14. The Leopard Demon King

Bai Zongnan rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping the surroundings before settling on a massive boulder nearby. With a sudden surge of strength in his arms, the boulder—taller than a man—lifted into the air, hurtling toward Bai Zongnan and suspending itself behind his back.

With a sharp whistle, Bai Zongnan leapt atop the boulder. His figure wavered slightly as he strode through the air, light as a feather.

What kind of technique is this? Bai Zongnan was inwardly astonished. He could distinctly sense the immense support the boulder beneath him provided, allowing him to walk effortlessly through the void.

This skill was utterly inconceivable!

I wonder if I can truly wield it? Bai Zongnan attempted to activate the technique.

Instantly, the entire valley shuddered violently. Trees toppled in droves, the earth cracked open, and the dense forest collapsed to reveal the dark ground beneath.

The boulder under Bai Zongnan’s feet trembled fiercely as if it carried some terrifying force, threatening to disintegrate at any moment.

Not only that, but the grass and undergrowth at his feet flattened, as if the world was ending.

He also sensed, faintly, that an inexplicable will was watching him, as though intent on tearing him down.

What?! A warning flashed in Bai Zongnan's mind, and he immediately withdrew his presence.

What’s happening? Bai Zongnan frowned. Just now, he had distinctly felt a dreadful sense of menace, as if he were being stalked by a ferocious beast.

Was it an illusion? Or had his heightened mental acuity merely made him more sensitive to danger?

Suddenly, a faint sound came from the branch of a large tree ahead. A shadow leapt down and lunged at Bai Zongnan.

The figure moved with astonishing speed, closing the distance in the blink of an eye.

Bai Zongnan’s expression changed as he drew the long blade at his waist, holding it horizontally before his chest.

With a metallic clang, the blade collided with a pair of razor-sharp claws, sending a shower of sparks and a cloud of dust into the air. The impact made Bai Zongnan’s hands go numb, splitting the webs between his thumb and forefinger—he nearly lost his grip on the blade.

Such immense strength.

Bai Zongnan’s pupils contracted as he stared at the creature before him.

It was a panther, over three meters tall, its entire body sheathed in black scales, its frame sleek and powerful.

A panther? And one not inferior to a seventh-rank martial disciple—a Panther Demon King!

With a swipe, the Panther Demon King knocked Bai Zongnan’s blade aside and lunged at him.

Man and beast clashed in fierce combat, each collision unleashing bursts of force that exploded through the air. Neither the Panther Demon King nor Bai Zongnan left so much as a mark behind.

Their attacks were so swift and ferocious that an ordinary seventh-rank martial disciple could neither see nor intercept them.

For a moment, the whole valley was filled with their afterimages.

They clashed again with a resounding thud.

The Panther Demon King kicked off the ground, splintering an ancient tree as it propelled itself away. Bai Zongnan, however, remained unmoved, his body impossibly light as he stepped through the air as if walking on solid ground.

Incredible! His physical body must rival that of a ninth-rank martial disciple, Bai Zongnan thought to himself.

Though it was only a difference of one rank, the gap was vast—a chasm separating the eighth and ninth ranks, nearly impossible to cross.

The Panther Demon King threw back its head and roared at the sky, its fur bristling and its eyes blazing with bloodlust. A savage, murderous aura swept out from it.

Its speed surged, its form dissolving into a blur.

With a crack, the Panther Demon King’s claws slashed through a tree as thick as a bowl, felling it in one blow. Then, it sprang again toward Bai Zongnan.

It moved so fast that it reached him in an instant, both claws coming down to tear him apart.

Hmph! Bai Zongnan snorted coldly, flicking his toe to send the felled tree spinning into the air as a barrier before him.

The Panther Demon King’s claws struck the tree with a thunderous crash, shattering it into countless fragments. Its claws continued toward Bai Zongnan, but the tree had blocked their force.

Furious, the Panther Demon King accelerated, opening its jaws to spew a cloud of black mist.

The black mist enveloped the tree, corroding it in an instant—this mist was laced with deadly poison.

Now, the Panther Demon King was upon him, its claws slashing viciously at Bai Zongnan.

This time, Bai Zongnan was prepared. With a crisp ring, he swept his blade horizontally, intercepting the panther’s claws.

Once again, panther and man battled fiercely, blade and claw striking sparks with every clash.

The sound of metal echoed as their weapons collided, sending showers of sparks into the air.

This Panther Demon King truly was formidable—able to fight him to a standstill. Bai Zongnan was secretly alarmed.

Could this creature actually be a Martial Master-level Panther Demon King? he wondered.

Though he did not fear this beast, it was, after all, a demon at the Martial Master stage. If provoked to fury, he might well lose his life.

The Panther Demon King roared, launching a wild, unrelenting assault, as if it would not rest until its intruder was dead.

What is wrong with this beast? Has it gone mad? Bai Zongnan mused. It seems this forest is indeed shrouded in mystery...

Suddenly, the Panther Demon King slowed, its attacks growing less frequent.

This startled Bai Zongnan even more.

The panther flicked out a forked tongue.

Bai Zongnan noticed the change—it had ceased attacking, and its eyes now reflected fear as it glanced toward the distance.

Is there something over there attracting its attention? Bai Zongnan murmured.

Abruptly, the Panther Demon King turned, its crimson eyes glaring at Bai Zongnan, baring its fangs as if ready to devour him.

It began to retreat.

Wait, Bai Zongnan called out, motioning toward an ancient tree in the distance. I know you can understand me—tell me, what’s happening over there?

The Panther Demon King growled low, its posture wary.

Don’t worry, I have no interest in harming you, Bai Zongnan said, waving a hand. If you lead me to whatever it is, I’ll leave at once and won’t hurt you. Otherwise, you wouldn’t want your clan to face annihilation, would you?

The Panther Demon King hesitated, then finally nodded in agreement.

You can understand me? Bai Zongnan was stunned.

He had thought it merely a beast, but now it seemed to possess a rudimentary intelligence.

The Panther Demon King hissed softly, expressing its intent.

So that’s it, Bai Zongnan realized. No wonder these demon beasts were reluctant to remain here—the environment itself was hostile to them.