80 Human Tide

A fifteen-foot two-tailed fox leaped off a cliff, narrowly avoiding a flaming arrow. This arrow was naturally not shot by a beast, but rather a foundation-establishment cultivator. It was a very vexing experience to be chased by such lowlifes. Unfortunately, out of the eighty foundation-establishment cultivators who had come to the mountain, twenty were chasing him. How was such a coincidence possible in this world?

The mountain leader had instructed all the beasts to defend their hovels and abandon those who fell to these early foundation-establishment cultivators—the exact opposite of what they should be doing. Huxian felt a conspiracy was afoot, but unfortunately, he had no proof.

Three flying swords zoomed past his head, which he barely avoided. They shaved off three strands of his precious hair. As he dodged, he carefully avoided the various beasts that lived in his territory. Surprisingly, the qi-condensation cultivators had not assaulted these lesser beasts in his territory. It was as though they were avoiding the area on purpose, knowing that there would be much collateral damage from a major fight.

Fine, then. If you want to play, let's play rough. Huxian increased his speed by one tenth, forcing the cultivators behind him to use various exhausting techniques to keep up with him. At the same time, two saber-wielding cultivators flew out in front of him in an attempt to slow him down.

Pitiful fools.

His two tails glowed, summoning the image of a thirty-foot bagua, which imprinted itself on the leafy ground. The ones following him had no time to swerve away. As they passed over the bagua with their flying swords, all eight trigrams and the yin-yang rotated in a hazy swirl. The six cultivators slowed to a crawl as a result, and it seemed like time itself was affected.

Huxian howled and increased his speed by a third yet again, surprising the two saber-wielding cultivators. He didn't dodge them, however. Instead, he rushed at them, biting both their necks in quick succession. Their sabers bounced off his lustrous fur coat, leaving it completely undamaged.

Meanwhile, the six pursuing cultivators regained their initial momentum and resumed their chase. The trap had only delayed them by two seconds, but in such a high-level fight, two seconds was a vital difference.

"Water team. Go!" one of them hollered. Up ahead, he saw another five cultivators coming in from both sides. They formed numerous hand seals, which summoned five icy dragons. The dragons were linked together by a thin thread, and the circular formation condensed into a viscous liquid in the space around Huxian. He grunted and glowed white, his purifying aura forming a film around him and preventing him from being affected.

Instead of trying to flee, he dashed over to one of the ice-dragon controllers. With a determined look, the man took out a complex-looking talisman, which he slapped on his chest before drawing two flying swords from his bag of holding. They quickly slashed at Huxian, who was unable to react in time. The cultivator let out a roar of triumph, as it appeared his swords made contact. He died with a grin on his face as Huxian's mirror image disappeared. The crafty fox had used a decoy to slip behind him, after which he bit off half his body. The protective talisman served as little more than a condiment to the ravenous fox.

"Get together! Don't let him attack us individually," one of the cultivators yelled. The confused cultivators quickly assembled into groups of five. They had clearly rehearsed these actions, and judging by their uniform robes, Huxian figured they were part of a sect and not just lone cultivators.

Fortunately for Huxian, their assembly into groups lost them a few precious seconds, which he used to dart farther up the mountain toward his old friend, Lord Earth Ferret. His fifteen-foot form shrank as he ducked into the lord's burrow.

"What are you doing here?" the ferret yelled. "Get out of my hole, or I'll tear you to pieces!"

However, before he had a chance to act upon his threat, the burrow was torn apart by a large blast. Both Huxian and Lord Earth Ferret burst out of the burrow, their coats singed and full of dirt. Four cultivators floated above them on flying swords. Given their pale complexions, it was clear they had just exhausted themselves to destroy the burrow.

"Fight with me or die," Huxian growled at the ferret. His aura surged as he flew toward the four cultivators. They attempted to block him with great difficulty, but the little fox moved so fast he seemed to have an illusory double. They didn't know he was constantly splitting and recombining himself in order to confuse them and hide his cloning abilities.

"Activate the trap!" the leader of the four shouted. Four more figures appeared, forming rapid hand seals. Multiple earth spikes jutted out from the ground, piercing toward Huxian at a speed much faster than he should have been capable of dodging, but he rapidly shifted back and forth, avoiding forty-eight spikes in total.

As his figure ducked and weaved between the spikes, he saw light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, that light was yellow lightning. An impressive-looking cultivator looked down at him, smirking. He held a totem in his hand, and given its treasure aura, Huxian estimated that it was a high-grade treasure.

