Ling Tian Sword God

Inside the branch, Jiang Yunting had already prepared a grand banquet for his arrival.

Ling Chen naturally ignored such superficial displays. He walked directly into the main hall of the branch and sat down on the Master’s Chair.

”Greetings, Sect Leader!”

Jiang Yunting and the other high-ranking members of the branch all bowed deeply to Ling Chen. Aside from Jiang Yunting, none of the others had met Ling Chen before. Now, seeing Ling Chen arrive at the branch in person and observing how young he was, they couldn’t help but click their tongues in amazement.

”Jiang Yunting will stay. The rest of you may leave.”

Ling Chen waved his hand. The Experts from the branch exited the main hall one after another.

Once everyone had left, Ling Chen’s gaze fell upon Jiang Yunting. ”Has anything major happened in the Martial World in the past three months?” he asked.

This information could be obtained from the Black Market, but since he was already at the Cyan Robe Association Branch, Ling Chen figured he might as well save himself the trouble and ask Jiang Yunting directly.

Jiang Yunting cupped his fist in a salute and then began, ”For the first two of the last three months, the Martial World was calm, and no major incidents occurred.”

”However, this past month, Shentu Yan seems to have recovered from his injuries and has made significant moves. First, he launched a surprise attack on Chiyu Mountain Manor, severely damaging its Vitality Energy. Chiyu Mountain Manor was forced to request aid from the Myriad Dao Sect. Unexpectedly, Shentu Yan had laid an ambush with numerous Experts en route and dealt a crushing defeat to the Myriad Dao Sect’s reinforcements.”

”Chiyu Mountain Manor was nearly annihilated. Fortunately, Vice Sect Leader Liu Feiyue arrived in time with Experts, preserving Chiyu Mountain Manor’s lineage. However, most of Chiyu Mountain Manor’s Experts have now been wiped out, and its power has greatly diminished.”

”As for the Myriad Dao Sect, it also suffered significant losses in this battle. It is said that Hua Minggong, the Great Elder of the Myriad Dao Sect who went to assist Chiyu Mountain Manor, was also killed by Shentu Yan.”

”The Martial World is now shrouded in Shentu Yan’s terror, and everyone fears for their own safety.”

Jiang Yunting spoke with a heavy tone.

Shentu Yan is indeed ambitious. His target must be the entire Martial World—Sky Void Palace, Chiyu Mountain Manor, Myriad Dao Sect... these are all his targets. Once he’s finished with these Sects, it will be my turn. A grave expression appeared in Ling Chen’s eyes.

He hadn’t expected that in the three months since he left the Five Kingdoms, Shentu Yan would have already made such significant moves. Chiyu Mountain Manor and the Myriad Dao Sect, the only two remaining top-tier Righteous Path Sects, had both suffered such devastating blows.

Now, wherever Shentu Yan’s sword pointed, Sects were either annihilated or crippled. Looking across the current Martial World, no single faction could stand against Shentu Yan alone.

Moreover, Shentu Yan’s strength must have increased considerably. Since Hua Minggong, the Great Elder of the Myriad Dao Sect, died at Shentu Yan’s hands, his cultivation was likely absorbed by Shentu Yan as well.

It seems it’s time to unite with those Righteous Path Sects. Otherwise, if they are defeated one by one, it will ultimately be disadvantageous for me.

A glint flashed in Ling Chen’s eyes. Shentu Yan is growing stronger by consuming Martial Sects one by one. If he cannot be stopped, even I might ultimately die at Shentu Yan’s hands.

This man will absolutely not let me go.

The decisive battle with Shentu Yan is likely imminent.

When I return, I must send a Messenger to the Myriad Dao Sect to discuss forming an alliance.

Ling Chen inquired about the Saint Witch Religion. After all, with such great turmoil in the Martial World, it was unlikely for the Saint Witch Religion to remain completely inactive. ”Has there been any recent activity from the Saint Witch Religion?”

”The Saint Witch Religion is currently busy vying for territory with the Myriad Beasts Sect; they have no time for other matters.” Jiang Yunting shook his head. ”The Myriad Beasts Sect has been very active lately. Taking advantage of the recent end to the Saint Witch Religion’s internal strife, they’ve been aggressively seizing territory. They are currently in a heated contest for land in the Earth Country with the Saint Witch Religion. Surprisingly, the Myriad Beasts Sect possesses formidable strength and can actually contend with the Saint Witch Religion head-on.”

