Chapter 15: My First Real Battle—And My Exes Are Just Watching
The spirit panther lunged, a blur of black fur and killing intent. Its golden eyes glowed like molten fire, claws extended to rip Wang Li apart.
Wang Li barely had time to react—he threw himself sideways, rolling across the ground as the panther's claws gouged deep scars into the dirt where he had just been standing.
"Okay, okay," he muttered to himself, scrambling to his feet. "I just broke through to the fourth stage of Qi Condensation. I can handle this. Probably. Hopefully."
The panther let out a low growl, its muscles coiling like a spring.
Wang Li gulped. Nope. Definitely not.
Above, on the cliff's edge, his three ex-girlfriends stood watching.
Feng Yuling yawned, stretching lazily. "I give him two minutes before he runs screaming."
Lin Ruoyan crossed her arms. "I say one minute before he gets clawed across the face."
Mu Qingling clasped her hands together. "Don't worry, Wang Li! If you die, we'll make sure to bury you properly!"
"WHY DO YOU ALL TALK LIKE I'M ALREADY DEAD?!" Wang Li shouted.
The panther roared and pounced again.
Wang Li gritted his teeth, focusing his qi. This time, instead of dodging, he met the attack head-on.
BOOM!
He kicked off the ground, his body moving with newfound speed. He sidestepped at the last second, barely avoiding the panther's jaws. His qi-enhanced reflexes kicked in, and he spun midair, twisting his body.
Then—he struck.
"Dragon Palm Strike!"
His hand, glowing with golden qi, smashed against the panther's flank.
The beast let out a pained snarl, its body skidding across the clearing. Wang Li landed lightly on his feet, heart hammering in his chest.
Lin Ruoyan raised an eyebrow. "Huh. Not bad."
Feng Yuling smirked. "Maybe we underestimated him."
Mu Qingling clapped. "Yay! Go Wang Li!"
Wang Li took a deep breath. His attack had landed, but the panther was already getting back up. It shook itself, growling louder.
"Of course, it's not that easy," Wang Li muttered.
The panther's aura flared—it was enraged now. Its muscles bulged, its qi condensing around its claws.
And then—it vanished.
What?!
Before Wang Li could react, pain exploded across his back. The panther had circled behind him in an instant and raked its claws across his shoulder.
Blood splattered onto the snow.
"Argh—!" Wang Li staggered forward, his vision blurring from the impact.
Above, Feng Yuling sipped her tea. "Ooooh, that looked painful."
Lin Ruoyan smirked. "Told you. One minute."
Mu Qingling looked worried. "Maybe we should help him now?"
Wang Li gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay standing.
His body hurt, but more than that—his pride was screaming. He wasn't going to let his exes see him lose.
"Alright, you damn cat," Wang Li growled, wiping the blood from his lip. "Let's try this again."
He took a deep breath, focusing on his newly unlocked power. He could feel the flow of qi in the air, the way the panther's movements disrupted it.
He could predict its next attack.
The panther snarled and vanished again, moving with unnatural speed—
But Wang Li was ready this time.
Dragon Step.
He sidestepped at the last second, spinning his body to face the beast.
The panther's eyes widened in surprise—just before Wang Li unleashed his full power.
"Golden Serpent Palm!"
His strike landed directly on the panther's chest. A shockwave erupted, the force sending the beast tumbling through the air.
CRASH!
The panther smashed into a boulder, dust and debris flying everywhere.
For a moment, everything was silent.
Then—the panther slumped to the ground, unmoving.
Wang Li stood there, panting, his body aching but triumphant.
Above him, Feng Yuling clapped. "Well, color me impressed."
Lin Ruoyan grinned. "Not bad, Wang Li. You're finally starting to look like a real cultivator."
Mu Qingling cheered. "Yay! You won!"
Wang Li wobbled, still catching his breath. "Yeah, yeah. I won. Can someone please get me some medicine before I bleed out?"
Feng Yuling smirked. "Hmm… we'll think about it."
Wang Li groaned. Why were his exes like this?
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