It had been a relatively longer journey than the first spirit ring hunt. After leaving the clan compound they headed west from it. When they traveled to the Swamps of Death last time they traveled northeast. Now this journey will take them to the western area of the map.
The Golden Savanna is a neighbor of the Endless Desert if a bit distant. The journey to the swamps took about nine days back and forth. However, the compound was already a measure east. In this case, the destination was more than two weeks by carriage, at least by their carriage's standard of movement.
This time around the spirit beasts pulling the carriage are older and stronger. They can cover a greater amount of ground in a day thanks to them. Not only are they marginally faster than the others. Their endurance levels are on another level as well.
Especially with the addition of the carriage suspension being added on. The carriage can be put under greater pressure than before. This has led to the horse being able to exert more of its ability. This leads to a large amount of ground being covered at different intervals.
They had finally arrived at their destination last night. Around two weeks though actually a few days more. This trip was a bit more monotonous than the one before. Tang Yuan had become further used to traveling like this. Though Tang Hao and Tang Xiao's presence certainly brought a new interesting aspect.
The two of them would have a number of spars against one another. Tang Yuan would be there to watch these spars himself. They were certainly interesting battles to witness. Especially with his father there as well to oversee them. He would occasionally bring out casual tips to the two of them.
Tang Yuan could see the logic in a few of the suggestions. Others he simply could not understand from his view. At first, he wondered if it was because he was currently too weak. That was definitely an aspect of the problems he is facing. His body was currently too weak to properly be able to see everything.
There were times when their battles became incredibly fast-paced. He simply could not keep up with them with his eyes. Like watching an action scene, but only see parts of it. It happened in anime sometimes high-speed actions that can't be seen properly. Then the show would go back in to explain it either with a different view, or the view of another. Yet this was not an anime so there was no explanation.
At least not a visual one-layer out right before him. He could ask his father for a second-hand account though. He did do that several times in fact at specific points. Yet he certainly could not afford to do that in combat. It would definitely get him killed if he tried to do that.
Another major problem he realizes is that he has no real combat experience. He hasn't really been in a proper fight in this life yet. Though it also makes sense as well he had always been preparing. Cultivation, reading, blacksmithing, and other matters had eaten up his time. He had hunted wild beasts a few times in the wild.
His human battles have been sparse rather there have been none. He couldn't help, but find that weird when he thinks about it. Even if he himself never desired to enter a spar. What about those around him such as his mother or father? They should have arranged such things or at least encouraged them.
Then again he considers they might not do that. His father is not nitpicking everything Tang Hao and Tang Xiao do. Some of his hints feel rather vague as well at times. This was intentional wasn't he realizes the possibility. Likely to bring about a possible lesson in the future under controlled circumstances. Children and people in general, but especially children can be resistant to ideas. One of the best ways to entrench it in someone's mind was to experience a setback.
After that realization, Tang Yuan would join some of the brothers' spars. Though to them it was more like playing with him gently. Tang Xiao was better at that than his brother. Tang Hao found it harder to hold back completely. Despite coming to a realization he did not try to confirm it with his father. He was completely sure he was just overthinking things. Nor was he sure if it really mattered what he did was but he caught the issue.
For the two weeks it took to arrive at their destination their breaks were littered with spars. Tang Yuan is only asking for spars midway through the journey. He understood that it would take time to fix the problem. Even in terms of a basic amount of experience much less greater amounts. Yet finally they arrived at their destination.
They arrived at their destination at midday. Thus they decided to immediately enter the habit upon arrival. It was the first time he was seeing a Savanna with his own eyes. Tang Yuan had seen them before in documentaries and shows. There are similarities to those that he can spot.
Grass he supposed is the defining trait as far as the eye can see. Some of that grass is only ankle or knee high at points. Yet there are large swaths of them to the height of his waist, or even his chest. He immediately saw those patches of grass as the most dangerous. No telling what might be lying in wait in that grass.
The grass itself was incredibly eye-catching not only as a result of height, but also in color. Rather than being a normal vibrant green color alluding to vitality. The grass was instead a yellowish color often associated with wilting plants. That would appear during the dry season of the Savanna.
