They said the first thing to make you feel fear came through your sense of smell.
The instant his eardrums ruptured, Ji Li caught a scent of terror that made every pore on his body open.
That smell was like viscous blood mixed with shreds of flesh, bone fragments, and scraps of skin, clogging his mouth and nose.
Festering yet fresh, spraying yet suffocating—it filled even the air entering his lungs with the agony of death.
A heavy object hit the ground with a "thud," like the sound of a blade chopping meat, yet far too muffled.
His mind briefly blank from the deafening noise, Ji Li became increasingly sensitive to that smell. His blood surged as he involuntarily backed away.
Until he bumped into a soft body. The person behind him gently steadied the retreating Ji Li with delicate hands.
Ji Li shook his head and pulled himself from his daze. He tapped his cane against the ground and was just about to speak.
But immediately, a chill came from behind him.
The person behind him moved those soft palms from his back to his ribs, extending them forward along his waist.
In absolute darkness, Ji Li had no idea who stood behind him, but the owner of those hands was definitely not human!
In a rush, he crouched low, gripped the cane's handle, drew the concealed short blade within, and slashed backward.
Swish!
Ji Li felt clear resistance against the blade—the sensation and sound of a sharp weapon cutting through flesh.
Thud!
The lingering sound of meat being chopped continued, ringing right beside his ears.
Ji Li had already rolled forward with agility. Half-kneeling on the ground with one hand braced on the short blade, he called in a low voice:
"Luo Xian!"
"I'm here."
As Luo Xian's