Chapter 28: The Beast Tamer

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Let’s rewind time, to before Liang Zhi and Qiu Shilu joined forces.

Liang Zhi was shielding Qiu Shilu, fending off several attacks from the massive spider, when he suddenly glanced down and asked Lord Crow, “I’m starting to get a little angry now. That Craven fellow must be a Beast Tamer, right?”

The Beast Tamer was a specialized branch of the Connection Faction’s abilities. Once Liang Zhi completed the Chapter of Seizure, he too would acquire this power.

Lord Crow nodded. “Yes. A Beast Tamer can form a spiritual bond with animals. While controlling them, both sides can to some extent share their strength.”

Liang Zhi actually only knew the title of Beast Tamer. The reason he could deduce Craven’s identity was that he was angry. As a Complete One of the Connection Faction, his body instinctively grew agitated when someone from his own faction stood against him.

Lord Crow sneered at Craven. “Caw, a Beast Tamer is the kind of ability user with an extremely high upper and lower limit. If he’s lucky enough to bond with some sort of legendary creature, a Beast Tamer can easily punch above his weight. But if he’s only tamed some stray cats and dogs, he’s only fit to perform in a circus.”

Liang Zhi’s eyes lit up. “What about me? The original owner of this body must have been a top-level Beast Tamer, surely he had some formidable animal companions?”

Lord Crow puffed out his chest and proudly gestured to himself with a wing. “Indeed. You have the strongest animal companion in the world.”

“…Alright, I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up.” Liang Zhi immediately deflated. This little crow, aside from ‘free flight,’ had absolutely no combat prowess.

Lord Crow bristled with indignation. “If you look down on me, just wait until Craven finishes you off.”

Liang Zhi rolled aside, narrowly dodging Monk Golden Moon’s lunge. He arched an eyebrow. “Are you saying we’re going to lose this fight?”

Lord Crow gave a cold laugh. “Of course!”

Liang Zhi hauled himself off the ground, breath a little ragged. “What do you know? Tell me now and I’ll treat you to a feast later.”

“I want an All-Insect Banquet!”

“You’re extorting me… Fine, I promise!” Liang Zhi gritted his teeth and agreed.

Lord Crow wiped his beak. “Then listen carefully to what I’m about to say. The Beast Tamer’s power is to connect himself with animals. This connection isn’t just about control; it allows him to transfer physical energy. He can channel the vitality of a strong animal into himself, or lend his own strength to a weaker animal. That falcon hasn’t yet used its master’s energy.”

Liang Zhi’s pupils dilated. “So that falcon can go even faster!”

Lord Crow nodded. “Once Craven gives his own strength to the falcon, it can unleash a burst of speed fast enough to instantly kill either you or Qiu Shilu. But such speed does immense harm to the falcon, so at most he’ll use it once or twice a day, only when he feels truly threatened. You must deal with the falcon before he transfers his strength!”

Liang Zhi lowered his voice. “So what should I do?”

Lord Crow shook his head. “I’m just a useless little crow. How should I know? But I can slow the falcon down once for you. As for luring it in, that’s up to you.”

So Liang Zhi ran to Qiu Shilu and said, “Since we can’t swap opponents, let’s fight together.”

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Once they had retreated to the iron gate, Liang Zhi began crafting bombs—he needed to increase his own threat level to force Craven to use the falcon against him.

He set up traps there, just waiting for the falcon’s assault.

Under his performance, Craven indeed targeted him.

Whoosh!

The falcon’s talons were now less than a meter from Liang Zhi’s throat.

In the blink of an eye, Liang Zhi was about to be torn open, but Lord Crow suddenly darted out from his collar, letting out a sharp “Caw!”

The falcon’s movement slowed just a fraction, then slower and slower, as if caught in an invisible snare. In the end, it was left floundering in midair, each motion more sluggish than the last.

Liang Zhi seized the falcon by the throat and slammed it to the ground. The earth undulated like water, and mud and tiles surged to bury the falcon.

The Falcon’s Grave—complete!

Liang Zhi straightened up and grinned at Qiu Shilu. “Now, the real counterattack begins!”

“Impossible! My Agur… What did you do?” Craven’s heart nearly stopped.

Liang Zhi conjured a new iron sphere, sneered, and handed it to Qiu Shilu. “Why would I tell you? Night Owl—hit him!”

Qiu Shilu raised a leg and swung her arm. The iron sphere flew like a cannonball, aimed at Craven.

She had now accepted the nickname ‘Night Owl.’

The gorilla’s massive body leaped to shield Craven, but the iron sphere shattered its rigid abs and chest, and the shrapnel pierced its torso.

It had only time for a single anguished cry before it fell dead.

Craven’s face changed dramatically. He spun around and roared, “Open the door! We can’t fight any longer!”

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…

“Ha ha ha! Your subordinates just got humiliated,” Ling Ji clapped with delight, her smile so dazzling that Fan Jiu stood frozen in place.

For almost ten seconds, Fan Jiu’s face flushed crimson, embarrassed before Ling Ji. “Aren’t you on my side? Why are you so pleased when my people lose?”

“Because it’s entertaining! I love unexpected chaos most of all.” Ling Ji laughed even more brazenly, her body shaking with mirth, the loose coat swirling but never slipping off.

Fan Jiu snorted and produced a remote control. “Do you think their victory is assured? No… No one who enters the base will leave alive.”

“Do you know why the staircase to the basement was abandoned? Why, even though it’s a disused passage, we spent a fortune forging two massive iron doors?”

Ling Ji rolled her eyes. “How would I know? Out with it.” Her attitude was a world apart from before.

There were several switches on the remote. He pressed one.

Deep in the tunnel Liang Zhi and the others had passed, the clang of steel rang out. Then two tomato-sized red eyes gleamed in the darkness.

“Because there are terrifying things imprisoned in that tunnel!”

…

Once the iron doors opened, Craven dashed inside, the Red-Scaled Python slithering behind him.

They were too far away for Liang Zhi or Qiu Shilu to stop them in time.

Monk Golden Moon’s face flushed and paled, then, after a moment’s hesitation, he decided to let Liang Zhi go for now. The tides had turned—he was no match for the two of them alone.

But as he was retreating, Liang Zhi shouted after him,

“Hey! That mechanical Buddha you mentioned is nothing compared to the Fusion Buddha I worship. It’s just a kid brother.”

At those words, Monk Golden Moon skidded to a halt, his eyes blazing. “Today, I will kill you!”

Liang Zhi turned to Qiu Shilu and flashed her a victory sign.

“The first opponent is about to be dealt with.”