Strange Goat

[Words of Enlightenment: Through continuously observing the flock while herding, you had finally grasped the true techniques of herding. You did not need to personally handle every little thing at all times; you only needed to identify the special individuals within the flock and manage them.

You had therefore comprehended the skill—[Beast Identification].

[Beast Identification (Knowledge Skill)

Use: Maintain focus on a beast and attempt to obtain relevant information about it.

Skill Description: A skill mastered by Shepherds through long-term interaction with animals. It allows one to understand a beast's abilities and status within its group through observation. It is said that beasts, like humans, have social hierarchies; different individuals also possess vastly different abilities and talents. Thus, identifying beasts had become a necessary prerequisite for Tame Beast.]

This...

Xiao Jie was speechless. What kind of garbage skill was this? Where was the Taming he had been promised?

Still, thinking about it, it made sense. His attention while herding the sheep today had mainly been focused on distinguishing the lead ram.

He sighed helplessly. Although he could continue herding, he vaguely felt that Sudden Enlightenment probably could not be triggered endlessly.

There might only be one opportunity for Sudden Enlightenment in any given field.

Still, he had gained a skill at least. That counted as something, didn't it?

He should test it and see how useful it was.

He used Beast Identification on a goat. The skill did not consume stamina; he merely had to focus on a beast for several seconds. Soon, a line of information appeared above the goat's head.

[Male Goat (Beast), Level 3, Health: 40.

Taming Difficulty: Entry Level.

Skills: Mountain Climbing Art LV2, Rambunctious Sheep Ram LV2.]

He switched to another one.

[Female Goat (Beast), Level 2, Health: 30.

Taming Difficulty: Entry Level.

Skills: Mountain Climbing Art LV2, Rambunctious Sheep Ram LV1.]

Then another.

[Little Goat (Beast), Level 1, Health: 20.

Taming Difficulty: Entry Level.

Skills: Mountain Climbing Art LV1, Rambunctious Sheep Ram LV1.]

He kept switching targets. This time, he focused on the largest lead ram.

[Goat Leader (Beast), Level 5, Health: 80.

Taming Difficulty: Normal.

Skills: Mountain Climbing Art LV3, Rambunctious Sheep Ram LV3, Pack Leader LV1.]

Tsk, tsk. It even had an aura skill. As expected of the lead ram.

Xiao Jie switched to another goat and examined it.

[Strange Goat (Beast), Level ?, Health: 128.

Taming Difficulty: Untamable.

Skills: ??????

Note: The target's level is too high. You are unable to read further information.]

Huh? Xiao Jie froze. He thought he had seen wrong, so he looked twice more. No mistake—the level and skills were both question marks. Only its health was visible.

128. It was a full half again as much as the lead ram's.

What exactly was this "Strange Goat"? How could it be this absurd?

He moved closer and examined it carefully. At first glance, there was nothing special about the goat. Even its build was perfectly ordinary. It was neither miniature like Little Goat nor robust like the lead ram. It looked no different from the other ordinary male goats around it.

If there was one difference—

Xiao Jie suddenly noticed that this goat's pupils were round, somewhat like human eyes. Ordinary goats had rectangular pupils, something especially unique among animals.

Yet the eyes of this goat before him were completely different.

Such a tiny difference could not be spotted from a distance. Under normal circumstances, Xiao Jie probably would never have noticed it either. If Beast Identification had not given him such strange information, he truly would not have discovered it.

But now that he had noticed the difference and looked more closely, the details sent a chill down his spine.

The goat seemed completely unaware of Xiao Jie's surprise. It continued grazing by itself, with no other unusual behavior.

Xiao Jie, however, had already drawn his blade.

"Immortal? Demon?" he asked tentatively.

The goat continued chewing grass as if nothing had happened.

Xiao Jie suddenly laughed. This goat's Satiety was already at 100%, yet it was still chewing away. It was obviously trying to hide something.

There was definitely something wrong with this goat.

If it did not have some special background, then at worst it was a rare elite. Killing it might even make it drop something good.

"Hey, I'm talking to you. Give me some kind of response. If you don't speak, I'm making my move."

The goat merely continued staring at the grass.

Heh, I refuse to believe this.

Without another word, Xiao Jie began to Charge and prepared to strike. At worst, he would have to pay two hundred copper coins. He could afford that much.

Panic finally appeared in the goat's eyes. It suddenly spoke in a human voice.

Strange Goat: "Baa, little brother, there is no grudge between us. Why must you press me so hard?"

The moment the goat spoke, Xiao Jie jumped in fright, followed immediately by delight.

Haha, it really did have a background.

"Ha, you should've spoken sooner. So what exactly are you? An immortal or a demon? Why did you sneak into this flock? Confess honestly, or don't blame my blade for being blind."

As he spoke, he took two steps back, opening up a little distance.

This goat was so strange that it might pose some threat. But judging from its health, the threat probably would not be too great. As long as he was careful, he should be able to handle it.

If it truly came down to it, he could call for help. But unless absolutely necessary, it would be better not to make a big fuss.

The goat spoke in a helpless tone.

Strange Goat: "If you kill me, do you think Old Yang will let you off?"

