Everyone was equipped with sticks for probing the path ahead, which could also serve as their weapons against the leopard.
Searcy held the silver needles Gu Youyou had given her, while Gu Youyou herself wielded a small dagger, a gift from Jin Zijin for self-defense, which she always carried.
Gui Yunxi casually picked up a rock from the ground, ready to throw it at any moment.
The leopard merely watched them from a distance, not launching an immediate attack.
But such a standoff was no good for them; their time was limited, and they couldn’t afford to waste it.
Gu Youyou said, "Let’s try to get closer to it. Since the beast sees us as food, it won’t let us off easily. It’s waiting, waiting for us to become exhausted before pouncing."
"Okay, I’ll follow your lead," Searcy whispered in response.
Gu Youyou, holding the dagger, led the way. She was actually very scared, but it couldn’t be helped; she was the only one among them with a bladed weapon. She couldn’t expect the others, armed only with sticks, to take the lead.
Searcy felt some regret; she should have brought the sword that could kill.
As Gu Youyou and the others took a few steps forward, the leopard retreated a few steps.
They continued to advance a few more steps, and the leopard kept backing away.
The situation was more dangerous than if the leopard had attacked directly because they didn’t know when it would charge, and they had to remain in a constant state of heightened tension.
"We can’t go on , my hand is going numb," Gui Yunxi complained, his face twisted in discomfort as he held the rock.
Searcy glanced at him with annoyance and said, "That’s your own fault, dumbass, for picking up such a big stone. Didn’t you think to choose a smaller one?"
"What should we do then? This leopard is constantly watching us," asked a girl from behind.
Lowly, Gu Youyou suggested to them, "This isn’t going to work, we’ll collapse from stress before the leopard bites us to death. Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll draw its attention; you guys be ready."
"What? You can’t do that!" Searcy tried to stop Gu Youyou, but she was already moving forward with the dagger in hand.
"Hey, you—oh no!" Searcy hurried after her, both anxious and angry.
Seeing Gu Youyou approach alone, with another person several steps behind and the rest even further, the leopard hesitated no longer and, kicking off the ground, it fiercely pounced toward Gu Youyou.
As the leopard leaped, Gu Youyou suddenly bent down, and due to the leopard’s high jump, it awkwardly cleared her entirely.
Now, the leopard was between Gu Youyou and Searcy.
Gui Yunxi, pale with fright, howled as he hurled the rock he had been holding for so long at the leopard.
The leopard, hesitating whether to attack Searcy in front or turn back to Gu Youyou, was caught off guard by the stone descending from above.
So it had to dodge the stone first.
The leopard was nimble, and it could have easily avoided the rock, but in that moment, it gave Gu Youyou and Searcy the perfect opportunity.
Gu Youyou charged, stabbing the dagger toward the leopard.
The leopard, having just avoided the rock and attempting another dodge, was too slow; it avoided vital injury but still took a stab to the rear.
In its pain, it lunged for Gu Youyou’s dagger-wielding hand.
Gu Youyou immediately released the dagger and withdrew her hand.
Simultaneously, Searcy’s silver needles aimed for the leopard’s neck.
She wasn’t sure if she hit the target but, with five needles in hand, she swiftly drove them into the leopard’s body.