The Strongest Beast-Tamer (Transmigration)(GL) - Chapter 62

“Level-three Wood Lotus Heart. Do you want it?”

“No, no, go ask the shop across the street.”

“I dug this Wood Lotus Heart up myself. The quality is excellent. Why don’t you take a look before deciding?”

In front of a small workshop, a young girl dressed in simple clothes eagerly opened the bundle in her hands. The shopkeeper did not even glance at it before waving her off impatiently. “Get out, don’t block my business.”

The girl was pushed so hard that she fell to the ground. The bundle in her arms slipped open, revealing a half-exposed lotus petal that glowed faintly green.

“It really does look good quality. Girl, how about one silver coin?”

“No, this Wood Lotus Heart is worth at least ten silver coins. I need it to save a life. I can’t sell it for less.”

“Little girl, you should know your place. Maybe it used to be worth that much, but now it’s only worth one coin.” He tossed a silver coin to the ground and reached down to snatch her bundle.

The girl held on tightly as he yanked her arm, nearly pulling her to her feet by force. “No, this is for saving a life. You can’t do this. I won’t sell it, I won’t!”

“You said you would sell it, now you won’t? Do you think you can make your own rules in Jiangqing Town? Hand it over.”

People nearby shook their heads. Scenes like this were far too common.

Suddenly, a small stone struck the man’s hand. He flinched in pain and shouted, “Who did that?”

No one answered. Everyone went back to their business, pretending not to see. Taking advantage of the moment, the girl grabbed her bundle and ran into the crowd.

The man tried to chase her, but another stone struck his knee, and he fell to the ground with a painful grunt. Laughter rippled through the crowd.

“Who’s pretending to be clever? Come out if you dare!”

He glared at the onlookers and grabbed one who had not hidden his smirk. “Was it you?”

The man sneered. “Let go, or you’ll regret it.”

Meanwhile, someone slipped quietly through the crowd and entered an old shop behind them, known as the Jiangzi Pavilion.

“Shopkeeper, one level-three Bloodflame Beast and three level-two Red-striped Mice.”

The shopkeeper’s wrinkled face broke into a smile. “You again. Every time you come, the hides are well preserved and even the beast cores are intact. You’ve got skill. Want to work here as a craftsman?”

Yi Xian waved her hand. “No, I’m only curious. Is a Wood Lotus Heart really worth just one silver coin?”

The shopkeeper said nothing. He counted her goods and asked, “As usual, exchange for Earth Spirit Beast Cores?”

Yi Xian thought for a moment. “One Earth Spirit Beast Core and a Bl00d-stopping Pill. If there’s any remainder, convert it to another Earth Spirit Beast Core.”

While putting away her goods, the shopkeeper said offhandedly, “Youthful temper is one thing, but it’s best not to meddle in others’ business. Around here, it can cost you your life.”

Yi Xian left in silence, thoughtful.

Jiangqing Town was a small settlement near the Phantom Beast Valley. Few people lived there, and only a handful of trade workshops remained. Jiangzi Pavilion was one of the oldest, its name known by every elder. No one remembered how long it had been there, only that it existed even before their grandparents’ time. Another rival business, the Xie Family’s Illusion Pavilion, had risen in recent decades, steadily surpassing Jiangzi Pavilion. Both were well-known throughout the town.

Yi Xian handed the Earth Spirit Beast Core and pill to Lord Yin Bao. “Give the pill to your little mouse brother. It will heal his injuries. The core is yours if you want it. If not, give it to him.”

Lord Yin Bao took them and quickly disappeared into a nearby tree hole.

Each day, Yi Xian hunted a level-three or higher phantom beast. It was still difficult for her since such beasts were the usual challenge for Earth-level tamers. Anything above level four would be nearly impossible, and level-five beasts were death traps. The level-two beasts, however, were easy enough for Little Pony and Lord Yin Bao to handle together.

She remembered the Lightning Dragon she had seen before and sighed. That chance is gone forever. Some fates cannot be forced. She entered the outskirts of the Phantom Beast Valley and chose a hidden spot to rest.

Many cultivators came to the valley for training. It was rare to see someone traveling alone. After returning from Yunmiao Peak, Yi Xian had decided overnight to leave. She had said her farewells to Duanmu Ya, Nian Yunyin, and even Lan Tong, who had teased her as usual. Duanmu Ya and Nian Yunyin had both wanted to accompany her, but obligations kept them behind. That suited Yi Xian just fine.

