Chapter Thirty-Nine: Unsafe Landing

Chu Tian was surrounded by a pack of wolves, but those fierce beasts now seemed to pose no danger at all. For standing before Chu Tian was a blue-faced, fanged minotaur clad in heavy armor, wielding a massive blade. Even though Chu Tian, when standing upright, barely reached the minotaur’s waist, he couldn’t help but mutter inwardly: “I’m far too short!”

It wasn’t that the minotaur was small; rather, he was dwarfed by the colossal creature looming behind him. The shadow cast by this behemoth enveloped both the minotaur and AK47 completely, to say nothing of the insignificant humans like Chu Tian. This shadow belonged to an overgrown mammoth, an unmistakably gigantic specimen.

Towering over ten meters tall, its brown-black hide was thick and sturdy; its four massive legs were imposing enough, but its pair of tusks alone were far more robust than Chu Tian himself. AK47, lying prone in front of the mammoth, barely reached its belly. Compared to this giant, the wolf pack encircling Chu Tian was hardly worth mentioning—they posed no threat at all.

“That’s an eighth-tier mammoth!” Barbossa whispered from behind Chu Tian. “Among the beastmen, it’s second only to the Golden Behemoth in strength—immense power, extremely difficult to handle!”

A mammoth? And an eighth-tier one at that? Praise the Goddess of Life! “Difficult to handle” was the understatement of the century—it was simply impossible! They had high-level professionals on their side, but one was a fake, and the other had no magic left! Chu Tian was truly out of options this time.

“Heh, well then, dear beastman, what business do you have with us?” Since force wouldn’t solve anything, Chu Tian decided to employ his greatest skill—bluffing.

“Hmph!” The minotaur snorted with disdain. “I am Baston, chieftain of the minotaurs! I’m here to eliminate you, the High Priest Mentor!”

Praise the Goddess of Life! Couldn’t he put that more delicately? Chu Tian was exasperated. “I have always held the bravest warriors in the highest regard. It is an honor to duel with someone as skilled as you!” All he could do now was pray Baston was all bluff and no substance…

But Barbossa shattered his hopes from behind. “My lord, Baston is among the top fighters of the beastmen—not only is he an eighth-level Sword Saint, but that mammoth is also his magical companion!”

“Much as I would like to duel you, I am injured and cannot use my magic!” With Barbossa’s warning, Chu Tian changed his tune at once. Even a real High Priest Mentor couldn’t handle Baston, let alone a counterfeit! Priests specialized in healing; their offensive power was weaker than their peers, and beastmen were always stronger than humans of the same level due to their natural constitution!

“No magic? That’s unfortunate! Though I would have liked to face you, I must kill you now!” With that, Baston raised his massive blade.

“Wait!” Chu Tian bellowed, startling everyone. “To die at the hands of such a valiant warrior would leave me with no regrets—but at least let me know why you wish to kill me! After all, can it be that your beastmen have also received an invitation from the Dragon Emperor, and now seek to eliminate me as a rival?”

“Correct! Our great prophet, Lord Rowan, also received an invitation.” At Rowan’s mention, Baston’s tone filled with respect, but he quickly turned cold again. “But that’s not the reason I’m here to kill you. You are not worthy of being Lord Rowan’s opponent!”

Rowan? Chu Tian grinned, his eyes narrowing out of habit. “Then do you know who my teacher is?” Anthony had once told Chu Tian that he was a sworn brother to Prophet Rowan of the beastmen. With that relationship, perhaps Baston would show mercy.

“Of course. Your teacher is the Holy Priest Anthony!” Baston truly respected Anthony. Though Anthony had fought against the beastmen in his youth, the continent of Phantom Beasts revered strength regardless of allegiance.

“Heh, my teacher and Lord Rowan are old friends—so by that logic, we’re all family here!” Chu Tian beamed, attempting to build rapport.

“Hmph! Anthony is a great priest, worthy of being compared to Prophet Rowan. But you are not!” Baston coldly rejected Chu Tian’s overture. Even if Chu Tian were truly an eighth-level High Priest Mentor, that would only make them equals in rank, hardly deserving of Baston’s respect.

I’m not worthy? Chu Tian sneered. “Of course, I am not my teacher’s equal. I have admired Lord Rowan for many years!” Sensing Baston’s attitude soften at his flattery, Chu Tian’s eyes narrowed further. “Since we’re both admirers of Lord Rowan, that makes things easier. Come, let’s share a drink and talk!”

With that, Chu Tian handed Little White to Barbossa, giving him a meaningful glance. “Steward! Fetch the wine!”

Barbossa took the hint, accepted Little White, and removed the collar from its neck. “Respected Baston, I have only the finest Foster on the continent!”

One jar after another emerged from the spatial collar, filling the air with a heady aroma. Little White cast a mournful glance at his entire fortune before turning away in tears. Now was not the time to risk everything for a drink and cause trouble for Chu Tian.

Baston’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he breathed in the intoxicating scent, his bovine eyes locked on the jars. “Excellent wine! I haven’t tasted this since ten years ago.”

“Of course! My master’s wine is the best in the land. Try it!” AK47 urged earnestly, seeing Baston’s obvious thirst.

“It is good wine! But…” Suddenly, Baston swung his massive blade, shattering a jar. “But I’m not fool enough to drink wine from a Necromancer!”

The plan had failed! It seemed beastmen weren’t as foolish as legend had it. Chu Tian had Barbossa produce the Foster instead of doing it himself, hoping Barbossa would have the chance to lace it with dark virus. But Baston had even seen through Barbossa’s identity. Someone must have betrayed them…

“Praise the Goddess of Life! How could I do such a thing?” Chu Tian donned the pious expression of a true devotee. “Would a student of the Holy Priest resort to such shameful deeds?”

At this, Anthony’s famed integrity finally worked in his favor, and Barbossa hesitated.

“Master, I want wine!” thundered the mammoth in a rumbling voice. “I’m already three years old, and I’ve never had such fine wine!”

Three years old?! Chu Tian craned his neck, but could only see the mammoth’s belly. If this juvenile was so massive at three, what would thirty bring?

“Useless creature!” Baston roared, swinging his blade backward and striking his magical companion with a burst of energy. “Always embarrassing me!” For his magical beast to beg the enemy for wine at such a time was mortifying.

“Awoo—!” The mammoth let out a pained cry, a bruise instantly appearing on its hide. Chu Tian was secretly astonished. How could Baston abuse his magical pet so ruthlessly? An eighth-tier mammoth was a perfect labor force, and at only three years old, its potential was limitless! And what defense—it only took a bruise from an eighth-level Sword Saint!

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PS: Baozi is starting school. On the 3rd and 4th, I’ll be traveling by train. The chapter for the 3rd is posted, but the one for the 4th may be updated in the afternoon or evening—please understand! Also, from the 5th, there will be two chapters daily, one at noon and one in the evening, for a week. Please support! Off I go, with my laptop and luggage—poor Baozi, writing on the train…