Horde of Beasts

After an hour, Sun and the other Medical Experts managed to treat every injured person in the Settlement.

As the battle resounding in the background began to lighten, trepidation built on the brows of every Cultivator, the mortal warriors, and the people of the Settlement themselves.

The roaring air ceased, and the mass of ashen fog, resembling a storm cloud, was torn apart by the violent shockwaves.

With the sky masked, no one could see into the fog itself, which enveloped Warrior of Spring and the Demonic Faction's battlefield.

The white dragon was silent; the world seemed still.

Nobody was breathing; they held their breaths with worry and anticipation for what was to come.

Only two people carried different expressions: Shade of Autumn and the Settlement Lord.

However, they were not looking towards the sky.

Beyond the boundaries of the Settlement, two figures emerged.

One was a figure clad in gold armour and loose brown robes.

The other was dressed in tight green and black robes.

"Seniors!"

"Golden Eagle! Axe Wielding Fiend! They've returned!"

"Prepare yourselves!"

Shade of Autumn called out as she ran to the front, preparing a Dao Art in her hand.

As her seniors jumped out of the way, a horde of beasts was revealed behind them.

Snarling and groaning, their jaws hung low. Their builds were massive, twice the size of normal tigers. 

Dao Art -- Autumn Wind Carries the Brittle Leaves!

Standing in place and pushing forward with her hand, a powerful gust of wind is summoned.

It carried a deathly scent which swept the area.

Clouds of dirt had risen, and the trees beyond the Settlement's boundary began to wither.

Luscious, green leaves dyed a brittle brown, crumbling in the force of the wind.

The encroaching beasts were no different.

Rending their fur and skin apart, the beasts pursued relentlessly, but were swept away as they fell apart.

Their bodies collapsed limb by limb, until they scattered like dust in the wind.

Of course, there were too many beasts to leave this an easy task.

Shade of Autumn was quickly overwhelmed, forcing her to retreat a few steps.

"Do not worry!"

"Forgive us, friend Autumn!"

A vast storm of feathers swept the area, and a powerful force uplifted the terrain.

Golden Eagle and Axe Wielding Fiend were not totally helpless.

They retaliated as they finally attained their footing, reuniting with the other warriors and Cultivators of Corpse Mountain Settlement.

"Friends! Warriors! I know that this time is dire, but your strength is needed now!"

At the call, swarms of beasts burst through the forest.

The initial wave of beasts increased manyfold. 

A myriad sounds resounded within the enormous horde of beasts.

Thunder Wolves. Uplifting Earth Eagles. False Stream Snakes. Forest Shaking Bears. Tree Snapping Gorillas. 

Numerous and various Mystical Beasts revealed themselves as well. Dozens at a time.

It was an astonishing number, and a terrifying and unexpected sight.

Shade of Autumn, Golden Eagle, and Axe Wielding Fiend were the only ones holding them back, but they were getting overwhelmed too easily.

The rest of the Cultivators and mortal warriors watched in horror and fear at the sheer number of beasts.

Before any of them moved, whether to flee or attack, one man shot forward without hesitation.

'This is something I can't overlook. Not this time. Not again...'

With his halberd raised, Sun activated every Dao Art that could be used in battle.

Dao Art -- Crown Ring Tyrant's War Banner!

Dao Art -- Dancing Respite!

Dao Art -- Golden Arc and Ribbon!

This desperate situation demanded nothing less than his full strength.

He was also satisfied to earn his redemption by risking his very life.

The next to shoot forward was the Settlement Lord.

Naturally, his duty to protect his Settlement was adamant. 

Inspired by their fearlessness and quick call to action, the other Cultivators begin to move forward instead of fleeing.

Those who could fight drew their weapons or began focusing on their Dao Arts.

It wasn't long before the mortal Warriors provided whatever support they could.

Arrows flew and weapons swung; the various warriors and Cultivators retaliated desperately against this great horde of beasts.

'This might be every beast of the second tide!'

'No... some of these beasts were not anticipated in the second tide, some don't belong to this area!'

'Is this a move made by that Demonic Cultivator? Could there be a whole Demonic Faction fighting against us?'

Shade of Autumn contemplated as she fought. 

The beasts swept by her Dao Art -- Autumn Wind Carries the Brittle Leaves -- dried and decomposed, scattering like dust.

Sun battled with sheer brutality, similar to his other two seniors, Golden Eagle and Axe Wielding Fiend.

The Settlement lord was fierce, pale light flickered with each beast he felled, and a pale sword appeared and disappeared in his hands before and after he killed a beast.

The other Cultivators wielded their respective Dao Arts, expressing their battle strength without restraint.

This was the most violent assault they had unleashed during and against the tides of beasts and Spirits.

Countless corpses of ordinary beasts piled into mounds, soon to become mountains.

Yet, even if their pile reach dozens of meters high, it doesn't seem like this horde of beasts would diminish.

'If this tide was influenced by outside forces, then there must be a Demonic Cultivator at the scene!'

"Lord! Seniors!"

Shade of Autumn beckoned them to convene, relaying her thoughts to the others.

All of them shared similar thoughts: a Demonic perpetrator who influenced, or is controlling, this massive group of beasts.

It was a grim discussion, however. They continued to talk as hey fought the beasts.

"If someone is controlling the beasts, we must find and destroy them!"

"We will deal with that matter later! Now, we must purge these beasts and defend the Settlement!"

"I agree. Even if an adversary is influencing or controlling this tide, they likely won't show themselves until the battle's end."

"So we can only fight until the end? Can we last for that long? The beasts are beginning to overwhelm our forces!"

"Not only that, but more Mystical Beasts seem to be appearing too! It won't be long until the first of them slip by us!"

"How do you propose we find, let alone defeat, this supposed Demonic perpetrator?"

"We can't remain idle, we must take action before out situation worsens!"

"..."