Ever since returning to the human realm, she had depended on others, beginning with the Duanmu family and later Duanmu Ya in Qingshan Sect. She realized she had never truly stood on her own. This trip was to test herself and see if she could survive alone.

Creak.

Yi Xian’s eyes opened sharply. A frail young girl stood nearby, clutching a bundle to her chest in fear. Yi Xian recognized her as the same girl from Jiangqing Town.

“Sir, I have a level-three Wood Lotus Heart. Would you like to buy it?”

“No.”

Before leaving, Duanmu Ya had worried she might starve and had given her plenty of gold leaves and medicinal pills, each clearly labeled. Nian Yunyin had added two life-saving scrolls, and Zi Han had given her a cultivation manual. Yi Xian felt like a walking treasure chest.

The girl looked at her pitifully, her eyes red and tearful. Yi Xian shivered inwardly. Though she liked women, she could tell this girl mistook her for a man. The look of timid adoration made her uncomfortable.

Pity has never suited me.

Yi Xian stood and continued walking. She was still in the safe zone where level-one and level-two beasts roamed, but once she reached the level-three area, she would need to stay cautious.

The sound of footsteps followed behind her. Yi Xian turned abruptly. “Stop following me. I don’t need a Wood Lotus Heart, and I have no silver coins.”

“They’re still chasing me. Please, just let me hide for a bit.”

Yi Xian shook her head. “If they’re after you, staying with me won’t help. I can’t protect you. Leave before I lose patience.”

At her words, Lord Yin Bao appeared, its pointed body hovering threateningly. The girl yelped and clutched her bundle tighter before retreating. She cast Yi Xian a wounded look and ran off.

“Lord Yin Bao, follow her quietly and see if she’s hiding something.”

“Chirp.”

Not long after, Lord Yin Bao returned, jumping angrily on Yi Xian’s shoulder. It had seen everything. The girl had acted again, luring a naive young man to buy her Wood Lotus Heart for ten silver coins and then deceiving him into fighting her pursuers. The man was later captured.

“What happened to him?”

“They took him away,” Lord Yin Bao reported.

Yi Xian sighed. “Then fate decides.”

Lord Yin Bao tilted its head, confused, but when Yi Xian closed her eyes to meditate, it settled nearby, keeping watch.

“Xie Family hunting party! Everyone, clear the area!”

“What do you mean?”

Yi Xian was scouting for a level-three beast to train against when several people rushed over, ordering her and others to leave. She looked around and saw she wasn’t the only one being driven out.

A man whispered to her, “You must not be from Silver Moon Empire. The Xie family is powerful there, with thousands of members. Whenever they hunt, they clear the entire area.”

Yi Xian raised a brow. “Is the Phantom Beast Valley owned by the Xie family now?”

He shushed her. “Don’t let them hear that, or you’ll regret it.” Then he sighed. “Seems our training ends here. We’ll come back another time.”

Yi Xian’s anger burned. She had traveled all the way from Qingshan Sect to train here, only to be blocked by a few arrogant nobles. If she couldn’t enter the valley, her time and effort would be wasted.

“This valley doesn’t belong to the Xie family. Why should we leave?”

“Exactly! Who do they think they are?”

The crowd began to murmur in agreement, unwilling to back down.

Yi Xian recognized five of them wearing dark blue uniforms from Haishi Academy. They had invited her to team up earlier, which she had declined. Now they were among the loudest in protest.

“Call your overseer out! We deserve an explanation!”

“Yes, bring them out!”

“If we don’t get one today, we won’t leave!”

Yi Xian noticed that the five people had used some method to make most of the driven crowd speak in unison. They were clever, she admitted silently, standing aside to watch how the situation unfolded.

The Xie family disciples saw that the group before them was angry and refusing to yield. Unable to suppress them by force, they had no choice but to call for the steward to come forward and resolve the conflict.

The steward was a woman of gentle appearance, slightly plump, with a smile so kind that she seemed born to calm tempers. Her presence carried warmth, as if simply walking by her could make one feel reassured. As soon as she appeared, she stepped forward to smooth things over. “That would be me. I am the one in charge. If anyone has grievances, please bring them to me directly. Come, let us talk over here.”

“No. We will speak right here! We want the truth made clear before everyone. What right does the Xie family have to drive us away from training here? Do you think your family rules the entire Silver Moon Empire?”

