Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales
Edited by Aelryinth
Four days passed in the blink of an eye.
During those four days, other than not daring to move around at night, Zhang Che spent the rest of his time massacring the mid-tier exotic beasts nearby. He encountered some high-tier exotic beasts occasionally, but their quality wasn’t very high. They were only gold-quality at most.
Between the two killing machines of the Earthen Rock Demon and the scarlet sword, even high-tier dark gold-quality exotic beasts weren’t scary to Zhang Che. He didn’t put these high-tier exotic beasts to heart at all.
It was the exact opposite. After killing those high-tier exotic beasts, Zhang Che would obtain a decent amount of soul force points. They were extremely helpful towards his quest of advancing to a high-tier beastmaster.
“Tsk, tsk. If I can encounter a large batch of high-tier exotic beasts whose qualities aren’t above dark gold, the time I need to reach Tier Seven beastmaster would at least be halved!”
After slaying a few high-tier exotic beasts in succession, Zhang Che was so happy his eyes turned into slits.
Not only that, he was even hoping to find a big group of high-tier exotic beasts to kill. That would be the most perfect scenario!
However, in such relatively safe areas, it wasn’t so easy to encounter large amounts of high-tier exotic beasts, unless Zhang Che was brave enough to venture deeper into the beast world. Perhaps he might find just what he was looking for!
Of course, Zhang Che’s brain wasn’t damaged by any means. He would never choose to venture deeper.
Within the information provided by his father-in-law were extremely terrifying existences present in the extreme depths of the beast worlds. Although Zhang Che was now able to take on powerful exotic beasts, and he might encounter large groups of high-tier exotic beasts if he went deeper into the beast world, it was more likely for him to encounter an exotic beast so powerful that he had no chance of winning against it. That would be akin to heading to his own death.
“During these past four days, I have killed almost all of the mid-tier exotic beasts in this area. Although there are still a few around here and there, there’s no need for me to continue wasting time here.”
After deliberating for a while, Zhang Che decided to return.
The amount of soul force needed to break through from Tier Six to Tier Seven was too terrifying. It wasn’t something he could hope to achieve in a month or two. Zhang Che didn’t want to waste his time looking for those leftover exotic beasts.
There were still dozens of other locations with especially high populations of mid-tier exotic beasts in the information his father-in-law gave him. Zhang Che only had to make good use of his time to sweep through those places. Although he might not necessarily achieve Tier Seven after doing so, he should get very close to it.
“Since it’s like that, let’s go.”
—
Although it was already around 2 PM, the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon wasn’t slow. He could totally make it back to the safety zone before dark.
Streaks of five-colored or rainbow light flew back to Zhang Che’s brow. Riding the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon, he determined the direction and quickly made his way back.
However, after flying for some time on the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon, Zhang Che couldn’t help but crease his brow.
-Freaking hell, I think I’m a little lost!-
He took out a map and looked closely at it. In the end, he confirmed that he was indeed unable to tell where he was.
It was fine, however. Zhang Che might not be able to find his way back, but he still had the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon.
“Let’s go, it’s up to you now!” Zhang Che put the map away and patted the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon’s neck helplessly, letting the fellow lead the way back.
Based on past experiences, the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon was totally capable of remembering the way. Although the route they chose might be different, they were surely able to return.
The Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon flew over mountain range after mountain range, river after river. In the end, Zhang Che gradually discovered some familiar places. It seemed like this fellow was very sensitive to directions and wouldn’t make a mistake!
“Hmm, I seem to have some impressions of this place, too. Looks like this way is the correct way back!”
When they passed by a swamp, Zhang Che revealed a happy smile.
The more familiar places they came across, wouldn’t that prove he was getting closer to the safety zone?
“Not right, this place is…”
As the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon flew right into the swamp land, Zhang Che’s brow suddenly furrowed. Afterwards, his eyelid twitched, feeling so scared that his heart nearly leapt out of his mouth.
The Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon only knew to keep flying in the direction back, and he actually forgot that there were several areas marked as dangerous on the map that they mustn’t enter!
“Stop!” Zhang Che’s heartbeat was racing. He hurriedly instructed the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon to stop, then took out the map once more. After looking through a while, he showed a terrified expression.
“Damn it, hopefully my luck this time isn’t too bad. Quickly steer away from this place!”
