Chapter 76 The Beast Tide Arrives

Chapter 76: The Beast Tide Arrives

If you know you're spouting nonsense, why don't you change the habit? Wang Hao thought, his expression darkening slightly.

Seeing Wang Hao's displeasure, Wang Longling also wore an awkward look as he quickly pivoted.

"This subordinate has a granddaughter named Wenxian. She is just ten years old now and has already been sent to the clan school. With her triple Spiritual Root aptitude, I hope the Elder can look after her a bit!"

As he spoke, he opened the jade box in his hand and pushed it across the table toward Wang Hao.

Wang Hao reached out and took the box. Instantly, the farm interface in his mind brightened. Hmm? A new seed? What a pleasant surprise!

Looking inside, he saw it was actually a section of jade-like lotus root.

"Righteousness Lotus?"

Wang Longling quickly offered his flattery. "The Elder is indeed knowledgeable and experienced. This item was found by this subordinate in Ling Lake. Knowing the Elder is an alchemist, I specifically offer it to you!"

This flattery actually hit the mark. Wang Hao truly needed this Righteousness Lotus.

To cultivate his Ice Muscle and Jade Bone Technique to the fifth layer, he required a pill called the White Lotus Dan. Its main ingredient was precisely the root produced by a six-hundred-year-old Righteousness Lotus. He had originally planned to go overseas to search for it, yet today he obtained it just like that.

In that case, taking care of Wang Longling's granddaughter wasn't a big deal. She was also of the "Wen" generation, so by reckoning, she was like a little sister to him.

"Hmm, this item is somewhat useful to me, so I'll accept it," Wang Hao said, closing the box. "I am not often with the family, but I can still give her some pointers. I will also have people keep an eye on her."

He paused, adding a caveat. "However, the family has its own rules. Whether she can become accomplished still depends on herself."

Wang Longling was overjoyed. "This subordinate naturally knows the rules. For the Elder to occasionally give her some pointers is already her great fortune!"

"Alright, if there is nothing else, you may leave now." Wang Hao issued the dismissal.

"This subordinate takes his leave!"

Wang Longling didn't mind Wang Hao's dismissive attitude. A Foundation Establishment cultivator agreeing to see him was already giving him immense face. That he agreed to look after his granddaughter—even if Wang Hao stepped on his face twice, he would gladly accept it.

Several more days of peace passed.

News about the demon beasts continued to arrive from Ruojun Mountain. This time, the Qingyuan Sect could be said to have lifted a rock only to drop it on their own feet. They had deliberately withheld support from the families under their command, trying to use the demon beasts to weaken the vassal forces for easier control.

Unfortunately, man proposes, but heaven disposes.

This time, the demon beasts did not split their forces. The Golden Lion Demon King actually led an army of four hundred thousand beasts in a fierce, concentrated assault on Qingyuan Mountain.

There were five third-rank demon beasts in total, with the Golden Lion Demon King being at the upper third-rank, just one step away from fourth-rank transformation. His strength was formidable.

First and second-rank demon beasts were numerous beyond count. The Qingyuan Sect suffered heavy losses this time; reportedly, after just three days of battle, they had lost over ten percent of their sect's cultivators.

And the beast tide would last at least a month. With four hundred thousand demon beasts, they would absolutely not retreat until at least half were dead.

Cultivators needed territory; demon beasts also needed territory. The land in the Severed Origin Mountains was limited. Too many beasts caused crowding and fighting amongst themselves for resources. That was why high-rank Demon Kings launched beast tides—to control the population of low-rank fodder while selecting outstanding individuals to evolve into high-rank lieutenants.

However, even though the main force of demon beasts did not split up, scattered groups still impacted the Green Bull Market area. Currently, about ten thousand beasts were attacking the Market, with several hundred being second-rank.

The Wang and Li families were facing attacks from two to three thousand beasts. Judging from the battle reports coming back, the pressure wasn't too great.

Just yesterday, scattered first-rank aquatic demon beasts also arrived near Ling Lake. It seemed they had set their sights on Ling Lake City.

