Kai moved swiftly through the dense undergrowth, his Stealth Footwork Technique keeping his footsteps light. The crimson smoke behind him still lingered, but the assassins were already adapting.
Zhao Ren's voice cut through the air. "You can't run forever, boy!"
Kai ignored him. Talking was a distraction—one he wouldn't fall for.
Instead, he focused on the terrain ahead. Thick roots, uneven ground, and towering trees. A perfect place to set traps.
His fingers brushed over his storage ring, retrieving a handful of Flash Vine Seeds. These rare seeds, when activated with a touch of energy, would sprout into thick, entangling vines within seconds.
Without breaking stride, he scattered them across his path, infusing them with a spark of Spiritual Cooking Aura. The seeds absorbed the energy, ready to trigger at the right moment.
Then he ran.
Behind him, the assassins pushed through the fading smoke, their sharp eyes locking onto his trail.
"He's heading into the forest!" Zhao Ren snarled. "Don't lose him!"
The silver-haired woman remained silent, but her movements were precise. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a needle-thin dagger flying at Kai's back.
Kai felt it coming.
He twisted his body mid-step, the blade grazing past his shoulder instead of piercing flesh. Close. Too close.
He needed an opening.
Just as he reached a narrow path between two thick trees, Kai stomped his foot down, activating the seeds.
Vines exploded from the ground, twisting like living snakes.
The first assassin reacted too late—thick tendrils wrapped around his legs, pulling him to the ground.
Zhao Ren leaped back just in time, avoiding the trap, but the silver-haired woman moved too fast. With a precise slash, she cut through the vines, barely slowing down.
Kai clicked his tongue. That one's trouble.
But he had bought himself a few seconds.
Enough to escape—or set up a counterattack.
Instead of running further, Kai suddenly changed direction, scaling a nearby tree with practiced agility. He perched himself on a thick branch, gripping his knife tightly.
Now, he waited.
Seconds later, Zhao Ren burst into view, eyes scanning wildly. His partner wasn't far behind.
"Where did he—?"
Kai dropped from above, his knife flashing toward Zhao Ren's exposed neck.
But the assassin's reflexes were sharp. He twisted at the last moment, Kai's blade slicing a deep gash into his arm instead.
Zhao Ren staggered back, blood dripping. His expression twisted in fury.
"You little—!"
The silver-haired woman moved instantly. She lunged at Kai with a speed that bordered on unnatural, her dagger aimed for his ribs.
Kai barely had time to react.
He threw himself backward, letting gravity pull him away. He hit the ground in a roll, the dagger missing by inches.
As he landed, he flicked his wrist—sending a hidden spice bomb straight at the woman's face.
Boom!
A burst of Fiery Lotus Powder exploded, a blinding flash of heat and smoke filling the air.
She stumbled, her vision temporarily overwhelmed.
Kai didn't wait.
He dashed into the forest, disappearing into the shadows.
The assassins coughed, trying to recover.
Zhao Ren clutched his bleeding arm, his teeth grinding in frustration.
"Dammit… he got away."
The silver-haired woman finally spoke, her voice calm despite the setback.
"No. He's still close." She wiped her eyes, her gaze sharp. "This isn't over yet."
Kai, now hidden in the trees, exhaled slowly.
They were strong—but he wasn't going down easily.
The hunt had just begun.