Raising Ducks for Daily Rewards-Chapter 57: Beasts hidden in the forest

The moment Fengyu left the formation, he heard the quacks of Zimu.

"Hmm, it seems the beast tide is really growing then. Can you try to feel the individual peacefulness of the places ahead, and pick out the lowest one for us to see?"

"Quack, I can do this!" Zimu said, hoping to show off his abilities.

He jumped off from Fengyu’s arms and went left and right, quacking some random syllables Fengyu didn’t understand.

Now that he saw him like this, he realised that while Zimu hadn’t improved in cultivation, he had definitely gained a deeper control over his peace-seeking innate power.

Each quack made his bill tremble ever so slightly, bringing back various pieces of information.

A moment later, Zimu pointed to one direction, "Going northwest from here, in around two thousand and three hundred and fifty steps, we should arrive at a small place where the peacefulness is relatively stable but still lower than a peaceful place. There should be some weak beasts hiding there."

"Hmm, let’s wait a moment before going out."

Fengyu looked over to the northwest and tried to make out something of this information, but without any such perception ability, he couldn’t get any information out of looking.

He waited for some more time when he saw a white streak in the distance rapidly approaching them.

Ming and Ling instantly went into position, Ling taking out a blue porcelain hairpin from her hair while pressing her hand on her necklace, while Ming raised the spirit hoe he carried with him the whole time, his other hand gripping the bracelet on his left hand tightly.

"Don’t worry, this is Wind Claw," Fengyu smiled and told the two to relax.

"Quack quack! Quack, quack, quack!" Wind Claw arrived quickly, his webbed feet still shining in a white colour.

He didn’t stop and directly told Fengyu what he saw and felt in the area around.

"There are three groups, you say? One northwest, a duo of beasts who have similar strength, one beast further north with a strong aura but still of the same bloodline rank as you, and a final one in the east, but it’s accompanied by several weaker auras?"

"Quack. Quack, quack, quack. Quack quack!!"

"Why did you go out so far!" Fengyu scolded.

Seeing the curious looks of Ming and Ling, who had relaxed, he helplessly shook his head.

"Wind Claw sneaked between these beasts further into the outside and felt a strong aura higher than his own!"

"Quack, quack, quack quack."

"Besides it were various other beasts of lower ranks, together more than these three groups combined."

"Quack, quack."

"But adding the many small beasts here, the general total is the same...

Hmm... based on what I have read on beast tides, it’s likely that these three groups are vanguards, while the smaller beasts are just cannon fodder, too weak to be a part of any larger group, or maybe they’re scouts who are tasked with checking out the situation."

"So many?" Ling asked in surprise.

"They are quite many beasts, but this is generally the normal amount or even less than what you would find in wild mountains, forests and rivers.

It could even be said that they’re not even a vanguard but simply beast groups that have been pushed out of the mountains and rivers because they’ve been too weak to contend with other groups.

Alright, let’s go. Zimu already gave us a direction.

Wind Claw, you walk ahead of us and look out for any danger.

If there is danger, only quack loudly and run another way back to the formation, we will also run away.

Only this way can we ensure the best escape, alright?"

"Quack!" Wind Claw was like a soldier at war, following his command and quickly running forward.

In just a few moments he transformed into a white light moving across the landscape.

Fengyu didn’t rush but continued to walk cautiously, walking along the trees.

The area around the village was cleared, but upon walking further than a thousand steps, one would enter the large forested area, with many trees blocking his view.

When he entered the forest, his steps became even more cautious, leading to Ming and Ling’s caution too.

No one said anything, keeping their voices and the sounds they made as low as possible.

Only Zimu nudged Fengyu sometimes, telling him to avoid entering the territory of some beasts.

Although none of them were strong, if Fengyu was delayed by a beast for too long, he might attract the attention of others in quick succession.

When he had distanced himself for over two thousand steps from the village, he saw a river flowing through the area, coming from the north and flowing down to the west.

He walked further along the river and realised that the target Zimu spoke of might be a water beast.

Finally, a hundred steps before they reached it, he saw Wind Claw waiting for them.

"Quack quack. Quack?"

"This is a rat nest? And you feel three auras? Hmm, rats are indeed among the weakest beasts, known for their sense of smell rather than their power.

You go around their nest and wait behind them in case they run away."

Fengyu commanded Wind Claw before turning to the twins.

"Ling, you go around with Wind Claw and use your water spells to bind the rats so that Wind Claw can attack them when they flee.

Ming, you will hide behind me when we see them. I will try to attack and kill one right away, and you will jump out to engage in a battle with another one."

On their way here Fengyu asked them for their capabilities and got to know that Ling was the best in binding spells while Ming was more focused on defense.

This simple battle formation should allow each one to use their talents.

If lucky, they might kill the nest right away, if unlucky they would still have a trap prepared behind.

Fengyu slowly walked forward...