Anomaly

That was right. Li Ming's target this time was this Ten-Thousand-Year Unicorn.

This Ten-Thousand-Year Unicorn could unleash extremely fast beams of light that carried a burning property.

After long-term observation, Satellite AI discovered that this Unicorn loved basking in the sun. It could no longer be called a hobby; it was simply a habit.

The horn on its head glimmered faintly as it basked in the sunlight, as if it were storing up power.

It used its horn to trigger light-based attacks, and those beams carried a burning property.

It was difficult for Li Ming not to think of something.

Satellite AI deduced that the Unicorn's horn was highly likely capable of absorbing solar energy, then somehow focusing sunlight into beams and releasing them. The burning effect fit the nature of light perfectly.

Satellite AI had recommended this Soul Beast to Li Ming, believing it was highly suitable for his future development.

After observing it for some time, Li Ming was certain that Satellite AI had been right.

At the same time, he was delighted. If he could obtain its Soul Ring and acquire a corresponding Soul Skill—

Perhaps he could use sunlight to launch attacks.

Wouldn't such beams count as lasers?

Li Ming had always wanted to create satellite weapons, but that was impossible through technological means alone.

Laser weapons faced many difficulties, and Satellite AI's own technological reserves were simply unable to overcome them.

But perhaps what technology could not achieve, Soul Skills could.

That was the charm of this world.

Combining technology with Soul Skills, he might truly be able to create laser satellite weapons.

Lasers were the preferred choice among many satellite weapons. First, they were fast. Second, they required no ammunition supply. For all these reasons, lasers were the most suitable satellite weapons.

Of course, this was merely his idea. Whether it could truly be built would only become clear after he fused with the Soul Ring.

Even if it could not, this would still be a Soul Ring well suited to his Satellite Spirit.

While he was contemplating this, the others began discussing specific strategies for dealing with the Soul Beast. Their discussion was extremely earnest, and they even argued until their faces turned red over differing approaches.

Who would have thought that this group of Spirit Saints and Spirit Emperors was preparing to conquer a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?

Li Ming was somewhat speechless. They really were overacting.

Still, he said nothing and simply watched their performance in silence.

Soon, deep night fell. Several tents were arranged around the bonfire, divided into an outer ring and an inner ring according to their distance from it.

Li Ming's tent was closest to the fire, while the other tents surrounded it completely, protecting him at the center.

The Star Dou Great Forest was even more dangerous at night, with countless predators lurking beneath the darkness.

The members of the Red Tiger Mercenary Group took turns patrolling the surroundings.

Their food consisted of dry rations they had brought with them.

Li Ming's was the same. Seeing that it was getting late, he went straight into his tent to rest.

"Kid, leave the night watch to us. You can sleep soundly until dawn. Our professionalism is no joke."

Guli sat beside the bonfire. The firelight illuminated her body, making the curves of her smooth skin all the more striking. As she patted her chest and assured Li Ming, even the shifting firelight seemed to ripple.

Li Ming had Satellite AI stand guard over him and monitor the surroundings at all times. At the first sign of anything suspicious, it was to wake him immediately. Only then did he sleep peacefully.

As the saying went, trust those you employed and do not employ those you distrusted. He had spent so long selecting these people; there was no need to watch them too closely.

Otherwise, he might as well not have come out at all.

Soon, faint snoring came from within the tent.

The few people standing watch outside looked toward the tent in mild surprise. They had not expected Li Ming to sleep so well.

And Guli had only been saying it casually. In an environment like this, using meditation to cultivate instead of sleeping was clearly the better choice.

This was the perilous Star Dou Great Forest. Forget Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts—even Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts could be found here.

Yet he could sleep soundly in such a place. He truly was a child from a major power; otherwise, he would not have trusted them so naively.

Buzz, buzz—

As Li Ming slept, he suddenly felt an intense vibration rise from within his body. He instantly woke, opened his eyes, and sat up, his face grave. After scanning the surroundings, his Infrared Perspective Vision revealed no suspicious Soul Beasts.

The Red Tiger Squad was still dutifully guarding the area, so why had Satellite AI awakened him?

He immediately summoned his Martial Soul.

A panel instantly appeared before his eyes.

It displayed a Satellite Map, with his current position at the center. There were not many red dots nearby, and most were dim, indicating that these Soul Beasts were not particularly strong.

Li Ming's gaze shifted to the upper-right corner, where Satellite AI's log was located. A red exclamation mark had appeared there, indicating an emergency.

[An abnormality among the Soul Beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest has been detected.

Warning! High-level Soul Beasts have left the Core Zone.

The frequency of Soul Beast activity at night has increased by 425%. This value is abnormal.

A large number of Soul Beasts are dispersing toward the outer regions.

Analysis indicates a 96% probability of a Beast Tide.]

Li Ming's eyes widened as the map before him changed.

The red dots on the original map had been densely packed, but the closer they were to the Core Zone of the Star Dou Great Forest, the brighter they became.

However, on the altered map, the brighter red dots had begun spreading outward from deep within the Star Dou Great Forest.

The former was a Soul Beast distribution map compiled from satellite monitoring over the past hour, while the latter was a Soul Beast distribution map under satellite monitoring at this very moment.

The trend of change was obvious at a glance.

A Beast Tide!

Li Ming immediately rose to his feet and strode out of the tent.

Two Spirit Saints were on watch at the moment. One was the captain, Zhu Qing, while the other was Zhou Jing, the elegant beauty with an ancient charm.

"What is it?"

Zhu Qing asked in surprise. Did he need to relieve himself?

"We need to leave the Star Dou Great Forest immediately."

Li Ming spoke in an extremely serious tone.

"Now? It's deep in the night. Many vicious and cunning Soul Beasts prefer to emerge at this time. Leaving now makes us vulnerable to ambushes, and even we may not be able to guarantee your safety."

Zhu Qing frowned, unsure what this little ancestor was thinking.

Traveling at night was a major taboo.

"I received intelligence in Purple Heaven City. A Beast Tide is about to occur in the Star Dou Great Forest."

Li Ming said at once.

"A Beast Tide?!"

Zhu Qing was startled. His first instinct upon hearing those words was to question them, but then he realized the intelligence had come from Purple Heaven City—meaning it had come from the Mysterious City Lord. His expression changed instantly.

If the intelligence came from the City Lord's Mansion, then it was likely highly reliable!

"Quick, quick, quick! Everyone, get up!"

Zhu Qing immediately shouted, waking all the other members of the Red Tiger Mercenary Group.

They did not even pack their tents or belongings. They simply abandoned everything and hurried away.

After learning the reason, the others had no doubts either. Even they could not guarantee survival in a Beast Tide. They quickened their pace, eager to leave this place as soon as possible.

"A Beast Tide? There hasn't been a Beast Tide in the Star Dou Great Forest for many years. Why did we have to run into one now?

Could it be because too many Soul Beasts in the Star Dou have died recently?

There's nothing to be done about that. Now that we have intelligence from the City Lord's Mansion, finding Soul Beasts has become far too easy. Even quite a few Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts have died. I heard that the Soul Beasts in the Star Dou have been much more irritable lately and more aggressive. Could that be the reason?"

The rough-looking man muttered as he hurried along.

The others merely nodded slightly, feeling that there might indeed be some connection.

But upon hearing this, Li Ming abruptly turned to look at the man, his heart jolting. Could it really be related to me? Or was it merely a coincidence?!