Beast Tide

Three days later.

Royce Family territory.

The Royce Family had been established in a valley, surrounded by several small hills.

Those hills had usually been very quiet, but now they were exceptionally lively.

The tribes that had migrated here for refuge had placed their elderly, children, and women atop the hills, while the young and able-bodied warriors set up defensive lines below to prepare for the approaching Beast Tide.

Because Planetary Level demon beasts had attacked before the Beast Tide, many people feared that this Beast Tide would be more dangerous than previous ones. They had therefore put more effort into constructing the defenses, making them sturdier than ever.

In the past, every Beast Tide had arrived ten days or half a month after Zhaoguang City issued its warning. This Beast Tide was no exception.

And when the Beast Tide arrived on schedule, those who had worried that it might be unusual felt relieved.

Li Qi rode his Bone Shield through the air. Below him lay the sector he was responsible for, where dozens of people stood behind a trench.

This was also the sector assigned to him during his first Beast Tide Trial, located toward the rear and relatively safe.

Thus, thirty to forty percent of the people in this sector were facing their first Beast Tide. Most of the rest were defending against one for the second time, while only a few were experienced middle-aged or elderly people.

The nearby sectors were much the same.

Watching Li Qi fly through the sky on his shield, most people below looked at him enviously. They were all young—who did not want to fly?

A twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy in leather armor, with a sword and shield on his back, looked up at Li Qi in the sky. His face was filled with defiance.

Looking down, Li Qi spotted the boy whose face plainly showed his unwillingness to submit.

"Tsk! That brat Thirteen..."

He clicked his tongue, too lazy to bother with that rebellious little troublemaker, and turned his gaze toward the sky behind him.

The blue sky was dotted with many black specks, moving and circling.

Those circling black specks were Corpse-Eating Birds, avian demon beasts and famous scavengers of the grasslands. Wherever there was death, they would be there.

"The number of Corpse-Eating Birds is increasing. The Beast Tide will arrive within the next couple of days."

Having defended against one Beast Tide before, along with what Yakesi had taught him in the past, Li Qi had gained some experience.

About two hours later, dense black specks gradually appeared on the horizon, spreading over like dark clouds, accompanied by wave after wave of avian cries!

Then the Earth began to tremble, as if mighty ferocious beasts were rolling beneath the ground!

The lush green grasslands were covered and trampled by a sea of black demon beasts. Unbroken hoofbeats rolled over the plains, mixed with continuous beastly roars!

The sky was filled with countless birds, while the Earth thundered beneath a Myriad Beasts Charge!

Witnessing the imposing Beast Tide surge forward, Li Qi shouted down at the people in the sector, "The Beast Tide is here!"

Hearing Li Qi's shout, the newcomers hurriedly readied their weapons and armor, looking as though they faced a great enemy.

But what greeted them was not the Beast Tide, but the reprimands of the veterans.

Human energy was limited. Their sector was at the rear, where demon beasts would not arrive so quickly. If they focused too intensely now, they would be prone to mistakes once battle began!

And mistakes in battle could mean severe injury at best and death at worst!

Under the veterans' scolding and instruction, the newcomers relaxed considerably and waited for the beast horde to reach their sector.

As the Beast Tide descended, the Human Race began to move. First, two dazzling beams rose from the valley, followed by dozens of streaks of light flying in from all directions.

Dozens of Planetary Level experts flew above the valley and joined the Royce Family's two Stellar Level powerhouses.

Soon, several streaks of light departed and descended upon the various defensive lines, each guarding one area!

As the vast flock of avian demon beasts drew near, several more streaks of light shot forth and charged straight into the dense swarm.

The moment they entered the avian demon beast swarm, the multicolored lights were instantly swallowed up, with not even a trace of radiance escaping!

Although several Planetary Level experts had been surrounded, the avian demon beast swarm had clearly suffered heavy losses as well, judging by the constant rain of birds falling from the sky!

Soon, a gap appeared in the dark avian swarm. Several streaks of light burst through it and returned above the valley to rejoin the other experts.

After those streaks returned, several more flew out and charged into the avian demon beast swarm.

This repeated assault prevented the avian demon beast swarm from ever reaching the skies above the various sectors.

Watching the Planetary Level experts continuously batter the avian demon beast swarm, Li Qi could not help but sigh. "Force combat suits really are impressive. They can charge in and out of a beast swarm again and again."

While the Planetary Level experts assaulted the avian demon beast swarm, the ground-based beasts had already clashed with the front-line sectors.

From the air, Li Qi could see the dark mass of terrestrial demon beasts meeting fierce resistance at the front, then sweeping around both flanks to encircle the entire Royce Family territory.

"They're here."

Muttering inwardly, Li Qi controlled his Bone Shield and descended, maintaining an appropriate altitude.

The ground shook as a beast horde made up of countless carnivorous and herbivorous demon beasts came charging in!

"Don't panic!"

"Hold steady! Don't rush!"

"Relax! With the trenches here, the beast horde can't charge through!"

The experienced veterans continuously called out reminders to the newcomers around them.

Just as the veterans had said, the wide, long trenches prevented the demon beasts from launching a large-scale charge at full speed. Each time they faced another trench, they had no choice but to slow down.

Bang! Bang! Bang...

Collision after collision rang out as many demon beasts in the rear failed to slow down in time and slammed into those ahead of them, throwing the horde into chaos.

"They're here! Prepare to engage!"

Seeing a handful of demon beasts cross the trenches and approach the defensive line, several veterans shouted and rushed forward first.

Thud!

Splat!

An experienced veteran first rammed a demon beast that had crossed the trench with his Bone Shield, knocking it off balance, then swung his blade and severed its head!

Though few in number, the veterans who attacked first killed quickly. Every demon beast that crossed the trenches ahead of the others was slaughtered.

