Immortal's Paradox

Lei crouched atop a tall tree, surveying the bustling bandit camp below. He had spent hours observing their movements, taking in every detail. The camp was crude but well-organized, with wooden barricades and sentry towers positioned at key points. About thirty-seven bandits roamed the grounds, some lounging near fires while others patrolled the perimeter.

His gaze drifted to the imposing mountain forming the camp's natural defense on one side. Earlier, he had spotted a figure, likely the bandit leader, entering a tunnel carved into the mountain. That left the deputy leader, a man exuding early Foundation Establishment energy, in charge of the camp.

Lei's eyes narrowed. "If the leader's near mid-Foundation Establishment, I need to act now before he comes back. Mao, any last-minute wisdom?"

The cat, lounging on a lower branch, flicked its tail. "You're outnumbered, under-experienced, and overly ambitious.

That about covers it."

Lei smirked. "Noted. But in case you haven't noticed, we live in an extraordinary world, Mao. And I refuse to become anything less than extraordinary ."

Without another word, he dropped silently from the tree, his movements precise and calculated. Using his enhanced agility and the cover of darkness, he crept toward the edge of the camp. The bandits were relaxed, unsuspecting of an intruder.

Lei took a deep breath. "Nanospirit, analyze and prepare for combat. We'll need all the tricks we can get."

Combat mode activated. Scanning host and surrounding threats. Synchronizing with host movements, the Nanospirit replied.

The first bandit fell before he could even shout. Lei's Molten Iron Punch crushed the man's chest with a burst of force, sending him sprawling. The commotion drew the attention of nearby bandits, who shouted and scrambled for their weapons.

Lei didn't wait. He dashed forward, using his enhanced agility to weave through the growing crowd. Each punch and kick was precise, his Molten Iron techniques leaving trails of red-hot energy in their wake. Bandits dropped one after another, unable to keep up with his speed and strength.

But as the fight dragged on, Lei began to falter. More bandits joined the fray, surrounding him and attacking from all sides. Despite his training, the sheer number of enemies overwhelmed him. A club slammed into his side, sending him stumbling, and a sword narrowly missed his head.

"Nanospirit, I need backup!" Lei shouted, his voice strained.

Auto attack mode activating, functioning at high capacity. Warning: energy draining at high rate!, the Nanospirit responded.

Lei's body moved on its own, his punches and kicks becoming faster and more efficient. He dodged incoming attacks with mechanical precision, striking weak points and disarming opponents with ease. In those two minutes, he felt like an unstoppable force, cutting through the bandits like a whirlwind.

As the auto mode deactivated, Lei grinned. "Not bad, Nanospirit. But I think I've got this now."

Something awakened within him-a love for battle, a thrill he hadn't felt before. His movements became sharper, his attacks more ferocious. The exhaustion that had begun to creep in was replaced by a fiery energy.

One by one, the bandits fell, their confidence replaced by fear as Lei tore through their ranks. Even the deputy leader, a burly man wielding a massive axe, couldn't stand against him. With a roar, Lei's Molten Iron Punch slammed into the man's chest, sending him crashing into a wall with enough force to crack the wooden beams.

The remaining bandits hesitated, their resolve shaken. Lei stood in the center of the chaos, bloodied but grinning, his fists glowing faintly red. The thrill of victory surged through him, and for the first time, he felt like he was truly on the path to becoming extraordinary.

The fight wasn't over yet, though. Somewhere in the mountain tunnel, the bandit leader awaited.