Suddenly, the fur of the three snow leopards bristled, the hair on their necks standing on end. They quickly dodged, leaping into the pile of rocks.

Silently, a yak appeared on the mountain. Its entire body was jet black and glossy, its black fur as smooth as satin, shimmering with a dark luster. A pair of thick horns pointed skyward.

This could be called a king of yaks, over ten feet long, with sturdy limbs and a massive build, like a small black mountain standing there.

This startled William Carter. This black yak was so enormous, yet it moved as silently as a snow leopard, appearing suddenly without any warning.

Moreover, the three snow leopards were clearly afraid of this glossy black yak, hiding among the rocks. This was very unusual!

The black yak raised its head and glanced at the golden fierce bird in midair, then stood still, quietly gazing at the top of the bronze mountain.

Why had these three kinds of creatures all gathered here?

William Carter knew he was in grave danger and did not act rashly. He was waiting for a chance to leave.

In the distance, six or seven beastly figures were running toward the mountain, moving quickly, their white fangs bared, their ferocity on full display.

They were six wolves, all large and stronger than their kind. The leading "alpha wolf" was pure white, with only one eye, glowing with a ghostly green light, looking especially fierce.

When they got close, they paused briefly. After seeing the black yak, they grew a bit agitated, then looked at the golden fierce bird, showing unease.

Suddenly, the calm was shattered. The six fierce wolves charged together, rushing toward the mountaintop along the rocky area.

At the same time, the three snow leopards also sprang into action, lightning fast, racing toward the bronze mountain's summit.

William Carter retreated, intending to leave right then.

Near the mountaintop, the roars of beasts rang out as they fought to ascend.

Bang!

A violent crash sounded. One snow leopard's face was deformed, blood and flesh mangled, as it was knocked heavily down the mountain by a yellow blur.

It was like a bolt of lightning, moving too fast, suddenly appearing from the side and charging into the pack of beasts.

It was a mastiff, with a thick, long mane around its neck like a lion's, about the size of an ordinary Tibetan mastiff, its claws stained with leopard blood.

But it was incredibly fierce, leaping several meters in a single bound, pouncing forward.

A wolf's howl rang out, tragic and shrill, as blood splattered. A green wolf had its neck bitten through and was flung aside.

Another wolf was sent flying by the fierce dog, crashing into a stone wall and collapsing on the spot.

"This is the legendary true mastiff of Tibet!" William Carter exclaimed in shock.

According to the locals, the true mastiff lives in the wild, can fight tigers and leopards, and is extremely rare, seldom seen by people.

But this true mastiff was even more formidable than the legends, as fast as lightning. Charging into the beasts, it had already taken down a leopard and two wolves in just a brief encounter.

This was a mastiff king, William Carter guessed, perhaps even more powerful.

The mastiff leaped again, covering seven or eight meters. Its massive paw came down with the force of a bear's, and with a squelch, it smashed a wild wolf's eye out, sending it rolling away.

As it landed, the mastiff pounced on another snow leopard, its roar terrifying. They rolled together, wildness unleashed.

The snow leopard fell in a pool of blood, its throat torn open, clearly doomed.

The mastiff was unscathed, the long mane around its neck bristling like a lion's. Though not huge, it had the presence of a mythical beast, exuding a unique aura. It leaped again, charging at the remaining beasts.

William Carter could hardly believe it—such a ferocious mastiff! In just a few moves, it was about to finish off all the wild beasts.

The last snow leopard also died, leaving only the one-eyed silver "alpha wolf" desperately fleeing down the mountain, trying to escape alive.

But in just a few leaps, the mastiff caught up, its bloody jaws snapping down and breaking the wolf's neck, nearly severing its entire head.

Just like that, nine fierce wild beasts were dealt with in a short time.

William Carter gripped his folding crossbow tightly, on high alert, for this place was simply too dangerous!

The mastiff quieted down, its mouth covered in beast blood—but none of it its own. It stood motionless, raising its head to look at the small tree on the bronze cliff.

It wasn't very tall, but looked especially imposing, its tawny mane soaked with the blood of other beasts, exuding a commanding presence.

Throughout all this, the black yak had been staring at the small tree on the bronze mountain, never moving, astonishingly calm.

The golden fierce bird circled in the air, just as before, watching from above.

The three strange creatures were all very composed, as if possessing human-like intelligence, extremely patient. Their target was the small tree, but none acted immediately, as if waiting for something.

William Carter was deeply astonished, for these three creatures were truly extraordinary.

Chapter 0005: The Flower Blooms

Near the mountaintop, silence fell; there was no sound.

The three creatures ignored William Carter, as if he didn't exist.

William Carter understood that he was still some distance from the summit, and perhaps they didn't see him as a threat, so they let him stand below without concern.

These were three extraordinary creatures with intelligence.

"Leave now while you still can!"