Global Beast Mastery: Only I Can See the Hints

Southwest of Withered Tree Fortress, amidst the boundless sea of sand, two members of the Ancient Academy were making their way toward the fortress.

Leading the way was a level-five Light-attributed Beast Master, Lucius.

Following behind him was a level-four Light-attributed Beast Master, Clarus.

Both of them wore anxious expressions.

Earlier, they had both sensed the power of the Gem of Light, which made them realize that someone was watching their every move.

And in the Atacama Desert, the only person who would pay such close attention to members of the Ancient Academy was none other than Charles!

The mere thought of Charles observing them from the shadows sent a chill down their spines.

They knew Charles’s strength all too well.

To ensure their own safety, they felt they had to regroup with the other Ancient Academy members as quickly as possible.

But in the vast Atacama Desert, moving swiftly was no easy task.

The desert teemed with countless dangers, not to mention the elusive and deadly Sandworms.

It was precisely because the two of them had encountered a Sandworm along the way that they had fallen so far behind the other Ancient Academy members.

“Hurry up! We need to catch up with the others as soon as possible. If we waste any more time, even if Charles doesn’t come after us, we’ll end up getting killed by a Sandworm!” Lucius urged Clarus anxiously.

“Senior brother, I want to move faster too! But the environment in the Atacama Desert is just too harsh. Every step forward here is incredibly difficult! Why don’t we just give up on this mission? There are plenty of other Ancient Academy members scattered throughout the desert. Even without us, they’ll still be able to complete the task!” Clarus spoke in a tone of utter despair.

“What nonsense are you spouting? We came here for training in the first place! If we abandon the mission, Dean Everett will be gravely disappointed in us. By then, forget about furthering our strength—Dean Everett might even expel us outright!

Do you really want to be cast out of the Ancient Academy? Once you’re expelled, where else could you possibly go?” Lucius’s words left Clarus speechless.

The Ancient Academy was notoriously difficult to enter.

Those who managed to gain admission were respected by others, and every member took pride in their identity.

Moreover, those expelled from the Ancient Academy were almost never accepted by any other power.

Being expelled essentially meant becoming an enemy of the Ancient Academy.

And since Dean Everett was a level-nine Beast Master—one of the strongest individuals in existence—few forces in the world would ever dare to offend him.

Lucius glanced coldly at the silent Clarus.

“Have you figured it out now? If you have, then keep up!”

With that, he surged forward at full speed.

Clarus could only grit his teeth and follow closely behind.

Not far from where they were, a bulge suddenly appeared in the desert sand.

In the next moment, the bulge began to move at a terrifying speed in their direction.

The sudden influx of so many Beast Masters into the Atacama Desert had clearly stirred some dreadful presence beneath the sands.

The Sandworms had all hidden themselves away because of these awakened terrors.

If not for the Sandworms retreating into hiding, the members of the Ancient Academy would have already suffered devastating casualties.

Though devoid of any true intelligence and driven only by instinct, the Sandworms were the first creatures in the Atacama Desert to sense that the terrifying presence had been awakened.

Other forces, however, remained unaware that an even more terrifying enemy had emerged.

Deep within the lair of the Desert Goblins, Andrew once again stood before the Desert Goblin Queen.

“I’ve come here hoping to work with you once more! Though our previous cooperation didn’t achieve much success, I believe that this time things will go far more smoothly,” Andrew said with a fawning tone.

At that moment, he was extremely nervous, for he could clearly feel the hostility radiating from the Desert Goblin Queen.

The queen stuffed a screaming Serpent into her mouth.

Only after swallowing the Serpent whole did she slowly ask,

“Cooperate again? And how exactly do you intend to work with me this second time?”

Hearing this question, Andrew’s face lit up with delight.

In his mind, as long as the Desert Goblin Queen did not attack him outright, it meant cooperation was well within reach.

“This time, it won’t just be cooperation between you and me. It also involves the Stellar Empire!

You must already be aware of the internal chaos within the Serpent Empire. Right now, their strength is gravely weakened.

As long as we coordinate with the Stellar Empire’s campaign, the Serpent Empire will be utterly destroyed!

When that happens, not only will you be able to claim the treasures owned by the Serpent Empire, but you will also be able to expand your dominion over the Atacama Desert.”

