During his dozens of days in the cave, Zhaang Ye had encountered many powerful Fierce Beasts. Therefore, after leaving the cave, he still camouflaged himself with plant sap and branches before setting out.
He walked like this for more than ten days.
After walking for over ten days in the outer regions of the Barbaric Beast Mountain Range, Zhaang Ye had not only encountered all sorts of Fierce Beasts but had also run into a few Martial Artists. Most of these Martial Artists wandering the outskirts had a cultivation level similar to Zhaang Ye's, at the Second Layer Heaven of Martial Arts. However, there was a small number whose strength was too profound for him to gauge. Zhaang Ye surmised that these individuals must be experts of the Martial Arts Third Layer Heaven. Seeing the murderous aura emanating from them, Zhaang Ye gave them a wide berth. With his scent masked, his body camouflaged, and his movements ever cautious, no one discovered him.
One day, Zhaang Ye slew a Big Gray Wolf. The pelt of a Big Gray Wolf was quite valuable. Just as Zhaang Ye was about to skin it, he suddenly heard heavy footsteps approaching from behind. He spun around to look and was greatly startled.
It turned out to be that same, exceptionally ferocious Mammoth. Zhaang Ye had a vivid memory of the beast, which stood over forty feet tall, and recognized it at a glance.
'Damn it, don't tell me this thing has its eye on the Big Gray Wolf too?' Zhaang Ye thought, hurriedly moving aside. This Mammoth was clearly larger than average, and its strength was obviously far greater than that of an ordinary one. Although Zhaang Ye's own power had increased considerably, he still didn't dare provoke this monster.
RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE— Just as Zhaang Ye was about to distance himself from the giant beast, the Mammoth seemed to go berserk and charged straight at him.
The Mammoth's body was massive and appeared clumsy, but it was anything but slow when it ran. Even after running for several miles, Zhaang Ye still couldn't shake it off.
'Damn it! If I don't use some real techniques, this animal will think I'm scared of it!' Enraged by the chase, Zhaang Ye tapped his foot and executed the Startled Swan Step. His body soared into the air, landing on a fork in a large tree. As the Mammoth closed in, he leaped down, his Broken Blade slashing straight for its tail.
He chose to attack the tail because, while the Mammoth's head was its weak point, it was protected by its long trunk and sharp tusks. The trunk was flexible and tough, impervious to ordinary blades, making it difficult to penetrate its defenses with his Broken Blade.
The tail was an area the Mammoth couldn't easily guard. Zhaang Ye's blade struck true. However, the Mammoth lived up to its reputation for thick hide. Despite Zhaang Ye pouring seventy percent of his True Power into the attack, it only managed to cut a gash half a foot deep before its momentum was spent.
"ROAR!"
Zhaang Ye's surprise attack had infuriated the behemoth. The Mammoth roared, its tail sweeping toward Zhaang Ye like an iron rod.
Relative to its colossal frame, the Mammoth's tail appeared short and small. But that was only by comparison. To Zhaang Ye, the tail whipping toward him was as thick as a bowl. It sliced through the air with a terrifying, whistling force. Zhaang Ye, who was on the Mammoth's back, didn't dare block it directly. He dropped into a squat, narrowly dodging the sweep.
Zhaang Ye dodged the vicious sweep of the tail and was looking for a spot with thinner hide to land a few more cuts when the Mammoth made its next move. Its seemingly clumsy body suddenly swelled and then violently shook!
Caught completely off guard, Zhaang Ye was instantly flung into the air, the blood and qi within him churning violently. While airborne, he clearly saw a cunning glint in the massive Mammoth's eyes.
'Damn it! This beast looks huge, clumsy, and slow, with that dopey face of its. Who knew it could be so cunning and have so many tricks up its sleeve!' Zhaang Ye was secretly astonished. Just as he was about to land in a tree and flee, the gigantic Mammoth struck again!
Its long trunk snorted, aimed right at Zhaang Ye, and sprayed. A jet of translucent liquid shot out, its speed rivaling that of an arrow!
Watching the Mammoth's attack, Zhaang Ye grew even more frustrated. The beast's timing was perfect. It had attacked at the precise moment he was most vulnerable—when his old momentum was spent and he had yet to generate new force!
What a cunning beast! It was just like a shrewd, calculating human!
"SWISH!"
Unable to dodge the translucent liquid, Zhaang Ye had no choice but to use his blade to cleave it apart. He had practiced his boxing under a waterfall and had a good understanding of how to split a stream of liquid. He slashed out, his seemingly fierce Sword Force carrying a deflecting quality that neatly parted the stream.
Although most of the translucent liquid was diverted, a few drops still landed on his body and seeped into his skin. Zhaang Ye instantly felt a searing pain.
Suffering one setback after another at the hands of this Mammoth, Zhaang Ye was horrified, but a ruthless resolve also grew within him. 'This animal has made me look pathetic. Even if I can't kill it, I'm going to land a few more hits before I go! Otherwise, I won't be able to live with this indignity!'
His mind made up, Zhaang Ye found an opportunity to land on the ground. He scooped up a chunk of rock and dirt, hurled it at the Mammoth, and then quickly fled.
Given the Mammoth's immense size, even dozens of slashes from Zhaang Ye wouldn't have been fatal, so a mere chunk of rock certainly couldn't harm it. However, Zhaang Ye's taunt instantly enraged the beast. It bellowed and gave chase, sticking close behind him.
Zhaang Ye led it to a densely wooded area before stopping. Seeing the massive, tightly packed trees, the Mammoth seemed to realize something and tried to turn back, but it was too late. The dense forest restricted its movements. Zhaang Ye seized the opportunity. Capitalizing on his swift Saber Technique and superior agility, he stayed behind the creature and relentlessly slashed at its rear. He inflicted dozens of gashes on the Mammoth's hindquarters. While the wounds weren't fatal, they caused the beast immense suffering, making it shriek repeatedly.
Although he'd managed to leave the cunning Mammoth's hindquarters dripping with blood, Zhaang Ye had also taken a few hits himself. He had been as careful as possible, but he was still clipped by the creature's tail. His back was numb where it had struck, and the skin was likely broken.
Zhaang Ye knew that even though he had the upper hand, killing this behemoth would be extremely difficult. He landed one more slash and was about to cut his losses and leave when he suddenly heard footsteps and voices from outside the woods: "Over here! The fighting is intense—it's a Mammoth!"
"A Mammoth? Haha! Fantastic! Mammoth tusks are a real treasure!"
"The Elephant Hide and bones are good too! We can trade them for Elixirs!"
"Hey, the guy fighting the Mammoth is still alive! Anyone who can last this long against a Mammoth must have some treasure on him. Brothers, let's kill him along with it!"
"Quick, surround them!"
...
Hearing the voices, both Zhaang Ye and the Mammoth froze. Man and beast stared at each other in mutual bewilderment.