Chapter 60

At the edge of the forest near the Tribe, Yan Jiao and Cang Shi were making their final farewells.

“In the two days that I’m gone, make sure to protect the Shaman,” Yan Jiao said gravely with a serious expression.

“I will.” Cang Shi solemnly replied.

“Also, tell Hei Ya to be careful, don’t expose anything about the Flame Dragon Tribe while outside.” Yan Jiao cautioned. “If he sees people from the Black Snake Tribe, tell him not to do anything foolish or impulsive.”

“Understood.” Cang Shi forced a slight smile and said. “You be careful too. If things get too dangerous, come back quickly.”

“Don’t underestimate me. There’s nothing that can scare me.” Yan Jiao grinned, turning to run towards the forest.

“Looks like he’s been invigorated by what happened today,” Cang Shi thought about that woman Sha Hong, never expecting her to become a Mid-Stage Totem Warrior before them. They did not even know if she was still alive.

“…” Yan Jiao kept a straight face, concealing his aura. His footsteps were silent as he moved swiftly in his chosen direction.

Time was both the least and most valuable thing, often slipping away in a moment of distraction.

Night silently fell.

*Chirp chirp…* Strange bird calls sounded.

*Roar roar roar!!!*

*Awoooo!!!*

The nights in this primitive forest were terrifying, with all sorts of nocturnal Ferocious Beasts coming out, hunting instinctively without restraint.

Yan Jiao walked cautiously through the primitive forest, his red eyes scanning the surroundings. He was tightly gripping onto his Thorn Fang Knife, alert to the slightest sound.

He was still travelling, having been on the move from afternoon until nightfall. He was heading deep into the forest, where many Ferocious Beasts lived. He needed to find his prey.

*Crack crack…* The sound of branches and twigs breaking kept ringing out.

Suddenly, the atmosphere grew tense. The surrounding beast roars, bird calls… all these disappeared.

Yan Jiao quickly hid behind a large tree. His red eyes were fixed on the direction of the sound. His Thorn Fang Knife was ready at his waist to strike at any moment.

*Crack… crack…*

A massive creature moved through the forest, with fire-red scales as large as a palm. Its body was at least as thick as two men’s embraces. Its raised, flat head had golden vertical pupils scanning in Yan Jiao’s direction.

*Siiiiii….* Yan Jiao drew in a sharp breath when he saw it, his red pupils constricting. His whole body tensed up. He inwardly cursed, .

The Golden-Eyed Fire Red Python was a vivid name passed down by the Ancestors of the Flame Dragon Tribe. In the past, Yan Jiao might have listened to it as a story, but now, seeing it in reality, he was so scared his legs were shaking. Cold sweat was pouring down his body.

As for why it was called an Ancient Blood Ferocious Beast, he did not know. He had only heard his Father say that every Ancient Blood Ferocious Beast was not to be trifled with. He should run away from it immediately upon sight.

However, he could not run now. He was completely locked in place by the Golden-Eyed Fire Red Python. If he moved even slightly, he feared he would be pounced on and crushed to death.

*Hiss~~* The Golden-Eyed Fire Red Python raised its head slightly, flicking its tongue. It looked amusedly at the ‘little snack’ too scared to move.

*Meow~~* Suddenly, a strange beast cry came from deep in the forest.

The Golden-Eyed Fire Red Python abruptly paused, turning its head to stare in the direction of the cry, remaining motionless.

After a while…

If Yan Jiao had not seen the Golden-Eyed Fire Red Python occasionally flicking its tongue, he would have thought time had frozen.

*Crack crack…*

The Golden-Eyed Fire Red Python moved, rushing urgently towards the direction of the beast cry. It crushed all the shorter trees in its path. Its body moved in an ‘S’ shape as it disappeared into the night.

*Huuu… Huuuu* Yan Jiao gasped for air, truly believing he had almost died.

Now he understood what his Father had said. Ancient Blood Ferocious Beasts were too terrifying. The Golden-Eyed Fire Red Python’s fierce aura had completely suppressed him, making him too afraid to move. Moving would mean instant death and not moving would mean a slow death.

Yan Jiao wiped the cold sweat from his brow.

He remembered his Father’s words,

Yan Jiao’s imagination ran wild.

Yan Jiao’s thoughts immediately turned to food. Looking in the direction where the Golden-Eyed Fire Red Python had disappeared, he muttered, “When our Flame Dragon Tribe develops, we’ll bring hundreds of Mid-Stage Totem Warriors here and kill it to eat its flesh.”

He knew it was just a fantasy. Hundreds of Mid-Stage Totem Warriors was a pipe dream. For now, being able to fill the Tribe’s bellies would be good enough.

Unless the Flame Dragon Tribe developed into a super large Tribe in the future, they might have a chance to kill Ancient Blood Ferocious Beasts for meat.

If Yan Jiao had stayed in the Tribe, he would never have encountered an Ancient Blood Ferocious Beast in his life. Meeting one today was due to it being night and extremely bad luck.

*Whimper…* Suddenly, a suppressed beast cry rang out.

Yan Jiao calmed his mind and focused, looking at the direction of the sound. At the base of the large tree he was hiding behind, a Withered Wood Wolf was cautiously raising its head, looking in the direction where the Golden-Eyed Fire Red Python had disappeared off to.

Yan Jiao slightly turned his head. He moved his feet silently, with his Thorn Fang Knife angled at the back of the Withered Wood Wolf’s neck, where there was a gap in its tough exterior.

*Squelch…* The Thorn Fang Knife easily pierced through, ending the life of the Withered Wood Wolf that had just escaped a calamity.

“I’ll borrow your bones. Our Shaman needs beast bones to make Shaman Bone Tablets,” Yan Jiao pulled out his Thorn Fang Knife and began to process the Withered Wood Wolf.

He only had a few minutes before he needed to leave. He needed to avoid being surrounded by Ferocious Beasts attracted by the smell of blood.