Beasts: Only I Can See the Hidden Evolution Path

Chapter 64: Battle with the War Giant Rhino Emperor, Meeting an Eight-Star Beastmaster! 

In Four Spirits City, on Yueting Street, the busiest marketplace in the city, the streets were lined with beastmaster shops and beast hospitals. The street was bustling with people, all celebrating and seemingly welcoming the return of an important figure.

"Excuse me!"

"Hey, you stepped on my foot!"

"Sorry, please let me through!"

Xiao Xingyu slipped through the crowded streets like a ghost, making his way to the front of the crowd. In the center of the street, a beastmaster army was passing through. Leading the army was a rugged man in his forties, with a weathered face that spoke of years of exposure to sand and wind.

"Judging by their attire and skin tone, this army is from the western border of the Dragon Kingdom."

Beside the man was a massive beast, an indigo blue rhino, as large as two adult Asian elephants. Its horn gleamed with a golden light, and its body was covered in thick, blue scales.

Xiao Xingyu instinctively activated his Demon Eye, and a data panel appeared before him.

**[Name]: War Giant Rhino Emperor**

**[Level]: Beast Emperor Body (Second Tier)**

**[Bloodline]: War Giant Beast Clan (Mythical Quality Bloodline)**

**[Ability]: War Roar (The roar can boost ally morale, increasing their attack and defense while weakening enemy armor.)**

**[Attribute]: Psychic (Great Strength, Shattering)**

**[Loyalty]: 150**

Typically, a beast's loyalty is measured out of 100. However, if a beast and its master fight together for a long time and face life-threatening situations frequently, loyalty can exceed 100, increasing with their bond.

"Wow," Xiao Xingyu took a deep breath after reviewing the data panel. "This big guy is a Beast Emperor Body beast, no wonder its aura is as strong as yours, Lulu."

From within his mind, the voice of the Nine-Tailed Fox, Dailu, echoed, "This War Giant Rhino Emperor belongs to the War Giant Beast Clan, a clan fond of battle. They have a history with our Nine-Tailed Fox Clan..."

Dailu didn't elaborate on their past grudges. All beasts, after all, were once wild monsters, tamed by beastmasters to become their companions and tools.

Xiao Xingyu shifted his gaze from the War Giant Rhino Emperor to the rugged man leading the army. The man's chest was adorned with eight star badges, signifying his status as an eight-star beastmaster.

"An eight-star beastmaster stationed on the western frontier is either an army lieutenant general or..."

As Xiao Xingyu pondered, the surrounding crowd shouted loudly.

"Welcome back, Lord Zhou!"

"Lord Zhou, you tirelessly guard the frontier day and night, thank you!"

"This is a fresh egg from my old hen, please accept it!"

"Please don't refuse our kindness, you're a great hero of the Dragon Kingdom, bringing honor to Four Spirits City!"

Xiao Xingyu murmured to himself, "Lord Zhou?"

"The title 'Lord' is reserved for the lords of the four border cities of the Dragon Kingdom."

"Lord Zhou is from the western border, so naturally, he's the lord of Huangyan City... Zhou..."

A light bulb went off in Xiao Xingyu's mind. "Ah, he's Zhou Ye's father!"

Zhou Xiong, the lord of Huangyan City. For decades, he has guarded the western frontier, protecting the Dragon Kingdom's borders and fending off invading monsters.

The weathered face of this man and the scars on the War Giant Rhino Emperor's body spoke volumes about the sacrifices and dedication of this master and beast duo.

"The scent of Phoenix Tail Grass is coming from his backpack!" Dailu's voice echoed in Xiao Xingyu's mind.

"Phoenix Tail Grass grows in the Laigu Glacier, a place teeming with monsters, and the glacier is only about ten kilometers from Huangyan City."

"No wonder Zhou Xiong could get Phoenix Tail Grass."

Everything started to make sense. Dailu reminded him, "With your current strength, you can't venture into the monster-infested Laigu Glacier."

"If you want Phoenix Tail Grass soon, this is your only chance."

Xiao Xingyu smiled wryly, "Lulu, easier said than done. Zhou Xiong and I aren't even acquaintances, should I just steal it?"

"You're full of clever ideas, figure it out yourself. I'm feeling sleepy, going to nap."

"Lulu..."

The glow of the beast crest on Xiao Xingyu's hand dimmed, indicating Dailu had "signed off."

Amidst the crowd, Xiao Xingyu joined the chorus of cheers celebrating Zhou Xiong's return. Meanwhile, his mind raced, brainstorming ways to obtain Phoenix Tail Grass from Zhou Xiong.

"Do I really have to steal it?"

"Heh, a two-star beastmaster like me trying to steal from an eight-star beastmaster? I must be crazy!"

"I need to think of a way to outsmart him..."

As Dailu said, Xiao Xingyu's conscience might be limited, but his cunning was boundless.

Just then, Xiao Xingyu noticed something. The War Giant Rhino Emperor beside Zhou Xiong seemed restless, letting out pained whimpers.

Activating his Demon Eye, Xiao Xingyu's vision enhanced significantly, his glowing red pupils like an optical microscope. He could see what the human eye could not.

In the War Giant Rhino Emperor's ears, underarm skin, and deep within its fur...

These areas were crawling with yellow-brown insect eggs. Each egg wriggled, feeding on the rhino's subcutaneous fat and blood. Some had matured into ant-like creatures, biting at the rhino's skin.

These tiny pests were the source of the rhino's discomfort.

Under the Demon Eye, nothing abnormal could hide.

"I've got an idea..."

A plan formed in Xiao Xingyu's mind.

"Hey kid, why are you pushing?"

"Ow!"

Xiao Xingyu stumbled out of the crowd. As he was about to fall, a strong hand caught his shoulder.

"Are you alright, young man?"

Zhou Xiong's voice was as commanding as his name suggested.

"Thank you, Lord Zhou."

Zhou Xiong noticed Xiao Xingyu's attire.

"You're a student of Qinglong Academy?"

Xiao Xingyu nodded.

Zhou Xiong gave an approving look, patting his shoulder.

"Heroes emerge from youth. Getting into one of the four academies shows your talent. I hope you become a pillar of the Dragon Kingdom."

Zhou Xiong, typically a stern man, softened his gaze.

"You're about the same age as my son."

"My son is also in one of the four academies, but not Qinglong; he's in White Tiger Academy."

His son, of course, was Zhou Ye, who at that moment was competing against Murong Xinxin on the Supernova Competition stage.

Having caught Zhou Xiong's attention, Xiao Xingyu seized the opportunity.

"Lord Zhou, your beast, the War Giant Rhino Emperor, seems to be ill?"

Zhou Xiong frowned, "Why would you say that?"

"It looks pained, with red, wet eyes, showing signs of nervous exhaustion. Its fur lacks luster, indicating chronic poor diet and sleep..."

"If I'm correct, it breaks out in red spots and skin ulcers when it rains."

Xiao Xingyu's words left Zhou Xiong stunned, then incredulous.

"How do you know this?"

"Because I'm a beast doctor."