I was baited! Lei Jiang, come out! Huxian ordered his general mentally. The small mouse burst out from the rune on Huxian's tail, opening his mouth and forming a vortex. He swallowed the lightning like a light snack. Like Huxian, the Calamity-Swallowing Mouse was now an early-purification demon beast, more than capable of becoming a lord on this small mountain. He sped toward the lightning cultivator as though it were the most delicious prey in existence.

Meanwhile, the ferret had not escaped. Although his rage toward Huxian had not diminished, he was utterly enraged that his entire brood had been annihilated by these damned cultivators. Like badgers, ferrets were not the calmest of creatures. His earth armor manifested, and he flew toward the water cultivators like a natural predator. They only managed to defend a few claws before being torn to shreds. After all, demons were much stronger than cultivators of the same level.

While the ferret engaged in his bloody rampage, Huxian darted past the Calamity-Devouring Mouse and landed in the middle of the four cultivators who had destroyed the ferret's burrow. Seeing that he only had half a second to dispatch them, he unleashed another black-and-white bagua beneath the four cultivators.

This time, however, it spun in reverse. From his perspective, everything outside slowed down to a crawl. In reality, time inside had increased by a factor of four, and he used these seconds to devour the cultivators one bite after another. Those outside could only stare in abject horror at the gruesome spectacle.

***

What kind of hellish two-tailed fox is this? the leader wondered. He only had around ten cultivators left with him, though another twenty were rapidly approaching.

Our forces should have been sufficient for a simple two-tailed fox. Either they had been lied to or this was new information their informant wasn't privy to. Either way, they could only win by pooling their powers into their sect's battle formation. The situation was quite depressing for Zhong Fa. After all, he was risking his poor life to complete this operation, and he would only receive a few paltry merit points as compensation.

This is all because of the sect leader's stupid agreement and his immediate need for a two-tailed fox's beast core.

Regrettably, any higher-level cultivators were strictly forbidden in this exercise. He could only wait for their forces to assemble before attacking once more.

***

"Follow me, Lord Earth Ferret!" Huxian shouted. He instilled his words with the bloodline pressure of a Godbeast. Hearing his words, the enraged ferret regained a modicum of sanity and obeyed his command without question. A small mouse wreathed in lightning joined them a few breaths later.

Master, what would you have me do? the Calamity-Swallowing Mouse asked.

Break off from our group and head to the peak of the mountain, Huxian replied. Stay undetected. I want to know if the sovereign of the mountain is up to anything. If things are as I suspect, he's colluding with the cultivators.

The mouse's expression contorted in rage at the news. Colluding with the humans? That's despicable!

Huxian nodded. Yes, it's fine for the humans to vie for more territory, but that old bear is too despicable. He is far too worried about controlling the other beasts on the mountain, so much that he's forgotten about his heritage and the nobility of us beasts. I suspect he has been supressing any ambitious spirit beasts with potential. In fact, he will do the same to you, should he discover your identity. This is how the humans have been able to slaughter us year after year with impunity.

Master is wise, the mouse replied. If you don't require anything further, I'll be leaving now.

The mouse vanished, and flickering lightning was the only hint that he had ever been present. Even though they were both early-purification demons, and Huxian was one tier higher, the mouse's maximum speed was still twice that of Huxian's. He was glad to have enslaved the little mouse early, because it would have been impossible to capture it if their cultivation levels were equal.

Now to bait the fish. Huxian and the ferret hurried off at a leisurely pace. The cultivators behind them didn't dare speed up, as both beasts were more than enough to eradicate them. Instead, they lingered behind while reinforcements gathered. Huxian chuckled before leading the ferret into another territory. This time, he didn't instigate by jumping into the wolf's cave like he had with Lord Earth Ferret.

"Lord Frost Wolf, get out here and help me!" Huxian's roar caused the nearby spirit wolves to cower in fear. The birds in the forest all flew away for fear of being drawn into combat by this terrifying lord.

Less than two seconds later, a silver blur caught up to them and ran to his side. "What's going on, little one?" the old wolf asked. "Surely a lord with your vast power wouldn't have any problems handling two or three humans?"

Huxian clicked his tongue. "Try twenty. We've already killed ten, but ten more are chasing. I'm sure reinforcements are coming as well."

The old wolf's eyes narrowed. "So many? What did you do to attract them?"

"Nothing," Huxian replied. "That's what's strange. They attacked my territory as though they knew I was there. There's definitely a traitor in our midst."

