My muscles tensed instantly. I gripped the alloy saber tightly in my left hand, my back against the statue, and cautiously observed my surroundings.
The environment within the stone cave seemed unchanged, yet my sense of crisis intensified.
Something was wrong. There had to be something lurking in the shadows!
I remained in a standoff with my unseen adversary for a while, but it revealed no weaknesses. If this continued, it would surely be to my disadvantage.
Anxiety gnawed at me, but I kept my composure.
At this point, I had no choice but to take a risk!
Feigning ignorance, I bowed towards the statue, pretending to tie my shoelaces, exposing a large open area behind me to the darkness.
My hand remained clenched around the alloy saber. Whatever demon or monster you are, if you dare consider Lu Ziye prey, you're as good as dead!
Finally, the creature hiding in the darkness could no longer restrain itself. With a swish, something sliced through the air, attacking my back.
"Good, I've finally lured you out!"
Without haste, I shifted sideways, spinning around and unleashing a "Full Moon Slash." The alloy saber gleamed, tracing a silver-white arc through the air.
I expected this blow to at least incapacitate the creature, if not kill it.
To my surprise, its reaction speed was astonishingly agile. Seeing its attack foiled, it retreated back into the shadows.
Only two pair of glowing green eyes stared intently at me.
Then, a black panther slowly emerged into the light, crouching low, meeting my gaze.
I knew immediately this was bad. The panther looked as if it hadn't eaten in a long time, its eyes burning with a hunger for flesh. It wouldn't be easily scared off.
It seemed only one of us, the panther or I, would leave here alive today!
I knew that against a swift animal like a panther, my only advantage was my superior strength. So, I bent my knees, channeled my energy to my dantian, and adopted a stable stance, ready to counterattack.
The panther held its ground for a moment, then, as expected, lost its patience.
It feinted left and right before lunging at me.
My palm was slick with sweat as I gripped the alloy saber, but strangely, at this critical moment, my mind became utterly calm.
Quickly, I used my right arm, shielded by my military coat, to block the panther's attack. Then, I spun and swung the saber towards its head.
The panther, caught off guard, managed to avert its head just in time, sustaining only a shallow but significant wound on its body. This, however, did not deter it; it only ignited its ferocity further.
It lunged at me again!
"You beast! But you've messed with the wrong guy. Today's your unlucky day!"
I wiped the blood from my face, a bloodthirsty grin spreading across it. Unlike my previous defensive approach, I unexpectedly charged towards the panther, saber in hand.
In a flash of lightning, I was faster.
My saber plunged into the panther's back, pinning it to the ground.
The creature thrashed relentlessly, but I held firm, pressing down on it, giving it no chance for a final counterattack.
Only when its breathing faded did I rise from its body, wipe my face, and, in silence, limp towards the exit.
Facing the blinding sunlight felt like crossing through a different life.
The feeling of being alive was exquisite!
I greedily inhaled the fresh air. Li Degui, I'm coming back from hell for you!
Looking around, I was relieved to find that the exit of the military base was not far from the cave.
I oriented myself and, gripping the alloy saber, plunged into the rainforest.
I moved swiftly through the dense foliage when suddenly I heard the sound of flowing water ahead.
Overjoyed, I burst through the undergrowth!
There, in a small stream, Shangguan Yao was bathing, her back to me. The clear water cascaded over her fair skin, a sight as beautiful as a painting.
Hearing the noise behind her, Shangguan Yao turned and our eyes met.
"Ah!!!"
Shangguan Yao shrieked, covering her chest, and splashed water towards me.
"Lu Ziye! I actually had a slightly better impression of you, and now you're peeking at me bathing!"
Damn it, I just escaped certain death, and I run into Shangguan Yao bathing? Who can I even complain to about this!
I could only turn away in frustration, but suddenly Shangguan Yao let out an even louder scream, laced with panic.
"Lu Ziye, are you a ghost or a person!!"
As if I were a ghost, could I still be standing here? Was this woman’s brain waterlogged!
"Lu Ziye, Li Degui said you fell off a cliff and died. You, how are you still alive!" Shangguan Yao’s addled mind recovered, and she questioned me with disbelief.
Hearing this, I was furious!
That scoundrel Li Degui! He even fabricated my death! But he surely didn't expect that my luck was so great, I'd return to settle the score!
I said to Shangguan Yao with a dark expression, "Not only am I not dead, but I'm back to settle accounts with Li Degui!"
With that, before Shangguan Yao could react, burning with rage, I turned and headed back towards the cave.
As I approached the cave entrance, I heard Li Degui's hypocritical voice from within. I hid by the entrance, wanting to see what Li Degui would say.
"This incident is partly my fault. If only I had stopped Lu Ziye at the time! I told him, but he wouldn't listen. He lost his footing and fell off the cliff. Although we had some minor disagreements, we were men, after all. We became friends through conflict."
Li Degui spoke words he himself didn't believe, even faking a couple of sobs.
"Go to hell!"
If you, Li Degui, hadn't kicked me into the swamp from behind, I might have believed your act!
With a grim face, I stood outside the cave, waiting to see what other nonsense this idiot would spew.