Beast Taming Star Journey

The intermittent sound from the communicator, mixed with background noise, was unsettling. I gripped the communicator tightly, my brow furrowed.

"The western part of the city...what are they trying to do?"

Su Yao walked to my side, her eyes filled with worry.

"I don't know, but they definitely have ill intentions."

I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down.

"Beastmasters, assemble! Prepare to head to the western district of the city!"

My voice echoed in the temporary command post, and the exhausted beast tamers immediately sprang into action. Although they were still injured, their eyes were filled with determination.

We rushed to the western part of the city, where a tense atmosphere filled the air.

Upon arrival, I discovered that the remnants of Li's gang were gathered in an abandoned factory. Although there weren't many of them, they all looked menacing and were carrying various weapons.

"It seems they are trying to make a last-ditch effort."

I sneered, a cold glint flashing in my eyes.

"Ready to fight!"

As soon as I finished speaking, I charged ahead. My steed, the Crimson Flame Leopard, let out a deafening roar and followed closely behind.

Its body was engulfed in raging flames, like a red lightning bolt, and it instantly pounced on several gangsters who were trying to launch a sneak attack.

With claws waving and flames spewing, several henchmen were beaten to a pulp before they could even react, howling in pain.

The beast tamers also summoned their own beasts and followed me into the enemy ranks.

In an instant, the roars of beasts, screams of agony, and the clash of weapons mingled together, creating a scene of utter chaos.

I brandished my longsword, its blade flashing, repelling several gangsters who tried to approach me. My tamed beast, the Crimson Flame Leopard, acted like a guardian, weaving around me and felling any enemies who came near. Seeing my ferocity, the morale of Zhou's beast tamers soared, and they fought bravely. The remaining forces of the Li gang were already demoralized, and with our fierce attack, they quickly crumbled and fled in all directions. After the battle, I stood at the entrance of the abandoned factory, watching the disarrayed remnants of the Li gang, but felt little joy in victory.

I know this is just a small victory; the real enemy, the mastermind behind the scenes, has not yet shown himself.

The mayor rushed over, grasped my hand, and said excitedly, "Farmer and Beastmaster, we owe you so much this time! You've saved our city again!"

I simply smiled faintly and said, "Mayor, this is just my duty. However, the matter is not over yet..." I looked into the distance, my gaze deep.

“Nong Yu…” Su Yao walked to my side and called out softly.

I turned to look at her and saw a complex light flickering in her eyes, and a strange feeling welled up inside me.

As night fell, in the temporary resting place, Su Yao nestled beside me, her head gently resting on my shoulder. I could smell the faint fragrance of her hair… She looked up at me tenderly, “Yu…” Night fell, and the temporary resting place was dimly lit, with only a few oil lamps emitting a faint glow.

Su Yao nestled beside me, her head resting gently on my shoulder. I could smell the faint fragrance of her hair, like some unknown wildflower, crisp yet with a hint of sweetness.

This taste makes me feel at ease, and it also gives me a strange sense of excitement.

"Yu, I feel very safe with you here."

Su Yao looked up at me tenderly, her eyes filled with love and adoration. She gently stroked my face, the touch of her fingertips warming my heart.

I hugged her tightly, feeling the softness and warmth of her body.

At this moment, all the fatigue and stress vanished, leaving only her and me, relying on each other and finding warmth in this chaotic world.

“Yao…” My voice was a little hoarse, and an indescribable emotion welled up in my heart.

I lowered my head and kissed her lips. The kiss was tender and lingering, like parched land receiving sweet rain, or like a lost traveler finding their way home.

We embraced tightly, feeling each other's heartbeats and breaths. It was as if time had stood still, leaving only the two of us in this small world, sharing this moment of peace and beauty.

However, this beautiful moment was always short-lived. A series of hurried footsteps broke the silence, and a beast tamer rushed in, interrupting us.

"Farmers and Beastmasters, something terrible has happened! The remnants of the Li gang... they've taken civilians hostage!"

I pushed Su Yao away abruptly, my heart sinking.

"What? Where are they? How many hostages are there?"

"At the market in the east of the city, the exact number is unclear, but... they are demanding that you let them leave!"

Damn it! I slammed my fist on the table, my heart filled with anger and anxiety. These scumbags, using innocent civilians as shields! I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. Now was not the time to act impulsively; I had to find a way to ensure the safety of the hostages while also wiping out these remaining gang members.

"Yao, you stay here, I'll go check on the situation."

I turned to Su Yao and said.

"No, I want to go with you!"

Su Yao's gaze was firm, without the slightest hesitation. I knew her strength, and I knew her determination. I nodded, saying nothing more.

We rushed to the East City Market and saw a group of gangsters gathered there, holding weapons and holding some terrified citizens hostage.

"Nongyu, you've come!"

A burly gang leader saw me and shouted, "Let us go, or else..." He held a knife to a woman's neck and threatened her menacingly.

I narrowed my eyes, staring coldly at him, mentally calculating my options. A direct assault was out of the question; that would jeopardize the hostages' safety. Negotiation? These scumbags were utterly untrustworthy.

Just as I hesitated, the mayor's anxious voice came through the communicator: "Beast Tamer, the situation of the beasts going out of control is getting worse and worse, and the defense line in the north of the city is about to collapse! We need your support!"

The double pressure felt like two mountains pressing down on my heart, making it almost impossible for me to breathe.

Hostages, gangsters, out-of-control beasts, masterminds behind the scenes... all of this is like a giant net, tightly binding me within it.

I looked at Researcher Zhao's residence again, took a deep breath, and turned to walk in that direction. This time, I was determined to make him talk.

"Knock, knock, knock..." I knocked hard on Researcher Zhao's door...