"Elder Zhang Xuan..."
Seeing that the duo was about to leave, Yun Tao hurriedly stepped forward.
"We're heading to the Beast Hall, so we won't delay you from catching savage beasts any longer. Farewell!" Zhang Xuan waved his hands.
The reason why he didn't leave earlier was because he was afraid of alerting the other party. However, now that the Gold Alloyed Panther had been tamed, this reason was no longer valid. There was no need for him to remain here any longer.
"Continue catching..."
Yun Tao didn't cry.
There was a time limit to the beast tamer examination, and he had already spent most of the time chasing after the Gold Alloyed Panther. Even if he were to look for other savage beasts now, he would have to find one first... Besides, even if he were to find one, the formation wouldn't work. Putting aside taming it, it was hard to say whether he could even survive.
"Elder, may I ask you something?"
Tossing aside the frustration in his heart, Yun Tao clasped his fist.
"Hmm?" Zhang Xuan turned to look at him.
"Just now... How did you know that there was a problem with my formation and that it wouldn't be able to trap the Gold Alloyed Panther?" Yun Tao asked.
He wasn't the only one who was perplexed. The others also turned their gazes over. Even Shen Bi Ru's eyes were glowing.
From his words and actions, it was clear that the fellow before them knew nothing about formations. Yet, he was able to see through the problem with just a glance. This was truly unbelievable.
"Simple!" Zhang Xuan didn't hide anything from him. Turning around, he said, "The Greenwood Confinement Formation uses greenwood as the formation flags, and it requires wood to maintain it. The location you chose is filled with greenery, and there is no mistake in your setup. However, there is one thing that you missed out on!"
"Elder, please enlighten me!"
After pondering for a long time, Yun Tao couldn't find anything wrong with it.
"The mountain range beneath us!" Zhang Xuan lifted his head to look at the mountain range leisurely.
"Mountain range?"
Yun Tao was even more confused.
What was wrong with the mountain range?
He had set up the Greenwood Confinement Formation when he first bought it, and there was nothing wrong with it! Even a Tongxuan realm primary stage expert would find it difficult to break it, let alone a Pixue realm cultivator.
"This mountain range stretches from north to south, and it's very stable and atmospheric. When the airflow comes in, it sinks down but doesn't rise up easily. In some places where there is less soil, the vegetation is yellow and withered. Looking at the broken parts of the rocks, there's a faint red color …"
Zhang Xuan sat on the back of the Gold Alloyed Panther and pointed. "From this, we can see that there must be an iron mine under this mountain range! Among the five elements, wood subdues earth, and metal subdues wood. The trapping array is countered by the metal element, so how can it unleash its full power? "
"This …"
Yun Tao's entire body shook.
He had once heard from his teacher that when setting up a formation, not only must one strictly follow the direction of the formation diagram, but more importantly, one must draw support from the surrounding environment, the momentum of heaven and earth, and even the sun, moon, and stars.
He thought that it was all nonsense, but who could have thought that … it would actually be true!
To be able to deduce that there might be an iron mine beneath just by looking at the direction of the mountain range … What kind of eye of discernment was that?
Even a 3-star array master would find it difficult to do so!
Just now, he actually put on an act in front of such a person and asked if he could understand …
Yun Tao felt a burning pain on his face.
He wasn't the only one shocked. Seated on the back of the Gold Alloyed Panther, Shen Bi Ru's mouth twitched. She was also on the verge of fainting.
Brother, didn't you say that you don't know anything at all? You don't even know what a formation is!
Why did you manage to see through everything in the blink of an eye?
Do you have to be so heaven-defying?
It was laughable that she thought that the other party was spouting nonsense …
"This fellow …"
Recalling her previous experience, she felt helpless.
This fellow really couldn't be judged by common sense. Otherwise, she would have been crushed to death sooner or later.
"That's all I have to say. If there's nothing else, I'll be taking my leave!"
After explaining the problems with formations, Zhang Xuan waved his hands and prepared to leave.
"It's already too late to catch the savage beast now. I would like to follow elder back to the Beast Hall. May I know if that's possible?"
Since the examination had failed, he decided to let go of his worries and befriend the other party.
Regardless of whether it was his strength, the means he used to make the savage beast achieve a breakthrough, or his understanding of formations, this Elder Zhang Xuan was simply too mysterious. He was worth befriending.
"Up to you. The Gold Alloyed Panther is extremely fast. If you can keep up, just follow me!"