After quickly laying out his proposal, Andrew waited patiently for the Desert Goblin Queen’s response.

Though most Desert Goblins lacked any real intelligence, the queen of the Desert Goblins was anything but dull.

She pondered calmly for a moment, then posed a crucial question.

“If the Serpent Empire is destroyed, how will the Stellar Empire regard the Desert Goblins?

Do you truly believe the Stellar Empire will allow the Desert Goblins to expand their territory?”

The Desert Goblin Queen raised two questions in succession.

She had no expectation that Andrew would be able to answer them, so when he was just about to speak, she cut him off directly.

“Do not even think of deceiving me! I know the Stellar Empire very well. They would never allow the birth of another Serpent Empire!”

Her tone had grown noticeably stern.

Andrew immediately sensed the looming danger, and fear began to creep into his heart. He started to retreat from the idea altogether.

“If you are unwilling to cooperate with me, then I shall take my leave!”

As soon as he said this, he rushed toward the exit at full speed.

But just as he reached it, the gate of the chamber slammed shut by the power of the Desert Goblins.

“I have not given you permission to leave.”

The Desert Goblin Queen’s voice came from behind him.

“Then… what do you mean?” Andrew asked nervously.

He was fully aware that his life was now completely in her hands. If she chose to kill him, there would be no chance of survival.

“Who told you that I do not intend to cooperate with you?”

The words struck Andrew like a thunderclap, leaving him utterly stunned.

But once the initial shock passed, he quickly pieced the situation together.

The Desert Goblin Queen might not trust the Stellar Empire, but that did not mean she would refuse to work with him.

After all, he himself did not truly trust the Stellar Empire either. His relationship with them was nothing more than one of mutual exploitation.

“You mean to cooperate with me, but not with the Stellar Empire?”

“Precisely! As you said, the destruction of the Serpent Empire is inevitable. In that case, I must plan for the long-term future of the Desert Goblins.”

The Desert Goblin Queen let out a terrifying, chilling laugh as she continued.

“The Desert Goblins can fill the void left by the Serpent Empire. We can forge an empire that rules over the entire Atacama Desert!”

Hearing this, Andrew finally relaxed completely.

“Do you already have a specific plan? If you do, I will follow your lead. Of course, on the condition that you stand with me against Charles!”

Andrew made his terms for cooperation clear.

For him and the Ancient Academy, the Serpent Empire was never the true enemy that had to be destroyed.

There was only one true enemy who absolutely needed to be eliminated—Charles.

As long as the Desert Goblins were willing to join forces to kill Charles, then their cooperation could proceed.

“I already have a plan,” the Desert Goblin Queen said with confidence.

“All Desert Goblins can assist you in eliminating Charles—so long as he is not handed over to us intact.”

The importance of Withered Tree Fortress was something the Desert Goblins understood all too well.

As long as they could seize control of Withered Tree Fortress, the Desert Goblins would be able to swiftly establish a defensive line capable of halting the Stellar Empire’s advance.

After that, they would have the freedom to consolidate their control over the entire Atacama Desert at their leisure.

When Andrew heard the condition put forth by the Desert Goblin Queen, he felt a flicker of doubt.

Withered Tree Fortress was the very heart of the Serpent Empire’s defenses.

And Charles would certainly appear there at the decisive moment.

If they could take Withered Tree Fortress with ease, it would mean that they had already defeated Charles.

In that case, they would not need the help of the Desert Goblins at all.

“You can take some time to think it over! Once you’ve made your decision, then return and speak to me again.”

Seeing that Andrew could not bring himself to a decision, the Desert Goblin Queen dismissed him outright.

Andrew resolved to seek out the strongest member of the Ancient Academy currently in the Atacama Desert.

Only with that person’s approval would he be able to continue discussing the details of cooperation with the Desert Goblin Queen.

Just as Andrew departed from the Desert Goblin lair, Charles stepped out from the shadows at the entrance.

“I knew the two of you would end up colluding!”

Charles had clashed with the Desert Goblins before, so he remained extremely wary of them.

After leaving Withered Tree Fortress, the very first place he went was the entrance to the Desert Goblin lair.

Sure enough, just as he had suspected, Andrew had come here.

“In that case, I’ll wipe out the Desert Goblins first! That way, you won’t be able to meddle at a critical moment!”