...

After resting for a night, the Flying Ship had finally reached its limit. Song Changsheng had to store it away and travel by Sword Control with the two juniors.

---

Bian Province, Luoxia City, Celestial Sound Mountain.

Beneath the veil of night, the increasingly frequent roars left countless people sleepless.

In the pitch-black darkness, a blood-soaked Zhan Tianxia staggered as he landed on Celestial Sound Mountain.

"Junior Brother?"

Muu Guibai looked startled. He hurried forward to help him up, asking urgently, "How are you?"

"It’s nothing, just superficial wounds." Zhan Tianxia waved a hand dismissively, but his tone then turned grave. "Senior Brother, I’m afraid we’re in trouble this time."

"Is it really that serious? What did you see?" Muu Guibai’s expression also turned exceptionally grave. He knew Zhan Tianxia’s character—he never made empty claims. For him to say such a thing, something must have happened that was beyond their predictions.

A distant look filled Zhan Tianxia’s eyes as he recalled, "After I left Luoxia City, I stealthily made my way to the Hundred Thousand Mountains. I found the situation in the outer regions was just as we’d gathered—large groups of Demon Beasts migrating inward, and the Great Demons are restless.

So I ventured deeper into the Hundred Thousand Mountains and infiltrated the Black Water Marsh. Right now, the Black Water Marsh has amassed a sea of Demon Beasts, even larger than the last two Beast Tides. And more beasts are still streaming in from all directions.

I suspect that the Old Flood Dragon of Black Water Marsh might act personally, and Thundering Mountain is stirring as well. Senior Brother, a single misstep, and I fear Luoxia City is in danger of falling."

Muu Guibai’s brow furrowed slightly. That Old Flood Dragon was no simple beast; it would be no exaggeration to call it the primary threat the Daqi Cultivation World faced in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

As a Demon King that has lived for over a thousand years, it has launched hundreds of Beast Tides. Since Luoxia City’s founding, the city has spent most of its time locked in battle with it.

The enmity between them was already beyond words.

"Sigh... internal strife and external threats. This is all just too much of a coincidence."

The Daqi Cultivation World was truly at its most perilous moment. The war between the two Major Sects was at a deadlock, turning the entire north into their battlefield. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Then there were the Blood Demons, appearing frequently and plotting some unknown evil in the shadows.

Now, the Old Flood Dragon in the Hundred Thousand Mountains was also stirring restlessly.

You’d be lucky to see one such event in several hundred years, yet now they were all happening at once. No one would believe it if you called this a coincidence.

"There’s no use dwelling on it now. We will face soldiers with generals and floodwaters with earthworks. Starting tomorrow, we mobilize for all-out war.

For two thousand years! Our Luoxia City has stood firm in this land for two thousand years! The Beast Tides have never brought us down before, and they won’t bring us down now!"

The next day, Luoxia City officially sealed its gates, permitting people to exit but not to enter, and began to purchase war supplies in large quantities.

Though it wasn’t stated outright, this series of actions unmistakably pointed to one fact—war was here.

In that moment, a tide of panic began to spread through Luoxia City...

"Sigh, what kind of mess is this? The war over there isn’t even over, and another one is starting here."

Inside the general store, Song Xiantu sighed again and again as he watched the chaos in the city. He had lived in Luoxia City for more than twenty years and had already been through two Beast Tides. Though shocked by the news, he didn’t panic excessively.

After closing the shop doors, he called Song Qingluo over. "Luo’Er, haven’t you always been pestering me about going back to visit the clan? Go on, pack your things and go. And take an intelligence report back for me."

Song Qingluo’s face lit up with excitement, but she still asked cautiously, "Wouldn’t it be better to send the report through the altar? Having me take it back will just cause delays, won’t it?"

"It’s not a critical report. Think of it as killing two birds with one stone—just something to do on the way," Song Xiantu said with a wave of his hand, pulling a Jade Scroll from his sleeve.

"Remember, you must deliver this to the Young Clan Leader in person. I’ve already made the arrangements. A merchant caravan is leaving the city tomorrow. They’ll be passing through Ling Province, and they’ll give you a ride."

"Leaving tomorrow? Why the hurry?" Song Qingluo asked, looking at him with some confusion.

