Beast Tide

"Eighth level Qi Refining, break!"

With a low growl, the spiritual energy around Shen Yi rippled, instantly frozen over by a layer of blackness before vanishing just as quickly.

"Eighth level Qi Refining!"

Shen Yi looked at his hands, excitement flashing through his eyes. Then he turned worriedly toward the palace. "I wonder how Little Black is doing!"

Just then, a ripple came from within the palace. The doors swung open, and that familiar gentle force pushed him beside the throne. Only then did Shen Yi discover that Little Black was still asleep. Energy pulsed with every breath it took, while the beast bone had already vanished—perhaps it had swallowed it.

Sensing Shen Yi's aura, Little Black opened its eyes, leaped onto his shoulder, and affectionately rubbed against his cheek.

"It's time to leave!"

With a call, Little Black waved a paw, opening a gap in the mountain's barrier. Shen Yi gathered it into his arms, his Spirit Wings trembling as he shot out in an instant. Looking back, he saw that the mountain remained shrouded in an invisible barrier, though its sacred aura had faded considerably.

"I wonder just how far you'll eventually go."

Shen Yi stroked Little Black's head. The aura it exuded with every breath had already surpassed his own. Thinking of the future, his heart brimmed with anticipation.

"I wonder how things are going at the Immortal Academy?"

Shen Yi suddenly sensed that the simulator could be activated again. Realizing another month had passed, he could not help feeling anxious.

"Begin simulation!"

Simulation begins. Remaining simulations this month: 0

Year One: The demonic beasts of the Yunluo Mountain Range launched a beast tide against Ninghai City. Human Race cultivators suffered grievous losses.

Year Two: A King-level demonic beast took action. Human Race cultivators fought desperately, yet were powerless to turn the tide. Ninghai City fell. You did not give up and fought alone.

Year Three: You were surrounded and killed by high-level demonic beasts. Though you fought fiercely, you were outmatched. A new emperor was born among the Demon Race, suppressing the beast tide. The beast tide receded.

Year Four: Outside forces invaded Ninghai City. The Immortal Academy was destroyed, and you were erased.

This simulation has ended. Simulation reward: New King's Eggshell.

A watermelon-sized eggshell suddenly appeared in his hand. There was a gap in it, and runes flowed across its surface, containing an obscure power.

Little Black poked its head out, its eyes full of curiosity. With a whoosh, it actually slipped inside through the opening.

"Yiya!"

Amid its delighted cries, the eggshell shone, and the gap gradually began to mend.

"Little Black!"

The eggshell sealed shut. Shen Yi could no longer sense Little Black's aura, and he cried out anxiously. Then he suddenly burst into laughter. "A new emperor is born—so that's how it is!"

Shen Yi activated his spiritual power, and a streak of black light cut across the sky.

This time, he encountered no obstruction whatsoever in the depths of the Yunluo Mountain Range, yet that only made him more uneasy.

At this moment, in Ninghai City.

It was as bustling as ever: lively taverns, neighing horses and rattling carriages, cries of vendors selling their wares, and children playing at street corners. This was the human world, the truest mortal life.

Beast Taming Academy.

The battle beasts, however, were terrified and restless, growling without pause as though some immense danger was drawing near.

"Recently, quite a few cultivators have died in the Yunluo Mountain Range. There have even been third- and fourth-rank demonic beasts."

Feng Yang was speaking with Chen Chong. He had already noticed the abnormalities in the Yunluo Mountain Range and felt a vague unease, which was why he had summoned Chen Chong to discuss countermeasures.

"Roar—"

A heaven-shaking beast roar suddenly shattered Ninghai City's peace.

Immediately afterward, countless roars rose up, nearly shaking the heavens apart as the earth trembled with them.

"This is bad! It's a beast tide!"

In an instant, every faction in Ninghai City reacted. Feng Yang and Chen Chong stepped into the air and stood above the city gates.

"Dean Feng, Dean Chen!"

Another figure appeared, clad in gleaming silver armor with a silver spear slung across his back. A frigid aura radiated from his body.

"Commander Lin Hong."

Feng Yang was deeply surprised. He had long heard that the Later Zhou Dynasty had transferred in a new commander, but he had not expected it to be Lin Hong. The reputation of Lin Hong, the Spear King, thundered through the entire cultivation world. He had once wielded the Pear Blossom Spear alone to kill dozens of Foundation Establishment enemy soldiers before advancing into the Golden Core Realm. Among those of the same realm, he had never tasted defeat.

The three had no time for pleasantries before countless black dots began to swell in their vision. They were densely packed demonic beasts, charging toward the walls of Ningzhou City in the blink of an eye.

Lin Hong remained calm in the face of danger. Wherever the tip of the Pear Blossom Spear pointed, demonic beasts fell dead one after another.

"All Immortal Academy disciples, assist the civilians in taking refuge!"

Feng Yang's voice boomed like a great bell, echoing above the city. Then he stepped into the air and shouted. A streak of sword light shot from his hand and cleaved downward, instantly reaping the lives of many demonic beasts.

The deterrence of two Golden Core Cultivators finally took effect. The enormous beast tide slowed, eventually stopping to confront the city.

This brief opportunity allowed Lin Hong's soldiers to rapidly form their ranks atop the city walls, waiting in strict formation for the enemy.

"Awroo—"

A long, drawn-out howl announced the beast tide's renewed assault. A rain of arrows descended, and great swathes of demonic beasts collapsed. Even with their tough hides and thick flesh, they could not withstand such sharp arrows. Relying on their high-ground advantage, Ninghai City temporarily held back the assault. Yet the demonic beasts came in an endless stream, fearlessly hurling themselves against the city.

Many fierce birds also attacked from the air, either diving down or dropping enormous boulders, causing heavy casualties among the soldiers defending the city.

The Immortal Academy disciples joined the defense as well. Streams of spiritual power and magical artifacts shot forth, ceaselessly slaughtering demonic beasts. Even so, they could only barely hold the line and prevent the demonic beasts from reaching the walls.

This assault lasted a full half day. Outside the city, demonic beast corpses lay piled high, and blood flowed into rivers. Ninghai City was in no better condition. Surrounded on all sides, its defensive arrows had been completely spent, while the brutal battle had left many utterly exhausted.

"Even the fastest reinforcements will take more than ten days. I just don't know whether we can hold out until then."

Lin Hong looked at the retreating beast horde, his heart filled with unease.

For several days in a row, the beast tide launched no attacks, but this only made the three Golden Core Cultivators more uneasy. There had to be a king beast among the demonic beasts for them to be so obedient.

"Seven days have already passed, yet there's still no sign of an attack. Could they be waiting for us to starve to death?"

A soldier muttered quietly. The daily strain of remaining on high alert had clearly made him impatient.

Lin Hong and Feng Yang had been discussing something. Hearing this, they exchanged a glance, terror appearing on both their faces. "The granaries!"

The two thought of the granaries at the same time. Anxiety surging in their hearts, they hurriedly sent people to investigate.

"Commander, something has happened at the granaries!"

The two were shocked and hurried toward the granaries, leaving Chen Chong behind to guard this place alone.

At the city granaries, a huge hole had burst through the ground. All the grain had been destroyed, and the Foundation Establishment cultivators guarding the place had been gnawed down to only half a corpse.

Flames of fury blazed in Lin Hong's eyes. He drove his spear fiercely into the ground, and a Silver Dragon roared out, churning up a river of blood.