Beastmaster: I'm really just a forest ranger

Chapter 372 An Extraordinary Steel Blade!
The smoke and dust inside the cave had not yet completely settled. Huo Hong looked at Chen Yuan, who stood quietly in the light and shadow. His face first showed disbelief and astonishment, which then turned into a complex and indescribable emotion.

He completely ignored the excited Shi Tou and rushed towards Chen Yuan, his voice filled with relief and deep gratitude: "Advisor Chen, it's you again! You've come to the rescue again!"

After saying that, he shook his head, his laughter tinged with extremely complex emotions.

He and Consultant Chen are indeed destined to meet.

He came to the Qinling Mountains twice for the bounty mission, met Chen Yuan twice, and received Chen Yuan's selfless help both times.

This time was no different. He thought that Stone would be in danger, but unexpectedly, this remote and mysterious cave spawned the regular rescue expert, Consultant Chen.

According to online sources, if you hear a clear, sharp cry from high above when danger is imminent, then the emergency response expert, Consultant Chen, will appear on time to save the day.

"That's really true," Huo Hong thought to himself.

Chen Yuan smiled slightly and waved his hand casually: "It was just a small favor."

His gaze swept past Huo Hong and landed on the Azure Mist Hunting Hound, which had just fought fiercely and was now slightly panting but still had sharp eyes. A hint of approval flashed in his eyes:
"Your Azure Hound has become much stronger since the last time we met. Both your skill proficiency and timing have improved significantly. The timing of that Natural Explosion attack just now was perfect."

Upon hearing this, Huo Hong gave a helpless, bitter smile and sighed.
"Consultant Chen, please don't flatter me too much. My meager progress is nothing compared to yours."

He paused, a smile spreading across his face, and joked, "Just hearing the rumors about how you saved the day has felt like listening to a legendary tale."

Chen Yuan coughed lightly, his voice gradually fading: "I'm just unlucky. Every time I go out, I encounter some kind of unexpected event."

After exchanging a few brief pleasantries, Huo Hong turned his concerned gaze to Shi Tou, who was both excited and somewhat flustered: "Shi Tou, are you alright?"

Stone immediately grinned, revealing a bright smile tinged with lingering fear, and patted his chest forcefully, making a loud thud.
"It's alright, Master. I'm fine. I was almost caught by that armored rhinoceros earlier, but thanks to Consultant Chen's timely appearance."

He became more and more excited as he spoke, gesturing wildly and exclaiming in amazement, "It's a pity you didn't see the Steel-Headed Groundhog's performance. It simply took a step forward and casually used its steel blade, and the Steel-Armored Rhinoceros fell to the ground."

The shocking scene from before was deeply imprinted in Shi Tou's mind, and his face was full of excitement and agitation as he spoke.

One-hit kill?

Huo Hong had participated in the Dafeng Cup with Chen Yuan and knew all about the latter's highlights. Both the Blazing Falcon and the Wind-Riding Dog had delivered many brilliant moments of instant kills in the competition, making the audience boil with excitement.

But what's up with this steel-headed gopher?

Huo Hong turned his gaze to the seemingly unremarkable Iron-Headed Kid beside Chen Yuan. His mind raced, and considering the surroundings and Chen Yuan's presence, he tentatively asked:

"Advisor Chen, you came to a place like this in person to find suitable steel-type resources for Steelhead Excadrill, right?"

Chen Yuan nodded, not hiding anything: "That's right, I heard this place is attractive to steel-type pets, so I brought it to take a look."

Huo Hong's eyes lit up, and he immediately asked, "Are you planning to take it to the Eastern Glory Conference?"

With the Donghuang Tournament approaching, all the participants are training hard to improve their skills. If Consultant Chen arrives here with Steelhead Groundhog at this time, then there is only one answer.
"Master, this is the pet beast responsible for guarding the gate of Consultant Chen's farm. It won't participate in the Donghuang Conference." Stone's voice suddenly rang out, answering Huo Hong's question first.

Huo Hong was momentarily stunned: "?"

Guarding the gate?

Tier 3 pet?

After a long silence, Huo Hong suddenly realized that he couldn't judge this renowned consultant Chen by ordinary standards, so he cleared his throat and took the initiative to state the purpose of his visit:

"It's like this, Consultant Chen. A few days ago, I accepted a bounty mission. The employer needs a certain level 3 steel resource here."

Chen Yuan nodded knowingly: "You guys are very capable for finding this place."

