Chapter 18: “You Call This a Spirit Beast?”
Lin Binbin spoke coldly as a pair of mechanical iron arms silently extended, aiming straight for the man's knees.
"Better to cripple your legs, isn't it more convenient?"
No sooner had the words fallen than Lin Yun's agonized scream pierced the air.
Those nearby who hadn't noticed the commotion were now drawn over.
Lin Yun's legs twisted like pretzels, hanging limp from his body. Blood streamed from his knees, and combined with his wailing cries, sent chills down everyone's spines.
"Lin Binbin, you damn bastard! I will never let you off!"
Trembling, Lin Yun raised his hands, trying to touch his legs but too afraid to do so, all the while cursing Lin Binbin.
The young men standing beside Lin Yun showed no expression, as if Lin Binbin—the culprit Lin Yun cursed—wasn't even there.
"So noisy," Lin Binbin said impatiently. "White Ape, shut him up."
The White Ape beast roared again. Its mechanical fists clenched tightly as its head tilted slightly upward, lunging fiercely and swinging a powerful punch at Lin Yun.
Suddenly, a two-meter-tall blood-red mantis appeared before everyone.
The blood-red mantis struck swiftly, reaching the mech's front in the blink of an eye.
"Bang!"
Accompanied by a buzzing sound, the huge claws raised to block the White Ape's strike.
Two spirit beasts clashed head-on and suddenly froze in place.
As all eyes fixed on the blood-red mantis, an eerie atmosphere spread—everyone who knew its origin broke into cold sweats for Lin Binbin.
"Hmm, what a lively scene. Heh, didn't expect such a grand occasion today—truly fate,"
A cold laugh suddenly echoed from within the crowd. As people parted, a young man dressed in fine clothes entered.
About twenty years old, his face slightly pale, his eyes cold and ruthless as they fixed on the seven-year-old boy standing in the courtyard.
This was Liu Kuigong, an E-rank Beast Tamer and one of Teng Yan's underlings.
Seeing their savior arrive, the boys who were with Lin Yun rushed toward him.
"Beast Tamer, help! This kid's gone mad, trying to kill us!"
"Help!"
"Not so fast," Liu Kuigong smiled and respectfully bowed to Registrar Xiao. "Registrar, may I take this boy into my custody to deal with him?"
Xiao's brows furrowed slightly.
The Teng family held great influence in the Deathly Mountain. Unless absolutely necessary, even he wouldn't provoke them.
"Rest assured, master. I know the kid is ruthless. I only intend to discipline him lightly—not to kill."
Just enough to leave him breathing.
Confident he could handle a newly promoted F-rank Beast Tamer like Lin Binbin, Liu Kuigong's confidence made the crowd uneasy. If Lin Binbin was handed over, it would basically be a death sentence.
"Registrar, since he's willing to join in, I don't mind teaching him a lesson."
Upon hearing this, Registrar Xiao nodded. "Approved."
Lin Binbin casually sized up Liu Kuigong and smiled faintly.
"Hurry it up, or shall we both fight?"
"It's almost noon—I need to get back for lunch. If I'm late, I'm sure to get beaten again."
"To be honest, my old man hits hard…"
Hearing this, Liu Kuigong paused, then sneered.
"Fine. Since you're looking for death, don't blame me."
Liu Kuigong narrowed his eyes, recalling Teng Yan's orders:
"Heard that the Lin family's youngest suddenly awakened talent and became a Beast Tamer in just one month. If you meet him, take the chance to eliminate him."
"The elders have ordered that the Lin family must not rise again."
Teng Yan's words echoed in Liu Kuigong's mind as a cruel smile spread across his face, his gaze darkening as he stared at the calm boy before him, already picturing his gruesome death.
The Lin family's branch were mere pests—not worth Liu Kuigong's effort—but completing Teng Yan's order changed everything.
"Third, why not just back down? You can't beat him."
"Yeah, Third, give up—preserve yourself for another day. Don't be reckless now…"
The onlookers all believed Lin Binbin had no chance. No matter how great his talent, he couldn't cross the level gap.
That blood-red mantis was an E-rank beast. And this mech…
Faced with the mighty attack, Lin Binbin only smiled.
Too slow.
The blood-red mantis was painfully slow.
"White Ape, since they want to see our strength, let's not hold back."
"Fight, White Ape!"
"Roar—"
At the command, White Ape stepped back, easily dodging the attack.
Then, strangely, it appeared behind the blood-red mantis, jumped, and struck its chest with a single punch.
The blow sent the mantis flying, crashing heavily to the ground.
The mantis's body collapsed, and everyone stared in disbelief—no one expected Lin Binbin's beast to pack such power.
A single strike to defeat the enemy—this blood-red mantis had no chance against the mech.
"Is this metal spirit? Am I seeing things?"
The crowd gasped, jaws dropping in disbelief.
Liu Kuigong's face drained of color, his back stiffened.
"Get up! Fight again!"
The blood-red mantis responded to its master's call, claws bracing on the ground as it slowly rose.
As it charged toward the mech's chest again, its claws suddenly froze.
Looking down, a tiny crack appeared at the claw's tip.
The mantis's face twisted in terror.
Pain!
With a howl, the mantis fled frantically.
The crowd was dumbfounded.
An E-rank spirit beast chased away by a lower-ranked beast—who could explain what was happening?
"Get back here, you damn beast!"
Liu Kuigong's commands no longer affected his beast, which fled like a mouse from a cat.
Bang!
White Ape slammed its fists on the ground, shaking the stone slab beneath.
Two huge fist-shaped cracks appeared where it landed, with fissures spreading toward Liu Kuigong's feet.
His fingers trembled uncontrollably—whether from fear or anger, he couldn't tell.
"Damn it, what kind of monster is this..."