! When the last trace of life force was exhausted, the fatal wound on Brian Cooper’s chest was already healed; as for the unhealed wounds on his limbs, they were all superficial.

When his life force was depleted, Eric Bennett felt a wave of dizziness. After resting for a while, he felt a bit better, so he hoisted Brian Cooper onto his back and started heading out.

Chapter 9: The Green-Eyed Blue Wolf

“Awooo…” Suddenly, a wolf’s howl came from not far away. Hearing this, Eric Bennett’s expression changed. Earlier, when he saw Brian Cooper’s wounds, he had thought they looked like those made by a wolf-like creature. Now, upon hearing this sound, Eric Bennett instantly realized it was a second-rank fierce beast—the Green-Eyed Blue Wolf.

“No wonder those Flying Tiger team members died without reacting!”

Once he confirmed there was a Green-Eyed Blue Wolf here, Eric Bennett immediately understood. Although the Green-Eyed Blue Wolf was only a second-rank fierce beast, it was extremely cunning and skilled at hiding, often killing with a single strike. Even first or second-level martial artists ambushed by it would have no chance of survival—let alone ordinary people like them.

Carrying Brian Cooper on his back, Eric Bennett sped back the way he had come. Suddenly, the wolf howls grew closer and closer. Earlier, the Green-Eyed Blue Wolf hadn’t made a sound, but now it was howling nonstop—clearly, something was up.

“I’m not dead?” At this moment, Brian Cooper, lying on Eric Bennett’s back, woke up, a trace of confusion on his face as he asked.

“Don’t worry! It’s just superficial wounds!” Eric Bennett replied to him.

“Ah!! Eric Bennett, why are you here? Hurry, run, the Green-Eyed Blue Wolf!! It’s the Green-Eyed Blue Wolf!” Hearing Eric Bennett’s words, Brian Cooper finally realized that Eric Bennett was carrying him, so he quickly shouted.

“Yeah! It’s fine!” Hearing Brian Cooper, Eric Bennett nodded and continued running outward.

Suddenly, a wolf’s howl sounded not far from them. Eric Bennett looked back and saw a Green-Eyed Blue Wolf, over two meters long and more than a meter tall, chasing after a young man.

That young man was Paul Carter. Eric Bennett hadn’t expected Paul Carter to still be alive.

As Eric Bennett looked over, Paul Carter also saw Eric Bennett. Instantly, a hint of joy appeared on his face, and he thought to himself, “What a great opportunity!” He immediately changed direction and ran toward Eric Bennett.

“Eric Bennett, wait for me!”