Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Beast Tide

The youth trial competition in Skywind Mountain was in full swing, with heart-pounding battles erupting throughout the mountain from time to time.

"Whoosh!"

A disheveled figure flashed by. A massive bristle-lion was fleeing in a panic, its enormous body marred by over a dozen shocking wounds. Blood gushed out, leaving a dripping trail of red in its wake. Judging by its size, one could easily identify it as a Tier 2 demonic beast—a creature of formidable strength. Yet, the beast had lost all its former majesty; its eyes were filled with terror. Ignoring its injuries, it fled wildly, as if pursued by something truly horrific.

"Swish!"

A figure was in hot pursuit, closing the distance with such incredible speed that afterimages trailed behind him.

"Nowhere to run!"

The figure shaped his fingers into a blade. Surging spiritual energy coalesced around his palm into a sharp, gleaming edge, which he struck forward!

"Crack!"

The bristle-lion had no time to dodge. The blade of energy decapitated it instantly. Blood sprayed as the massive, headless corpse stumbled forward for dozens of meters before crashing to the ground.

The figure retracted his palm blade and stood still, revealing a refined and handsome face. This was Qin Lang, one of the participants in the Skywind Mountain trial.

Twenty days had passed since the trials began. Through constant combat and life-or-death tempering, supplemented by the Soul-Condensing Pill, Qin Lang’s strength had improved rapidly, reaching the peak of the ninth stage of Martial Apprentice!

A wisp of demonic essence flowed from the beast’s body into the bracelet on Qin Lang’s wrist. The number on the display changed from 337 to 347. Seeing this, Qin Lang nodded in satisfaction. Most participants could only slay about three beasts a day, but Qin Lang was killing nearly twenty, a testament to his high efficiency.

As far as he knew, in past trials, a score of 150 was sufficient to rank in the top 100, earning a spot as a disciple in the sects of the Zongheng Empire. With his current score, he was certain to secure a place in the top 100 without issue.

However, Qin Lang was not satisfied with that alone. The larger and more powerful the sect, the more abundant the resources for cultivation. His goal was to enter one of the top ten sects of the Zongheng Empire! Each sect offered only three spots in this trial, meaning he needed to finish in the top thirty to qualify. With many ninth-stage Martial Apprentices competing, the rivalry was fierce.

Qin Lang was unsure of his current standing, so to be safe, he had to continue pushing himself to the limit and hunt more beasts.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Skywind Mountain, a tall, handsome youth was meticulously wiping blood from his long sword. Before him lay two massive bears, their bodies mangled and decapitated. This was Huang Bo, the young patriarch of the Huang family.

Sheathing his sword, he glanced at the bracelet on his wrist. The number "387" flashed before his eyes.

"If I recall correctly, the highest score in previous years was only 400! At my current rate, I can easily surpass that. Not just 400—even 500 would be within reach. That is to say, the top spot in this trial belongs to me!" Huang Bo thought with confidence.

The only person who could be considered a rival was Ye Keqing, but she had only just broken through to the first stage of Martial Artist. Furthermore, she was burdened by that useless waste Qin Lang; there was no way she could match his efficiency. "Of course, I won't slack off until the trial ends. I will hold this opportunity firmly in my grasp." With total confidence, he set off to find his next target.

At the massive square near the entrance of Skywind Mountain, many families and factions from Qingfeng Town had gathered. From time to time, an injured youth would return from the mountain, dejectedly handing back their bracelets. With ten days left in the trial, they had lost their ability to fight, wasting the remaining time; their current scores were clearly insufficient to reach the top 100. Their families watched them return with expressions of extreme disappointment. Most, however, were waiting in anticipation to see who would emerge victorious and successfully enter the sects of the Zongheng Empire.

On the VIP platform at the front of the square, Tian Yuan smiled at the other nine officials. "Shall we make a guess as to who will have the last laugh and take the top spot in this trial?"

"A fine idea! Let's all guess and see who is right in the end!"

The patriarchs of the four great families of Qingfeng Town and representatives of other factions pricked up their ears.

"In my opinion, it is undoubtedly the youth named Huang Bo. He is already at the first stage of Martial Artist; he will surely slay the most beasts and take first place!" a stout official said first. Huang Guang, hearing this, could not help but look smug; his son was truly outstanding, even earning the favor of the sect officials.

"I personally believe the girl, Ye Keqing, is ten to one to take the top spot," a tall, thin official laughed.

"Indeed, I fancy that young lady as well!" another agreed.

Nearby, Ye Xuan was beaming. Since his daughter had taken Qin Lang’s martial soul, her strength had soared. A mere Huang Bo could not be mentioned in the same breath as his daughter! She was surely the one who would take first place.

"BOOM—"

As they chatted, a massive, thunderous roar erupted from Skywind Mountain. Immediately after, the entire square began to tremble violently, as if hit by an earthquake!

"What is happening?"
"What is the situation?"
"What’s going on?"

The crowd looked at one another in confusion.

"Oh no, it’s a beast tide!" Tian Yuan realized first, his voice filled with alarm.

A beast tide, caused by the mass migration of demonic beasts or some other disturbance, was a rare occurrence. Yet, once it began, even a Martial King would find it hard to survive if submerged in the surge. For ordinary martial artists, it was almost certain death.

Faces turned pale in an instant. Outside the mountain, protective formations laid down by the Martial Kings of the Zongheng Empire prevented the beasts from escaping, so those in the square were safe. However, there were over a thousand youths from Qingfeng Town currently in the mountain. If a beast tide were to break out now, they would be in mortal danger!