It wasn't quiet at night in the thick forest. The Earth Titan's heavy steps shook the ground, and the Earthwaves of Bo Qiang produced even more noise. Bai Cheng ran through the bushes, gasping for air but steady in his thinking. His dog barked loudly and ran around the big legs of the Titan to distract it while Bai Cheng focused on Bo Qiang.
Running won't save you, kid!" Bo Qiang shouted, slapping the ground with his hands. A giant wave of dirt erupted beneath him as it sprayed trees down to the ground, sending dirt into the air.
Bai Cheng leaped onto a branch overhanging his position just in time, the Shadow Step making him a blur between the trees.
I cannot keep avoiding this forever, Bai Cheng thought, his heart beating fast. I have to finish this before the Titan gets too close.
From where he stood, he could see the huge Earth Titan moving closer, its bright eyes looking for movement.
The creature was so big that the ground shook with every step it took, and its rocky fists broke through anything in front of it. But Bai Cheng also heard something different—the soft, steady sound of water falling.
Bai Cheng's eyes narrowed. He had been to this part of the forest before. The waterfall wasn't far, and its rocky cliffs and slick terrain could be the perfect place to turn the fight in his favor.
He glanced at his dog, who was still yipping and darting between the Titan's legs.
"Hey, boy!" Bai Cheng whistled sharply. "Lead it toward the waterfall!"
The dog barked once in acknowledgment and ran ahead, expertly weaving through the terrain. The Titan, enraged by the distraction, followed with heavy, stomping steps.
Bai Cheng turned his attention back to Bo Qiang, who stood amidst the destruction he had caused.
The rogue cultivator grinned, his body encased in glowing Rock Armor, the earth around him rising in waves of jagged spikes.
"You think you can outrun me forever?" Bo Qiang sneered. "Let's see you dodge this!"
With a grunt, Bo Qiang slammed both fists into the ground, sending another massive wave of earth ripping through the forest floor. The wave uprooted trees and shattered boulders, the force causing Bai Cheng to lose his footing on the branch he was perched on.
"Not bad," Bai Cheng said quietly, using a quick Shadow Step to jump to a nearby tree. He landed smoothly and smiled at Bo Qiang. "But you're still too slow."
Bo Qiang shouted in anger and tried to attack again, but Bai Cheng was already on the move. Knowing the area well, he moved quickly through the trees, getting closer to the waterfall with each step.
The closer Bai Cheng got, the louder the rushing water sounded. He knew that the cliff next to the waterfall was steep and slippery, and no one was prepared for a place like that.
If he could lure Bo Qiang and the Earth Titan to this place, he might have a chance of using the terrain to his advantage.
Bai Cheng continued, leaping from tree to tree, and finally, he could see the fall's edge; the moon shone down at the falling water and rocks. He turned around to find that his dog had reached the edge, barking furiously at the Titan in an attempt to distract it.
The big creature moved slowly ahead, its eyes fixed on the dog. For a brief moment, it looked like the Titan might slip on the wet rocks, but its huge size and weight kept it steady.
"Good boy," Bai Cheng said quietly. "Now, let's take care of your boss."
Bai Cheng concentrated his energy, tensing his legs as he got ready to attack. With great speed, he ran along the trees around the Titan, moving so fast and unpredictably that even Bo Qiang had a hard time following him.
"What's wrong?" Bai Cheng teased from above. "Can't catch me?"
"Stop running, you little rat!" Bo Qiang yelled, throwing a big piece of rock towards Bai Cheng.
Seizing the opportunity, Bai Cheng jumped up into the air, his speed carrying him forward like a rocket as he sped towards the Earth Titan. Straining all his muscles, he managed to strike the creature's rocky knee with a Bone Breaker Strike.
The sound was loud, a sharp crack that echoed through the forest.
The Titan wobbled but did not fall over. Not willing to give up, Bai Cheng circled and hit the same spot again, this time harder.
With a loud crash, the Titan's leg broke, and it fell forward. Its huge body hit the edge of the cliff, and the ground below gave way under its weight.
In a moment, the Titan went over the edge, and its roar faded into the noise of the rushing waterfall.
Bai Cheng looked back at Bo Qiang, who was now standing alone, his face showing both shock and anger.
"You think that makes a difference?" Bo Qiang growled. "I don't need the Titan to defeat you."
Bai Cheng smirked, wiping sweat from his forehead. "It seems like you're losing friends, big guy. What's next, another golem?"
Bo Qiang's eyes narrowed, and he started chanting softly, his hands glowing with a dim light. He was summoning something again.
"Oh no, you won't," Bai Cheng muttered.
With a burst of speed, he dashed toward Bo Qiang, his movements so fast they left afterimages.
Before Bo Qiang could finish his chant, Bai Cheng delivered a powerful kick to his right leg, forcing him to kneel.
"Stay down!" Bai Cheng shouted, following up with another strike to Bo Qiang's head.
The rogue cultivator's eyes rolled back as he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Bai Cheng took a deep breath, feeling pain all over from the fight. He whistled loudly, and his dog ran back to him, wagging its tail like everything was okay.
"Good job, boy," Bai Cheng said, petting the dog's fur. "Let's find a place to rest before the others come."
He glanced at the waterfall and spotted a hidden cave behind the cascading water. It was the perfect place to hide for the night. Carefully, he made his way inside, his dog following close behind.
Far from the forest, Gerald paced angrily, his fists clenched. "That kid's in over his head. I told him to stay away from those rogue cultivators!"
Mei Feng, equally frustrated, tried to stay calm. "We don't know that yet. He's resourceful."
"I'm not taking chances," Gerald said, summoning a spiritual eagle. The majestic creature spread its wings, its eyes glowing faintly.
"Find him. Now."
The eagle let out a piercing cry before taking to the skies, disappearing into the night.
As Bai Cheng got comfortable in the cave, he felt like the fight was still going on. He leaned against the wet rock wall, and his dog snuggled up next to him.
"Just one night," Bai Cheng whispered, shutting his eyes. "Just one night to rest."
But even as he drifted off to sleep, he couldn't help but be aware of the faint tearing sound of wings cutting through the air.
Gerald's eagle was already on its way.