Translator: Henyee Translations  Editor: Henyee Translations

The goat flock scurried and swarmed in panic.

There were hundreds of goats in this herd. Their wool was gray-colored and their slightly curved white horns were like two pale swords.

This goat herd was eating grass leisurely, but suddenly two members of the exploration team appeared and began to chase them.

The two people had scimitars, but they didn’t use them. They just yelled loudly and easily drove away the panicked goat herd.

Aupin, Violette, Palebeard and others stood on a hill not far away, watching this unfold from a high position.

The goat herd tried to change directions, but some people were waiting for an ambush as they suddenly appeared at a critical moment, blocking the goat’s path. This goat herd had been blocked in all directions, so they eventually were forced to lower ground.

The exploration team began to close the net and more people came out from all directions.

There were people in all directions, so the goats had nowhere to escape. They could only spin around in circles.

The exploration team raised their swords and swung at them again and again, beginning to harvest the goat.

Just like Palebeard said, the goats were extremely timid. They did not resist the swords at all. They screamed in horror, then crowded together desperately, trying to squeeze in the middle.

But there were always unlucky goats that were singled out and easily slaughtered, one after another.

Palebeard watched this and said casually, “In the center of the Empire, many nobles began to raise and feed goats in large-scale enclosures.

“I once had the honor to visit several goat farms that the Empire is famous for. The size was shocking.

“In my opinion, goats as a species do not have the ability to live on their own. The reason why they can survive depends entirely on the care and rescue of others.

“Goats do not have the ability to protect themselves. Ewes are more shy and weaker than rams: even the smallest strange sound is enough to make them feel scared. They live in groups only out of fear of abandonment.

“They are not only weak, but also foolish. They don’t know what danger is and don’t sense danger coming. It seems that they stay in place no matter what happens. Even if it is windy and rainy, they must have a head goat to lead the way. In fact, the head goat also stands still, unless driven by a shepherd or dog.

“Goats are fragile. They can’t walk for a long time, and can easily be exhausted. When they are running, their heart beats too fast, which can easily make them breathless. Extreme temperatures can kill groups of goats. They are very susceptible to diseasesand sometimes simply being obese can be fatal.

“Compared to sheep, goats are more active, stronger, and more courageous… But generally speaking, they are the same.

“The habits of these two animals are not much different.

“Goats are attached to humans and love to be rubbed and scratched. People can easily get along with goats. They are also easy to feed. All kinds of forage can be delicacies for goats.

“However, sheep are still more popular. They have dense body wool, which can be used to make fleece and other textile materials. Especially in recent years, the Empire textile machinery seems to have undergone a huge technological innovation.

“The Sand Castle Clan was also enthusiastic about the sheep business, so they sent me to the center of the Empire to investigate. Unfortunately, the great nobles of the Empire deliberately monopolized the textile machinery. Also, the desert environment is harsh. The temperature difference between day and night is too high making it impossible to breed sheep on a large scale.”

While they were listening, most of the goats had been slaughtered.

Among the members, Yellowteres was the most attention-grabbing.

He held a long spear in one hand and every time he striked, he could penetrate three or four goats.

He possessed Bronze-rank strength, and although he couldn’t activate battle aura, his physical qualities were undoubtedly far beyond ordinary people.

Aupin gave him the task of encircling the goat herd. With the purpose of making amends for his wrong doing, and knowing that his every move was watched by his master, Yellowteres worked extra-hard.

But suddenly, his invincible spear was blocked for the first time.

It turned out that the head goat finally reached its limit and began to resist.

The body of the head goat was twice as big as the surrounding goats, almost the same size as a pony. Its whole body was exuding a Bronze-rank aura.

The head goat positioned its four hooves aimed in the direction of Yellowteres, lowered its head, lowered its sword-like white horns and began to sprint.

Da, Da, Da, Da!

The goat’s hooves stepped on the ground and made a series of quick and crisp taps.

The usually slow lead goat was like a black horse. It surprisingly broke out with amazing speed!

Yellowteres clenched his teeth, put the spear across his chest and stood motionless.

Blueteres, standing behind Aupin, saw his brother’s intentions. He suddenly shouted, “Idiot, get away, you can’t use battle aura!”

Yellowteres’s ears moved slightly, he heard his brother’s warning, but he clenched his jaw and remained motionless.

“If I run away again, what impression will that give my master? Brother, you are the idiot!

“This time, I want to wash away my shame!”

Yellowteres’ eyes widened, he stabbed with the spear in his hand.

The tip of the spear collided with the white horns.

Yellowteres’ facial expression instantly changed as the tip of the spear cracked open and the spear swung to the side.

The head goat rushed towards Yellowteres, and at the moment of the collision, Yellowteres slid the spear across his chest.

Bang!

Yellowteres was knocked in the air.

His body flew in the air, then fell on the grassy hills. His eyes were left spinning and he almost passed out on the spot.

“This idiot…” Seeing that his brother didn’t listen to his advice, and was almost torn apart by the goat horns, Blueteres clenched his fists and wanted to fight. “Master, please let me help you destroy this goat!”

