Boom!
The sounds of pursuit behind them grew closer and closer; the cracking of trees being snapped and the roar of rocks being crushed were endless!
The Ironclad Rhinoceros had clearly lost its mind completely. It was madly chasing after them, following the scent left by its Xiao Rhino and Lei Luo!
“Ahead! Into that rock forest!”
Bolin shouted, pointing to an area ahead with complex terrain and towering boulders.
That was the only place he had chosen beforehand that might temporarily hinder the Ironclad Rhinoceros’s pursuit!
The three pushed with all their might, and finally, at the last moment before being caught, they galloped into that rock forest!
Boom!
Almost the second after they rushed in, the Ironclad Rhinoceros’s massive body slammed fiercely into the edge of the rock forest, and several huge rocks were instantly shattered!
But the complex terrain ultimately hindered its charge; it couldn't rampage as recklessly as it could on flat ground.
“Moo! Moo—!”
The Ironclad Rhinoceros roared and charged wildly outside the rock forest, sending boulders flying as it tried to break in, but it was temporarily blocked by the complex terrain.
“Go! Don’t stop!”
Using the cover of the boulders, the group continued to retreat in the direction of Blackstone Town.
Behind them were the Ironclad Rhinoceros’s unwilling and furious roars, and the continuous sound of shattering boulders.
The entire Valley was plunged into chaos by the fury of this third-order magical beast, and many unfortunate small magical beasts perished in this senseless disaster.
It wasn’t until they had run a great distance and could no longer hear the roars behind them that the three dared to slow their pace slightly.
Not daring to stop, the group hurried on until they saw the blurred outline of Blackstone Town, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
The three looked at each other, all covered in dust and with tattered clothes.
“Hahahaha…”
Seeing each other’s disheveled appearance, they all burst into laughter.
The outline of Blackstone Town gradually became clear in the twilight, and the three’s taut nerves finally relaxed slightly.
The wild laughter of surviving a close call had exhausted much of their strength; now only fatigue and satisfaction remained.
“We’re finally back.”
Bolin wiped the dust from his face, his voice hoarse.
The Xiao Rhino he was carrying was still squirming uneasily, making faint “hmm hmm” sounds.
The one on Aid’s shoulder was the heaviest, making his steps a bit unsteady, but his face showed excitement.
“Sir, these two little guys are quite something!”
As they entered Blackstone Town, it was already completely dark.
Sparse lamplight flickered in the night wind.
Lei Luo didn’t return directly to his lodging but instead led the two around to the stables.
It was spacious enough here to accommodate these two “hot potatoes.”
“Aid, you stay here and look after them.”
In the stables, the two Xiao Rhinos huddled together, rubbing against each other, looking much calmer.
“Get some clean fodder and water. These little things don’t look big, but they’re quite strong.”
“Don’t worry, Sir.”
Aid herded the two Xiao Rhinos into a corner and patted his chest in assurance.
“Leave it to me, I’ll make sure they grow fat and healthy… Uh, no, black and strong!”
He looked at the Xiao Rhinos’ dark fur and chuckled to himself.
Lei Luo nodded.
Aid was loyal and reliable, and Lei Luo intended to let him contract the rhino calves, first allowing Aid and the rhino calves to build a bond.
Lei Luo, alone, did not immediately go to see Old Buck, the town mayor.
He walked a circle around the outskirts of Blackstone Town, checking some small traps he had quietly set before entering the town earlier in the day.
Sure enough, in several bushes near the town’s edge, a few simple tripwire traps made of tough vines and wooden sticks had already yielded results.
In the traps, several plump, sandy-furred creatures were struggling in vain.
They resembled marmots somewhat, and were about the same size, with round bodies, short legs, and small, black-bean-like eyes that darted around, revealing a foolishness. They weren't aggressive, just whimpering as their legs were entangled by the vines.
These were the common magical beasts of the Black Stone Mountain Range—Sand Rats.
Lei Luo was about to retrieve the prey from the traps when suddenly, a silvery-white shadow like a ghost swept past him!
“Moonlight?” Lei Luo raised an eyebrow slightly. Considering the danger of stealing the Ironclad Rhinoceros calves, he had left Moonlight in Blackstone Town.
Like a flowing Moonlight, Moonlight darted and leaped nimbly through the dim corners of the town.
Moonlight landed lightly on a low wall, pricking up its ears, seemingly listening for something.
The next second, it shot out.
Fast as lightning!
With a paw-scrape on the ground, a Sand Rat trying to burrow back into its hole was snatched out and tossed aside.
The Sand Rat, dizzy and disoriented, was pinned down by Moonlight’s paw before it could react, unable to move.
Moonlight seemed to enjoy this “hunting game” immensely.
It wasn’t in a hurry to kill its prey but, like a cat playing with a mouse, “swept” through the town.
Wherever there was a sign of a Sand Rat, it would pounce like lightning, accurately pulling out those Sand Rats that tried to forage or dig holes at night, one by one.
Before long, near the area where Lei Luo had set traps, there were already a dozen Sand Rats subdued by Moonlight, each one slumped on the ground, like a pile of round potatoes.
Lei Luo smiled as he watched Moonlight’s efficient “work.”
Just then, Old Buck slowly walked over, carrying an oil lamp.
“Old Mayor, how do you plan to deal with these Sand Rats?” Lei Luo asked.
“Sand Rats, huh…”
Old Buck stroked his beard, a glint flashing in his cloudy eyes. He leaned closer and poked the fattest Sand Rat with his cane.
“These things, they may look unassuming, but their meat is firm and has no earthy smell. Especially when slow-roasted over fruitwood, with the fat sizzling out… tsk tsk, the flavor is quite unique!”
Lei Luo’s heart stirred at the sound of it. After a busy day and a thrilling escape, his stomach was already empty.
He looked at the pile of plump Sand Rats, as if he could already smell the aroma of roasted meat.
Making a fire, roasting meat.
Before long, the aroma of roasted meat, mixed with the fresh scent of fruitwood, filled the night sky of Blackstone Town.
As the aroma spread, Moonlight’s drool slowly began to flow.
Lei Luo, Aid, and Bolin sat around the bonfire, each holding a golden-brown roasted Sand Rat, chewing heartily.
Old Buck was right; the Sand Rat meat indeed had a unique flavor. The skin was crispy, and the meat inside was firm and springy, with a faint fruitwood smoky aroma, much more delicious than imagined.
Moonlight squatted beside them, enjoying its spoils.
Since following Lei Luo, Moonlight only ate cooked food. Although it had caught many Sand Rats, it hadn’t touched a single one.
Now, holding a roasted Sand Rat with its two furry paws, it ate with relish, a satisfied purr rumbling in its throat.
As the night deepened, the bonfire crackled.
In the distant stables, an occasional uneasy whimper from the Xiao Rhinos could be heard.
