Chapter 20: An Unexpected Obstacle

After two hours of jolting atop the Tyrant's broad shoulders, Lin Huang finally understood what it meant to ride one's own summoned mount—no matter how grueling, one had to force oneself to endure until the journey's end.

The Tyrant had sprinted for nearly two hours, carrying Lin Huang a distance of over a hundred kilometers before coming to a halt. Lin Huang found a dune nearby and pitched his tent on its sheltered side. The Tyrant settled a short distance from the entrance, watching Lin Huang assemble the tent with curious eyes.

Once the tent was erected, which took more than twenty minutes, Lin Huang sat inside and began to contemplate the matter of keeping watch through the night. The Crimson Gold Desert was far harsher than any desert on Earth, with monsters lurking at every turn. Someone had to stand guard after sundown. However, since he would need the Tyrant to continue traveling in the days ahead, it was unwise to let him stand watch at night. White could keep watch, but as a powerful combatant, Lin Huang didn't want to waste his stamina in such a punishing environment.

After a moment's thought, he remembered the pile of Sand Slayer fragments he possessed, which could be pieced together to form a monster card.

Stepping out of the tent, Lin Huang dismissed the Tyrant and turned to Black. "Black, I want to use the fragments to piece together a monster card."

[You possess 33 Sand Slayer fragments. To synthesize a Black Iron-grade Sand Slayer card requires 30 fragments. Confirm synthesis?]

"Synthesize!"

[30 Sand Slayer fragments consumed, 1 monster card synthesized!]

Lin Huang immediately summoned the newly generated card into his hand. It was a white crystal card, and on its face, the Sand Slayer bore a striking resemblance to the Tyrant, as if it were a miniature version of him. The information on the back of the card was noticeably different.

[Monster Card]
[Rarity: Common]
[Monster Type: Giant (subspecies)]
[Combat Level: Black Iron One-Star]
[Skill 1: Great Strength (Basic)]
[Skill 2: Robust (Basic)]
[Summoning Rights: Unlocked]
[Card Evaluation: Inferior]

Suddenly, a crisp notification sounded from Black.

As Lin Huang was wondering what it meant, a dialogue box appeared before his eyes:

[Identical monster card detected. Would you like to initiate card devouring?]

"Black, what is card devouring?" Lin Huang asked hurriedly.

[When two cards of the same monster type appear, the card with higher rarity can devour the one with lower rarity, granting a random skill upgrade.]

"So, the Tyrant's card can devour this monster card and gain a skill upgrade?" Lin Huang immediately understood the purpose of the prompt.

[Yes. This is the host's first time obtaining a card of the same monster type, hence the automatic notification. Would you like to proceed with card devouring?]

"Not for now. I still need him to help keep watch these next few days," Lin Huang refused.

After summoning this new Sand Slayer, Lin Huang couldn't be bothered to give it a name—he knew he would let the Tyrant devour it after a few days, so there was no need to waste time.

This new Sand Slayer was much smaller than the Tyrant, standing barely five meters tall.

"Tonight, you are to stand guard outside the tent. If you see any monsters or humans attacking, call out loudly and wake me," Lin Huang instructed.

The Sand Slayer nodded obediently and stationed itself outside the tent, while Lin Huang crawled inside to rest.

The day's exertions had left him exhausted, and he soon fell into a deep sleep.

When he awoke, daylight streamed in; the night had passed peacefully.

After packing up the tent and washing up, Lin Huang recalled the Sand Slayer that had kept watch, then summoned the Tyrant once more.

He climbed onto the Tyrant's shoulder, but frowned slightly, remembering the discomfort of yesterday's two-hour ride. If he had to sit for over ten hours today, his rear would suffer even more.

He had the Tyrant set him down, then instructed him to lie on the ground. While the sand was still cool, Lin Huang took up his battle knife and began to shave the Tyrant's shoulder fur.

At first, the Tyrant lay obediently, unsure what Lin Huang intended. When he realized Lin Huang was shaving his fur, his expression became one of aggrieved bewilderment—Lin Huang found his look both ugly and endearing.

The shoulder fur was a symbol of strength for Sand Slayers; having it shaved off made the Tyrant reluctant, but he had no choice but to endure, unable to disobey Lin Huang, and so he could only wear that pitiful look.

After shaving the left shoulder, Lin Huang was about to mount, but his gaze fell on the right side. "It needs to be symmetrical to look good," he thought.

So he shaved the right shoulder clean as well.

After nearly half an hour of fussing, he finally climbed onto the Tyrant's shoulder and set out once more.

"This is much better!" Without the bristling fur stabbing him, Lin Huang felt much more comfortable.

The Tyrant carried him in another wild dash. They had barely traveled any distance when Lin Huang noticed traces left by others on the road.

He was about to have the Tyrant avoid this area to prevent conflict, but the beast's massive form had already drawn attention. A five-member team spotted him and moved in to surround them.

Seeing the others approach, the Tyrant grew agitated, the scent of blood on these individuals triggering his aggression.

"Tyrant, put me down," Lin Huang ordered, and the Tyrant placed him on the ground.

As the five drew closer, they realized Lin Huang had been riding on the Tyrant's shoulder all along.

"Is there something you want?" Lin Huang scanned the group, wary.

"So you're a summoner. No wonder you dared to participate in the reserve hunter exam despite not being even Black Iron rank," said a lanky youth, about twenty years old, flashing a malicious smile at Lin Huang.

"If you have something to say, say it. If not, stop blocking the way—I need to get moving," Lin Huang replied, unwilling to waste words.

"I remember your name is Lin Huang, isn't it?" said a boy about Lin Huang's age, dressed in luxurious clothes. As he spoke, the others fell silent. Though young, he was clearly their leader. "I'm Zuo Qiu Kang. Don't be nervous, we mean no harm."

"This exam is very challenging. It's hard to pass relying on individual strength alone, which is why we've teamed up to increase our chances. You're a summoner; your beast may be strong, but your own combat ability is lacking. Especially when you reach the final climb up the Ice Mountain—your stamina and endurance will likely fall short. The Sand Slayer is strong, but not adept at climbing. If you join us, we can help you during the climb," Zuo Qiu Kang offered with a smile.

"Thank you for your kind offer, but I'm used to traveling alone. Now, could you let me pass?" Lin Huang could see that Zuo Qiu Kang's friendly demeanor masked a shrewd mind—this group clearly had ulterior motives for targeting him.

"Brother Lin, consider it," Zuo Qiu Kang persisted, smiling but showing no intention of stepping aside.

"No need to consider. Move aside!" Lin Huang's tone remained firm.

"Kid, don't be so arrogant! If you think we care about your life, you're mistaken. We just want this Sand Slayer to help us get to the foot of the Ice Mountain faster. If you know what's good for you, cooperate and you'll reach the mountain safely. Otherwise, we'll have to use some means to make you comply," the lanky youth finally revealed their true intention.

"So, you're determined not to let me pass?" Lin Huang didn't even glance at the lanky youth. His cold gaze locked onto Zuo Qiu Kang.

~~~~~~
[Thanks to classmate Jiugu Fengbao for providing the cameo character "Zuo Qiu Kang"~~]