The mountain did not move.
But everything on it did.
Jade cracked.
Dust scattered.
Two figures stood.
One—
Massive.
Dominant.
Golden.
The other—
Still.
Controlled.
Bleeding.
Han Chandu exhaled slowly.
Not heavy.
Not rushed.
Measured.
Because now—
Every breath mattered.
The lion moved first.
No warning.
No signal.
Only speed.
It vanished.
Then—
Claw descended.
Han Chandu moved.
Minimal.
Clean.
But not perfect.
The claw scraped across his side.
Deeper this time.
Flesh split.
Blood flowed.
Warm.
Real.
His body shifted.
Jade Skin—
Held.
Reduced damage.
But not completely.
Han Chandu stepped back.
Just enough.
To reset.
His eyes remained calm.
Because now—
This was expected.
Super—
Was not avoidable damage.
It was controlled damage.
He stepped forward.
Blade formed.
Strike.
Joint.
Precise.
The cut landed.
Deeper than before.
Golden blood burst out.
Bright.
Heavy.
Falling onto jade.
The lion reacted.
Instantly.
Its body twisted.
Tail swung.
Han Chandu raised his arm.
Impact.
Heavy.
His body slid.
Jade cracked beneath him.
Another cut opened.
Across his arm.
Blood flowed.
Red.
Steady.
He stabilized.
Immediately.
No hesitation.
No panic.
Because now—
Pain was part of the fight.
Dongxuan Sutra focused.
The lion's movement—
Clear.
Not slow.
But readable.
The next attack came.
Faster.
Sharper.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
Not back.
Inside.
Closer.
Safer.
Blade moved.
Second joint.
Precise.
The cut landed.
Golden blood flowed again.
More than before.
The lion roared.
Louder now.
Heavier.
The mountain trembled.
Jade fractured further.
Han Chandu didn't step back.
Didn't hesitate.
Because now—
He understood something clearly.
This was not a battle of strength.
Not a clash of power.
This was a battle of endurance.
Of control.
Of who made the first fatal mistake.
The lion attacked again.
Relentless.
Continuous.
No pause.
No gap.
Han Chandu moved.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Every step—
Minimal.
Every dodge—
Precise.
Every counter—
Accurate.
But not perfect.
Another claw grazed his shoulder.
A deeper wound.
Blood spilled.
More than before.
His breathing shifted.
Slightly heavier.
But still controlled.
He stepped forward.
Closer.
Because distance—
Was danger.
Blade moved again.
Same point.
Deeper.
This time—
The cut held.
The lion's leg—
Shifted.
Balance—
Disrupted.
A small change.
But real.
Han Chandu's eyes sharpened.
Because now—
The opportunity appeared.
He moved.
Faster.
Cleaner.
Second strike.
Same wound.
Deeper.
Golden blood burst out.
Heavier.
Thicker.
The lion staggered.
Just slightly.
But enough.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
Final strike—
Stopped.
The lion's head snapped toward him.
Faster than before.
Closer.
Its jaws—
Opened.
Too close.
Han Chandu shifted.
Barely.
The bite passed his neck—
By inches.
But not clean.
Its teeth tore across his chest.
Deep.
Blood spilled.
Heavy.
Han Chandu stepped back.
For the first time—
More than one step.
He stabilized.
Immediately.
But the damage—
Was real.
His chest rose.
Fell.
Controlled.
But heavier.
He looked at the lion.
Still standing.
Still dominant.
Still dangerous.
Then—
At the blood.
On the ground.
Gold.
And red.
Mixed.
Han Chandu stepped forward again.
Because now—
There was no retreat.
Only continuation..