During the dry season, the grass turns yellow or rather a goldfish color. Thus causing the idea of the land being covered in gold. The plants should be weaker than normal as a result. Yet even though the plants are yellow right now they still seem strong and vibrant. It makes him wonder if that is simply their natural color.
Supporting that thought is the presence of the trees dotting the landscape. Every one of them is spaced out here and there. Like a picture that was completed only to have dots randomly jotted down on its surface. Sometimes they are grouped in twos or threes. With distances of mere feet or dozens of feet between each one.
The trees unlike the grass were a vibrant life life-affirming green. Each one shows a vibrancy of life. The green of the trees contrasts with the yellow of the grass all around. Are the trees simply stronger than the grass? Perhaps this is simply their color like Blue Silver Grass is a bluish color.
Tang Yuan looks at the stunning landscape with these questions in his mind. Unsure of the answer to these questions. Yet the effect of the yellow grass is a nice appearance. He simply can't deny that fact a land like that tinged in gold. "It's a beautiful sight." he lets slip from his mouth.
"Yes, it is." a strong voice says in a gentle tone. His father then continues speaking "Come let's continue on daylight is burning. Enjoy the sight as we move forward." he says not unkindly to all three of them. The brothers enjoyed the sight themselves though not to the same extent as their uncle.
The four of them begin to move through the grass. Making sure to move through the lower grass rather than the taller. There is little in this area that could threaten them with Tang Chen's presence if at all. Still better to act with caution rather than become used to carelessness.
As they move forward they see more of the landscape. It is mostly the same even an hour into their movement. The grass is everywhere and the trees are scattered around. There were rare cases of rock formations sticking out or holes in the ground. It was still a wonderful sight for now, but he could see how it might become old.
They can already see a spirit beast here or there as they move about. Herbivorous-type beasts reminiscent of a gazelle almost. They are grazing on the grass as they move about. If they notice the four of them getting too close they immediately bolt. They can move pretty fast once they start moving.
The gazelle-like creatures have brownish coats of short fur. Long legs are designed for running fast from predators. The creatures are larger and beefier than gazelles. Another difference is that instead of two horns it has a single one. Like a ringed spear upon its head to charge at an enemy.
They continue onward not paying much attention to the creatures. They are in the outer portion of the habitat at the moment. It will take them a while to walk through this outer part of it. None of the stronger beasts will appear in this area. Most will be focused further inwards in the inner regions.
Though that is usually the case for most of the habits. As this division is decided by how the various beasts are located. At least as outlined roughly by human observations as they explore. Though how accurate those estimations are he has no idea.
As they move through the Savanna they come across a difference in the landscape. A difference from the normal flatness of the landscape. Besides the occasional rock formation or hole in the earth. It's still far off but it looks like a hill in the distance.
Though it's far off in the distance he can tell it's large. It seems to be a mound of dirt with no green to be seen on it. There were not really many trees around it or on it. It was completely bare of the grass that was all around. As they got closer it became larger and larger. It was a rather substantial hill that was for certain.
As they moved closer the hill was becoming more and more defined. They were also to tell that it was larger than even a small hill. It was actually a large hill rather than a small one. Large enough for a small fortress to be built on top of it certainly. Yet not to the point of being called a mountain even a small one.
As he came closer to it the brownish nature of the hill became more and more apparent. The plants around the hill were highly vibrant, but also reduced. Like they had been heavily fed upon by herbivores likely. The hill also seemed to have half a dozen caves at the base. The entire hill has quite a number of them almost like they were… carved out?
He felt a bit of sweat on his neck from the sight of it. He was quickly wondering if this hill was a hill at all. At least if it was in fact a natural one. Looking beyond it he could see smaller mounds at different points.
That's when he first saw them with his own eyes surrounding the hill. They were without a doubt insectoid beings, and considering the clues. Their identity is relatively easy to figure out with the clues. Even still to think it would be like this in this world. Termites, the entire hill was actually a termite mound or dirt disposal site.
They aren't overwhelmingly large as it were in terms of size. Each one was the size of a large dog if a bit smaller than a human. At least from what he can see from this distance. They seem to be moving around the mound watching for threats perhaps.
They had noticed their approach as more gathered in their direction. They took no action in attempting to attack them. Yet they were watching the four of them closely. Waiting for them to take action possibly such as getting closer.
