"Thunder Method – Thunder Breaks the Ten Thousand Powers!"
The middle-aged man suddenly thrust the long spear in his hand deep into the ground. In an instant, crackling silver lightning surged along the shaft, pouring violently into the earth. From the soil erupted countless thunder beasts—gigantic, ferocious, and glowing with electric energy. They charged toward the towering earth wall from all directions like divine judgment.
"Boom!"
The explosive impact shook the battlefield. The thunder beasts rammed into the earthen barricade, blowing open several gaping holes in its structure. Dust and debris scattered everywhere.
"Go!" the middle-aged man shouted.
Seizing the opportunity, he quickly led his group, dashing toward one of the newly formed exits.
But just as hope sparked in their hearts—
"General, look out!"
Xiaoyue's urgent voice rang out.
Sensing danger, the middle-aged man's instincts kicked in. He turned around just in time to see the Starfall Tiger King descending on him with terrifying speed.
"Bang!"
"Puff!"
The giant beast's claw smashed into him, sending him flying through the air like a broken rag doll. Blood burst from his mouth in violent gushes as he hit the ground.
"Don't assume that just because you're also a fourth-level intermediate cultivator, you can act arrogant in front of me," the Starfall Tiger King sneered, towering over them. "We are not on the same level."
It turned its cold gaze on the rest of the group.
"Primitive Method – Ever-Changing Cage!"
With a deafening rumble, countless earth spikes erupted from the ground, rising like vengeful spears targeting every survivor.
Some warriors attempted to resist, but the sheer disparity in power was too great. Their efforts were futile.
"Puff!"
Several were impaled mercilessly, blood soaking into the earth.
"Xiaoyue, get down!"
Luo Yang reacted swiftly. He lunged toward Xiaoyue, knocking her to the ground just as a spike whistled through the air above them. It missed her by mere inches.
Gripping his dual swords, flames burst from the blades.
"I'll fight you!"
Knowing escape was impossible, Luo Yang charged at the Starfall Tiger King with all his strength, a blazing storm of fury in his eyes.
But the beast didn't even dignify him with a proper look. With a lazy flick of its massive tail, it summoned a sharp gust of wind.
"Wham!"
Luo Yang was swatted away like an insect, crashing heavily into a tree trunk. His body slumped down, unconscious, his weapons falling beside him.
Only Xiaoyue remained.
She stared in horror at the corpses of her companions. Her knees trembled, and her breath came in short gasps. Fear seized her soul as the Starfall Tiger King slowly approached her.
Gritting her teeth, she summoned the last of her strength. A golden beam shot out from her palm and zipped toward the monster.
It hit—but did nothing.
She was merely a third-level beginner. Even with the Saint System, she couldn't harm a fourth-level intermediate monster like the Starfall Tiger King.
"Holy humans are so rare," the Tiger King said with a wicked grin. "They say eating one enhances your strength. I wonder if it's true…"
Xiaoyue collapsed, unable to move further.
"Don't touch her!" a weak voice roared.
The middle-aged man, battered and bleeding, dragged himself forward. He planted his spear before her, shielding her with his battered body. Blood dripped from his hands, running down the shaft of the weapon.
"Don't worry," the Starfall Tiger King growled. "Once I kill you, it won't be too late to eat her."
Behind it, other Starfall Tigers closed in, surrounding the pair from all sides. Their eyes glinted with bloodlust. There was no escape.
The Starfall Tiger King licked its lips and walked forward step by step.
Suddenly—
It froze.
Its ears twitched. A strange presence had appeared.
"Who's there?!"
A young man stood nearby, calm and relaxed, as if the chaos around him was of no concern.
"Uh, you all seem busy," the man said casually. "Did I interrupt something?"
His tone was carefree, almost playful. His name… was Smith.
"You came here, and you think you can just leave?" the Starfall Tiger King snarled. "Stay!"
With a roar, it lunged toward Smith, its claws gleaming with power.
But Smith was already moving. In a flash, his Sharingan spun open, glowing crimson. He read the creature's movements with eerie precision and sidestepped the attack with ease.
"As the Starfall Tiger King, resorting to sneak attacks? That's kind of pathetic," he commented coolly.
The beast landed, startled.
"You… dodged me?" it growled, startled. "You're just a third-level beginner…"
But then it saw the Sharingan.
Its pupils shrank.
"No… you… you're that man?!"
Panic surged through the Tiger King's body.
It had heard the tales—every beast in the Starfall Forest had.
A human had appeared recently. A terrifying man with mysterious techniques, who, despite being a third-level beginner, slaughtered fourth-level monsters without mercy.
Not just one or two. Entire tribes had been wiped out by him.
Three major demon beast clans had once joined forces to eliminate him. The result? All three of their fourth-level high-ranking kings were slain, their severed heads displayed like trophies.
No beast dared approach the areas he frequented.
And on one terrifying night… the Starfall Tiger King had personally encountered him.
It had barely escaped with its life.
It never saw his face clearly, but it would never forget those blood-red eyes glowing in the dark.
And now… those same eyes were staring back.
The beast took an instinctive step back, trembling uncontrollably.
"You're that man!" it shrieked in terror.
Then—
It turned and ran.
It didn't care about its pride, its tribe, or anything else.
The Starfall Tiger King, feared by many, fled like a coward.
Even the other tigers hesitated in confusion as their leader bolted into the forest.
"Uh…" Smith blinked, scratching his head. "Am I really that scary?"
He had barely begun preparing for a fight. Why did the enemy run before anything even started?
Then he squinted slightly, watching the retreating figure.
That tiger… did look familiar.
"Wait, wasn't that the one I chased at night a while ago?" he muttered to himself. "It was talkative for a beast, so I got curious. I beat it up, but I guess I let it get away…"
Shrugging, Smith turned his attention back to the stunned survivors.
"Thank you for saving us," the middle-aged man said, bowing deeply.
If Smith hadn't appeared, their entire squad would have perished.
Smith waved his hand dismissively. "You're welcome. I didn't really do much."
He glanced toward the forest again, thoughtful. He didn't want unnecessary attention—especially not from Jinghai College.
"My name is Kong Changxing," the man said respectfully. "I'm the general guarding nearby Tai'an City. You seem to be traveling alone. If you're ever nearby, you're welcome to visit us."
"Tai'an City?"
Smith raised an eyebrow.
He remembered reading about it in Huaihai City's human geography books. Once a prosperous city directly under the Holy Empire, it had declined rapidly following the empire's fall.
People still lived there?
"I'll pass. Take care of yourselves," Smith replied curtly.
Then, without another word, he disappeared into the forest, leaving behind only stunned silence.
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