The Shroud of Death

"Weiwei." Lin Hao's expression was extremely grave. "Listen carefully to what I'm about to say."

Seeing Lin Hao suddenly turn serious, Jiang Weiwei grew very curious.

"I sense a large number of fierce beasts heading our way. Based on my judgment, they should be Hellhounds, roughly two hundred and sixty of them." The first thing Lin Hao could do was issue a warning. Fortunately, he had come with Jiang Weiwei; otherwise, these students would likely all die here.

"What?" Jiang Weiwei stared at Lin Hao in shock. She never doubted Lin Hao's abilities. But so many fierce beasts launching a sudden assault left her utterly stunned.

"Weiwei, send a distress signal to the fortress right now. The Hellhounds are still about half an hour away—we can't outrun them. But this isn't the place to make our stand either. Luckily, we're not far from the forest's edge, only about ten minutes away. We need to move to open ground and prepare to fight."

Jiang Weiwei didn't dare delay. Realizing the severity of the situation, she immediately sent a distress signal to fortress headquarters. Then she began organizing everyone to move quickly toward the forest's edge. Fifteen minutes later, everyone stopped in an open area.

"Why are we stopping? Aren't we running?"

"I don't want to die!"

"How did we get so unlucky, running into a Beast Tide?"

The students were panicked to the extreme. After all, they were still freshmen who had never experienced life-or-death combat. The instructors gathered around Jiang Weiwei to discuss countermeasures, while the teachers organized the students, urging them not to panic. Another ten minutes passed, and now even the instructors could sense the dangerous aura.

"Students, we've detected a large pack of Hellhounds charging toward us. If we run, we'll only die. If we fight, there's still a chance. The principal has sent a distress signal to the fortress. Reinforcements will arrive in half an hour, meaning we need to hold out for twenty minutes."

Hearing this, the students' last shred of hope was snuffed out.

"Damn it, it's just twenty minutes, right? Run and die, stay and maybe live. I want to see how tough these beasts really are."

"Yeah, let's slaughter these bastards. My blade's already itching for blood."

With no hope left, it instead stirred up the students' fighting spirit.

"Everyone, form defensive formations in teams of five." The instructors rapidly issued each order.

Once all commands were given, everyone stood ready. A suffocating pressure of death weighed on every student's heart.

At this moment, Su Xiaorui stood beside Jiang Weiwei. The teachers and instructors took the front line, preparing to withstand the first wave.

Lin Hao asked, "Weiwei, what's our combat strength?"

Jiang Weiwei's expression was grim. "Not counting the three of us, ten teachers are Silver High Rank, and ten instructors are Gold Initial Stage."

Western Military Region Command.

"Report!" A soldier rushed in with a document.

"Chief, a distress signal was received eighty kilometers outside Vermilion Bird Fortress. It's from Principal Jiang Weiwei of Shancheng Martial University. According to her report, a large pack of Hellhounds is heading toward them from fifty kilometers into the Fierce Beast Forest. Estimated at two hundred and sixty beasts. Over five hundred freshmen from Shancheng Martial University are currently conducting combat training at the forest's edge. Contact with the beasts is expected in half an hour. Additionally, Principal Jiang states she will stand with the students."

Jiang Tianhai shot to his feet. Jiang Weiwei was his daughter. "Transmit my orders immediately: Order Vermilion Bird Fortress Commander Jiang Hanhan to lead the Vermilion Bird Legion in a swift rescue operation. They must save the Shancheng Martial University students. No mistakes allowed. Violators will face military tribunal."

"Yes, sir." The soldier saluted and withdrew.

"Weiwei, Lin Hao, Xiaorui—you have to hold on." Jiang Tianhai's heart was heavy. If not for the decisive counteroffensive against the fierce beasts underway, he would have rushed to Jiang Weiwei's side. But he couldn't leave. If he did, the high-level beast combatants would exploit the gap, and the casualties would be incalculable.

At Vermilion Bird Fortress, a voluptuous woman was tallying the casualties from the just-concluded battle. This was Jiang Hanhan, the fortress commander and a Demigod rank powerhouse.

"Report!"

"Western Military Region Command has issued an order. A pack of Hellhounds is heading toward the fortress from eighty li out, estimated at two hundred and sixty. Enemy combat strength unknown. Five hundred freshmen from Shancheng Martial University are conducting field training and will make contact with the Hellhounds in twenty minutes. Commander Jiang Hanhan is ordered to lead the Vermilion Bird Legion in an immediate rescue operation. Ensure the safety of all Shancheng Martial University staff and students."

After hearing the report, Jiang Hanhan frowned, then issued her command: "Assemble the entire Vermilion Bird Legion within one minute. Launch the rescue of Shancheng Martial University personnel immediately."

Back at Shancheng Martial University, the staff and students had formed their ranks and waited silently for the beasts to arrive.

Five minutes later, countless roars erupted from the forest, sending chills down everyone's spines. Lin Hao slowly opened his eyes. "Weiwei, I'll try to hold off their high-end combat power as much as I can. Xiaorui, you stay here and protect Weiwei."

"Don't underestimate me. I'm the principal of Shancheng Martial University and a Gold rank Ability User." Jiang Weiwei's smile bloomed like a hundred flowers. "Weiwei, no!" Su Xiaorui spoke up. "Your ability is support-type, not suited for close combat."

Hearing this, Lin Hao said quietly, "Then we stick to the original plan. Xiaorui, you're responsible for protecting Weiwei. Don't let a single beast get near her."

Just then, a fierce gale swept in from ahead, nearly blinding everyone. When the wind passed, a dog-like beast the size of a Tibetan mastiff, covered in black fur, appeared before them. Its hideous face was like a demon from hell. Its gaping maw reeked of foul odor, and drool dripped from its jaws.

Everyone stood frozen, facing off against this single Hellhound. Soon, two appeared, then ten, then a hundred, then two hundred—the sight made everyone's scalp crawl. A heavy shadow of death pressed down on every heart. The martial university students, in teams of five, gripped their shields tightly.

"This is the moment of life and death, students. Show the spirit of martial artists!" The instructors and teachers cheered on those behind them. Over two hundred Hellhounds—just the few of them couldn't hold back so many.

And then the first wave of Hellhounds launched their attack. The instructors and teachers, with their Gold and Silver rank strength, could only stop a few dozen. Over a hundred more charged straight at the students behind them. In that first wave alone, dozens were sent flying into the air.