"You mentioned the Fragrant Accumulation Monastery. Could you tell me more about its origins and background? I haven't been on Skyhawk Island long enough to grasp all the nuances," said Yi Tianxing.
This was currently the only shortcoming of the Great Yi Dynasty—certain things could only be understood at surface level for now.
But now that Madam Gongsun was here, that wouldn't be a problem. Given her years of experience opposing the Skyhawk Royal Court, she was bound to have deep insight into these matters.
"The Fragrant Accumulation Monastery is… unfathomable," she said. "It's inhabited by countless monks and lamas, built upon a spiritual mountain known as Mount Xiangji. There, they've constructed grand palaces and temples—far more luxurious than any imperial palace. Even the Skyhawk King's own palace pales in comparison. At the main temple, incense burns without end, and the sound of scripture chanting never ceases. There are over a hundred thousand novice monks, each cultivating Buddhist techniques and comprehending divine Buddhist arts. As of now, even an ordinary novice monk is at least at the Life Aperture Realm, many even at the Life Diagram Realm."
"There are also many at the Dharma Form Realm, who serve as the backbone of their forces. It's said that within the monastery is a reincarnated Living Buddha, whose cultivation is immeasurable. No one knows just how strong he is, but everyone who lays eyes upon him ends up converting to the monastery in sincere devotion."
"Furthermore, the monastery commands tens of thousands of commoners. They farm their land and grow spiritual grains exclusively for the monks. Though called devotees, they're really slaves, working the fields by day and worshipping the Buddha by night, offering incense and prayer power. In reality, they live lives even more tragic than slaves."
Thinking back on what she had seen inside the monastery, Madam Gongsun felt a surge of anger. It was a vision of the walking dead. Stripped of identity, free will, and humanity, they existed only to toil and chant scriptures. They were no different from corpses.
The monks themselves contributed nothing to society—no farming, no labor. They focused solely on cultivation, leaving everything else to others. The monastery's monks were not constrained by any strict discipline either. They ate meat and drank alcohol freely, every meal rich and plentiful. After all, cultivation consumes immense resources—without strong nourishment, how could one grow stronger?
To live on simple porridge and greens and expect swift progress in cultivation was a joke. One's body would collapse before any breakthrough was achieved. So when monks speak of vegetarianism and asceticism—it's often little more than empty talk, at least for the majority of Buddhist temples.
This was precisely why the Fragrant Accumulation Monastery teemed with powerful cultivators, with surging strength and growing fate.
In fact, it was said they possessed a mighty treasure that could suppress and preserve their fate, ensuring that the monastery's luck didn't decline but instead continued to flourish.
It was also rumored that the Skyhawk King had deep ties with the monastery. Every year, a vast amount of resources were sent there. The two forces had become interdependent—entwined, inseparable. If the Skyhawk Royal Court were to face catastrophe, the monastery would certainly intervene.
"What about that Living Buddha? Any more information?" Yi Tianxing asked, his tone serious.
Everything else could be managed—but the Living Buddha was a figure that couldn't be ignored.
"He's extremely mysterious," Madam Gongsun replied. "No one knows his name. Even within the monastery, he's only referred to as Living Buddha. To speak his name is considered blasphemy. But legend has it that the statue they worship in the monastery is the Living Buddha himself."
"That makes it even more intriguing," Yi Tianxing said with a meaningful smile.
Three Days Later
At the City Lord's Mansion, Yi Tianxing, Jia Xu, and Zhuge Liang gathered together, with Madam Gongsun invited as well. Before them floated the Divine Mirror of Enlightenment, glowing with mystical light. Runes flickered and connected to fate itself.
Within the mirror, images constantly shifted, revealing a vast grassland.
Verdant like an ocean, stretching endlessly.
"That's the Skyhawk Plains," said Madam Gongsun at once.
"The Falcon Hunt Plan begins now. Wan'er, come—watch for yourself how the Skyhawk Royal Court collapses," Yi Tianxing said with a smile.
"Greetings, Lady Gongsun," Jia Xu and Zhuge Liang both said respectfully.
Though she hadn't been officially conferred as a consort, they could tell from the Emperor's manner how important she was. They offered her the courtesy she deserved.
"Greetings, Mister Zhuge, Mister Wenhe," she replied, not putting on airs.
"Your Majesty," Jia Xu said, "over the past days, our Great Yi bounty hunters have spread across the Skyhawk grasslands, embedded in every tribe. Meanwhile, beyond the plains lie four army corps in ambush—the Divine Crow Corps, the Snow Rabbit Corps, the Heavenly Horse Corps, and the Fallen Immortal Corps. At your command, they'll strike."
These days had seen constant strategic adjustments. And while bounty hunters played a major role, wars are ultimately decided by armies. These four elite corps were the real final trump card—ready to strike instantly.
From the mirror, one could see these four corps silently positioned around the grasslands, ready to launch at a moment's notice.
"Let His Majesty and Lady Gongsun enjoy the show first," Zhuge Liang said with a smile.
Everything was in place. The gears had already begun turning. Victory felt inevitable.
In the mirror, images flashed—one could clearly see beasts converging from all directions toward the tribes. Their eyes turned blood-red, a chilling sight.
"So many beasts… Could it be a beast tide? But why now? If this were truly a beast tide, the Skyhawk Royal Court would've prepared—yet they seem caught completely off guard," said Madam Gongsun, a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes.
Then she recalled something Yi Tianxing had whispered to her days ago.
"It's the Hundred-Beast Blood Spirit Wine."
"That's right," Yi Tianxing nodded calmly. "The wine causes no immediate effects if you stop drinking for three days. After that, the scent fades. But these nomads love strong drink and indulge without restraint. It's impossible they've gone three days without it."
"Once the beastly aura on their bodies builds up beyond a certain point, it draws nearby beasts like moths to flame—triggering a bloodline-level hatred. Those affected will be torn to pieces by frenzied beasts. There's no escape. Only battle."
And enough time had passed for the beast tide to fully form.
"The Skyhawk Royal Court must've noticed the beasts gathering," Madam Gongsun said.
"Even if they noticed," Yi Tianxing said, "what could they do? Once the beasts gather to a certain point, the tide becomes unstoppable. It's inevitable."
Suddenly—A long howl pierced the skies.
In the mirror, divine eagles soared, their eyes sharp enough to pierce souls.
These were the sacred birds of the nomads—Haidongqing!
The Haidongqing, or Eastern Sea Falcons, were the supreme totem of the grassland tribes. Called the "God of Ten Thousand Eagles," it was said that one Haidongqing was born for every 100,000 eagles. Their rarity and spirituality made them objects of absolute reverence.
Their abilities were beyond dispute.
Now, with beasts swarming below, the skies echoed with sharp falcon cries, echoing across the grasslands.
"No good! The sacred bird gives warning—something grave is happening!"
"Wake everyone! Arm yourselves, prepare for battle!"
"The Haidongqing never cries for nothing. If it's warning us, then danger is imminent! Gather your weapons and gear!"
Tribal camps erupted in activity—fires lit, people rushed to position. Scouts were dispatched in all directions.
Then the panic began—
"Damn it! So many beasts! Where did they all come from?! This is a beast tide!"
"Didn't we just survive one? Why another now?!"