The Hunt Begins
Su Dao didn't think—he ran.
His legs burned, his vision blurred, and his breath came in ragged gasps, but he didn't stop. He couldn't stop.
Behind him, the tiger beast let out a deep, guttural growl. The sound rumbled through the trees like rolling thunder. Then—
Boom!
The ground shook as the beast leaped forward.
Su Dao's heart pounded. The moment it gave chase, he knew—he had no chance. He had no Qi, no strength. He was weaker than an average mortal. Against a 5th-level spiritual beast, he was nothing but prey.
"Damn it!" he cursed, pushing his broken body forward. His feet stumbled over roots, branches whipped against his face, but he didn't care. Death was at his back.
The tiger moved like a shadow, gliding through the forest with terrifying speed. Every few steps, Su Dao could hear it getting closer—the snap of a twig, the rustle of leaves, the heavy breathing of a predator who knew its prey couldn't escape.
Then—
Whoosh!
A golden blur shot past him. Su Dao barely ducked in time as the tiger's massive claws slashed through the air, missing his head by a hair's breadth.
Cold sweat drenched his back.
"It's playing with me!"
The realization hit like a slap. The beast could have killed him already. It was toying with him, enjoying the chase.
Another swipe—this time at his legs.
Su Dao jumped, but his body was too weak. He stumbled forward, rolling across the ground. The moment he hit the dirt, he knew—this was it.
The tiger loomed over him, its golden eyes glowing in the dark. Its maw opened, revealing sharp fangs dripping with saliva.
Su Dao gritted his teeth. He didn't want to die like this.
Then—
A sword light flashed.
Boom!
The tiger roared in pain as a powerful energy wave sent it staggering back. Su Dao blinked, barely processing what had happened.
Three figures descended from the trees, their robes fluttering in the wind. Their aura radiated strength.
"Who dares disturb our sect's hunting grounds?" one of them said coldly.
Su Dao gasped. Cultivators.
He had been saved.