"Heh, sorry for the trouble, but I'll just pay for it."

Strange Goat: "Hmph, don't get cocky. Do you really think you can beat me?"

As it spoke, it bent its forelegs slightly, pointed its horns at Xiao Jie, and made as if to charge.

Xiao Jie was not nervous at all. Rambunctious Sheep Ram, right? He had seen that move plenty of times. As long as he dodged in time, it posed no threat.

"Even if I can't beat you, I can call someone. I'd really like to know whether everyone would chop you up for lamb skewers if they found out you existed."

At those words, the goat immediately caved.

It hastily lowered its horns. "Baa, little brother, don't spread this around. I'll tell you, all right? To be honest, I am not some demon. I was originally a goat in the mountains, nourished by the spiritual energy in this valley until I finally gained a little intelligence. I had wanted to find an opportunity to cultivate into a demon and achieve an immortal path.

"But then a great calamity suddenly descended, and evil demons threw the world into chaos. I was merely a little goat who had yet to attain the Dao, with nowhere to go. I could only hide in Ginkgo Village and cling to life. Thanks to the Ginkgo Immortal Tree in Ginkgo Village, I survived until now. The Old Yang family had raised sheep for generations, so I blended into their flock and constantly changed identities, all the way until today."

Xiao Jie said in surprise, "Then doesn't that mean you've lived for five hundred years?"

Strange Goat: "One does not know the passage of time in the mountains, nor in this sheep pen. I cannot remember exactly how much time has passed, but it should be roughly that long.

"As I said, I am not a demon, nor do I possess magical power. I merely have a little more intelligence than ordinary goats. For five hundred years, I have never intended harm toward anyone. I ask that you, brave warrior, do not tell others about me. If the villagers learn of it, I certainly will not survive even a day."

Xiao Jie did not agree immediately. He calculated what benefits he could gain from this Serendipitous Encounter.

Seeing this, the goat added, "It is not as though I do not know how to repay kindness. If you agree, I have a reward to offer as well."

Xiao Jie's eyes lit up. "Let's hear it. Some kind of demon core? A cultivation method?"

The goat gave a bitter smile. "I am not even a demon, so how could I know such things? Demon cores are even more impossible. But after living five hundred years, I have learned a few things. I possess some trifling tricks that may perhaps catch your eye, brave warrior.

"I have three ultimate skills that I can teach you.

"However, you must swear that you will never reveal even half a word about me to anyone else. Otherwise, you will suffer Heavenly Retribution."

System Prompt: Serendipitous Encounter event [Goat's Oath] triggered.

Quest Description: You discovered a Strange Goat within the flock. It can speak human language and may have an unspeakable background. To prevent you from exposing it, the goat is willing to teach you every skill it knows. However, you must swear a [Heavenly Retribution Oath] as proof that you will keep its secret.

Note: The Heavenly Retribution Oath is a special mechanism in the current game. Swear an oath to Heaven, and once the oath is broken, a [Heavenly Tribulation] punishment will be triggered. The more egregious your betrayal, the higher the level of [Heavenly Tribulation] triggered.

Xiao Jie's expression immediately turned solemn.

Heavenly Tribulation sounded extremely dangerous. He was only a level-two newbie. If he triggered a Heavenly Tribulation, he would probably die for sure. He had to choose carefully.

"Let me see what skills you have first."

Strange Goat: "Naturally. These three ultimate arts of mine are far from ordinary. If little brother can learn even one, it will benefit you endlessly. Look—"

A dialogue box immediately popped up before Xiao Jie.

[Option 1: Rambunctious Sheep Ram (Combat Skill). Imitate a goat's combat skill and slam into an enemy with your head, dealing 20 blunt damage and stunning the enemy for 1 second. Requirement: Strength 15.

Option 2: Mountain Climbing Steps (Ultimate Art). Allows you to master the techniques of climbing mountains, moving freely through mountainous terrain without being affected by the terrain. Requirement: Agility 15.

Option 3: Beast Language (Strange Art). Allows you to master the language of beasts and speak or interact with animals. Requirement: Comprehension 15.]

Two of the three skills were grayed out. His attributes were insufficient, leaving only Beast Language available to learn.

Xiao Jie studied all three skills. He found Rambunctious Sheep Ram to be a trash combat skill. Mountain Climbing Steps had some value, but not much. Only Beast Language looked genuinely interesting.

He could talk to animals? It would definitely be fun to use in real life.

"Fine, I agree. I will never reveal any information about you to anyone. In return, teach me Beast Language."

Xiao Jie decisively selected Option 3.

[System Prompt: You have sworn a [Heavenly Retribution Oath].

The Strange Goat let out a baa, sounding greatly relieved. "Excellent. Listen carefully, then. Beast Language is used like this..."

[System Prompt: You have learned the new skill [Beast Language (Strange Art)].

"Thank you for granting my request, little brother. Now that I have taught you Beast Language, you and I shall henceforth never see each other again, as strangers upon the road."

"Of course," Xiao Jie said. The moment his words fell, the goat abruptly turned and blended into the flock. Xiao Jie's vision blurred, and when he tried to find the goat again, it had vanished without a trace.