Beast Taming: I Can Add Points

Storms and tidal waves ravaged the island.

"ROAR!!"

A massive Storm Fish Dragon leaped from the water, its attack heralded by towering waves. Together, they became an overwhelming assault that blotted out the sky, crashing down upon the enemy.

Ke Yan’s Copper Bone War Elephant didn’t retreat an inch, charging straight ahead to meet it.

"BOOM!"

The massive wave slammed into the ground and shattered.

"AWOO!!" The Storm Fish Dragon shrieked in pain. Its massive body flew backward like a kite with a snapped string, soaring for dozens of meters before crashing back into the sea.

Two more Storm Fish Dragons landed right behind it, attempting a pincer attack from the flanks. The Copper Bone War Elephant just swung its head from side to side. Its long, thick tusks sent both Storm Fish Dragons flying, and they landed limply on the ground.

"WHOOSH!"

Another wave crashed against the Copper Bone War Elephant, but this time, no more Storm Fish Dragons came ashore.

Raging currents and colossal waves churned and swept over the shore, but they felt more like an empty threat. The Copper Bone War Elephant stood firm amidst the storm, immovable as a reef, its eyes fixed on the Storm Fish Dragons hiding beneath the waves in the distance.

Ke Yan pushed aside the spray and roared with laughter, his voice even drowning out the din of the storm:

"Is this all you Storm Fish Dragons have got? You’re even worse than the greenhorns I train! If you’ve got the guts to fight, then come on! If not, then crawl back to whatever trench you slithered out of!"

The Fish Dragon Group let out low, furious hisses, but not a single one dared to advance.

Since ancient times, Fish Dragons have held an instinctive fear for humans who, despite their small stature, could overcome the sea’s fury. It was an impression etched into their very genes—an image of those who had conquered the ocean.

This island wasn’t a military installation, but a meteorological observation station. The underwater terrain was rugged and complex, so large Sea Beasts rarely came this way. The island’s location, however, was critical.

If they could just get past this island, the Fish Dragon Group would have a clear, unimpeded path straight to Pearl Harbor. Taking the long way around would be easier, but they would run right into the Purity Abyss Alliance’s naval defense forces.

And now... one man and his beast stood guard, and not a single one from the massive Fish Dragon Group dared to advance.

That indestructible behemoth had become a haunting nightmare for the Fish Dragon Group.

"ROAR..."

A moment later, a low roar echoed from the distant sea.

The surging waves on the ocean’s surface gradually calmed, and the swarms of Fish Dragons departed. Before long, the storm ceased entirely. The island fell silent, as if the heart-pounding battle had never taken place.

"Fucking hell, they’re finally gone." Ke Yan let out a long sigh and plopped down on the ground.

Several technicians rushed out of the bunker. "Ke Yan!"

"I’m fine. Hey, you guys got a smoke?" Ke Yan tried to light a cigarette, but his pack and lighter were both soaked through.

’The urge to chase down that Fish Dragon mob and beat them up again suddenly flared...’

It wasn’t until a technician handed him a cigarette that he could take a long drag. Only then did the tension finally leave his face.

He then offered the cigarette to his Copper Bone War Elephant, which curled its trunk around it and took a puff.

Ke Yan remained on the ground, not caring about the filth—he was soaked to the bone anyway. "This is weird. Why would the Storm Fish Dragons pick a fight with us? Pearl Harbor has never had any conflict with them, has it?"

Aside from Exotic Beasts like the Huajing Cat, which were allied with humanity, there were other known species that humans had little contact with. The Storm Fish Dragon was one such species.

Perhaps it was due to their proud nature, or for some other reason, but the Storm Fish Dragons had refused all invitations for an alliance with humans.

Even so, they usually kept to themselves. Human vessels wouldn’t enter the Fish Dragons’ habitat to fish, and the Fish Dragons wouldn’t interfere with human shipping lanes.

An all-out, reckless attack like this was completely out of character.

"Maybe some poachers trespassed in the Storm Fish Dragons’ habitat and pissed them off?"

A technician muttered under his breath, "Something like this has happened before, but it was always on a smaller scale. Nothing as terrifying as the last two days."

Ke Yan’s assessment was simple and to the point: "Fucking morons."

’But that doesn’t add up,’ he thought. ’What kind of unforgivable act could have provoked such a massive reaction from the Storm Fish Dragons?’

’Storm Fish Dragons are highly social Exotic Beasts; they even help each other care for their young. They absolutely despise anyone who targets their children... Don’t tell me some asshole stole a Fish Dragon hatchling?’

A dark look crossed Ke Yan’s face as he stared out at the pitch-black sea, brooding.

’What’s the sentence for poaching, a few decades? The Holy Order Alliance is too soft. An act that could escalate into a full-blown diplomatic incident, and they don’t even sentence them to death by a thousand cuts or something...’

A sudden cry of alarm came from the bunker: "The... the Storm Fish Dragons..."

"They’re back for more?" Ke Yan flicked his cigarette butt away and prepared for battle.

The technician’s voice grew louder. "A group of Storm Fish Dragons is heading toward Storm Strait... and they’re moving fast!"

"WHAT?!"

Ke Yan froze. Without a second thought, he commandeered one of the island’s speedboats and roared off toward Storm Strait.

’Those kids... their luck can’t be that bad, can it?!’

·

「Storm Strait.」

"Ah... Miss, we’re here again." Liu Yuhang flashed a bright, sunny smile at the resident Beast Tamer.

The resident Beast Tamer replaced her dazzling, high-wattage smile with a gentler one. "Welcome back, you resilient child. Congratulations in advance on a successful evolution."

"Thank you, ma’am!" Liu Yuhang replied, his eyes subconsciously scanning the area for any sign of Katie.

’No, no... I’m here to help Xue Li evolve. Why am I thinking about her...’

"Hello!"

A cheerful, feminine voice suddenly called out from behind him.

Liu Yuhang turned, dazed, and found himself face-to-face with that energetic, doll-like face. He was so startled he recoiled.