Chapter 551: Brawny and Fierce Tiger
Sang Zhi’s face was grim. With a sting in his nose, he headed for a large tree in the distance.
Ye Qianning’s small hands clenched tightly. A rustling sound rapidly drew closer. Birds took flight and animals howled, scattering in a panicked frenzy from its path.
For a moment, she couldn’t be sure what kind of animal possessed such an intimidating presence.
The thick, metallic scent of blood was almost identical to the smell she had caught on her way up the mountain.
’It’s here—’
Ye Qianning raised her large blade and swung it horizontally through the air above.
"ROAR—"
Following the roar, a massive, striped tiger leaped into the air. It descended from above, its gaping, bloody maw aimed straight for Ye Qianning.
Horror filled Ye Qianning’s eyes. ’Such a massive body!’ The instant she swung her blade, the tiger was already upon her.
The blade missed the tiger’s body as its jaws snapped toward her head.
"Ye Qianning!" Sang Zhi cried out in alarm.
"ROAR! ROAR!" The tiger bit down on empty air. Its massive body landed on the ground, and it let out a frustrated growl.
Ye Qianning had barely dodged, looking a bit worse for wear. She steadied herself, her eyes fixed on the tiger poised to strike. ’It’s so fast!’ Its build was more formidable than any tiger she had ever seen.
It was several times faster, too. If she hadn’t reacted in time, she would already be a meal in its jaws. The speed was shocking.
Moreover, the tiger was covered in blood, its eyes were crimson, and it seemed to have lost all reason.
"Ye Qianning, are you alright?" Sang Zhi asked urgently.
Ye Qianning glanced back. "Stay put."
Sang Zhi clenched his fists, his eyes reddening with anxiety. In that moment, he realized he was completely useless...
"ROAR." The tiger shook its head.
Drool dripped from its gaping, bloody maw. Its crimson eyes locked onto the small figure across from it.
Sweat beaded on Ye Qianning’s forehead. She had dropped her large blade while dodging, and as her gaze fell upon it, she knew getting it back wouldn’t be easy.
"ROAR."
The tiger roared and lunged at her again.
Ye Qianning sprinted to the right.
As the tiger leaped, she dropped and rolled, narrowly dodging it once more.
"ROAR—"
Before Ye Qianning could get back to her feet, a huge paw swiped out, sending her flying.
THUD.
Ye Qianning crashed into the bushes, her clothes instantly stained red with blood. Several deep gashes ran from her left arm to her chest, torn open by the tiger’s sharp claws.
She felt weak and drained, her face pale. The world began to spin.
"ROAR—"
The deafening sound shocked her back to clarity. She shook her head hard, her small hand gripping a dagger.
The tiger roared and launched itself forward. This time, Ye Qianning didn’t dodge. Instead, she charged forward to meet it, heading straight for its gaping maw. Just as they were about to collide, she twisted her body to the side.
The girl and the tiger shot past each other.
In that fleeting moment, she viciously plunged the dagger in her hand into the tiger’s flank.
Using the momentum from the tiger’s lunge, the dagger sliced a deep wound all the way down its side.
"AWOOOO—"
The tiger landed with a howl of pain.
The dagger was so sharp the wound gaped open, revealing a thick layer of white flesh beneath.
Ye Qianning’s hand, still gripping the dagger, trembled slightly. Without hesitation, she turned and charged the howling tiger once more.
The pain seemed to drive the tiger into an even greater frenzy. It whipped its head around to glare at the approaching figure.
Its roar shook the heavens as it opened its great maw and charged with rabid fury.
Ye Qianning dropped into a slide, slipping right under the tiger’s belly. She realized its movements hadn’t slowed at all, despite the massive wound.
The huge movements tore at the gash, turning the fur into a bloody mess of flesh, but the tiger didn’t seem to care in the slightest. Its frenzied attacks were as fierce and swift as ever.
After a few more exchanges, Ye Qianning was reaching her limit, her breathing growing ragged. ’If I can’t end this in the next few passes, I’m probably going to die here.’
She licked her lips, her fingers tightening around the dagger. Her eyes remained fixed on the tiger’s crimson gaze, not daring to let her guard down for a single moment.