Chapter 81

At the cave entrance, a huge black shadow slowly appeared, that was a giant beast over three times the size of an ordinary black leopard, its fur standing up like steel needles, scarlet light flickering in its eyes, most terrifyingly, a person sat on its back, a mysterious figure completely cloaked in a black robe.

"So that's it!" Luo Changfeng forced himself to stand, raising his Breaking Cloud Sword again, "The main culprit is actually here!"

The giant leopard strode forward, each step making the ground tremble slightly; the black-robed figure lifted his hand, revealing a pallid, near-transparent palm, with a faint greenish light glimmering at his fingertips.

"Hand her over!" the black-robed person's voice sounded like two blocks of ice rubbing together, hoarse and unpleasant: "I can spare you!" His fingertip pointed straight at the still-sleeping Shi Ran.

Qi Chengshuang snorted coldly, forcing himself to stand, Silver Soul Sword pointing at the black-robed person: "Dream on!" Although he and Shi Ran don't get along, he would absolutely not hand Shi Ran over to someone of unknown origin!

Ignorant wretch! The black-robed person seemed to sigh, lightly waving his hand forward, the giant leopard shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, its speed so fast it almost left an afterimage!

Luo Changfeng gritted his teeth and rushed forward; the clash of Broken Cloud and the giant leopard's claws made a bang, actually producing the sound of metal weapons striking, the tremendous impact forced him back three steps, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Qi Chengshuang then launched a surprise attack from the side, Silver Soul Sword aiming straight for the giant leopard's eyes, but the giant leopard seemed to have anticipated it, dodging the blade by turning its head, while its tail swept like a steel whip, flinging Qi Chengshuang away.

Ruan Xinli hurriedly caught the flying-back Qi Chengshuang; the two crashed to the ground together, Qi Chengshuang's wounds worsened, and he vomited a mouthful of blood.

Ruan Xinli quickly sealed several of Qi Chengshuang's major acupoints, tears in her eyes as she fed him an elixir; she had been feeding him medicine and treating his wounds all night, not knowing when it would end, when she suddenly lifted her head to look at the still-unconscious Shi Ran, a resolute glint flashing in her eyes: "You take Shi Ran and go! I'll stay behind to hold them off!"

"No way!" Qi Chengshuang, in desperation, grabbed Ruan Xinli's hand: "We live and die together—don't say such things!"

"Leave?" A gloomy laugh came from the black-robed person not far away: "Sorry, none of you are leaving today!"

The giant leopard lunged again, but this time its target appeared to be the weakest-looking Ruan Xinli; Luo Changfeng tried to get up, but fell back down, just as the giant leopard was about to step on Ruan Xinli and flatten her, at the critical moment, an unexpected figure suddenly stepped in front of Ruan Xinli—

Shi Ran didn't know when she had awakened; the mountain wind blew her pink-purple skirt, making a rustling sound, her hair flying loose. Facing such a giant leopard, she showed no fear, her fingertip thrust forward, a bead of blood pressing straight onto the leopard's forehead.

……

Shi Ran's move was fierce as a tiger; not only Luo Changfeng, Qi Chengshuang, and Ruan Xinli were stunned, but even the black-robed person was dumbfounded; after a moment, he finally reacted with a hoarse shout, completely thrown off balance by Shi Ran's series of crazy actions: "Shi Ran!!! What the hell are you doing!!!"

Shi Ran said nothing, fully focused on subduing the giant leopard; this guy was obviously more stubborn than Yun Tingliao, but it didn't matter—her sea of consciousness was vast, a mere leopard, once she had captured it, she could make it do somersaults in her sea of consciousness, she had planned every move! Shi Ran's lips curved; she didn't care about the success or failure of this contract at all, she narrowed her eyes, and the giant leopard slowly knelt.

"How preposterous!!! Simply preposterous!" The black-robed person, as if struck by lightning, fell from the giant leopard's back, he scrambled up in a sorry state, his voice trembling: "You, you, you don't even know who I am?!" Actually daring to fight him for his mount?

After subduing the giant leopard, Shi Ran's head suddenly buzzed, a flash of white light appeared in her sea of consciousness; she clenched her fists, slowly waiting for the light to fade, forcing herself to coldly say: "I don't care who you are, love who you love, get lost!"

The black-robed person trembled all over with anger; he really felt defeated by Shi Ran—was this person born to counter him? Writing a bad review would have been fine, but he also inexplicably dragged him into this! The black-robed person, furious and defeated, raised his hand and released hidden weapons—countless tiny yet poison-coated silver needles shot toward Shi Ran at high speed.

Shi Ran stepped back, about to draw a talisman, but unexpectedly Qi Chengshuang reacted faster; with a flick of his Silver Soul Sword, the already-cold black leopard flew to Shi Ran's face, blocking all the poison needles for her.

Seeing this, the black-robed person fled in disarray, far less imposing than when he arrived; his unwilling words echoed in the wind and snow: "Shi Ran, I'll be back! You wait for me!"

It was just like a squabble between children, truly boring! Shi Ran rolled her eyes, staggered a step, and Ruan Xinli hurriedly supported her: "Are you okay?"

"All right!" Shi Ran shook her head, steadied her breath, lifted her gaze—four pairs of eyes stared at her without blinking; her heart softened: "I'm fine, sorry for making everyone worry!"

Luo Changfeng nodded: "All good then!" He was utterly exhausted; hearing that Shi Ran was fine, he leaned against the cave wall, tilted his head, and fell asleep.

Qi Chengshuang was still being stubborn: "Who's worried? We just want to know when you can get rid of this huge beast!"

Ruan Xinli glanced secretly at Qi Chengshuang, who then shut up; Ruan Xinli gave a gentle smile and continued: "I'll take Senior Brother Qi to treat his injuries first; you should rest soon as well."

Shi Ran nodded, seeing that Qi Chengshuang's injuries were quite severe, she rummaged through her cosmic bag: "I have some spiritual medicines here...."

Unexpectedly, Qi Chengshuang was unappreciative: "No need, I have Junior Sister Ruan!"

Shi Ran withdrew her hand, don't drag it out!

Ruan Xinli glanced at the enormous black leopard lying utterly submissive at Shi Ran's feet; it was huge, lying there unable to turn around, tonight the wind and snow should not rage again.

After the three had gone to rest, Shi Ran crouched down to look the giant beast eye-to-eye; the leopard's red pupils flickered with a hint of struggle, then turned docile again, as if everything just now had been her illusion.

A fiery pattern flashed on the leopard's forehead; Shi Ran reached out and patted the leopard: "Rest assured, following me I won't let you suffer any grievance!"

The leopard drooped its eyelids; it didn't know how to describe its own feelings—a bit sorrowful, yet also wanting to laugh, helpless yet bound by the contract, the leopard involuntarily let out a sigh; perhaps this is fate.

Not noticing the giant leopard's mood, Shi Ran was still seriously thinking about what name to give it: "A few days ago I captured a spirit weasel; it kept squeaking, so I called it Squeak-Squeak. As for you, you have a pair of red eyes, otherwise I'd call you Redpupil...."

Giant Treasure, oh no, Redpupil, indifferent, Shi Ran's gaze swept over; her previously leisurely mood suddenly turned solemn: "What is this!"

Shi Ran ran to the black leopard's corpse; under the faint firelight, needle after needle of silver flashed with a cold light—could this be? Shi Ran frowned: "Rainstorm Pear Flower Needle?"