Yang Chang’an closely followed behind Yang Wushuang.
The two quickly passed through the deep forest and, guided by the map, soon arrived beside a small stream.
But Yang Chang’an frowned tightly, his gaze sweeping across the water and the vegetation on both banks as doubt arose in his heart.
According to what Yang Wushuang had said earlier, the target of their trip—the Star Breaking Rock Dragon—was active in this area.
Yet as far as he could see, there was not even the slightest trace of a spirit beast, much less any unusual movement.
Could another Spirit Master have gotten there first?
The thought had just appeared in his mind when Yang Chang’an turned to look at Yang Wushuang nearby.
The old man was currently crouched beside the stream, gently parting the weeds as his fingers brushed over marks on the ground.
He did not even raise his head.
“Grandpa, are you sure that Star Breaking Rock Dragon is hiding around here?” Yang Wushuang pushed aside a patch of low-growing grass, lightly brushing over the bent stems as he spoke with certainty.
“Spirit Hall’s intelligence has never been wrong.
Besides, the last confirmed sighting of this Star Breaking Rock Dragon was only a month ago.” “This spirit beast is fairly strong.
It wouldn’t be hunted so easily.” Before his words fully fell, his gaze suddenly sharpened.
The slight frown on his face relaxed, and the corner of his mouth curved upward.
“Found it.” Yang Chang’an’s eyes lit up immediately.
He hurried over and crouched beside Yang Wushuang, following the old man’s line of sight.
But all he could see was a chaotic patch of grass and bushes.
Hidden beneath the vegetation, there was not the slightest sign of a spirit beast.
Seeing this, the confusion in his eyes deepened.
He looked up at Yang Wushuang, waiting for an explanation.
Yang Wushuang raised a hand and pointed toward the nearby grass and half-man-high bushes.
His fingertip traced across several bent branches as he spoke calmly.
“Look carefully.
The grass stems and shrubs here clearly show signs of being pressed down by something heavy.” “The marks are fresh.
Some of the leaves still carry moisture, so they aren’t old traces.” “That Star Breaking Rock Dragon most likely passed through here.” Following Yang Wushuang’s finger, Yang Chang’an finally noticed the details he had overlooked.
Several clumps of wild grass had been flattened against the ground.
The bushes showed signs of being scraped against.
There were even faint claw marks hidden beneath fallen leaves—impossible to notice without careful observation.
Yang Chang’an immediately smiled.
“Grandpa, your skills are exactly like those old hunters in storybooks who spend their lives roaming the mountains.” Hearing those words, the light in Yang Wushuang’s eyes dimmed slightly.
He fell silent for a moment, fingers gently brushing over the marks on the ground as his voice lowered.
“In the past, our clan was famous for medicine and poison.
Traveling through mountains and forests to gather herbs and refine toxins was common.” “So every disciple of the clan had to learn wilderness survival skills from childhood—tracking traces, identifying plants, locating water sources.” “These little tricks, like recognizing broken branches and flattened grass, were basic lessons.” Yang Chang’an fell silent after hearing that.
Because not only had he never learned these things, even among the younger generation of the clan, very few likely had.
As for the reason, Yang Chang’an could guess it easily.
What was the point of teaching caged birds such skills?
It was better to spend more time cultivating Martial Souls instead.
Yang Chang’an understood this truth.
Naturally, Yang Wushuang understood it as well.
But neither of them spoke it aloud.
Yang Wushuang quickly realized his lapse in composure.
The trace of loneliness in his eyes soon disappeared, replaced once more by his usual calm steadiness.
He stood up and brushed the grass debris from his clothes.
“The Star Breaking Rock Dragon shouldn’t be far from the water source.
Since it passed through here, its nest must be nearby.” “Follow me.” As his words fell, Yang Wushuang took the lead, following the faint beast trail ahead.
The path was hidden among the vegetation, leaving behind only shallow traces.
Without Yang Wushuang leading the way, Yang Chang’an would never have been able to distinguish it.
The two walked one behind the other along the beast trail for roughly half the time it takes to burn an incense stick.
Then suddenly, the view ahead widened.
