“Senior, you are unaware of the beast tide? It seems you have been in secluded cultivation here for many years and have no knowledge of the outside situation?” The middle-aged cultivator let out a long sigh and murmured somewhat incredulously.
“From your tone, it sounds quite dire out there!” The man seemed to show a flicker of interest; though his voice remained cold, a hint of curiosity tinged his words.
The middle-aged cultivator was at a loss for words. The situation outside was far worse than just “dire”! It appeared the other party truly was an old monster who had been in closed-door cultivation for who knows how many years. Otherwise, how could he not know about such a major event that occurred over two decades ago?
However, this realization put him more at ease. Given the other’s cultivation level and status, it was unlikely he would bother harming juniors like them under normal circumstances. What could they possibly possess that would catch his eye?
Thinking this, the middle-aged cultivator’s expression grew even more respectful as he replied, “Senior! The beast tide happened over twenty years ago. At that time, this junior was still a Qi Refinement stage cultivator. Although I did not witness it personally, I heard some accounts from the elders in our sect. It is said that on a certain day, tens of thousands of demonic beasts from the Abyssal Sea surged out without any warning, charging straight to the Strange Abyss Island and surrounding the Blackstone City, launching relentless attacks. Despite several grand protective formations and the efforts of thousands of cultivators, including several Nascent Soul stage seniors, the city was breached after a few days. Except for a very few cultivators who managed to escape in the chaos, all the human cultivators perished on the spot.”
As he spoke, a shadow of sorrow crossed the middle-aged cultivator’s face.
“Such a thing happened! What occurred afterward? Did the demonic beasts retreat to the abyss?” The man’s voice carried a trace of shock, but it quickly returned to its calm demeanor.
“If they had retreated to the abyss, things would have been manageable. After reducing Blackstone City to ruins, the abyssal demonic beasts split into several groups, led by high-level demonic beasts, and began sweeping through other human towns and villages. Although most people had received advance warning and abandoned their homes to hide, many cultivators and mortals still fell victim. Within half a year, not a single human settlement remained in the seas near Strange Abyss Island; all were utterly destroyed. But that wasn’t the end. Although most of the demonic beasts returned to the abyss, some highly intelligent high-level beasts began hunting down hidden humans, capturing and devouring them one by one. It is said that before long, the mortals in the outer seas were nearly wiped out, and human cultivators suffered heavy losses. The survivors had no choice but to flee far from the waters near Strange Abyss Island, seeking refuge on remote islands, constantly hiding and moving. Now, Strange Abyss Island has become a gathering place for high-level demonic beasts. Whenever they catch wind of human cultivators, they mobilize to hunt us down.” The middle-aged cultivator’s expression grew increasingly grief-stricken.
For a while, the mysterious man’s voice fell silent, as if he too was deeply shocked by this news, digesting it carefully.
“Heh! How ironic. So, in the outer seas, we cultivators have become the ones being hunted, just like the demonic beasts back in the day.” The man let out a cold laugh, finally speaking again. The sarcasm in his words took the cultivators by surprise.
However, the man seemed unwilling to dwell on the topic and instead asked several pointed questions: “Strange Abyss Island had several Nascent Soul old monsters stationed there. They couldn’t have all fallen during the beast tide, could they? Why haven’t they stepped forward to take charge? And since such a catastrophe occurred on Strange Abyss Island, hasn’t the inner sea responded? Did they not send reinforcements? Or have they completely abandoned this place?”
Each question was sharper and more incisive than the last. The middle-aged cultivator knew some answers but could not respond to others.
After a moment of thought, he cautiously replied, “During the beast tide, I heard that two Nascent Soul seniors perished, but most of the elders managed to escape. Although there has been no news of them since then, rumors say they are planning some major operation to retake Strange Abyss Island. As for the specifics, this junior does not know. Regarding the inner sea, all communication has been cut off since the day the beast tide began. No one knows if they are aware of the situation here. As for reinforcements… naturally, we have seen none. Perhaps, as you said, Senior, this place has indeed been abandoned by the inner sea.” When he spoke the last sentence, a shadow of gloom crossed the middle-aged cultivator’s face. It seemed that those who survived the beast tide harbored resentment toward the inner sea for its neglect.