Huo Hong smiled and nodded, then patted Shi Tou on the shoulder and formally introduced him to Chen Yuan: "Advisor Chen, this is Shi Tou, my newly accepted apprentice."

"This is a poor child, raised on the charity of many families. He is straightforward and a bit reckless, but he is honest and kind-hearted. He has been an awakened beast tamer for some time now, and I couldn't bear to see him suffer, so I took him with me."

The two fell silent for a moment.

From this perspective, both Amei and Shitou are unfortunate children that Huo Hong picked up, and he seems to be on the verge of becoming the director of an orphanage.

Is opening an orphanage the only way out for a bounty hunter?

Thoughts swirled in his mind. Chen Yuan turned to look at Shi Tou, his gaze gentle: "Shi Tou, is it? Your Silver Mantis is very well trained. Its reaction and speed are excellent. It was very brave when it escaped... uh, and restrained the Steel-Armored Rhinoceros just now."

Upon receiving praise from his idol, Shi Tou scratched the back of his head shyly, a faint blush rising on his dark face. He chuckled foolishly, as if all the tension and fear he had felt earlier had vanished.

Seeing that things were clear, Huo Hong prepared to invite Chen Yuan to go deeper into the cave to collect resources: "Advisor Chen, shall we go in now?"

Both armored rhinoceroses have been dealt with; now it's time to reap the rewards.

However, Chen Yuan did not move. Under Huo Hong's slightly confused gaze, he slowly walked to the armored rhinoceros that had been knocked down by the Azure Hound and was in a coma.

He crouched down and gently gestured to the Dawn and Dusk Flower Fairy in his pocket.

The Morning and Evening Flower Fairy flew out gracefully and hovered above the injured chest of the Armored Rhinoceros.

The delicate petal hand gently waved, and soft, vibrant emerald green light spots fell like a drizzle, merging into the Steel Armored Rhinoceros's wounds. Then, a healing petal was torn open and fed into the Steel Armored Rhinoceros's mouth.

In no time, the charred marks and cracked shells on the armored rhinoceros began to heal at a visible speed.

Huo Hong watched this scene with even deeper confusion in his eyes, but he didn't say anything to disturb it. However, Shi Tou, who was standing to the side, asked casually, "Advisor Chen, why are you healing it?"

As Chen Yuan watched the Steel-Armored Rhino's injuries heal, he calmly explained:

"This is their habitat; we are the intruders."

"It's their nature to protect their territory and resources; it's perfectly normal. They're not vicious beasts that actively attack human towns. Since no irreparable consequences have occurred, we might as well be kinder to them."

He paused, raised his eyes slightly, and continued, "I brought the Steelhead Groundhog here mainly to investigate whether this place is suitable for its advancement. If it is confirmed to be suitable, it may need to stay here to advance."

“The advancement process may take a day or two, during which time we will inevitably have to spend some time with them. Rather than starting with a blood feud, it would be better to try to ease the tension and let everyone live in peace.” After listening, Huo Hong nodded thoughtfully, and his gaze towards Chen Yuan held a hint of admiration: “Advisor Chen, you have considered things from a long-term and comprehensive perspective.”

As a pure bounty hunter, Huo Hong only cares about mission objectives and rewards, and never pays attention to anything else.

The pet's attitude and subsequent impact have nothing to do with him.

Just then, a loud rumbling sound came from not far away. When everyone turned around, they saw another armored rhinoceros that had been knocked down by Ironhead Boy staggering over.

The appearance of this Steel-Armored Rhinoceros, whose injuries had not yet fully healed, immediately alerted everyone and their pets. The Azure Hound was the first to let out a low, wary bark, the Silver-Armored Mantis silently raised its sharp blade, and even Ironhead slowly stepped forward, ready to attack at any moment.

Chen Yuan remained unmoved, quietly observing the scene before him, preventing the little ones from making any rash moves.

The armored rhinoceros paid no heed to the crowd or the other beasts. It went straight to its companion, whose injuries were gradually healing, and began to growl at the latter repeatedly.

"Roar!"

With a powerful roar, the Steel Armored Rhinoceros quickly recovered from its injuries under the powerful healing effect of the Dawn and Dusk Fairy, regaining most of its strength, and then stood up.

The two enormous creatures finally reunited. They first looked at each other and shouted, then turned their heads to look at the humans and the group of unfamiliar pets in front of them.

"Roar"

Their eyes remained wary and their anger lingered, a low, threatening growl emanating from their throats. Their massive legs pawed restlessly at the ground, their silver armor gleaming dangerously in the dim light.

