Beast Taming: The Beginning of Hatching an Ancient Dragon

Chapter 32: The Fierce Battle in the Grove

The remaining four Black-Tusked Boars were startled upon seeing their companion decapitated. Their innate fear of stronger beings urged them to flee. The leading boar instinctively stepped back, while the less intelligent ones charged forward. Li Chang’an swung his sword, the blade drawing a graceful white arc in the air. With a horizontal slash, he severed all four limbs of one boar, causing blood to spurt everywhere. The boar soon bled to death. Unfortunately, there was no attribute gain from this kill.

Overwhelmed by fear, the leading boar and two others with broken front legs turned to run. But Li Chang’an wasn’t about to let them escape. Knowing that boar-type magical beasts reproduce quickly and could overrun the mountains with offspring in a few years, and being somewhat intelligent, they could easily seek revenge on the villagers after he left. To prevent future trouble, he decided to eliminate them all.

Li Chang’an released Mao Mao, shouting, “Mao Mao, stop the leading boar!” He could still catch up to the two limping boars, but the uninjured leader, with its four powerful legs, was too fast, especially in the mountainous terrain. This task was for Mao Mao.

Mao Mao let out an excited meow, spreading its fiery dragon wings and flying into the forest. Li Chang’an worried silently, “Please don’t set the forest on fire, or I’ll have to face the consequences.”

Under the despairing gazes of the two injured boars, Li Chang’an swiftly beheaded them. Thud! Thud! The heavy sounds of their bodies hitting the ground echoed. “Strength +2.” “Strength +2.” Li Chang’an stood before the two boar corpses, his two-meter-long sword gleaming with white light, his pants stained with fresh blood. This scene shocked Village Chief Ma, who had come to check on the situation.

“This, this…” stammered Chief Ma. Li Chang’an smiled apologetically, “Chief, there’s still one more. I’ll go after it!” Without waiting for Chief Ma’s response, Li Chang’an dashed off, quickly disappearing from sight.

Following Mao Mao’s soul message, Li Chang’an arrived at the last location of the leading boar. Mao Mao was lazily perched on the boar’s body, its skull crushed. Judging by the aroma from the wound, Mao Mao had killed it with its Infernal Claw. “Earth Spike Skill Stone +1.” Li Chang’an was surprised. Even though he didn’t kill it, he still gained loot. Then he realized that his perfect compatibility and soul contract with Mao Mao, along with the hunting notes’ imprint on his contract formation, made this possible.

Mao Mao’s limbs ignited with infernal flames, burning away the filth from its claws, then leaped lightly onto Li Chang’an’s shoulder. Li Chang’an tilted slightly, thinking, “Has Mao Mao gained weight?” But he asked instead, “Mao Mao, sense if there are any more Black-Tusked Boars around.”

Mao Mao nuzzled Li Chang’an’s ear, saying, “Meow, (A group of boars is heading this way.)” Li Chang’an was startled. Boars coming to aid their kin were likely stronger and smarter. “How long until they arrive?” “Meow. (Now.)”

As soon as Mao Mao finished, nine Black-Tusked Boars appeared before Li Chang’an. The leader stood three meters tall and five meters long, with black tusks over a meter long, translucent like black onyx. “Damn, the Black-Tusked Boar King!” A Transcendent 3-star boar leader!

Even Li Chang’an, confident as he was, didn’t believe he could kill this boar king, especially with a wooden sword. If it were a steel sword, he might stand a chance. “Mao Mao, you take the leader! I’ll handle the rest!” Li Chang’an quickly assigned the battlefield. The remaining eight boars were his to deal with, which was no easier than fighting the boar king, as two of them were Transcendent 2-star, matching his level.

Mao Mao, eager for battle, jumped down and reverted to its one-meter-tall combat form. It had been longing for a good fight, and with Li Chang’an’s permission, its Infernal Dragon bloodline was boiling with excitement.

Seeing the fiery Mao Mao, the boar king’s bloodline trembled violently, as if facing an insurmountable foe. Mao Mao roared and charged at the boar king. The boar king shook its head, regaining its composure. Mao Mao had only used its mixed-blood dragon aura, not wanting to overwhelm its opponent too quickly, as that would be no fun.

The boar king’s translucent black tusks glowed with dark energy. It was on the verge of evolving into a Dark-Tusked Boar, an elite high-potential beast. Shadow Tooth Charge! Facing the boar king’s counterattack, Mao Mao’s eyes showed disdain. If a pure-blood Transcendent 3-star dragon used this move, it might dodge. But now? No need!

Mao Mao collided head-on with the boar king. Despite the boar king’s massive size, Mao Mao’s one-meter frame held its ground. Crack! The boar king’s tusks snapped. Fear filled its eyes. What kind of monster is this? Run!

Seeing the situation turn dire, the boar king fled. Mao Mao, not about to let its prey escape, began a cat-and-mouse game. The boar king’s escape indirectly affected Li Chang’an’s battle. The two Transcendent 2-star boars, now panicked, disrupted the formation, creating openings.

Seizing the opportunity, Li Chang’an swiftly killed two Transcendent 1-star boars. “Constitution +2.” Only one loot dropped from the two boars. The increase in constitution strengthened Li Chang’an’s bones and enhanced the connection between his muscles and blood, effectively increasing his health pool.

With two boars down, the remaining ones’ attacks became more disorganized. Li Chang’an continued to strike, taking down a 1-star boar every three slashes. Perhaps due to the boars’ loss of morale, he didn’t gain any more attribute rewards. Instead, his sword’s aura grew heavier, and he sensed the possibility of forming a Yellow Blade.

In a flash, Li Chang’an used consecutive Air Slashes to kill the remaining 1-star boars. The sharp aura dissipated, only to be replaced by an even fiercer blade aura, as if capable of cutting through anything. The advanced technique of the sword, “Air Slash,” had reached the stage of understanding.

At this stage, some choose resistance to interruption, some the weight of the blade, and others the speed of the Air Slash. Li Chang’an chose to make his blade sharper. With enough sharpness, a single slash could decapitate, rendering any fancy moves useless. If his blade hit, the opponent would either die or be severely injured. This was the insight Li Chang’an gained from the chaotic battle, thanks to the boars’ thick hides.

As he sheathed his sword, a yellow light flashed in Li Chang’an’s eyes. When he drew it again, the wooden blade was now adorned with a brilliant yellow aura. Yellow Blade activated! Li Chang’an pointed his sword at the two panicked 2-star boars. One, unable to bear the fear, turned and fled. The other seemed frozen in place.

Thrust! Li Chang’an’s body bent like a fully drawn bow, then shot forward like an arrow. A horizontal slash beheaded the stationary boar. “Earth Affinity +2.” Useless attribute! Li Chang’an cursed inwardly, as he didn’t specialize in earth magic.

Without slowing down, Li Chang’an chased after the fleeing boar. With the Yellow Blade active, his physical abilities were greatly enhanced, surpassing many support-type magical beasts. He quickly caught up to the boar. Blade Break. The yellow aura shot from his sword, striking the boar’s rear. Splat! The sound of a blade cutting through rubber echoed as the boar was split open. Two invisible attacks from the void then tore the boar in half. Infernal Shadow: Double Strike! This boar met the most gruesome end of all, proving that deserters fare no better and yield no loot.

Simultaneously, “Stamina +4.” Mao Mao: “Chang’an, I’m done.” Mao Mao’s victory granted Li Chang’an 4 stamina points, alleviating half of his accumulated fatigue. The Black-Tusked Boar King was truly a good guy!