Stepping back into the forest's embrace, Li Wei and his team took a moment to collect themselves after the trial within the Primordial Path. Each of them could feel the effects of the Qi-enhancing pills they had earned, a gentle pulse of energy coursing through their veins, their cores slightly bolstered from the potent elixir.
As they moved deeper into the forest, the sunlight began to fade, replaced by the shifting shadows of twilight. The once vibrant sounds of birds and rustling leaves turned into an eerie quiet, as though even the forest was holding its breath.
"Something doesn't feel right," Mei Chen whispered, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword.
Li Wei nodded, his senses on high alert. He had survived countless worlds and lives, and this sensation—the tense stillness just before an ambush—was all too familiar. His system activated, and a faint panel appeared before his eyes, highlighting several subtle shifts in the Qi around them.
> **[System Notification]**
> *Warning: Predatory creatures detected nearby. Engage with caution.*
Li Wei's gaze swept over his teammates, and he lowered his voice. "Stay close and remain vigilant. We're not alone here."
The forest floor became uneven, with thick roots snaking through the ground like hidden traps. As they moved forward, the dimming light caught on a pair of eyes lurking in the shadows—a flicker of movement that vanished as soon as it was spotted.
Li Jun tightened his grip on his spear, his body tense. "Are they watching us?"
"Yes," Li Wei replied, his voice barely a murmur. "They're assessing us… deciding when to strike."
A low growl echoed from the trees, and suddenly, several shapes slinked into view. They were like wolves but far larger, their eyes a deep red that glowed in the gloom. Their fur bristled with an almost metallic sheen, and their fangs gleamed as they crept forward, circling the team.
"Grade 2 Shadow Hounds," Jin Rui muttered, glancing at Li Wei. "They hunt in packs, relentless and highly coordinated."
Li Wei's mind raced, analyzing their movements and searching for any pattern or weakness. The Shadow Hounds moved with an intelligence that went beyond mere instinct, their bodies flickering in and out of the shadows as they darted around the team, waiting for an opening.
"They rely on stealth and speed," Li Wei murmured, his voice steady despite the tension. "We need to break their formation and control the battlefield."
The first hound lunged forward, its powerful body blurring as it dashed straight toward Mei Chen. Without hesitation, she sidestepped and brought her sword down in a smooth arc, her blade glinting as it connected with the hound's neck. Her precision left a deep gash, but the beast barely faltered, its momentum carrying it past her and into a crouch as it readied another attack.
"They're tougher than they look!" Mei Chen called out, her eyes narrowing as the hound circled back, blood dripping from its wound but no less ferocious.
"Jin Rui, block the ones trying to flank us," Li Wei ordered. "Zhou Wei, Mei Chen, keep them from closing in on us. Li Jun and I will handle the ones coming directly."
Jin Rui spun his staff, summoning a shield of Qi around himself as two hounds leapt toward him from either side. The beasts collided with the barrier, their claws scraping against the energy shield with a fierce screech. Zhou Wei moved swiftly to his left, his sword flashing as he deflected an incoming hound, his movements fluid and precise.
Li Wei focused on the largest of the hounds, the leader of the pack. He could sense the creature's cunning, its aura dark and filled with malice as it studied him, weighing his strength. The two locked eyes, and for a moment, it was as if Li Wei could sense the creature's mind—a tactical intelligence and an insatiable hunger.
Without warning, the lead hound leapt at him, its fangs bared and claws outstretched. Li Wei sidestepped, channeling a burst of Qi into his palm. He struck the hound's side with a powerful blow, sending it skidding across the ground. The beast snarled, shaking off the impact before charging again, its movements sharper and more aggressive.
"Li Wei, watch out!" Mei Chen shouted as two more hounds broke from the circle, lunging straight toward him.
He spun, his mind racing as he tracked their movements. With a flick of his wrist, he gathered his Qi into a focused burst, aiming it at the ground in front of the advancing hounds. The force of the impact created a small explosion, sending dirt and debris into the air and momentarily blinding the creatures.
