CHAPTER 15: BEAST TIDE DEFENSE

The walls shook.

Luo Feng gripped the battlements as the horizon moved—a living tide of fangs, claws, and glowing demonic eyes surging toward the city.

"BRACE FOR IMPACT!" a guard captain screamed, seconds before a boulder launched from the horde shattered the watchtower beside him.

The Fox Spirit whistled. "Well. This is bad."

Li Qing's sword was already drawn, frost creeping along the stone. "We should leave."

[System Alert: New Check-In Location – Stormwall City]

[Mission: Survive the Beast Tide (Reward: First Divine Contact)]

[Failure Penalty: Death (Obvious)]

Luo Feng exhaled. "We stay."

[The Calm Before the Storm]

The city's defenders scrambled—mercenaries, rogue cultivators, and even a few desperate nobles forming ragged lines atop the walls.

A grizzled general shoved a spear into Luo Feng's hands. "You. Front line."

Luo Feng stared at the weapon. "I don't use—"

"EVERYONE FIGHTS!"

The Fox Spirit snatched the spear and twirled it. "Ooooh, pointy."

Li Qing didn't move. "This is a waste of our time."

Luo Feng met her gaze. "That 'waste' has children hiding in the cellars."

A beat. Then Li Qing's jaw tightened. "Fine. But when this is over, we're leaving."

The first wave hit.

[The Battle: Three Layers of Hell]

1. The Horde

Horned wolves the size of horses vaulted onto the walls. Luo Feng Gale Stepped through their ranks, Wind VE slashing with borrowed steel.

The Fox Spirit fought dirty—kicking beasts into each other, stealing weapons mid-swing, and at one point, riding a demon boar into the enemy lines.

Li Qing? She carved glaciers through the tide.

[Combat Fame: +200 Reputation]

2. The Void Dynasty's Play

Then the assassins struck.

A blade grazed Luo Feng's back—only for the attacker to freeze solid as Li Qing flicked her fingers.

"Idiot," she muttered. "Watch your surroundings."

Luo Feng grinned. "You do care."

Li Qing's next glacier nearly took off his foot.

3. The Pill Emperor's Surprise

Just as the tide seemed to wane—

"ATTENTION, FLESHLINGS!"

A booming voice echoed from a floating palanquin carried by four brainwashed alchemists. The Pill Emperor himself hovered above the battlefield, glowing ominously.

"I HAVE COME TO… HELP! (FOR A PRICE.)"

The Fox Spirit gasped. "He's evolved!"

The Pill Emperor now had tiny arms. And legs. And a crown.

Li Qing looked at Luo Feng. "We're killing it after this."

[The Divine Intervention]

Just as Luo Feng was about to argue—

The sky split.

A beam of golden light incinerated an entire flank of the horde. From it stepped a figure wreathed in flame, his voice shaking the earth:

"ENOUGH."

The battlefield froze.

Luo Feng's System screamed in his head:

[WARNING: DIVINE PRESENCE DETECTED]

[IDENTITY: WAR GOD KARGHES – 3RD DIVINE COURT]

The War God's gaze locked onto Luo Feng. "YOU."

The Fox Spirit ducked behind Li Qing. "Uh oh."

Li Qing's grip on her sword turned white-knuckled. "Don't. Move."

The War God pointed. "THAT TECHNIQUE. WHERE DID YOU LEARN IT?"

Luo Feng blinked. "Uh… self-taught?"

The War God laughed, the sound like boulders grinding. "LIAR. BUT ENTERTAINING. LIVE, LITTLE MORTAL. I'LL BE WATCHING."

Then he vanished—taking half the horde with him.

Silence.

The Pill Emperor coughed. "WELL. THAT HAPPENED."

[Check-In Complete]

[Reward: First Divine Contact – War God's Interest Unlocked]

[Bonus: +500 Combat Fame – "Stormwall's Savior" Title]

The survivors cheered. The Fox Spirit took bows.

Li Qing grabbed Luo Feng's arm. "We. Are. Leaving."

The Pill Emperor waved. "COME VISIT MY NEW KINGDOM! (LOCATION: PENDING.)"

END OF THE CHAPTER15