And it was while Lu Yuan was focused on refining the energy.
Half an hour later.
Inside Qingyang City.
A shrill alarm suddenly rang out.
Countless residents heard it and, without a moment's hesitation, ran straight out of their homes.
Just moments ago, a major announcement had come through: a Beast Tide would soon strike from the east. The authorities in Qingyang City had issued a disaster warning, ordering all residents to leave their homes as quickly as possible and head for somewhere relatively safe.
The news had come so suddenly that the residents had almost no time to react.
It was supposed to be a time for rest.
But now, every road heading west through the city was in chaos.
Every major street was packed with people and vehicles.
Car horns blared, children cried out, and the sounds rose and fell without pause. Everyone knew a disaster was about to strike.
There was no helping it. Ever since the global mutation, beasts had evolved into Mutant Beasts and gained a measure of intelligence. Their strength had also increased tremendously, and every so often, they charged into human cities and wreaked havoc.
And scenes like that appeared on the news every day.
Now it was Qingyang City's turn.
The residents were naturally thrown into a panic, but the more panicked they became, the slower the evacuation went.
"Qingyu, we can't go on like this. There's no time. Forget the Beast Tide—it hasn't even appeared yet. At this rate, if people get trampled, plenty will die anyway."
On a high-rise somewhere in the city, Qin Lan looked down at the scene, her heart full of anxiety.
They had already contacted the city authorities.
They had asked for help evacuating the residents.
But this was the first time the authorities had dealt with a Beast Tide attacking the city. With no effective system in place, the city was growing more chaotic by the minute.
"There's nothing we can do. We weren't prepared, and this is all we can manage. All we can do now is hope the Beast Tide arrives later." Senior Brother Wu shook his head. Surely even a stampede would be better than being caught in the Beast Tide?
Their abilities were limited, and they weren't strong enough. They had truly done all they could.
"What did the authorities in Qingyang Town say?"
Zhu Qingyu spoke up, her brows drawn tight.
They had the backing of Zhendan Academy, so the local authorities had to show them some respect. If necessary, they could even temporarily take control of an area.
"They've requested help from the Rescue Force, but even the nearest unit will need five hours to get here."
Another person spoke up, explaining the situation. The territory had expanded, and the land itself had grown vast; even this speed was quite impressive.
But judging by the situation now, they clearly wouldn't make it in time.
Besides.
Even if they did arrive, it would be like a cup of water on a burning cart.
After all, they were only a rescue team, not a real military unit equipped with heavy weapons.
"Is that so?"
Zhu Qingyu took a deep breath. As if she had reached a decision, she turned to the others.
"Everyone, the residents have started evacuating. Our priority now is to buy them more time. I'm going to East City to hold back the Beast Tide. If you don't want to come, I won't force you."
Looking at the panicked crowds, she couldn't bear to stand by, even though one person's strength was limited.
Still, she chose to go without hesitation, heading straight for the place where the Beast Tide would strike.
"Qingyu, what are you saying? If you're going, we're all going."
Qin Lan stepped forward, choosing to go with her.
"Exactly. If we're going, we're going together." The others chimed in as well.
If they did nothing in the face of the Beast Tide, hundreds of thousands of residents would suffer a terrible disaster.
They were human, too. They couldn't stand by and do nothing in this situation, even if it meant paying with their lives.
"Good. You're worthy students of Zhendan Academy."
Just then.
A deep voice suddenly rang out.
The group turned around, their eyes lighting up.
Dozens of figures were rapidly approaching from not far away.
Only when they drew closer did the group see that five or six of them were middle-aged, while the rest were in their teens or twenties. There were both men and women.
At the head of the group was a middle-aged man. His presence was imposing, and he held a long spear in his hand.
"Teacher Zhao!"
Zhu Qingyu and the others called out at once, their faces bright with joy.
The newcomer was none other than a teacher from Zhendan Academy, known as Divine Spear Zhao Wuji. Before the global mutation, he had been a renowned inheritor of the Ancient Spear Technique in the country. After the mutation, a trace of his Ancestral Bloodline had awakened, making him an Awakened. He had later joined Zhendan Academy as a teacher, and his strength had reached the seventh tier of the Initial Realm.
As for the others, they were also teachers and students from Zhendan Academy, out patrolling nearby.
When they learned of the Mutant Beast Tide, they had rushed over as quickly as possible.
At that moment.
