Spirit Taming

Chapter 632: Held Breath

"A rare light type beast that is resting, we are going to walk silently away from here and do absolutely nothing to bother it. No attacking beasts. No making noise. Now making camp. No food. Nothing." Clark calmly explained what the giant mossy sloth was to the group.

It was enough that they all could feel the weight of the situation they had walked in to. Whether they did or did not stay in the area, they were currently in a terrifying situation.

If this beast was to wake up and find fault with anything that they did, they would lose that fight. Light type beasts were on the rarer side because of their unique skills and the fact that there were just more of certain beasts in general. Earth and water took the most common beast species typing there was.

This beast could use the light to move at a faster speed despite its large size. Then the large size and toughness it developed while growing up and weathering the jungle dangers was enough that it already possessed a large threat. Who was to say what skills it might possess using light other than boosting speed?

Therefore, the group began to move with utmost care. The change in their breathing also greatly showed how valuable the turtle breathing was to them. It was something that Clark was able to pick up on immediately.

He normally was able to tell when everyone was more stressed. Their body language would show it. The rise and fall of their shoulders was enough to show their hearts beat faster and that their breathing was faster to match.

However, as they felt this stress come on, even Grace, everyone started to use the new technique that Clark openly shared with them. Using it had allow a better control of breathing. They did not all have control over how much air they needed yet, but they had the ability to better regulate their breathing and stress levels related to heart beat.

This in turn allowed a control of adrenaline that would normally be released within their bodies during an event like this. That was something that greatly kept the group moving at a calm and cool pace. They were leaving this territory faster than they would by rushing. They also made less noises.

That was the very reason that they all heard when a beast had managed to cause trouble some distance away nearer to the thicker jungle away from the river. Specifically, the beast that was hunted by a clearly younger beast.

'Hanging vine deer- uncommon

The hanging vine deer is only known as the hanging vine deer because of the male deer goring large antlers and catching vines on them to impress females before fighting other males. This leads to many of the male deer being caught in each other's antlers only to be struck down by larger predators.

Their earth affinity greatly helps them blend in to the greenery and ground of the jungle to survive.

They enjoy the poison immunity from growing up within the jungle and constantly eating dangerous herbs from a young age. They are normally left alone by hunters because their meat is too dangerous. Even if they leave the outskirts of the jungles and in to surrounding forests or open spaces.

They have very strong bones due to the herbs they eat. This is the one benefit that comes with hunting them even though most hunters would still avoid them.

They are prey to a slew of other beasts that live within the jungle. However, they are…'

The screeching sound was from a single female hanging vine deer that had just been killed by another beast. A feline beast that had been hiding out within a large twisted raspberry bush. The only reason it had not attacked the group was the dragon welp being larger than it, and the multiple members of the group being too intimidating for ut to easily fight them while taking prey away.

'Stalker cat- uncommon

The stalker cat is a beast known to stalk its prey for weeks if need be. Normally, they will use their sharp vision to spot tracks or signs of prey from the normal natural appearance of the jungle they live in. Then they will find a scent and start to track their prey. They do this as long as they need to make their way to an ambush position.

They have a strong earth affinity that allows them to easily eat many meats from beasts that thrive off of poisonous herbs. It is also why their teeth and claws are tough enough to tear in to their prey.

Their green fur coat is spotted with darker greens which help it hide in plain sight. Even some of the most experienced hunters will become victims to their ambushes.

Their pelts are valuable to many because they can be made to resist some sprayed poisons and venoms from certain beasts. However, their skulls are often made in to display pieces, although that trend has faded in humans as of late.

Nrmally, they will live with their parents for a few months to learn how to hunt. But they often get too arrogant and go off on their own before learning properly. It is why the population of stalker cats is still fairly low compared to how many can be born at any one time…'

Their breaths stuck in their chest while the group watched the hanging vine deer perish to the stalker cat. It was a natural sight to witness. A beast had hunted for a long time to claim this prey. Unfortunately, it had done so in the worst possible place.

The cracking sound that everyone heard before they realized that it was multiple trees breaking was deafening. It wasn't the normal tree falling or tree being toppled sound that they had all heard before from beasts running rampant. It was loud and violent.

The stalker cat didn't even stand a chance to make a sound. The group looked out one second, the stalker cat was beginning to dig in to its prey to drag it away, the next, a larger beast was standing over it. A single arm with three long claws crushing the body of the stalker cat.

There was light energies radiating around the giant mossy sloth. Enough that the group struggled to keep their eyes on it. While all of them had been unable to follow the movements, Clark had managed to barely see a blur move. It greatly reminded him of how weak he was right now. Of how weak they all were. This was the kind of beast that only the strongest within a city could face.

That the top of the top would dare to face under favorable circumstances.

Yet, when they compared it to the ice dragon in their minds, they realized that it was still not close to being truly powerful.

This didn't change the plain fact that nothing seemed to be breathing or moving now. Any birds chirping had stopped. The rapids from the river even seemed quieter along with any sounds the hive trout had been making.

It took only another moment before the giant mossy sloth looked toward the deeper jungle. It might have been rudely woken up, but it clearly saw something it liked. It moved away, disappearing from what the group could see. This left the crushed bodies of two beasts right there in the open.

"I am collecting those bodies before we rush off." Jerold did not hesitate to make a move. Brad, on the other hand, began to keep his defensive formation while urging everyone else to move.

"Devi, follow that sloth a little. If it looks like it is coming back, warn me. But only follow it for five minutes." Clark knew that this amount of time would be enough for them to push themselves away from the area.

This happened faster than expected. It seemed that Ralph urged the dragon welp to move a little faster even though it made a little more noise than before. But they were niot the only ones doing so. Multiple other beasts were now leaving this area. They knew that something had angered the most powerful beast around then.

They lived near it for the safety that came with it, but when the sloth was angry, they left too.

For anyone witnessing it, they would see an unusual event. A peace of sorts that came from fleeing a powerful threat. One that normally could be relied on for some protection of sorts.

When Devi returned five minutes later, Clark finally breathed out a long sigh. He could tell through their bond that the giant mossy sloth was already consuming some fruits from nearby trees. It was awake and hungry, but it was not coming back for the time being.

This was enough to put them all at ease. It did not stop them from asking Clark about the details regarding the giant mossy sloth though. Ella wanted to record what she saw and reference what Clark knew as well. It became just another journal event. And they were blessed that that was all it was.