C47 Let the Tiger Return to the Mountain

Jiao Yuanju traversed the city alone, making his way to the entrance of Sunrise Borough. Due to the recent beast tide, the normally open city gate had been sealed off by the military.

Jiao's intention was to leave the city, a decision made more urgent after Xie Ziyu had unintentionally offended the Jing family. Now, having also crossed the Lang family, Jiao might have seemed fearless. He possessed the Asura Combat Body and had two powerful Combat Pets, the Shadow Tiger and Eoldrai, by his side. Even a Grandmaster Combat Pet Master might not be his match.

Yet, Jiao wasn't just looking out for himself. He was an ordinary student with a family and friends to consider. The influential families would surely target his loved ones. The thought of his parents coming to harm was unbearable; he knew he'd never forgive himself if that happened.

"Halt! This area is off-limits. Return to the city!" a soldier commanded, blocking Jiao's path.

Jiao produced a captain's badge and flashed it before the soldier, who promptly saluted and said with a hint of uncertainty, "One moment, please. I need to report to my superior."

Jiao nodded in acknowledgment.

Soon after, Jing Le, a robust man in military attire, approached. Jiao had met him before.

Jing Le greeted him with a broad smile. "Jiao! What brings you here?"

Surprised, Jiao returned the smile. "I needed to step out of the city for a bit. What about you?"

"After the last beast tide, I was assigned to guard this area," Jing Le chuckled. "I may not be a Combat Pet Master, but as a major, I have my duties! You're free to leave the city. Would you like me to assign an escort for your safety?"

"No, that won't be necessary," Jiao declined politely.

Jing Le expressed his concern, "What's taking you outside the city? It's not exactly peaceful out there. The army has cleared the area within a two-hundred-mile radius, but Mutant Beasts are still rampant. I don't need to know the details of your errand, but please, take care."

"Thanks, Brother Jing. I'll be cautious," Jiao gratefully replied.

Jiao then continued through the city gate on his own. The vast wilderness stretched out before him, while the impenetrable city walls stood behind. It was in this moment of transition that Jiao's mind cleared, and he fully grasped the harsh realities of the world beyond the city—where all was unknown.

Jiao Yuanju sprinted through the wilderness, unencumbered by any concerns. His blood surged, awakening the power of his lineage. The Asura Combat Body transformed him into a living weapon. Grass and trees in his wake were sliced as if by a sharp blade, leaving a clear trail behind. Mutant Beasts that dared to attack were obliterated by the rampaging Jiao Yuanju, their carcasses torn asunder.

Twenty minutes later, he reached a serene mountain forest. Though distant peaks and towering trees surrounded him, Jiao Yuanju sensed the lurking presences of numerous Mutant Beasts.

"This is the place," he declared.

Without hesitation, Jiao Yuanju released the Shadow Tiger. He opted for the Shadow Tiger over Eoldrai due to their lower bond of intimacy. Besides, should danger arise back in the city, the Shadow Tiger's strength would be insufficient.

"The Shadow Tiger's prowess is at the pinnacle of the valuable and rare category. It's unlikely to find a rival among the Mutant Beasts for hundreds of miles. Hunting them will be effortless, so it can accrue blood points for me," he reasoned.

Jiao Yuanju affectionately stroked the massive head of the Shadow Tiger and smiled, "Go on, you're free here. Slay any Mutant Beast you encounter. My path to strength depends on you!"

Understanding his master's intent, the Shadow Tiger nuzzled Jiao Yuanju's pant leg before letting out an exuberant roar and bounding into the forest depths. The discomfort of being subdued by humans was gone; it was thrilled to be back in its natural habitat. Soon, this region would surely witness the rise of a new jungle sovereign.

Content, Jiao Yuanju made his way back. Barely ten minutes had passed when the system chimed in:

"Shadow Tiger has slain an ordinary Earth Boar. You've earned 1 blood point."

"Shadow Tiger has slain an ordinary level Earth Python. You've earned 1 blood point."

"Shadow Tiger has slain a valuable and rare Wind Fox. You've earned 3 blood points."

In just thirty minutes, the system relayed five or six such messages. Jiao Yuanju's blood points had increased by a dozen or more. The Shadow Tiger, reveling in its newfound freedom and indulgence, zealously hunted the Mutant Beasts, satisfying both its hunger and Jiao Yuanju's ambitions. He was more than pleased, hopeful that the Shadow Tiger would continue to cull even more Mutant Beasts.

The Bloodline Levels of these Mutant Beasts varied, which meant the blood points Jiao Yuanju received also differed. Dispatching a common Mutant Beast would net him one or two points, while taking down a rare one could yield three to five points—the more, the merrier. Especially now that Jiao Yuanju had initiated bloodline evolution and had two beast pets at his side: the Shadow Tiger and Eoldrai. His goal was to rapidly enhance the strength of at least one of his pets, ideally pushing Eoldrai through another evolution for greater assurance in battle.

Currently, Jiao Yuanju wasn't quite at the level of a Grandmaster Combat Pet Master. He aspired to possess the overwhelming power to dominate both human Grandmasters and rare Mutant Beasts. With such might, the Jing and Lang families would be nothing more than rubbish before his undeniable strength.