Free Web NovelChapter 399: Chapter 399: Taboo
The Beast King’s face was pale. "Go rescue the Sacred Priest! Quickly! After them!"
If something happened to Yun Ji now, no one would be left to suppress the monsters in the Thunder-swallowing Forest!
The beastmen guards obeyed, quickly assembling a team and pursuing in the direction the black cloud had departed.
Han Lie watched the black cloud disappear, his expression also grim. "Beast King, they’re heading for the Thunder-swallowing Forest."
The Beast King’s eyes sharpened.
Han Lie continued, "Beast King, now is the time. Let’s send them in. This is going to be a vicious battle."
The Beast King suddenly turned her gaze to the beastmen standing below the sacrificial altar.
"You’re right. Have them join the battle in the Thunder-swallowing Forest immediately."
She walked onto the altar. "Everyone saw what just happened. A dark power has abducted our Sacred Priest. Without the Sacred Priest, this sacrificial ceremony cannot be held. If the Beast God becomes enraged because of this, he will certainly no longer protect us. Therefore, we must rescue the Sacred Priest! Whoever can save him will be the most heroic guard of my Beast King City and will become the mate of Beast King City’s precious Sacred Female."
At least ninety percent of the beastmen present were filled with reverence for the Beast God. Coupled with the Beast King’s declaration, they all grew incredibly excited.
Seeing this, Han Lie gave a meaningful look to a beastman guard, who understood and stepped forward.
"Everyone, follow me."
The males excitedly followed the guard toward the back of the royal palace.
Seeing her chance, Qiao Xixi also tightened her grip on Sunxiao’s hand. "Let’s follow them. We might be able to use the chaos to sneak into the Watchtower and rescue Father."
"Mm."
Han Lie’s sharp eyes noticed Qiao Xixi, Sunxiao, and their group following along. He didn’t have anyone stop them. Instead, he gave a few instructions to Yue Li behind him. After acknowledging, Yue Li turned and followed Qiao Xixi’s group.
「The Thunder-swallowing Forest was just beyond the royal palace’s rear gate, and the beastman guard quickly led them all to its entrance.」
"The Thunder-swallowing Forest is fraught with danger. All of you must be extremely careful after you enter. Remember, once you’re in the forest, do not turn around if you hear any voice call you from behind. Not even if it’s a voice you recognize, because all those voices are made by monsters. The moment you turn back, you will be killed."
The beastman guard didn’t rush them inside, instead explaining the forest’s taboos at the entrance.
"The monsters inside have dark red eyes that turn green when they see firelight. Kill them, take the beast crystals from their bodies, and swallow them immediately. Your beast souls will grow stronger. Otherwise, you will die by their hands."
"The last thing I need to tell you is to listen for the sound of a Bone Bell." The guard took out a Bone Bell and shook it, producing a dull ringing sound.
"As soon as you hear the sound of the Bone Bell, I don’t care what you’re doing, stop immediately and don’t move. Otherwise, the monsters will kill you."
"If we don’t move, the monsters won’t kill us?"
"Correct. When the Bone Bell rings, as long as you don’t move, the monsters won’t be able to find you."
The beastmen were a bit bewildered as they listened to all the rigid rules. It turned out this wasn’t an ordinary forest at all, but one filled with beast-killing monsters!
But it wasn’t in the nature of beastmen with high-level beast souls to be cowards. Although they had some doubts, no one backed down.
Only after giving his instructions did the beastman guard let them enter the forest.
Because of the guard’s warnings, everyone stuck close to their companions at first, not daring to let their guard down for a moment.
Sunxiao and the others walked around Qiao Xixi, practically enclosing her in a protective circle. Even so, Qiao Xixi remained constantly aware of any changes in her surroundings.
The trees in the Thunder-swallowing Forest were incredibly tall, with extremely dense foliage. Even though the sun was high in the sky outside, pitifully little golden light could filter through to the forest floor.
The entire forest interior was shrouded in a faint halo of light. Fortunately, the beastmen all had excellent vision, and this level of light was enough for them to discern their surroundings.
As they cautiously moved forward, a faint noise suddenly came from up ahead. Everyone tensed and stopped, their eyes locked on the source of the sound as they assumed attack stances.
Just then, a small Long-eared Rabbit Beast suddenly leaped down from a large tree, landing at the feet of a brown bear beastman.
The brown bear beastman’s eyes darkened. Just as he was about to swat it with his palm, the Long-eared Rabbit Beast hopped to the other side.
Once everyone saw clearly that it was just a Long-eared Rabbit Beast, they all let out a breath of relief.
One of the males scoffed, "Seeing how careful that guard was when we came in, I thought this place would be terrifying. How is this any different from the forests where we usually hunt?"
"Exactly. Making a big deal out of nothing. We should split up. If we all stick together, how long will it take to rescue the Sacred Priest?"
Soon, the beastmen who had been walking together dispersed with their own groups.
Huang Yue led Kunlin and the others over to Qiao Xixi’s group.
"Qiao Xixi, you should come with us. This place is definitely not as simple as it seems. Don’t be fooled by how things look right now."
Qiao Xixi nodded. ’If it were that simple, the beastmen in Beast King City wouldn’t pale at the mere mention of this place.’
"Mm."
Huang Yue and his group could fly in the sky and observe the situation below. This way, they could promptly spot any enemies attacking them from above.
’Host, that thing is a monster that evolved by absorbing the power of a Dark Origin Stone! Host, can you hear me?! Aaaah!!!’
Qiao Xixi pulled her attention away from the Long-eared Rabbit Beast that had been hopping along behind them, her mind filled with the Little Imp’s frantic cries.
’Keep your voice down!’
"Hmph, you ask me a question and then ignore me. You’re such a little rascal."
Qiao Xixi: "..."
’You just said the thing that took Yun Ji was a monster that absorbed the power of a Dark Origin Stone? Do you mean the Dark Origin Stones from the Hopeless Abyss? Isn’t that the power that suppresses a beastman’s beast soul energy? Are those two the same thing?’
"Yes, but not exactly. The Dark Origin Stones in the Hopeless Abyss are an already-absorbed version. These monsters absorbed the initial, essential version. Do you get what I’m saying?"
’I get it. So, what are these monsters like?’
"Er... you remember that Earth Escape Beast, right?"
’Like an Earth Escape Beast? Sangze can handle those.’
"Host, he can’t! The Earth Escape Beast was slow-witted because the Sacred Crystal greatly weakened the Dark Origin Stone’s power back then. The monsters here don’t have that problem! They’re not only powerful, but also smart. They have the reasoning ability of a beastman and physiques even tougher than a demonic beast’s. You all have to be careful!"
Qiao Xixi’s heart sank as she listened. ’Then... are there any smaller ones?’
"Hm? You mean the monsters? There are, but... they’re probably just trying to trick you~ Don’t be fooled by anything in this forest."
Qiao Xixi glanced at the Long-eared Rabbit Beast that had hopped its way over to them. No one considered it a threat.
But just as they were paying it no mind, it suddenly pounced on Feiyan.
Feiyan’s brow furrowed. He was about to swat it away with his palm when a cloud of black mist rapidly circled around from behind him!
