Chapter 24: A Narrow Victory and Critical Condition

This was the terrifying part of a Demonic Beast; a lightning bolt traveled at such incredible speed that even a power ful fighter would find it difficult to dodge without prior judgment. Lei Qing only had time to instinctively raise his shield to block it. With a “snap,” the kite-shaped shield was instantly shattered by the electric light.

The power of the lightning rampaged into Lei Qing’s body, tearing at his flesh and meridians, causing numbness.

However, the One-Horned Tiger did not know that Lei Qing himself had cultivated the Heavenly Thunder attribute Fighting Qi from the beginning. Although the lightning rushing into his body caused him some injury, the vast majority of its power did not take effect. After all, Lei Qing’s resistance to the Heavenly Thunder attribute was evident to all, and his immunity to it was very strong. However, his right arm was numbed by the impact of the lightning bolt.

After its various trump cards were repeatedly broken by this detestable human, the One-Horned Tiger became even more furious, with sparks of lightning crackling all over its body. It suddenly pounced, covering a distance of several meters in a single leap. From above, it swiped its claws fiercely at Lei Qing.

Lei Qing, who was ready for battle, had anticipated this. While secretly shocked by the ferocity of this tiger, he tapped his toes on the accumulated snow and executed the Thunder Flash movement technique, which he had mastered to the Small Success realm. The movement technique, imbued with the intent of lightning, was as fast as rushing thunder and as elusive as a ghost. Where his feet stepped on the snow, only very faint footprints remained.

With a flick of his wrist, the Qingfeng Sword danced. At the tip of the sword, green light flashed incessantly. A single sword stroke dissolved into over ten layered sword shadows, with lightning crackling between each shadow, enveloping half of the One-Horned Tiger’s body.

In this desperate struggle, Lei Qing had pushed his strength to the limit. He had realized that this One-Horned Tiger was not a Mid-stage Bronze beast at all, but had already reached the level of High-stage Bronze. Ordinary Demonic Beasts were already very powerful upon reaching High-stage Bronze, let alone a fierce tiger that was the king of beasts. Lei Qing knew deeply that if he was even slightly careless today, the two of them and the dog would likely all die under the claws of this ferocious One-Horned Tiger and become its food.

This realization sent a chill down Lei Qing’s spine, but at the same time, it aroused a magnificent fighting spirit within him. They were both High-stage Bronze; why should he be inferior to a mere Demonic Beast?

Ao ao ao~

Blood splattered from the One-Horned Tiger, and four or five wounds appeared on its body. Unfortunately, in Lei Qing’s all-out attack, the strikes aimed at its vital points were dodged. The injuries it sustained were merely superficial. The cunning nature and combat experience of this Demonic Beast were truly chilling.

“Swoosh~”

A sharp arrow shot from the side. The One-Horned Tiger sensed the danger and twisted its body mid-pounce; the arrow only hit its belly. But how could the power of the Thousand-Mechanism Crossbow be ordinary? Even though it hit the belly, the arrow sank in up to the feathers. The crossbow bolt remaining in its stomach would surely cause it endless pain and restrict its ability to fight.

Zuo Qianqian was also exceptionally capable. After being frightened initially, she had indeed been in a sorry state, but she quickly reacted. Instead of rushing to help immediately, she first rapidly opened her Storage Space, took out the remaining five loaded Thousand-Mechanism Crossbows, and only then calculated the distance to counterattack.

After its sneak attack failed and suffering repeated injuries, the One-Horned Tiger became even crazier, its eyes red as it pounced towards Zuo Qianqian. That weak human had caused it too much pain, making its stomach cramp as if cut by a knife.

Seeing Zuo Qianqian achieve merit, Lei Qing was overjoyed. Having such a reliable and capable companion to fight alongside felt really good. He certainly could not let the One-Horned Tiger attack Zuo Qianqian; otherwise, with her strength, she would not be able to withstand a single swipe from the tiger.

With a flash of his figure, he appeared like a ghost on the right side of the One-Horned Tiger. His left fist had already gathered abundant Heavenly Thunder Fighting Qi, and he suddenly smashed it towards the tiger’s ear.

“Boom!”

This punch was as heart-palpitating as the sudden appearance of Heavenly Thunder in early spring. The fist landed directly on the side of the tiger’s head, right above the ear root. The roaring sound of the thunder explosion stunned the One-Horned Tiger for a moment, knocking its head askew.

