On the road, Ling Xiao questioned the bald giant beside him. The man had maintained a stern expression the entire time, conscientiously playing the role of protector.

"Tiger, did you decide to follow me because I defeated you, or did you already want to go to the human world?"

While remaining vigilant of his surroundings, Tiger replied, "Tiger has long wanted to see what the human world is like. The High Priest says that humans are very cunning, but their world is a beautiful place, much better than the world of the Beast Race. The last time... the clansmen who plundered human treasures said so as well. That is why Tiger has always wanted to see the human world for himself." When speaking of robbing humans, Tiger showed not a shred of guilt. Perhaps, to a Beastman, plundering humans was no different from hunting Magical Beasts in the swamp. Primitive survivors probably took it for granted that might makes right.

Ling Xiao smiled. When Tiger knelt and pledged to follow him, Ling Xiao knew. ’This Beastman Grand Commander, the Clan Leader of the Penzesi Beastman Tribe, must have yearned for the human way of life for a long time!’

Most Beastmen didn’t think too deeply. For them, a full belly every day and a life free from threats was the greatest happiness. But Tiger, far more intelligent than his kin, had evolved. His appearance had almost completely lost its Beastman characteristics. Even the steel-whip-like tail unique to the Tiger-headed People... was nowhere to be found on Tiger!

In his way of thinking and his habits, Tiger... was much closer to being human.

He was also more willing to live like one! This was evident from his fluent command of the human language, which revealed his strong... yearning to be human!

A clear, eagle-like cry rang out from above. Like a streak of white light across the azure sky, clown swooped directly toward Ling Xiao; the little fellow hadn’t seen him in many days.

A low growl rumbled in Tiger’s throat as his expression grew tense. He looked up nervously at the enormous white Flying Magical Beast diving from the sky, his body radiating a powerful aura!

In the sky, clown also sensed the unfriendly aura coming from the tall "Magical Beast" beside its master. It let out a sharp shriek, its piercing eyes locked onto Tiger’s arms. It sensed a great threat from them!

"Tiger, don’t be nervous. This is my pet."

Ling Xiao said softly, waving to clown in the sky.

clown obediently landed in front of Ling Xiao. It was too big now to land on his shoulder as it once did. It eyed Tiger with suspicion. ’Why does this Magical Beast look so strange?’ clown wondered. ’It looks so much like Master.’

Magical Beasts have an innate, instinctual sense for one another. So, despite Beastmen looking more human, an intelligent Magical Beast could still recognize one as a fellow beast. ’When did Master get another Magical Beast pet?’ clown wondered. It subconsciously nuzzled against Ling Xiao’s body, as if to tell the other Magical Beast, ’I’m the Master’s favorite!’

Tiger was equally shocked. ’This young human expert has such a powerful Magical Beast with him. He truly is one of the strong!’

Tiger may have torn a Tier Five Magical Beast, a Swamp Demon, apart with his bare hands, but things could have gone differently. If that Swamp Demon had fought him head-on with elemental attacks instead of attempting a sneak attack, Tiger would have had to pay a steep price for victory, even if the outcome remained the same. Instead, the beast’s instinctual ambush had only served to awaken Tiger’s own ferocity and potential. Not long after killing the Swamp Demon, his power broke through to a new level.

But this kind of Flying Magical Beast is the natural enemy of almost all land and sea Magical Beasts!

Their mobility was just too great! They were too fast, appearing and disappearing without a trace. Their sharp talons and unpredictable elemental attacks were a nightmare for anyone to face.

"clown, this is Tiger. From now on, you’re partners, understand?"

clown rubbed against Ling Xiao’s neck and gave a soft cry.

Ling Xiao gently stroked clown’s warm, fluffy head. He could feel that clown’s power had grown much stronger.

No matter the species, a Magical Beast’s power would always increase rapidly after it reached adulthood.

The same was true for clown. In this swamp, with danger lurking everywhere, it must have fought countless battles these past few days.

Ling Xiao’s heart ached as he stroked clown’s injuries. Many spots had already scabbed over, with feathers matted by dried blood. Some patches were bald, while others still bore fresh bloodstains.

Flying Magical Beasts are typically immaculate creatures that pay close attention to their hygiene. The only explanation was that clown simply hadn’t had time to preen its feathers. It must have been fighting almost nonstop these past few days!

Though Ling Xiao’s heart ached at the sight of its injuries, he could see that clown was full of spirit. Its eyes were filled with fighting zeal!