That accusation was bold and dangerous. After all, within the Silver Moon Empire, there were not only the Xie family but three other great clans. Still, the Xie family had long grown arrogant, showing signs of dominating the Four Houses.

The steward blinked, surprised, then laughed softly. “Oh my, this must be a misunderstanding. The Xie family never intended to drive anyone away. We simply wish to invite you all to enter the inner valley to train. Clearing this area in advance was merely preparation for everyone’s safety. There is no need to worry.”

At the mention of the inner valley, the crowd’s protests immediately softened.

The steward’s voice remained warm. “They say strength comes from unity. Surely none of you here would turn away the chance to capture a high-level phantom beast. But forgive me if I speak frankly. High-level beasts are not something everyone can claim. To enter the inner valley safely, we must all work together, move as one. Only then can we succeed. Don’t you agree?”

Yi Xian could not tell what the Xie family was truly plotting. Entering the inner valley of Phantom Beast Valley was certainly tempting, but she preferred to remain in the second or third region to hunt. That had been thanks to Senior Sister Zi Han’s advice, which had made her recognize her weaknesses clearly.

As expected, after such an enticing offer, the cries of protest dwindled. Those who had shouted loudest before now seemed to have forgotten their earlier humiliation at being driven out, captivated instead by the promise of rare beasts. They acted as if stepping into the inner valley guaranteed a capture of their own.

Yi Xian sighed inwardly. Fools. I am the best proof of it. She remembered the dragon whose lightning matched her own spirit root. Her strength had been too weak to form a contract. Cultivation was the true foundation.

“Does the Xie family truly mean to share the high-level phantom beasts with us?” someone asked.

The steward chuckled. “Young Master, you misunderstand. Phantom Beast Valley does not belong to the Xie family. There is no question of generosity. Once we deal with the outer beasts together, each will rely on their own strength within the inner valley. How about that?”

Yi Xian thought bitterly that if such an agreement were genuine, it would still end badly. It reminded her of the first selection at Qingshan Sect, where a disorganized crowd could never match the strength of a unified force. By then, they would each be fighting for their own lives, falling one by one without even knowing how they died.

Yet some found the steward’s words reasonable and readily agreed. As one voice supported her, others followed, until most of the crowd had been swayed. Yi Xian watched their hopeful faces and sighed again.

The steward looked satisfied and soon left after giving a few instructions.

Yi Xian, considered part of the group entering the inner valley, was placed among them. While they chattered excitedly about high-level beasts, she stayed silent in a corner, disinterested.

The Xie family was likely the same one that had raised Xie Ying, Xie Yu, and the original body’s family. From their words, it was clear they held great influence within the Silver Moon Empire and were perhaps rivals of the Qi family in the Sunlight Nation. Yi Xian wanted nothing to do with them. All she could do was stay unnoticed.

The next morning, they set out together. To show goodwill, the steward personally led the way. Yi Xian, however, thought they looked more like moving targets. Those who charged ahead were often the first to die. She deliberately slowed her steps, drifting to the rear.

“What exactly is inside that cage? Should we take a look?”

“Do you have a death wish?”

“Hush. The steward is looking this way. Keep moving.”

Yi Xian, walking last, overheard the Xie disciples whispering. Even they did not seem to know what the cage contained. Its black covering made it impossible to see. But their careful handling of it meant it held something dangerous.

Yi Xian slipped a hand into her pocket and brushed the soft ears of Lord Yin Bao, sending a thought through their bond. Then she leaned casually against a tree, creating cover for Lord Yin Bao to move.

“You there, what are you doing?”

“Ah, I just need a moment. Nature calls.”

She made good use of her tall figure, crossing her legs slightly. The man watching her grimaced in disgust and waved her off. “Go quickly. If you cause us trouble, you won’t be forgiven.”

Yi Xian slipped behind the trees, one hand braced against the trunk while pretending to relieve herself. Thankfully, no one was so perverse as to follow.

A silver flash darted neatly into her pocket. Lord Yin Bao was trembling all over.

Yi Xian returned to the group, walking slowly at the rear. Her hand stayed in her pocket, gently calming the little creature. “What is it? What did you see in the cage?”

Lord Yin Bao’s voice quivered. “A person. A woman.”

Yi Xian’s expression grew strange. Did the Xie family have such peculiar tastes that they caged a woman? Was she bait to distract them? It made little sense. “Could she be a Human-level beast tamer?”