Aupin looked at the battlefield, his expression remained indifferent. “Tell Yellowteres to be conservative, I want to catch this goat alive.”

Blueteres’ facial complexion suddenly changed. He wanted to say something, but Palebeard reached out his hand to stop him.

Palebeard smiled and said, “Being able to receive such trust from Master Aupin, Yellowteres finally has had a chance to clear his shame. He knows that he can’t activate battle aura and that his own strength is no match for the goat, but he still chooses to fight. Now that he has been knocked into the air, he should know to adjust his mentality.”

Blueteres suddenly became excited and kneeled on the ground. “Master, you are benevolent and magnanimous, you knew Yellowteres’s mental state is out of balance, and repeatedly gave him opportunities to adjust his mentality and let him perform his duties! Sir, I was confused, punish me as you please.”

Aupin smiled and glanced at Blueteres. “You brothers have a deep connection, what punishment? Go over there and observe, Yellowteres is still weak after all. If he fails to catch it alive, you can do it for him.”

Blueteres immediately felt gratitude. He bowed down, hitting the ground with his forehead, which made a dull sound, then quickly ran down the hill.

On the lower ground, Yellowteres had already picked up a brand new spear and was about to stab again.

Seeing that Blueteres was coming, he immediately became anxious. “Brother, why are you here? Did the master ask you to do it for me?”

Blueteres snorted coldly and said, “Master tells you to be conservative and catch this goat alive. He is giving you an opportunity to perform. Only when you fail, will I take action.”

Yellowteres rejoiced, “That’s great!”

After hearing this, Blueteres almost slapped Yellowteres’ head out of anger, but he was only allowed to stand by and observe.

The normal goats were quickly slaughtered, leaving only the battle between Yellowteres and the head goat.

Yellowteres was disgruntled by the continuous charges from the head goat.

If Yellowteres just wanted to kill this goat with his spear, he was quite confident. But Aupin ordered the head goat to be captured alive, which restrained Yellowteres’ actions.

Yellowteres and the head goat were both Bronze-rank beings, but Yellowteres couldn’t activate battle aura. He had to cautiously use his spears. The head goat naturally gained the upper hand.

But Yellowteres thought about proving himself and had no signs of backing off.

After a moment of stalemate, both the human and the goat were covered in blood.

The head goat had wounds from the spear stabs. On the other hand, Yellowteres had burn wounds and was wrapped in bandages. Most of his blood came from falling on the ground.

Blueteres was secretly anxious and wanted to make a move, but he did not see his younger brother fail completely, so he could only hold back his impulses.

The head goat sprinted over, while Yellowteres’ physical strength was severely weakened. Although this time he avoided the charge, he was unable to counterattack.

The head goat did not turn around this time and continued to fight Yellowteres. It rushed out of the encirclement.

The surrounding exploration team members all had ordinary combat strength, they exclaimed one after another and backed down. They did not dare to stop the fleeing head goat with their own bodies.

Blueteres was about to make a move, but suddenly heard the voice of Aupin. “Enough, back off, I’ll do it myself.”

“Master, I… can still fight,” Yellowteres whispered, his face full of unwillingness.

“You idiot, shut up! Don’t interrupt the master’s wishes.”

Everyone’s eyes focused on Aupin’s body.

Ever since Aupin became the leader of this exploration team, most people had secretly guessed what the level of Aupin’s strength was.

Was it Silver or Gold?

This island strictly prohibited low-level magic and battle aura, so could Aupin activate his own battle aura? (Palebeard’s hypothesis was too terrifying, it was only limited to the senior level of the exploration team, not everyone knew about the hypothesis.)

The goat sprinted over, Aupin calm as a cucumber.

Aupin was about to be stabbed by the goat horns, but he suddenly reached out his hands and grabbed the two horns accurately.

Then, Aupin pushed hard.

The head goat’s charge was blocked and its entire head was pressed to the ground by Aupin. Its strong and powerful legs kicked wildly, sending dirt flying in the air. Aupin’s hands were as stable as a mountain, like his whole body was made of metal. He kept it completely still.

In the hands of Aupin, the head goat felt like a little chicken!

Gasps came from everyone’s mouths, which soon transformed into shouts and cheers.

Yellowteres’ eyes widened involuntarily.

Aupin didn’t activate battle aura, he just suppressed the head goat with his own strength.

This kind of strength fully humbled Yellowteres.

Palebeard was also quietly moved by this.

He was well aware that the body structure of humans and animals were not the same. When a person did not activate battle aura, it was difficult to fight against animals of their same rank.

Humans were not born to run as fast as a horse, they couldn’t climb flexibly in the trees like a monkey, couldn’t fly in the skies like a bird, and couldn’t breathe underwater like a fish.

Compared to many wild beasts, the most prominent advantage of humans lay in their intelligence. Man’s own strength, speed, physique, etc., were minuscule compared to wild beasts.

Therefore, a Silver-rank man, without using his battle aura and relying solely on his own strength, was likely to lose to a Bronze-rank beast.

“Such physical strength…”

The scene in front of him caused Palebeard’s heart to wonder, Perhaps Sir Aupin has a Gold-rank cultivation after all…