Bai Cheng stumbled through the thick forest, his vision blurry as the paralyzing poison moved through his body. He was breathing lightly, and his fingers were shaking. Is this how it ends? The thought stayed with him, but a feeling of resistance grew inside him. He wouldn't let this rogue cultivator defeat him—not like this.
Behind him, Jiao's mocking voice rang out, sharp and taunting. "You're slowing down, kid! Don't tell me you're already giving up!"
Bai Cheng clenched his jaw, his legs threatening to buckle. He couldn't afford to collapse, not yet. With what little strength he had, he whistled softly. The sound was faint, but it carried the urgency that only Fang, his loyal dog, would understand.
Fang rushed into the open space from the dark, barking loudly. His quick arrival surprised Jiao, making him turn to protect himself.
"Annoying dog!" Jiao yelled, swinging his dagger wildly to keep Fang away.
Fang refused to yield, nipping at Jiao's legs and pulling back just far enough, giving Bai Cheng crucial seconds. Taking slow, shuddery breaths, Bai Cheng made himself focus on what was happening around him. Mei Feng's voice echoed in his mind, calm and helpful.
"Always remember, Bai Cheng, nature is both cruel and kind. The wild offers poison, but it also offers cures. Learn to see the difference—it could save your life."
His eyes moved quickly through the bushes, becoming unclear as he felt dizzy. Then he spotted it: Blue Vein Grass. Its unique lines shone softly in the moonlight, a sign of hope in the confusion.
Using all his strength, Bai Cheng stumbled toward it, his body shaking from the effort. Jiao saw the movement and laughed mockingly. "Still trying to escape? Sad!"
But Fang, sensing what his master wanted, strove further, barking more loudly and closer to Jiao's moving blade. The rogue grew angry and could not hit the quick dog.
When Bai Cheng reached the patch of grass, he knelt on his knees. He trembled as he tore off some leaves. The taste of the Blue Vein Grass made him want to puke, but he forced himself to chew it. He crushed the leaves into a paste and swallowed it. A gentle warmth filled his chest, slowly easing the cold numbness in his arms and legs.
Jiao walked closer, his voice getting colder. "You can't hide forever, boy. I'll make you regret messing with us!"
The warmth increased, giving Bai Cheng's muscles some strength. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and a spark of determination came back to his eyes. No more running.
Bai Cheng crouched down and crept further into the shadows. He knew Jiao would follow the crushed leaves and the disturbed ground to find him. Fang came back to him, panting hard but with excitement, his tail wagging a little as he waited for the next order.
Bai Cheng patted his loyal friend's ear. "Good boy. Let's finish this.
Jiao burst into the clearing moments later, his eyes scanning for movement. "Where are you hiding, brat? Come out and face me like a man!"
Bai Cheng grinned, crouched behind a tree. He whispered to Fang, pointing to a thick vine looping through the trees above. The dog darted off, tugging the vine as he passed.
With a loud snap, a branch laden with stones came crashing down, catching Jiao off-guard. Though the trap wasn't enough to injure him seriously, it knocked his dagger from his hand and left him disoriented.
"Cheap tricks?" Jiao snarled, wiping blood from a cut on his forehead. "That's all you've got?"
Bai Cheng appeared, standing calmly but ready. "You started this, remember? You can leave now and avoid looking foolish."
Jiao laughed loudly and mockingly. "You think some grass and a few rocks can stop me? Let's see what you can do, boy!"
Jiao lunged, his remaining dagger gleaming under the moonlight. Bai Cheng sidestepped using Shadow Step, the advanced footwork technique Gerald had drilled into him. The rogue's blade slashed through the air where Bai Cheng had been an instant before.
"Fast," Jiao admitted grudgingly, pivoting to track his opponent. "But speed won't save you forever."
Bai Cheng didn't answer. Instead, he moved quickly and hit Jiao in the side with his elbow. Jiao made a noise of pain and staggered back. Fang saw his chance and bit Jiao's ankle, making him lose balance more.
"You little—" Jiao swore, trying to hit Fang, but the dog moved away quickly.
Bai Cheng took the opportunity, moving with a dance-like gait. He quickly threw a Bone Breaker Strike at the legs of Jiao; the staff hit with an awful crack. Jiao screamed in anguish as his leg gave out and his defenses fell asunder.
"You shouldn't have messed with me," Bai Cheng said coldly, grabbing Jiao's dropped dagger. Without thinking, he pushed it into Jiao's shoulder, not deep enough to kill but enough to send a clear message.
Jiao cried out in pain, holding his wound. "You'll pay for this!"
But Bai Cheng had already disappeared into the smoke, his voice echoing as he left. "Next time, pick on someone your level."
Jiao screamed, and it brought something much worse. The ground shook a little at first, then shook hard as a huge figure came out from the dark—a giant rhino spirit beast with shiny silver horns.
Jiao's eyes got big with fear. "No. NO!"
The beast roared and ran towards him with huge steps. Jiao had little time to lift his dagger before the rhino's big jaws shut around him swallowing him completely. From his hiding spot in the trees, Bai Cheng watched quietly. He tightened his fists, feeling uneasy about the victory. He hadn't expected the rhino to eat Jiao, but the dangers of the forest could strike anyone.
Now that Jiao was safe, Bai Cheng knew he had to stay alert. There were three more cultivators left and the leader of the group would be much worse than the rest. His body ached, and the remaining poison sapped his strength.
He and Fang moved quietly further into the forest until they discovered a small, hidden area surrounded by thick plants. The space was tight but hidden, a great place to rest and feel better. Bai Cheng leaned back against the rough bark of a tree, his breathing still uneven. Fang curled up next to him, the dog's warm presence giving a little comfort in the cold, unfriendly forest.
He shut his eyes and thought about the fight again. Every move and choice had been important, but thinking about the other enemies made him feel heavy.
"This isn't over," Bai Cheng said quietly to himself, still feeling strong even though things were tough. For now, he had to get his strength back. The next fight would happen before long.