The Phoenix stomped its foot in anger and gritted its silver teeth, saying, "Damn it, this guy actually took advantage of a moment when I wasn't paying attention to brew his Beast's Qi Energy? So cunning, but why did his skill have no sign before being unleashed?"

Su Chen, like an injured lone wolf, clutched his bleeding chest as he staggered on his escape. His steps were faltering, and the blood flowed like broken threads, spilling extravagantly.

The night was deep and dark; cold winds stirred around, and it was uncertain how many pairs of sinister, glowing eyes were hidden in the shadowy forest. Yet, when they scented the blood aura emanating from Su Chen, they all gave up the idea of seizing the opportunity to attack.

The night wind blew, a few leaves drifted sparsely down through the woods, and only the sound of Su Chen's urgent footsteps and ragged breathing echoed on.

The Cloud Leopard Spirit Pearl was tightly clutched in his blood-soaked hand. Desperate in his sprint, Su Chen was unaware that his blood was constantly seeping into the Spirit Pearl, stirring an overwhelming energy vortex within! Meanwhile, the mysterious red sphere within him was also quietly emitting some enigmatic aura, gently moving through his wounds, incredibly slowly performing an astonishing repair.

Blur, hypoxia, fatigue—these were all the sensory perceptions Su Chen had now. His legs, which continued to run, were gradually losing strength, becoming buoyant; his vision was a blur, unable to even discern the road under his feet; his whole body was sore and weary, as if once he stopped, he would lose consciousness and fall completely into death. Yet, he didn't dare close his eyes or fall, fearing he might never see the dawn's light again, more afraid to leave this beautiful world he was so fascinated by.

Father, Mother, Master, Madam, and Senior Sister—so many loved ones waiting for his return. How could he give up so easily? Even if his life had only one turbid breath left and his belief only a spark, he had to persist, not to disappoint all those relatives and friends who had expectations of him...

Su Chen gritted his teeth, enduring the intense pain, suppressing the trembling from every part of his body, struggled onward, onward; his breathing was so clear in the night, carrying a desperate yet firm belief, drifting through the dense forest. Little did he know, a saber-toothed tiger, covered in spots, was leaping nimbly down from a large tree, its eyes gleaming fiercely, already locking onto Su Chen's weakened body!

Suddenly, the saber-toothed tiger let out a muffled roar, its strong, powerful limbs suddenly crouched as it sprang at Su Chen's back!

In a near-death condition, Su Chen's senses were at their lowest and he couldn't sense the danger approaching from behind. He kept his dazed eyes ahead, struggling forward with difficulty. Just as the saber-toothed tiger was about to tear him apart from above, the Cloud Leopard Spirit Pearl in Su Chen's bloodstained hand suddenly emitted a deep hum!

A mass of black ripples spread out visibly, then the space seemed to be ignited by something, suddenly soaring with circle after circle of ripple-like black flames!

The saber-toothed tiger, unable to stop, crashed into the outermost layer of the black flames. But before its fur even touched the flames, it emitted a hissing burn sound in the air, instantly turning black. As its body entered, it was immediately corroded by the flames' power, its entire body rapidly dissolving in mid-air, flesh and blood becoming indiscernible instantaneously...

The forest resonated with cries of pain, the mighty and formidable level-three Spirit Beast, the saber-toothed tiger, turned into a puddle of blood on the ground within moments. Yet, Su Chen didn't turn back, for he saw a patch of moonlight ahead, looking like the end of the dense forest...

Whoosh!

Breaking through the branches ahead, freedom wasn't in reach, and instead, he horrifically plunged from an unknown height! Su Chen, bleak and desolate, glanced back one last time, a bitter smile curling on his lip, finally succumbing to unconsciousness.

In the forest, a few black crows cawed and flew away, several scattered feathers slowly falling beside the puddle of blood. As twilight closed in, it seemed as though only a beam of moonlight was left, shining upon the desolate figure at the mountain's foot...

No one knew how long had passed; a faint dawn appeared on the horizon. A morning breeze blew, dislodging a drop of crystal-clear dew from a tree. The dew fell gently, making a crisp, light sound.

At the foot of Sunshine Mountain, amidst the wild grass, a face covered in a mist of blood emerged. The sweet dew spread across this face, blooming like small bloody flowers. As a tongue licked it, the face's owner let out a muffled groan and slowly, arduously opened his eyes.

In the blurry vision, the outline of the lush grass slowly appeared, slim and narrow, swaying with the wind, like a woman's slim willow waist. Looking further ahead, a gray cliff came into view, its top unreachable. In the distance, apart from a few scattered lush trees, there was a cave.

Su Chen moved his legs, his mouth twitching in pain, so he remained still, afraid to make any movement. Yet, to his surprise, his whole body was burning as if with fire, but the pain in his chest wasn't as severe as it had been. He distinctly remembered being stabbed by the Phoenix, struggling to breathe, feeling dizzy, yet somehow, everything seemed suddenly healed now?

Could it be that he had already reached the netherworld, yet hadn't realized it?

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