Hearing this, Ling Chen fell into contemplation. The mention of the Myriad Beasts Sect, and particularly its Exotic Demon Beast, deeply concerned him. This creature is exceptionally malevolent; it can evolve and enhance its power by devouring strong warriors and other Exotic Beasts, posing an immense threat.

BOOM!

Just as Ling Chen was contemplating, a sudden, enormous roar thundered from outside. The entire capital city trembled violently as if mountains were collapsing and the earth splitting apart. Ling Chen and Jiang Yunting were startled simultaneously. That tremor was no small matter; it felt like an earthquake.

A moment later, a Cyan Robe Association Disciple rushed in, his face pale with panic.

”What’s going on?” Jiang Yunting asked quickly.

”Sect Leader, Branch Leader, it’s terrible! A large number of Exotic Beasts are besieging the city from outside! From the looks of it, it seems to be a large-scale Beast Tide!” the Cyan Robe Association Disciple reported hastily after catching his breath.

”A Beast Tide?” Jiang Yunting was stunned for a moment, then frowned. ”The Fire Capital hasn’t experienced a Beast Tide in hundreds of years. How could one suddenly attack the city?”

”I saw signs of a Beast Tide on my way to the Fire Capital as well,” Ling Chen said, waving his hand. His expression turned grave. ”What he said is likely true. I’m afraid the Beast Tide has indeed arrived. Let’s go take a look.”

With a flicker of movement, Ling Chen darted out of the main hall and appeared atop the Fire Capital’s city wall.

Outside the city walls, the scene resembled a vast ocean. Billowing dust clouds obscured the sky and sun. Beneath the dust, a dense mass of Exotic Beasts galloped madly, charging and crashing towards the city wall.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Deafening roars echoed as holes began to appear in the city wall. Clearly, under such ferocious impacts, even the sturdiest wall could not hold.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

From atop the city wall, volleys of thick Arrows shot through the air, tearing through it before brutally striking the rampaging Exotic Beasts. However, though the volley of Arrows was dense, it failed to kill the Exotic Beasts. At most, it inflicted heavy wounds. The Exotic Beasts, fearless and undeterred by death, continued to charge and slam into the city wall.

”Sect Leader, this Beast Tide is extraordinary! Many of these Exotic Beasts are creatures I’ve never seen before. If I’m not mistaken, they must have surged forth from the Hundred Thousand Mountains,” Jiang Yunting said gravely, observing the chaotic scene.

”Hundred Thousand Mountains?”

Ling Chen’s pupils contracted slightly. He observed more closely and indeed, mixed among them were many Exotic Beasts with ancient auras—species that only existed within the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

Why would these Exotic Beasts suddenly go on a rampage?

BOOM!

While Ling Chen watched in astonishment, a section of the city wall, battered by numerous impacts, finally collapsed, creating a huge breach. Exotic Beast after Exotic Beast poured through the breach, surging towards the inner city.

”This is bad! Stop the Exotic Beasts from entering the city!” a warrior on the city wall shouted.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Warriors drew their weapons one after another, channeling their True Qi and charging towards the rampaging horde of beasts.

”Sect Leader, this horde of Exotic Beasts is too fierce! It seems the Fire Capital cannot be defended. Perhaps we should make a temporary retreat, evacuate our people, and fall back to the headquarters,” Jiang Yunting suggested to Ling Chen, cupping his fist.

”The Fire Capital has over a million inhabitants. If we withdraw now, these millions of lives will surely be lost,” Ling Chen shook his head. ”As heroes, it is our duty to save the people from dire straits. Otherwise, what is the use of learning these martial arts? Issue the order: all members of the Cyan Robe Association are to remain, protect the citizens, and defend the city to the last!”

When the Martial World is in turmoil and titans clash, it is always the common people who suffer most.

At such a critical juncture, if those who practice martial arts do not act chivalrously and righteously, they would bring shame upon themselves as members of the Martial World.

”Yes, Sect Leader!” Jiang Yunting was momentarily stunned, then he bowed in acceptance of the order and retreated.

At this moment, Ling Chen’s gaze drifted towards the far reaches of the vast Beast Tide. There, a colossal black silhouette seemed to loom, emanating an immense and unendingly ferocious aura.

Narrowing his eyes, Ling Chen had a premonition: this towering black beastly shadow was likely the source of this Beast Tide...