Chapter 83: The Winged Tiger

Big Old Black suddenly darted out from the underbrush, glancing briefly at Bibo before snapping to attention.

“Boss!” he saluted.

Wu Yuan smiled, waving a paw dismissively. “What’s the situation?”

“Boss, while I was patrolling the perimeter, I spotted a beast shadow flying toward us,” Big Old Black reported rapidly. “I suspect it’s another outsider!”

Wu Yuan raised an eyebrow. A moment later, the system interface flickered into existence before his eyes.

[Green Intelligence] Target: Winged Tiger Cultivation: Early Qi Condensation (99 Strands of Demon Power) Intent: Hostile. Arrival imminent.

Beyond the borders of Little Green Mountain lay a desolate wasteland where Spiritual Qi was thin and scarce.

A massive beast struggled through the dead air. It was a tiger, five meters long and two meters tall at the shoulder, with fur the color of dried earth, a white forehead, and burning golden eyes. Massive wings sprouted from its back, beating heavily against the resistance of the barren zone.

The Winged Tiger gritted its teeth with every flap, cursing under its breath.

“Damned Goat! Dying so soon and ruining my plans!” he growled, his voice carried away by the wind. “Once I get inside, I’m going to slaughter every living thing on that mountain just to vent my frustration!”

He flew for what felt like hours until, finally, a splash of vibrant emerald green appeared on the horizon.

Joy surged in his chest, though he didn’t stop complaining. However, instead of charging straight into Little Green Mountain like a conquering king, the Winged Tiger abruptly braked and landed cautiously at the very edge of the territory.

He glanced around nervously, then pulled a Spirit Stone from his storage space. He sat down and began to drain it, replenishing the Demon Power he had spent crossing the wasteland.

“I’m just stopping to catch my breath,” he muttered to himself, trying to justify the hesitation. “It’s not like I’m afraid of whatever monsters are inside. Just… being tactical.”

Once he was fully topped off and feeling physically peak, the Winged Tiger’s confidence returned. He spread his wings and launched himself into the air, his roar echoing like thunder.

“Your Grandpa Tiger is here! Prepare to face my wrath!”

At the boundary of the forest, Wu Yuan sat cross-legged atop the broad, armored back of the Pangolin. The heavy iron Gu Duo mace hung at his waist.

He sat with his eyes closed, the very picture of serenity, waiting.

The harsh sunlight filtered through the leaves, striking his jade-colored fur. But instead of looking like a common rodent, the light seemed to soften around him, casting a faint cyan halo. The air around him stilled, resembling a tranquil pool of water.

He radiated an aura of ancient, noble blood.

Those with extraordinary bloodlines must possess divine peculiarities.

This was the image Wu Yuan projected as the Winged Tiger descended.

The tiger landed a short distance away, his muscles instantly locking up. The scene before him shattered his expectations.

He saw a jade-colored rat sitting in a meditative pose. There was no wretchedness, no sneakiness, none of the filth usually associated with vermin. Instead, the rat looked tall, solemn, and divinely imposing, like a golden idol enshrined in a grand temple. Even the ferocious, armored beast he used as a throne seemed to bow beneath his majestic presence.

“Are you the ruler of Little Green Mountain?” the Winged Tiger asked, his voice losing some of its earlier bluster. “Did you kill the Stone Wood Spirit Goat?”

It was a question, but his tone said he already knew the answer.

Wu Yuan slowly opened his eyes. For a split second, the Winged Tiger swore he saw a terrifying amber light flash within those pupils before it vanished into the abyss.

“I am,” Wu Yuan said. His voice was calm, resonant, and undeniably powerful.

The Winged Tiger’s heart skipped a beat.

Why does this guy have such a high-class aura? he thought, panic rising. I’m the ‘Know-It-All’ of the demon clans, yet I’ve never heard of a rat with this kind of presence! Is he a secret heir from the main Rat Clan sent here for training?

Wu Yuan maintained his poker face, but internally, he was grinning.

First time trying out the ‘Divine Sage’ act, and the results are perfect. Look at him sweating!

The Winged Tiger’s resolve began to crumble. He didn’t want to fight someone with a mysterious, high-level background. As for his earlier threats of slaughter? Empty words.

I only came to this backwater because I had no choice, the Tiger reasoned rapidly. If it was just some wild beast, I’d take over. But this rat isn’t simple. If I die here, what will happen to my beloved back home? My damned brother certainly won’t take care of her!

His mind raced, weighing pros and cons in a split second.

“Lord Rat King,” the Winged Tiger said, his tone shifting smoothly to one of camaraderie. “I actually knew that Stone Wood Spirit Goat. He was a bad egg. Must have offended you somehow. His death is well-deserved!”

Wu Yuan blinked, caught off guard. What is this guy doing?

“However,” the Tiger continued, puffing out his chest slightly, “I have a mission to complete. How about this? We have a spar. As the humans say, ‘stop at the point of contact.’ No killing, just testing skills.”

Wu Yuan found the proposal amusing. “And why should I agree to that?”

“If you win,” the Winged Tiger said confidently, “I will answer any question you ask. I am known as the ‘Know-It-All’ of the demon race! I know the background of almost every new demon in the region. Furthermore, I will leave and never interfere with your territory again.”

Wu Yuan stared deeply at the Tiger, not rejecting the offer immediately.

Seeing an opening, the Tiger pressed his advantage. “But if I win, I take half the territory so I can report back that my mission was a success. I promise I won’t touch your half!”

Wu Yuan silently extended his Divine Sense, sweeping over the tiger to confirm the intel.

Second-grade High Grade bloodline. Same tier as mine. Cultivation: Early Qi Condensation, 99 strands. Attribute: Metal and Wind. Physique: Strong, but his Qi and blood vitality is far weaker than mine. Mental State: No pre-developed Divine Sense. Advantages: Flight, speed. Spells and Artifacts unknown.

Final Evaluation: A competent monster, but nothing special.

It wasn’t arrogance; it was data. If not for the flight ability, Wu Yuan wouldn’t have even bothered negotiating.

If I win, Wu Yuan thought, a cold calculation forming in his mind, then the terms of the deal won’t matter anymore.

“No problem,” Wu Yuan said aloud.

The Winged Tiger felt a sudden chill run down his spine. Something feels off…

But hearing the agreement, he shoved the anxiety aside. He retracted his wings, focusing his energy.

Whoosh!

Cyan wind erupted around the tiger, tearing up the grass and soil. Mixed within the gale were threads of golden energy that sharpened the air like thousands of invisible needles. Trees snapped, and dust filled the sky.

Wu Yuan stood up from the Pangolin’s back and leaped lightly to the ground. He dusted off his hands and nodded at the tiger, signaling he was ready.

The Winged Tiger stared. He had assumed the Pangolin was a tamed beast that would fight alongside the rat. Seeing Wu Yuan step forward alone, unarmed and unmounted, the Tiger felt a surge of humiliation.

“Arrogant!” the Tiger roared, his eyes turning red.

With a thunderous flap of his wings, the Winged Tiger wrapped himself in the golden gale and charged. He raised a massive paw, which instantly swelled to double its size. The claws gleamed with lethal golden light, and even the fur on his palm stood up like hardened spikes.

Wu Yuan watched the incoming strike, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Is that it?

If this is the best the Winged Tiger can do, my evaluation is dropping again.