As a nomadic people of the grasslands, the Skyhawk Court had never let down their guard. They possessed a natural wariness toward outsiders. Even while sleeping, blades and swords were kept close at hand, always within easy reach. They could respond with deadly precision in an instant, greatly enhancing their safety and survivability.
Thus, when the Haedongqing issued its warning, the tribes sprang into action.
Bonfires were lit, torches raised, and glowing orbs cast by Light Orbs rose into the sky.In an instant, the night was illuminated.The surroundings were as bright as day.
Looking around, one could see countless ferocious beasts pouring in from all directions, surrounding the tribal camps. In the beast pens, herds of cattle, sheep, and warhorses sensed the presence of predators and became terrified. Some collapsed on the ground, trembling violently—fear born of bloodline memory.
Many tribal warriors, upon seeing the scene outside, began trembling as well.It had come too fast.
This was a beast tide.
On the grasslands, a beast tide meant death.
The Skyhawk Court was not skilled in constructing cities or towns and could not rely on fortified walls for defense. Their yurts, though functional, offered little protection against the onslaught of wild beasts.
"Beast tide! All warriors, arm yourselves and prepare for battle!"
Tribal chieftains barked their orders hoarsely.
"Protect the slaves! Those are the most valuable assets of our tribe! Not a single one can be harmed. Word is the Myriad Domains Trade Alliance will arrive in half a month to purchase the second batch!"
A noble among the tribal elite shouted loudly.
In the past, slaves would be used as cannon fodder to stall beast tides, ensuring the safety of the warriors.But now, that logic had reversed.The slaves had become precious resources—wealth incarnate.
These slaves could be exchanged for things of immense value: Beast Blood Spirit Wine, cultivation materials, luxurious goods, exquisite garments, powerful weapons and magical artifacts, talismans, and pills—all rare and precious items in the Skyhawk Court.
Thus, the value of the slaves skyrocketed, surpassing even that of the warriors.Even if it meant sacrificing warriors, the slaves had to be protected.
After all, the benefits from selling them went straight to the tribal upper echelons.And power always flows to the top.That had never changed.
ROAR!!
The beasts, densely packed and frenzied, charged forward. Under the radiance of the light orbs, the entire horde came into view—a tsunami of wild beasts bearing down on them, destroying everything in their path.
"Kill!!"
The nomadic warriors were far from weak. In the Skyhawk Court, a unique cultivation technique had been distributed to all tribal warriors—a technique called Dragonhawk Art ("龙鹰功").
It was said to originate from Jixiang Monastery, and upon mastering it, one could gain the physique and strength of a dragon, the sharpness and clarity of a hawk.With heightened eyesight and perception, it was a perfect match for mounted archery—allowing nomads to maximize their natural talent and rapidly improve their archery prowess.
A martial art tailor-made for military warriors.
Those who excelled in the Dragonhawk Art were recruited into an elite unit known as the Dragonhawk Legion—stationed permanently in the Skyhawk Royal Court. Rarely seen by outsiders, they received top-tier resources and training. With natural talent and abundant support, their power soared.
They were the ace unit of the Skyhawk Court.A trump card to deter surrounding barbarian tribes.
Most tribal warriors were cultivators. Even without resources, their talent allowed them to reach the Life Aperture Realm. Those more gifted could even break through to the Life Map Realm. However, Dharma Phase Realm cultivators were exceedingly rare among the tribes.
Each stage of cultivation was a difficult threshold.
Compared to the Great Yi Dynasty, the Skyhawk Court's resources were pitiful.They had no access to spiritual grains, elixirs, or high-grade cultivation aids. That was the difference.
Thus, most warriors were still in the Spirit Sea Realm or Life Aperture Realm.
Still, with cooperation and battle synergy, their combat power remained formidable.
"Fire! Don't conserve the war arrows! Shoot down these damn beasts!"
To archers, war arrows were precious. Even more so for grassland nomads, who crafted them from the sharp bones of beasts. Each warrior had a limited supply, hoarded for war.
But now, there was no room for restraint.What use were arrows if one was dead?
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
With eyes sharp as hawks, the tribal warriors unleashed a hail of arrows. Each shot landed with deadly precision on vital points of the incoming beasts. Blood blossomed like flowers in the night.
Their archery was instinctual, a gift of bloodline.
For a time, the frontline beasts were mowed down in waves.
But compared to the endless horde, those casualties were but a drop in the ocean.
"The tribes can't possibly hold against a beast tide of this magnitude. Even if they resist, they'll eventually be overrun," said Xu Shu with a smile.
Beast tides were never to be taken lightly. Once they reached critical mass, their destruction was absolute.
"That's impossible," Gongsun Daniu countered, shaking her head. "The Skyhawk Court has faced beast tides before. They've survived every time. There's no way they're completely defenseless."
And indeed, beast tides had come before.And yet the Skyhawk Court still stood.
Suddenly—
"Holy One, protect us!!"A tribal chieftain raised his voice to the heavens."Holy One, protect us!!"The shout echoed through the warriors.
All across the tribes stood temples, each housing a statue of a great monk—not of a deity or god, but of a legendary Living Buddha from Jixiang Monastery.
"Amitabha!"
From the statues came a clear chant.
The statues depicted monks in kasaya robes, holding strings of Vajra prayer beads, radiating serenity and compassion. As the chants echoed, golden Buddhist light erupted from the statues like a tidal wave, enveloping each tribal camp in radiant protection—a golden shield of Buddha Light.
Wherever one looked across the Skyhawk Plains, these golden lights blossomed like divine flames.
Beasts hurled themselves against the Buddha Light Shields, only to be repelled or outright killed, their immense force reflected back upon them. The shields were nigh-impenetrable.
Meanwhile, arrows and weapons from the tribes passed through the light freely, slaying the beasts unhindered.
The Buddha Light was an impenetrable wall.
"Such powerful light… this is faith power! The protective shield is formed from willing devotion—a method of the monks," Yi Tianxing narrowed his eyes.
It was unexpected, but not entirely unthinkable.
Still, no matter how strong the light, it couldn't last forever.Its foundation was willpower, which could be exhausted.
With each impact, each beastly spell, the light began to flicker and dim.
The shield wouldn't last long.
Suddenly—
"SKREEEEE!!"
A three-headed monstrous bird shrieked and dove from the skies. With a flash of divine light, its claws tore a rift into the golden shield and slipped inside.
Inside, its feather-blades turned into piercing rays, raining death among the warriors—bodies shredded to pieces.
The gap quickly closed, but more savage birds followed, breaching the shield.
Scenes like this began unfolding everywhere.
The shields were powerful, but not invincible.
Weaknesses still existed.