The places where the vines had cut him throbbed with unbearable pain. Every breath drew out a heart-rending sting. A streak of ruthless resolve flashed through the young man's dark eyes, deep as a secluded pool.
Pei Ji had never shown mercy to his enemies. When it came to himself, he could be just as merciless without the slightest hesitation.
The situation had reached a dead end. To break free, he had no choice but to risk everything, gathering every last shred of strength into a single strike to pierce the vines.
But his body was already at its limit. If he used that method, his internal organs would inevitably suffer grievous damage. Whether he lived or died would be up to fate.
The metallic taste of blood grew stronger in his mouth. Pei Ji curled his lips into a self-mocking smile.
He had no other choice.
He had no family or friends, nor any fortuitous encounter or secret technique to rely on. He had long since grown used to struggling alone between life and death, barely clinging to his battered, wretched life.
Just like when he had run into a pack of wolves deep in the mountains as a child; when his mother had locked him in a dark room without food or water for three days and nights; and when he had encountered a Magic Beast on the way to the Xuanxu Sword Sect to seek a master, leaving him no choice but to risk his life with nothing but an iron sword.
Even if he died, no one would care. There were no saviors or miracles in this world. He could only depend on himself.
The blood vessels in his eyes grew denser, spreading across his pupils like spiderwebs. Pei Ji's expression was cold as he silently