In desperation, Li Yun tore the feather from his collar and brandished it at the rat in a flamboyant show of bravado.
True Zipeng was a powerful demon; even a single fallen feather carried formidable aura. The rat shrank slightly when it saw it. Its tiny eyes gleamed as it circled Li Yun, calculating whether he was bluffing or truly dangerous.
Li Yun was terrified. His calf cramped from fear, but he knew he couldn't show weakness. He forced himself to stand stiffly, face tight and severe.
Fortunately, Cheng Qian arrived quickly, holding the blood-stained fang.
Recovering from killing had taken him almost no effort. He had expected shock or revulsion, yet found none. Holding the massive, blood-soaked fang felt no different than chopping a cabbage. That calm settled over his face, making him look strangely cold for someone so young.
He soon realized it wasn't that he feared the rat — the rat feared him.
When he stepped forward, the rat retreated, baring its teeth in warning. Encouraged, Cheng Qian advanced instead of retreating. The rat quickly judged him to be dangerous and fled in a panic.
All creatures strive to cultivate; none wish to die.
Seeing one escape, the other two followed in confusion. The small group of rats scattered in utter defeat.
Li Yun collapsed onto the ground, finally free to focus on his cramped leg.
Just as they relaxed, Yan Zhengming heard movement behind him. Cheng Qian shouted from a distance, "Be careful!"
Yan Zhengming instinctively leapt forward and executed the second stance, "Cycle Upon Cycle."
His blade struck something sharp with a harsh clang, followed by a hoarse growl.
Turning, he saw a massive lynx land lightly several steps away. It shifted into a half-human form — tall, nearly human except for its claws. It smiled shyly, scarlet tongue sliding across its lips.
No wonder the rats had fled. The mantis had been behind them all along.
Young Master Yan, all tender skin and fine flesh, looked delicious. The lynx spirit crouched, then shot forward like lightning. Its claws met the blade — but the sword barely scratched its fur.
The lynx pressed down with brute force.
Yan Zhengming stumbled backward and fell. The lynx rejoiced.
Li Yun and Cheng Qian were too far away to help in time.
In desperation, Li Yun fumbled inside his robes and hurled whatever he found.
Cheng Qian glanced over. "Second Senior Brother, don't—"
Too late.
A small porcelain bottle struck the lynx squarely on the head. Water splashed over it. Before their eyes, the enormous lynx transformed into an equally enormous toad.
Even the lynx seemed stunned.
It tried to roar but croaked instead. Its tongue shot out involuntarily and dangled grotesquely down its chest — brushing Young Master Yan's neck.
Yan Zhengming exploded.
"I am truly convinced by you, Li Yun!"
He suddenly found unimaginable strength. Kicking the toad away, he abandoned all proper sword forms and hacked wildly like a street brawler. The transformed lynx, clumsy on unfamiliar limbs, was stabbed repeatedly in its confusion. After frantic struggling, it reverted to its original shape — and lay still.
Yan Zhengming himself looked closer to death than the corpse.