Even though this fellow liked to put on an act, he was a capable person. Furthermore, he was an apprentice beast tamer. With him leading the way, they should be able to find a better aerial savage beast, thus making their journey to Tianwu Kingdom much smoother.
However, the Gold Alloyed Panther's back was already a little cramped for two people. Any more and they wouldn't be able to fit.
"Thank you, elder!" Hearing the other party's agreement, Yun Tao heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly nodded.
"Let's go!"
Ignoring the other party, Zhang Xuan willed the Gold Alloyed Panther to move forward.
Before its breakthrough, the Gold Alloyed Panther's speed was already extremely fast. Now, it was as fast as a galloping horse. Even though the terrain was complicated, it didn't show any signs of slowing down.
Initially, Yun Tao and the others were still able to keep up. However, after a while, their zhenqi was depleted and their faces paled. They were on the verge of spurting blood.
"Let's take a rest!"
After walking for close to two hours, seeing that they were exhausted, Zhang Xuan and Shen Bi Ru leaped off the back of the Gold Alloyed Panther and rested on the spot.
Initially, it would take them a day and a night to reach the Beast Hall. However, with this fellow, they would only need two hours to reach the Beast Hall.
"Elder!"
Knowing that the other party was stopping to take care of him, Yun Tao heaved a sigh of relief. After resting for a moment, he felt that he had recovered from his injuries. Thus, he walked forward and greeted the other party respectfully.
"Since I tamed the Gold Alloyed Panther during your beast tamer examination, does that mean that I won't be able to pass?"
Along the way, Zhang Xuan finally understood the situation. The other party had chased after the Gold Alloyed Panther for more than ten days, but in the end, he ended up benefiting from it. A single savage beast was a small matter, but the other party might very well fail the beast tamer examination.
"This …" Yun Tao replied awkwardly, "If elder hadn't tamed the Gold Alloyed Panther, we might have already lost our lives. Compared to our lives, failing the examination means nothing!"
Zhang Xuan nodded.
Even though this fellow was arrogant, he was rather reasonable.
The Verdant Wood Confinement Formation was unable to stop the Gold Alloyed Panther. If he wasn't present back then, this fellow and his Pixue realm subordinates would have surely died. Even though he had tamed the Gold Alloyed Panther, he had saved their lives as well.
"What are the steps required for the beast tamer examination?"
After traveling for half a day, he knew that riding on a savage beast would save him a lot of effort. If he could pass the beast tamer examination, it would be much more convenient for him to travel in the future.
If Yun Tao were to know of his thoughts, he would definitely feel so depressed that he would want to die.
In order to take the beast tamer examination, he had spent many years studying with savage beasts, but he was still unable to pass the examination. Yet, this fellow felt that the journey was tiring, so he decided to learn it …
"Firstly, you have to become an apprentice beast tamer. The apprentice beast tamer examination consists of two parts: theory examination and identifying savage beasts. Only after passing the examination will you be qualified to take the beast tamer examination. Similarly, there are two steps as well. Firstly, you have to obtain the acknowledgement of a savage beast. Secondly, you have to tame a real savage beast. "
Yun Tao said.
"You have to obtain the acknowledgement of a savage beast?"
"Un, the examinee has to be alone with five savage beasts. Within two hours, you have to obtain their acknowledgement so that they won't attack you. If you are unable to do so, it means that you don't understand savage beasts well! As for taming a savage beast, there is a requirement as well. It has to be a realm higher than you. "
Yun Tao explained. "Otherwise, if your cultivation is too low, you can use brute force to force the other party into submission. This way, you won't be able to display your capabilities as a beast tamer."
Zhang Xuan nodded his head.
To put it bluntly, the beast tamer examination was similar to the apothecary examination.
The apprentice beast tamer examination required theoretical knowledge, but to become an official member of the beast tamer examination, one had to put it into practice.
The latter required one to forge a grade-1 pill, whereas the beast tamer examination required one to tame a savage beast stronger than oneself.
It was no wonder this fellow was chasing after the Golden Alloyed Panther. He was a Dingli realm pinnacle expert, and the latter happened to be a realm higher than him. Once he succeeded, he would be considered to have passed the examination.
"There is a time limit to taming a savage beast. It can't exceed half a month. Just looking for this Golden Alloyed Panther took me more than ten days. If I were to look for another one now, it would be impossible for me to do so! Besides, if I were to meet a savage beast even more ferocious than it, I might even lose my life... "
Yun Tao was also very open-minded.
The reason why he was able to survive this time was due to the young man before him. He might not be so lucky next time.
