Chapter 418: Tiger-Head Beast

On a tall tower several hundred meters away from the Ten Beast Cage.

Two old men stood by the window, their faces also full of disbelief.

They were none other than Xie Jiuchen, the master of the Beast Hall of the Xuan Yuan Kingdom, and the Great Elder Wei Yuqing.

And that Wei Youdao was precisely the Great Elder's own grandson.

When Zhang Xuan arrived at the Beast Hall, he sought out these two first; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to enter the Ten Beast Cage directly and cause such a commotion.

"Did you see his movements clearly?"

Xie Jiuchen couldn't help asking.

"I... I just saw him beat up the Wind Wolves; the rest... I didn't understand!" The Great Elder Wei Yuqing's face reddened.

As a three-star beast tamer with strength at the peak of the Sovereign realm and extraordinary eyesight, he should have been able to comprehend the other's actions, but... like everyone else, he saw nothing.

Just thinking about it was embarrassing.

"His movements were very fast; it's normal that you didn't see them! If I'm not mistaken, he not only used beast-taming techniques but also master teacher methods!"

Hall Master Xie Jiuchen said with a grave expression.

"Master teacher methods?" Elder Wei Yuqing was full of confusion.

"Indeed. Charging straight at the Wind Wolves and attacking them seemed reckless, but every strike hit the nodes of their meridians. After a few blows, he loosened the pulses that suppressed their strength!"

Hall Master Xie Jiuchen explained: "It's like clearing a martial artist's meridians. After such hammering, although the Wind Wolves' level didn't change, their strength increased significantly. Advancing in rank is always troublesome for savage beasts; a few hits that greatly boost their strength naturally make them want to be tamed and follow the leader!"

"This..." Wei Yuqing's eyes widened.

What the other said was simple, but in reality, it was so difficult it seemed impossible.

Each Wind Wolf had a different physique, age, and physical condition; the so-called meridian nodes naturally differed completely. To charge in and strike, and hit them accurately during battle...

What kind of eyesight was that?

How was it done?

Not to mention him, even a three-star or four-star master teacher would find it hard to accomplish.

"Aside from this, I can't think of any other possibility!" Hall Master Xie Jiuchen's eyes shone as he couldn't help sighing: "This young man, though not old, is definitely the most talented genius in beast taming!"

"Indeed. Let's see how he handles the second level!" Wei Yuqing nodded.

Being able to use methods that even he, a three-star beast tamer, couldn't discern, this fellow was indeed formidable.

"The second level features three Tiger-Head Beasts of the same rank as him."

Hall Master Xie Jiuchen's expression turned serious: "Tiger-Head Beasts differ from Wind Wolves in that they prefer to act independently and attack alone. Each is individually powerful, especially their flesh and claws, which have reached a level comparable to ghost-grade weapons. In short... their defense is invincible, impervious to blades and spears!"

"To use the previous method and hit their nodes in this level will likely be very difficult."

"Yes!" Elder Wei Yuqing nodded.

The hall master could see it, and he naturally knew that although the first level with four Wind Wolves was dangerous, most who dared to challenge the Ten Beast Cage could get through it.

The real danger, the test of strength... to be honest, this was just the beginning!

Although savage beasts at the same level as humans had strong bodies, speed, and defense, the latter were conscious beings with generations of inherited martial techniques.

By mastering a few powerful techniques and being one level higher, one could suppress four lower-level beasts.

But... suppressing three beasts of the same level was much harder.

Especially these, which excelled in single attacks and had invincible defense.

It could be said that nine out of ten challengers would fail at this level, either dying or being crippled.

"If he's truly in danger, we'll have to step in and save him. Such geniuses are rare in the Beast Hall!"

Hall Master Xie Jiuchen, feeling a desire to nurture talent, gave an instruction.

"Mm!" Elder Wei Yuqing nodded.

The beast-taming methods he used were beyond even his understanding. Either this Zhang Xuan had an extremely powerful teacher, or he possessed unparalleled eyesight and talent.

Either way, he was someone the Beast Hall needed to protect at all costs.

"Look, it's starting..."

As they spoke, Zhang Xuan had already approached the three Tiger-Head Beasts, and battle was imminent.

"Tiger-Head Beast: fierce in body, solitary and suspicious in nature, not as easy to tame as Wind Wolves!"

Looking at the three massive tiger-shaped beasts before him, information about them surfaced in his mind.

An adult Tiger-Head Beast stood three meters tall and five meters long, with invincible defense and a huge body. One charging at you would put immense pressure on a cultivator, let alone three at once.

Usually, when fighting humans, they didn't even need techniques; a straightforward charge could crush the opponent to death.

But for Zhang Xuan, it didn't matter.

Although his own strength was only at the peak of the Master realm, his actual combat power could contend with early Sovereign realm experts. Three Tiger-Head Beasts were nothing.

