Chapter 310: Beast Tide at the City Gates
Meng Shenji's army faced no significant resistance as they advanced through the three border cities. The army that set out at noon was already able to enjoy dinner within the cities by evening.
Seeing that there was no need for him to stay and oversee things, Ning Bei immediately found Meng Shenji to bid farewell.
"I will leave now and check on the situation in Xing Luo City. After you've rested, proceed to attack Panshi City and then advance into Xing Luo's interior."
"Isn't this a bit rushed? If Xing Luo manages to resolve the beast tide and sends reinforcements, how should we respond? Should we stabilize the border situation first?"
Ning Bei scoffed at Meng Shenji's cautious approach and showed his disdain for Xing Luo without holding back.
"Xing Luo won't be sending reinforcements. With over 30,000 soul beasts surrounding the city, most of them being ten-thousand-year soul beasts, and more than fifty with 50,000 years of cultivation, do you think Xing Luo has the time to worry about you?"
Meng Shenji was taken aback by Ning Bei's response. As a Soul Douluo, he understood well the terror of a beast tide with soul beasts of 50,000 years of cultivation. Honestly speaking, fifty 50,000-year soul beasts were the equivalent of fifty Soul Douluos, possibly even stronger. In the face of such a powerful beast tide, Xing Luo wouldn't be able to send troops to relieve the border, let alone worry about anything else.
"In that case, there's no problem. I'll immediately instruct the generals to prepare for the attack on Panshi City, aiming to take it swiftly."
Meng Shenji understood that this was a rare opportunity. Except for the capital city, all other towns and fortresses of the Xing Luo Empire were isolated and helpless. If they didn't take this chance to expand, when else would they?
"Mm, go ahead and make your arrangements. I'll leave now."
Having clarified the situation, Ning Bei felt there was no need to worry about the rest. After leaving the border, he flew towards Xing Luo City once more.
Meanwhile, General Qiu´er's beast tide, after three days of rapid travel, finally reached the Xilan River, just across from the capital city.
Qiu´er was somewhat dissatisfied. From the memories she had gathered, wars should be exciting—she should be passing five gates, cutting down six generals, riding alone for a thousand miles. Yet, on this journey, she encountered nothing but weak civilians or retreating soldiers.
"This is so boring. I was supposed to be a general, but now I've turned into a shepherd. Don't you think so?"
Qiu´er patted the head of the Red Gold Tiger King under her, causing the beast to shake its head energetically.
Just as she was sulking, a flash of green light appeared in front of her, and Daming appeared before the soul beast army.
"Miss Qiu´er."
"It's Uncle Daming! Where's Brother Bei?"
"Brother Ning Bei had some matters to attend to at the Tiandou border. He told me to wait for you here. Once the soul beast army is assembled, we'll surround Xing Luo City."
At hearing this, Qiu´er's expression brightened immediately.
"Really? Is that Xing Luo City ahead? Will we finally get to fight there?"
"Uh, theoretically, yes."
Daming felt a bit embarrassed. While Qiu´er's strength was formidable—strictly speaking, he was not her match—her special status made him instinctively want to protect her. This was especially true because, aside from the Soul Tower, she was their second-most important treasure, and the beast kings didn't want her to face any danger.
In the minds of the beasts, the Soul Tower was their home, Qiu´er was their double experience card, and Lei Yuanyuan was their "immortal under the heavenly tribulation" card. These were all things they needed to protect, even though both Qiu´er and Lei Yuanyuan had incomprehensibly powerful abilities.
But Qiu´er was too bored to care about these things. The journey had almost bored her to death.
"Then why wait? Let's go and surround Xing Luo City, and declare the battle!"
"Alright, alright!"
Daming was helpless against Qiu´er's enthusiasm. He figured he would just have to be extra careful with her. Besides, he didn't think there was anyone in Xing Luo City who could harm her.
"Everyone, follow me!"
The rich fragrance of the pill near Xing Luo City was irresistible. The soul beasts had long been itching to move. With Qiu´er's command, tens of thousands of soul beasts marched onto the frozen river, beginning their crossing.
At Xing Luo City, atop the city walls, Dai Tianyu, dressed in armor, anxiously watched the rising dust a hundred kilometers away. He understood that it was the beast tide causing the stir, meaning tens of thousands of soul beasts were at the city gates.
"Damn it, haven't we found the ancestor and the two offerings yet?"
"Your Majesty, we've searched all around Xing Luo City these past three days. The ancestor and the offerings are likely..."
"Impossible! The ancestor is omnipotent. How could he be defeated by a mere Mighty Vajra Ape?"
Dai Tianyu had heard from the soldiers returning from the Xilan River about the incredible battle they had witnessed, describing a beast similar to the Mighty Vajra Ape.
Subconsciously, he believed the soul beast could not be the ancestor's match, but three days without any news from Dai Qianyuan had shaken him. Dai Qianyuan was their last hope.
The officials beside him didn't know what to say. If the ancestor and the offerings were still alive, how could they not show themselves by now?
"How much longer until the border guards return?"
Dai Tianyu knew it wasn't the time to dwell on the ancestor and the two offerings, as that would lower morale. Instead, he focused on gathering news about the reinforcements.
"Your Majesty, the scouts reported this morning that the reinforcements have reached Lingmao City and will join forces with the Duke of Youming's army to support the capital. They should arrive in no more than a day."
"Mm, we'll hold for a day then. We must hold on until the reinforcements arrive."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
In truth, the official wanted to say, what good will reinforcements do? Are we really going to fight tens of thousands of soul beasts at the gates? That's not realistic.
But his family's livelihood was tied to Xing Luo City. If they didn't hold the city, everything would be lost.
Not only Dai Tianyu but also the other offerings and Zhu Xianwei felt despair. They could already feel the earth trembling, and with the Xilan River just a few dozen kilometers away, the soul beasts would be at the city gates by afternoon. Could they really stop them with just a few hundred thousand regular soldiers?
"Damn it, I swear, whoever caused this beast tide, I will not let them off."
Dai Tianyu's heart was filled with anger. He knew that he might be the last emperor of Xing Luo, yet now he was powerless, and all he could do was bang his fist against the thick walls.
The Empress saw his frustration and stepped forward, taking his hand.
"Your Majesty, it's not time for the kingdom to fall yet. My brother is already on his way from Lingmao City. If we can hold for a day, we'll make it."
Though the Empress knew her brother might not solve much, she could only try to comfort Dai Tianyu for now.
(END CHAPTER)
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