The wind howled fiercely across the wild plains.
In the valley, flames licked at the mutton, fat dripping onto the charcoal, sizzling loudly.
The guard slowly turned the handle, ensuring the meat was evenly heated.
Three-headed wolves, six eyes gleaming with an eerie light.
On this night of howling winds, it was particularly unsettling.
But upon closer inspection, Qian Dong and his companions realized it wasn't as terrifying as it seemed.
The three giant wolves lay on their front paws, ears perked up, their six eyes following the rotating roast lamb in circles.
"Why do they look like dogs, big dogs?"
"They really do."
"They resemble a breed called Huskies. Up north, we use Huskies to pull sledges in winter. I wonder if these wolves could pull sledges too?"
"Why don't you go and negotiate with them?"
"Do you think I'm stupid?"
"Commander Tang Wen is truly remarkable, he can even understand wolf calls!"
The subject of their discussion, Tang Wen, suddenly stood up, holding a wooden basin of sheep's blood, and walked towards the three Sand Wolves.
The three giant wolves abruptly stood up.
They stared at him warily.
Tang Wen smiled nonchalantly: "The mutton isn't ready yet, have some blood first."
With that, he walked to a spot a few meters away from the Sand Wolves, placed the basin down, crouched, and beckoned to the wolves.
Like a shady innkeeper calling out to customers.
Sheep's blood was a temptation for the Sand Wolves.
They drank blood solely with their tongues. Normally, when they ate sheep, most of the blood was wasted. If they wanted to drink it, they had to lick it off the ground, often ingesting more sand than blood.
"Such big wolves, why so shy? Come on!"
Tang Wen smiled warmly, but the three Sand Wolves sensed something amiss and hesitated, not moving.
"Pass me some flatbreads."
"Here you go!"
Several flatbreads, greasy with mutton fat and fragrant from roasting, were tossed over, tracing a parabola through the air.
The three Sand Wolves simultaneously raised their heads, following the arc with their eyes.
Plop!
The flatbread landed in Tang Wen's hand.
He waved it in his hand: "Want some?"
The three Sand Wolves exchanged a human-like glance, the lead wolf in the middle subtly warning the other two: Don't eat it, this human seems to have some scheme!
Tang Wen dipped the flatbread into the sheep's blood. The blood, heated by the warmth, emitted a pungent smell.
But to the Sand Wolves, it was the ultimate delicacy.
They hesitated, their instincts as Mutated Beasts telling them that Tang Wen didn't seem to harbor any ill intent.
"Catch!"
Tang Wen flicked his wrist, sending a blood-soaked flatbread flying towards the lead wolf in the middle.
Snap!
Almost instinctively, the lead wolf leaped up, snapping the flatbread into its mouth.
Like a well-trained farm dog, it caught the frisbee its owner had thrown with precision.
The two wolves on either side took a step back, their eyes filled with confusion: Weren't we not supposed to eat it?
Huh?
What?
Two more flatbreads flew over.
They immediately jumped up, each catching one in their mouths.
The guards, who had initially thought Tang Wen's attempt to befriend the Sand Wolves had failed, gaped in astonishment:
"That's it, that's how it's done! Up north, hunters train their dogs just like this! Those dogs are so obedient!"
After eating the flatbreads, holding out seemed pointless.
The lead wolf approached first, lowering its head to lap at the sheep's blood.
Tang Wen gently raised his hand and placed it on the wolf's back.
The lead wolf paused, then continued drinking: The sheep's blood is so good!
Tang Wen stroked its fur.
The texture, you have to admit, was something else!
The lead wolf remained indifferent, drinking eagerly.
Tang Wen's hand moved back and forth, even giving its head a pat.
"Huff!"
The lead wolf bared its teeth in displeasure.
Tang Wen nodded, "Got it, petting comes at an extra cost!"
He tore the flatbread into pieces and tossed them into the basin.
The aroma of grains mixed with the pungent smell of sheep's blood was irresistible to any wild wolf.
