"Come on, come on!" Chen Yu urged himself, pushing his legs harder as he felt the surge of energy from the Heavenly Body Technique flowing through his limbs, boosting his speed and endurance. But the Shadow Panther was relentless, closing in fast. Its growls were closer now, like the rumble of thunder behind him. Chen Yu's heart pounded in his chest, each breath burning in his lungs, and he knew he couldn't outrun it forever. He needed a plan. Now.

Up ahead, he spotted a narrow gap between two large trees. "That's it!" he thought, focusing on the space just wide enough for him to slip through. "If I can get through there, maybe I can slow it down!" He sprinted toward the gap, using the last bit of wind Qi to propel himself forward. He dove through just as the panther lunged, its massive body crashing into the trees behind him. A snarl of frustration echoed through the forest as the beast struggled to squeeze through. Chen Yu didn't stop to look back—he kept running, knowing he'd only bought himself a few moments of safety.

But he couldn't keep running like this. The panther was too fast, too strong, and Chen Yu's Qi reserves were running low. His mind raced, thinking back to the Heavenly Body Technique. The element of earth could buy him time. Dig down, like he had seen earth users do in countless anime. He skidded to a stop, the wind carrying him gently into a crouch. "Alright," he muttered, hands on the ground, summoning the Qi of earth into his hands. He imagined the soil loosening beneath him, creating a tunnel, anything to hide or slow the beast down.

But just as the dirt began to shift beneath his palms, the system chimed in with a cold, robotic warning.

[Warning: Sudden shift between elements without sufficient cultivation base will destabilize Qi flow. Extreme pain and internal damage may occur.]

Chen Yu winced. "Of course there's a catch," he muttered, but there wasn't time to dwell on it. The panther was coming, and the growls were getting louder. He felt the pressure build inside him—his Qi already shaky from switching between wind and earth. But there was no other choice.

With a burst of determination, Chen Yu switched his focus, calling on the Qi of lightning. His limbs tingled as the element surged through his body, his muscles twitching as the electrifying energy made his movements faster, sharper. Lightning crackled around his feet, and his whole body jolted with a sudden burst of speed. His eyes widened at the intensity of the power coursing through him—he could feel every muscle spasm as if they were being overcharged. Pain shot through his veins, but the system's warning barely registered over the adrenaline. He launched himself forward, the lightning enhancing his speed, giving him a temporary but crucial advantage.

[Warning: Overuse of lightning Qi in current state will cause Qi deviation.]

Chen Yu grimaced, gritting his teeth against the pain tearing through his muscles. He could feel the instability in his Qi as the elemental energy clashed inside him, but he had to keep going. Behind him, the panther skidded to a stop where he had been moments ago, snarling in frustration at its elusive prey.

Chen Yu's feet barely touched the ground as he bolted through the underbrush, the lightning propelling him faster than he'd ever moved before. His body was burning, but his focus was singular—he had to find shelter before his body gave out. Suddenly, a faint trail appeared off to his right, partially hidden by thick bushes. He didn't hesitate. Veering off the main path, he followed it, hoping it would lead him away from the relentless predator.

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

"A cave!" Chen Yu gasped, feeling a surge of hope. "That's perfect—I can hide in there!"

He sprinted toward the cave, diving inside just as he heard the panther's growls growing louder behind him. He scrambled deeper into the cave, pressing himself against the cold stone wall, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

The panther stopped at the entrance, sniffing the air and growling low in its throat. It seemed hesitant to enter, and Chen Yu could only hope it would decide to leave him alone.

"Please, please go away," he whispered, closing his eyes and holding his breath.

For a moment, the panther continued to sniff and growl, but then, to Chen Yu's immense relief, it turned and slinked back into the forest, its dark form disappearing into the shadows.

Chen Yu let out a long breath, slumping against the cave wall. "That was way too close," he muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow. His stomach growled loudly, reminding him of his most immediate need.

"Right," he sighed, "as if running from a panther wasn't bad enough, I'm starving, too."

[Congratulations! You have successfully evaded a mid-tier spiritual beast. Your quick thinking and use of abilities have been noted.]

Chen Yu chuckled weakly. "Thanks, System. But surviving on an empty stomach isn't sustainable. I need to find food, and fast."

He forced himself to stand, despite the fatigue weighing down his limbs. His body felt sore from the exertion, but hunger drove him forward. He carefully made his way back to the cave entrance, peeking out to ensure the panther was truly gone.

Satisfied that the coast was clear, he ventured back into the forest, determined to find something edible. He moved slowly, keeping his senses alert for any sign of danger. The dense foliage around him was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls.

"Come on, there's gotta be something I can eat around here," he muttered, his eyes scanning the ground for berries or nuts.

After a few minutes of searching, he spotted a bush with small, bright red berries. His stomach rumbled loudly at the sight, but he hesitated. In every survival show he'd ever watched, red berries were often a bad sign—poisonous or inedible.

"Better safe than sorry," he thought, remembering the system's ability to provide information. "System, can you analyze these berries? Are they safe to eat?"

[Analyzing…]

[The berries in question are identified as Spirit Berries. They are safe for consumption and provide a mild boost to spiritual energy recovery. However, it is advised to consume them in moderation to avoid potential side effects, such as dizziness or mild hallucinations.]

Chen Yu breathed a sigh of relief. "Finally, some good news. Alright, let's eat!"

He plucked a handful of the Spirit Berries and cautiously tasted one. It was surprisingly sweet, with a tangy aftertaste that made his mouth tingle. He quickly devoured the rest, feeling a faint warmth spread through his body as the berries took effect.

"Not bad," he said, smiling despite himself. "Feels like drinking a mild energy drink."

Encouraged by the discovery, Chen Yu gathered more berries, carefully storing them in the folds of his robe. As he continued searching, he also found a few edible roots and mushrooms that the system confirmed as safe.

With his immediate hunger addressed, Chen Yu returned to the cave, his arms full of foraged food. He set the berries and other finds down on a flat rock and sat back, feeling more at ease now that he had something to sustain him.

"Alright, this is a start," he said, munching on a root. "I've got food, shelter, and a bit of time to figure things out. Now, I just need to find a way to keep progressing with my cultivation without getting myself killed."

As he ate, he thought about his next steps. He needed to find a safer environment to continue his cultivation training and, ideally, some allies or a mentor who could guide him. He couldn't afford to be reckless, but he also couldn't stay in one place for too long.

Chen Yu leaned back against the cave wall, feeling a bit more relaxed now that he had a full stomach.