Chapter 28: Shadowing the Beast Herd

Tang Mu hurriedly retrieved his arrows before stowing the giant cobra's corpse into the star orb's storage space. He was in high spirits since he had successfully hunted another beast that could be converted into seven more crystals of red-tier origin essence.

He didn't let his emotions get in the way of what was important, though. His battle with the snake might have attracted more dangerous beasts that could arrive at any moment. So, with that knowledge, he tightened his bow and quiver of arrows on his back and took off toward the escaping herd of wildebeests and zebras.

The cobra's failed sneak attack on him had allowed him to understand that herbivores like zebras were sensitive to the auras of the various predators inhabiting the savannah grassland. Tang Mu only needed to follow them and stay in their vicinity. Then, by carefully watching the behavior of these herbivores, he could timely detect whether any dangerous beasts were in the area.

Tang Mu's agility and stamina attributes had improved by leaps and bounds after he broke through to the pseudo-rank-one level. He effortlessly caught up to the beast herd and matched their speed for minutes until they finally stopped in another expansive clearing.

Most of the wildebeests and zebras in the herd immediately went back to grazing on the delicious grass. However, the largest wildebeest seemed to have detected Tang Mu, who was still about thirty meters away. It cast a few glances his way before ignoring him completely.

Tang Mu breathed a sigh of relief at the reactions of the enormous beast. His bet had paid off, and it seemed like the behavior of the herbivore species was similar to that of their counterparts back on Earth.

To them, Tang Mu was just a harmless new species that had never threatened their lives. They hadn't evolved to fear him over the years, and they wouldn't suddenly start being wary of him as if he was a predator who had hunted their ancestors for generations.

As long as he didn't attack them, they would most likely ignore him and continue enjoying the delicious grass. This was Tang Mu's knowledge of coevolutionary dynamics at work.

Tang Mu maintained his alertness and started thinking about his just-concluded face-off with the giant cobra. The battle lasted only a few seconds. But even then, he felt like he had just escaped the Reaper's scythe by just a hair's breadth.

If he hadn't gone on full alert and reacted quickly to shoot an arrow that accurately pinned the snake to the ground, he would have already been on his way to meet his maker.

Of course, the cobras were just beasts close to the pseudo-rank-one level that he could effortlessly slay in a direct face-off. With his increased strength and fitness, he could even battle two of them as long as he was prepared.

But here comes the problem. The cobras liked sneak attacks and would strike when least expected. If Tang Mu became unlucky enough to fall victim to their fangs, he wouldn't even last a minute before he died. At best, the poison from their mutated fangs would leave him incapacitated and at their mercy as helpless prey.

I just have to remain vigilant. As long as I'm careful, I should be able to avoid the sneak attacks from snakes and other predators while hunting in this savannah grassland.

I must also guard against being cornered by stronger beasts like the peak-rank-one shadow serpent from last time.

Staying in one place and waiting for the enemy to attack can be dangerous. I must always react in time and gain some distance from the enemy. This will allow me a short but necessary window to decide whether to attack or escape after judging the enemy's strength.

Tang Mu had regained a bit of his confidence after thinking things through. He remained cautious and attentive to his surroundings while shadowing the grazing herd of wildebeests and zebras.

Close to thirty uneventful minutes passed, and suddenly, the herbivores in the herd started behaving abnormally.

The largest wildebeest was especially more agitated. It once again sniffed the air a few times while letting out explosive snorts and low moos. Then, it turned tail and escaped into the distance.

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Tang Mu was already on high alert and reacted swiftly and appropriately.

Since he didn't wish to be cornered by a beast more powerful than him, he didn't choose to remain in hiding at the same spot. Instead, he set off and maintained a speed similar to that of the escaping herd while surveying the surroundings closely.

Just then, his ears picked up a rustling sound. He turned his head instinctively and noticed a flash of motion parting the grass behind him. It seemed to be another snake that was going after him after he escaped.

Adrenaline streamed through his system, and he hit his more than 21m/s top speed within an instant. He pumped his legs like there was no tomorrow until he gained a safe distance from the pursuing enemy.