The movement of the two enormous creatures immediately made Huo Hong and the other two look serious. Shi Tou silently clenched his fists and swallowed hard: "Master, are they going to attack together?"

Huo Hong did not answer, but turned his head to look at Chen Yuan.

Just as the atmosphere became tense again, Chen Yuan chuckled: "They're quite vigilant. It seems they still don't trust us."

Come to think of it, if wild pets could change their attitude towards humans so easily, there wouldn't have been so many unexpected incidents in the past.

Chen Yuan was already used to this kind of situation. He glanced at Youmi hiding in the shadows, ignoring the increasingly heavy and oppressive atmosphere, and joked, "Why don't you go and negotiate with them?"

"Coo-choo!"

Feeling the terrifying oppressive aura emanating from the two enormous creatures head-on, Yumi trembled, her antennae shook, and her tiny head shook like a rattle-drum as she completely shrank into the shadows.

Chen Yuan smiled, then looked at the silent Ironhead: "You can do it."

"Crack."

Iron-headed Kid took a step forward.

It made no sound, nor did it adopt an attack posture. It simply calmly raised its right arm—the steel blade gleaming with a cold metallic light—and aimed precisely at the incredibly hard rock wall beside it.

Then, it makes a light stroke from top to bottom.

The movements were light and casual, as if they were merely brushing away dust.

There was no deafening explosion, no violent shockwave, and not even a loud noise.

There was only a very faint hissing sound, like tearing fabric.

The next moment, under the watchful eyes of everyone and their pets, a terrifying ravine, bottomless and with smooth, mirror-like edges, silently appeared on the rock wall.

The ravine cuts deep into the rock wall, yet it cleverly avoids causing any structural vibrations, as if all the force is perfectly constrained by that extremely thin tangent line, with not a single bit wasted.

This effortless mastery of power, this exquisite control over strength, this terrifying aura that seemed to strike like thunder in silence, plunged the arena into a deathly stillness.

The two armored rhinoceroses, which had just been furious, froze instantly. Their huge eyes were fixed on the wound on the rock wall, the smooth, chilling cut reflected in their pupils. Their massive bodies began to tremble uncontrollably, their previous anger and threat instantly replaced by immense fear.

They even instinctively took a step back, then let out a low growl that was hard to understand, before stiffly looking away and staring down at the ground, as if there was something on the ground that particularly interested them.

Huo Hong watched with shining eyes, and couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice:
"Such exquisite control of power! It didn't damage the internal structure of the rock wall at all, and it even avoided the violent tremors that could have caused a collapse. This level of control is simply amazing."

He racked his brains for a long time but couldn't come up with a particularly fitting adjective. Finally, he opened his mouth and blurted out two words: "Awesome."

Seeing this, Shi Tou couldn't help but lean close to Huo Hong's ear and whisper in what he thought was a very soft voice, "Master, such a powerful pet is only responsible for guarding the gate."

Huo Hong remained silent for a long time, finally letting out a long sigh, everything understood without words: "..."

Chen Yuan smiled slightly.

As a skill of unparalleled mastery, Ironhead's mastery of the [Steel Blade] is already extraordinary, capable of unleashing tremendous power in an instant.

After being briefly intimidated by the Iron-Headed Kid, the two Armored Rhinoceroses became completely obedient.

They quickly exchanged glances, seemingly reaching some kind of consensus, then growled a few times, turned around to signal Chen Yuan and the others to follow, and walked somewhat unsteadily into the depths of the cave.

Following them, the group soon arrived at a more spacious cave.

The rock walls here are densely inlaid with various minerals that emit soft or bright light, and the entire cave is filled with a rich and pure steel energy. With each breath, you can feel your lungs filled with a cold metallic aura.

Upon entering, Iron Head Boy's square metal head tilted slightly upwards, and the cold metallic luster around him seemed to brighten even more.

It quietly sensed the surging energy fluctuations around it, and Chen Yuan could clearly feel the confirmation it was conveying—this place was indeed the most suitable place for it to complete its advancement!

Huo Hong immediately directed the Azure Mist Hunting Dog to carefully dig out several pieces of high-quality silver cloud stone that met the mission requirements from the rock wall, using its keen sense of smell and precise control, and put them away safely.

After doing all this, Huo Hong looked at Chen Yuan, asking for his next move with his eyes.

Chen Yuan's gaze remained fixed on Tie Touwa. He saw the determination and longing in the latter's eyes, smiled slightly, and spoke calmly:

"Very good, then let's make this your training ground."

(End of this chapter)