Xiaofeng and Qin Tian, two seasoned hunters, meticulously traced subtle clues in their surroundings. Soon, Xiaofeng's remarkably keen senses detected the unmistakable scent of other humans—distinct from the wild beasts that roamed nearby. Following this elusive trail, Xiaofeng pressed onward.
Qin Tian, clutching his automatic rifle, darted swiftly through the forest behind him.
Their pace surpassed that of any ordinary hunter, their prowess in tracking prey unmatched.
They halted before a sheer cliff. Xiaofeng's sharp gaze fixed on a cave entrance some dozens of meters above. "I have a strong feeling the person we seek dwells within that cavern," he whispered to Qin Tian.
Already donning his steel claws, Qin Tian nodded. "Alright, I'll climb up and take a look."
"No, I'll go first," Xiaofeng said firmly, gripping his Black Angel rifle as he began scaling the cliff with practiced ease. Qin Tian followed close behind.
Though lacking climbing gear, Xiaofeng's evolved speed and strength rendered the precipitous ascent effortless.
Yet, when they had ascended some twenty meters, a shadow suddenly emerged from the cave. A young figure, seemingly no more than a teenager—several years younger than Qin Tian—stood poised. His icy, penetrating gaze and silver hair lent him an otherworldly aura, starkly contrasting his youthful countenance. After warily eyeing Xiaofeng and Qin Tian, he uttered a sharp cry from within the cave: "Wa-oo..."
From the cave slithered a slender lizard, five or six meters in length, adorned with vibrant mottled patterns. Its large, gleaming eyes scanned Xiaofeng and Qin Tian before issuing two guttural calls.
Hearing the summons, Xiaofeng frowned and shouted, "Don't run!"
But the youth paid no heed. He swiftly climbed onto the lizard's back. The creature then unfurled broad, powerful wings and with a mighty flap, leapt from the cliffside, soaring rapidly into the sky.
One hand gripping a crevice, Xiaofeng drew his Black Angel from his back with the other, steadying himself on the cliff's edge. He raised the rifle, sighting the flying lizard, now a hundred meters distant. Without hesitation, he fired—three swirling bullets entwined in flight toward the beast.
Ping! Ping! Ping! Through his scope, Xiaofeng saw three bright sparks erupt as the lizard streaked onward, seemingly unscathed.
"Damn…" Xiaofeng muttered in disbelief. "What kind of beast has such formidable defenses?" Clearly, this creature's magical grade exceeded B-level.
Reloading swiftly, Xiaofeng contacted Pandora via comms: "Pandora, scramble the Trident. I need you to pursue a flying lizard."
From a few kilometers away, Pandora responded promptly. "Understood. Tugou, let's move."
Tugou and Pandora swiftly boarded the Trident. Tugou spoke to Giant, "Hold down the fort here with Xiaofeng. We'll take the lead."
The Trident ascended vertically, radar already locking on to the airborne lizard.
The silver-haired youth atop the lizard noticed the jet and coolly called out twice to the creature. With a sudden burst, the beast darted into the dense forest below.
Pandora frowned, watching the lizard vanish into the treetops. "It's entered the forest. I've got it on radar and am locking in."
"What's its grade?" Xiaofeng asked.
"Grade B," Pandora replied, pointing to a brown blip on the screen.
"Radar alone won't suffice, or you'll lose it," Xiaofeng warned.
"Don't worry, the Trident's radar is cutting-edge..." Pandora began, then abruptly cursed—multiple brown blips converged rapidly on the lizard's position. Dozens of grade-B beasts had gathered, only to scatter moments later.
"Damn, this kid is sly," Xiaofeng swore, "How did you lose it?"
Pandora explained the unfolding situation. Xiaofeng realized the boy's ability to command beasts was unlike anything he had ever witnessed. Summoning such a swift assembly of grade-B monsters was a feat beyond ordinary mortals, perhaps even surpassing the dark dragons of the Evil Dragon Sect.
Intrigued, Xiaofeng hastened to the cave's entrance, cautiously venturing inward as his eyes adjusted to the dim interior.
Qin Tian followed closely, his rifle equipped with a flashlight, treading warily behind.
Deeper inside, Xiaofeng's astonishment grew. The cave had been meticulously renovated, divided into multiple chambers like a well-appointed villa. The walls gleamed smooth, and furnishings were plentiful.
Yet one wall bore strange, unsettling symbols that furrowed Xiaofeng's brow. Though eerie, the markings were familiar—bearing striking resemblance to the tattoos worn by Evil Dragon Sect cultists. It dawned on him that these sinister designs might originate here.
A powerful suspicion took root: this cavern was once an Evil Dragon Sect stronghold, nestled within the Alps. Their method of taming beasts was surely intertwined with these cryptic symbols, each imbued with profound significance.
Seizing his comm device, Xiaofeng recorded the symbols in vivid detail.
Qin Tian glanced at him, puzzled. "Will these patterns be useful?"
Xiaofeng nodded gravely. "Indeed. More than you can imagine."