349: Black Panther

Su Han and Bi Yao pricked up their ears cautiously. The strange sound approached from afar, like thousands of insects scurrying over dry leaves, or a low sob carried by the wind.

Su Han shielded Bi Yao behind him, tightly gripping the faintly glowing ancient book in his hand, his gaze sweeping back and forth across the dark forest around them.

"Su Han, what is that sound?"

Bi Yao's voice trembled slightly as she clutched Su Han's sleeve tightly, her eyes filled with fear.

Su Han didn't answer immediately, his brow furrowing deeper. He felt an increasingly strong, bizarre aura permeating the air, as if countless hidden eyes were watching them from the shadows.

As the sound drew closer, the surrounding trees began to sway slightly, their branches and leaves rustling, seemingly disturbed by an invisible force.

A sense of foreboding rose in Su Han's heart. He knew this forest was far more dangerous than they had imagined.

"Bi Yao, no matter what happens, stay close to me,"

Su Han said in a low voice, his tone firm and unquestionable.

Suddenly, a large dark shadow leaped out from behind a thick tree trunk, pouncing straight at Su Han and Bi Yao.

Su Han reacted quickly, immediately drawing the sword from his waist. A cold flash of light streaked out, colliding with the dark shadow and producing a dull thud.

Using the faint light, Bi Yao saw that the dark shadow was actually a huge black panther, but its eyes glowed with an eerie blood-red light, and a thin layer of black mist surrounded its body, clearly showing it had been corrupted by some evil force.

The black panther was knocked back a few steps by Su Han's sword but did not retreat. It opened its gaping maw and let out a deafening roar, charging at them again.

Su Han brandished his sword, engaging in a fierce battle with the black panther.

His swordsmanship was sharp, each swing accompanied by whistling wind, but the black panther was agile, always skillfully avoiding his attacks and occasionally looking for opportunities to counterattack.

Bi Yao watched anxiously from the side. Although she couldn't fight, she wanted to help Su Han.

She looked around and spotted a sharp stone on the ground. She quickly picked it up, waited for the right moment, and threw it forcefully at the black panther.

The stone hit the black panther squarely on the back. The panther yelped in pain and faltered. Su Han seized the chance and stabbed his sword into its leg.

Injured, the black panther let out a painful roar, turned around, and fled into the dark forest.

Su Han panted, sheathed his sword, and pulled Bi Yao forward.

He knew this black panther was just the beginning. They had to find a way out of this forest as soon as possible, while also uncovering the secret within the ancient book.

However, the surroundings became increasingly eerie and terrifying. The tree branches twisted and intertwined, like gnarling demons, and wisps of black mist occasionally rose from the ground, blurring their vision.

As they walked, Su Han suddenly discovered a clearing ahead. A thick layer of mist hung over the clearing, making it impossible to see what was inside.

But he could feel a powerful and mysterious energy fluctuation emanating from the mist, which seemed to have some connection to the green light on the stone platform.

"Su Han, should we go in?"

Bi Yao asked hesitantly.

Su Han pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Everything here is related to the stone platform. The secret of that ancient book might be inside. Let's be careful."

Saying this, he pulled Bi Yao and slowly walked into the mist.

As soon as they stepped into the mist, Su Han and Bi Yao felt a wave of coldness wash over them, as if they had entered an ice cellar.

A putrid smell permeated the mist, making them instinctively cover their mouths and noses. (End of Chapter)