A damp breeze mixed with the stench of blood rushed toward them.
Looking ahead, they saw that the area before them was actually a vast swamp.
Dense aquatic plants covered the marsh, while the water surface reflected a murky, dark sheen.
And the beast trail they had been following all this time completely disappeared at the edge of the swamp, as though it had been swallowed whole without a trace.
Looking at the endless marshland before him, Yang Chang’an frowned again, feeling troubled.
The swamp was enormous, and the thick water plants obstructed visibility.
If the Star Breaking Rock Dragon was really hiding inside, they would have no way of finding it.
Could it be that they would have to wait here for days until it came out on its own?
Just as he was thinking of possible solutions, Yang Wushuang suddenly turned toward him and carefully sized him up.
“Chang’an, suppose I want to capture this Star Breaking Rock Dragon, but I don’t want to waste time waiting here.
What method would you use to lure it out of the swamp?” Yang Chang’an’s heart stirred.
With Yang Wushuang’s strength, finding the Star Breaking Rock Dragon would not require such trouble at all.
The old man asking this question clearly meant to test him.
After all, today’s hunt for a spirit beast was supposed to revolve around him from the beginning.
Since Yang Wushuang had asked this question, there had to be a reason for it.
In fact, he almost certainly already possessed something capable of luring the Star Breaking Rock Dragon out of the swamp.
But what could it be?
Yang Chang’an lowered his head in thought.
His gaze swept across his soul tool before shifting toward the silent swamp as he rapidly recalled the habits of the Star Breaking Rock Dragon.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and the corners of his lips curled into a smile.
With a wave of his hand over the soul tool on his wrist, a massive ox leg appeared in his hands.
He had specially prepared this ox leg while resting in Stone City earlier.
The meat was firm and still stained with fresh blood.
It was one of the “emergency reserves” he had stored inside his soul tool, and now it was finally useful.
The moment the bloody ox leg appeared, a thick scent of blood instantly spread through the air, drifting deep into the swamp with the breeze and standing out sharply against the swamp’s eerie silence.
Yang Chang’an looked toward the stretch of water where the Star Breaking Rock Dragon’s tracks had vanished.
Taking a deep breath, he twisted his waist slightly and gathered strength into his arm, channeling all his power into his wrist before violently hurling the ox leg toward the water.
Splash!
The heavy ox leg crashed into the swamp, instantly shattering the stillness of the water as ripples spread outward in every direction.
Yang Chang’an stared intently at the disturbed area, not daring to miss even the slightest movement.
Yang Wushuang stood beside him with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze also fixed upon the water, yet he said nothing and allowed Yang Chang’an to act freely.
Only moments later, the previously rippling water suddenly began to churn violently.
Something enormous was clearly moving beneath the surface, stirring up mud and water and causing even the surrounding marsh to tremble.
“It’s there!
It’s there!” Yang Chang’an’s heart filled with joy as he hurriedly pointed toward the violently churning water, excitement obvious in his voice.
Seeing this scene, Yang Wushuang could not help revealing a gratified smile.
He casually lifted his hand, and a stone roughly the size of an egg floated lightly from the ground into his palm.
Then, with a flick of his finger, the stone shot out like an arrow released from a bow, slicing through the air toward the turbulent waters.
Bang!
The stone struck the exact center of the churning water with a dull impact.
The next moment, a thunderous explosion of water erupted as a gigantic figure burst from the swamp before crashing heavily onto the muddy ground at the edge, causing the earth itself to tremble.
Yang Chang’an focused his gaze and saw that it was a gigantic crocodile nearly seven meters long.
Its body was thick and massive, resembling a small hill.
Layer upon layer of dark green-black armor covered its body, the scales reflecting a cold metallic sheen beneath the faint light.
It was precisely the spirit beast they had come searching for—the Star Breaking Rock Dragon.
Its enormous head was slightly raised, its jaws partially open to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth gleaming with chilling light.
Clamped firmly between those fangs was the bloodstained ox leg, the thick scent of blood continuously drifting from its mouth.
Its amber-colored beast eyes were now locked firmly onto Yang Chang’an and Yang Wushuang, overflowing with savage ferocity.