C13 Tyrant Horse

"The east wind really packs a punch. If that had been a Mita, it probably would've fallen to pieces by now."

Fatty murmured under his breath, his tone a mix of awe and contempt.

"We're just over 100 kilometers from the safe zone. We should make it in under two hours."

Wang Yan remarked with an air of ease.

After being out for over half a month, it was time to head back, rest up, and then sign up for volunteering.

With his scores, he was a shoo-in for M Province University.

Anything less than a Grade A evaluation would mean foul play was the only other explanation.

Having killed ten Rank 2, Star 5 ordinary ferocious beasts right after high school graduation, his combat prowess was unquestionably elite.

While not entirely unique, students of his caliber were rare, with no more than five emerging each year.

And someone like Wang Yan, who had a leader-grade spirit beast at Level 1, was a once-in-four-centuries phenomenon.

"I'm Zhang Liang, and these two are Big Fatty Zhang and Zhang Xiaomei. We don't know your name, brother, but if there's ever a need for our help, we'll be there, through thick and thin."

Zhang Liang regained his composure and spoke earnestly.

"Absolutely! To the death!"

Big Fatty Zhang agreed with a vigorous nod, his belly quaking with the force of his movement.

Zhang Xiaomei followed suit, though it was not her belly that undulated.

"Aren't you a Tian by surname?"

Wang Yan asked, puzzled.

"Just a little cleverness, a joke."

"Oh!"

Wang Yan nodded, then introduced himself, "I'm Wang Yan. You might have heard the name."

"Wang Yan? That rings a bell."

Big Fatty Zhang mused, struggling to place it, while Zhang Xiaomei gaped in astonishment.

"Wang Yan? The eldest son of the Wang family? The same Wang Yan who effortlessly slaughtered the elite spirit beast, the Armored Wild Boar, and secured a Grade A on the combat test?"

"My idol! I never imagined I'd actually meet my idol!"

Zhang Liang's eyes sparkled, his face a picture of amazement.

The news of Wang Yan slaying Lee Yijing's spirit beast during the exam and infuriating her to the point of vomiting blood and passing out had spread like wildfire across M Province. The once lofty Miss Lee, who had looked down on Wang Yan, found herself crushed under his heel, a stark contrast that resonated deeply with many.

In a world where power is king, even with legal constraints, oppression is rampant. As the adage goes, chaotic times breed demons, and prosperous times, ghosts of the wronged. In any era, it's the common folk who bear the brunt of suffering.

Four centuries of strife have cemented the Flame Empire's dominance, yet peace remains elusive. The world is fraught with fissures, with new dimensional cracks emerging constantly.

The Empire craves the strong. Beyond the perks, their status skyrockets, leading to a culture of combat and a surge in violent incidents. It's an unfortunate reality.

Despite the grim circumstances, the Flame Empire maintains a semblance of order. Break the law, and you face harsh retribution, whether you're a commoner or a beast tamer.

In this world, pragmatism trumps all. Forget the past; present strength commands adoration. It's no wonder Wang Yan has become an icon to many.

As the heir to the Wang family, with a Grade A evaluation in his combat exam, Wang Yan is on track to join the ranks of the Empire's elite, barring any unforeseen setbacks. And to those lurking in the shadows, plotting harm—beware the fury of the Wangs.

"Just a flick of the wrist, and to think it was that fragile," Wang Yan said with a wry smile, half sincere, half boasting. Lee Yijing was no pushover; her first spirit beast was an elite Armored Wild Boar, a testament to the Lee family's investment in her. But against the might of Green, even the strongest beasts are forced to submit.

"This act is so effortlessly cool, I'm impressed!"

Zhang Liang raised his thumb, his tone grave and earnest.

For the average Joe, putting on airs is just foolish, but when a real powerhouse does it, it's downright impressive.

The four of them joked and laughed, lightening the mood even for Zhang Liang, who had recently suffered a loss in the spirit beast battle.

But the respite was short-lived. As the shrill alarm blared once more, Wang Yan's eyes fixed on the radar screen peppered with red dots, signaling trouble.

Red dots were everywhere: in front, behind, to the left, and to the right.

They were completely encircled!

"This isn't random; it's a deliberate move."

Zhang Liang's face was etched with seriousness as he spoke deliberately, "Among these ferocious beasts, there's definitely a leader, and a highly intelligent one at that."

"I'm with you on that!"

Wang Yan nodded, his gaze piercing the distance where an uncountable horde of ferocious beasts surged toward them like a deluge.

From Rank 1 to Rank 4, creatures small and large charged in a frenzy, including a significant number of elite beasts.

"Kree! Kree!"

A piercing cry echoed from afar, causing Zhang Liang and the others to blanch.

"The Tyrant Horse! That's the Tyrant Horse!"

"The Tyrant Horse?"

Upon hearing Zhang Liang's words, Wang Yan's expression grew grim.

The Tyrant Horse was an elite ferocious beast. Though not a leader, it was in some ways more formidable.

The Tyrant Horse could shrug off the presence of leader beasts and even charm the less intelligent ones into serving its cause.

Encountering a Tyrant Horse in the wild usually meant one thing: run.

But now, with ferocious beasts on all sides, there was no escape.

"Out of the wolf's den and into the tiger's lair. It seems we're doomed either way, but meeting you has made it worthwhile."

Big Fatty Zhang refrained from clichés like "you go first"—in this situation, escape was impossible for anyone.

"We haven't reached the end yet. How can we give up?"

Wang Yan huffed, resolute and unhesitating as he activated the Heavencraft Technology Energy Shield Type 3.

With a hiss, a translucent light screen materialized from nowhere, forming a ten-meter-diameter sphere that enveloped all four of them.

Almost immediately, a cacophony of roars echoed from the distance, swiftly followed by a cloud of dust and a dark, dense swarm of ferocious beasts.

"What's our next move?" Zhang Xiaomei anxiously inquired as the horde of beasts rapidly approached.

The onslaught of countless ferocious beasts from every direction was so intense that it caused their breathing to become labored with fear.

"Wait!" Wang Yan's voice was steady, suggesting confidence, though he was inwardly in a state of turmoil.

With such a multitude of ferocious beasts, even unleashing Green would be futile. The Tyrant Horse's whereabouts were unknown, and it had driven the nearby beasts into a frenzy with its influence.

These beasts were maddened, utterly fearless of Green's draconic aura.

There were only three possible escape routes from this predicament.

The first was to wait for Wang Yan's Soul Strength to hit three points, allowing Green to ascend to Rank 3 and hoping his skills would suffice.

The second was to force Green to Rank 3, risking the spirit beast's rebellion. It was possible that he might not fall to the beasts, only to be devoured by Green instead.

The final option was to trade his lifespan for the system's aid. If Wang Yan was willing to pay the price, the system could whisk him away to safety.