Chapter 50: Traps Set Up For Azure Winged Lion

Wang Li's plan unfolded flawlessly. The alluring scent of the Moon Howl Wolf pup had successfully lured the Azure Winged Lion family away, granting him a precious window of opportunity. He raced into the valley, his movements swift and silent.

With practiced efficiency, he carefully harvested the Everlasting Jade Lilies and Soul-Nourishing Ginseng along with many other precious herbs.

These treasures, once refined into a concoction, would hold the key to his aunts' recovery. A satisfied smile tugged at his lips.

However, victory often comes with a price. He knew this brazen act wouldn't go unnoticed.

The Azure Winged Lions were territorial creatures with powerful senses. Their return would reveal the plundered herbs and the lingering traces of his human presence.

Fury would undoubtedly engulf the adult lion, and its wrath might fall upon the unsuspecting human settlements bordering the forest.

Wang Li couldn't bear the thought of innocent people suffering for his actions.

With a determined glint in his eyes, he formulated a daring plan.

Instead of leaving the valley secretly while trying to hide his presence, Wang Li veered in a different direction, leading him deeper into the heart of the forest.

This region transitioned into a dense rainforest, a labyrinth of towering trees, tangled vines, and vibrant undergrowth. This dense foliage was exactly what he needed.

The rainforest thrummed with an abundance of Wood Essence, the very lifeblood of plant life.

This natural energy resonated with Wang Li's Wood Attribute cultivation technique. Here, his abilities would be amplified, allowing him to craft a series of intricate traps.

His plan wasn't to kill the Azure Winged Lion – that would be a fool's errand. Instead, he aimed to subdue and weaken it, leaving it with no choice but to retreat and lick its wounds. With that goal in mind, he set to work.

He started by utilizing his Wood Attribute control to manipulate the thick vines and sturdy branches. He weaved them together, creating a series of "Entangling Snares."

These traps, disguised amidst the foliage, would ensnare the lion's limbs, momentarily immobilizing it.

Next, he carved intricate sigils on the massive trunks of ancient trees. These sigils, infused with his Wood Attribute energy, formed a network of "Earthen Spikes."

When triggered, the earth beneath the lion's unsuspecting paws would erupt, forming sharp, wooden spikes to pierce its legs.

Finally, he dug deep pits along the lion's anticipated path, concealing them with branches and leaves. He meticulously crafted "Illusionary Fog Bombs" that, upon activation, would release a disorienting fog infused with the scent of various predators.

These bombs would confuse the lion, making it vulnerable to the other traps.

Setting each trap took time and meticulous planning. He worked feverishly, fueled by a sense of urgency.

The human, whoever he was, had proven to be surprisingly cunning.

The lion roared again, this time a challenge, a demand for the human to face it head-on.

But Wang Li, hidden amongst the dense foliage, had no intention of a direct confrontation. He wasn't naive enough to believe his traps would hold a late-stage Nascent Soul Realm beast for long. His aim was to wear it down, to frustrate and weaken it until retreat became the only logical option.

He observed the enraged lion from a distance, a flicker of respect battling with his apprehension. The beast fought through the pain, its powerful body displaying an impressive resilience. But with each dodged trap, its movements grew a tad slower, its roars a tad less ferocious.

The embedded spike continued to torment the lion. Blood trickled down its leg, and it snapped its jaws in frustration, unable to reach the wound. The human had used its own environment against it, exploiting the strengths of the rainforest and his Wood Attribute cultivation.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the lion paused. It surveyed the treacherous terrain, the remnants of the traps, and its wounded leg. For the first time, doubt flickered in its cerulean eyes. This human wasn't a pushover; this was a worthy adversary.

With a final, frustrated snarl, the lion let out a mighty roar that seemed to shake the very trees. But this time, it wasn't a roar of challenge, but one of retreat. With a powerful beat of its wings, the lion launched itself into the air, soaring out of the rainforest, leaving behind a trail of broken branches.

Relief washed over Wang Li like a tidal wave. The enraged roar of the Azure Winged Lion receding into the distance was the sweetest sound he'd heard all day. His elaborate trap network had served its purpose. The mighty beast, bruised and frustrated, had chosen retreat over a prolonged fight.

With a deep breath, he wiped the sweat from his brow and retrieved his trusty Flying Sword. He needed to return swiftly to the cave. His aunts and Xiangyi must be worried sick. As the Flying Sword hummed to life, he propelled himself out of the dense rainforest and into the open sky.

Northward, towards the secluded cave, he flew. He glanced back at the emerald canopy of the rainforest, a flicker of pride warming his chest. He had outsmarted a powerful beast, a testament to his cunning and his mastery of Wood Attribute formations.

But his moment of triumph was fleeting. He had underestimated the Azure Winged Lion's tenacity, its burning desire for revenge. The beast hadn't truly retreated. It lurked at the edge of the rainforest, its keen senses locked onto the lingering scent of the human who dared to steal from it.

His senses, heightened by his late-stage Nascent Soul Realm cultivation, allowed him to detect the faintest disturbance in the air – a shift in the scent, the rustle of leaves. He had underestimated the human, but not enough to let his prey escape. As Wang Li flew further, the lion positioned itself strategically, utilizing his Bloodline Ability – Winds of Fury. He channeled his power, manipulating the very wind currents, granting him an explosive boost in speed.

As Wang Li cut through the sky on his Flying Sword, a sense of foreboding crept over him. He couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, a pair of unseen eyes tracking his every move. He glanced back, searching the horizon, but saw nothing but the endless expanse of the forest. Dismissing it as paranoia, he focused on navigating through the dense foliage.

Suddenly, a gust of wind ripped through the air, buffeting him on his Flying Sword. He squinted, his senses on high alert. There, in the distance, a figure materialized – a majestic form with cerulean wings outstretched, riding the gale like a living storm. It was the Azure Winged Lion, its eyes narrowed with predatory intent.

Wang Li's heart lurched. He hadn't expected the lion to be so quick, so relentless. His initial plan of using the rainforest's terrain to his advantage was now useless. They were locked in a battle of pure power, high above the lush canopy.

A frustrated curse escaped his lips. He hadn't anticipated this aerial confrontation. Back on the ground, he could have set up formations, utilized the natural energies to bolster his defenses. Here, in the open sky, his options were limited.

He gripped the hilt of his Flying Sword, the familiar hum of power surging through him. He was at a disadvantage; that much was clear.

The Azure Winged Lion boasted a higher cultivation level – late-stage Nascent Soul compared to his own early-stage. Furthermore, the beast possessed the terrifying power of its bloodline – The Ability To Control Wind.

But Wang Li wasn't planning on giving up easily. He had a trump card up his sleeve – his dual cultivation of Yin and Yang.

"Alright, big guy," he muttered under his breath, a steely glint in his eyes. "Let's see what you've got." He steered his Flying Sword towards the oncoming lion, a determined glint in his eye. It was time to face this beast head-on.