Zhao Wuji looked at Zhu Qingyu and the others, his expression full of approval.
"'Zhendan' was the ancient name the West used for our Huaxia during the Han and Tang dynasties. It means the sun rising in the east and shining across the world, and it represents hope and light. That's why Zhendan Academy was founded: to protect us from the dangers of this new era."
"Qingyu, none of you backed down in the face of danger. You've upheld a greater cause, and you've lived up to the name Zhendan."
At those words.
The teachers and students of Zhendan Academy present all drew a deep breath.
They had joined the academy not only because they wanted to evolve to a higher level.
Wasn't it also because they hoped to do their part?
"Teacher Zhao, we understand." Zhu Qingyu nodded in reply.
"Good."
Zhao Wuji spoke up. "Right now, the most important thing is to buy as much time as possible."
"I've already reported this to the academy and contacted the troops stationed in Chang'an. They'll bring firearms and come to support us."
"Also, the teachers and several vice presidents from the Chang'an Academy branch set out a few minutes ago!"
Troops were coming to help?
When Qin Lan and the others heard that, their spirits lifted at once.
The Mutant Beast Tide was terrifying, yes, but most Mutant Beasts couldn't withstand firearms. Unless they were especially powerful, there was no way the Awakened at Zhendan Academy alone could deal with all the attacks on cities by Mutant Beasts happening throughout the country.
More importantly, several vice presidents from Chang'an Academy were coming as well.
So now.
All they needed to do was buy time.
Once the troops arrived, the pressure would ease, and with reinforcements on the way.
They would surely be able to put an end to this Beast Tide.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
But just as they were getting excited.
The ground beneath Qingyang City suddenly began to rumble, like rolling thunder.
From the mountain forest to the east, a strange aura slowly emerged.
The Mutant Beast Tide was coming!
"Come with me and meet the enemy!"
At that moment.
Zhao Wuji spoke.
He gave the order, then leaped down from the rooftop and headed straight for the outskirts east of the city.
Many residents had yet to evacuate from the city, so they had to buy time while minimizing casualties.
Ordinary people had no power to resist Mutant Beasts.
Only Awakened could fight them.
Even though there were fewer than twenty of them.
They still set out, following Zhao Wuji to East City. They took their positions and waited.
At the same time, they each took out their weapons and used their abilities.
Scales grew across some people's bodies.
A hypnotic light shone from some people's eyes.
Others grew, their bodies expanding to several meters tall.
Once they had made their preparations.
They simply stared at the mountain forest in the distance.
Even though they had already made up their minds.
All the students present, except for a few of the teachers, were nervous enough to sweat.
In the distance, within the dense mountain forest east of Qingyang City.
Heavy footsteps drew closer, their momentum terrifying. A vast cloud of dust rose into the air, making it clear that there were at least a hundred Mutant Beasts.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Closer!
Everyone tensed up, giving the situation their full attention.
Far away, vague shapes shifted in the distance.
One creature after another appeared, roaring horribly as they charged forward at incredible speed.
Zhu Qingyu and the others finally got a clear look at the Mutant Beasts.
There were monkeys covered in golden fur, wild boars like armored vehicles, white snakes as thick as barrels, and birds with wingspans of dozens of meters. All of them radiated danger and bloodlust. Though they belonged to different species, they shared one target, and their numbers had reached the hundreds, even thousands.
Most were Mutant Beasts who had embarked on the path of evolution. They were not to be trifled with.
The only thing worth celebrating was this.
These Mutant Beasts weren't especially strong. Most were around the first or second tier of the Initial Realm.
Some hadn't even embarked on the path of evolution, and were only somewhat stronger than ordinary beasts.
After all.
The area outside Qingyang City wasn't some famous mountain range.
Even if there were Mutant Beasts there, they weren't very strong.
If it had been somewhere like the Qinling Mountains or Taihang, all they could do was wait to die.
Still, their numbers were truly staggering.
Ten times their own.
Was it about to begin?
Everyone swallowed, their bodies crouching as they prepared for battle.
But soon.
The Mutant Beasts all stopped roughly a thousand meters from Qingyang City, standing where they were without moving any farther.
"Teacher Zhao, what's going on?" Qin Lan asked, her eyes full of confusion.
"Don't speak."
Zhao Wuji stared intently ahead.
The next moment, everyone saw the giant trees in the mountain forest falling one by one, snapped in half.
