Chapter 11: The Surge of the Beast Tide
“Master, I have failed. Within the mountain range you designated, there lies a village, and there… dwells something terrifying. The flags you bestowed upon me were destroyed.” Yin Shihang bowed his head respectfully as he spoke.
…
Several hours later, Yin Shihang emerged from the secret chamber. Outside, a cluster of elders from the Crimson Flame Sect waited anxiously. Suddenly, their expressions shifted. Not only had Yin Shihang’s injuries fully healed, but his aura seemed even more formidable than before.
“The plan has changed. Within one month, you are all to reclaim every sect within that region. Any who resist, show no mercy—kill them all!” Yin Shihang’s eyes were filled with murderous intent.
Gongsun Qi and the others received their orders and departed.
Yin Shihang’s gaze settled on a distant direction, his expression icy as he muttered, “Once the Master’s envoy arrives, no matter who you are, you will die.”
…
After scaling countless peaks, Zhu Xiaoyuan at last reached the summit of the highest mountain. Standing atop the world, he gazed out, beholding all the lesser mountains below. The ranges stretched endlessly, winding across the land like a great dragon.
Zhu Xiaoyuan did not venture further, for the depths of the mountains teemed with fierce and dangerous spirit beasts—should he encounter one, escape might be impossible.
At that moment, the distant sun slowly descended, casting an enchanting red glow as it sank into the sea. Zhu Xiaoyuan immediately took out pen and paper, beginning to sketch upon a massive stone.
The blazing crimson sun, the ever-changing blue sky—the twilight’s golden radiance draped the mountains in armor. Zhu Xiaoyuan recalled an ancient verse: “As the sun sets in the west, the lonely wanderer grieves at the world’s edge.” Beauty tinged with sorrow.
He raised his brush, lost in inspiration. His heart and spirit seemed to merge with the sinking sun. Unconsciously, his hand moved, painting without realizing it.
Meanwhile, profound changes were unfolding deep within the vast mountain range. From its heart, a forbidden place echoed with terrifying sounds, like the beating of an immense cosmic heart.
Suddenly, the birds and beasts throughout the range seemed struck by some overwhelming force, fleeing in mad panic. In an instant, a dreadful tide of beasts surged toward the outside world.
If any true expert were present, they would perceive that behind the beast tide, something fearsome was driving them forth.
Amidst the surging herd, a streak of white light shot forth, landing as a snow-white tiger cub, pursued by three spirit beasts radiating sinister power.
Flames coursed through their bodies, feathers sharp as blades, each one fearsome.
“We must capture her. That cub possesses the bloodline of the White Tiger, and our master needs it!”
“Little white tiger, if you continue to run, do not blame us for being ruthless!”
The three spirit beasts spoke in human tongues. Yet the snow-white cub ignored them, fleeing with all her strength.
But her speed could not match theirs—the distance between them narrowed steadily.
At this critical moment, the white tiger cub’s gaze fell upon a nearby mountain. Strangely, the beast tide seemed to avoid this peak, surging past it.
Her eyes changed; the unremarkable mountain brimmed with the resonance of the Great Dao, the laws of heaven and earth flowing through its every stone. As a primordial beast, she was sensitive to these forces.
There must be something terrifying here; otherwise, the herd would never be so wary.
Drawing closer, the cub felt a suffocating aura pressing down upon her, even her bloodline trembling in fear.
Yet she had no choice. Gritting her teeth, she soared onto the mountain.
Seeing her land on the peak, the three spirit beasts halted abruptly, their expressions shifting.
“Wait… why do I feel a shiver in my soul?”
“This place is not ordinary…”
The stronger their cultivation, the more clearly they sensed the extraordinary nature of this mountain—a faint terror rising from deep within their souls.
“Are we just going to give up?”
The three exchanged glances.
“No, the master is at a crucial moment of awakening, needing vast bloodlines from primordial beasts—letting the white tiger cub escape is unacceptable!” One beast’s eyes glinted coldly. “I want to see if anyone here can rival our master’s power.”
With that, the three transformed into streams of light and chased up the mountain.
The white tiger cub finally reached the summit, her gaze fixed ahead. There, atop a massive stone, a young man was painting earnestly.
As his brush moved, the distant sun sank, crimson clouds unfurling across the sky—a scene that stirred the soul.
Three elements—artist, sun, and mountain—became one, vibrant and unending.
“What kind of person is this youth? His brushstrokes seem to channel the laws of heaven and earth!” The white tiger cub’s pupils widened in shock.
Meanwhile, the three spirit beasts arrived at the summit. Their eyes, too, were filled with awe, pinned on the young man by the stone.
“What a terrifying aura… my soul is trembling, on the verge of shattering…”
“How can this be? How could such a dreadful presence exist in this world?”
Their spirits shattered; the young man’s brushstrokes appeared to weave the laws of the Great Dao, channeling spiritual energy, rendering the sunset on the paper not just an image, but as real as the sun itself.
It was as if the sun sinking into the sea had entered his painting.
As Zhu Xiaoyuan neared completion, the resonance of the Great Dao on the mountain approached its climax.
Boom!
Suddenly, the three spirit beasts shuddered violently, as though the sound of the Dao echoed within them.
At that moment, faint traces of bloodline power surfaced within them, growing clearer and stronger.
Not only that, but those traces transformed into runes.
“This is the power of the Great Dao… forging our ancestral blood into runes…”
“Impossible… these runes are the inheritance of the Golden-winged Roc. Are we truly about to reclaim our ancestors’ glory?”
“Such fortune… it defies the heavens!”
The three beasts were overcome with excitement.
Watching the youth paint, the laws of heaven and earth stirred, activating the runes hidden in their blood.
Beside them, the white tiger cub’s body trembled. Brilliant divine light burst from her fur, as if the White Tiger itself had descended.
She felt it clearly—her once thin bloodline was now rich and transformed, becoming golden.
Golden blood—the blood of the White Tiger!
…
Yet Zhu Xiaoyuan remained wholly absorbed in his painting, oblivious to the profound changes unfolding around him.