Beast Taming: I'm Really Just a Forest Ranger - Chapter 62: Duel of Antlers
Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Duel of Antlers
A gentle breeze brushed across Crescent Lake, sunlight sprinkling on its surface, creating golden ripples.
The two Star Moon Deer kept a certain distance from each other, confronting one another with their pairs of light brown eyes locked in a gaze filled with vigilance and thick battle intent.
Then,
The four legs of the Star Moon Deer lightly stepped on the grass, slowly lowering their heads towards each other, aiming their antlers at one another.
For a moment, everything around fell silent, with only the sound of the wind whistling forth continuously.
In the air lingered the scent of gunpowder.
As an experienced wildlife rescuer, Chen Yuan instantly understood what was happening—the two Star Moon Deer were dueling for leadership or for mating.
But the deer’s mating season is mostly in the fall, so these two Star Moon Deer were likely fighting for leadership.
Chen Yuan surveyed the surroundings, noticing that most of the spectators were Star Moon Deer, with a few Little Star Moon Deer being sheltered within the herd.
As for the Flame-tailed Fox, it was watching the commotion with several other types of Pet Beasts.
Thoughts flashed quickly, but suddenly the two Star Moon Deer charged at each other.
Crack!
The two pairs of antlers, bent like branches and sharp like blades, collided instantly, making a “crack” sound.
For a moment, the star pattern on the two Star Moon Deer glowed faintly, flickering.
“Awooo~”
Cola, witnessing such a scene for the first time, widened its eyes, fearing it would miss the exciting spectacle.
Even Spark, who usually showed little interest in its surroundings, gazed silently, its eyes… seemed to shimmer eagerly?
Crack!
The two Star Moon Deer continued to duel, their broad and sharp antlers sparking visibly with the fierce intensity of their struggle.
Chen Yuan couldn’t help but sigh, “The spiritual energy revival has made animal conflicts far fiercer than before.”
In such fights, the result might be minor injuries or bloodshed, or even death on the spot.
But Chen Yuan didn’t intend to interfere with the fight.
Not because of the notion that humans shouldn’t intervene with nature, but because animals follow the law of the jungle, and the herd needs a strong leader to guide them through the dangers of the mountains.
Only through dueling can the strongest Star Moon Deer be determined, and thus followed by the entire herd.
After a moment of confrontation, the bigger Star Moon Deer on the right gradually gained the upper hand, letting out a muffled roar, its limbs suddenly exerting force, charging forward fearlessly like a battle tank, its antlers becoming a powerful cannon at the top.
In the next moment,
The smaller Star Moon Deer was overturned, its sharp antlers stopping just before its stomach.
“Roar!”
The larger Star Moon Deer withdrew its antlers, refraining from further harm but instead held its head high, scanning the crowd with the disdain of a king, its antlers, worn from battle, pointing straight upwards.
At this moment, those antlers were the scepter of leadership.
“Roar!”
“Roar!”
Instantly, the herd was stirred, rushing towards the Deer King simultaneously, their excited roars echoing one after another.
The defeated Star Moon Deer lay on the ground, raising its head to watch, silently licking its wounds.
“Let’s go congratulate the birth of the Deer King,” having witnessed the battle between the two deer, Chen Yuan felt his blood boil with excitement, and he smiled, stepping out of the woods.
Cola and Spark followed closely behind.
The Star Moon Deer stationed at the perimeter soon noticed the trio and let out a wary roar, “Roar!”
In an instant,
The herd shifted formation, with adult Star Moon Deer shielding the young ones in the center, even the defeated Star Moon Deer quickly rose, casting a cautious glance at Chen Yuan.
The Deer King stood unwaveringly at the forefront of the herd, its sturdy physique unmoving like a mountain, its light brown eyes observing the trio.
Suddenly, it stepped forward, shielding the entire herd.
Meanwhile, the few small figures that had been with the Flame-tailed Fox scattered like silhouettes, disappearing in a flash.
Though evolved into Extraordinary Creatures, the basic vigilance of wild animals towards humans remained intact.
Chen Yuan ignored their reaction, staring straight at the Flame-tailed Fox behind the herd, a slight smile on his lips, “Sang Biao, I’ve been looking for you for a long time.”
“Eee…”
After several days, the Flame-tailed Fox heard that annoying name again; it noticed the Star Moon Deer all looking in its direction, instinctively wanting to lower its head, tuck its tail, and run away.
But the Flame-tailed Fox quickly abandoned this idea, sighed inwardly, and suddenly took small steps toward the front of the herd, gradually approaching Chen Yuan.
“Eee!”
Stopping one meter from Chen Yuan, the Flame-tailed Fox looked up and glared at him fiercely.
Don’t call me that name in front of others!
Chen Yuan smiled without speaking and simply opened his arms.
“Eee~”
Seeing Chen Yuan’s smiling face, the Flame-tailed Fox shot him a resentful glance, then lightly leaped into his arms.
Stroking the Flame-tailed Fox’s soft fur, feeling the warmth in his embrace, Chen Yuan’s face lit up with a brighter smile, “I won’t call you that next time.”
“Eee…”
The Flame-tailed Fox responded softly, curling up obediently in Chen Yuan’s arms, allowing him to pet it.
“Awo…..”
Seeing the Flame-tailed Fox enjoying exclusive favor, Cola let out a low growl from its throat, teeth gritting in frustration.
Spark merely glanced at it nonchalantly, then shifted its gaze away.
As long as the Flame-tailed Fox stays away from the farm, it poses no threat to its status.
Humph.
Even if it comes to the farm, Spark is confident it will show who’s really in charge.
“Explain to them, we mean no harm, just came to find you,” Chen Yuan looked down at the Flame-tailed Fox.
“Eee eee eee.”
The Flame-tailed Fox wriggled out of Chen Yuan’s arms, then ran to the front of the herd, pointing at itself and Chen Yuan occasionally.
The Deer King listened quietly, then scanned the trio for a long time before finally nodding slowly.
Seeing the Deer King nod, the Star Moon Deer all withdrew their wary gaze, turning instead to look at them with curiosity.
The little ones that had been by the Flame-tailed Fox’s side suddenly reappeared, hiding behind stones or in meadows, poking out their little heads.
Chen Yuan looked closely, seeing Ice-type Pet Beast Ice Dew Rat, Wind-type Pet Beast Sunrise Dove, Wood-type Pet Beast Soft Grass among them.
His face broke into a joyful smile, “These are walking Source Points.”
Chen Yuan turned to Cola, “Cola, you earned your keep.”
“Awo?”
Though unsure, hearing praise from its owner was the happiest thing in the world for Cola.
Happier than drinking cola!!!
Chen Yuan then asked the Flame-tailed Fox, “Did you all come just to join in the fun?”
The Flame-tailed Fox shook its head.
“Eee.”
Seeing Chen Yuan’s puzzled expression, the Flame-tailed Fox scurried to an open space blocked by the herd, Chen Yuan raised his head, his gaze bypassing the herd to catch sight—of various fruits laid out on the ground.
Colorful fruits.