At the same time, a blue Unicorn Giant Wolf emerged from the forest. It stood thirty meters tall, its eyes as large as washbasins, glowing a cold blue as it stared at them.
As soon as it appeared, all the Mutant Beasts made way for it.
The Giant Wolf King!
The Beast King of that mountain forest.
It was also the one who had started this Beast Tide.
"Roar!"
The Giant Wolf King looked at Zhao Wuji and the others and let out a deafening roar.
Below it, more than a thousand Mutant Beasts bared their fangs.
Bloodlust and murderous intent filled their eyes.
It seemed that all it would take was one order for them to charge out and tear everyone apart.
"Respected Giant Wolf King, would you hear me out?"
Just then.
Zhao Wuji stepped forward and called out loudly.
Though he knew this battle might be unavoidable, he still wanted to try.
If he could make the Beast Tide retreat for now, that would be the best possible outcome.
Even if he couldn't.
He could at least stall for a little while.
A being like the Giant Wolf King could certainly understand what humans were saying.
"Roar~"
But the other party didn't seem interested in talking.
It let out a roar and gave the order to attack!
Roar! Roar! Roar!
The next instant.
Hundreds of Mutant Beasts charged straight toward Qingyang City without the slightest hesitation.
"There's no other choice. Kill!" Zhao Wuji reacted at once.
He gripped his spear tightly in both hands. A powerful aura erupted from his entire body in an instant.
He leaped high into the air, soaring dozens of meters above the ground. Then, with the force of a Mountain-Splitting Strike, he slammed the spear in his hands straight into the earth!
Boom!
The ground shook, and cracks spread in every direction.
Under the immense force, the internal organs of dozens of Mutant Beasts nearby were crushed in an instant.
Zhao Wuji was the inheritor of the Ancient Chinese Spear Technique. He was at the seventh tier of the Initial Realm, and had even awakened his ancestral bloodline.
Under that strike, any Mutant Beast below the sixth tier stood no chance of blocking it.
And his spear—
It had been specially crafted to withstand tremendous force.
Behind him, the other teachers from Zhendan Academy charged out as well. They weren't as powerful as Zhao Wuji, but they were around the fifth or sixth tier. As they rushed into the beast horde, each strike felled several Mutant Beasts.
Once the Myriad Spirits embarked on the path of evolution, even a slight difference in strength made it difficult for them to stand on equal footing.
Unless they possessed an exceptionally powerful bloodline, lower-tier beings were suppressed by those of a higher tier.
"We're going in too, but don't split up. Stay close to the teachers."
Zhu Qingyu led the students beside her forward.
They weren't strong, either, and were only at the first or second tier.
So they had to stay around the teachers if they wanted to protect themselves as much as possible.
The battle had begun.
Though Zhendan Academy had few people,
They fought with plenty of courage, and had several powerful teachers on their side.
Against all odds, they managed to hold back the Mutant Beasts' assault for a short while.
But—
There were simply too many of them. The defenders were struggling to keep up.
The students, in particular, were in trouble. Some had only recently begun their evolutionary journey and lacked any real combat experience. They were wounded in no time, allowing several Mutant Beasts to charge straight into the city and wreak havoc.
In an instant, buildings came crashing down, sending up enormous clouds of dust.
A golden monkey yanked a utility pole out of the ground and swung it like a club.
A three-story building was quickly reduced to rubble under its assault.
Other Mutant Beasts
were smashing public facilities, revealing their most primal savagery.
And as time passed, the Mutant Beasts who had slipped past the defenders drew closer and closer to the western part of Qingyang City.
Thousands of civilians had yet to evacuate from that area.
If the beasts reached them—
It would surely become a horrific massacre.
"This can't go on."
Seeing this, Zhao Wuji's expression darkened. There were simply too few of them to hold back so many Mutant Beasts.
He turned his gaze to the Blue Giant Wolf King and called to the other two teachers. "Old Liu, Old Zhang, let's join forces. If we kill the Giant Wolf King, we can stop this Beast Tide."
As the leader, once the Giant Wolf King was dead, the other Mutant Beasts would be leaderless and would naturally retreat.
"Roar!"
Just then,
The Giant Wolf King seemed to understand Zhao Wuji's intent and let out a great roar.
At once, all the Mutant Beasts stopped and moved toward the forest.
Even the ones inside the city stopped destroying things. They all ran out of the city and gathered before the Giant Wolf King.