They have a yellowish exoskeleton on their bodies. Parts of it are black in color likely the stronger parts of it. Like two layers of natural Amor upon the creature. Then he notices that some of them have more black-colored pieces on them. Perhaps a sign of their different ages in terms of how close they are to ten thousand years.
The insect's legs are thick even thicker than their size should need. Likely to help compensate for the weight of their exoskeleton. Otherwise, they might be crushed under their own weight.
The four of them move around the mounds' territory carefully. Keeping at a respectable distance to not provoke a defensive reaction. If they did get too close they would have to either run or slaughter them all. Neither would be a pleasant situation to have to face.
Termites like a few insect soul beasts are the worst to fight. Not because of a high level of individual strength. Instead because of the sheer numbers of them in a single colony. They alongside ants are well known for their swarm tactics. That and using their mounds as fortresses to defend and attack from. There could be hundreds of them within that one mound.
A portion of those numbers are the decade and century beasts. Though the former are kept deep in the inner chambers of the mound. No decade termites have ever really been found by humans. According to records found in the library, the century-old beasts reside within the colony. Only emerging under invasion circumstances when the walls are breached. As a result, none ever attempt to hunt either one as they are too much trouble.
The purple ring beasts are the ones who usually patrol the perimeter of the colony. With others being sent out to find food for the colony perhaps. He wonders if a hive of this size has black ring beasts. This hive is like a kingdom or country one that is very difficult to know its size. There is no telling how deep the tunnels run underground, or for how many miles.
There might be thousands of insects in this single mound. With other mounds more than likely existing at different points in the entire habitat. Like multiple kingdoms bordering one another. So they do their best to leave said kingdom well enough alone. Squirting around the edges of the area until they are on the other side.
It certainly slows them down to a degree. Yet that's better than engaging in wanton slaughter. Though if that happened Tang Yuan would be of little use. After an hour of walking they circumvent the mound walking around it. All the while the termites watch them steadily. Finally, they keep walking away keeping an eye on the mound.
"That was a tense standoff." Tang Yuan could not help but say. Though his expression shows no fear at the possibility. Worse comes to worse they could run as far as necessary. That or his father could have chosen to act himself.
Looking up the sun had traveled a fair distance over the horizon. This detour consumed a fair amount of time. They had already spent a lot of time moving through the Savanna. In only a few more hours they will need to consider a stopping point. Lest they find themselves trying to find a place in the dead of night.
After a few more hours moving through the Savanna, they had stopped. The sun had already set by the time they had. The location they chose was a rock formation that offered a level of cover. At least completely on one side and partially on the other side. Beast-repelling powder had been scattered to ward away beasts and insects.
They had ignited a small fire to keep the cold away from them. Using the grass surrounding along with a few bare sticks. Though fairly weak a fire is still a fire and very warm. As for food this time they are making use of rations stored in their belts. "Slim pickings this time around." Tang Yuan can't help but comment.
The others are less affected by the rations. They simply have more experience than him in roughing it. "You get used to it in the future. Though it might take a bit to adapt to rations." Tang Xiao says to his uncle not unkindly, but with a point.
"Didn't you already experience this the last time you went on a hunt?" Tang Hao is more blunt than his brother. Though his tone does show his genuine curiosity. His head turned to Tang Yuan as he asked this question. All while eating a piece of bread from his belt.
"Last time we went to the swamp for my spirit ring. As a result, we could afford to fish in the water. That or find spirit beasts in the brushes to feed on." Tang Yuan says in response to the question. They could simply forage for ample food when needed. With a wide variety of options available for their use.
He commented on the slim rations, but it's not actually bad. Their options aren't winning any major praise in terms of taste. Yet they won't be cursed based on taste either. The rations had to be carefully prepared to ensure their freshness. Yet said rations can afford to be slightly less preserved in this world. Thanks to the existence of their storage belts at the very least.
None of them has an exceedingly rare storage tool for living things. Their storage belts can help in preserving food to a degree. At the very least it slows the food from growing bad through time. Especially as the storage belt increases in quality and makes.
With special preparation and the belts added together their rations can last a while. At the very least the bread can last a long time dried out. As could salted meat in the form of jerky. Unfortunately, neither is truly enjoyable as a result of their dryness. Both of them are just too tough and difficult to enjoy. Though it could also be far worse as well.
