Chapter Fifty-One: Target of All

Those cultivators who were the first to leave the tavern did not go far, for upon stepping outside, they discovered that this small town, encircled on all sides by mountains, had been completely surrounded by a tide of beasts. All manner of demonic beasts clustered at the outskirts, sealing the town so tightly not even a drop of water could pass through. Yet within the town, there were barely a hundred cultivators. Facing this overwhelming flood of monsters, a chill crept incessantly into their hearts.

This was not the first time a beast tide had appeared.

A thousand years ago, there had been such an event. That time, it was said, a powerful cultivator from some sect had slain an offspring of a demonic beast king while hunting spirit beasts deep within Yandang Mountain. His actions incurred the wrath of that beast king, who then rallied nearly half the beasts of Yandang Mountain and unleashed an unprecedented beast tide. The town was utterly razed to the ground.

Yet the ordinary townsfolk were spared; the beasts struck down only the cultivators. The devastation did not end there. The beast tide spread across the entire mountain range, assailing hundreds of sects, leaving tens of thousands dead or wounded. Countless righteous sects fell in its wake.

It was only when the mighty figures of the eight great sects of Central Province intervened that the beast kings, wary at last, withdrew their legions back into Yandang Mountain.

From then on, the mountains lay peaceful for a thousand years—until today, when the beast tide erupted once more, casting an unspeakable gravity and fear upon every cultivator present.

Long Yun, together with Chu Xuan, followed behind the three monks, their hearts equally shaken, though not truly afraid. The old monk, though frail in appearance and seemingly easy to topple, exuded an effortless aura of power that made none dare underestimate him.

Long Yun did not even dare to guess the old monk’s true cultivation. In fact, he felt the monk had exceeded the innate realm, perhaps having entered one of the final, mysterious stages of mastery.

“Grandmaster...” Shan Cun and Shan Zai both furrowed their brows, gazing at the horde of demonic beasts with faces drawn and pale.

The old monk’s face betrayed not the slightest emotion. Suddenly, he turned to Long Yun and said, “Benefactor, this beast tide is far less than the one long ago. Yet, it will not be so easily repelled.”

Long Yun nodded. “Indeed. Demonic beasts are not like men; they do not attack without provocation. If my guess is correct, it is all because of that black flood dragon.”

“Brother, do you mean Da Ling?” Chu Xuan’s eyes flashed with sudden realization.

Long Yun nodded. “Da Ling is no ordinary beast. Within it flows dragon-god blood. Though impure, it grants a status far above its peers.”

Monk Duyu’s brows knit together. “If that is so, the trouble must stem from the black flood dragon. A flood dragon at the innate realm must have some powerful backing, or its bloodline would have long since been devoured.”

At the old monk’s words, Long Yun became all the more certain of his suspicions.

The hundred or so cultivators stood in neat ranks, but the beast tide did not surge forth as wildly as it had in the past. After encircling the town, the horde simply stopped.

For a moment, the low growls of the demonic beasts filled the air, casting the town into utter chaos.

Suddenly, a powerful aura descended, causing every cultivator’s face to change. Before their eyes, two massive figures floated above the beast tide, suspended in midair.

All who looked upon them drew in a cold breath. It was a pair of flood dragons, one large, one small.

The greater dragon measured a hundred yards in length, coiled in the air. Its eyes, large as bronze bells, swept across the gathering. Any cultivator who met its gaze felt as if plunged into an icy abyss, cold seeping instantly through their bones.

The smaller dragon was none other than the black flood dragon rescued from Yandang Mountain the day before.

Atop the black dragon’s head sat a shadowy mink, chittering and muttering to itself.

“Brother, that’s Da Ling!” Chu Xuan whispered, eyes fixed on the black dragon. “Is the great dragon her mother?”

Long Yun nodded. “Most likely. The child suffered such injustice—now the mother comes to seek justice of her own.”

With that, his gaze drifted leftward.

The eight disciples of Azure Sect, who had previously joined forces to attack the black dragon, now cowered amid the crowd, trying to hide themselves. This scene was all too familiar to them. At the same time, they guessed the beast’s intention, their faces turning ashen.

“Those who attacked my child—step forward. I will not trouble the rest,” the great black flood dragon spoke, astonishingly, in human tongue. Its voice carried to the crowd.

At these words, all the cultivators understood the cause of the trouble. They glanced at one another, asking in hushed voices who it could have been.

“Senior Black Dragon!” A white-robed disciple stepped forth and bowed deeply. “Long ago, the righteous sects and Yandang Mountain reached an agreement—we would not interfere with one another. If you unleash another beast tide, you risk drawing the wrath of our sects’ mightiest, and that could mean open war!”

The great black dragon’s gaze turned as cold as ice. “Are you threatening me? Which sect do you belong to?”

“I dare not, senior!” The white-robed youth was himself a master of the innate realm, and though young, to have reached such cultivation at his age marked him as a disciple of one of the eight great righteous sects of Central Province. Yet under the dragon’s chilling aura, his face paled, and he continued, “Your child was not harmed. If possible, I beg you to show mercy. My Cloud Gate Sect will forever remember your grace.”

Cloud Gate. Every disciple of every sect fixed their gaze on the youth. Cloud Gate dominated the southern lands of Central Province, its power immense, crowded with masters.

No wonder he dared speak before such a mighty beast—he was of Cloud Gate.

At the mention of Cloud Gate, the great black dragon’s gaze narrowed briefly before it spoke. “Boy, you may be from Cloud Gate, but you are merely a junior. Even your elders show me a measure of respect. Do you think you have the standing to bargain with me? You do not.”

The white-robed youth, feeling the envy of those around him, was filled with a pride he could not hide. Yet the dragon’s words left him humiliated, his face burning with embarrassment.

“Boy, I will not repeat myself. This beast tide is directed at you. Once again, hand over the eight who attacked my child, or I will bathe this town in blood!” The black dragon’s tone grew ever more resolute.

The youth’s face changed dramatically. He knew his own strength was nothing compared to the dragon’s; there was a chasm between them. That the dragon had not killed him outright was surely due to the respect it held for his elders—otherwise, he would long since have perished.

A bitter smile twisted his lips. Shaking his head, he asked, “Who was it?”

The eight of Azure Sect trembled in fear, not daring to utter a word, their faces ashen. To step forward meant certain death, though perhaps they would be remembered as heroes. To remain silent might doom the entire town for their sake.

As they wavered, Monk Duyu suddenly stepped forward. Without any visible effort, his body floated into the air, facing the great black dragon across the sky.

“Amitabha. Show mercy where mercy is due. Your child was attacked, and as a mother, your anger is understandable. But endless vengeance leads only to sorrow. Your child was not harmed—let this matter rest. Too much trouble begets greater woes. It is better to withdraw,” Monk Duyu intoned, hands pressed together in prayer.

The black dragon fixed its gaze on Duyu, a glimmer of wariness in its eyes. “You are of the Dhyana Sect, of the Du generation?”

Duyu nodded. “I am.”

“No wonder you possess such cultivation. You are indeed qualified to bargain with me. But, great monk, even if your powers surpass mine, can you protect so many people at once?”

Duyu replied, “Life and death each have their appointed course. I act only according to my conscience and will do my utmost. The Buddha above will not censure me for this.”

“Then you mean to stand against me?” The black dragon’s gaze grew calm and cold.

“A monk cherishes compassion—how could I bring harm? Yet Heaven cherishes life above all. If you intend a massacre, I will do all in my power to stop you,” Duyu replied serenely.