It seemed that he would have to make more preparations before taking the beast tamer examination in the future.
Otherwise, if he were to fail the beast tamer examination, it would be too late for him to cry.
Every year, there were many apprentices who died in the hands of savage beasts while taking the beast tamer examination.
"It's good that you've thought it through. However... I did delay your matters. How about this, if you wish to tame another savage beast, I can help you!" Zhang Xuan said.
His main goal was to see how one could tame a savage beast that was weaker than him.
Through the Golden Alloyed Panther, he knew that if one couldn't make a savage beast admit defeat willingly, it would be difficult to establish a contract, needless to say, taming one.
In the future, even if he didn't take the beast tamer examination, he would still have to tame a savage beast if he wanted to travel quickly.
After all, he couldn't possibly meet a savage beast that happened to be weaker than him every single time!
What if he were to meet a stronger one?
At this moment, he could make use of this opportunity to see how this fellow did it and learn a thing or two from him.
Of course, he couldn't say this out loud. Otherwise, wouldn't the image of a 'senior' he had painstakingly built crumble?
Through the matter with Yang shi, he knew that sometimes, acting as a 'senior' would make things much easier.
However, if he didn't act properly, there was a high chance that he would be beaten to death.
"Senior... You want to help me?"
Hearing his words, Yun Tao's body trembled in agitation.
He had witnessed the strength of this senior Zhang Xuan. If he were to make a move, he would definitely be able to capture a Pixue realm savage beast easily. As long as he could capture it, he would be able to tame it.
"Un!" Zhang Xuan nodded his head with an unfathomable look on his face.
"That's great! As long as senior makes a move, I will definitely succeed..."
Clenching his fists tightly, Yun Tao's eyes reddened in excitement.
"Calm down. Even if I were to make a move, will you be able to find a suitable savage beast?" Zhang Xuan said.
"Savage beast..."
Yun Tao's face immediately turned bitter.
That's right. It took him more than ten days to find a Pixue realm Gold Alloyed Panther. If he couldn't find a suitable one, it would be useless even if the other party agreed to help.
"Your Highness, have you forgotten about that?"
A subordinate stepped forward.
"What?" Yun Tao was perplexed.
"The one that comes here every day to cause trouble..." The subordinate said.
"That fellow?" Yun Tao recalled something and an awkward expression appeared on his face.
"It's already too late to find another savage beast. If you can capture that fellow and tame it, you will have passed the examination. As long as you become a beast tamer, you can take your time taming savage beasts in the future!"
The subordinate continued.
"This..." Yun Tao hesitated for a moment before turning to look at Zhang Xuan. "Senior, there is indeed a savage beast that requires your help."
"Oh?" Zhang Xuan turned to look at him.
"It's... a strange bird!" Yun Tao said.
"An aerial savage beast?"
This Yun Tao was a Pixue realm pinnacle cultivator. Since he was stronger than him, it meant that the other party was a Pixue realm cultivator. Furthermore, it was a bird. Could it be that he wanted to tame an aerial savage beast?
Along the way, they had met many aerial savage beasts, but they were able to soar several thousand meters in the air. Even if they wanted to capture one, they were unable to do so.
"It can't be considered an aerial savage beast. It isn't big, just slightly larger than... a palm!" Yun Tao's face reddened.
"Slightly larger than a palm?" Zhang Xuan was taken aback.
From Shen Bi Ru's words, he knew that aerial savage beasts were several zhang long, and their wingspan was around two to three zhang. Only with such a large wingspan would they be able to carry a person and soar through the skies.
A palm-sized beast... Indeed, it couldn't be considered an aerial savage beast. It could only be considered a bird.
"That's right. However, even though that fellow is small, it is a true savage beast. Furthermore, it has reached Pixue realm primary stage, slightly stronger than me... However, it isn't a combat-type savage beast, so it isn't a match for me. However, its speed is extremely fast, making it impossible for me to catch up to it!"
Yun Tao explained.
"Small in size but fast in speed? Even if we want to tame it, it won't be easy to find it! "Zhang Xuan frowned.
It was already difficult to find large and slow savage beasts, so how could one possibly find a flying savage beast that was only the size of a palm in the midst of such a vast forest?
Furthermore, it was able to fly freely in the sky... Taming it would be even more difficult than taming the Gold Alloyed Panther.
Hearing those words, Yun Tao replied in embarrassment, "It's impossible to find it. However, that fellow has been harassing us for the past few days. Even if it doesn't look for us, it will definitely come over."
