Chapter 637: Chapter 385: Beast Form
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"Then I don’t have to worry," Yan Xiaobao murmured while lying on the ground, replaced only by the sight of those beasts that had taken on animalistic forms. Watching some of the beasts charge ahead, the young man couldn’t help but sigh. Had these beasts forgotten they should fight in groups of five? They were supposed to battle together and protect each other’s backs.
"Oh, huh?" Upon closer observation, Yan Xiaobao noticed that before fiercely slamming into the towering humans, they regrouped. Suddenly, screams pierced the air, followed by the sharp stench of blood; on such a quiet day, the sound of bones crushing was deafening.
Yan Xiaobao sighed deeply, staring at himself. His heartbeat raced as he licked his lips; he nearly tasted the blood in the air. The inner beast within him was breaking free. With one last glance at the numerous beasts lunging toward the humans, Yan Xiaobao felt his muscles swell and his physique expand. His hands transformed into massive, razor-sharp claws, his legs into powerful hind limbs, concealing tremendous strength within.
Yan Xiaobao was no longer human; he had fully morphed into a beast. As a beast, he felt his bloodlust intensify over time, spurred by the pungent metallic scent of blood around him.
He unleashed a massive howl, one carrying such overwhelming pressure that even the beasts nearby were compelled to back away from him.
"How tragic," Yan Xiaobao muttered as he surveyed the battlefield before him. The beasts had ferociously smashed into the immense human wall and began to wreak havoc. They used claws, teeth, and weapons to assert themselves as the superior species. Human corpses lay scattered across the ground as the beasts gradually formed their five-member teams again, denying the humans the advantage of their sheer numbers.
Yan Xiaobao stood alone on the battlefield. Many human soldiers quickly realized they could target this lone beast who appeared to be working without any allies. As this unfolded, the bodies of several beasts had already littered the ground—beasts that had succumbed beneath the overwhelming tide of humans.
Spotting Yan Xiaobao by himself, a group of thirty human practitioners rushed toward him, their faces twisted in fake sneers. The sinister expression on Yan Xiaobao’s face revealed his sharp teeth. Before the group could make any move or react, Yan Xiaobao leapt at them. His jaws sank deeply into the neck of the nearest human, shaking his head violently side to side, nearly ripping the unfortunate man’s entire head from his body.
The blood-drenched cruelty of the execution shocked and overwhelmed the others, making their hearts quake. After all, they were merely masters and practitioner-level experts, all far inferior to the enormous red wolf standing before them.
Yan Xiaobao savored the taste of blood on his tongue, closing his eyes briefly as he felt himself teetering on the brink of losing his humanity. The beast within him was entirely consumed by the act of slaughter, and with a release of shockwaves, his claws rippled through the air. The force of the shockwaves was so devastating that upon reaching the humans, three of them were instantly shredded into pieces; their blood mingled with the soil as their lifeless bodies collapsed, their eyes frozen in an idiotic stupor.
Dealing with the remaining humans was swift for Yan Xiaobao. He activated the blue cloud, then effortlessly tore the rest apart with his powerful claws. He refrained from using his teeth again, knowing that the taste of blood might push him over the edge, robbing him of control over himself.
Noticing the sun beginning to set, he prepared to attack another group of humans but swiftly transformed himself back into his humanoid form. Wings sprouted again from his back as he soared into the sky, shouting, "Retreat!"
The command was simple yet effective, causing all the beasts to immediately step back. Their expressions were difficult to discern, but Yan Xiaobao’s authority was firm and severe, ensuring that every beast followed his orders. After hours of relentless battle, the battlefield finally grew silent, littered with the bodies of humans and beasts alike. For every dead beast, at least ten to twenty humans had perished.
"Fools," Yan Xiaobao muttered upon seeing the multitude of fallen beasts, though he understood it was inevitable. After all, they were beasts—it was never easy for them to adhere to discipline and strategy, and forgetting their training was something he always knew would happen.
Under Yan Xiaobao’s orders, the beasts retreated roughly a kilometer from the combat zone. As they did, Yan Xiaobao quickly distributed various pills and herbal medicines among the heavily injured beasts. Other wood element practitioners utilized their expertise to heal the gravely wounded. Before long, the camp bustled with beasts darting to and fro, ensuring everyone received food and treatment.
One tent stood larger than the rest, and within this tent, forty-one experts gathered around a table.
"So we lost roughly two thousand beasts today," Yan Xiaobao said with a sigh. Although he had anticipated a high number of casualties, he hadn’t expected them to mount so rapidly. "Considering we only number 400,000 and the real war is far from beginning, losing two thousand is quite substantial." He sighed again. "I suppose it’s hard for them to remember what they need to do, but tomorrow we will remind them. Let them rest for now; they need it." He sighed once more before turning to Wan Qiao and Lord Pan.