If she were, perhaps she was needed to handle the high-level beast they sought.

Lord Yin Bao wriggled restlessly in her pocket until Yi Xian soothed it again. “You saw something else, didn’t you?”

Lord Yin Bao shook its head, twitching its nose. “A scent.”

“What scent?”

The little being scratched its ears, unable to describe the terrifying aura it had sensed. Yi Xian gave up asking. “Do not worry. I will find a way to see it for myself later.”

The sense that the Xie family held a hidden trump card filled her with unease. If she could not uncover it, that cage might well be a bomb waiting to explode among them.

When the group stopped to rest, Yi Xian transformed into a butterfly and slipped into the cage unnoticed. Darkness swallowed her whole, yet a faint light shone from behind, prickling her skin.

She turned toward it and met a pair of cold eyes staring straight at her.

She had been discovered.

It took a moment for Yi Xian to make out that the figure was a woman. The oppressive aura around her was suffocating, as overwhelming as the lightning dragon’s. No wonder Lord Yin Bao had been so terrified.

The woman’s wrists, ankles, and waist were bound by several thick chains, each interlocked with the next in intricate patterns. Yi Xian fluttered closer to examine them. The structure was complicated, impossible to undo without the key.

As she prepared to leave, the steward’s sharp voice sounded outside. “Keep watch over that cage. No one must come near.”

“Yes, Steward He.”

“Turn your backs. I will check if anything inside is missing.”

The disciples obeyed, facing away. The black cloth lifted slowly. Yi Xian nearly collided with the bars as she tried to steady her wings. Her control wavered whenever she panicked.

Just as half the covering was lifted, a hand closed gently around her, shielding her from view. Through the thin light between the fingers, Yi Xian saw the imprisoned woman clearly. Her arched brows were gentle, her gaze cold, and her face pale and drained of color, creating a beauty that stirred pity.

It was no wonder she looked weak. Locked away without light, who would not be?

Steward He glanced at her captive. “Do not worry. We are almost there.” She dropped the cloth again, plunging the cage back into darkness. The hand loosened its hold, and Yi Xian escaped through a gap below, regaining her human form only after a long flight. She exhaled, relieved. If she had been caught, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

“I must say, the Xie family does know how to clear a field. Not a single beast has appeared so far,” someone in the crowd said cheerfully.

“That is true. I would never have survived otherwise.”

“Once we meet the high-level beast, we should…”

Yi Xian had once shared their naive excitement, but after facing a high-level beast herself, that greed had died. The steward was cunning indeed, manipulating their hopes with a few simple words until they not only obeyed but spoke in her favor.

Suddenly, someone pushed close beside Yi Xian, hooking an arm around her shoulders. He was shorter than her, a man barely one-seventy in height, smiling as his eyes darted around. His voice dropped to a whisper. “Hey, you have been quiet this whole time, looking tense. Did you notice something wrong?”

He was the same man who had first organized the protest. Without him, this troublesome situation might never have escalated.

Yi Xian gave him a sidelong look. “Have you noticed how the Xie disciples surround that cage? What do you think is inside?”

The man turned to glance before Yi Xian smacked him lightly. She smiled thinly. “I suspect it is their weapon, meant to provoke and exhaust the high-level beast. The Xie family knows well how to capture such creatures. When the fighting begins, we will be the first targets, the cannon fodder. How many of us do you think can survive that? If we all die, the Xie family controls the story. Whatever they say will become the truth.”

The man’s smile vanished. “We are almost at the inner valley. Why tell me only now? It is too late!”

Yi Xian shrugged. “It is never too late to act, only too late to try. Every move on the board changes the game. Like the wings of a butterfly, one small flutter may shift the entire outcome. If you wish to die dreaming of phantom beasts, then forget what I said.”

Her words stung his pride. His face reddened, but he held his temper, thinking of the greater danger. “Then what should we do?”

Yi Xian’s mind was in a fog. They were many, but most blinded by greed. To act now would expose them and invite the steward’s wrath. “That Steward He guards the cage too closely. We need to reveal what they are hiding. If we can lift the black cloth, it will force them to stop.”

“Will that work?”

“Do you have a better idea?”

He thought hard, then shook his head. “No. We should try your way. You will do it?”

Yi Xian blinked. “I am a Heaven-level fourth-stage Light Spirit Supporter. You expect a support cultivator to rush forward and pull the cloth?”

