"Now that you all have the breathing technique, stay here and cultivate," Xu Xue said as he stretched his limbs. "As for the matter of leaving, leave it to me. However, before anything, it's best to dispose of your electronic devices. Such things could reveal your location!"
Upon hearing this, the group exchanged glances before their eyes shifted to Kun Shao.
"What are you staring at me for? I didn't bring my phone in here!" Kun Shao quickly explained.
Xu Xue nodded in approval. He hadn't anticipated that these people would inadvertently meet the conditions of pioneers.
As Xu Xue walked toward the dark passage, Huang Bo asked Zhao Xian, "What do you think?"
Zhao Xian gazed at Xu Xue's retreating figure and replied, "He's powerful."
"I wasn't asking about that," Huang Bo corrected.
"He has his secrets, and you have yours. Since we're all in this together, let's just trust each other," Zhao Xian said with a smile, looking back at him.
Huang Bo chuckled wryly and shook his head. He had expected Zhao Xian to say something more, but it seemed he had been worrying unnecessarily…
In reality, the thoughts and actions of martial artists were straightforward; as long as the right resources were offered, they would willingly follow.
In his past life, Xu Xue had faced countless challenges. If anyone were to betray the team, it certainly wouldn't be one of the martial artists, for they would never abandon righteousness, no matter the cost. The one who spoke those words was none other than Kun Shao, the Emperor.
In the dimly lit passage, Xu Xue held his breath and slowed his steps.
According to his memories from his past life, he recalled how terrifying this passage was. Both sides above were home to four ultra-C-grade Shadow Female Panthers.
Despite their classification not reaching B-level, their attack methods possessed B-level destructive power.
Should all four Shadow Female Panthers close in on him at once, whether Xu Xue could even escape was uncertain.
Just as his right foot was about to touch the ground, a faint sound of beastly breathing came from his left, high above.
Withdrawing his foot, Xu Xue leaned against the left wall, his grip tightening around the Yun Jing Mo Qie, bracing for any unforeseen dangers.
Suddenly, Xu Xue felt a chilling sensation down his back.
His instincts screamed danger!
Without hesitation, he sprang into action, rolling backward with blinding speed.
In the next moment, Xu Xue's eyes widened in shock as a shadow the size of a sedan hurtled over his head.
The Shadow Female Panther missed its strike and landed a few steps away, growling in frustration.
It was clear that had Xu Xue been a fraction of a second slower, his head would have been torn off.
Bending at the waist, Xu Xue spread his legs, letting his weapon naturally drop in rhythm with his breathing, preparing for the next potential sneak attack.
The Shadow Female Panther was incredibly fast, adept at stealth and ambush. However, its defense was mediocre. A standard E-grade weapon could easily break through its defenses.
Seeing the Shadow Panther bend its rear claws, Xu Xue's right foot stepped forward, and with a swift upward swing of his Yun Jing Mo Qie, he preemptively slashed!
The moment the weapon cut through the air, a dark shadow zipped by from above, followed by a pitiful beastly cry.
Xu Xue quickly turned his head, only to see the mangled remains of the Shadow Female Panther's body. Before he could take advantage of the moment, two more low growls echoed from both sides!
His body tensed, and his steps halted as his head snapped upward. Four glowing green eyes were now trained on him from the two openings to his left and right.
"Damn! They're this alert?" Xu Xue thought, not bothering with the corpse of the Shadow Female Panther as he leaned back, hopping backward in a series of swift retreats.
Just narrowly evading the attacks, the two hulking Shadow Panthers emerged before him.
"Not ultra-C level?" Xu Xue mused, recognizing the danger they presented.
Indeed! It was fortunate to have entered early. Not only did it allow him to gain an advantage, but it also helped him avoid many potential threats.
As Xu Xue reflected, the two Shadow Panthers suddenly lunged.
"Time to go all in!" Xu Xue thought, his body surging with spiritual energy. He shot forward like a missile, aiming directly for the two beasts.
"Die!" Xu Xue shouted, swinging his Yun Jing Mo Qie horizontally, a faint aura surrounding the blade as it sliced through the Shadow Panther's body.
"Splurt!"
The beast, which had been aiming to pounce, was cleaved in half by Xu Xue's blow.
Not pausing for a second, Xu Xue swiftly turned and executed the same deadly strike at another Panther approaching from behind.
To his surprise, the remaining Shadow Panther didn't take the opportunity to attack him.
It missed its chance. Xu Xue immediately retreated, but before he could fully withdraw, the second Panther leapt at him.
This was the moment Xu Xue had been waiting for. He bent his knees and thrust the Yun Jing Mo Qie forward in a lightning-fast strike.
"Splurt!"
The blade cleaved through the Panther's head, the force of the blow leaving it half-severed. Xu Xue quickly began collecting his spoils.
Although none of the three Panthers dropped any items, their bodies were valuable. In this otherworldly ecosystem, the meat of the Shadow Female Panther was not only delicious but could also provide a small boost in cultivation. Once the trading hall opened, it would be a great source of spiritual crystals.
As Xu Xue stashed the carcasses of the three Shadow Panthers into his inventory, a roar erupted from deeper in the passage. Soon after, he saw one of the Shadow Panthers, accompanied by four smaller ones, appear in front of him.
"Ah, so that's why one was missing. It's calling for reinforcements!"
The enraged Shadow Panther glared at Xu Xue, occasionally growling as if communicating with the other four.
Taking advantage of the moment, Xu Xue slowly advanced, readying himself for the impending battle.
"Roar!"
The Shadow Panther let out a furious roar, and the four smaller Panthers immediately charged at Xu Xue.
Gripping his Yun Jing Mo Qie tightly, Xu Xue swung at the first one charging toward him.
As the Panther's blood sprayed from its body, Xu Xue swiftly pivoted, using his left hand to press down on the head of another Panther that was leaping toward him. With his right hand, he unleashed a mighty slash at the two approaching Panthers.
"Splurt!"
The bodies of the two Panthers were torn asunder, blood spraying violently, splattering across the walls.
Xu Xue's movements didn't stop. The Panther under his left hand had yet to break free, so he cleaved off its head in one swift motion.
The battle was over in mere moments. Within a few breaths, Xu Xue had dispatched all four Shadow Panthers.
Looking at the remaining Shadow Panther in the distance, Xu Xue smiled and beckoned.
It was unclear if the Panther understood his gesture or if its anger drove it forward, but it charged at Xu Xue, claws outstretched.
Xu Xue had been waiting for this very moment. He welcomed their rage, for it was only through such fury that he could easily slay them.
With a flash of light from the Yun Jing Mo Qie, the final Shadow Panther collapsed, its body vanishing into his inventory.
Having dealt with the earlier part of the passage's Shadow Panthers, Xu Xue exhaled deeply.
"As expected, this otherworldly space isn't as simple as it seems."
By the standards of his past life, this particular dimension would be considered basic, but the one in the East Suburb was of a much higher tier.
After a brief rest, Xu Xue chose not to move forward immediately. Instead, he sat and absorbed spiritual energy, since this dimension was only C-grade and the Boss was no more than ultra-C-grade. He had plenty of time to cultivate at ease.
Meanwhile, outside, those waiting for news had already reached a state of mounting urgency.