With his morale at an all-time high, Dong He took a step forward confidently. The metal bark scorpion bared its fangs aggressively before taking two steps back in response. Dong He took another step forward and finally, unable to withstand it anymore, the metal bark scorpion turned and fled.
What a gratifying moment!
Dong He forgot he was currently covered head-to-toe in dung. The only thing on his mind was the fact that he had successfully scared away that horrifying metal bark scorpion all on his own and boy was he thrilled about it.
Coincidentally, the direction in which the metal bark scorpion was fleeing happened to be where Lin Jin was standing.
Seeing a Grassy Continent at least three meters long charge over was nothing short of intimidating.
“Brother Lin, be careful!” Zu Can was startled by the sight of the charging beast and swiftly, he had his sapphire turtle step forward to shield them. However, instead of hiding behind the turtle, Lin Jin stepped forward, looked at the metal bark scorpion, and barked, “Down!”
As if it was being suppressed by an invisible force, the metal bark scorpion visibly shuddered before stopping and laying down obediently before Lin Jin.
Just like a tamed dog.
Everyone’s jaw dropped.
Lin Jin nodded with satisfaction. There was no way a Rank 2 beast could possibly resist his Beast Deterrence ability.
Seconds later, a Grassy Continent native with a mightier beast came over to subdue the metal bark scorpion. The native looked at Lin Jin as if he was staring at a monster.
Lin Jin paid it no heed but turned toward the direction where the commotion initially started. Things had yet to settle down over there it seems. After some thought, with Xiao Huo in tow, Lin Jin hurried over against the flow of the crowd.
Zu Can wore an impressed look while the Grassy Continent beast appraiser asked Zu Tianhong who Lin Jin was.
The scene of Lin Jin subduing the metal bark scorpion with a single utterance earlier was witnessed by Dong He as well.
He wanted to crawl into a hole right now. Completely covered in this foul-smelling filth, the crowd avoided his group like a plague. It was difficult to even attempt to keep a low profile. Dong He had wanted to slip away in secret, but Zu Can, with his keen sense of smell, turned his way and after catching a whiff of the stench, he exclaimed loudly, “Isn’t that Appraiser Dong?”
Here comes fame!
Dong He looked like he had nothing left to live for, his eyes devoid of life.
Meanwhile, Lin Jin was being stopped by a group of Grassy Continent native.
Up ahead were several ferocious beasts engaged in battle. The natives were obviously trying to capture the escaped creature with their pet beasts.
From this distance, he could see everything clearly.
The escaped creature was a giant ape.
Lin Jin had met primate beasts before but none of them were as huge as this one. It was at least twenty-feet tall standing upright, with strong and muscular arms that could probably lift tons of goods in one go. Its body was covered in ash white fur and the creature had a fearsome set of features. The native’s pet beasts were just as massive with there being a large tyrannosaurus, a desert ironhead python, a rock beetle spider, and a spotted vulture, all working together against the great white ape, who was surrounded from all sides.
Lin Jin knew the species of these creatures because he didn’t just pierce the exhibition beasts with his needling technique. With no one watching, he even took the chance and ‘poked’ all of the natives’ pet beasts as well.
This was why Lin Jin knew that even with four of their strength combined, their capabilities wouldn’t be enough to stop the great white ape.
The reason was simple. In terms of raw strength, all four beasts could definitely subdue the primate, but the great white ape possessed something the other beasts didn’t.
Intelligence.
The intelligence of this great white ape was almost at the level of a monster. To be specific, the Museum of Deadly Beasts stated that it had ‘near-human intelligence’.
In other words, it was one smart fella. Since it knew brute force wasn’t going to work in this situation, it was probably planning its escape right at this very moment.
Lin Jin didn’t force his way through the crowd. Seeing as the natives had the confidence in handling the situation, Lin Jin would leave them to it. After all, these folks were not to be underestimated. The fact that they managed to capture the great white ape and bring it here to Maple City proved that they would be able to capture it again.
Many of those who stayed to watch were prominent figures.
