C78 The Door Was Blocked

"Go ahead, eat up—there's plenty more!"

Wang Yan passed the Iron Heart Bamboo King Shoot to the little creature, who instantly forgot its prior terror and began to nibble away with gusto. These small animals were quite amiable; a gentle stroke of their fur and a few tasty treats were all it took for them to warm up to you.

As expected, when Wang Yan first started feeding it, he would pet Ball's head, and it would instinctively tuck in its ears and shiver slightly. But with repetition, it grew accustomed to the touch. No matter how much Wang Yan patted or massaged it, Ball no longer reacted overly, sometimes even glancing up at him.

This little one was born with the qualities of a Lord-tier creature, with a high potential for growth. It could easily be trained as the fourth spirit beast and be ready for a direct contract at Level 10.

To prevent the Iron Eating Beasts from tracking them through their bloodline connection, Wang Yan took Ball and traveled over three hundred kilometers before they finally settled down to camp and rest easy.

The night was serene, the world around them hushed.

Suddenly, Wang Yan awoke from his sleep, startled! He hadn't heard a sound, yet an overwhelming sense of danger in his heart was setting off alarms, urging him to grab the space converter and flee. Wang Yan knew this intuition stemmed from his Soul Strength, which had an upper limit of 222 points. Although he couldn't directly contract four spirit beasts, many derivative abilities remained, such as his heightened perception of danger.

"Boss!"

"Master!"

"Hiss, hiss, hiss!"

Goldie, Green, and the staff all stirred awake, while Moon clutched anxiously at Wang Yan's clothes. As for Rice Bucket... well, best to leave that one be...

In a hollow, two hundred "strong men" stood in silence, the tallest towering over five meters. Their skin was a patchwork of black and white, muscles taut and ready. An ominous aura of menace shrouded the hollow, silencing birds and beasts, muting the insects' chirps.

Ferocious beasts below the earth frantically burrowed deeper, while those at a distance began to stealthily retreat. Each one was a Lord, with the mightiest among them reaching Rank 10.

Such a formidable force of black and white could deter any adversary, anywhere.

"Ying! Ying!"

The muffled sound carried a repressed fury and a chilling intent to kill. The Iron Eating Beast King held back his subordinates from any hasty actions.

He could sense the child's presence, remarkably calm and seemingly unharmed.

A Level 10 Overlord, nearing a pinnacle of power.

Just one more step, and it would face the lightning tribulation to ascend to kingship.

Its wisdom was now on par with humans, and as the monarch of the Iron Eating Beast clan, its experiences far surpassed those of ordinary humans.

The Beast King was in no rush to flush out the kidnapper. The child was safe for now, and there was no need to corner the culprit into a desperate act.

Bang!

A noise echoed as the stone at the entrance was pushed open from within.

The Iron Eating Beast King's gaze sharpened, incredulous.

To think someone would dare to emerge, despite being outnumbered by two hundred of his Lords.

"Ying! Ying! Ying!"

The young voice, brimming with excitement and urgency, caused the Iron Eating Beast King to shudder, yet he held back any reaction.

In such pivotal moments, it was crucial to keep emotions in check.

"Ying! Ying!"

Authority resonated in the Iron Eating Beast King's voice, barely masking his concern.

Wang Yan let out a sigh, ultimately choosing to release the youngster.

The national treasure from his past life deserved that much respect.

Had it been a monkey from Mount Emei, it would have already been the guest of honor at a Monkey Feast.

"Ying!"

As the child came tumbling over, a flash of ferocity sparked in the Iron Eating Beast King's eyes. The two hundred Lord Iron Eating Beasts at his back stood ready to strike.

To think someone had the audacity to abduct their little prince!

A death wish!

"Ying!"

The roar shattered the darkness, and a fearsome presence burst forth.

Wang Yan felt as though his skin was being pricked by countless needles, a sensation of acute pain washing over him.

"So this is the might of a national treasure!"

Wang Yan's face set with gravity, he braced himself to flee.

Retreating without a fight might be disgraceful, but it was preferable to death.

When life is at stake, pride is but a passing cloud.

The Iron Eating Beast King took a step forward, and the ground shook violently beneath him.

For a Rank 10 Overlord, the next step was transformation.

Even amidst the multitude of ferocious beasts in the Vajra Realm, the Iron Eating Beast King's strength ensured he could claim a place for himself.

"Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!"

The tension was palpable, a fight on the verge of erupting.

Just as the Iron Eating Beast King readied himself to strike and Wang Yan prepared to flee, Ball stepped forward with arms outstretched, blocking the Beast King's way.

"Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!"

The little one stood trembling, seemingly overwhelmed by its father's formidable presence, yet it bravely held its ground.

"Buzz! Buzz!"

The Iron Eating Beast King paused, glancing between Wang Yan and his son, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

"Ying, Ying, Ying!"

A note of urgency tinged the youngster's soft cries, as if trying to convey an explanation.

"Ying!"

Despite being filled with murderous intent, the Iron Eating Beast King managed to quell the rage boiling within him.

"Ying! Ying! Ying!"

"Buzz, buzz!"

Father and son exchanged words more rapidly, their conversation growing increasingly frantic.

"What are they buzzing about?"

Goldie wore a look of utter bewilderment, unable to decipher their exchange.

"Aren't you a spirit beast? Why can't you understand them?"

Stick inquired, puzzled.

"As an elf, can you understand what trees say?"

Goldie retorted.

"Sure! That big tree over there is complaining we've disturbed its sleep."

Stick glanced back before returning to the previous subject. "So, as a spirit beast, why can't you understand them?"

Goldie fell silent for a long moment before suddenly gazing skyward at a 45-degree angle, a look of dejection on its face.

"Perhaps this is the plight of a genius! I've mastered the world's most magnificent language and had to let go of some lesser things."

"Han language is indeed magnificent, but you haven't truly mastered it; you've only learned half. You can listen and speak, but not read and write."

Stick spoke earnestly, leaving Goldie at a loss for words.

"After all that talk, can you actually write? Can you read?"

Goldie was seething with embarrassed fury.

Stick (with a serious expression): "Of course I can! Is there an issue?"

Goldie harbored some doubts about the birth, and the heated argument between Ball and the Iron Eating Beast King had finally wound down.

The little one spun around and dashed back into the cave where it had previously rested, while numerous Iron Eating Beasts and bears watched intently but didn't charge after it.

"Seems like the negotiations were a success?"

Goldie murmured incredulously.

"What's it doing in there?"

A spark of realization lit up in Wang Yan's mind, and he quickly grasped the situation.

The Iron Heart Bamboo King Shoot!

Rich in both metal and wood elements, it could significantly elevate the growth potential of certain species.

And those 'certain species'—weren't they the Iron Eating Beasts?

The Iron Heart Bamboo King Shoot, abundant in metal and wood elements, was a perfect match for the Iron Eating Beasts, which also possessed these dual attributes.

It was as if it was created just for the little ones!

Despite his youth, as the offspring of a Rank 10 Lord and prince of the Iron Eating Beast clan, the little creature recognized the immense benefits of the Iron Heart Bamboo King Shoot as soon as it tasted it.

That's why it had been so surprisingly tame, allowing Wang Yan to pet it freely.

Now, witnessing a conflict between his father and Wang Yan, the little one grew restless.

Instinctively, it sensed that the Iron Heart Bamboo King Shoot might just be the key to advancing its father's strength, propelling him into the king's realm.