Though only as thick as wrists, the vines plunged into the savage-beast herds like dragons returning to the sea, sweeping freely through their ranks. A tide of blood rose wherever they passed. Countless beasts were skewered together and quickly died. There was so much blood in their bodies that the vines could scarcely absorb it all; it dripped down the stems, sticky and strangely beautiful.
The golden sword was even more magnificent. Every downward strike crushed several savage beasts into pulp. Its sword aura swept in all directions, leaving countless slashes through the air with an endless hiss. Where the sword aura passed, it pierced one body after another, killing them outright.
The two martial brothers instinctively used their divine abilities together, floating in midair through wind-controlling arts. The demon vines and golden sword displayed tremendous power, and within a short time several hundred savage beasts died at their hands.
Yet matters were not entirely safe.
Perhaps their luck was poor. Although the two encircling herds consisted only of one- and two-horned savage beasts, quite a few among them bore red or golden horns. Such beasts possessed peculiar innate abilities associated with the colors of their horns, allowing them to drag flying cultivators down from the sky.
Suddenly, a point of light flared among the black mass. A burst of bloodred radiance erupted from a crimson horn and transformed into a pillar of light rushing toward Xu Ziqing and Yun Lie!
Yun Lie held two fingers like a sword and pointed. A strand of sword intent surged forward, met the pillar, and destroyed it.
From another beast’s golden horn came a golden ray that also turned into a pillar. Its power was extraordinarily sinister, and a thread of black qi ran through it as it tore through the air: a deadly poison!
Many fleeing cultivators had been struck by such pillars. Some fell victim to the fire poison carried in red light, others to the poison that entered their organs with golden light. Either could kill a cultivator in only a few breaths.
Xu Ziqing’s escape technique was fast, but several pillars had already forced him to halt.
Now he could only fight the savage beasts to the death!
The golden pillar rushed toward Xu Ziqing. Calmly, he brought two fingers together and summoned the Qingyun Needle from the center of his brow. “Go!”
After so much refinement, the Qingyun Needle was far stronger than before. It darted several times through the air and struck the pillar head-on.
Green light burst forth, swallowing the golden pillar and dyeing several zhang of the surroundings a bluish green. Wild grasses on both sides began growing wildly, extending long stalks that entangled the legs of many savage beasts and knocked them over.
Seeing their first two pillars fail, the beasts grew agitated. They quickly threw their heads back and released hundreds of red and golden beams, trying to surround the two cultivators in the air.
At Xu Ziqing’s thought, the Qingyun Needle became two, two became four, and then dozens of green needles shot outward!
Every needle was a division of the Qingyun Needle, and each possessed power scarcely weaker than the original. Green light spread from them in all directions, resisting the beams around Xu Ziqing.
Numerous pillars also approached Yun Lie. A movement at his brow released a profound, invisible domain that enveloped the surrounding area.
The instant the beams penetrated that domain, they flickered once and were crushed into fine powder, dispersing into the wind!
The brothers fought together, striking repeatedly.
In less than the time required to burn a stick of incense, they annihilated both herds!
With the greater tide approaching from afar, Xu Ziqing recalled Rongjin with a gesture, while Yun Lie dispersed the golden sword with a flick of his fingers. They turned once more into green and golden streaks of light and rushed into the bright sky.
As they traveled, scattered savage beasts continually gathered. Their rampant attacks killed many martial artists and cultivators, whose bodies were then torn apart and eaten.
Because of their extraordinary abilities, the brothers could escape more easily than many others. Whenever they encountered someone on the verge of being overwhelmed, Yun Lie struck from the air with sword intent to create an opening, and then they continued without stopping. Even so, they saved many lives, since numerous cultivators had the strength to flee but lacked a chance amid the overwhelming herds.
They did not dwell upon these actions and therefore did not know that word of their deeds had already reached the ears of several interested observers.
After about two shichen of rapid flight, they finally reached the edge of the plains, just outside Borderguard City.
The military commanders had already learned that the beast tide had erupted early. In the time since, a city wall several dozen zhang high had been erected upon the plain.
Precious radiance flowed across the wall, and formation flags stood in many places, showing the thoroughness of its defenses. Countless soldiers armed with longbows waited upon the battlements. Powerful high-rank cultivators patrolled back and forth, continually making calculations related to the beast tide.
Everyone was extremely busy.
The city gates stood open below, welcoming the martial artists and cultivators returning from the plains. Xu Ziqing and Yun Lie approached from afar, descended before the imposing wall, and joined the lines entering the city.
Many returning fighters were covered in blood and thoroughly disheveled. Very few had clean clothes. Their faces were bitter as they spoke among themselves.