Tang Mu then stopped and whirled around to face the incoming threat. After noticing that the snake was still about thirty meters away, he retrieved an arrow from his quiver and nocked it onto his bowstring. On cue, his hand agility worked wonders, and he let the arrow fly, sending it toward the enemy.

Whoosh!

The special arrow was pretty fast after leaving the string. It cut through the air with potent momentum, heading toward the approaching enemy.

The cobra racing through the grass seemed to have sensed the approaching threat. It quickly wriggled its twelve-meter serpentine body to the side and dodged the arrow at the last second.

Tang Mu was not the least bit disheartened after seeing the result. He nocked another arrow and unleashed it at the snake, which had just stopped to dodge his first attack.

That time, his luck was good, and the arrow hit home. It carried forth a strong momentum that pierced the flattened head of the snake before pinning it onto the ground.

But even then, Tang Mu was far from done. He shot six more arrows that accurately punctured the snake and eventually sent it to meet its maker.

He let out a heavy breath as a soft smile lit up his face. He was in a jolly mood after hunting another cobra that could potentially turn into seven crystals of red-tier origin essence.

Tang Mu then quickly approached the lifeless cobra and retrieved his arrows. After storing the carcass in the star orb, he didn't stay in the area, fearing that his battle had attracted other dangerous beasts. He hurriedly escaped in the direction that the wildebeest and zebra herd had taken.

-----

Some hours later, Tang Mu was panting while hiding in the tall bushes. He was still shadowing the same herd of wildebeests and zebras that had continuously acted as his detectors for any threats.

With their help and sharp senses, he had already turned into the nemesis of the serpents within the grassland. His special arrows had annihilated thirteen gigantic snakes, including seven cobras and six other vipers of different types, that had tried to attack him or some of the animals in the herd.

All these snakes he slayed were close to the level of a pseudo-rank-one. So, if he allowed Little Green to process their corpses, he would harvest a massive sum of 91 crystals of red-tier origin essence. This was an absurd amount that could push his fitness to a higher level while simultaneously allowing him to unlock his first chakra.

Tang Mu felt like he was walking on clouds. He smiled as he watched the grazing herd of wildebeests and zebras, which had made his hunting effortless.

At this rate, I might be able to hunt forty or more pseudo-rank-one snakes by the end of the day.

But why are snakes the only predators attacking this herd? Why haven't I come across any other predators?

Tang Mu fished a high-calorie bar from his pocket and put it in his mouth. But before he could chew and swallow it down, a sudden alarm hit him. He didn't know why, but his heart clenched, and he subconsciously peaked through the bushes to survey the area just beyond the grazing herd of wildebeests and zebras.

The next moment, Tang Mu felt a chill race down his spine as his eyes landed on a majestic golden lion that was stealthily approaching from the distance. The sensation of imminent and suffocating danger was so vivid, especially when he took in its gigantic body.

The lion was six or seven times as large as its counterparts back on Earth. Its large eyes were like bright torches, and its golden mane shone with a grand majesty under the rays of the afternoon sun. Mysterious energy seemed to flow along the surface of its golden skin as it slowly approached the herd of grazing wildebeests and zebras.

This is definitely a peak-rank-one beast. I should find a chance to escape before it notices me.

Tang Mu ducked back into the bushes. But then he thought of something and turned to look behind him.

His tension spiked as he discovered that the gigantic lion was not hunting alone. It had brought along its entire pride of about twenty mighty lions. They were already cornering the herd and Tang Mu from all sides.

What was even more frightening was that the largest wildebeest, which had always been good at sensing all the enemies, didn't seem to have noticed the incoming threats. It continued grazing peacefully with its counterparts without having a clear grasp of its current circumstances.

The lions must have a way to evade the sharp senses of the herbivores.

Tang Mu was terrified out of his senses as he thought of the possibility. Without wasting any more time, he hurriedly called out in his mind, "Little Green! I'm in danger. I must leave now."

Everything that followed happened in less than a second. A stary glow manifested around Tan Mu's body and lifted him from the ground.

The gigantic lion, still some distance away, obviously noticed the abnormality with one of its prey. But before it could react, Tang Mu's body flickered out of existence and vanished from the scene.