Suddenly a sound reaches their ears from outside their camp. From the depths of the surrounding darkness, the sound came. It was muffled slightly making it difficult to fully hear it. Yet that in itself is something that can be considered telling.
If it's being muffled like this then someone or something is trying to keep the sound low. Likely spirit beasts are attracted to the fire more than likely. Thus is the danger of sparking a fire in the wilds of this world. The beast-repelling powder must not be enough to deter them. Perhaps they were attracted by it instead.
Likely a nocturnal predator that waits for this time to strike. "I can't tell what they are or how many of them are out there. At least not from the sound anyway." Tang Yuan expresses his expression focused on them, and his voice is low.
It's difficult to say if their stalkers made a mistake or simply got close enough. One implies that either they got lucky. That or the opposing party got unlucky. The second possibility is a limit to their stealth ability.
One thing is certain there is no way Tang Chen did not notice them approach. Meaning he likely allowed them to get as close as they did. A test more than likely or perhaps merely a warning. He was there if necessary, but he might not take action.
Finally, they appeared from the darkness. The light of the fire was cast on them enough to see them. They were fairly dog-like in appearance by appearance. Slender looking in form standing on long legs. Their coats are black so that they can blend in with the darkness.
Their names are Night Jackles he had stumbled across them in a book. Nocturnal predators who blend into to night striking at dark. Their favorite targets are sleeping prey caught unawares by them. It seems their primary talents lie in stealth and speed. They are stubborn opponents, and won't back down right away.
Tang Yuan summons his martial soul for battle. He prepares himself for a fight with their enemies. The two bother do the same, but also hang back slightly. To let Tang Yuan start the fight first in this case.
First Soul Skill: Golden Aura his spirit ring lights up at his activation. His hammer is surrounded by a golden aura. Best to go all out from the start with these enemies. He is not strong enough to keep power in reserve. Tang Yuan waits patiently at first for one of the beasts to make a move.
One of the smaller ones rushes forward to attack. It seems impatient to feed on them. It runs at him with its fangs aiming to take his life. When it gets close enough Tang Yuan swings his Hammer at it. The blow misses the target as the jackal evades it with a side step. The second blow does not miss its mark.
A screech resounds from the beast as the hammer hits its body. It is sent skidding from the blow away. Finally stopping against a part of the rock formation. Based on the fact that its body is still moving it's likely still alive at the moment. The harsh cries from its mouth add credence to that.
Blood begins to pool from its mouth flowing out. He definitely gave it internal injuries. Even if he does nothing it will still die in time. It would be best to put it out of its misery, but he simply cannot afford to. To turn too much attention away from the battle at hand would be foolish.
He refocused his full attention on the rest of the Night Jackels. The rest are more cautious than the first one. Perhaps as a result of what had happened to it in reckless. They aren't idle though he can tell that much. Subtle movement from them several repositioning themselves.
Trying to encircle him as much as possible. That way they can attack from multiple sides. Allowing that would be difficult to allow as they know doubt plan to charge him. Multiple attacks from multiple sides would be difficult.
He moves a hand to his belt taking from it a small rock. He quickly lets his soul power flow through the rock. Reinforcing it ever so much that it will be more dangerous. Then he lets it fly at one side of the moving jackals. The rock does not hit a single one of them. Instead of hitting the rock of the formation. The rock made a minor scratch and a little more before breaking.
He never needed it to actually hit anything though. The sound it makes and the impact are more than enough for his needs. With the sound of the rock resounding the tension reaches a head. A few jackals rush forward determined to end his life. His provocation worked on a few of them.
Tang Yuan throws a second rock at the closest of the jackals. While the jackal dodges to moving rock. Tang Yuan's hammer strike is not dodged. The blow hits the beast right on the head, a near instant kill. Not letting himself celebrate, he reoriented himself as needed.
Tang Yuan sees two more wolves heading for him quickly. Both of them are eager to take his life. He manages to move out of the way of one quickly enough. It moves past him as he avoids the beast. That is when the second comes upon him. He manages to move away from the ganged mouth of the beast.
Blood dropped to the ground in the form of drops. Tang Yuan grimaces to himself. Blood drops from his arm in low amounts. A gash has opened upon his arm though small. The shot of pain is undeniable in that it is present. He had avoided the fangs, but the claws had grazed him.
