Translator:
Nyoi-Bo Studio
Editor:
Nyoi-Bo Studio
The average bat would hibernate every winter, similar to the snakes and frogs. They would sleep for at least a month, but the period could last as long as half a year. The Vampire Bats, on the other hand, were a unique species that did not need to hibernate at all.
Aside from their ability to go about their business year round without hibernating, their lifestyles were still similar to that of the average bat. Under normal circumstances, they would rarely come out during the day, unless they caught the scent of a Beastman or felt they were in danger.
When it was deep into the evening, many wild beasts would flock to drink by the Black Water Lake. That was the time when the Vampire Bats were most active. They would appear in groups, swarming toward the wild beasts like flies to drink their blood.
What was more amazing to Yang Ling was that the Vampire Batts seemed to understand conservation. They were more likely to take only a few drops of blood from each wild beast before changing targets. The Vampire Bats were more likely to stop feeding with their bellies only half full, than to drain a single creature dry.
The Vampire Bats would not become frenzied when average wild beasts were their target prey. But they would become bloodthirsty and unpredictable when they sensed humans or Beastmen were near the Black Water Lake. These targets did not enjoy the same law of conservation. The Vampire Bats very much wanted to turn these higher level creatures into dried up husks. This explained why there were so many wild beasts in the area around the Lake, but Beastmen did not dare approach.
Yang Ling could only conclude that the Vampire Bats were relying on instinct to make these distinctions. He was confident, however, that the creatures he tamed would not attack humans or Beastmen without his express orders. He did not have to worry about them accidentally injuring Yuna or Orlando, who were both by his side.
In the freezing dawn, the ordinary bats remained motionless, safe deep within their caves. The Vampire Bats shared this habit, and were also sleeping. They were most defenseless in that position, oblivious to the outside world, which made it the best opportunity for the bat army led by the Red-haired Bat to launch their attack.
Unlike their wild counterparts, the tamed and evolved bats gradually overcame some of their natural tendencies. Their energy levels remained high regardless of the hour, even when the wild Vampire Bats were drowsy and ready for sleep.
When he first began putting the tamed Vampire Bats to use, Yang Ling had instructed the flying army to attack only in the evening, but in just a few days, he realized that they were more suited for attacks during the vulnerable dawn hours.
At that hour of the day, the living creatures were not yet awake, and the Black Water Lake was silent. Even though the Vampire Bats were the most vulnerable at that hour, they were still very sensitive to the scent of humans or Beastmen approaching them. It was very easy to scare them awake. But the tamed bats were different. None of the wild bats would pay much attention to their own species approaching.
One predawn morning, under Yang Ling’s orders, the full-bellied bat army flew swiftly toward their new target: a nearby bat horde. On their twinned wings, they glided silently and effortlessly through the air. Their well-coordinated grace aided in their silent approach.
Inside a naturally formed cave, thousands of bats slept hanging motionless from the ceiling. Even the few scout bats, meant to be patrolling for dangers, hung lazily on the trees near the cave entrance. They were completely oblivious to the unwanted group’s arrival.
As they approached the cave where the wild bats slept, the leading Red-haired Bat let out a soft signal. Instantly, a few Vampire Bats accelerated, zipping toward the wild bat scouts, fast as rockets. Each bat extended its two sharp claws.
Sensing the high-speed approach, the bat scouts opened their eyes in a panic, but it was too late. Sharp claws dug deeply into their bodies, and the scouts died without the chance to warn the rest.
Having neatly dispatched the other party’s scouts, the Red-haired Bat led its army and swarmed into the cave, killing off the sleeping bats one by one. Caught off guard, the drowsy wild bats didn’t stand a chance.
After resting for a moment, the giant Red-haired Bat led the army toward the next target. Just like that, they silently bathed hordes after hordes of bats in blood.
Yang Ling was again seated cross-legged, controlling the bat army’s actions. After confirming it was safe, he ordered the group to quickly gather up the slain bat Essence Crystals. To save time, Yang Ling had begun to sometimes take whole bat corpses into his space ring, to sort through after he had safely arrived back at the temporary outpost.
Just like that, with the bat army attacks becoming more fierce as their efficiency improved, Yang Ling no longer needed to send out bait. During the day, other than instructing the bat army to conduct periodic attacks, he would spend the rest of his time cultivating the Body Honing Wizard Mantra that he had obtained from the divine temple.
The Black Water Lake was scenic and clear, and countless wild beasts roamed the area. There was ample spiritual energy in the area, and that made the conditions more than ideal.
Ten days later, with the efforts of the bat army, the wild Vampire Bats had been completely exterminated. At the same time, over a few days of harsh training, Yang Ling felt his body become as light as a swallow’s, his constitution strengthening little by little. Under the effects of his Tree Eyes ability, he could move freely in the forest even with his eyes closed, feeling as though he was flying.