The lead wolf lowered its head, eating and drinking eagerly.
Tang Wen seized the opportunity to vigorously rub its head.
"If this guy were on Earth, I could make a small fortune in a year by opening a 'wolf café'!"
The lead wolf was too preoccupied to bother with him.
Suddenly, two more wolf heads appeared on either side, instantly crowding the once spacious basin.
"Don't rush, don't rush, there's enough for everyone."
Tang Wen petted one, then the other, thoroughly enjoying himself.
Qian Dong was eager to join but dared not get too close.
After all, these three massive creatures were Superior Exotic Beasts, on par with his own strength!
What if they took a bite out of him?
At such close range, he'd likely get injured!
Meanwhile, Tang Wen noticed the experience points changing, and his hands moved even more swiftly as he petted the wolves.
[Beast Taming Art, Proficient (1710→1713→1719→…/6000)]
The progress was rapid, unstoppable, absolutely unstoppable.
The roasted meat was ready, and Tang Wen had a dozen flatbreads laid out beside him, stuffed with juicy lamb leg.
The first one was for himself; the crispy bread and fragrant meat were incredibly satisfying with every bite.
The three giant wolves stood nearby, watching with longing eyes.
Tang Wen handed the second flatbread to them.
He held it low, and as the lead wolf lowered its head to take it, he swiftly pulled his hand back, instructing:
"Sit! You must sit to eat!"
The lead wolf paused for a second, then extended its front paws and decisively lay down.
"Good boy!"
Tang Wen stuffed the flatbread into its mouth and scratched its chin.
The lead wolf closed its eyes in contentment.
After two more flatbreads, the other two wolves followed suit, lying down as if they were just short of wagging their tails.
After finishing the meat, Tang Wen brushed their fur.
He had completely bonded with them.
That night, he rested his head on the soft, furry body of a giant wolf and slept soundly.
The next day, led by the three Sand Wolves, Tang Wen and the others traveled for a full day, reaching the hilly terrain further south.
Here, there were numerous dried-up water ponds.
The river hadn't completely dried up yet, but it was now only half a meter wide, with a pitifully low water level.
Yet, in this arid wilderness, this was a life-saving resource, one that could sustain entire populations!
Ahead of the stream, two exceptionally large Sand Wolves, leading a pack of over a hundred wolves, stood in a tense standoff with a group of grotesque, massive creatures.
"That's the Alligator Turtle!"
The Alligator Turtles were as large as small trucks, their thick, rock-like shells gleaming with a cold, metallic hue.
There were only about twenty or thirty of them.
Yet, they had the hundred-strong Sand Wolf Pack on edge!
"Awoo!"
Upon seeing Tang Wen and the others arrive, the Sand Wolf King greeted them but immediately turned back.
The Wolf King was at the General level.
And the leader of the Alligator Turtles opposite it exuded an even more formidable aura.
Even if there was only one, it was enough to demand the full attention of the two Wolf Kings.
Thud! Thud!
The ground shook.
The Alligator Turtle group collectively took a few steps toward the Sand Wolf Pack.
"Awooo!"
The Sand Wolf Pack lowered their bodies, growling fiercely.
The Alligator Turtles immediately halted, their thick, pillar-like legs bending as they lay down.
As if to say: I didn't move, it wasn't me.
A simple yet effective tactic.
The Sand Wolf Pack quieted down.
A slow, grinding battle!
A step-by-step erosion!
"A group of Alligator Turtles actually understands military tactics!" Tang Wen shook his head.
Qian Dong rode closer and whispered, "I've observed them. There are twenty-seven Alligator Turtles over there. Except for the six small ones surrounded in the middle, the rest all have the aura of Supe
rior Exotic Beasts. This is tough! Look at their shells—they're thicker than the steel walls of our camp! I doubt the Sand Wolves can even break through their defense."
Tang Wen murmured, "It's indeed a difficult situation. The Sand Wolf King is intelligent. If it didn't think there was no chance of winning, it would have already pounced."
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