Chapter 3 The Crisis Comes Suddenly

"Water Leaf Dog..."

Qin Chuan stroked the fluffy twin tails of the Water Leaf Dog and tentatively asked, "Besides playing with the water ball, can you do anything else?"

"Woof!"

Hearing Qin Chuan's words, the Water Leaf Dog tossed aside the water ball on top of its nose and vigorously shook its tail.

Under Qin Chuan's astonished gaze, a stream of water materialized out of thin air and shot toward a small tree trunk nearby, accompanied by a muffled "bang," creating a clear dent in the trunk.

If the earlier water ball was for play, then this stream of water was definitely a genuine attack.

A blunt strike capable of denting a tree trunk would likely break bones if it hit a person.

Seeing such strength in a seemingly harmless Water Leaf Dog, Qin Chuan gained a deeper understanding of the extraordinary powers of this world.

"Any other abilities?" Qin Chuan asked with interest.

Seeing a supernatural creature for the first time had sparked his curiosity.

"Woof!"

The Water Leaf Dog nodded human-like, excitement in its eyes.

Just as it was about to take an action, its expression swiftly changed, and without hesitation, it whipped its tail.

Another stream of water shot out, and before Qin Chuan could react, it was hurtling toward his head.

Qin Chuan was shocked.

Was their earlier closeness all a pretense?

But the introduction clearly stated that Water Leaf Dogs have a friendly nature...

Before he could understand, the stream of water grazed his face and swept behind his head.

"Bang!"

A dull sound followed by an angry beastly roar.

"Aow!!!"

With that roar coming from behind, a surge of viciousness caused cold sweat to instantly coat Qin Chuan's back.

Without saying a word, he took off running, only looking back after a few meters.

A pitch-black leopard-like spiritual beast had appeared behind him unexpectedly.

This leopard-like spiritual beast had clear water traces on its head, one eye swollen and bloodshot, emitting pained whimpers.

[Spiritual Beast Species: Shadow Leopard]

[Spiritual Beast Attribute: Dark Attribute]

[Spiritual Beast Level: Growth Rank Lv12]

[Spiritual Beast State: Uncontracted]

[Spiritual Beast Introduction: A bloodthirsty dark attribute Shadow Leopard that can conceal its sounds, a born Hunter.]

Damn!

Internally cursing, Qin Chuan immediately turned and ran again.

The Water Leaf Dog was Lv4, and the Shadow Leopard was Lv12—it was clear which was stronger.

If the Water Leaf Dog had such powerful attacks, wouldn't a swipe from the Shadow Leopard tear him into pieces?

And this creature could even conceal its sounds, he hadn't sensed it approaching at all.

If not for the Water Leaf Dog reacting in time, he wouldn't even know how he had died!

Wait! Where was the Water Leaf Dog?

Startled, Qin Chuan's eyes flashed to a blue figure not far beside him.

He breathed a sigh of relief, quickly scooping up the Water Leaf Dog into his arms, and with every ounce of strength, bolted.

Behind him, the Shadow Leopard violently shook its head, dispelling the dizziness from the Water Leaf Dog's earlier strike, though one eye was still throbbing painfully and its vision somewhat blurred. However, its eyes filled with a ferocious light as it watched Qin Chuan's retreating figure.

Its limbs suddenly exerted force, and in the span of a breath, the Shadow Leopard pushed its speed to the limit. As a born Hunter, speed was its advantage.

Watching the swiftly closing figure in front, a sinister gleam flashed across the Shadow Leopard's front paws, and a lethal move was ready to be unleashed.

Without needing to look back, Qin Chuan could already feel the terrifying aura rushing forth from behind.

But against an opponent who held an overwhelming advantage in both speed and strength, there wasn't much he could do—only continually adjust his running direction, trying to use the surrounding environment to evade.

The effectiveness of such interference was truly limited: a few seconds later, he could already hear the breathing of the Shadow Leopard behind him.

This caused Qin Chuan's heart to sink.

Thanks to the introduction he had read before entering the Dream World, he wasn't very worried about his own safety. He was more concerned about the Water Leaf Dog in his arms.

If he died, he could still enter the Dream World. But if the Water Leaf Dog died, it would truly be dead.

Until the very last moment, he had to try and save it if he could.

Seemingly sensing Qin Chuan's thoughts, the Water Leaf Dog poked its head out from his embrace. It raised its head high, looking over Qin Chuan's shoulder at the Shadow Leopard behind them.

A bright light flashed through its water-blue eyes, and it abruptly barked out.

"Woof!!!"

The next moment, a sudden puddle appeared under the sprinting Shadow Leopard's feet. It heavily stepped into the puddle, and just as its claws were about to exert force, an inexplicable force from within the puddle suddenly tripped it.

In its rapid bounding state, the leopard lost balance instantly and tumbled directly into a nearby tree, letting out a dull thud, unable to move.

Hearing the noise behind him and feeling that the killing intent had temporarily receded, Qin Chuan looked back in astonishment, overjoyed when he saw the situation behind him.

"Water Leaf Dog! Well done!"

He laughed heartily, his heart filled with the joy of a narrow escape from death.

But the next moment, the Water Leaf Dog suddenly let out an anxious bark.

"Woof!"

Qin Chuan just felt the ground give way beneath his feet, and then he was falling heavily, tumbling down a steep slope before he could react; his body rolled repeatedly down the slope.

Amid the intense pain, he only managed to tightly embrace the Water Leaf Dog in his arms, soon losing consciousness amidst the spinning world.

-----------------

"Uh..."

He did not know how long had passed when Qin Chuan woke up amid pain.

He tried to sit up, but this simple action made him gasp in pain.

Every part of his body ached.

"Woof~"

Seeing Qin Chuan awake, the Water Leaf Dog guarding by his side was extremely excited, its two thick tails wagging vigorously.

Seeing the Water Leaf Dog, Qin Chuan's memories quickly returned.

He and the Water Leaf Dog had escaped from the Shadow Leopard's pursuit but had fallen down a steep slope.

It seemed he was fortunate to have survived.

Wait a minute! How long had he been unconscious?

Qin Chuan's expression changed, and he quickly opened the indicator at the top of his view.

[Player Name: Luo]

[Player Level: Apprentice Level]

[Contract Slot: 0/1][View]

[Item Equipment Bar: 0/10][View]

[07:49:37/08:00:00][00:00:00]

Qin Chuan: "???"

Had the Dream World's opening time almost ended while he was unconscious?!

"Woof!"

The bark of the Water Leaf Dog brought Qin Chuan back to his senses. Just as he was about to say something, he saw the Water Leaf Dog wag its tail and then turn away.

Was it time to part...

Watching the Water Leaf Dog quickly shrink in his view, a sense of melancholy surged in Qin Chuan's heart. He weakly raised his hand to wave, then leaned back against a large rock, staring at the countdown.

[07:59:59/08:00:00][00:00:00]

[08:00:00/08:00:00][00:00:01]

[Dream World entry closed]