Chapter 694: While I Stand, the City Stands

The news of the impending Beast Tide was like a drop of water in a skillet of boiling oil, instantly sending the Daqi Cultivation World into an uproar.

It was simply because those two words cast too great a shadow over the Daqi Cultivation World. After the great sects’ expeditions, they had finally enjoyed a few years of peace, but now it was happening all over again.

“Do you think Luoxia City can hold back the Beast Tide?”

In a small tavern in Dingyuan City, Tuo Province, a middle-aged man with a short beard raised his wine cup and spoke to his companion, his face etched with worry.

“Are you kidding me? That’s Luoxia City we’re talking about. They’ve held back countless Beast Tides over thousands of years, and you’re questioning their ability? Is there something wrong with you?” the black-robed Cultivator sitting across from him couldn’t help but say, rolling his eyes.

The short-bearded Cultivator didn’t get angry at the other’s blunt words, merely replying with deep concern, “I know all that, of course, but this Beast Tide is coming from the Demon Realm. The Demon Beasts there are innumerable. Once a Beast Tide forms, its scale will be anything but small. And… and I also heard that the Demon King leading this Beast Tide is of the Dragon Attribute and possesses a True Dragon Bloodline. Fellow Daoist Li, you should know what that means.”

“Dragon Attribute? Fellow Daoist Zhang, where did you hear this news?” The Cultivator surnamed Li frowned slightly upon hearing this. He had been in Dingyuan City all this time but had never heard such a thing.

“Well… it… it’s what some fellow cultivators told me. They described it in great detail. Fellow Daoist Li, we should hurry up and leave Dingyuan City. This place is going to be trouble.” The short-bearded Cultivator’s words were evasive; the source of his information was clearly not reliable.

“Fellow Daoist Zhang, I don’t know where you got this information, but even if it’s true, I believe Luoxia City can withstand the Beast Tide. Dingyuan City is where we’ve made our lives. With a Beast Tide on its way, shouldn’t we do what little we can to help? Why talk of running?” The black-robed Cultivator’s face flushed with indignation as he slammed his wine cup onto the table.

Put on the spot by the black-robed Cultivator, the Cultivator surnamed Zhang’s expression turned ugly. He abruptly stood up and said, “Fellow Daoist Li, I said all this out of good intentions. Since you won’t accept my kindness, I have nothing more to say. If you won’t go, I will!”

With that, the short-bearded Cultivator flicked his sleeves and stormed out.

The black-robed Cultivator started to go after him, but as he passed a one-armed Cultivator, a slow, deliberate voice entered his ear.

“He’s just a coward who clings to life. What good would it do to chase after him, Fellow Daoist?”

Hearing these words, the black-robed Cultivator froze. He shook his head with a bitter smile and said, “What you say… is not wrong.”

He turned to look at the one-armed Cultivator sitting at a low table beside him. Cupping his fist, he said, “My name is Li Hansong. May I ask for your name, Fellow Daoist?”

The one-armed Cultivator looked up, revealing a weathered face. “I am Xu Yunhe. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Fellow Daoist Li.”

Li Hansong sat down dejectedly across from Xu Yunhe. “I never thought he was that kind of person.”

Hearing this, Xu Yunhe chuckled lightly. “Why be so disappointed, Fellow Daoist? Clinging to life, survival at any cost—it’s only human nature. Why do we cultivate? For longevity. And to achieve longevity, you first have to stay alive. Don’t you agree, Fellow Daoist?”

“Cultivation is indeed for the pursuit of longevity, but besides that, aren’t there more important things for us to strive for?” Li Hansong said, his emotions stirring.

Seeing this, Xu Yunhe couldn’t help but feel a bit weary. ‘This guy doesn’t look that young, but his impassioned righteousness makes him seem just like a reckless greenhorn who’s just started out.’

‘People like that don’t last long in this world.’

‘But… I’m a greenhorn, too.’

As if performing a magic trick, Xu Yunhe produced a small wine cup, filled it to the brim with clear Spirit Wine, and pushed it in front of Li Hansong. “For those words alone, drink this cup, and we’ll go to the City Lord’s Mansion together.”

Staring at the cup before him, Li Hansong was momentarily stunned…

Similar scenes were playing out in every corner of Dingyuan City. No one knew who had spread the exaggerated news, but it caused many Cultivators to want to flee the city in fear.

Ordinarily, this wouldn’t have been a big deal. After all, seeking safety and avoiding danger is a basic survival instinct; no one had any right to blame them.

The problem was, the evacuation period had long since passed. The city was now under lockdown. To prevent the Demon Race from taking advantage of any weakness, no one was allowed in or out. Their clamoring to leave now was seriously compromising Dingyuan City’s defensive security.

For a time, the city was in a constant uproar.

“Who in the hell is exaggerating the enemy’s strength?”

Inside the City Lord’s Mansion, Zhan Tianxia slammed his hand down on the thick sandalwood table, leaving a deep handprint. A flicker of lightning seemed to surge in the depths of his eyes.

“Senior Brother, please calm your anger. Fifth Junior Brother is investigating. There should be results soon,” Shen Qingxiu said unhurriedly.

“Indeed. The priority right now is to pacify the Loose Cultivators in the city who are clamoring to get out. If they do something irrational in the heat of the moment, it will be detrimental to Dingyuan City,” a Luoxia City Elder added with a nod.

“Hmph. We already gave them time to evacuate. What sense does it make to demand to leave now that the city is sealed? Do they think I dare not kill people?”

Rage seethed in Zhan Tianxia’s chest. The Beast Tide was already giving him a massive headache, and now this mess had erupted within the city. ‘Sometimes I really feel like just falling into the Demon Dao and slapping all those people to death.’

“Tianxia, do not act on emotion. With the Beast Tide approaching, it’s normal for people to be unsettled. Our task is to pacify them, not to become their adversaries. That would bring no benefit to you, or to Luoxia,” Muu Guibai said slowly from his seat at the head of the table.