Beast Taming: the More the Better

Chapter 154: Chapter 123: Is this evolved form so fierce?

The War Wolf C Division Command Center.

In Chief Lin Lei’s office.

Chief Lin still sat behind his desk, listening as one of his battalion commanders reported on the progress and achievements of the past month or so.

”Sir, the Evolution of the Desert Wind Wolf has been completed, only...”

”Only what?” Lin Lei gave the man a look.

In a certain sense, a few battalions in War Wolf C Division were always at the bottom. Forest Wolf, Sand Wolf, and Snow Wolf were unquestionably these bottom-ranking battalions.

The man standing before him was Wang Feng, the battalion commander of the Sand Wolf Battalion.

”Sir, there’s only a little over half a month left until the martial competition begins! I can’t seem to book any joint internal training sessions with our brother battalions. Old Yang’s Snow Wolf Group has already started training with the Instructor’s Shadow Wolf Group. I had hoped to find Lao Zhang, but he said his Forest Wolf Troop hasn’t finished its Cultivation yet...”

Lin Lei glanced at the man. ”Indeed, his troop hasn’t finished its Cultivation. Why don’t you make arrangements with a few other battalions, or perhaps arrange some cross-training? There’s still half a month left; what’s the rush to train for combat? Let me tell you, if you disgrace me in front of the entire Legion this time, I’ll have you learn postnatal care for sows!”

Wang Feng was not the least bit concerned by Lin Lei’s threat. Instead, his eyes darted about, and he chuckled. ”Sir, I heard that Lao Zhang’s Forest Wolf Troop has cultivated something remarkable?”

Lin Lei’s expression remained unchanged as he took a sip of water. ”Where did you hear that?”

”Is it true?” Wang Feng’s eyes widened.

”True or false, what damn business is it of yours? Get back to your training, now!” Lin Lei said impatiently.

Seeing the Chief getting angry, Wang Feng fell silent awkwardly, though he didn’t dare retort. Just as he reached the door, Lin Lei’s voice came from behind. ”I don’t care where you heard about this, but let me tell you: watch your mouth! It’s one thing to spread rumors within our division. But if word gets out to other divisions, I’ll be the first to come looking for you!”

Wang Feng was startled, then his expression turned bitter. Could it be true?! Where did that bastard Zhang Lie find such a Breeder?

For a moment, Wang Feng was truly itching to know more, but he dared not ask further. However, just as he was about to open the door, it was suddenly pushed open from outside.

”Sir! It’s done, the Cultivation is complete...” Zhang Lie’s voice trailed off.

He saw Wang Feng, whose face was brimming with eager curiosity.

”Commander Zhang, what’s completed?” Wang Feng asked, winking.

Wang Feng was startled by Chief Lin’s furious voice from inside the office. ”Damn it, don’t you know to announce yourself before entering? And you, if there’s nothing else, get lost!”

Regret welled up inside Wang Feng, but he quickly stood at attention. ”Yes, sir.”

Finally, with no outsiders left in the office, Lin Lei spoke. ”Alright, what’s going on? Tell me.”

Zhang Lie immediately became excited again. ”Sir! Chai Xiaowei’s Forest Wolf has successfully evolved! He himself has directly broken through from Commander First Stage to Commander Second Stage!”

Lin Lei was stunned. ”That company commander of yours?”

”Yes!”

Seeing Zhang Lie’s excited demeanor, Lin Lei suddenly thought of something. ”So, you came because...”

Zhang Lie chuckled. ”The other brats couldn’t wait either. Since the competition starts in just over half a month, we can’t get much training done within our troop. I was thinking about taking them over there to see and join in the training. Is that okay?”

Knowing that one’s own Pet Beast had completed its Evolution, yet being unable to be by its side, was an undeniable and immense torment! Furthermore, Zhang Lie wanted to see for himself what his ace soldiers’ Pet Beasts had become.

Watching Zhang Lie’s excitement, Lin Lei opened his mouth. He almost wanted to report to General Zhao and ask if he too could go see it. Would that be alright? Of course! A brand new, never-before-seen Evolutionary Body! And one with Monarch-level species’ Racial Potential! Who wouldn’t want to see that?

Unfortunately, given his status and position, he couldn’t simply leave the Legion base.

However, what Zhang Lie said did make some sense. Cultivation was one aspect. During the martial competition, it wouldn’t just be the Pet Beasts entering the field, but also their Beast Tamers. The Pet Beasts and Beast Tamers needed to synergize to achieve even greater effects.

Thinking of this, Lin Lei didn’t mince words and said directly, ”Fine. However, they can stay there. As for you, return to me immediately after you’ve delivered them! And don’t forget to write me a 10,000-word self-criticism!”

”Yes, sir!”

「Soon, under the bright midday sun, a military vehicle swiftly departed the Legion base.」

No one in the vehicle spoke. The ten soldiers whose Pet Beasts were being cultivated were filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness. They all pursed their lips, their tanned faces unable to conceal their irrepressible joy and anticipation.

Seeing them made Zhang Lie grit his teeth. ”Damn it! Once we get there, all of you better keep your composure! I’m telling you, you are elite soldiers of the Forest Wolf Troop! Don’t act like unsophisticated mutts who’ve never seen anything! Understood?”

”Yes, sir!”

「Time passed slowly.」

Su Ping, having finished lunch and burped contentedly, didn’t rest. He brought Xiao Qiang and Old Sha, along with over ten elite Forest Wolves, to the combat arena.

