Wang Fang's heart thundered in his chest.
This beast is really strong… he thought grimly.
If I hadn't listened to my instincts, I would already be dead.
He shot a glance at the girl standing a few steps away, her posture calm despite the danger.
"Hey little girl," Wang Fang called out.
"What?" she snapped. "Who are you calling little girl? You're a little boy yourself!"
"Huh?" Wang Fang frowned. "I'm one year older than you. You should show some respect."
She burst into laughter, sharp and fearless.
"Hahahaha! Respect? You're not even as strong as me.
Wang Fang clicked his tongue. "You little rascal
Before he could finish, she cut him off coldly.
"Don't call me that again. My name is Yao."
Before either of them could say another word
BOOM!
The ground shook violently.
Two Ironhide Boars charged forward at the same time, their massive bodies smashing through trees like living battering rams. Their iron-black hides shimmered faintly, dense with natural Qi, and every thunderous step made the earth tremble beneath their feet.
"They're coming straight at us!" Wang Fang shouted.
Split up now!"
"I know! Yao replied without hesitation.
They separated instantly.
But instead of retreating, Wang Fang sprinted forward.
"What are you doing?!" Yao shouted. "You can't fight it head-on!
"Relax, Wang Fang said, his eyes sharp and focused. I have an idea!"
Just before the Ironhide Boar slammed into him, Wang Fang leapt high into the air, twisting his body mid-flight. He flipped cleanly over the beast and landed behind it with perfect timing.
In the same motion, he drew the sword Doctor Lu Cheng had given him.
The blade flashed coldly.
With all his strength, Wang Fang slashed downward.
CLANG!
Sparks exploded into the air.
The sword screeched violently as it struck the Ironhide Boar's back but instead of cutting through, a sharp crack echoed.
Wang Fang's expression changed instantly.
"What?" His eyes widened. "My sword cracked?"
"Ooooh," Yao mocked while battling her own opponent. "So that was your brilliant plan?
Meanwhile, the second Ironhide Boar charged straight at Yao.
She planted her feet firmly, Qi flowing smoothly through her meridians. Unlike brute force, her movements were controlled and precise. Each palm strike carried condensed Qi, slamming into the beast's flank and forcing it back step by step.
The Ironhide Boar roared and lunged again.
Yao twisted aside and struck once more.
This time, her Qi pierced through its defenses.
A deep wound tore open across its body. Dark blood splashed onto the ground as the beast howled in pain, its movements slowing while it staggered backward.
But Wang Fang's battle was far from over.
The Ironhide Boar he faced suddenly opened its massive mouth.
A violent burst of compressed Qi erupted outward like a cannon blast ripping through the air.
Wang Fang's pupils shrank.
Too fast!
He threw himself sideways just as the Qi blast tore past him, shredding the trees behind him into splinters. The shockwave sent him sliding across the ground, but he twisted mid-motion and landed on his feet, barely avoiding serious injury.
He exhaled sharply, eyes locked onto the beast.
The Ironhide Boar stomped the ground.
Qi surged wildly around its body as it prepared another attack.
Wang Fang reached for his talismans
Then froze.
I can't use Qi yet…
Old Lady Shen's warning echoed in his mind.
"If you can't use Qi, then use blood. Cut your hand slightly and activate the talisman with essence instead."
The Ironhide Boar's Qi attack surged forward once more.
"No time" Wang Fang muttered.
He clenched his teeth, drew the blade across his palm, and pressed his blood onto the talisman.
The symbol ignited instantly.
Yao's eyes widened.
…Idiot, she muttered. "You're going to die so young.
But Wang Fang didn't retreat, instead
He stood his ground