Squinting his eyes, he focused his mind, and lines emerged from his pupils.

The three huge Tiger-Head Beasts before him instantly changed form: muscle textures, bone arrangements, meridian paths, blockages... all appeared in his eyes.

Eye of Insight!

After the master teacher's heart-tempering, this unique skill of the master teacher had advanced. Not only could it see higher levels, but it could also identify more problems.

These three Tiger-Head Beasts, imposing to others, were riddled with flaws and problems in his eyes.

"Let's begin. Quick and decisive! So what if they're not easy to tame? My goal isn't to tame them."

With a slight smile, Zhang Xuan stepped forward.

His goal was to pass the Ten Beast Cage, not to tame savage beasts. Taming too many was pointless.

On the contrary, they might cling to him like the Wind Wolves before, refusing to leave—that would be bad.

Roar!

As he stepped forward, he entered the Tiger-Head Beasts' territory. With roars, the three huge creatures surrounded him.

"Tiger-Head Beasts have invincible defense; this time, it'll probably be a tough battle..."

Wei Youdao squinted.

"Yes!" Jiang Nanping nodded: "It depends on whether his attacks can break through their defense. If not, he'll only have death..."

Bang bang bang bang!

Before he finished speaking, the man and the three tigers were already locked in combat.

"He... why is he attacking the Tiger-Head Beast's abdomen? Oh no!" Jiang Nanping's face changed.

"Unlike other savage beasts, the Tiger-Head Beast's abdomen is actually its strongest defense. It deliberately exposes this point to lure attacks; once you take the bait, you're done for..."

Wei Youdao's expression also darkened.

For most savage beasts, the abdomen is usually the weakest because it's hard to train—that's a common rule. But Tiger-Head Beasts are different.

Their abdomen has an extra bone, making it naturally hard and tough.

Because of this, they often use it as bait to lure cultivators into attacking. Once hooked, you're at their closest range, at their mercy.

Having seen this young man tame the Wind Wolves swiftly and ruthlessly, they thought he was familiar with beast habits. How could he make such a basic mistake with Tiger-Head Beasts?

Attacking the abdomen was futile, and once they counterattacked, he was finished!

"Look, the Tiger-Head Beast is about to counterattack..."

Just as they frowned, the man and beast below had already made full contact.

Seeing that the fellow indeed attacked its abdomen, the Tiger-Head Beast's eyes gleamed with excitement. It swung its thick tail to pull the young man closer.

But before it reached him, the latter's fist landed on its abdomen.

A hint of contempt and mockery flashed in its eyes as it prepared to knock him down as planned, when a dull thud sounded.

Bang!

An immense, unmatched force surged into its body along the opponent's arm.

The Tiger-Head Beast, which had been mocking the human's stupidity, suddenly widened its eyes until they nearly popped out. Its tongue lolled out, and drool flowed freely.

Then, with a "whoosh!"...

The five-meter-long massive tiger body shot straight up into the air, crashing into the cage.

Bang!

The iron cage was dented into a huge tiger shape.

Crash!

It fell from the air, hit the ground, and kicked up a large cloud of dust. The Tiger-Head Beast struggled, vomiting profusely, trying to get up but feeling immense abdominal pain, unable to stand.

"What?"

"A single punch to the Tiger-Head Beast's strongest defense point, and it can't even get up?"

"This... this..."

In an instant, the viewing stands above fell completely silent.

The Tiger-Head Beast had invincible defense; human strength should only tickle it. But one punch nearly killed it...

How was that possible?

Are you sure that was just a punch, not an elephant's kick?

"It's the Heaven's Path Fist!"

Liu Yang in the crowd clenched his fists, his eyes reddening.

This was the Heaven's Path Fist his teacher had taught him. Although it looked the same as his, the power was worlds apart.

A peak Master realm Tiger-Head Beast was sent flying by one move, disoriented and unable to find its bearings. The force was so great that even an early Sovereign expert couldn't withstand it!

"I'll have to train hard from now on..." he resolved inwardly.

"Roar..."

Ignoring the crowd's shock, Zhang Xuan, having sent one Tiger-Head Beast flying with a single move, looked at the remaining two.

As soon as his gaze swept over them, the two huge creatures simultaneously twitched their mouths and stepped back in unison.

Though savage beasts aren't as smart as humans, they aren't stupid.

The one just now was the strongest among them, yet it was sent flying by a punch, vomiting heavily and seemingly about to die. How could they withstand that?

"Don't be afraid. Let me hit you once, and we'll be done. If you don't fall, I can't pass the challenge..."

Seeing that these fierce beasts were actually scared into retreating, Zhang Xuan was speechless. He clenched his fist and called out.

Thud! Thud!

As soon as he spoke, two heavy falls sounded. Then, the two previously imposing Tiger-Head Beasts lay on the ground, legs in the air, tongues out, drooling.

"..." Zhang Xuan.

"..." The crowd.