After merging with Yun Tian, Su Ping could finally conduct Pet Beast battles without any reservations. With a dedicated combat arena, they could safely use their Skills and unleash their full power, no longer needing to worry about damaging the ecological environment of their Forest Wolf woods.

In the open-air venue, basking in the sunlight, Old Sha and Xiao Qiang both squinted their eyes in sheer enjoyment.

But Su Ping spoke up. ”Alright, Xiao Qiang!”

”AWOO! (Here!)”

The Forest Wolves from the Legion reacted swiftly to the roll call, which greatly satisfied Su Ping.

”Next, I’m going to test your combat capabilities!”

”AWOO! (Yes!)”

At this moment, Xiao Qiang had already assumed the form of the Wanmu Wolf. The green, horn-like antlers on its head swayed slightly as it awaited Su Ping’s further instructions.

”First, you’ll face these dozen or so Elite Forest Wolves. However, your goal isn’t to defeat them. If you can’t overpower them quickly, then my Cultivation of your Evolution would be a failure. So, your task is to control them for ten seconds, then release them. Wait for them to attack you again, and then see if you can wear them down until they completely lose all combat power!”

This was a rather unique battle method. However, it was a very useful combat training method. It allowed for the maximum observation of Xiao Qiang’s sustained combat power and trained an even more important aspect: mental fortitude.

Su Ping then looked at the summoned Wolf Pack. ”And you all, your job is to attack it relentlessly. Understood?”

”AWOO!”

”Good, go ahead!”

Both sides stepped onto the training field together.

「Meanwhile, a military vehicle had stopped at the entrance of the Heart of Woods.」

Lao Guan, seeing Zhang Lie arrive, smiled and said, ”Xiao Ping is in the combat arena over there, training the evolved Forest Wolf. Commander Zhang, you and your men, please follow me.”

Zhang Lie nodded. The ten Legion Soldiers behind him were all keenly focused. One of them was so excited he involuntarily held his breath after boarding the sightseeing vehicle with Lao Guan.

He was Chai Xiaowei, Xiao Qiang’s current Beast Tamer. It was he who had sensed the changes in Xiao Qiang through their Soul Contract, even experiencing a direct boost of a minor Level himself!

Zhang Lie, seeing this soldier’s dazed expression, smiled and said, ”Alright, I’ve seen the Wanmu Wolf before, so I have some understanding of it. The Wanmu Wolf’s Abilities lean more towards battlefield control and creating forest terrain, which Forest Wolves excel in. Its individual combat prowess might not be that strong. It’s primarily more formidable when fighting in coordination with others.”

He had indeed seen it; after all, he was the first witness to Old Sha’s Evolution.

Saying this, they all disembarked from the vehicle and followed Lao Guan into the combat arena Su Ping had reserved.

The venue was extremely deserted. Although open-air, it was only open from above; a circular wall enclosed its perimeter. However, just as they stepped inside, a series of whistling sounds reached their ears.

Zhang Lie immediately spotted Su Ping standing by the fence. But at that moment, his gaze slowly shifted towards the training field.

The vast arena, normally a relatively open training field, was now densely packed. Trees! It was entirely filled with trees, roots, branches, and leaves!

If not for the walls and fences around the combat arena, Zhang Lie would have thought it was a small forest. But clearly, this wasn’t a normal forest. A natural forest wouldn’t be this abnormally dense. These trees were packed and squeezed together, looking less like a potted plant arrangement and more like a patch of weeds magnified a thousandfold.

Then, in the next moment, he saw a figure strolling leisurely outside this ’forest’ on the training field. It was draped in branches that seemed to flow down from its body, resembling a peculiar Old Wolf wearing a straw rain cape. However, the emerald-green, Y-shaped antlers on its head were reminiscent of the legendary auspicious Divine Beast: the Kylin.

At that moment, everyone knew that the peculiar Forest Wolf on the field, resembling a Kylin, was indeed the Wanmu Wolf! It was the very Contracted Beast they had sensed through their soul connection.

Beside them, Chai Xiaowei’s eyes widened, and he clenched his fists in excitement. However, mindful of his commander’s earlier warning, he dared not make any overly conspicuous movements, merely staring at the scene on the field with thrilled eyes.

However, soon, none of them could remain calm!

They then noticed that within the dense thicket of entwined branches and leaves—branches stretching out like dark green pythons—figures were darting up and down. They were all too familiar with these figures. They were ordinary Forest Wolves. There were over a dozen of them! All at the Elite Level.

Yet, these Forest Wolves were scrambling to attack Xiao Qiang on the field. However, the small ’forest’ before them seemed like an insurmountable natural barrier. The branches, moving faster than the wolves, would swiftly bind any wolf that made a move, immobilizing it for about ten seconds before releasing it again.

It was like a cat toying with mice, tirelessly watching these struggling little creatures attempt to challenge this Wolf King of the trees in its jungle!

Even considering the difference between Commander Level and Elite Level, wasn’t this gap a bit too large?

At that moment, they finally grasped the true charm and combat power of this Forest Wolf Evolutionary Body.

Instantly, several soldiers looked at their commander with admiration. No wonder! No wonder our commander was so confident this time and paid such a heavy price for us to undergo this Evolution! Such a powerful Evolutionary Body is truly worthy of the commander’s high regard. And yet, an Evolutionary Body this powerful isn’t considered strong in single combat? Then what kind of creature *would* be considered strong?

It was then that Zhang Lie, who had been quiet all this time, watching the leisurely Wanmu Wolf and the dozen-plus Elite Forest Wolves being effortlessly captured, finally couldn’t hold back.

”Damn... is this Evolutionary Body really that fierce?!”