This was the second move of the Heavenly Thunder Combat Code, Spring Thunder Suddenly Appears. Although Lei Qing’s mastery of it was not deep, the power of this move was exceptionally fierce and domineering, combined with Lei Qing’s comprehensive strength of High-stage Bronze. The tiger, weighing over a thousand catties, was struck mid-leap by Lei Qing’s punch, causing it to fall directly to the ground, sending the accumulated snow flying.

When an enemy falls, it is often the best time to attack. Lei Qing had established his power with that punch; how could he miss this opportunity? He slightly retracted his Fighting Qi and immediately followed up with the One-Character Lightning Sword. The sword momentum was as fast as lightning, like a meteor, taking the shortest distance between two points, stabbing fiercely and quickly towards its throat.

The One-Horned Tiger was indeed worthy of being a High-stage Bronze exotic tiger; it was truly formidable. Its beastly survival instinct made it twist and rub its body against the ground at the critical moment, dodging the vital spot. The sword light pierced directly into its shoulder.

“Roar!” The One-Horned Tiger, having suffered repeated heavy injuries, was furious to the extreme. Its tiger claws swiped madly at Lei Qing, carrying a crackling intent of Heavenly Thunder.

Lei Qing focused his mind, tapped his feet continuously, and turned sideways to dodge. But unexpectedly, the One-Horned Tiger had another trick. Its tiger tail whipped out suddenly, striking his chest like a steel whip. The tremendous impact force broke two of his ribs and sent him flying several feet before he fell to the ground.

The One-Horned Tiger struggled to its feet, its eyes filled with extreme ferocity. Clearly, it hated Lei Qing to the bone, and it roared repeatedly as it pounced towards him.

“Swoosh~” Another arrow shot over. The One-Horned Tiger wanted to dodge, but due to repeated heavy injuries and excessive blood loss, it was unable to do so, letting the Thousand-Mechanism Crossbow bolt nail into its body.

The One-Horned Tiger, possessing incredibly strong vitality, had already been provoked into a savage state; it likely wanted to take someone down with it before it died. It pounced towards the dizzy Lei Qing, its giant claw swiping at his chest. If it landed squarely, Lei Qing’s only fate would be to have his chest cavity completely crushed and die on the spot.

Fortunately, Lei Qing was not a novice just starting out; he was someone who had experienced many dangers and killings. At this moment, a sliver of consciousness remained clear. At the critical moment of life and death, the remaining Fighting Qi in his body burned furiously, transforming into a force that surged through him.

“Snap~” The One-Horned Tiger’s giant palm hit the snow, sending the accumulated snow flying. But it still did not give up. With a look of vengeful anger, it swung the single horn on its forehead, firing another lightning bolt at Lei Qing.

Lei Qing, unable to dodge, was hit completely. As he lay on the ground, he was blasted over a meter away. Although his resistance to lightning was high, the impact force of the lightning bolt could not be negated.

“Brother Lei!” Zuo Qianqian screamed in grief. She lifted another Thousand-Mechanism Crossbow, aimed at the One-Horned Tiger’s head, and fired. With a crisp crack, the crossbow bolt shattered the tiger’s skull and nailed deeply into its head.

With such a heavy blow, the One-Horned Tiger, which had already suffered various severe injuries, finally let out a mournful cry, fell to the ground, and convulsed uncontrollably.

Dropping the Thousand-Mechanism Crossbow, Zuo Qianqian scrambled to Lei Qing’s side and held him up. Seeing Lei Qing’s face was scorched black, she was heartbroken, and tears couldn’t help but fall. She hurriedly opened her Spatial Ring, took out some herbs and bandages, and began to help treat his injuries.

“Brother Lei, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have egged you on to come and kill the One-Horned Tiger.” Seeing Lei Qing’s breath was as thin as a thread, Zuo Qianqian feared the worst. She was filled with grief and began to sob. But even as she cried, her hands moved skillfully to treat Lei Qing’s injuries. She unbuttoned his leather jacket and armor, but just as she was about to set his broken chest bones, she was surprised to find that an ancient Jade Pendant on Lei Qing’s chest was flashing on and off, emitting a faint but soft light.

That pale green light seeped into his skin, traveled along his meridians, and moved to every part of his body. It nourished and warmed his various wounds, helping him heal.

…