The man fell silent once more before asking leisurely, “If it’s so dangerous, why are you juniors not staying put in your hideouts? Venturing out so recklessly—are you seeking death?”
Hearing this, the middle-aged cultivator wore a troubled expression, but before he could explain, the young woman in yellow, who had been standing quietly behind him, suddenly stepped forward with resolve.
“Senior, my father suffered a reversal of true essence and disarray of meridians due to improper cultivation techniques and is now bedridden and paralyzed. Senior, with your vast powers, you must have a way to save him! If you can cure my father, this junior is willing to serve you as your slave, repaying your great kindness for life!” The young woman’s delicate face was full of desperate plea, her clear eyes welling with tears on the verge of falling.
The other men and women were astonished, exchanging glances in disbelief. Only the middle-aged cultivator seemed to have a flicker of hope, though he scolded her sternly, “Xing’er, what nonsense are you spouting? Your father has been bedridden for years; his condition is beyond human aid. We came out this time merely to find some spiritual herbs to alleviate his suffering. Even with Senior’s profound abilities, there is no cure.” Though his words were harsh, a strange glint flashed in his eyes.
“A reversal of true essence and disarray of meridians. It seems another fool who tried to rush his cultivation. He must have attempted to force a higher-level technique before his cultivation was sufficient, resulting in this condition.” The man let out a lazy, mocking laugh.
The expert had accurately diagnosed the cause without even seeing the patient. The middle-aged cultivator’s face lit up with a trace of hope.
“Senior, your insight is truly remarkable. My senior brother indeed brought this misfortune upon himself due to his impatience in cultivation. I wonder if Senior knows of any secret method to save him?” The middle-aged cultivator first flattered the man before asking with utmost concern. It seemed he had a close relationship with his senior brother.
“Such a condition is naturally trivial, but why should I tell you? Do you think I would help for no reason?” The man saw through their intentions and mocked them bluntly.
The middle-aged cultivator was taken aback, his face flushing and then paling. He moved his lips but could not utter a word.
However, the young woman in yellow sensed a glimmer of hope. Her cheeks flushed, and she gritted her teeth before suddenly kneeling before the light screen with a thud.
Then, the delicate-looking girl said with unwavering determination, “This junior, Gongsun Xing, swears that if Senior can cure my father, I am willing to serve you as your slave for life, without any disloyalty. If Senior remains unconvinced, you may first place restrictions on me before treating my father.” After saying this, she kowtowed three times toward the light screen and remained kneeling motionless, her expression resolute.
Despite her youth, the girl in yellow possessed an incredibly strong will.
“Silly girl, what foolishness are you doing? What status does Senior hold? How could he possibly fancy a plain girl like you?” The middle-aged cultivator, seeing this, exclaimed in shock and anger.
The others also came to their senses and tried to dissuade her.
But the young woman in yellow ignored them, kneeling steadfastly, as if she would not rise unless the man agreed.
“Uncle, please say no more. I was born under an unlucky star—my mother died giving birth to me. My father brought this upon himself by forcibly cultivating the sixth layer of the Green Spirit Mystic Art in an attempt to cleanse my marrow and reshape my veins. Now is the time for me to fulfill my filial duty. If I can cure my father, I am willing to serve this senior for life, without any regret.” The girl shook her head, her face pale but her voice calm.
“Girl! Are you trying to threaten me? If I refuse to help, will you kneel here forever?” The man’s voice turned icy cold as he laughed mockingly.
“I would not dare! This junior has no intention of threatening you. Senior, you already saved our lives earlier; for that, Gongsun Xing is eternally grateful! But since my father fell ill, we have sought help from many fellow cultivators and seniors, yet none could revive him. Now, hearing your tone, Senior, it seems curing this condition would be effortless for you. That is why I am pleading so desperately. I have no other intentions; I only hope Senior will grant me this chance to fulfill my filial duty!” By the time she finished speaking, the girl was half-sobbing, kowtowing once more with a choked voice.
Silence fell from the direction of the light screen.
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