"Enough with the chatter. Just go when I tell you." Song Xiantu’s face instantly darkened. With a flick of his sleeves, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked away.

Sitting by the counter, Sunx Chuanming spoke without looking up from the Bronze Cauldron he was examining. "Are you worried Luoxia City won’t be able to hold out?"

Song Xiantu sighed. "It’s always better to be safe than sorry. I’ve lived most of my life, and this isn’t my first Beast Tide. But this time, Luoxia City’s reaction seems too extreme. It’s one thing if old bones like us are lost, but she’s still young. Call it an old man’s selfish wish, I suppose."

"Who doesn’t have selfish desires? Though this old man never married, I can understand why you’re doing this. It’s only human. Even the Clan Leader would have nothing to say if he were here."

Sunx Chuanming kept his eyes glued to the Bronze Cauldron in his hands, his tone placid and completely unaffected by the chaos outside.

"I just hope I’m overthinking things," Song Xiantu said with a deep sigh, unable to hide the lingering worry in his eyes.

---

Outside Luoxia City, near the edge of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, within a hidden underground palace.

A tall figure in a blood-red robe sat upon a throne built of skulls and bones, quietly observing the kneeling figure below. "Xiaobai," she said in a bewitching voice, "how is the task I assigned you coming along?"

To this person, her voice, as beautiful as a celestial melody, sounded like the whispers of a demon. With a slight tremor in his voice, he replied, "My Lady Blood Princess, this subordinate has sent out everyone from our branch, but... we have found no trace of Soulless.

Please, My Lady, grant me more time! This subordinate will do everything in his power to dig him out!"

Hearing this, the Blood Princess frowned slightly. Shifting into a more alluring posture, she asked, "And how much more time do you need?"

At her words, "Xiaobai" shuffled forward on his knees, his face filled with terror. "One month—no, half a month! Give this subordinate half a month, and I will be sure to complete your task."

"Soulless is like a divine dragon, showing its head but never its tail. Even I have been unable to find any trace of him. It’s normal that he can’t be found right away. Very well, I’ll give you another half a month."

"Thank you, My Lady! Thank you!" Xiaobai was overjoyed.

"I can forgive you for failing to find Soulless. But what about our sect’s treasure? Do you have any news on that?" the Blood Princess asked, leaning forward slightly and revealing a breathtaking flash of pale skin.

But "Xiaobai" was now too terrified to even lift his head. He kowtowed repeatedly, his head bobbing like a pestle grinding garlic. "Please forgive me, My Lady! Please forgive me..." he stammered in terror.

The Blood Princess’s brow furrowed deeply. "I don’t want your forgiveness," she said coldly. "I want the treasure!"

"My Lady, just give this subordinate a little more time! I can definitely find it!"

"I’d love to give you more time," the Blood Princess said, slowly rising to her feet as if discussing a trivial matter. "Unfortunately, the Lord Sect Leader hasn’t given *me* any more time. Take your own life. I’ll allow you to keep your body intact."

"My Lady..."

Despair completely consumed "Xiaobai."

No one knew better than him just how terrifying this woman was.

He tremblingly drew a Long Sword, and with a grit of his teeth, plunged it straight into his own heart. Bright red blood spurted forth, and just like that, a Foundation Establishment Great Perfection Cultivator ended his own life.

The Blood Princess didn’t spare him a single glance. With an indifferent wave of her hand, two figures in Blood Robes emerged from the corner shadows and dragged "Xiaobai’s" corpse away.

"From this moment on, whoever finds a trace of Soulless becomes my First Steward."

As soon as she spoke, a fanatical gleam lit the eyes of the countless figures hidden in the darkness...

Meanwhile, not far from the Blood Demon Underground Palace, a middle-aged man in black appeared. He was perched on a tree branch, drinking himself into a stupor from a gourd and looking as if he might fall off at any moment.

Yet his profound gaze kept drifting, as if by chance, toward the underground palace, his thoughts impossible to discern.

A crimson bat was hanging upside down above his head, its scarlet eyes glowing with a bloodthirsty light...

...

PS: I was suddenly called to participate in a skills competition today and didn’t get back until very late from practice. Sorry!~