He eyed her suspiciously. “Supporter? Then why are you here in Phantom Beast Valley? Trying to die? You refused to join us before. Never mind, once this is over, we can hunt together.”

Yi Xian gladly let him take charge. He had organized a protest once; surely he could manage this.

As expected, during their next rest, a fight broke out at the front. Two men clashed, then others joined, until it turned into chaos. Spells flew everywhere, striking even the bystanders. Yi Xian leaned against a tree to stay out of the way, yet a stray blast still shot toward her.

“What are you doing?”

“Quick, separate them!”

“I have endured you long enough! If not for your sister, I would never have brought you along, you coward!”

Chaos spread through the camp once more.

The crowd surged like a wave, all rushing toward the rear in a frenzy. Yi Xian’s sharp eyes caught sight of Steward He struggling through the masses toward them. Fortunately, the press of bodies made it difficult for her to move quickly.

Yi Xian quietly summoned Little Pony and released a burst of Light Baptism into the chaos. The area instantly filled with cries and groans as the light exploded. Even Steward He was shoved about in the confusion, her figure bumping into others as if she were caught in a wild marketplace brawl.

The one responsible for the chaos crawled step by step toward the cage amidst the confusion, reaching out to lift the black cloth. Before he could touch it, a disciple of the Xie family seized his wrist and demanded warily, “What do you think you are doing?”

Yi Xian swiftly struck out with a bolt of Lightning Spirit. It hit the disciple squarely in the back, and the force shattered both his defense and the black cloth. The covering tore apart, revealing the woman inside the cage. She sat with poise and grace, watching the chaos unfold before her. Her calm eyes seemed to mock the madness surrounding her.

“A woman?”

“How can it be a woman?”

“Who is she? Why is she chained up like that?”

Steward He’s expression darkened. Realizing something was terribly wrong, she shoved aside those blocking her path, shouting angrily, “Who told you to uncover the cloth? Quickly, find another one and cover it again!”

A man from Haishi Academy seized the chance to speak. “Your Xie family went to great lengths to bring that cage into Phantom Beast Valley. Don’t tell us it was for holding a high-level phantom beast. Then who is she? What are you hiding?”

The crowd looked confused, but Yi Xian understood at once. The woman’s identity was anything but ordinary. Other than Steward He, only a handful of Xie disciples seemed to know the truth. That woman in the cage was clearly the key to this mission, the secret weapon the Xie family was protecting.

But what could possibly be the use of imprisoning a woman?

Yi Xian could not figure it out no matter how she thought. She simply watched silently as the situation spiraled beyond her expectations.

Steward He’s gentle demeanor vanished. Her tone hardened, filled with authority. “This is an internal matter of the Xie family. We agreed to enter the inner valley together to hunt high-level phantom beasts. At no point did we permit outsiders to meddle in our affairs.”

The Haishi student snorted. He was sharper than most and did not fall for her words. “So your true face shows. You only meant to use us to hunt the beasts while you wait behind to take the spoils. You think we are all fools?”

Yi Xian lowered her voice and spoke from the crowd to support him. “You have been sending us to the front while your Xie disciples remain behind. Do you plan to use us as shields when the high-level beast appears?”

“That’s right. How are we supposed to escape then?”

“This is too much. And I actually believed they meant to help us.”

The murmurs grew into angry shouts.

Steward He closed her eyes, yet she could still sense their locations. A long vine lashed out toward Yi Xian’s direction. Yi Xian grabbed a nearby unfortunate soul and teleported aside just in time. The man froze in shock before realizing she had saved him and stammered his thanks.

The students from Haishi Academy saw Steward He attack and immediately found their proof. “There it is. You show your true colors. Now that we see through your deceit, you lose your temper and try to kill us to silence the truth!”

Steward He ignored their accusations and began to laugh. “If you no longer wish to enter the inner valley with us, you are free to leave. I am not forcing anyone to stay.”

The Haishi students hesitated, glancing at one another in confusion. They had only been trying to delay the Xie family from reaching the inner valley, and now their goal had been achieved so easily? Something felt wrong. Like Yi Xian, they found it strange that Steward He would suddenly let them go. If they left now, they would become witnesses, countless voices ready to spread the truth and ruin the Xie family’s reputation.

Lord Yin Bao suddenly cried out, its voice urgent. “Run! Run!”

