Chapter 549: Chapter 251: Found the Tiger

Although he couldn’t make out its exact appearance, Yang Qi was almost certain—

This was the goal of his journey!

The old, wild South China Tiger from deep within the mountains of Hanxi Province!

He’d actually found it!

Yang Qi was thrilled.

Then, just as quickly, he composed himself.

’This isn’t the time to celebrate.’

First, he reached out through his mental link to tell Xiaojiu to keep watch.

Then, Yang Qi moved carefully.

He concealed his presence completely, activating his Earth Listening Technique and Spiritual Eye Technique. He ensured every footstep fell silently, using the dense vegetation for cover. Like a phantom, he slipped around to the other side of the tall grass.

He chose a relatively flat, exposed rock.

With a thought, he retrieved a piece of high-quality beef—weighing about ten pounds and still streaked with fresh blood—from his Hundred Pouches Belt.

After placing the beef on the rock, Yang Qi immediately withdrew. He retreated dozens of meters to a spot hidden by vines and a massive boulder, peering through a gap to observe.

He completed the entire process without making a sound.

Deep within the grass, the yellow-and-black figure that had been moving slowly came to a sudden halt, just moments after Yang Qi had placed the beef.

Its massive head slowly rose from the grass.

Its nostrils flared, twitching powerfully as it sifted the air for the sudden scent of blood.

To a tiger that was struggling to survive in the wild and likely hadn’t eaten a full meal in a very long time, the smell was incredibly alluring.

It hesitated for a moment. It turned its head warily, its ears swiveling to catch the slightest unusual sound.

But the hunger in its belly and its instinctive craving for food ultimately won out over its caution.

It immediately changed direction and began to stalk toward the source of the meaty scent.

Its movements were no longer sluggish. It displayed the slow, deadly stalking technique of an apex predator, a skill that defied its aged appearance.

Its massive body hugged the ground, each footfall light. The yellow-and-black-striped coat provided excellent camouflage against the grass.

Only the slight ripple of its shoulder blades and the occasional flash of amber eyes through the blades of grass betrayed its presence and its slow advance.

Soon, it reached the vicinity of the rock, but it didn’t pounce immediately.

Instead, it stopped again, concealing itself in the grass behind the rock. Only the top half of its head and its wary eyes were visible as it scanned its surroundings, once again making sure there were no other predators, no traps, no danger.

It watched for nearly a full minute, confirming that there was nothing but the piece of beef, its enticing aroma drifting from where it lay silently on the rock. The surroundings were perfectly still.

"ROAR—"

A low, suppressed growl rumbled from deep within its chest—a short, sharp sound laced with both impatience and declaration.

The next moment, the yellow-and-black figure shot out of the grass like a cannonball.

Though old and frail, though little more than skin and bones, its pounce still carried the lingering majesty of the King of Beasts and a startling burst of power.

It kicked up a gust of rank air, sending blades of grass flying!

It landed precisely on the rock, its massive paws pinning the beef. Sharp canines sank into the red meat as a satisfied, urgent rumbling sound started in its throat. It began to eat ravenously.

Tearing and swallowing, it ate with incredible speed, as if the feast before it might vanish if it slowed for even a second.

Only now could Yang Qi finally see the old South China Tiger in its entirety.

Gaunt!

That was his first, most direct, and most shocking impression.

South China Tigers aren’t as large as Northeast Tigers, but they are leaner and more muscular.

Yet the South China Tiger before him was covered in nothing but a loose, dry hide that barely concealed the outline of its ribs and spine.

Its black and yellow stripes were still distinct, but its coat was dull. In some places, it was even dry and matted from a lack of natural oils.

Its belly, in particular, was deeply sunken, each individual rib visible on its flanks.

It gave off the complex odor unique to aged, wild animals.

A heavy body odor, grime that hadn’t been cleaned off in ages, the faint stench of rot from meals of carrion, and...

Yang Qi’s keen sense of smell even detected something more. In a few sparse patches of fur on its hind legs and flank, the skin showed signs of unnatural redness, swelling, and sores, emitting a faint, putrid odor.

Its face and neck were covered with scars from a lifetime of battles, and its whiskers were graying.

While it ate, its gaze remained sharp, constantly scanning its surroundings with caution. But the whites of its eyes were cloudy and its sockets were sunken, betraying an undeniable weariness and age.

It was nothing like the tigress from Cangshan, who was fierce, ferocious, and in the prime of her life, her whole being radiating with surging vitality and intimidating power.

This Tiger King before him was more like a weathered old warrior in his twilight years, a hero past his prime. Though a remnant of his power remained, the flame of his life was already guttering in the wind.

Yang Qi watched it gorge itself, a complex mix of emotions stirring within him.

This was the cruel side of nature. Even a former king could not escape the torment of old age, injury, and scarcity.

Ten pounds of beef wasn’t much for a starving tiger.

It quickly devoured the beef, crunching through bone and all. Afterwards, it licked the remaining blood from the rock and its paws, still wanting more.

And just then, Yang Qi made his move.

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