A Temporary Farewell

Two days later.

Today was the day Gao Jing would leave the Mountain Tribe.

Besides the old Wizard and Shan Guo'er, a bunch of bratty children from the stronghold had come to see him off.

They were incredibly happy, hopping and skipping behind the little girl, cheering with delight as though all they lacked were gongs and drums.

Gao Jing, seated in the carrying basket, was quite puzzled.

The basket had been specially woven by Shan Teng, the old Giant craftsman of the village, for Shan Guo'er to carry Gao Jing in.

It was both safe and effortless.

The first time Gao Jing rode in it, he always felt that something was off. Later, he got used to it.

He curiously asked Shan Guo'er why those little brats were so excited about his departure.

The answer left Gao Jing speechless.

So after he left, the children who attended lessons with him would not be under so much pressure.

Everyone had originally been about the same, but ever since Gao Jing, this monstrous top student, had appeared in the "class," they had been scolded by the old Wizard quite a few times.

Thinking about it, Gao Jing realized it was true.

What a bunch of poor students!

They followed the mountain path down, passed through the entire stronghold, and Shan Guo'er carried Gao Jing to the mouth of the valley.

The stronghold gate stood wide open. The old Wizard and several Mountain Giants were already waiting outside.

"Grandpa."

Shan Guo'er quickened her pace and ran over.

The old Wizard rubbed the little girl's head and said to Gao Jing, "The pack beast is ready."

For the past two days, Gao Jing had been selecting Purple Sandalwood in the stronghold.

The old Wizard had said that no matter which logs Gao Jing took a fancy to, even if they were serving as roof beams in someone's home, they could be dismantled and taken away.

He could choose whatever he wanted, but without exposing the Copper Anchor's storage space, how to transport it all away was a major problem.

Once again, the old Wizard had taken the initiative to come up with a solution for Gao Jing.

That was to use a pack beast.

Pack beasts were livestock raised by the Great Wilderness Tribes, normally used to haul heavy loads.

If famine struck, they would be slaughtered for meat.

Gao Jing knew there was an animal pen in the stronghold, but he had never visited it, so this was his first time seeing a pack beast.

He nearly laughed.

A fat, bulky body, four limbs like short pillars, dark-gray thick hide covering its entire body like armor, one long and one short horn rising from its head, two tiny eyes blinking incessantly...

It was practically a giant rhinoceros!

More accurately, it bore at least a ninety-percent resemblance to a rhinoceros.

This pack beast stood roughly fourteen or fifteen meters tall, with two large vine baskets hanging from either side of its broad back.

All the Purple Sandalwood Gao Jing had selected was inside them.

Around sixty or seventy cubic meters in total.

Roooar!

Seeing Shan Guo'er approach, the Giant Rhino Packbeast immediately let out a deep, muffled bellow.

But the little girl was not afraid in the slightest. Instead, she reached out to touch its short horn.

The pack beast lowered its head, appearing very docile.

"Little Gray is only one year old."

Shan Guo'er said to Gao Jing, "Don't bully it, okay?"

The pack beast, which weighed who knew how many tons, shook its massive head, as if saying: I'm still just a baby!

Gao Jing: "..."

"This is the Beast-Taming Talisman."

The old Wizard handed him a dark brown wooden plaque. "Sorry, I could only make it this large. I couldn't shrink it any further."

The Beast-Taming Talisman was about half a meter wide and nearly a meter long.

Its purpose was to control the pack beast. Both sides were engraved with intricate patterns, as though they had been scorched into the wood by blazing flames.

To Gao Jing, the size of this Beast-Taming Talisman was still acceptable.

It was not large enough that he needed both hands to hold it.

But the old Wizard told him to drip his blood onto the talisman.

That was a necessary step to activate the Beast-Taming Talisman.

Gao Jing could not help asking, "How much blood do I need to drip?"

The old Wizard replied, "For us, four or five drops are enough."

orz!

Gao Jing dropped to his knees.

You people were twenty-meter-tall Giants!!!

He instantly felt as though he had fallen into a massive pit.

But there was no other way. At this point, he could not back down. He could only pull out the dagger he carried with him.

He cut the ring finger of his right hand.

Bright red blood immediately flowed from the wound, and two drops fell onto the Beast-Taming Talisman.

What Gao Jing had not expected was that the wound on his finger actually closed by itself.

The mark remained, but it was no longer bleeding.

Huh?

Gao Jing could not help but freeze—did he have to cut it again?

Before Gao Jing could slash his finger with the dagger once more, the Beast-Taming Talisman resting on his lap suddenly flashed with a crimson gleam!

Gao Jing instantly felt that something extra had appeared in his consciousness.

"Hm?"

The old Wizard, who had witnessed this scene, revealed a surprised expression.

"That will do."

He said to Gao Jing, "The pack beast will obey your commands, but they cannot be overly complicated commands."

That was enough?

Gao Jing found it very strange. He had only dripped two drops of blood!

Still, not having to lose a lot of blood was a good thing.

He did not dwell on it and sprang up with the Beast-Taming Talisman in hand.

He jumped from the carrying basket onto the pack beast's head, then swiftly climbed onto its back.

Roooar!

The pack beast raised its head and gave a low bellow.

The old Wizard asked, "You truly don't need our warriors to escort you?"

The Great Wilderness was boundless, filled with endless dangers. There were Wild Beasts that ate flesh in the wilderness.

There were also Demon Beasts that ate people!

"I really don't."

Gao Jing answered very seriously, "I can protect myself."

He had learned that the areas around the Mountain Stronghold were quite safe. The Wild Beasts had long since been cleared out by tribal hunters.

And Gao Jing was not going to travel very far.

Of course, absolute safety did not exist.

But to avoid exposing the Copper Anchor's secret, taking a little risk was necessary.

"Mm."

The old Wizard nodded and did not try to persuade him further.

He had once told Shan Guo'er that everyone had their own secrets.

Since Gao Jing insisted, he should be given respect.

"Goodbye."

Gao Jing sat steadily on the pack beast's back and waved at the little girl. "Shan Guo'er, wait for me to return!"

After spending this time together, he and Shan Guo'er had become very familiar with each other.

Shan Guo'er was both mischievous and wild, yet also obedient and sensible.

It all depended on whom she was dealing with.

Her thoughts were extremely simple. Whether she was happy or angry, it would be written plainly across her face for anyone to see.

Gao Jing liked this little girl very much.

He often thought that if he had a daughter someday, it would be best if she were like Shan Guo'er.

Yet Shan Guo'er's expression was somewhat strange at Gao Jing's farewell.

She bit her finger, seeming to want to say something but stopping herself.

Gao Jing smiled. "Don't worry. I'll definitely bring back candy for you, a big batch!"

This was the reward he had promised the little girl two days ago.

Payment for carrying him around the stronghold while he selected lumber!

Shan Guo'er broke into a happy smile.

"Let's go!"

Bidding farewell to the old Wizard, Shan Guo'er, and the others, Gao Jing drove the Giant Rhino Packbeast toward the vast plains ahead.

With the Beast-Taming Talisman in hand, controlling the pack beast was exceptionally simple and easy.

Once he had grown familiar with it, Gao Jing ordered it to pick up speed.

The pack beast immediately spread its four thick legs and rumbled across the grassland like a giant tank at full throttle!

The wind from the wilderness rushed straight at him, making Gao Jing want to sing aloud.

He was going home!

No matter how wonderful the Great World was, in his heart, that dark, cramped rented room in the Main World...

was the only place that truly belonged to him.