Yi Xian’s heart lurched. That tone had only appeared once before, during their encounter with the lightning dragon. It was impossible. They had not yet reached the inner valley. How could a high-level phantom beast already be here? But she had no time to think or question her instincts. “Run toward the outer region! A high-level beast is coming!”

Lord Yin Bao wrapped silken threads around Yi Xian’s wrist and pulled with all its strength, dragging her toward the less crowded area.

Moments later came the thunderous rumble of impact, as if mountains were collapsing. The ground shook violently. Even without seeing it, the sheer sound revealed the enormous size of the approaching beast.

The crowd fell into chaos. No one cared about order now. Even those who had tried to organize others abandoned the effort. Fear erased reason. Yi Xian could not concern herself with them either, for Steward He was blocking her escape.

Perhaps it was hatred for ruining the Xie family’s plan. As Yi Xian tried to flee, Steward He suddenly attacked. If not for Lord Yin Bao’s threads wrapped tightly around her wrist to shield her, she might have been pierced through by the countless vines striking toward her.

“You wretched girl. How dare you ruin my plan!”

“Which eye of yours saw that?”

Even with her eyes closed, Steward He seemed to track Yi Xian by sound alone. Yi Xian could not tell whether she was simply unlucky or if the woman was truly that skilled. It felt no different from facing an executioner.

The trees around them came alive, vines twisting like snakes. Yi Xian shouted, “You students from Haishi Academy, are you just going to stand there? Help me!”

They had been trying to guide others to safety but failed. Hearing Yi Xian’s cry, the five of them rushed over. “She’s just a support cultivator. Have some shame picking on her! Fight me instead!”

Steward He’s voice was cold. “Then you can all die together.”

Her vines lashed out like the limbs of a monstrous octopus. One vine alone was difficult enough to handle, let alone dozens. Yi Xian saw that the five were quickly being overwhelmed. Rather than helping, they were only adding to the casualties.

In a forest like this, Steward He’s wood element gave her an overwhelming advantage. Yi Xian did not hesitate. She flung another bolt of Lightning Spirit forward, the crackling thunder snapping through the air and severing several vines at once.

The five men stared in shock. “That’s a support cultivator?”

Yi Xian swung her arm, slicing through the vines that bound them. She grabbed one of them by the collar. “Aren’t you a fire-element beast tamer? What are you afraid of? Burn it!”

If Duanmu Ya were here, she would have summoned fire dragons and set the entire forest ablaze without a second thought. Cleanup could come later.

Steward He’s voice rang out again. “So that’s it. You have hidden your strength well. A Light and Lightning dual-element beast tamer.”

Yi Xian channeled both Light and Lightning at once. Lord Yin Bao worked beside her, slowing their enemy with webs, spikes, and an unyielding earthen shield. Little Pony matched their speed, darting through the air. The flashing lights and relentless motion dazzled everyone’s eyes.

“Wait, wasn’t she supposed to be a support cultivator?”

“And when did she get an earth-element phantom beast?”

“The light is blinding me!”

They squinted through the glare. The forest suddenly went eerily quiet.

All five looked around and froze. The Xie disciples outside the cage were being slaughtered by a massive white tiger. It tore through them as if nothing could stop it. In any other situation, such a sight would have been cause for celebration. But as they stared at the tiger, a terrible thought struck them. Once it finished with the Xie family, what would it do to them?

Yi Xian snapped at them, “Are you all fools? Fight!”

They turned back to the battle but soon paused again. “Wait, look! The woman in the cage… she’s standing!”

At those words, Steward He froze. That brief moment of distraction gave Yi Xian the opening she needed. Her Light and Lightning struck Steward He directly. The woman trembled violently, her body convulsing as the lightning surged through her. The sensation could only be compared to being struck by a storm. Her knees buckled, and she leaned against a tree for support. “The Xie family will not forget this. We will settle the debt with you all.”

She glanced once more at the white tiger and the woman inside the cage before turning and fleeing.

The giant white tiger kept ramming its head against the cage, trying again and again to break it open. When the bars still refused to yield, the woman inside reached through and touched its bloodied forehead. Her eyes softened with pain. “Go. Leave now. They came to capture you.”

The tiger did something that shocked everyone. It crouched low, slid its massive body beneath the cage, and lifted it onto its back. Then, roaring furiously, it charged forward, killing anyone who tried to stand in its way.