Chapter Thirty-Three: The Beast Tide

“Master, they’re… they’re just ahead, and that strange energy… that eerie energy!”
Yun Ling trembled as she shrank behind Fan Qiuming, pointing toward a dark cave ahead.
The light was already dim as evening approached, and now, having fallen into the deep pit, their visibility was less than twenty meters.
Inside the cave, pairs of ghostly violet eyes stared at them, fixing their gaze, and the atmosphere grew heavy and silent.
“These eyes belong to those Blackblade Demon Wolves, but they’re somewhat different from the ones we saw before… It’s as if… they’re being controlled.”
Fan Qiuming paused, then continued,
“As for the energy fluctuations… I’m not sure, I’ve never encountered anything like this before. There’s something unsettling about it.”
“Better to be careful!”
The eyes remained fixed inside the cave, showing no intention of advancing. If these were ordinary Blackblade Demon Wolves, they would have pounced already.
“It seems they really are being controlled. So, there are people in this world capable of such things…”
Seeing the demon wolves unmoving, Fan Qiuming relaxed a little, swallowed another pill, and began to restore his energy.
Yun Ling was still hiding behind him, not daring to move, her mind less mature than Qiuming’s—like a child of barely a dozen years.
“It’s alright. I’m here…”
Fan Qiuming spoke gently.
Just then, the wolf pack stirred. Hearing the shuffling steps, Fan Qiuming suddenly grew alert, staring into the cave.
But instead of attacking, the wolves parted to either side, clearing a path in the middle.
“Someone’s coming?”
His spiritual sense detected a human figure among the wolves, but strangely, he could not discern the person’s face.
“A mask that interferes with spiritual perception…”
“This one is not simple.”
The wolves halted, and the mine fell silent once more.
Tap, tap, tap, tap…
The quiet mine echoed with footsteps, sharp and jarring.
“Master, he’s coming…”
Yun Ling, still hiding, sensed it too, her voice trembling.
“Mm, I know.”
Fan Qiuming watched as a shadow slowly appeared in the cave and stood up, with a wave summoning a sword into his hand.
“I didn’t expect such distinguished guests. I apologize for not welcoming you earlier, but what brings you to this deserted place?”
The stranger didn’t follow any usual script; his words were polite, his manner seemingly devoid of hostility.
His tone held no emotion, mechanical and cold, so only his silhouette suggested a man.
“We lost our way.”
Fan Qiuming kept his reply brief, wary of revealing too much.
“Lost your way?”
“How careless. I hope my wolves didn’t frighten you.”
He spoke, slowly approaching.
Fan Qiuming tensed, ready for anything.

He wore a bamboo hat, a mask concealing his face, his body draped in a weathered cloak that covered him entirely, presenting an aura of mystery.
“Don’t be nervous. I mean no harm…”
“Except for murderous intent!”
As he finished speaking, the man vanished from sight.
Fan Qiuming’s eyes widened. He quickly scanned his surroundings, searching for the stranger’s trail.
A surge of murderous intent shot straight toward Qiuming’s crown.
He grabbed Yun Ling and moved away from their original spot. The next moment, a voice came from behind.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Fan Qiuming spun around, sword held across his chest. At the same time, the man appeared before him, a dagger stabbing against the blade.
Had it not been for the sword, the dagger would have pierced him through.
The man grinned wickedly.
“Quick reflexes…”
He spoke, then reversed his grip, slashing upward. Fan Qiuming couldn’t dodge in time, a bloody line marking his face.
Fortunately, the attack hadn’t targeted his throat; otherwise, he would have fallen here and now.
Without waiting for the man’s next move, Fan Qiuming retreated with Yun Ling, widening the distance.
“Foundation stage… this is trouble!”
In that brief exchange, Qiuming sensed the man’s aura—at least at the first stage of Foundation.
Before him was a Foundation stage enemy; behind, countless beasts.
“If these demon beasts break out, it’s no longer a beast tide—it’s a calamity.”
“Why have you gathered so many beasts?”
Fan Qiuming asked, anxiety creeping in.
“Oh? Too much curiosity is dangerous!”
He drew another dagger from his other hand.
“Protect yourself.”
Fan Qiuming let go of Yun Ling, sword in hand, and took the initiative. Staying passive would only grow more dangerous.
“Good! Come!”
The stranger met his attack. In the darkness of the pit, sparks flew as sword and dagger clashed.
The gloom didn’t hinder Qiuming’s movements; instead, it constrained the mysterious stranger.
“What’s wrong? Can’t see your surroundings?”
Fan Qiuming taunted him.
“Hmph. Even if I can’t see, my cultivation level’s suppression is something you can’t overcome.”
He retorted.
“Tch…”
He wasn’t wrong; although Qiuming’s moves weren’t restricted, he hadn’t gained the upper hand.
Night had fully fallen, the moon rising. The stranger retreated into the cave, dagger pointed at Qiuming.
“You almost ruined my plans. Look up—what’s above you?”

Fan Qiuming sensed danger. He looked up to see a full moon hanging above the pit.
“A full moon! Blackblade Demon Wolves! Could it be…”
“Yes, just as you imagine. This small city, with no real experts, will vanish by tomorrow. The beast tide will sweep away everything.”
He put away his dagger, pressing his hat lower.
“Well then, farewell!”
With those words, his figure melted into the cave, his presence vanishing completely, while the wolves, freed from restraint, began to grow restless.
Under the moonlight, the demon wolves became more frenzied, charging straight at them.
“Out of my way!”
Fan Qiuming swung his sword, cleaving a first-stage demon wolf in two.
“Run!”
No time to waste. He grabbed Yun Ling and raced upward.
“Void Step!”
He gathered spiritual energy beneath his feet. With each step against the wall, a surge of power propelled them upward.
Whenever they reached the wall, he borrowed its force again.
Only after great effort did they reach the surface, but the wolves were already climbing up behind them.
He could not possibly hold off so many beasts.
“Yun Ling, go back to Cangye City and warn them. I’ll do my best to hold them here.”
Fan Qiuming faced the pit, sword in hand.
“But…”
Yun Ling hesitated, as if she understood something.
“Alright, Master, don’t push yourself. Keep yourself safe first!”
“That goes without saying.”
As he spoke, Fan Qiuming kicked another wolf back into the pit.
Seeing this, Yun Ling wasted no time, speeding toward Cangye City.
“Now, it’s my stage, isn’t it?”
“Let’s hope I can last a while longer!”
Fan Qiuming searched his storage ring, only to find he had precious little he could use.
He’d set restrictions in his ring—items could only be accessed according to one’s cultivation level, meant to prevent misuse if lost or stolen, but now it was working against him.
All he could use were ordinary iron swords and pills; even talismans were inaccessible.
Left with no choice, he swallowed a Crimson Refining Pill, briefly boosting his cultivation. Though there would be side effects after, the dire situation left him no room for hesitation.
The pill began to take effect, heat surging through his body. He charged straight into the wolf pack…