The semi-newcomers participating in the Beast Tide for the second time knew what to do from their previous experience, and they soon followed the veterans' example in killing the demon beasts.

With the veterans setting an example and the second-time defenders serving as models, the newcomers taking part in the Beast Tide Trial for the first time gradually understood what they needed to do.

After all, everyone standing here had undergone years of training as warriors. Some had even fought demon beasts before, so they adapted quickly.

As fierce fighting raged below, Li Qi scanned the beast horde from the air, searching for any Planetary Level demon beasts that might appear. At the same time, he kept watch on the battle and used Bone Spikes to save people when needed.

Of course, his main concern was his younger brothers, Twelve and Thirteen.

"Hmm!"

Li Qi's gaze froze as he spotted a Unicorn Wolf concealed within the beast horde.

That Unicorn Wolf was enormous, far larger than the Apprentice Level Nine Unicorn Wolf he had killed ten or so days ago!

"A Planetary Level demon beast!"

With a thought from Li Qi, the Bone Spikes he had scattered earlier returned and were stored in the beast-hide pouch at his waist.

Then twenty silver-white blades flew out and, with a clang, assembled into a silver-white shortsword.

"Sky-Breaking Sword, go!"

With Li Qi's low shout, the Sky-Breaking Sword glowed with a faint white light and transformed into a streak that shot directly toward the Planetary Level Unicorn Wolf!

Whoosh!

With a faint tearing sound, the silver-white streak sped forward with unstoppable force!

Any demon beast daring to stand in its way was pierced through one after another as if made of paper, blood spraying from their bodies!

The Planetary Level Unicorn Wolf moved swiftly. Seeing how powerful the streak formed by the Sky-Breaking Sword was, it continuously dodged.

Unfortunately, its body was enormous. After avoiding three attacks, it was still pierced through by the Sky-Breaking Sword.

Because the Sky-Breaking Sword was small, it pierced through the Unicorn Wolf's waist without inflicting a particularly serious injury. Its movements remained unaffected.

"Run!"

Seeing its tough hide easily pierced by the silver-white streak, the Unicorn Wolf knocked away a demon beast blocking its path and turned to flee without hesitation!

Seeing the Planetary Level Unicorn Wolf flee the instant it sensed danger, Li Qi was astonished. It ran already? Isn't it going to try fighting back?

Though he thought so, he had no intention of letting the Unicorn Wolf go. He controlled the Sky-Breaking Sword and pursued it relentlessly.

Compared to the Sky-Breaking Sword's flight speed, the Unicorn Wolf was clearly too slow. However, it was clever, constantly changing direction and occasionally making false turns.

In this way, the Sky-Breaking Sword controlled by Li Qi pursued the Planetary Level Unicorn Wolf, forcing it to run wildly through the beast horde and stirring the entire horde into chaos.

"Got you!"

When the Unicorn Wolf changed direction once more, it collided with another demon beast, giving Li Qi his chance.

Whoosh!

The silver-white streak entered through the Unicorn Wolf's hind leg and pierced straight into its internal organs without resistance!

Now, split!

At Li Qi's command, the Sky-Breaking Sword separated into twenty blades and wreaked havoc inside the Unicorn Wolf's body.

Awoo—!

Its hind leg was wounded and its organs were under constant attack. The Unicorn Wolf immediately let out a pained howl and rolled wildly on the ground!

The howl of a Planetary Level demon beast was deafening, stunning the weaker demon beasts around it unconscious.

A veteran in the sector stared at the Unicorn Wolf roaring in agony in the distance and exclaimed, "That's a Planetary Level demon beast!"

A newcomer said uncertainly, "It looks like it's in a lot of pain."

Combine!

Li Qi moved his mind again. The twenty blades reassembled into the Sky-Breaking Sword within the Unicorn Wolf's body, then transformed into a silver-white streak that pierced through its heart and skull!

Awoo!

After the Sky-Breaking Sword burst out, the Unicorn Wolf let out one final agonized roar and collapsed, unable to rise again.

Because Li Qi had used the Sky-Breaking Sword to chase the Unicorn Wolf and thrown the beast horde into disorder, many demon beasts took the chance to flee from the horde. The pressure on everyone in the sector dropped sharply.

"The Planetary Level demon beast is dead!"

One idle newcomer saw the Unicorn Wolf die and shouted excitedly. It was the first time he had personally witnessed the death of a Planetary Level demon beast.

Someone pointed at the silver-white streak formed by the Sky-Breaking Sword and shouted, "That light killed the Planetary Level demon beast!"

Whoosh!

The silver-white streak pierced through several demon beasts and returned to Li Qi's side.

When a veteran saw the silver-white streak that had killed the Unicorn Wolf return to Li Qi, he immediately understood. "It was the commander! He killed the Planetary Level demon beast!"

Soon, voices of amazement, admiration, and praise rose one after another.

"What? The commander did it?"

"The commander actually killed a Planetary Level demon beast as an Apprentice Level Nine!"

"Killing a Planetary Level demon beast at the Apprentice Level? That's incredible!"

"I know who the commander is! He killed a Planetary Level demon beast during the earlier migration!"

After killing the Planetary Level Unicorn Wolf, Li Qi looked down at the people in the sector and saw the admiration and praise in their eyes plainly displayed.

"Hmm?"

Li Qi spotted a familiar figure, whose eyes looked just like everyone else's!

He was somewhat surprised. Thirteen? How could he...? Did killing a Planetary Level demon beast win him over too?

That's impossible!

Not believing it, he saw that Twelve and Thirteen were safe, then turned his gaze toward the distance!

At this time, the first wave of the Beast Tide had retreated, but the second wave was already gathering momentum and would launch its attack before long.

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