"Harassing?"
Zhang Xuan was perplexed. Even though he didn't have a deep understanding of savage beasts, they were naturally wary of humans. Usually, when they realized that they couldn't defeat a human, they would avoid them as far as possible. Why would they harass them every single day?
"This... I was the one who destroyed its nest. That fellow was so angry that it came over every single day..."
Soon, Yun Tao explained the matter to Zhang Xuan.
After hearing the story, Zhang Xuan shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
That strange bird loved to eat the wild honey in the forest. Oblivious to its intentions, Yun Tao accidentally found its nest and the honey stored within. Thus, he took everything away. That fellow had been storing the honey for many years before it found out that it had been stolen. Thus, it flew into a rage and chased after Zhang Xuan.
However, due to its small size and lack of combat prowess, it wasn't a match for Yun Tao and his subordinates. Since it couldn't snatch the honey back, it followed behind them every single day, coming over to cause trouble at fixed times.
It had already been seven to eight days. Calculating the time, it should be coming over today.
"Seems like that fellow is quite stubborn..." Hearing the grudge between a man and a bird, Zhang Xuan chuckled softly.
"How does it cause trouble?" Shen Bi Ru asked curiously.
Since it came over at fixed times to cause trouble, why couldn't they find a way to capture it when there were so many Pixue realm experts around?
"It..." Yun Tao's face turned as red as an apple. "Cough cough, when it flies above me, it poops..."
"Ah?"
Zhang Xuan and Shen Bi Ru stared at one another, and they nearly burst out laughing.
It had to be said that this bird was indeed bizarre.
"Every single time, it would land on me. After it was done, it would fly several dozen meters away to provoke us. By the time we caught up with it, it would fly away again. Every single day, it would be tormented for four hours..."
Honestly speaking, Yun Tao was also speechless toward this strange bird.
Didn't he just steal its honey? Yet, it kept pestering him every single day, tormenting him to the point of insanity.
If not for the fact that he wanted to pass the beast tamer examination, he would have considered revealing this matter. After all, it was simply too embarrassing.
To think that the seventh prince of Hanwu Kingdom would be treated as a toilet by a strange bird. Whenever it felt like pooping, it would fly over...
Just the thought of it drove him mad.
"Then why don't you just return the honey back?"
Shen Bi Ru covered her rosy lips.
"I did return it, but that fellow... continued to cause trouble every single day... Its speed is too fast, making it impossible for me to hit it with my arrows. I was intending to deal with it after I tamed the savage beasts. Since I failed to tame the Gold Alloyed Panther, if I could capture it and tame it, I would still pass the examination!"
At this point, Yun Tao hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Just that... that fellow's speed is simply too fast. Even arrows are unable to catch up to it. To capture it... is simply too difficult. May I know if elder has any ideas?"
"I don't even know what that fellow looks like or how fast it is. How could I possibly know how to capture it?" Zhang Xuan shook his head.
He had never even seen this strange bird before, so how could he possibly know how to capture it?
"Ah, right. Didn't he say that every time this strange bird came to cause trouble, it would fly several dozen meters ahead to provoke us? Back then, it wasn't able to fly, so you could just rely on your movement technique to catch it! "
Shen Bi Ru suddenly thought of something and turned to look at Zhang Xuan.
She had seen Wang Ying execute his movement technique before, and his speed was so fast that it was as though teleportation. No matter how fast this bird was, it shouldn't be a problem for Miss Zhang.
"Un, I can consider it..."
Zhang Xuan nodded his head.
After reaching Tongxuan realm, the distance and number of times he could execute the Heaven's Path Movement Art had increased.
Previously, when he executed his full strength, he was able to cover twenty meters in a tenth of a breath. Now, he was able to cover forty meters in a tenth of a breath.
Furthermore, the number of times he could execute the move had increased from one to two.
Of course, this was under the condition that he executed his full strength. If he were to execute the simplified version of the Heaven's Path Movement Art like Wang Ying, given his zhenqi reserves, twenty to thirty uses wouldn't be a problem.
However, his speed would be significantly reduced.
The complete version would allow him to cover forty meters in a tenth of a breath. On the other hand, the simplified version would only allow him to cover three to four meters in a tenth of a breath. Furthermore, the burden on his body was significantly lower as well. This was precisely the reason why Wang Ying was able to execute the move five to six times consecutively during his battle with Du Lei before he felt exhausted.
Even so, it was still a fearsome feat.
