The forest held its breath.
The lizard stood in the open, unmoving, his controlled aura radiating just enough to be noticed.
Above him, the mountain spirit hovered, circling slowly, curious.
Then—
**A sharp whistle cut through the air.**
A streak of light shot out from the darkness between the trees, slicing straight toward the lizard's position.
Fast.
Precise.
Lethal.
But—
The moment it was released—
The lizard moved.
His body blurred.
The attack tore through the space where he had been standing—
**BOOM.**
The ground exploded, dirt and roots scattering outward from the impact.
But the lizard was already gone. Suspended in midair above the clearing, his body twisted slightly as he came to a stop.
His golden eyes looked down calmly, locked onto the attacker.
From the shadows below, a figure stepped forward. One of the cultivators. Fourth layer of Foundation Establishment.
His robe fluttered with the force of his own attack, eyes narrowing as they fixed on the lizard.
"So…"
He said slowly, deliberately.
"It really *was* something watching us."
His gaze sharpened.
"And to think…"
A faint smirk curved his lips.
"…it's just a demonic beast."
The lizard said nothing. He hovered there, tail swaying faintly behind him, lightning flickering softly along the white scales at its tip.
The cultivator's eyes narrowed further as he studied him.
"…Your presence is strange."
He muttered. "Your aura was hidden well."
A pause. Then his smirk widened slightly.
"And your senses…"
"…are sharp."
He adjusted his stance, spiritual energy beginning to circulate actively around his body.
"And you're fast too."
The air around him thickened as his cultivation stirred fully.
"Good."
His voice lowered. "It's been a while since I've hunted something interesting."
Above him, the lizard's golden eyes glowed faintly. No fear. No hesitation. Only cold, calculated focus.
The hunter had stepped forward—but he was not alone.
The air trembled as spiritual energy surged, the cultivator's aura flaring to life.
With a sharp step forward, he rose into the air. Robes snapping violently, he hovered above the forest floor, eyes locked on the lizard.
A sword appeared in his hand.
At the same time—more swords manifested around him. One. Three. Seven. Each blade shimmered with condensed spiritual energy, humming softly as they floated in a circular formation behind him.
The temperature of the clearing dropped noticeably.
The cultivator's voice rang out, calm and cold.
"Let's see how long you last."
His fingers shifted into a hand seal.
The floating swords responded instantly—spreading outward, forming a rotating array in the air.
A **sword formation**.
The blades spun faster and sharper, each locking onto the lizard's position from a different angle.
Then—
He slashed downward with the sword in his hand.
"Go."
The formation activated.
**WHOOSH—!**
The swords shot forward simultaneously—not in straight lines, but in a coordinated assault.
One came from above. Two from the sides. Others curved midair, cutting off escape routes.
Each blade carried lethal force, slicing through the air with piercing intent. A net of death.
Above them, the lizard's golden eyes glowed.
He didn't panic. Didn't flee blindly.
Instead—his body shifted slightly in midair.
The first sword reached him. He twisted. It passed within inches of his scales.
The second came from the side—he tilted, letting it graze past.
The third came from behind—his tail flicked.
**CLANG.**
Lightning crackled as the blade was knocked off course.
But more followed—relentless, precise.
The formation adjusted instantly to his movements, blades curving and redirecting like hunting predators.
Below, the cultivator's eyes narrowed. "Let's see you dodge all of them."
Above—the lizard's movements became faster, sharper. His body blurred as he slipped between the blades, each motion minimal, efficient. Not wasting a single movement.
The swords closed in tighter. Angles shrinking. Space disappearing.
Then—a flicker of lightning burst from the lizard's tail.
His golden eyes flashed.
And his body vanished—not from invisibility, but from sheer speed.
A blur shot forward—straight through the formation.
The formation collapsed inward—
Blades converging at the exact point where the lizard had been—
**SHRING—!**
Steel tore through empty air.
Nothing.
The cultivator's pupils constricted.
*Too fast—*
Then—
A flash of white and lightning tore through the formation.
The lizard burst from the collapsing net of swords like a bolt breaking through storm clouds, his body cutting a straight path through gaps no normal creature could perceive.
Golden eyes locked onto the cultivator.
Distance closed instantly.
The cultivator reacted.
"Return!"
His hand snapped upward—
The scattered swords trembled, then reversed direction, shooting back toward him to intercept.
But the lizard was already there. Too close.
Lightning surged along his tail. His body twisted midair.
He struck.
**CRACK—!**
The lightning-charged tail lashed downward like a whip.
The cultivator raised his sword just in time.
**BOOM!**
The impact rang like thunder. Shockwaves tore through the air as lightning and spiritual energy collided violently.
The cultivator's arm trembled. His expression shifted—
From confidence…
To shock.
*That power—*
He was driven several meters backward before stabilizing midair.
The swords rushed back, forming a defensive circle around him.
But the lizard gave him no time to recover.
He pressed forward again. Relentless.
His body flickered—
Appearing at the cultivator's flank. Jaws opening.