Ding!
Along with the familiar dinging sound, a notification flashed in the red interface.
[A Late Stage Three-Stars Soldier Rank Blood Vampiric Bat]
[Sense A Strong Bloodline Ability Of Blood-Based Magic]
[Kill It, Eat It and You’ll Receive the Berserker Blood Rage Passive Ability!]
[Threat Level 10%]
The notification brought a surge of adrenaline coursing through Han Xiao's veins as he realized the magnitude of the encounter before him. “A Late Stage Three-Stars Soldier Rank Blood Vampiric Bat—its name alone spoke volumes about its formidable strength. But what intrigued me even more was the mention of a powerful bloodline ability, one that promised to enhance my own abilities if I could successfully defeat the creature.” He muttered.
With determination burning in his eyes, Han Xiao steadied himself, his focus honed on the looming silhouette of the bat above. This would be his greatest challenge yet, but he was prepared to face it head-on.
Observing the bat's vigilant gaze, Han Xiao assessed his predicament. "The threat posed by this creature exceeds that of yesterday's Saber Tooth Wolf," he thought, weighing his options. Escape seemed futile; the bat's aerial prowess left him with no sanctuary in the encroaching darkness. Additionally, relying on the Snake's Cloaking skill would prove futile against a foe that relied on echolocation rather than sight. His only option was to use the terrain and trees to his advantage during the dire situation.
A surge of exhilaration swept through him at the prospect of confronting a more formidable adversary. "Hmpf! Eying me as its prey. Excellent!" he mused, a spark of determination igniting within him. "Let the battle determine our fates," he declared, steeling himself for the imminent confrontation.
With his decision made, Han Xiao steeled himself for the impending confrontation. He knew that he would need to rely on his wit and resourcefulness to overcome the aerial advantage of the Blood Vampiric Bat. As the creature descended closer, its wings casting ominous shadows in the dim light of dusk, Han Xiao prepared himself for battle.
In a calculated breath, he harnessed his essence energy, allowing it to course through his veins, augmenting his strength and agility. With a fluid motion, he drew his sword, its gleaming blade catching the fading light as he readied himself for the impending confrontation. Simultaneously, he unleashed the stored qi from his 25 acupuncture points, infusing it into the sword. Instantly, the blade transformed, its hue shifting to a lustrous black, emanating a potent scent of decay.
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Han Xiao assumed a defensive posture, knowing that launching an attack while the bat remained airborne would be futile. Instead, he prepared himself to counter the creature's move. Strategizing his approach, he considered various tactics to engage effectively on the ground, ensuring precise execution of both offensive and defensive maneuvers.
"Come on, you ugly creature!" he taunted, striking the back of his blade against his chest in a provocation aimed at the bat.
With a shrill squeak, the bat lost its patience and swooped down towards its prey like a flapping kite. Its attack was straightforward, relying on its weight and the force of gravity to pin down its victim before delivering a lethal bite and draining its blood. Perhaps due to the curse essence coursing through Han Xiao's body, the bat found him to be an exceptionally appetizing target.
Grinning with realization, he whispered to himself, "Ah, so the Curse Eyes utilize qi to perceive the world. I see now how to wield this skill more effectively. It seems to grant me an advantage against any living creature's qi, allowing me to predict their movements by observing the energy emanating from their bodies. It's far more than just a simple technique."
Holding the sword firmly in his right hand, he lunged forward, aiming his strike at the bat's feet in an attempt to immobilize it. However, the swift sword attack was deftly parried, and the bat swiftly recoiled into the air once more.
As the bat's claws met his sword, Han Xiao felt a powerful force surge through his body. It seemed as though over a thousand catties of force were redirected from the sword to his hand, causing a violent impact. While his robust skin absorbed most of the shock, a residual tremor still rippled through his body, unsettling his internal organs.
Waves of nausea and a brief bout of dizziness washed over Han Xiao in the wake of the powerful impact. "God damn it! It's too strong," he cursed, adding another curse point to his tally.
"Thank goodness I've already started training my skin, otherwise much worse would have been dealt to my organs. Well, even though those legs were strong, I don't believe the wings and other parts are as sturdy. Next time, I'll aim for those wings," he quickly strategized after just one exchange.
Failing to take down its prey in one move, the bat shrieked even louder and began to take the hunt more seriously. It glided through the air, passing by Han Xiao at a rapid pace, leaving three long scars near his abdomen that tore through his shirt, drawing blood.
The swift attack could have inflicted deeper wounds, but Han Xiao's skin training ensured that they remained more like scars than serious injuries.
As the bat clawed down from a branch, it licked the blood from its claws, its crimson eyes gleaming with a newfound sharpness, as if it relished the taste and scent of the blood. Han Xiao sensed a shift in its demeanor, from the frustration of failure to the frenzy of bloodlust.
The bat launched a rapid series of attacks, its movements swift and unpredictable. Despite Han Xiao's attempt to anticipate its trajectory through the movement of qi, his body was not fast enough to react in time.
As the onslaught continued, wounds appeared all over his body, deepening with each strike. Despite swinging his sword frantically, it felt as though he was merely slicing through the air. The bat's movements were so fast and erratic, it seemed to dart from all directions around him in the air, leaving him unable to defend himself effectively.