WHOOSH—WHOOSH—
In the silent mountain forest, two figures, one in front and one behind, darted swiftly through the trees.
In the lead was a mother clouded leopard, as agile as the wind. Behind her was Yang Qi, his figure ethereal as he glided over the grass.
Suddenly, the mother clouded leopard skidded to a halt. With a nimble leap, she bounded onto an ancient tree so thick it would take two people to encircle it, stopping halfway up. She then turned and looked back at Yang Qi, her posture anxious.
Yang Qi, following close behind, stopped beneath the tree, his breathing steady and calm.
Looking up, he saw the mother leopard walk carefully along a thick, horizontal branch. She finally stopped before a tree hollow half-hidden by dense vines. She lowered her head, sniffed at the dark opening, then turned and let out a low growl at Yang Qi below—a sound filled with sorrow and urgency.
