The Strongest Beast-Tamer (Transmigration)(GL) - Chapter 9

Yi Xian had also considered that this might be her best chance to cast off her slave status, disappearing without a trace. The beastmen might just assume she had died in Komo Forest, her body torn to shreds.

However, if that child continued to grow up in beastman territory, she would most likely turn into an arrogant, brutish beastman like Lan Tong. Perhaps it was the remnant of the original host’s fragile bloodline, but Yi Xian had an intense desire to take the little one away with her.

Besides, if she were to leave, she would walk out with her head held high, without bearing any false accusations.

Snap.

The sound of a branch breaking echoed loudly in the silent forest. To stay alert, Yi Xian had scattered many easily breakable branches around her hiding place. Holding her breath, she focused. Her excellent vision allowed her to instantly spot the figure moving toward her. It was tall and broad-shouldered like the beastmen of Kus City, though visibly even larger at about two meters tall. Its movements were slow, and every step made it sway three times.

Its eyes glowed red like eerie little bulbs in the night, chilling to witness. As it came closer, Yi Xian managed to discern its appearance and realized it was likely a bear-type creature. Long fur covered its entire body, its massive head sat atop its shoulders, and it scratched lazily at its chest with its forepaws. The beast’s clumsy body rocked back and forth, and every step seemed to shake the ground.

Yi Xian inhaled sharply. This might be the largest beast she had seen apart from Lan Tong’s beast form.

The bear beast seemed to sense something. When it reached the tree where Yi Xian hid, it began rubbing its body against the trunk. Soon, a rough, heavy breathing followed. It sounded as if the creature was mimicking some unspeakable act, its expression vile to the point Yi Xian could not bear to look.

At the exact moment she covered her eyes, the tree shook. Then came a sharp crack as the trunk was snapped in half by a single swipe. In an instant, Yi Xian began to fall. She clung tightly to a vine she had prepared beforehand, swung away, and leapt to another tree.

Damn, I’ve been found.

If the timing had not been so unfortunate, she would have sincerely applauded the vulgar yet clever bear beast, provided it was not chasing her.

ROAR~

The roar was deafening. Yi Xian had no time to worry about her ringing ears. She swung from vine to vine like an agile ape, pushing herself with all the strength she had, luring the lumbering bear beast toward a trap she had set.

But heaven was not on her side.

On her fifth leap, the bear beast anticipated her path. It struck down the tree she was heading for, cutting off her landing. Yi Xian swung in midair, and her body collided directly with the bear beast’s raised paw.

“Die.”

Fueled by desperation, Yi Xian rammed the sharpened stick tied to her waist into the beast’s claw. A furious roar tore through the sky. At the same time, the enraged bear swiped her away, sending her crashing to the ground.

She rolled and narrowly avoided the next heavy paw. She jumped to her feet and ran.

This is going to kill me!

The pressure behind her made her heart pound so hard it felt like it might burst. A gust of wind swept past, and the beast’s enraged howls rang in her ears. Death felt terrifyingly close, like it was right on her heels. In the next moment, she might be torn apart like those trees.

Or trampled into pulp. Or torn limb from limb by a pack of beasts.

All kinds of gruesome deaths flickered through her mind like scenes from a film. Fear clenched her heart. Yi Xian felt she could hardly breathe.

Was this how she would die? The beastmen would probably cheer. That one called Lord Lu did not even know who she was, yet had decided her death with a single word. Those who framed her would surely cover their mouths to hide their grins. They had gotten rid of her without lifting a finger…

No. She would not die. She absolutely would not die so disgracefully at the hands of a beast.

A fierce will to live crushed the fear in her chest. Even Yi Xian did not expect it, but some strange energy spiraled in her chest and spread through her limbs. The exhaustion of the past day vanished. Strength surged through her body, making her movements lighter and faster than before.

“Not entirely hopeless.”

“Who’s there!”

A stranger’s voice echoed in her mind. Yi Xian had no time to respond or be afraid. She looked back and found she had somehow widened the gap between her and the bear beast. She could not explain how.

“If you agree to three conditions, this low-level beast will be nothing to fear.”

“Why should I agree to anything?”

The voice laughed wildly, arrogantly. It sounded familiar, and Yi Xian suddenly recalled the madwoman in the prison cell. Rage shot up her throat.

“Stop pretending to be mysterious. Aren’t you dead?”

“You’re the first person to ever reject me like this.”

“Heh.”

Yi Xian sneered. She was busy luring the bear beast toward her trap, but her attention remained on this insane woman hiding somewhere.

“What did you do to me?”

“That trap will only make it more aggressive.”

“…”

Yi Xian had spent the whole afternoon digging that trap. She had bitten through her lip countless times and lost nearly all ten fingernails. Her heart ached, and now this woman dared to tell her it was useless?

She was right. The trap truly had no effect.

The bear beast stumbled into the pit Yi Xian had dug. It only reached the height of its thigh. The wooden spikes Yi Xian had laced with Ram’s Bane pierced one of its legs. But just as the voice had warned, the wounded beast went berserk.

Right before Yi Xian’s eyes, the bear beast began to grow. It looked more and more like a small mountain.

Despair crept into her heart.

The voice in her mind grew more seductive.

“Agree to my terms. It is only three conditions, and you will live.”

Yi Xian licked her parched lips and opened her mouth. She almost agreed on the spot, but then she bit her lip hard. The sharp pain reeled in her runaway thoughts. Her eyes glinted with the madness of a gambler.

She smiled.

“If I die, forget three conditions. Even thirty won’t help you. If I can drag someone down with me before I go, I’ll be quite satisfied.”