I Stepped on a Bug, and the System Says I Slayed a Dragon? - Chapter 180 - 179: Beast Tide Surging, Great Disaster Imminent
Chapter 180: Chapter 179: Beast Tide Surging, Great Disaster Imminent
「Da Li Mountain Range.」
The sky was thick with dark clouds. A great wind swept across the sea of trees, stirring up waves of emerald green.
On a cliff, several unremarkable tents were pitched, looking like a camp for mountain climbing enthusiasts. One or two people could occasionally be seen stepping outside.
“These field missions are really tough.”
A ’mountaineer,’ leaning on a pole, slowly lifted a heavy tent flap and walked to the edge of the cliff, looking down at the panoramic view.
This was the best spot for observing the Da Li Mountain Range.
As far as the eye could see, the sea of trees rose and fell like waves. The deafening roars of Star Beasts echoed through the forest, shaking the leaves, and showing no signs of stopping.
Just then, a partner walked out and handed him a cigarette.
He lit it and took a drag.
The two men watched the activity below, skillfully breathing out clouds of smoke.
“Damn it, Captain, when the hell is this field assignment going to end?
I’m out in the wind and sun every day, I’m almost baked black as charcoal. My daughter won’t even recognize me when I get home!”
His partner exhaled a smoke ring, lamenting, “And with these Star Beasts screaming nearby, how long has it been since the brothers got any real sleep?”
“We’ve still got a long way to go. Who can we blame? The Bureau’s short-staffed… Just be glad you’re not out tracking those Cult Demons.”
The captain undid his goggles and gazed out at the rolling mountain range.
Their position was well-hidden.
It was an observation post for the Star Martial Police Bureau. There were a dozen more outposts like this one scattered throughout the mountains, all closely monitoring the movements of the Beast Tide.
At the slightest sign of trouble, they could immediately send information back to headquarters.
They were essentially sentry posts!
“This godforsaken place is in the middle of nowhere! I don’t want to work this damn shift for another single day!”
The assistant stubbed out his cigarette butt, pulled out his phone, and started scrolling through the news.
“The stuff happening in the city recently has been spectacular. That whole business with the Jianghai Sword God is blowing up. Everyone in the city saw it, except for us poor saps… The Sword God is a fucking badass!”
“Alright! Stop complaining. I’m damn well jealous too.”
The captain cut him off with a frown, a look of longing in his eyes.
“A Celestial Thunder phenomenon, plants blooming like it was spring… Who wouldn’t want to see that with their own eyes? You’re complaining to me, but who am I supposed to complain to?”
“Sigh, you’re right. Can’t exactly go complain to the Commander.”
The assistant sighed. “These are troubled times. Who knows when this goddamn Beast Tide will finally pass…”
Before he could finish his sentence…
WHOOSH—
A sudden gale swept through the cluster of tents.
RUSTLE! The surfaces of the tents rippled like waves…
“Is the wind picking up?”
The captain froze for a moment. As sparks from his cigarette danced in the wind, he quickly took a final drag and crushed the butt under his boot.
He was just about to tell his partner to get away from the cliff’s edge.
But as soon as he turned his head,
he saw his partner’s face twisted in terror, stammering as he pointed to the southwest…
“K-King…”
“’King’ what? Get a grip!”
The captain cursed under his breath with a frown and followed his subordinate’s finger, looking toward the southwest of the Da Li Mountain Range.
But the next moment,
he too was stunned!
At the edge of the forest,
hundreds of Star Beasts were stampeding forward. The sound of their hooves was like thunder, and they formed a dark, oppressive mass, like a storm cloud descending as they charged straight past the mountain border.
Leading the charge were several ferocious-looking Star Beasts of bizarre shapes—some with seven limbs, others with a hundred eyes—like a parade of demons in the night.
A colossal surge of Star Force erupted, sweeping through the forest and shaking the entire mountain range!
“Damn it! How did they cross the border?!”
The captain was dumbfounded. He was so frightened he fell to the ground, but he quickly realized what was happening. He scrambled back up, grabbed his subordinate’s arm, and said, his voice trembling,
“Quick, quick! Notify headquarters immediately!”
A short while later, the camp devolved into chaos. In a flustered panic, urgent messages were sent to the Jianghai Police Bureau, triggering the city’s emergency defense alarms.
…
…
「Evening.」
Jianghai City was bustling, with traffic flowing endlessly.
At the entrance to the Martial Arts Academy, black armored vehicles were lined up, and guards with loaded weapons stood watch before the stately gates.
In a conference room atop Tengfei Building.
Several people in formal attire wore solemn expressions. The upper echelons of Jianghai were all gathered—the three great Innate Experts, Lin Mofeng, and even Li Zixuan were seated among them.
She had now reached the Innate Realm.
In a world where strength commanded respect, she now held significant weight and influence throughout Jianghai City.
“Everyone!”
“I sent out a notice just now. All of you should have seen it.”
The Chief Commander, seated at the head of the table, said in a grave voice, “The Beast Tide is upon us. It has appeared in the southwest of the Da Li Mountain Range, triggering the city’s defense alarms.
This meeting has been called to discuss our next course of action.”
With that,
his gaze swept over everyone present, and he said, enunciating each word:
“Should we, or should we not, announce this to the public?”
As his voice fell,
the people around him mulled it over for a moment. No one spoke immediately; they were all lost in thought.
The conference room fell silent.
After a long pause, the first voice finally spoke up.
“I do not support a public announcement!”
One of Jianghai’s high-ranking officials spoke out. “The situation in the city is currently unstable. It’s better not to disclose this for now.
The city is already in chaos. If we announce the Beast Tide, I’m afraid it will cause mass panic, which would be terrible for the city’s overall economy.”
Looking at the others, he added, “If there’s a mass exodus of citizens, Jianghai’s economy will plummet…”
“Nonsense!”
Hearing this, Elder Li’s white beard bristled with anger. He retorted sharply, “What time do you think this is? You’re still worried about your economy?! The Beast Tide is almost here! The citizens have a right to know about the danger.
Whether they stay or leave should be up to them!”
With those words,
the people in the room were instantly divided into two factions.
“Elder Li has a point,”
the Chief Commander said with a thoughtful frown, “but I still lean toward stabilizing public sentiment. It’s best not to cause unnecessary panic for the time being.”
“Commander, with all due respect… If the Bureau had a way to control this, it would have been done already. Why drag this out?”
Li Daoming rapped his knuckles on the table and declared loudly, “I also support Elder Li’s position. Announce the Beast Tide to the public!”
His words
only made the situation more chaotic.
The factions broke off to debate again, a cacophony of differing opinions filling the room.
But at that moment.
Suddenly!
“I support my teacher!”
Li Zixuan tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear and slowly walked over to stand behind Elder Li. “Announce the Beast Tide. Let the citizens prepare ahead of time. We can’t keep hiding this from them!”
As her voice fell,
the conference room was plunged into silence.
All eyes gathered on Li Zixuan, but they were filled with hesitation.
Although the Li Zixuan of today had entered the Innate Realm, she was, after all, too young and lacked experience. Ultimately, it was difficult for her to command the respect of the others.
For a moment,
the meeting was at a stalemate.
But just then!
“Everyone, I also support my teacher and junior sister’s position!”
Lin Mofeng announced in a clear voice, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. “I have traveled to the Imperial Capital. I trust none of you doubt my judgment? This matter must be made public!”
With that last sentence,
all opposition in the meeting vanished. Two of the three great Innate Experts, combined with the weight carried by Lin Mofeng and Li Zixuan, represented an almost overwhelming majority.
“In that case, the Beast Tide will be fully announced tomorrow!”
