Chapter One Hundred and Thirteen: Five-Rank Spirit Flower

As soon as I relaxed even a little, I sensed spiritual energy nearby.

I hurriedly swept the area with my flashlight, but saw nothing.

I closed my eyes and carefully felt for those currents of energy. They did not seem to have any intention of attacking me yet.

Then, from my side came a low growl. I snapped my eyes open and saw a wolf.

I knew where that cave was; it was still some distance away.

But I was not foolish enough to fight to the death when I knew I could not win.

I broke into a run, driving spiritual energy into my legs, and sped forward at full tilt.

The wolves behind me gave chase, and it was not just one. From the sounds of it, there were at least three, perhaps more.

But my speed could not compare to a wolf on four legs, and soon they caught up.

They kept pace with me without hurrying, growling all the while, as if telling me to stop.

If this went on, they would tear me apart. Better to take a gamble and see if I could turn the tables.

With the force of a large boulder ahead, I flipped myself back over and landed behind the wolves.

I did not waste a breath. In an instant, I drew Snowblade and slashed at them.

By my estimation, these wolves were roughly at the strength of a fourth- to sixth-grade Spirit Blossom cultivator, and I might still have a chance against them.

But their speed was astonishing. My blade could scarcely touch them.

Their coordination was also very clear. They focused entirely on my lower body.

Before long, I was pounced on by all of them, but I still did not give up. After a rapid hand seal, a Thunderbolt Spell shot out.

Since the wolves were all on top of me, none of them could evade it. Two were killed outright, and one was gravely wounded.

I rose in ecstatic relief and quickly ran toward the cave.

This time I had simply been lucky, or I really would not have been able to handle them.

There seemed to be far fewer wolves in the mountains, perhaps because of that black fog.

Along the way I met no other danger and made it safely into the cave.

I shone my flashlight inside and found that the cave was shallow. At once, I saw the familiar broken wooden table.

I looked around again. Seeing no one had followed me, I jogged inside.

On the broken table sat a small yellow box, the same color as the one discovered in Hai River Town.

After I opened it, I found that it contained only a black pearl. This must have been the Ghost King's token.

I lifted the mat beneath it and, as expected, found a Ghost King card tucked underneath.

Delighted, I put the box back into my ring and turned to leave.

Yet for some reason, the cave entrance was now filled with many pairs of green eyes.

Hesitantly, I raised my flashlight to look, and indeed there were many wolves. They stood at the entrance, bared their teeth, and glared at me.

Had they deliberately come to block my escape? Or had they discovered I had killed their kin and come for revenge?

Whatever the reason, they were certainly here to take my life.

So I started toward the exit, fingers forming seals as I moved. To avoid making a mistake, I deliberately slowed my pace.

As I neared the entrance, I realized the wolves probably could not enter, and I was finally ready.

"Five Thunder Art!"

To steady my nerves, I even shouted the name aloud.

Heaven was still on my side this time. Another fierce gust swept by, and five blue bolts of lightning appeared in its wake.

I stepped back a few paces, pointed forward, and the five bolts instantly obeyed, surging toward the pack of wolves.

With a thunderous crash, the wolves before me had no time to dodge and were blown to pieces.

For an instant, blood and flesh flew everywhere. Disgusting, yes, but it was enough to get me out of a desperate situation.

I quickly leaned out of the cave and looked around. Seeing no other wolf packs approaching for the moment, I hurried on my way.

That last Five Thunder Art had nearly drained all the spiritual energy in my body. Though I felt weak all over, I still had to get down the mountain first.

It was already very late, and my flashlight died at that exact moment. I had no choice but to make my way down in the dark.

The result was that I fell many times, though each time I only suffered superficial injuries.

On this trip out, aside from running into that troublesome pack of wolves and exhausting my own spiritual energy, I had not been injured any other way.

Just when I was about to reach the mountain foot, I suddenly felt a surge of spiritual energy behind me, strong beyond belief.

Then came a chilling sound from my back.

"Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh..."

The laughter was ghostly. I gathered my courage and looked over my shoulder, but there was nothing there.

Still shaken, I scratched my head. Had I imagined it? Forget it. I should just get down the mountain first.

But when I turned back around, a skull-like face was suddenly right in front of me.

"Ah!"

I cried out and staggered back several steps.

That startled me badly, and cold sweat broke out all at once.

The figure wore a black robe and was shrouded entirely in black mist. His features were already indistinct, and more disturbingly, a heavy sword hung across his back...

Wasn't this Shi Lei?

I quickly got back to my feet and drew Snowblade in a flash.

Shi Lei no longer looked human at all, and even his laughter sounded hollow.

"Lin Yao..."

With Snowblade raised, I knew this fight could not be avoided today. So I attacked first, swinging my blade at him.

But my spiritual energy had already been exhausted, and the Shi Lei before me seemed to have reached the Spirit Lotus realm. In other words, his power had increased tremendously.

My attacks had almost no effect on him. He dodged them with ease, then struck me with a palm.

That blow directly shattered my internal organs, and I spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Kill you..."

Seeing me lying on the ground, Shi Lei drifted slowly toward me. Looking closely, I saw that his legs had already been swallowed by the black mist, which was why he seemed to float.

I struggled to my feet and forced myself into the state of the Wingshadow Blade Art.

"Ah!"

But before I could move, he shifted in an instant, thrust a blade into my stomach, and pierced me clean through.

My eyes flew wide in disbelief. Could I really die like this?

After stabbing me, Shi Lei did not rush to finish me. Instead, he slowly withdrew the blade.

I had no strength left to cry out. I could only lie motionless on the ground.

He grabbed my ankle, as if he meant to drag me away somewhere.

I knew full well that if I let him do as he pleased, I would die an even more miserable death. Better to struggle one more time.

Suddenly, the spiritual energy inside me surged again, and the wound in my stomach began to heal at a visibly rapid pace.

At the same time, a stream of energy crashed into the crown of my head, and I broke through my cultivation once more.

Fifth-grade Spirit Blossom!

The spiritual energy within me also returned to its peak.

I opened my eyes wide. Since one of my feet was still in Shi Lei’s grasp, I had no choice but to stand on one leg.

I stamped the ground with that single foot, rising upright at once, then kicked viciously at Shi Lei.

He let go of my leg and tilted his head to look at me.

I knew that even though I had broken through, I was still not his match. The best choice now was to run.

So I rose with a roar and bolted, pouring all my spiritual energy into my legs. My speed was now astonishing, and in just a few breaths I had opened a gap between myself and Shi Lei.

But Shi Lei’s strength was too terrifying. Seeing that I was trying to flee, he instantly turned into a black mist and came rushing after me.