Lin Jin caught sight of people from the City Lord Manor. Among them was the manor’s steward, Zuo Wentang, whom Lin Jin had the opportunity to meet some time ago.
Other than Zuo Wentang, he noticed Tan Lin as well. Lin Jin went over immediately and greeted, “Chief Tan, Steward Zuo!”
“Appraiser Lin, you’re here too!” Tan Lin didn’t try to put on airs as she normally would at the Association when she replied to Lin Jin. Seeing how Tan Lin obviously held Lin Jin in high regard and considering that the man was a Rank 2 beast appraiser, Zuo Wentang saluted in response. “It’s been a while, Appraiser Lin!”
Lin Jin chuckled before pointing to the great white ape and said, “It’s surprising how the safety precautions here are done so poorly. To think they could let a beast escape like this.”
At the mention of this, Zuo Wentang flared up in anger.
“These barbarians are too unreliable. Previously when they requested permission to enter the city, the city lord denied their request in fear of accidents like this. But God knows what strings they’ve pulled. They actually persuaded someone from the royal city to grant them permission to enter, overriding our response. We don’t have a choice when the royalty speaks, do we? But see what happened after we let them in? If this beast breaks out of the area and wreaks havoc in the city, both the city lord and I would have to bear the consequences. When that happens, these savages better expect trouble coming their way.”
Having said that, Zuo Wentang turned to a guard beside him and asked, “Has Lieutenant Jiang arrived yet?”
The guard’s answer came immediately, “We’ve sent out the word but to gather backup may take some time.”
“Send another messenger and tell them to hurry up!”
Then, Zuo Wentang turned to Tan Lin. “Chief Tan, what do you think about this great ape? Can these barbarians subdue it?”
Tan Lin seemed troubled.
“This white ape is one of the few important creatures that the Grassy Continent caravan has brought over this time. It’s been kept inside a metal cage all this while with no one allowed to go near so there’s not much I can tell with my spiritual eye,” Tan Lin answered truthfully.
“As for the natives’ pet beasts, I’ve met the rock beetle spider at close proximity. It’s a Rank 2 with an outer shell as sturdy as a two-foot thick stone wall. It has incredible defense and can spin spider webs. I’ve never appraised the other beasts before but they should be equally as powerful. There shouldn’t be an issue for them to subjugate the ape.”
Tan Lin had just finished talking when there was a sudden change in the confrontation ahead.
The white ape initiated its offense.
And its target was the spotted vulture.
Lin Jin was equally as stunned.
Didn’t this white ape have human-like intelligence? Being this smart, it should have figured out that a direct confrontation would not work. Its best option was to escape at once and maybe then it would have a chance at winning.
But soon, Lin Jin noticed a vital point and his pupils dilated.
The white ape was currently engaged in battle with the spotted vulture while the other three pet beasts surrounded them. Something off was happening. Despite the relentless attacks by the other three pet beasts, the great white ape didn’t defend itself but focused on the spotted vulture instead.
Although the spotted vulture wasn’t weak, in a one-on-one situation, it couldn’t stand against the ape’s feverish attacks. When the ape slammed its beefy fist into the vulture’s wing, the bird let out a painful cry before its wing went limp.
The great white ape took quite some damage in the process of dealing this crucial blow. But upon succeeding, it managed to leap away amidst the chaos, heading straight for the exit.
It really did intend to escape.
Lin Jin chuckled instead.
“How clever!” Lin Jin muttered to himself.
The great white ape undoubtedly had human-like intelligence. It was aware that even if it escaped, it couldn’t go that far. The spotted vulture was its enemy’s eye in the sky, and it would track its whereabouts even if it did manage to escape. If it didn’t take out this bird, it would only be a matter of time before it would be hunted down again.
The ape was willing to risk getting hurt just to remove this potential threat before making its escape.
What brilliance.
This great white ape knew how to come up with a strategy, no doubt.
The pet beasts immediately gave chase. This time, it wasn’t just the natives of the Grassy Continent but even a number of local experts had decided to assist in stopping the great white ape from going on a rampage.
“It can’t be stopped,” Lin Jin mumbled to himself.