“This beast tide erupted early! I almost died out on the plains and had to sacrifice a fine magical treasure just to escape. It hurts to think about!”
“You’re lucky to be alive. One of my companions gave his life so I could escape…”
“The tide comes once every three years. It’s become a pattern. This time is different, and there must be something strange behind it. I say we’d better trade for useful supplies quickly. What a waste all those years of cultivation would be if we died here!”
“I’m worried too, but with the Borderguard General here, things ought to be all right…”
Xu Ziqing listened to the discussions, though most people only voiced fear or frustration and offered little useful information. He did learn that this tide was fiercer than usual. The herds seemed more coordinated as they moved, almost like trained soldiers, which made them particularly frightening.
After some thought, he sent Yun Lie a transmission. “Senior Brother, is what they’re saying true?”
Yun Lie knew he was cautious and answered in kind. “It is indeed stronger than previous tides.” He added, “Once inside, do not return to the squad that registered your temporary attachment. Stay with me.”
Xu Ziqing nodded to show he understood.
Whenever a beast tide arrived, the entire army assembled. Outside cultivators temporarily attached to its units, however, could not fight together with the soldiers of their previous squads.
This was not because those outside cultivators were too powerful, but because the army had to guard against infiltrators and sabotage, and even more against the newcomers becoming a liability and causing unnecessary military casualties. Unlike soldiers who lived and trained together, outside cultivators were often proud and undisciplined. It was better for them to form their own groups and join the battle as a separate force.
Xu Ziqing appreciated Yun Lie’s reminder.
For him, fighting beside his senior brother was far more comfortable and reassuring than joining strangers.
The city itself fell into confusion, but the soldiers in the barracks were already standing in neat ranks without disorder.
Such emergencies were evidently rare, yet veterans of many campaigns possessed a steadiness of mind far beyond that of ordinary people.
Xu Ziqing and Yun Lie remained close together throughout the next day.
Early the following morning, they received a spiritual transmission from someone in the army ordering them to assemble in a square with the other temporarily attached cultivators.
The whole city was now under military lockdown. Until the beast tide receded, people could not leave, lest savage beasts exploit an opening and wreak havoc among humans. Those who had accepted temporary attachment could not shrink from their obligations either.
Without delay, the two became streaks of light and headed for the square.
Several dozen cultivators had already gathered there, each wearing magical treasures. Though their spiritual radiance was mostly restrained, the collective pressure of so many cultivators was considerable.
Xu Ziqing and Yun Lie landed and chose a corner to stand in.
Many more streaks of light soon appeared overhead. Other cultivators came riding spirit beasts or magical treasures, until the square gradually filled with people.
Counting them all, there were probably several thousand or even ten thousand cultivators assembled!
Before long, a high-rank cultivator explained the rules from overhead, partly to inform newcomers and prevent careless loss of life.
Xu Ziqing understood that when the army faced the beast tide, these outside cultivators could gather companions and attack the beast herds in self-formed groups. But one rule was absolute: they could not use the opportunity for personal fights or attacks against allies, nor could they murder someone under cover of settling an old grudge. Anyone caught would be imprisoned for no fewer than ten years and potentially a hundred.
The announcement provoked an uproar. The cultivators soon dispersed to seek familiar faces or people with strong magical power, forming teams to fight together.
Xu Ziqing had unusual secrets of his own and did not wish to join strangers, so he made no invitations. Yun Lie was even colder and more aloof, discouraging anyone from approaching.
After approximately half a shichen, the cultivators had found their companions and gathered into separate groups.
The high-rank cultivator overhead then announced, “Everyone may proceed to the city wall. When the formation opens, you can go out and display your powers against the beasts! The Yan Emperor has decreed that three imperial princes will fight alongside us this time. Those who make outstanding contributions may obtain posts in the imperial court or become retainers of a prince, with many other rewards besides. Fight bravely, and opportunities await!”
The cultivators rejoiced, and their morale rose at once.
Xu Ziqing merely considered the matter without speaking.
The high-rank cultivator then sent a thunderclap through the air. The gathered cultivators transformed into streaks of light and rushed toward the city wall.
Xu Ziqing and Yun Lie followed at once.
Outside the towering wall, savage-beast herds gathered like black clouds into a sea, packed so densely that the darkness stretched beyond sight.
They stood less than five li from the wall, watching hungrily. Restless and seemingly awaiting orders, they looked ready to charge at any instant.
On the wall, several cultivators formed hand seals and sent streams of multicolored light into the defensive formations.
A gigantic luminous barrier descended, enclosing a vast stretch of ground before the walls. At the same moment, several city gates opened. Countless soldiers marched out in square formations, their footsteps thundering together!