Evolution Begins With A Big Tree

Chapter 268, Mutant Rat Swarm

Translator:  Ashish

Translation Checker: Silavin

Late at night…

Qing Gang stood alone on a mountain peak, enjoying the caress of the night wind.

“Whom should I take with me?” Qing Gang pondered as images of countless Mutant Beasts flashed in his mind.

As Yu Zi Yu had not specified, the decision was left to him. After giving it a thought, Qing Gang had reached a decision.

The next moment, he lifted his feet and his body slowly merged into the earth as he headed toward the far eastern region of the Misty Mountains, where his old friend, Leng Feng was currently at, who controlled the most terrifying army in the Misty Mountains, the Mutant Black Rat Swarm, a terrifying army that consumed everything in its path.

Their population had already crossed 10,000.

Its terrible scale, combined with their invulnerability to swords and spears, ordinary Transcendent would have chill run down their spine at the sight of it.

If Leng Feng did not continually control the swarm’s numbers, their terror would be amplified tenfold.

But this was a necessary measure. The Innate Talent–Gnawing possessed by the Mutant Black Rats was really scary. If their reproduction was left unchecked, they could multiply to a million within a few months.

At that point, the Misty Mountains would struggle to provide food to them.

In light of this, controlling their population was necessary. Of course, it was not without benefits either.

Leng Feng, who had now become a sort of Beast Tamer, not only managed their population but also selectively breed the most outstanding Mutant Black Rats within the swarm.

As a result, although the swarm numbered in a few tens of thousands, it boasted high-quality individuals. On average, they were all at Tier-0 Level 7, while the three Rat Kings had even reached Tier-0 Rank 9.

Notably, a Rat Emperor, a Transcendent, had also been born.

Although it had just become a Transcendent, it possessed exceptional Innate Talent.

Moreover, it was being taken care of by Leng Feng, who would find him many prey. As a result, it had successfully plundered Innate Talents of various outstanding species.

More importantly, who knows how Leng Feng actually nurtured it, but it had also awakened the Darkness Elemental Talent.

It could cover its entire body in black fog, rendering itself invisible.

…

Just at this moment…

*Boom, boom, boom…* A series of thunderous rumbles reverberated, accompanying the ground’s tremors, as a sculpture-like figure emerged in a remote corner of the Misty Mountains.

“You’re here,” a cold voice echoed in the air.

A cold voice echoed in the air.

Slowly lifting his gaze, Qing Gang spotted a lean figure sitting on a stone platform deep within a bamboo forest. In the figure’s hand was a jug of wine.

Since returning from Linhai Town, Leng Feng had developed a taste for alcohol. Fortunately, the Spiritual Energy could resolve the side effects of alcohol, ensuring it did not affect his strength.

“Why, did you!?” Qing Gang narrowed his eyes as he noticed the white bandages wrapped around Leng Feng’s arm.

“Why?” It seemed Leng Feng had noticed Qing Gang’s gaze and shook his head slightly.

“Shadie’s Innate Talent–Gnawing is astonishing. If I can find a few exceptional Innate Talents for him to plunder, it’ll undoubtedly soar to new heights.”

Just as he explained, a cloud of dark mist rose beside Leng Feng’s stone platform.

Within the cloud of black mist, Qing Gang could vaguely make out a small, cat-sized, jet-black mouse. Its entire body was as black as ink, with only its blood-red eyes standing out. The little mouse affectionately nuzzled Leng Feng’s thigh.

It was none other than the Rat Emperor raised by Leng Feng, Shadie.

Using the Rat Emperor and the three Rat Kings, Leng Feng had effortlessly seized control of the entire Mutant Rat Swarm.

As Qing Gang looked around, he saw crimson glows emerging from the depths of the bamboo forest everywhere he looked.

Except, these Mutant Black Rats seemingly noticed that it was Qing Gang, and they retreated like a receding tide.

*Haaa…* Qing Gang heaved a soft sigh, but he did not say anything more.

After all, he might have done the same in Leng Feng’s place.

But Leng Feng had paid a high price to give Shadie the Darkness Elemental Talent. Even Yu Zi Yu had stated that even with his Life Essence, the left arm might not be completely healed. After all, even his bone was visible.

If not for Yu Zi Yu’s prompt action, he might have lost his arm and become a cripple.

Helplessly shaking his head, Qing Gang revealed the purpose of his visit.

“The delegation…” After a brief pause, Leng Feng nodded his agreement and whistled toward the depths of the bamboo forest.

The following moment brought forth a scene that would send shivers down anyone’s spine. The entire bamboo forest was soon covered by a tide of black.

Looking up, it was actually countless Mutant Black Rats, the size of fists, baring their fangs. What was even more chilling was that many of them were enveloped in thick black mist, rendering them invisible.

And this was the Darkness Elemental Talent. The most terrifying aspect of the Rat Tribe lay in this talent.

When the Rat Emperor acquired the Darkness Elemental Talent, there was a high probability that many of its direct descendants would awaken it as well. In other words, the talent plundered by the Rat Emperor was inherited by the entire tribe. The more talents the leaders had, the more terrifying the entire swarm became.

Apart from the Darkness Elemental Talent, Rat Emperor, Shadie, had also gained an ability of Musk Ox after consuming the corpses of over thirty Mutant Musk Oxen.

Hardening–An ability to make a part of one’s body extremely hard.

This was a true talent, originally used on the horns of the Mutant Musk Oxen to make them even more fearsome.

And now, after having fallen in the hands of the Rat Swarm, it was employed on razor-sharp claws and dreadful fangs, giving them a cold and sharp gleam.

Gazing at the tide of Black Rats, Leng Feng smiled and suggested, “How about you go and have some fun with Qing Gang?”

The moment he mentioned this…

*Squeak, Squeak, Squeak…

The countless Mutant Black Rats seemed to have accepted the order as all directed their attention toward Qing Gang.

“They are really obedient!” Qing Gang caressed his chin, having come to realize the extent of Leng Feng’s control over the swarm.

[No wonder even Master praised Leng Feng’s Beast Taming talent so highly. This kind of talent can’t be learned. And luckily, I don’t need to learn it either.]

However, at this moment, as if he had realized something, Qing Gang suddenly asked, “You’re not coming?”

“No, I’m not.” Leng Feng shook his head and casually explained, “Ninth Brother likes to eat bamboo, so I’m trying to cultivate a grove of Spirit Bamboo recently.”

“Uh…” Staring around blankly at the lush green bamboo forest rising with ethereal mist, the depths of Qing Gang’s eyes flashed with amazement. [Spirit Bamboo!? Can you grow it just like that?] 

Seemingly aware of Qing Gang’s surprise, Leng Feng explained again, “I can’t do it alone, but with Master here, his Life Essence can nourish all things, including the bamboo forest.”

“I see.” Qing Gang silently nodded his acknowledgement.

Then, without a moment of hesitation, he raised his feet and stomped the ground.

*Boom*

With a deafening sound, the entire ground shook.

Following this, much to Leng Feng’s astonishment, the swarm of Black Rats, resembling a black tide, gradually sank into the earth.

Simultaneously, Qing Gang’s figure also quietly merged with the earth.

“He can actually use Earth Escape with so many little fellows?” Leng Feng cried in surprise, his gaze incessantly flickering.