The air still carried the scent of morning dew as Lin Ho sat across from his grandfather in the quiet courtyard of his parents' old home. They hadn't spoken much since the emotional exchange that morning, but words weren't always needed.
Old Master Lin finally opened his mouth, his voice calm but laced with seriousness.
> "Now that you've begun walking the path, have you thought about your future, Ho'er? Will you—"
Suddenly, a violent quake shook the ground beneath them.
BOOM!
The sky trembled. The ancient peach tree shuddered. Seconds later, five long horn blasts ripped through the air—an emergency signal that hadn't been used in decades.
Old Master Lin's expression changed instantly.
> "Five horn calls... Ascendant-class sea beasts."
He vanished with a sonic boom, tearing a glowing path through the sky. Lin Ho stood frozen for a heartbeat, before bolting toward the rooftops, using every ounce of strength from his Peak Bone Tempering cultivation.
---
Outer Wall, Qingye City – 8 Minutes Later
The ocean churned violently. Towering waves smashed against the high coastal walls of Qingye. From the sea emerged five Ascendant Realm sea beasts—massive, mutated titans radiating terrifying pressure. Each step they took distorted the very air around them.
The defenders on the wall—Foundation Establishment to Void Shattering cultivators—stood their ground, formation flags already raised. Explosions of elemental power and spiritual light crackled across the sky.
Then, a sharp cry echoed above them.
> "Old Lin…! It's him!"
Old Master Lin descended like a meteor, Astral Essence bursting in silver arcs. In seconds, he met the five Ascendant-class beasts head-on.
Despite being alone, he held them back—a whirlwind of sword light and astral storms. His presence split the battlefield, giving the defenders hope.
But Lin Ho, watching from a broken tower at mid-city, could see it clearly.
> "Grandfather… he's not losing, but he can't win. And he can't protect everyone..."
Each time Old Master Lin struck, the beasts regenerated. Their thick hides deflected even Astral-imbued sword light. He was strong enough to keep them in check—but not fast enough to stop their minions from reaching the walls.
The sea beasts roared. Tides of mutated creatures surged behind them—scaled apes, crusted serpents, jelly-eyed hounds. The city's cultivators threw themselves into the chaos, shoulder to shoulder.
Flames lit the sky. Ice rained down. Qi techniques flashed like lightning as Qingye's defenders fought without fear.
---
Stalemate and Reinforcement
The battle raged for nearly an hour. Every wave of the tide brought death, but every fallen defender was avenged.
Just as the walls began to buckle, a blinding white beam shot from the north. Then another from the east. A series of Void Shattering and Ascendant reinforcements from nearby sects and clans joined the fray.
With the combined strength of Qingye and its allies, the tide began to turn. Two of the sea beasts were heavily wounded and forced to retreat. The remaining three roared and followed.
Silence finally fell. Corpses floated in the surf. The walls were scorched and cracked, but still standing.
---
Aftermath
Lin Ho stood at the edge of the rubble, fists clenched. His shirt was torn, hands bloodied—he had fought too, aiding the wounded, intercepting stray beasts, and protecting civilians.
> "I'm not strong enough yet... but I will be."
Above, Old Master Lin descended slowly, face pale but composed. He looked at his grandson and smiled—a rare, proud smile.
> "You saw it now, didn't you, Ho'er?"
"Power… is not a privilege. It's a burden. And one we carry for the world."
Lin Ho nodded silently, his bloodline stirring with silent resolve.