However, just as the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon changed his direction and continued his flight, a shocking cry was suddenly heard from the swamp. An exotic bird covered in black feathers that resembled a phoenix from the legends suddenly rose from the center of the swamp.
“Quickly go! Hopefully that fellow didn’t notice us!”
Despite being several kilometers away, Zhang Che could sense the terrifying aura emitted from the black phoenix clearly. He was so scared that he was trembling. He directed the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon to fly close to the ground and in the direction of the safety zone.
However, that black phoenix let out another sharp cry, then immediately came chasing in Zhang Che’s direction, its speed several times faster than the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon!
“Shit, shit! We offended a terrifying thing just like that?” Zhang Che was shaking in fear. Ordering the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon to bring out his potential and fly at supersonic speed, his brain spun quickly, trying to think of a solution to this matter.
That black phoenix was a divine-quality exotic beast without a doubt. Despite the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon erupting his potential, he was still much slower than the black phoenix. The black phoenix would probably catch up to them in less than three minutes!
“That black phoenix must be drawn to the aura Hanming is emitting. But, if I recall Hanming, will it really stop chasing us?”
There was surely a huge force of attraction between dragons and phoenixes!
Zhang Che immediately reacted to this. They were probably locked on by the black phoenix the moment the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon entered this swamp land.
He didn’t dare to gamble that the black phoenix wouldn’t continue chasing if he recalled the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon. However, even if he had the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon continued running, there was no chance they could escape!
“No, no, no. Calm down, calm down. There must be a way!”
Large beads of sweat rolled down Zhang Che’s forehead. He could feel that terrifying aura behind them getting closer and closer!
However, he must keep his composure, or they’d really be done for!
“Myriad Transformation Lizard!” In the end, Zhang Che thought of the attribute on the Myriad Transformation Lizard beast card which he had nearly forgotten: exotic beast transformation!
As long as he chose an exotic beast as the template, Zhang Che could make use of the ability to transform into that exotic beast, gaining its basic attributes.
But, where was he supposed to find an exotic beast to use as a template at this time?
“I wonder if my own subdued beasts and pets work?”
Just a few seconds later, however, Zhang Che was dejected. He was unable to use his own subdued beasts and pets as templates, and as a result, he couldn’t use the Myriad Transformation Lizard card’s exotic beast transformation to disguise himself.
“Shit, where do I find exotic beasts around here!?”
Zhang Che’s head was covered in sweat from anxiety, his eyes wide. He started looking carefully in the swamp ahead.
“There!” After a short search, a flash of hope shone in his eyes. A bunch of face basin-sized green frogs were resting in a pond about a thousand meters to his front and left.
It was surely impossible for such big frogs to be ordinary animals. They should be exotic beasts, no doubt about it!
Zhang Che had no other choices; the black phoenix was drawing closer and closer to them.
Just as this thought appeared in his mind, Zhang Che quickly ordered the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon to fly to the sky above the pond, and directly recalled that fellow back into his spiritual sea.
Zhang Che was thrown forward by inertia, drawing an arc in the air before falling toward the pond below.
That terrifyingly powerful black phoenix was less than three thousand meters behind him!
-Transform!-
Zhang Che’s gaze was locked onto one of the flustered green frogs, setting it as a template. He screamed inside and used the Myriad Transformation Lizard’s exotic beast transformation ability.
A mystical force burst forth from inside Zhang Che’s body. His body, which was still in the air, suddenly twisted, and really transformed into one of those face basin-sized green frogs, falling into the pond with a splash.
——-
It was already the third day. Other than eating and sleeping, Miyazaki Musashi remained at the corridor of the third story of that simple wooden building, awaiting Zhang Che’s reappearance.
Despite being a high-tier beastmaster and having a physique far superior than ordinary human’s, Miyazaki Musashi felt fatigued after persisting at his duty for three days in a row.
However, he didn’t show any of his fatigue on his face. His spirited eyes kept sweeping across the beastmasters who had returned to the safety zone from all directions.
Suddenly, Miyazaki Musashi’s pupils contracted slightly. Afterwards, his unrippled face revealed a very faint smile.
The sky was gradually turning dark.
The Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon was flying back from the east of the beast world, ferrying Zhang Che on his back.