"Boss, will the monsters come? We've been guarding this city wall for half a month now. When will this end?" A thin young man complained to his squad leader beside him.

"I say, kid, you'd better not hope for demon beasts to come," the middle-aged squad leader said with a sigh. "Even with immortal masters guarding us, we mortals will inevitably suffer casualties. According to my grandfather, during the last beast tide, a city was breached and more than half the mortals died!"

"Even immortal masters can't do much when faced with huge hordes of beasts; sometimes several die too!"

"No way? I've seen those immortal masters riding clouds and mist; how could they possibly die?" The young man looked utterly unconvinced.

"You're still too young. If immortal masters were really that strong, why wouldn't they go out hunting demon beasts instead of having us mortals guard the walls?"

Splash!

A strange sound interrupted their conversation. Both hurriedly looked down from the city wall to see that the ground below was now covered by rising lake water.

"What's going on? How did Ling Lake's water overflow?" The middle-aged squad leader looked tense.

Ling Lake City was built on higher ground several miles from the lake itself. Logically, the water shouldn't reach here.

"Is it because demon beasts are coming?" Some mortals began to panic.

"Don't panic! Everyone stand in your assigned positions as instructed by the immortal masters," the squad leader ordered. "I'll go invite an immortal master to come take a look!"

After saying this, he ran toward one of the towers on the city wall.

The person stationed in this tower was Zhu Shan, Wang Wenyan's husband. Upon receiving the news, he was also greatly alarmed.

"What did you say? Ling Lake's water has overflowed? Quickly, take me to see!"

He had thought being stationed in this small town without facing the main demon army was a cushy job—please don't let anything happen!

"Make way! The immortal master is here!"

Zhu Shan walked to the edge of the city wall and looked down. Sure enough, he could no longer see the ground; the entire Ling Lake City seemed like an isolated island. If not for the protective formation, the water would probably have already flooded the streets.

Zhu Shan was at the seventh layer of Qi Refining; his Divine Consciousness could sense things twenty or thirty zhang away. He faintly felt there were many demon beasts lurking beneath the surface.

Just as he was preparing to look more carefully, a fish demon over one zhang long suddenly burst out of the water and slammed fiercely into the city wall.

The mortals on the wall stumbled back in fright, but before the fish demon even made contact with the stone, it was blocked by a curtain of light. Instantly, its brains splattered everywhere—red and white fluids flowed down the barrier.

"Not good! It's a demon beast attack! Everyone prepare for battle!"

Zhu Shan quickly circulated his Qi and shouted loudly, "Everyone do not panic! Obey your squad leaders' commands! Anyone who retreats or causes disorder will be executed without mercy!"

Simultaneously, he activated a communication talisman in his hand to report the news to Wang Hao.

At that moment, Wang Hao—unable to cultivate due to insufficient spiritual energy—was sleeping when he felt a burning sensation at his waist. He immediately woke up.

"Have the demon beasts come?"

He opened his map for a look. Sure enough, densely packed skull icons appeared on the side near Ling Lake.

"Dammit! Fell asleep and almost messed things up! This number... looks like over a thousand low-rank demon beasts. Over ten second-rank ones, too!"

Wang Hao flicked his finger, sending out a spark of spiritual light. Immediately, bells rang throughout the city, followed by his amplified voice booming from above.

"All cultivators proceed to the north city wall! Mortal soldiers go to your assigned guard posts according to the deployment plan! Residents within the city, do not go outside!"

As Wang Hao's voice faded, successive horn blasts rose within the city. Mortals began moving under the organization of their squad leaders, heading toward the walls.

Wang Hao flew directly via his sword, arriving at the north gate tower where Zhu Shan hurriedly saluted. "Elder! Demon beasts have begun attacking the formation!"

"I know," Wang Hao replied calmly. "Don't panic. These are merely some low-rank demon beasts. The formation can hold. Wait until the others arrive before discussing further."

Moments later, all the cultivators gathered at the north gate tower. There were only eleven in total. Among them, only Wang Wenyan, Wang Wenmei, and Zhu Shan were at the late stage of Qi Refining; the others were at the mid or early stages.