Gao Jin and his subordinate still lay motionless on the forest floor. The other n from Niu Ling’s faction didn’t spare them a glance.
Thud!
Thud!
The paralyzed lower halves of Jing Shen and his subordinates finally crashed down from the air, landing with dull, sickening thuds.
anwhile, Miu Jiang, four Peak Foundation Realm cultivators, Min Shing, and his five subordinates tore through the forest in pursuit.
They were chasing Cloudia and the little tiger.
Cloudia had sensed the powerful presences approaching ever since they first arrived.
Now, she was sprinting with everything she had, far ahead of her pursuers.
Following her plan, she and the little tiger had split up—racing in different directions but toward the sa goal:
Reon’s tent.
...
Hours went by.
The sun was already up in the east.
The chase still hadn’t stopped.
"These beasts are fast," Miu Jiang growled, his robes whipping in the wind.
He glanced over his shoulder. His n were lagging behind, breathing heavily, struggling to keep up.
"Useless bastards! Go after the white tiger. I’ll chase the fox alone."
"Yes, Brother Miu!" the others replied in unison.
Ten n veered off, speeding through the trees in pursuit of the little tiger.
Only one man remained at the rear of the group.
"W-Wait for... !" Wei Lin shouted, panting hard as he tried to keep up.
He was running on foot, struggling to even breathe and barely keeping up with them.
His legs finally gave out, and he stopped, hunched over, gasping.
Thoughts swirled in his mind.
’Just how strong are those people?
Why are they looking for that loser from the Adventurer Guild?
Is he really that... special’
Up ahead, Miu Jiang narrowed the distance between himself and Cloudia.
Cloudia’s sharp ears twitched, picking up on a change in the wind—there were fewer pursuers now.
They’d split up, scattering into separate paths.
And they were after the little tiger.
Her heart tightened.
As her senior sister and guardian, how could she let that happen?
But instead of turning back, she stayed her course—only adjusting slightly, drifting left with each sprint.
If her timing was right, they would reunite at one point.
They ran.
And ran.
Wind howled past.
Trees blurred by.
Each breath burned.
"You’re not escaping, little fox!" Miu Jiang shouted, kicking his sword harder for speed.
Cloudia gritted her teeth and pushed herself faster.
Then—
Through the dense trees, she saw her.
The little tiger.
But she was surrounded.
Ten n had already encircled her, blades drawn, smirking with cruel intent.
Cloudia skidded to a halt, her nails digging into the forest floor.
Her cyan eyes narrowed.
’I guess... there’s no choice but to fight now,’ she thought, as the air grew tense around her.
Miu Jiang floated down from his sword, his boots touching the forest floor with a soft thud.
He walked forward slowly, a smug smirk stretched across his face.
"Well, well... the little beasts finally stopped," he said with mock delight. "Where will you run now?"
Cloudia stood tall in her beast form, fur rustling in the wind. Her voice ca out soft and otherworldly.
"Why are you people chasing us? One after another, like predators in the dark..."
Miu Jiang grinned wider.
"Oho? That voice... that’s adorable. I’d love to hear you scream it—on a bed, of course. I’d make sure you couldn’t even speak by the end."
His eyes glead with twisted delight.
Cloudia’s expression turned ice cold.
"You perverted filth. Go make your own mother scream—if that’s what you’re into."
Miu Jiang laughed, the sound sharp and vile.
"Hahaha! You’ve got quite the mouth on you. I’ll enjoy breaking that arrogance."
"You seriously need help," Cloudia spat. "Whatever sick taste you have—I hope soone knocks it out of you."
"Never gonna happen," he said, stopping just a few steps away. "But I will fix you, darling. Now, be a good girl and co quietly."
"Disgusting."
"Filthy humans like you make the entire human race look bad in the eyes of other races. Go back. Now." Cloudia’s voice was cold, her expression unreadable.
"I’m already taken. I won’t be going anywhere with you."
Cloudia narrowed her eyes and turned slightly to glance at the little tiger behind her.
The young beast was already locked in battle—surrounded by ten cultivators, blades flashing around her.
Cloudia’s chest tightened.
’Little tiger is too inexperienced... she can’t handle five peak-stage and five high-stage Foundation Realm cultivator all at once.’
Her cyan eyes hardened.
’I have to help her...’
But first, she looked back at Miu Jiang.
’He’s the strongest. I’ll need to deal with him first.’
She blinked.
And froze.
He was gone.
"Huh? Where did he—"
WHOOSH!
Wind howled behind her.
Too late.
"Then, I’ll just take you by force," ca Miu Jiang’s voice—right at her back.
Cloudia spun around, but—
SWISH!
BOOM!
A cold line of pain sliced across her neck. She staggered backward, crashing into a nearby tree.
Blood dripped down her fur. Not much—but enough to make her freeze in shock.
Her body was already far stronger than the Ironclaw Direwolf’s, whose fur had been hardened with Wind Energy.
And still—
A single slash?
No Sword Aura... just raw Spiritual Qi...
Her eyes widened.
’I can’t beat him like this. Not in this form.’
Miu Jiang chuckled, stepping closer.
"What happened to that sharp tongue, fox? You think you can win against ?"
He raised his hand lazily. "Co with , and I might treat you gently."
Cloudia slowly stood, her tall beast form rising again with dignity.
"I can’t," she said calmly. "Soone’s waiting for ."
Miu Jiang sneered.
"Then I’ll just send that soone to the netherworld. After that, breaking you will be so much easier."
Cloudia’s fur bristled.
"Don’t you dare lay a finger on my master," she growled.
And then—
Everything changed.
In a flash of golden light, her form began to shift.
Her once-blue fur shimred and changed—becoming rich gold, radiant and fierce.
Two long golden tails unfurled behind her, swaying gently like fla-touched wind.
Her face, once soft, now glead with sacred light.
And her eyes—
Once cyan, now pure gold—glowing like twin suns.
Miu Jiang stopped dead in his tracks, his face pale with sudden disbelief.
"W-What... What is that...?" he stamred, taking an involuntary step back. "That’s—"
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