"What's going on?"
Zhu Qingyu and the others watched the Mutant Beasts leave and looked puzzled.
Could it be—
The battle was over?
But it had only just begun!
Yet everyone soon understood.
It wasn't over!
After the Mutant Beasts withdrew, the Giant Wolf King strode forward, its blue eyes glinting with interest as it looked at Zhao Wuji and the others, as if waiting for something.
"Is it... going to fight Teacher Zhao and the others?" Senior Brother Wu asked.
"That's right."
Zhu Qingyu replied, "The Giant Wolf King called the horde back on purpose."
Her expression grew grave.
She had heard about this before.
Some cunning Mutant Beasts deliberately refrained from harming people after entering human cities. Instead, they wreaked havoc.
They did it to show off their strength and make humans despair. Once they'd had their fill of fun, they would begin killing.
Like a hunter who had caught its prey and wanted to torment it in every way possible.
In the past,
This was how humans treated wild beasts.
Now the tables had turned.
"Fine! You want to fight? Then let's fight!"
As a teacher, Zhao Wuji naturally understood what the Giant Wolf King had in mind.
Without hesitation, he gripped his bloodstained spear and charged forward.
The teachers beside him followed, each wielding their own weapon.
They were all at the fifth tier of the Initial Realm, with powerful physiques. In an instant, they closed in on the Giant Wolf King. Led by Zhao Wuji, they leaped high and launched their attack.
"Roar!"
The Giant Wolf King saw them coming.
It bared its teeth in a grin, roared, and raised a sharp claw before slamming it down.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Its strength was overwhelming. With a single swipe,
Every teacher except Zhao Wuji was sent crashing to the ground like a meteor, smashing into a huge crater. Their bodies were cracked, and they were knocked unconscious, clearly gravely injured.
Zhao Wuji, the strongest among them, didn't fare much better. His spear managed to block the attack,
But after just a few exchanges, he could barely hold on. He plummeted from the sky and smashed through a building.
"This..."
Zhu Qingyu and the others watched, their expressions turning ashen.
One was at the seventh tier.
The other was at the ninth tier, and was even close to the Awakening Realm.
What's more, Mutant Beasts were naturally far stronger than humans in terms of physique.
The gap was simply too great.
They weren't even in the same league.
"Roar!"
The Giant Wolf King looked at them, disappointment showing in its eyes.
It had thought these humans would be strong.
They couldn't even withstand a single swipe.
It found the whole thing terribly dull and was about to order its horde to attack Qingyang City.
"It's not over yet!"
But just then, Zhao Wuji leaped up again.
With his spear in hand, he stood on the rooftop of a building and pointed it at the Giant Wolf King. "The real battle has only just begun!"
With that,
He gripped the spear tightly in both hands, his entire body radiating an overwhelming aura.
Wave after wave of immense power burst from within him.
Boom!
The next moment, Zhao Wuji bent his knees slightly, then stomped down. The concrete rooftop crumbled beneath his foot as he leaped into the air once more.
He shot forward like a cannonball, hurtling toward the Giant Wolf King.
Light shimmered along the spear,
And a trace of spear intent emanated from it.
This was Zhao Wuji's strongest technique. He poured every ounce of his strength into it.
"Teacher Zhao..."
Zhu Qingyu and the others clenched their fists.
They prayed that even if he couldn't defeat the Giant Wolf King, he could at least... make some difference.
But the Giant Wolf King's eyes only grew a little more serious than before.
Then it raised its claw again and fought him head-on.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Zhao Wuji held out for only a short while—not even ten minutes.
Soon, he was spitting blood, both arms cracked, and he was driven back at high speed.
But he didn't fall. He thrust his spear again, using every last ounce of strength to stubbornly block another attack.
"Teacher Zhao!" Zhu Qingyu and the others shouted, their faces filled with worry.
They knew that if this continued, he would die.
He was at the seventh tier of the Initial Realm.
He had already done more than enough.
Tears welled in everyone's eyes.
Meanwhile,
In a secluded corner of Qingyang City,
Lu Yuan slowly opened his eyes. He felt another surge of tremendous power rising within him, and a smile appeared on his face.
Good. The Fourth Shackle—
He had successfully broken it!
But the next moment, his brow furrowed.
Something was wrong. He could sense the presence of many Mutant Beasts in the distance.
Before you continue