Heavenly Fox Yuna was still feeling pretty disappointed and sad. Yang Ling had saved her and her clansmen from the Spider Monster, but that meant that her soul was in Yang Ling’s hands for the rest of her existence.
But over these ten days of further interaction with Yang Ling, she gradually felt a little more optimistic, coming to terms with the reality.
The Beastmen were like a bunch of scattered sand, with no status or dignity on the Tailun Continent. They either hid deep in mountain wilderness and survived with difficulty, or became slaves in the human empire. Yang Ling was the only one who promised to give the Beastmen a fair chance and equal status. This point alone made her trust Yang Ling more.
Furthermore, Yang Ling had massive influence and powerful abilities. Perhaps they might have to rely on his support someday in the future to activate the Magical Teleportation Formation in the divine temple. If she was ever going to follow the traces of her forefathers and travel to the holy land, chances were she would need to rely on Yang Ling. After coming to terms with this, she truly served Yang Ling as her master, following his every instruction.
For the survival of their clansmen, for the prosperity of their tribe, The Fox Elder, Ox Chief, and Medusa leader had long led their clansmen in pledging their loyalty to Yang Ling. Seeing even the Heavenly Fox Yuna follow Yang Ling at ease, they worked even harder.
After exterminating the threat and securing the area, the group began constructing the city by the Black Water Lake. Logging, digging up the ground, gathering rocks… All of the Beastmen from the average Beastmen to the Ox Chief were all excited, and did not mind the hard work much.
Even though snow was falling and the chilly wind pierced to the bone, no one complained. They all understood that the Beastmen would get first pick of the new city’s resources, before anyone else. They would obtain many benefits before any other dweller in the Ladak Mountain Range.
Hearing that Yang Ling was about to build a city by the Black Water Lake, the Fox Elder had rushed back quickly, bringing with him a large group of Beastmen.
Even though the Black Water Lake was rich in resources, it had been risky for them to even fish there with the Vampire Bats and various Magical Beasts occupying the area. Building a city had been out of the question. The Fox Elder had been prepared to talk Yang Ling into giving up. But unexpectedly, the group had already started work at full steam by the time he had arrived. He was pleased to see that the main threat had been neutralized.
The Beastmen who accompanied the Fox Elder couldn’t believe their eyes. They watched as the tamed Vampire bats flew lazy rings around the sky above, while the Beastmen toiled below without complaint.
The Fox Elder ensured he had the situation in his comprehension, and then asked Yang Ling,
Sir, what is going on?
The weather is too cold, and I negotiated with the Bat King. It will lead its army to help me catch fish, and I’ll allow it to come here to share the fire’s warmth. We are all going to be safe, it’s that simple!
Yang Ling smiled serenely, and sipped from a cup of rum.
The Fox Elder knew that Yang Ling was pulling his leg. He only began to understand the true situation after he spoke with the Heavenly Fox Yuna.
Summoning two thousand Vampire Bats and fighting poison with poison, thus exterminating the Vampire Bats that had occupied the Black Water Lake for decades in just ten days?
The Fox Elder, finally comprehending the situation, applauded Yang Ling’s abilities. An average Summoner would only have been able to summon a few Magical Beasts to aid him in battle, but Yang Ling could summon a horde at a time. And he kept getting stronger!
He was already able to summon many low-level Vampire Bats. How powerful would he be when he became able to summon as many mid or high level Magical Beasts like the Lightning Birds?
At this point, the Fox Elder had to come to terms with a few things. He had assumed for a time that Yang Ling only appeared to be in control of the Magical Beasts. But witnessing the Vampire Bats tame and flying lazily overhead, and the Magical Beast army that had repeatedly summoned to aid the group in battles, the Fox Elder was truly in awe. Yang Ling was a powerful individual indeed. He knew he had made the right decision when he pledged loyalty to Yang Ling. His tribesmen could be truly hopeful for the future!
The Fox Elder came to his senses and realized it was high time for him to introduce a Beastman he had brought along.
Sir,
he said, showing Yang Ling to the Beastman,
this is Tribe Leader Kendall from the River Python Tribe. He is adept at underwater battles. I had heard that you were prepared to build a city by the Black Water Lake and as a precaution, I invited Tribe Leader Kendall to command a group of warriors to help you!
Yang Ling hid his fascination, but was secretly gleeful: what an amazing shape these Beastmen had. With two horns on their heads, the bodies of men, and long snake tails, they were unique among many unique creatures. He found the River Python Tribe name fitting.
It turned out that the Fox Elder had visited several Beastmen tribes during his absence. Other than the scattered Foxmen, Dogmen, Bullmen and Medusa tribes nearby, he had also visited the tribes of the Swanmen and Pythonmen and tried his best to bring them into Yang Ling’s cause.
The Fox Elder had planned to go even farther afield, but rushed back after receiving the news that building had commenced at the new city by the Black Water Lake. As a precautionary measure, he had brought along Tribe Leader Kendall to lead an elite team of warriors to aid Yang Ling in battle.
