18: Chapter 18 Tracking, Cave Entrance

Lu Hu discovered that the Black Beast had internal energy flowing within its body, just like Tiger Dad. Compared to Tiger Dad, however, the internal energy circulation in the Black Beast was stable and unending, allowing it to recover consumed physical strength extremely quickly.

As long as the Black Beast maintained its current state and didn't use moves that consumed more energy, its physical exhaustion was essentially negligible.

Setting aside mental fatigue, this was practically a perpetual motion machine.

"Aowuuu!!!"

Suddenly, the Black Beast changed its attack style and lunged toward Tiger Dad's balls!

In Lu Hu's knowledge, aside from hyenas, this move was most commonly used by canines. When encountering a massive enemy whose defenses couldn't be breached, they would attack sensitive areas like the anus or testicles to slowly wear the powerful enemy to death.

The Black Beast chose to use this underhanded tactic after realizing it couldn't break through Tiger Dad's hide.

The effect was significant!

Tiger Dad became infuriated. Although his testicles had also grown stronger along with the rest of his body—with defenses far exceeding what they once were—they were still a weak point. Being struck heavily by the Black Beast's claws still hurt like hell.

However, Tiger Dad's anger only made him lose his mind further. He attacked the Black Beast recklessly, but because he couldn't land a hit, he was just wasting his stamina for nothing.

The Black Beast remained calm. While attacking Tiger Dad's balls, it also tried to go for his eyes.

"Roar!"

Lu Hu let out a deterrent roar.

The Black Beast's body shuddered violently. Losing the optimal moment to attack Tiger Dad, it hastily retreated and looked at Lu Hu warily.

The Tiger Roar just now had made its heart tremble. The power was immense, and it didn't dare underestimate Lu Hu's strength.

"Aow~"

Tiger Dad was overjoyed to see Lu Hu and gave a cry. Together, they flanked the Black Beast from front and back.

"Grrr~~"

The Black Beast growled low, its head swaying left and right as it guarded against a sneak attack from Lu Hu and Tiger Dad.

"There seems to be a surge of energy in its belly."

At a closer distance, his perception was even clearer. Lu Hu sensed that while the Black Beast's body appeared strong, it had a sense of powerless weakness.

It was injured but slowly recovering. Within the Black Beast's body, there was a source of energy that was gradually healing its wounds and constantly strengthening its internal energy.

Could it be some kind of Natural Treasure?

"Aow~" (Hey, where did you come from?)

Lu Hu asked. He could see that this Black Beast possessed a high level of spirituality, at least superior to Tiger Dad's, and perhaps no different from an ordinary human's.

"Grrr~"

The Black Beast growled, not understanding the meaning in Lu Hu's voice.

"Aowuuu!" (Bite him to death!)

Tiger Dad couldn't wait and took the initiative to strike.

The Black Beast kept its eyes fixed on Lu Hu, not even looking at Tiger Dad's attack. After its body instinctively performed several side-leaps, it left Tiger Dad spinning in circles.

Then, with a 'swish,' it charged straight at Lu Hu. It wanted to know this tiger's true strength.

Whoosh, whoosh~~

The Black Beast darted and jumped around Lu Hu. The wind it kicked up blew against Lu Hu's whiskers, but Lu Hu remained motionless, quietly watching the Black Beast's performance.

This was the first time Lu Hu had seen such a strange tactic. The Black Beast's speed far exceeded Tiger Dad's, but in front of him, it wasn't enough to be impressive.

"Aow~"

Seeing that Lu Hu still hadn't attacked, the darting Black Beast grew a bit anxious. Why did it feel like it was a monkey performing for a spectator?

Could it be that this tiger wasn't actually that powerful?

The Black Beast felt that might be the case. This tiger was of ordinary size; perhaps it just had a loud voice while everything else was normal.

No wonder it wasn't attacking—it couldn't see its movements clearly!

Thinking this, the Black Beast silently lowered its speed. Facing an ordinary tiger like this, it could just pounce and bite directly, but being cautious, it still planned to counter-attack after the tiger made a move.

