Chapter 225: Ch-225: Corrupted Beasts
"Corrupted Beasts?" Wang Ming asked with a frown, unfamiliar with the term.
"Yes, Corrupted Beasts," the Mu family head replied seriously. "The mountain clans have grown bolder since gaining this new power. Years ago, some members of our family considered wiping them out when they were less of a threat, but refrained because there were children among them. However, I've heard rumors that most of them were wiped out a few years ago due to the emergence of these beasts.
With that obstacle gone, we no longer have any reason to hold back."
"I see," Wang Ming said, still puzzled. "Can someone explain exactly what a Corrupted Beast is and how they came to be?"
"It's better if we show you," Mu Zihan said, about to stand up and lead the way when a guard suddenly appeared.
"City Lord, there's a problem that needs your attention," the guard reported, his face pale and covered in sweat.
Mu Zihan raised an eyebrow. "What happened?" he asked, as his wife and daughter also turned to the guard, their expressions filled with concern.
"C-City Lord, someone has robbed the treasury," the guard stammered nervously. The City Lord immediately rose to his feet.
"What? How? What were you doing?" the City Lord thundered, his voice laced with anxiety.
"Lord, we were guarding the treasury, but we were knocked unconscious for a while. They must have taken advantage, knowing you'd be meeting with the disciple from the sect," the guard explained, still shaken.
"Forget it, how much did they take?" the City Lord asked anxiously.
"They took almost all the pills and medicinal herbs we had, but it seems they didn't have time to steal anything else," the guard replied, his face pale.
"Damn it," the City Lord muttered. Normally, he wouldn't be this upset over losing pills and herbs since they could be replaced, but with the city under constant attack, those supplies were crucial for healing the soldiers' injuries.
"City Lord, do you have any more herbs? I'm an alchemist—I could help," Wang Ming offered, seeing the situation.
"What? You're an alchemist too?" Mu Zihan and the others looked at Wang Ming in shock.
'At such a young age, he's already an alchemist? What incredible talent,' Mu Zihan thought, quickly regaining his composure.
"I appreciate your offer, but I don't have any herbs left. Everything was in the treasury that was robbed," Mu Zihan replied, his frustration evident. A heaven sent opportunity fell on his lap but could not act on it.
"Did you catch them, or at least identify who they are?" Mu Zihan asked.
"No, they escaped, but we know who they are. We searched everywhere and found a guard and the cook missing, so we suspect they're the culprits," the guard explained, as a frown appeared on Mu Zihan's face.
"Why would they leave so suddenly?" Mu Yiran, who had been silent, muttered to herself.
"Exactly. Wouldn't it have been smarter for them to stay hidden and continue spying on us?" Mu Ning Xue added.
"I apologize, Disciple Wang Ming, but I need to attend to this matter and check if anything else was taken," Mu Zihan said, signaling to his wife. "My wife and daughter will take you to the place where we've locked up the beast." With that, he left with the guard.
"Disciple Wang Ming, follow us. We'll take you to the place," Mu Ning Xue said.
"I'd appreciate that," Wang Ming replied with a charming smile, causing a rosy tint to appear on both the mature and young women's faces.
He followed them through the massive corridors of the mansion. After a few minutes, they arrived at a secluded area where no guards were present.
"We've kept a few of them locked here to prevent anyone from accidentally stumbling upon them. Normally, my husband would bring you here, as he's the only one who visits this place," Mu Ning Xue explained as they stopped in front of a large field.
"By the way, how did you manage to lock them up? Isn't it dangerous?" Wang Ming asked casually.
"Yes, it's risky, but my husband was trying to see if he could replicate their power or at least find a solution to it, though he hasn't had any success," Mu Ning Xue replied, and Wang Ming nodded in understanding.
He watched as Mu Shiran and Mu Ning Xue each took out a token, and three cages rose from the ground, covered by large black cloths. From the other side of the cloth, Wang Ming could hear the rumbling of beasts and smashing against the cage, as if they were trying to break out.
"We only managed to capture three beasts. It was too dangerous to keep more," Mu Ning Xue explained as she grasped the black cloth and pulled it away from the cages.
Wang Ming's eyes widened at the sight inside. The beasts had blood-red eyes filled with madness, staring at everything with a destructive intent. Their white fur was matted, and large fangs dripped with drool. But what shocked him the most was the black, smoke-like substance emanating from their bodies.
"What?!" Wang Ming's eyes widened in shock as he checked the beast's cultivation. On the surface, it was radiating the power of the Golden Core Realm, but when he used his Soul Eyes, he was stunned to see that its true cultivation was only at the Core Formation Realm.
[ Name: White Twin Sabertooth ]
[ Age: 251 ]
[ Cultivation: Core Formation Realm{Golden Core Realm}]
Wang Ming glanced at the other two cages and noticed that their occupants also had unusually high cultivation levels.
"Surprised?" Mu Shiran asked with a troubled expression.
"Yes," Wang Ming replied in a neutral tone.
"Wait until you see this," Mu Shiran said, drawing a sword. She swiftly slashed at the beasts, severing all their limbs.
ROOOAR!
The beasts let out enraged roars, glaring at her with murderous intent.
"What the..." Wang Ming started, but the next moment something happened that completely shocked him