Three to four meters in a tenth of a breath. Similarly, thirty to forty meters in a breath. Most people wouldn't even be able to react in time before they were struck.
No matter how fast this bird was, it was still a Pixue realm cultivator. Compared to the Heaven's Path Movement Art, it was still lacking.
"Relying on my movement technique? I don't think that's possible … "
Hearing the conversation between the two, Yun Tao couldn't help but shake his head.
Their Hanwu Kingdom's most profound movement technique, [Heavenly Tortoise Footwork], was already extremely fast. However, compared to this strange bird, it was still lacking.
Not to mention, there was a limit to one's stamina. Even though Elder Zhang Xuan specialized in strength, his speed was likely to be lacking as well. Even if he knew a powerful movement technique, it would still be difficult for him to catch up to the strange bird. Besides, the other party was from Tianxuan Kingdom, so what kind of movement technique could he possibly know?
Based on what he knew, the most profound [Illusory Shadows Nine Palace Steps] of that kingdom was only mediocre. It was far from being comparable to the [Heavenly Tortoise Footwork].
If he couldn't even catch up to the latter, needless to say, the former.
At this point, Yun Tao continued, "This strange bird is extremely vigilant. Every single time, I would stop within its reaction range. Even arrows are unable to hit it, so it's impossible for me to catch it with my bare hands. What I'm thinking is that if we can set up a trap or something similar, perhaps … we might stand a chance!"
"We've set up traps before, but none of them worked!"
One of the subordinates said.
Hearing those words, Yun Tao nodded helplessly. Rubbing his glabella, he said, "Indeed. We've set up traps before as well, but none of them worked. That strange bird knows that we're prepared, so it refuses to fall for our trap … "
Wuwuwuwu!
Before he could finish his words, the sound of a gust of wind echoed in the air. It seemed as though something was falling from the sky, heading straight for Yun Tao's head.
"It's coming!"
Hearing the gust of wind, Yun Tao's complexion darkened. Knowing that it was the strange bird, he immediately leaped to the side.
Padah!
But … barely after taking a few steps, he suddenly smelled a foul stench. His body was covered in white spots.
Even without looking, he knew that he had fallen for it again!
Sensing the stench on his body, Yun Tao felt like crying. He turned around, only to realize that it was just a stone that had fallen where he was standing previously.
The strange bird seemed to have known that he would dodge, so it intentionally threw a stone to distract him.
"That fellow knows how to predict its movements?"
Seeing this sight, Zhang Xuan was taken aback.
Previously, he only thought that the strange bird was vengeful, but to think that it would be so intelligent.
It was completely different from the reckless Gold Alloyed Panther.
Raising his head, a small bird appeared in his sight. Just as the other party had said, it was only slightly larger than a palm. Its entire body was black, and its appearance resembled that of a crow. The sharp aura it exuded was similar to that of a Pixue realm expert.
Savage beasts were of different sizes. Some were as large as the Gold Alloyed Panther, while others were smaller.
After dragging Yun Tao along, the strange bird gleefully said, "Gugu!" After calling out twice, it flew to a spot around thirty meters away from the group and stared at Yun Tao with its black eyes, seemingly mocking him.
"Damn it …"
Being dragged along by the other party once more, even though Yun Tao was furious, he felt even more stifled.
Before he could think of a solution, that fellow had already appeared. It was impossible for him to capture it now.
Just as Yun Tao was conflicted over what he should do, his vision blurred. A figure suddenly appeared before the strange bird and pinched it lightly with his thumb and index finger.
Hu!
Before the strange bird could react, it had already fallen into the other party's palm.
"This … is a movement technique? How is this possible? "
Yun Tao froze.
(Author's note: As usual, I will publish the two chapters at the same time. I will try to reach twenty thousand by the end of this month. At the very most, I will have to wait until the day after tomorrow. Actually, I am also conflicted over this matter. This way, I won't be able to use my 'Chapter Breaking' talent, and I won't be able to make you feel as though you are in heaven … Don't worry, at the very most, the Chapter Breaking will return on the 1st of this month. Also, I believe that all of you have heard the song that was released on the public account yesterday, < Add 'Sweeping the World' on WeChat >. Moving, mesmerizing, sexy, and magnetic. It would linger for three days straight and make people forget to leave. Especially the high notes, which pierced through the clouds and definitely exceeded 52 degrees. I always thought that I could be a singer, but it was a pity that I was born at the wrong time. Otherwise, Andy Lau wouldn't have anything to do with me! Sigh, life is as lonely as snow!)
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