Chapter Thirty: Within the Small World

After entering the small world, Chen Yi quickly realized that, apart from himself, there was no one else in sight. It seemed they had all been transported to different locations within this realm. Elder Li Jian had already mentioned this aboard the flying vessel: after entering the small world, everyone would be randomly teleported to some part of it. Only if luck favored you might you find yourself alongside fellow disciples, in which case, working together would greatly improve your chances of survival. If fortune turned its back, you could appear before a powerful demonic beast or in perilous terrain and meet instant death—though such odds were slim. Typically, one would be sent to a relatively safe location.

Chen Yi surveyed his surroundings. The small world was lush and vibrant, its scenery breathtaking and tranquil, with fresh air, distant green mountains mirrored in clear waters beneath a sky of blue and drifting white clouds. Closer by, wildflowers, shrubs, trees, and rocks were artfully arranged—it was a paradise, a veritable new world. Given the world’s abundant spiritual energy, such beauty was only natural.

Momentarily entranced by the scene, Chen Yi quickly regained his composure, oriented himself, and began walking toward the center of the small world. He moved with utmost caution, fully aware that danger lurked everywhere—one careless step, a single flower or blade of grass, could spell death. Vigilance was his only safeguard.

He proceeded slowly, his footsteps light and almost soundless. As he advanced, his eyes scanned his surroundings, his ears attentive to every sound, his right hand gripping the hilt of the Rainbow Sword, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. All the while, he kept a lookout for rare treasures of heaven and earth, for this world abounded with them. The fortunate might experience a meteoric rise in cultivation, leaping straight into the Foundation Establishment stage and earning a place among the inner disciples of their sect.

As he made his way along the path, Chen Yi soon came upon several rare and precious spirit herbs—each worth at least five hundred spirit stones outside. He hadn’t expected to encounter so many in such a short time. This trip was proving more worthwhile than he’d ever dreamed.

Night gradually descended. The luminous moon rose slowly into the sky, taking the sun’s place and casting its light over all living things below. Chen Yi walked through the dim forest, moonbeams filtering through the thick canopy to touch his face. From the depths of the woods came the roars of unknown beasts, while the rustling of leaves in the breeze set his nerves on edge, keeping him alert.

Suddenly, he halted, a faint smile tugging at his lips—he had noticed something intriguing. Moving forward a few more steps, he was abruptly attacked: a dark figure leapt soundlessly from the branches above, lunging for him.

Chen Yi’s expression betrayed understanding. In a flash, his sword gleamed, sending a wave of sword energy hurtling at the shadow. Startled, the creature twisted midair, narrowly avoiding the blade, and landed lightly on a nearby tree trunk.

There, not far from Chen Yi, crouched a leopard over two meters tall and three meters long, its body sleek and covered in dark purple fur. Its powerful, streamlined form exuded explosive strength; claws like polished blades dug deep into the bark, and razor teeth gleamed in its open maw. A long tail lashed behind it as it let out a low growl, emerald eyes fixed intently on Chen Yi, poised to strike at any moment. Along its flank, a long, bleeding wound betrayed where the Rainbow Sword had already found its mark.

A glance at the beast and Chen Yi recognized it from the bestiary he had studied: the Shadow Purple Leopard. Renowned for its speed, immense strength, and peak-level Qi Refinement cultivation, it was a rare and formidable foe in the outside world. Yet here, on his very first day, Chen Yi had already encountered such a vicious adversary.

The Shadow Purple Leopard began to circle him, searching for the perfect moment to attack. When it slipped behind him, it seemed to sense its opportunity. With a growl, it lunged at him.

It shot toward him like a phantom, but Chen Yi had been anticipating such a move. He dodged aside, swinging his sword toward the leopard’s head. Had the strike landed, not even the beast’s tempered hide could have saved it from a grisly end.

But the Shadow Purple Leopard’s speed was extraordinary. It sprang clear of the incoming sword energy, legs coiling and releasing in a blur.

There was a thunderous crash as the sword energy struck a nearby ancient tree, cleaving it cleanly in two.

The leopard, now warier than before, eyed Chen Yi with newfound caution. It hadn’t expected the Rainbow Sword to be so sharp—sharper even than its own beastly defenses. Wariness warred with hunger, for the Shadow Purple Leopard was unwilling to let its prey escape. It continued to prowl in circles, emitting guttural growls. Seeing the beast so persistent, Chen Yi decided to take the initiative.

“Wind and Thunder Slash!”

A surge of blue-violet sword energy roared toward the leopard. The creature, recognizing the threat, leapt aside; even so, the sword’s wave left a fresh gash along its side, blood flowing freely.

Enraged and spurred on by the scent of blood, the Shadow Purple Leopard let out a furious, mournful roar. With even greater speed, it charged—its violet body streaking forward like a bolt of lightning, appearing before Chen Yi in the blink of an eye.

With no time to think, Chen Yi crouched low and thrust his Rainbow Sword upward at the beast’s vulnerable underbelly. He felt a brief resistance, then the blade pierced through, emerging from the leopard’s back in a torrent of blood.

With two despairing roars, the Shadow Purple Leopard convulsed, then went still. Chen Yi crawled out from beneath the carcass, extracted his sword, and stood over his vanquished foe.