——
Even now, Zhang Che was still feeling some lingering fear in his heart!
Luckily, when he really transformed into a green frog, that black phoenix indeed stopped chasing after him, and he escaped that crisis.
However, it wasn’t like Zhang Che didn’t pay a price for it.
The Myriad Transformation Lizard’s exotic beast transformation template couldn’t be erased after establishing them. That green frog was only a one-star bronze-quality exotic beast; any exotic beast could easily claim its life.
Such a trash exotic beast actually occupied one of the three template spots! It could well be imagined how depressed Zhang Che felt inside.
“Forget it. It saved my life; I better learn to be content about this,” Zhang Che shook his head, consoling himself. At the very least, the green frog was the lowest of garbage. If he ever encountered those unimaginably powerful exotic beasts again, he could still use it to escape. Those terrifyingly powerful creatures would never bother themselves with an ant-like existence like a one-star exotic beast.
When he finally returned to the safety zone, Zhang Che let out a long sigh of relief. After recalling the Darkfiend Abyssal Dragon, he quickly walked towards where the spatial gateway was.
At present, there were quite a number of beastmasters returning from every direction of the beast world. The safety zone was bustling with noise, shoulders rubbing everywhere.
Zhang Che weaved through the crowd quickly, not bumping into anyone. It went to show how nimble he was.
At this moment, Miyazaki Musashi was walking a short distance away from Zhang Che. However, naturally he wouldn’t choose to strike in the safety zone. Otherwise, the Miyazaki Clan would be done for, even if he managed to escape in the end.
Beastmasters were forbidden from fighting inside the safety zone. This was an iron-clad rule across the Alliance. Anyone who dared violate the rule would be severely punished!
If someone went above and beyond, committing murder in the safety zone, the consequences would be even more serious. No matter how strong they were, unless they ran into the beast world and no longer came back, they would never escape punishment!
Miyazaki Musashi naturally wouldn’t take his life and the Miyazaki Clan’s future lightly. In truth, his trip here wasn’t to kill Zhang Che.
At this moment, Miyazaki Musashi was carrying a strange exotic beast that somewhat resembled a sable and a squirrel in his arms. When he finally came within a few meters of Zhang Che, that exotic beast suddenly opened its mouth and spat out a mouthful of air with a pungent smell at Zhang Che.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. This little thing is too naughty. I’m really sorry, brother!”
Zhang Che covered his nose in response. He turned to look at his side, his eyes burning with anger. He saw a middle-aged man looking back at him apologetically, expressing his regret profusely with his head lowered, and even slapping hard on the subdued beast in his arm.
“I say, you better put that thing away. If you encounter someone with a bad temper, I’m afraid you’ll be in for some hard times!”
Zhang Che couldn’t bring himself to say anything bad after seeing the middle-aged man apologizing so sincerely. He only warned the man, telling him not to commit such mistakes again, and he continued on his way towards the spatial gateway.
After Zhang Che crossed the spatial gateway, the apologetic smile on Miyazaki Musashi’s face suddenly vanished without a trace. The corner of his lips raised slightly, a mysterious glint shining in his eyes.
“Zhang Che, you won’t get away!”
Just like that, Miyazaki Musashi walked to the spatial gateway along with the human flow, still carrying the little subdued beast, and exited.
——
The night went by peacefully.
The next morning, Zhang Che walked out of a hotel in the commercial district next to the military camp and took to the skies on Dijiang-hao, flying further south of Hua Xia.
Miyazaki Musashi, on the other hand, returned to Cang Long City and waited for two hours there. Afterwards, he received a text message on his personal terminal and with a smile, walked towards the airport.
Zhang Che flew Dijiang-hao for a short while, and arrived at a city two thousand kilometers south of Cang Long City. As he entered the beast world to the west of that city, Miyazaki Musashi took an airplane and followed his trail there.
At noon, Miyazaki Musashi headed to the outside of the spatial gateway. He swept his gaze around and settled on the flashy Dijiang-hao sitting in the military camp. A strange smile flashed across his face, and he crossed the spatial gateway with long strides.
After entering the beast world, that little subdued beast appeared in Miyazaki Musashi’s arms once more. Afterwards, they picked a direction and Miyazaki Musashi summoned a flying beast, mounted it, and quickly took off.