Tang Yuan grimaces at the feeling of the gash. It certainly wasn't earth-shattering pain. Still, it was painful all the same. Tang Yuan kept his grip on his Hammer. Keeping his gaze upon the offending foes before him. He had been single-minded focusing too much on the eye-catching fangs.
He had killed two so far, with two more before him. Yet how many are in the pack is the question. How many hide in the darkness of night? Luckily this is not a battle until one side is dead. Sounds come from behind him the sound of footfall.
Luckily, Tang Yuan is not alone either. As a jackal approaches from behind him it's intercepted. Another hammer blow lands confirmed by the squeal of a jackal. Tang Hao had moved to cover his back when one had tried to pounce on him.
Tang Yuan refocuses on the two in front of him. They are slightly larger than the two he had already killed. Looking healthier now that he thinks about it. With more muscle or fat on their bodies than the other two. Perhaps their pack has had trouble finding food in recent times.
Tang Yuan moves forward to deal with the two in front of him. They both rush at him as well. Tang Yuan takes from his belt a dagger now. Throwing it at one of the beasts this time his accuracy is greater. A sound of pain is released by one of the jackals. The dagger had pierced its body though likely not a killing blow.
It brings the beast a level of pain that certainly distracts it. Tanking that time Tang Yuan engages the second jackal. He is filled with a measure of caution towards it. Its claw is still stained from his blood after all. He unleashes three blows in consecutive. The first two are evaded, but the third becomes a glancing blow.
The jackal retreats to recover from the wound. Yet Tang Yuan does not pursue instead another hammer blow lands. This time on the wounded jackal in a finishing blow. The blow rings out with a snap as the jackal's head is cracked. Now there is only one enemy left to face.
As he turns to face the other jackal it is to sees it rushing at him. The beast had already fully recovered. It has even commenced an attack. Tang Yuan swings his Hammer as it approaches. Yet the jackal is exceedingly cautious now of his blows.
The battle goes on for a little longer as the jackal evades. Then finally things come to a final part. Tang Yuan's hammer makes contact with the beast with another glancing blow. This time damaging one of the beast's legs. Yet the beast manages to strike him with a claw during the exchange. A new cut appears on his face no more than a paper cut.
Tang Yuan walks forward toward the downed jackal. Its leg is damaged to the point of limping. Tang Yuan brings his Hammer down once more. The skull of the jackal is shattered. It is not a pretty sight in the slightest. The ground was stained in blood and grey matter.
That's four of them dead now. The last one had strength to it. Turning around to the rest of the battle. Tang Yuan finds more than a dozen more corpses on the ground. All of them were taken down by the brothers. Mostly Tang Hao at this point. Yet there are still quite a number of them around.
Tang Yuan prepares himself to enter the larger fight. Then a low sound is heard. Like that of a howl one of the jackals maybe. Yet he can't see the one who made the sound. The ones around in the battle all react to it.
A number of the jackals move away from combat as they can. Others move to their fallen pack mates. Tang Yuan is shocked when they bite down on the bodies. Then they proceed to drag the bodies away. As they do the others cover their movements.
It takes Tang Yuan a measure of time to snap out of his shock. Tang Hao and Tang Xiao don't seem to be doing much better. The sudden withdrawal and retrieval of bodies. By that point already most of the bodies had been dragged away. The three of them aren't really sure what they should be doing.
The jackals retreat with all but the last two kills of Tang Yuan. Those are close to their shelter and surrounded. The jackals retreat into the dark of night just as they came. They could give chase, but for what? To kill them down to the last member. Yet there is really no point in that.
Still, Tang Yuan can't help having chills. For them to drag their fallen corpses away like that. Do they intend to turn them into food? He had noticed that some of them seemed thinner and even more mangy. Perhaps this fight was also to shed the excessive number of the pack. While also getting food at the same time either them or their own kind.
The three of them calmed down from a state of combat readiness. It was not actually a long battle. For that matter, it was not truly extremely dangerous. Tang Yuan was the only one injured. With only minor wounds all considered. Yet it's difficult to say how much sleep he or they will get tonight. As their minds wander to the ever-harshness of the wild world.