My Evolution Starting from a Giant Tree Chapter 40: The Hunt Began

"Experts have even analyzed how the spirit stone mine's emergence could let humans rapidly match the evolution pace of other extraordinary beings."

Betty's words made Lin Meng's branches quiver uncontrollably.

Shock.

"It can be like this? Doesn't that erase the biggest edge extraordinary creatures hold?"

He had anticipated humans discovering means to bridge the evolutionary gap with other extraordinary creatures...

Yet hearing it confirmed left Lin Meng somewhat stunned.

The news hit far too abruptly.

Noticing Lin Meng's unease, Betty reassured, "Master, it's merely an expert analysis with low reliability."

"I sense it's spot on."

Lin Meng shot back offhandedly, his conviction deepening inwardly.

His own roots drew from the subterranean spirit river. Surely humans would partake of the pristine spiritual energy in the spirit stone mine?

This sparked memories of ancient immortal cultivation tales for him.

Those tales depicted humans lagging behind other races and species in talent, only to leverage spirit stone mines and myriad spiritual treasures for cultivation, ascending to unparalleled mastery overnight.

Humans' current plight mirrored those stories precisely.

The urgency mounted once more.

Thus, he needed to hasten advancement across every front to amass sufficient power.

With that in mind, Lin Meng's focus lifted skyward.

Eight peregrine falcons, swift as streaks of light, streaked into view one by one.

Within his perception.

Lin Meng's octet of pets.

While other mutated beasts ballooned in size with rising power, these eight peregrine falcons shrank progressively smaller.

Still, their diminished forms belied their fearsome prowess.

They had now attained 7th rank.

Black wings beat gently, scattering airborne snowflakes.

Even more astonishing, during dives, one wing morphed into a streak of dark lightning.

They zipped beyond the cliff in an instant, vanishing utterly.

"These fellows increasingly resemble sky dominators."

Murmuring so, Lin Meng's gaze brightened.

Peregrine falcons served as his aerial scouts.

They represented his sole means of sky dominion.

Bolstered by their collective might and the level six white crane's aid...

The misty mountains' skies fell fully under their command.

To date, no birds in the misty mountains dared defy them.

Previously, such dominance would have contented Lin Meng.

Yet now, aware humans could accelerate cultivation via spirit stone mines, he grew restless.

"Hu..."

A deep breath escaped him.

Lin Meng's attention shifted.

A lake lay before him.

Lin Meng had carved it earlier to boost his subordinate mutated beasts' cultivation speed.

Presently, a white crane gracefully skimmed the spirit lake's center.

Wings unfurled, neck extended, it tilted its head to mist water upward.

The sight was stunningly elegant.

Lin Meng's purest, most regal pet: the white crane.

Species: Mutated White Crane.

Level: Entry Level 6.

Innate Talent: Crane's Cry—a piercing shriek capable of shattering stone.

Special Ability: White Crane's Wings—its wings slice like blades, cleaving most substances...

Yet another battle-ready pet.

In true fights, though, it couldn't overcome a peregrine falcon despite desperate efforts.

The peregrine falcons had schooled it repeatedly.

Hence, the white crane yielded meekly to Lin Meng, craving his shelter.

"Time to dispatch them for the hunt."

A mental command prompted Lin Meng's branches to relay directives into their minds.

"Hum, hum, hum..."

The eight peregrine falcons and the white crane unfurled wings, soaring aloft.

Before subordinate mutated beasts could respond, they became luminous trails hurtling one way.

A mutated bee colony nested precisely there.

Serving as Lin Meng's sentinels, peregrine falcons and white crane had mapped 80% of misty mountains' mutated creatures.

Lin Meng's orders enabled swift, precise strikes on objectives.

Lin Meng's sight fixed on the distant horizon.

A vast black veil shrouded the heavens in his view.

Endless in density, without apparent limit.

Bees—not mere common ones. Sharp stingers and savage gazes told the tale.

"These guys are truly vicious."

Observing peregrine falcons hauling a several-meters-high black beehive toward the canyon, Lin Meng sighed inevitably.

He'd merely tasked them to draw bees, unprepared for such brutality.

They uprooted and ferried the entire beehive.

No surprise the mutated bees pursued madly.

"Hum..."

Spotting the nearby familiar canyon, peregrine falcons cried in surprise.

They promptly expanded wings, tugging a beehive edge to accelerate forward.

Suddenly, the towering beehive trembled. Sinister black heads emerged from shadowy apertures.

Silent, these aura-superior bees gleamed with crimson in their eye depths.

They launched like loosed arrows straight at the peregrine falcon.

Thunderous buzzing resounded.

Fierce stings thrust at the peregrine falcon.

Yet the strikes arrived too swiftly; the beehive-laden peregrine falcon failed to evade.

A resounding "bang" echoed.

Metallic clash sparked brilliantly. The peregrine falcon plummeted earthward like a projectile.

Snow erupted from the frozen terrain, birthing a fathomless crater.

"Such an impact?"

Lin Meng watched, mildly astonished.

A lone level 4 honeybee had smashed the peregrine falcon underground.

These honeybees packed real power.

But was that wise?

Ferocious spiritual energy surged gradually.

Skyborne snow whirled madly amid howling gales.

Instantly, chilling murderous aura blanketed the landscape.

Beasts remained beasts at core.

Tamed by Lin Meng or not, their savage instincts endured.

As apex predators, peregrine falcons embodied this fiercer still.

"Hum..."

A shrill screech rent the blizzard.

Then...

Dark lightning erupted from the crater.

Lightning-quick.

It flickered away in a heartbeat.

Before the bee could respond, the razor-sharp black beak rent its form asunder.

Another noise.

Tearing rang crisp and vivid, blood arcing through the air.

Against Biggy, now level seven, this level four bee stood no chance.

Even level-matched, it mattered little.

Terrifying velocity let it shatter sound barriers, letting peregrine falcons disdain most peers.

"Hum..."

Yet another cry.

It traced a zigzag through the sky before downing a second bee.

Lin Meng, observing silently, held back from intervening right away.