Lin Che shook Lin Ying awake gently, his voice soft but urgent. "Ying, wake up. There's a fierce bear up ahead. Hide behind this boulder, wrap yourself in my coat, and don't make a sound—don't move an inch. I'll chase it away, I promise."
"A big bear?" Fear flickered in Lin Ying's eyes, but she nodded, clinging to his sleeve so tight her knuckles whitened. "Be careful, Brother. Come back soon."
Lin Che tucked her behind the boulder, piling small stones to block the gaps—hiding her from sight. He gripped his rusted woodcutter's knife, his legs shaking from weakness, and stumbled forward. He wasn't playing hero; he knew the bear would sniff out Lin Ying once it finished off the other cultivators. He had to kill it first.
[Combat Analysis: Win rate 31%—barely a coin flip! Suggestion: Bluff with leftover Slaughter God aura. Fight head-on, and you'll be bear chow!]
The scene was a slaughterhouse. Two cultivators lay dead, their bodies mangled; the other two propped themselves against the cliff, gasping for breath, their weapons shattered. Ten meters away, the Black Wind Bear stood—three zhang tall, jet-black fur sharp as steel needles, paws slamming the ground so hard stones exploded outward. Its crimson eyes glowed with bloodlust, fixed on the surviving cultivators like prey.
The bear heard his footsteps, spinning around to lock eyes on Lin Che. It roared, shaking the trees: "A lowly Mid Body Tempering worm dares meddle? Perfect—you'll be my dessert!" It sensed his weakness instantly, its killing intent surging like a tidal wave.
[Warning: Weakness detected! Bear has targeted you! RUN! You're too scrawny to fill its belly—just a tiny appetizer!]
Lin Che tried to gather spiritual energy, but his meridians screamed in protest—energy scattered the second he concentrated it. He coughed up a mouthful of blood, stumbling backward, the pain so intense he almost blacked out. This was it—he was too weak to fight.
The bear lunged, its huge body kicking up a gust of stinking wind. Its paw came down like a mountain, fast enough to crush his bones in one hit—there was no way to dodge.
"Brother! NO! I'm scared!" Lin Ying's tearful scream cut through the wind—desperate, terrified. That sound snapped something in Lin Che.
The bear's gaze flicked to the boulder, eyes lighting up with greed—it had found Lin Ying. How dare it? Rage flooded Lin Che's veins, his remaining 580 Killing Intent roaring to life. He didn't hesitate—yanking out his storage bag, he detonated 100 spirit stones. A flood of spiritual energy crashed into his damaged meridians, tearing more cracks—but he didn't care. His sister was in danger.
[Spiritual Energy Overload! Temporary boost to Peak Qi Condensing Realm—15 SECONDS ONLY! Warning: Meridian damage 68%. Weakness period extended to 24 hours. Risk of energy disorder and cultivation regression!]
"15 seconds is all I need!" Lin Che roared, his eyes turning scarlet. He formed hand seals in a blur, unleashing the first move of the Cangxuan Spirit Devouring Technique—Azure Flame Exorcism: Space Rend. A faint but deadly condensed azure flame ignited at his fingertips, laced with Killing Intent. It wasn't his peak power, but it was enough to pierce the bear's armor-like fur.
The bear had already turned, charging for the boulder—for Lin Ying. But the searing heat of the flame hit its back. It spun, swiping a paw to block, but the flame tore through its fur instantly, burning into its muscles and devouring its monster energy and essence. It howled in agony.
"ROAR—!" The bear's scream echoed through the mountains as it rolled wildly, trying to put out the flame. But the fire clung like a curse, draining its strength with every second. Within moments, it collapsed, dissolving into a pile of ashes—leaving only a dark black monster essence core glowing faintly on the dirt.
[Cross-rank kill successful! Reward: 1 Black Wind Bear Essence Core (Refine and consume to boost physical strength + repair meridians).]
[Overload ended. Weakness period: 24 hours. Meridian damage 68%. Combat power ≤ Early Body Tempering Realm. Energy exhausted—you'll trip over your own feet. Meditate ASAP!]
Lin Che dropped to one knee, coughing up a mouthful of blood that stained the dirt crimson. He propped himself up with his knife, vision blurring, ears ringing. Every muscle screamed in exhaustion—he was hanging on by a thread. But he'd protected her. That was all that mattered.
Lin Che knelt on one knee, coughing up another mouthful of blood that stained the dirt red. He supported himself with his knife, his vision blurring and his ears ringing. His entire body ached with exhaustion. If it weren't for his resolve to protect Lin Ying, he would have fainted on the spot.
"S-Senior! Thank you! You saved our lives!" The two surviving cultivators crawled over, faces ashen with awe. The bearded one trembled, "We're from Town Mountain Escort Agency—Green Stone City. Let us escort you! We'll get you the best healing herbs money can buy!"
"Don't touch me." Lin Che's voice was cold, sharp—he was too weak to defend himself if they turned on him. "Just take me to Green Stone City." The city was crowded, easy to hide in. And it had the herbs he needed to heal—for both of them.
The bearded man nodded frantically, exchanging an awe-struck look with his companion. They knew—this was a hidden expert, one who'd killed a Peak Body Tempering monster while weakened. They didn't dare ask questions, only gesturing for him to follow, their steps light and cautious.
Before another word was spoken, darkness swallowed Lin Che. His last thought, as he fainted, was simple: Wake up. Buy Ying sugar-coated haws. Find a safe home. No more running.
The bearded man lifted Lin Che onto his back gently, careful not to jostle his injuries. His companion fetched Lin Ying—still asleep, clutching Lin Che's coat, her little brows furrowed with lingering fear. They set off for Green Stone City, the morning mist lifting to reveal a bright sun. But for Lin Che, there was only darkness. A 24-hour weakness period. Unknown dangers in the city. And Zhao Tianxiong, still hunting them. The fight wasn't over—not even close.