Chapter 122 - Defending the City

Before Xu Mingxi and his companions could return to the Star Crown Sect, the beast tide had already fully erupted. Several small towns and even cities near the Great Star Dou Forest were instantly destroyed by the beast tide, and the soul masters within had no power to resist.

The entire Douluo Continent was shaken by a great quake. Qian Daoliu from the Spirit Hall walked out from the Hall of Elders, with angelic wings spread behind him and the Angelic Sword in hand. He temporarily held off the beast tide with his own strength and managed to repel the Bear King for a time.

Both empires responded quickly, setting aside all prejudices and swiftly building a new city called Beast Suppression City on the land where the beast tide was expected to pass. Earth-affiliated soul masters reinforced it day and night.

The armies of the two nations guarded it, nervously watching the direction of the Great Star Dou Forest. The elders of Spirit Hall arrived with a legion of soul masters, and upon seeing the beasts in the distance, everyone felt a heavy weight in their hearts.

All the major sects on the continent received invitations from the two empires and the Spirit Hall—and they all accepted. This was a matter of survival for humanity. Even the Haotian Sect accepted the invitation. They could no longer give Spirit Hall an excuse to act against them.

Except for Sea God Island—they directly rejected the Spirit Hall's invitation, declaring their devotion to the Sea God and refusing to take part in the conflicts of the mainland.

Bibi Dong was furious and erupted in rage in the palace. The expressions of the other powers weren't good either. With Sea God Island acting like this—did they not consider themselves part of the human race?

The Star Crown Sect also received the news, but the sect master was indifferent. The sect's two hopes were still in the Great Star Dou Forest. Why had the beast tide erupted now?

Just as he paced anxiously in the sect leader's hall, Xu Mingguang and the others flew in. As soon as they landed, the sect leader examined them from top to bottom, front and back, confirming they were uninjured. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.

"Fortunately, you returned quickly. I don't know how that beast tide broke out in the Great Star Dou Forest."

Xu Mingxi and the others looked at each other, somewhat embarrassed. Although they didn't know the exact reason, they speculated the tide was likely triggered by the killing of the silver-scaled beast—but they couldn't be blamed for it.

"Sect Master, this is what we wanted to tell you. This beast tide is clearly not ordinary. That Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear is definitely not the strongest among them."

"What! Is there a being stronger than Qian Daoliu among them?"

"Yes."

Xu Mingxi briefly shared the information about the beasts in the Great Star Dou Forest with the sect master and Xu Mingguang.

The two of them fell silent. With such a lineup, even Spirit Hall alone couldn't hold out. With a sigh, the sect master picked up the invitation from Spirit Hall on the table. This beast tide concerned the whole of humanity—Star Crown Sect had no choice but to participate.

However, their participation had to be strategic. Deciding how much strength to reveal was the most critical issue.

"Mingxi, I have to go. As for the rest, assess how much fighting power we should reveal."

Xu Mingxi frowned. There was no reason for humanity to lose to the Great Star Dou Forest if united. Regardless of everything else, the Sea God would never allow that. Poseidon would surely assist humanity if they were on the brink of defeat.

Therefore, the Star Crown Sect couldn't show too much of their strength during this beast tide. Even soul guides couldn't be easily exposed. At most, each disciple going to battle could be equipped with a hidden defensive soul guide beneath their clothes.

Besides, the Grand Elder, their only level-seven soul guide master, didn't have the time to craft many defensive soul guides. And level-seven defensive soul guides wouldn't make much difference against the beast tide.

"Master, I'll go with you, along with Elder Dugu. The others will stay in the sect. Now is not the time for them to be exposed."

"Alright, let's do it your way. Bring Elders Four, Eight, and Nine. We'll depart immediately."

Before Xu Mingxi could even sit down, he was once again leading a team out. Besides the three elders, there were a dozen Soul Saints and disciples below that rank. They all gathered on Star Luo Mountain.

The Star Crown Sect was located in the southwest of the continent. Waiting for Xu Mingxi to return took time. Even if they traveled day and night, by the time they arrived, the other forces had basically already gathered.

Pope Bibi Dong of Spirit Hall, along with Juegui Douluo and Lingyuan Douluo, followed behind. Grand Priest Qian Daoliu stood beside them with six other grand priests.

Beside them was a team made up of the newly promoted three upper sects and four lower sects. The leaders of all seven sects were present and stood behind Bibi Dong.

Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect stood on the other side, along with Sword Douluo and the elders of his sect. The teams from the Po Yi Clan and Yu Yi Clan followed behind them.

The Clear Sky Sect's Tang Xiao and Elder Tang Ziyi stood to the side, occasionally casting looks of hatred toward the Spirit Hall's team.

They also stared disapprovingly at the Po Yi and Yu Yi clans following the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, only nodding in satisfaction when they saw Titan behind them.

Forces from the two kingdoms, several noble families, and independent cultivators stood on the other side, forming a tripartite stance. Fortunately, everyone now shared the same goal, allowing them to sit and discuss peacefully.

The arrival of the Star Crown Sect caught everyone's attention. When they saw three Title Douluo in their group, some couldn't help but change their expressions.

Their leader led the group to stand beside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—but kept a deliberate distance. Qian Daoliu was watching. Now was not the time to take sides.

"Everyone's almost here. We can begin. To better fight the beast tide, you must accept the deployment of our Spirit Hall."

Bibi Dong walked to the center, looking proudly at the high-level figures of Douluo Continent surrounding her. She believed Qian Daoliu would not oppose her now. As for the others, she didn't take them seriously.

Although everyone disliked her, due to Spirit Hall's dozen-plus Title Douluo, they reluctantly agreed to her words. Even Tang Xiao did not argue.

"Then, the first rule is—no one is allowed to collude with the beasts, especially the Clear Sky Sect."

Tang Xiao couldn't hold back after hearing this. Wasn't this targeting Brother Hao? Fortunately, Tang Ziyi beside him tried his best to restrain him, allowing the meeting to continue.

However, the main forces still held grievances about this. It was a fact that Tang Hao had colluded with beasts in the past—and it was even more true that he was absent from this battle against the beast tide.

Bibi Dong ignored them and continued to assign tasks. The leaders of the main forces also fought for their own rights and interests.

They divided the city wall into three sections based on the three major powers present.

Each force would freely form teams to guard a portion of the wall. On the side of the two kingdoms, Spirit Hall would assign some elders to assist.

After the meeting, Bibi Dong sat alone on the city wall, gazing at the beasts in the distance, her eyes filled with bloodlust.

"Kill them—the more that die, the better."