The air crackled with tension as Long Huang felt the wild energy radiating from the beast.
Woosh!
As the first strike came, anticipation thickened the air. With a surge of qi flowing through his meridians, Long Huang entered a heightened state of awareness, every heartbeat echoing like a drum of war. The tiger lunged forward, its powerful muscles coiling like springs ready to snap.
Swish!
Long Huang dodged, rolling to the side just in time as the tiger's claws raked through the air where he had just stood.
"Focus!" he whispered to himself, channeling the energy coursing through him to enhance his reflexes and strength.
Swish!
He countered with a swift, calculated sword strike, hitting the tiger's shoulder.
Thud!
The beast roared in irritation; the strike was merely a sting rather than a serious blow.
"Shit, I'm so fucked."
Swoosh!
Long Huang dodged the incoming attack, but the tiger's claws still injured his leg. Ignoring the pain, he struck out once more with his sword, this time executing the third move of the Phantom Fang Sword Art aimed at the tiger's eyes. However, the tiger sent him crashing to the ground with a swift swipe of its paw.
"Fuck, just die will you? The Bone Tempering Realm Green Eyed-Tiger King wasn't as stubborn as you."
As Long Huang got up, he cracked his neck while glaring at the tiger with irritation.
"Alright! Since a sword can't harm you, let's throw hands, you overgrown kitty cat."
Stabbing his sword into the ground now, with fiery determination igniting once more in his eyes, Long Huang activated his Wind Deer Steps and Ocean Wave Fist Art to their maximum potential.
BOOOOM!
The air trembled as Long Huang's fists struck out.
Woosh!
But his fist hit nothing but air.
Then a tail, sweeping like a thunderstorm, came in his direction, forcing Long Huang to leap again. This time, he soared higher, using the momentum to deliver a fierce blow to the tiger's side.
BOOOOOOM!!!!!
ROOAR!!!!!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boo...
The next moments unfolded in a whirlwind, a symphony of violence and chaos as they exchanged blows. Long Huang danced around the tiger's powerful swings, dodging and striking with brutal elegance. Each move was a blend of instinct and art, fueled by the adrenaline surging through his veins.
"Hahaha! Where's all the roaring, huh? Why so quiet?"
"Come on, you stinky cat, put more power into your strikes!"
BOOOOOM!!!
His fists glimmered with qi, each strike sending shockwaves into the beast's flesh while its powerful jaws snapped just inches from his face. As the battle intensified, the ground beneath them trembled under the sheer force of their clash.
Long Huang could feel his muscles burning, and his stamina waning, but the ferocity of the tiger's spirit stoked his resolve. With a concentrated effort, he summoned Silvermoon, channeling the last of his energy into it for a powerful strike aimed at the tiger's heart.
"Time to end our fight, kitty!"
THUD!!!!!
In a moment that felt suspended in time, the arrow landed, a bright flash of qi illuminating the darkening sky as the tiger staggered, letting out a final, earth-shattering roar that echoed like a mournful cry through the valley.
ROOOooooar!...
With one final, desperate effort, the Green-Eyed Tiger King pounced but succumbed, collapsing heavily to the ground.
Boom!
Silence enveloped the battlefield, thick and oppressive, as blood pooled beneath its magnificent form. Long Huang stood over the fallen titan, breathing heavily as the fierce adrenaline slowly ebbed away, leaving only the bitter taste of victory and a newfound respect for the mighty spirit that had fought so valiantly.
Gasping for breath, Long Huang picked up and sheathed his sword, the adrenaline still pumping through him.
"Fuck! Never again."
Huang Min's smile broadened, pride shining in her eyes.
"Good job."
"Good job, my ass!"
"Don't think I didn't see you smile when I was sent crashing to the ground."
"Who, me?"
"No, the other person here, of course, you!"
Long Huang rolled his eyes as Huang Min brushed off his question.
The journey had forged them stronger, ready for the war to come. As they continued, the earlier adrenaline still coursed through Long Huang's veins, intertwining with the quiet thrill of victory.
After a long day of travel, they finally settled down for the night. As darkness fell, they set up camp under a blanket of stars. Long Huang took a moment to tend to his wounds, ensuring he was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
As dawn approached, the sun began to rise, casting its warm golden light across the landscape, signaling the start of a new day as they set off once more.
"Next time, let's avoid any fights if we can," he grumbled, casting a sidelong glance at Huang Min, who was deeply focused on a map, tracing their route with her finger.
"I mean, it was you who wanted to test your strength!" she chirped.
"Heck, you were practically dancing with the beast!"
He scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Dancing? I was fighting for my life! I even got injured."
"Well, at least you're alive."
"Yeah, no thanks to you," he replied, rolling his eyes but unable to suppress a smile.
"And since when did you need a map? Are we lost?"
Just then, they exited the valley, and a vast plain greeted them.
"Look at that," Huang Min said, her voice filled with amazement.
The view of the vast plains before them was breathtaking: golden grass swayed gently in the breeze, glistening under the sun like waves in an ocean of gold.
The air was rich with the scent of wildflowers, accompanied by the distant melodies of birds. On the horizon, the Southern Xuan Empire's banners fluttered.
Ahead, the border city of Jade Watch loomed, its massive gates forged from polished jade that shimmered like frozen seafoam.
Guards in crimson armor stood at attention, their spears gleaming in the sunlight. Long Huang collapsed onto a rock, grinning at the sight.
"We made it."
With a renewed sense of purpose, Long Huang stood up and looked around.
"It's beautiful," he said.
Huang Min nodded, but her expression turned serious.
"It is. But those gates are often the first barrier against invading forces. We may be entering a hornet's nest."
Long Huang's grin faded slightly as he considered her words. People knew the Southern Xuan Empire not only for its beauty but also for its intense politics and looming border tensions. Still, they had come too far to back down now.
"We're ready for whatever comes our way," he declared.
"Remember," she murmured, "we're not here to beg. We're here to negotiate."
He smirked. "Since when do you negotiate? I thought you preferred stabbing first, talking later."