Seizing the opportunity, Li Jun lunged forward, his spear striking one of the hounds in its side. The beast howled in pain, stumbling backward as Li Jun's spear glowed with Qi. Jin Rui, still maintaining his barrier, saw his opening and brought his staff down hard, hitting the beast with a solid blow that made it recoil.
The leader of the pack growled, signaling to its packmates. They regrouped, stepping back as they bared their fangs, their eyes glowing brighter. One by one, the hounds melded into the shadows, disappearing as quickly as they had appeared.
"Are they retreating?" Zhou Wei asked, keeping his sword at the ready.
Li Wei frowned, his system still detecting faint traces of the hounds' Qi nearby. "No, they're regrouping. They're waiting for us to lower our guard."
The team took a moment to catch their breath, but the atmosphere remained tense. The air was thick with the scent of earth and blood, and every shadow seemed to move, watching and waiting.
"Li Wei," Mei Chen whispered, her eyes scanning their surroundings. "What's the plan?"
He looked around, calculating their next move. "We need to find higher ground. They won't risk an attack if they can't surround us."
Spotting a rocky incline nearby, Li Wei led the team toward it, keeping a wary eye on the shadows around them. The hounds were close, lurking just out of sight, their presence a constant weight pressing down on them.
As they climbed the incline, Li Wei's mind raced. He needed a way to turn the hounds' tactics against them. They were using the shadows to their advantage, but perhaps he could use that same terrain to lure them into a vulnerable position.
They reached a plateau at the top of the incline, where a scattering of boulders created a natural fortification. Li Wei quickly scanned the area, noting the potential escape routes and places where they could defend themselves.
"Jin Rui, Zhou Wei—position yourselves by those rocks. Mei Chen, Li Jun—stay close to me. When they attack, we'll funnel them toward the center. Their numbers will work against them if we control their movement."
The others nodded, their expressions grim but determined. They took their positions, weapons at the ready as they waited for the next move.
The forest fell into a tense silence, broken only by the faint rustling of leaves. Then, without warning, the hounds charged, their bodies blurring as they leapt out from the shadows. The leader led the pack, its eyes fixed on Li Wei with a feral intensity.
"Now!" Li Wei commanded.
Jin Rui and Zhou Wei struck first, blocking the hounds' path with a synchronized barrage of attacks. The beasts, momentarily thrown off balance, hesitated just long enough for Mei Chen and Li Jun to press forward, forcing the creatures into a narrow corridor between the rocks.
Li Wei focused his Qi, his system highlighting weak points along the hounds' bodies. With precise, powerful strikes, he attacked, each blow aimed to cripple rather than kill, slowing the beasts' movements as they were funneled into a tight space.
The hounds snarled and snapped, their ferocity undiminished even as their movements became sluggish. The leader, sensing the danger, let out a long, piercing howl that echoed through the forest. It charged at Li Wei, desperation gleaming in its crimson eyes.
But Li Wei was ready. Channeling his Qi into a final strike, he moved with blinding speed, his palm connecting with the beast's chest. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, and the leader stumbled, its strength fading as it collapsed to the ground.
One by one, the remaining hounds retreated, their leader's defeat enough to break their resolve. They slunk back into the shadows, their crimson eyes fading into the darkness.
The forest returned to silence, the danger passing as quickly as it had come.
Li Wei let out a slow breath, the tension in his body finally easing. He looked at his team, their faces reflecting a mixture of exhaustion and relief. They had fought well, their unity tested and strengthened in the face of a formidable enemy.
"That was close," Jin Rui muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "But we survived."
Li Wei nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "We did more than survive. We faced down an enemy that outnumbered us, and we won."
As they stood atop the plateau, catching their breath, Li Wei felt a surge of pride for his team. They had overcome another trial together, growing stronger with each step. The Endless Forest held many more challenges, but they were ready for whatever lay ahead.