What was happening in Nine Stars City was not an isolated event.
The surrounding cities near the Nine Stars Mountain Range were experiencing the same disturbance.
Above, a cold moon hung in the sky, casting a misty glow that blanketed the land like a dreamlike veil.
Deep within the Nine Stars Mountains, far beyond the reach of civilization, the air crackled with an ominous energy.
And not far from here—
The ancient ruins had begun to open.
In the distant sky, a colossal phantom loomed.
Within its vast silhouette, an entire world seemed to exist, flickering in and out of reality.
Then—
A thunderous roar shattered the night's tranquility.
The ground trembled.
A storm of violent energy erupted as towering trees were uprooted, crashing to the earth in a deafening cascade.
Through the dense foliage, the sound of pounding footsteps echoed like rolling thunder.
The night had awakened—
And with it, a tide of beasts.
Two figures raced through the jungle, moving with graceful agility.
A young man and woman—
Disciples of a powerful sect.
The young woman's features were tense, her brows furrowed in concern.
She had reached the peak of Soul Dominion, a formidable level of cultivation.
Yet beside her, the young man was even stronger—already in the realm of Origin Mastery.
Despite their strength, neither dared to look back.
Because behind them—
A monstrous tide was closing in.
---
Thousands of beasts surged forward, a mass of claws, fangs, and glowing eyes.
A sight so terrifying that most cultivators would feel their scalps go numb just laying eyes on it.
This was no ordinary disturbance—
It was a small-scale beast tide.
Though individually, most of these creatures were only at the level of Fatebound Ascension, their sheer numbers made them an unstoppable force.
Even a Soul Dominion cultivator would be overwhelmed.
The girl risked a glance back, her voice tight with urgency.
"Senior Brother, they're closing in! We can't shake them!"
The young man remained calm, his expression unreadable.
"Junior Sister, beast tides are not mindless. If we kill the leader, the entire horde will collapse."
As he spoke, he flicked his wrist.
From his sleeve, several thin silver needles shot out, barely visible under the moonlight.
Each needle was coated in a faint blue venom, lethal even in small doses.
Whoosh!
The needles struck true—several beasts collapsed instantly, their bodies twitching before going still.
But the tide did not slow.
More monsters surged forward, trampling the fallen without hesitation, their relentless advance swallowing everything in its path.
---
The young man's eyes sharpened.
His true target was still ahead—
The leader of the beast tide.
Through the chaos, a flicker of multicolored light shone deep within the horde.
Then—
A piercing screech rang out.
In an instant, the beast tide went into a frenzy.
Their eyes glowed red, their movements accelerated, their rage ignited.
They had entered a berserk state.
"Junior Sister, be careful!" The young man's voice was laced with urgency.
Their escape had turned into a race against death.
But no matter how fast they ran—
The beast tide was faster.
---
Within mere moments, the distance between them had shrunk to less than ten meters.
The stench of blood and raw animal musk filled the air.
The ground shook beneath their feet as the horde closed in.
The young man's jaw tightened.
Damn it.
His mind raced.
Should I use my trump card?
As a disciple of a major sect, he carried life-saving treasures—items gifted by his elders for emergencies like this.
A protective talisman, a divine jade pendant—each imbued with powerful defensive enchantments.
But these were meant for true life-or-death situations.
Was this such a moment?
The answer became clear as the monstrous horde bore down upon them.
There was no time left.
If he hesitated—
They would be nothing more than bones beneath the tide.