’The little fellow... has to grow up sometime!’ 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Ling Xiao sighed to himself again and tossed clown a Nourishing Essence Elixir. clown’s eyes lit up. It swallowed the Elixir, let out a high, clear cry, and beat its wings, sending the surrounding grass and trees into a frenzy. It shot a triumphant glance at the bald giant, Tiger, before soaring high into the azure sky.

Tiger watched clown in the sky with a hint of envy and rumbled, "It is good to follow Master!"

Ling Xiao gave a wry smile, then took out an identical Elixir and tossed it to Tiger. Tiger brought it to his nose and sniffed. Sensing it was something good, he carefully tucked it away inside his clothes instead of eating it.

"This kind of Elixir is best used after you’re injured. It can help solidify your core, nourish your meridians, and even grant a small boost to your strength!" Ling Xiao said with a smile. "You understand what I’m saying, right?"

Tiger grinned, baring his teeth. "I understand. The High Priest has taught me many things over the years! If not for the High Priest, Tiger would still be an ordinary Beastman!"

A thought suddenly struck Ling Xiao. ’Tiger is returning to Penzes City with me, so he’s bound to see Ye Zi sooner or later.’ With this in mind, Ling Xiao asked, "Tiger, do you know why the High Priest is so good to me?"

Tiger thought for a moment before looking up. "I heard you two mention a human’s name... It seemed to have some connection to the High Priest."

’Who said Beastmen aren’t intelligent? This Tiger isn’t dumb at all!’ Ling Xiao thought. He nodded and said, "That’s right. My woman is the High Priest’s daughter."

Tiger looked up, staring at Ling Xiao in astonishment. After a long moment, he nodded. "So that’s how it is. No wonder the High Priest treats you so differently!"

Ling Xiao smiled, then said, "So... Tiger, can you tell me what you know about the High Priest? You know, I want to help her too."

Tiger hesitated a moment before speaking. "The High Priest entered Penzes Swamp fifteen years ago. At that time, the Beast Race was much more numerous than it is now. But within the swamp, we were an incredibly weak race; even the packs of Swamp Devourer Wolves preyed on us. If the High Priest hadn’t appeared, the Beast Race in this swamp might be extinct today."

A nostalgic look appeared in Tiger’s deep-set eyes. "Back then, I was just a promising Elite Warrior of the Beastman Race, much like Mad Leopard of the Leopardman Race today. I had more ambition than the other muddle-headed Beastmen. The High Priest taught us many things. She used Elixirs to successfully transform me from an ordinary Beastman Warrior into what I am today. I like being this way! That’s how I recognized the Elixir you fed to that Magical Beast."

Ling Xiao smiled. ’No wonder the High Priest merely praised my medical skills. She must be a master of Alchemy herself to be able to transform these Beastmen like this.’ Thinking back to how the High Priest had mentioned reaching the strength of a Demon Sword Master in her twenties, only to have her entire family or sect virtually wiped out, Ling Xiao suddenly had a moment of clarity.

"How much do you know about the High Priest’s enemies?"

"The High Priest has never spoken of them. I only guessed at it later," Tiger said sullenly. Clearly, he too had always wanted to know who her enemies were.

Ling Xiao sighed softly. ’It seems to be the same everywhere, whether in the reclusive great families or in the mundane world. What people fight over always comes down to two things: fame and fortune.’

Ling Xiao’s Space Ring now held over ten thousand Tier Five Magic Beast Crystal Cores, more than a dozen Tier Six Magic Beast Crystal Cores, and... over fifty thousand assorted Crystal Cores from Tier Two to Tier Four Magical Beasts.

This was an immense fortune. Even Ling Xiao, who had little concept of wealth, couldn’t help but feel his heart race when he saw the treasury of the Beast Race People.

Although the Space Ring wasn’t completely full, Ling Xiao believed that with these Crystal Cores, the reconstruction of Penzes City was now within reach.

With Tiger as a super-bodyguard, the journey was exceptionally calm. Many Magical Beasts caught Tiger’s scent and gave them a wide berth. Combined with Ling Xiao’s own deliberate efforts to avoid trouble, the two of them finally emerged from the swamp half a month later. As they stepped onto land of a distinctly different color, Ling Xiao saw that Tiger’s eyes were filled with a thirst for knowledge.

"Tiger, from this day on, you are a human!"

Ling Xiao looked at Tiger and said, "So, there are many things you need to learn to think about in the human way. Also, when you see a woman who looks just like the High Priest, don’t act too surprised!"

Tiger nodded. "Rest assured, Master. Before I left, the High Priest instructed me to follow all of your commands. I won’t cause you any trouble!"

Ling Xiao smiled. Having such a powerful and obedient follower was certainly something to be happy about.

He suddenly felt an urgent desire to see Ye Zi.