That was safer!

Smack!

Just as the Black Beast's speed dropped, Lu Hu pinned its head down with a single paw. The immense force slammed into the Black Beast's head, instantly dazing it and making its eyes clear up.

"Aowuuu~" (Bizarre.)

Lu Hu pressed down on the Black Beast's head and couldn't help but shake his own. Why slow down for no reason? He could already see its movements clearly, and once it slowed down, it was no different from slow motion to him. It was asking for a beating!

That said, the Black Beast's endurance and tactics were actually quite good. Unfortunately, its damage was too low, and it was being crushed by his stats.

Time to check this thing's condition. Lu Hu used his spiritual power to sense the energy inside the Black Beast.

"Grrr~~"

It took a long time for the Black Beast to recover from Lu Hu's slap. Sensing the immovable, colossal force on its head, a sense of desolation flashed in the Black Beast's eyes, and it lay powerlessly on the ground.

It had guessed wrong. This tiger wasn't too weak to see its movements; it was waiting for it to show a flaw.

Its single mistake would cost it its life!

The Black Beast didn't resist. From that one slap, it could feel that this tiger's strength and speed were both faster than its own. The opponent hadn't even used full strength; perhaps even in its prime, it wouldn't be a match for this tiger.

To have such power and still use sneak attacks—this tiger was even more treacherous than it was. Facing such a cunning tiger, it might as well just wait for death.

"Aowuuu~" (Son, hurry up and bite him to death!)

Tiger Dad walked over furiously. His balls had been hit; it was only because his current defense was strong that he wasn't crippled.

His future happiness had almost been destroyed—how could he not be angry!

"Roar~"

Lu Hu looked up and didn't listen to Tiger Dad. He patted the Black Beast's head, then grabbed it and tossed it away.

Seeing this, Tiger Dad understood his son's intention. Though unwilling, he didn't make a move.

"Hmph~"

With a huff, Tiger Dad and Lu Hu walked away.

After they left, the Black Beast, which had been tossed into a tree fork in the distance, opened its eyes. It didn't understand why the two tigers hadn't killed it, but it was a good thing.

Fearing they might change their minds and come back, the Black Beast struggled for a moment, fell from the tree to the ground, and regardless of the pain, fled at high speed with a limp.

A long while later, a tiger head peeked out stealthily from behind a tree. It was Lu Hu. After confirming the Black Beast was far away, he jumped out.

He hadn't left. He had sent Tiger Dad back first to watch over the medicine, then secretly doubled back.

The energy inside that Black Beast was very complex. It seemed to carry spiritual qi, yet it also seemed like the combined effect of various ordinary medicines. It was very likely something like a spiritual herb.

He let the Black Beast go because he intended to follow it and see if there were any great treasures at the Black Beast's home.

You have your own treasures yet you covet this King's? Watch me go and snatch your treasures!

After identifying the Black Beast's scent, Lu Hu followed.

Lu Hu's vision was excellent; even from a kilometer away, he could see the Black Beast's silhouette. He followed carefully, watching as the Black Beast caught two rabbits to fill its stomach, then caught a pheasant. It headed south for nearly fifty kilometers until it reached a mountain valley.

The Black Beast still didn't stop. It continued through the valley until it reached a cliff face. After several leaps, it suddenly vanished.

Lu Hu quickly arrived at the base of the cliff. After observing, he saw a hole about ten meters up. The Black Beast had crawled into that hole.

Lu Hu jumped up, hooked his claws onto the cave entrance, and peered inside. He saw light; this hole went all the way through, though he didn't know what was on the other side.

After thinking it over, Lu Hu decided to go in and take a look. He measured the size of the hole; it was very small, only about thirty centimeters in diameter.

Lu Hu was in a bind. The Black Beast could fit because it had a slender build, but as for him...

"If my head can get in, my body should be able to as well."

With that thought, Lu Hu no longer hesitated and tried to squeeze into the hole.

Front paws first, then the head, with his hind legs pushing forward. The entire tiger became a straight line, slowly wiggling into the cave entrance.

...