Sun retreated to his tree.
The site of his slaughtering was a few dozen meters behind him.
Unfortunately, the scent of blood was still faint, and considering a wolf's keen sense of smell, it would give away any chance of surprise.
If the wolves smell the blood, they would likely avoid the area, which is against Sun's wishes.
The wolves could steer into the funnel, but they could also steer out of it. The former was the plan, but Sun wouldn't fulfil his role of diminishing the group.
The latter wasn't unexpected, but the amount could put strain on the subsidiary forces outside the funnel.
Thinking for a while, Sun decides to move his position upwards and outwards a little.
This meant that he would be receiving the fleeing wolves earlier.
With around ten minutes left, Sun left his tree and moved forward a few dozen meters.
...
This area still had thick foliage.
Dao Art — Shade's Embrace was still effective here.
Sun took refuge within the coverage of the leaves of the tallest tree.
Surely enough, after waiting a few minutes, the first waves of wolves had approached.
Looking down, Sun could see their frenzied running.
He also noticed the sheer number of them.
'One hundred and fifty wolves... no, one hundred and seventy?'
The number was below his expectations, but it wasn't too surprising. Sun was only supposed to receive a small portion of the group anyway.
His job as a funnel was to catch and diminish stray groups, allowing the main retaliative force to 'clean up' the rest.
There was also the chance that Warrior of Spring put a little more 'effort' than expected, slaughtering the masses with his single action.
Thinking back to the trembling lands, it wasn't surprising.
Regardless, Sun waited until the centre of the group was below him.
Dropping down, he surged Qi through his muscles, dragging his halberd down in a powerful swing.
Smashing down, Sun drove his weapon into the back of a wolf's head. The blade tore through its skull, killing it in an instant.
Despite his sudden appearance, the majority of the wolves did not hesitate to run away.
Sun also did not hesitate to take action.
Letting the scent of bloodshed empower him, he charged forward and met the head of the group.
Dao Art — Golden Arcs and Ribbons.
His halberd's blade began to shine a pale golden light as Sun's light green Qi surged into the Dao Art images.
There were also Dao Art mediums on this skin-tight clothing beneath his robe; his joints and muscles felt warm and soft.
Dao Art — Dancing Respite.
It was his supplementary Dao Art that allowed him to better use his main offensive method, Golden Arcs and Ribbons.
Twisting his body, he utilised the momentum of his charge to cut upwards, into the stomach of one wolf, before leading with a stab.
Pale golden light streamed from the halberd's blade.
Piercing the stomach of another wolf, Sun kicked it off before facing the other hundred behind him.
Yet again, they merely avoided him, diverging around him.
'They still aren't taking the bait... They must be too scared, too frenzied to think about fighting back...'
'Damnit, Seniors, just what have you done? You've scared them too much!'
'If I can't stop them, then I'll simply impede those who try to flee outwards!'
Without hesitation, Sun dashed to the side, aiming to confront those who tried to escape their funnel formation.
Those that remained within would be dealt with later.
Those who escaped would likely flee the area, but Sun did not want to spare any.
Letting the increased scent of blood fuel him, Sun stood his ground before receiving the next handful of wolves.
Cutting upwards, he cut through the skull of a wolf, from chin to nape.
Stabbing, he pierced the side of another wolf, almost completely tearing through it.
Sweeping horizontally, he cut through three wolves at the same time.
Each wound invigorated Sun's Dao Art, each corpse would further strengthen him.
Dao Art — Crown Ring Tyrant's War Banner, it was perfectly suited for this.
Charging into his vision was a large wolf, the biggest one he's ever seen.
It was only half his height, but incredibly wide and bulky. Not quite as fast as the other wolves; its build seemed to stunt its speed.
Yet, its power was no less than staggering.
Sun collided with it, taking a few steps back before steadying himself.
The large wolf was similarly dazed.
'This must be a Beast King! So even these stragglers managed to escape my Seniors.'
'No matter, this measly Wolf King won't be a challenge!'
Without backing down, Sun charged forward, meeting with the Beast King's fierce retaliation.
Pale golden light flickered as he swung towards the wolf's skull.
Baring its teeth, the Wolf king snapped down on the halberd, catching and locking the weapon in place.
Sun pulled, unable to drag the halberd out of its grasp.
'Okay... Then how about this!?'
Stepping forward, he pushed the halberd further down the wolf's throat.
Qi surged through his legs, chest, shoulders and arms, amplifying his strength.
The Wolf King whimpered, unable to stop its descent, as it eventually cut into the back of the beast's throat.
Its jaw fell limply, releasing the halberd from its grasp.
Sun retrieved the weapon and swept behind him, reacting to the wolves that tried to jump him from behind.
'Seems like this Wolf King invigorated this group of wolves... but not all of them seem eager.'
The sudden appearance of the Wolf King immediately drew the attention of the other ordinary wolves.
It showed the will to fight, imposing it on the majority of the surrounding wolves.
Even after its fall, some of the wolves retained that will. The others simply fled desperately.
'Those few will eventually reach the main site of confrontation, the main retaliative forces will deal with them.'
'I will let them be, but these few in front of me...'
Standing fiercely in front of the corpse of their leaders, Sun stared at the wolves.
Baring teeth and growling lowly, he met their gaze plainly.
The waving leaves and shifting shadows created an interesting appearance on Sun.
Dao Art — Shade's Embrace was still active. Patches of that elusive darkness danced on his body, starlight dancing in its absence.
Stepping forward, he was fully masked in the shade.
Another few steps revealed him in the breaches of light.
Staining the winds with the scent of violence, Sun raises his halberd again.