"How dare they," the wolf replied while baring his fangs. "I assume my lord wishes to rout them. How can I help?"

"First, we'll gather a few friends," Huxian said. "Then, we'll pick a battleground that's to our advantage."

They continued to flee, picking up a boar, a heron, and three snakes in the process. Meanwhile, the cultivators amassed another twenty Daoists.

We have enough now. Time to turn the tables.

***

The leader of the cultivators sighed in relief when the reinforcements arrived. They bowed as they reported in, making it evident that his status in the sect was secure. Seeing that they all submitted to his authority, he wasted no time before announcing his plan.

"We now have enough members to use the sect's battle formation. Myself and twenty-three others will join in the formation as the vanguard. The remaining six will stand by to replace any fallen cultivators should the worst happen.

"Before we head out, I want to remind you all that this fox is not only cunning, but his power far exceeds our imaginations. Regardless, while they have nine demon beasts, we have our sect formation. We also have three high-level magic treasures. Moreover, their kings and their sovereign are unable to join the battle. We should have no problem trampling them with impunity."

The team of thirty cultivators advanced through beast territory in a domineering fashion. They didn't bother keeping their auras in check. The various spirit beasts who saw them dodged, ducked, and weaved out of the way. Although these cultivators weren't allowed to attack them directly, it was a different story if the beasts stood in the way and courted death.

After chasing for an incense time, the leader noticed the beasts slowing down. "This terrain must be to their advantage," the lead cultivator announced. "Be careful, everyone. Let's link up to be safe."

The other twenty-three cultivators nodded, and each focused their qi on a silver flying sword. Each sword glowed blue before sending out glowing tethers to neighboring swords. They could now redirect and consolidate their power at will.

With their formation activated, they confidently flew into the canyon the spirit beasts had entered. The sandy pathways were thick and one hundred feet in diameter. Here and there, they saw large scales that seemed to have shed off a large snake.

Is this the geomantic boa's territory? This might get tricky. What a sly fox, finding a loophole in the agreement. A previously established maze that can tell friend from foe did not count as direct engagement by the geomantic boa.

***

Huxian heard a loud hissing sound as he led the group through the canyon.

What are you doing, young one? the geomantic boa asked. How dare you bring this fight into my territory.

Huxian snorted. Relax, old snake. I won't make things difficult for you. In fact, I'd like to offer you a trade.

What could you possibly have that would interest me? the snake whispered in doubt.

I have a greater-demon-tier purification technique that I can pass on to you if you cooperate, Huxian sent back mentally. A few moments of silence ensued. You can pass this on to your direct descendants as well. Take this as a token of good will on my part.

How can you possibly know such a technique? the snake replied, his voice laced in suspicion. I demand to have it first. Aside from that, I will only activate the Thousand Illusions Trap and grant immunity to your group. Beyond that, you're on your own.

Deal, Huxian replied. With but a thought, he transmitted the promised technique to the geomantic boa. This was also a clever ploy by Huxian. By divulging the technique, he was revealing his identity as a Godbeast. Only Godbeasts had inherited memories. By making this deal, his standing in geomantic boa's eyes would increase drastically.

Very well. The maze will activate now. This time, the snake's voice was directed to all the demon beasts in their group, who looked at Huxian in surprise.

The small fox ordered them to turn around, and they were greeted by an enraged group of cultivators attacking the air like madmen. They would be trapped in the illusion until they were attacked.

"Very impressive," Huxian said. "All right, everyone, activate beast mode. We'll attack them all at once before the illusion wears off. We only have three seconds."

The ferret growled as his earth aura intensified and his armor and claws grew. Lord Frost Wolf's fur shimmered as the projection of a full moon appeared behind him, shining down on him and imbuing him with great strength. He grew three times larger under the freezing moon's influence. Then the full moon appeared in the center of his forehead, like a third eye that was constantly open.

The boar also doubled in size. His tusks elongated, and he was filled with a massive amount of vitality that funneled into him from the forest. Brambles grew on his fur, threatening to eviscerate anyone who touched him. Meanwhile, his friend the heron harnessed the power of wind. The projection of a great roc appeared behind him. Evidently, this humble heron held a trace of the great roc's bloodline. The projection's power poured into its wings, strengthening them and elongating them until its wingspan was the width of the canyon.

The three snakes, not wanting to be outdone, coiled together to form a much larger snake. It was a projection of a geomantic boa, like their mother. However, instead of disappearing, it condensed into a physical apparition. The eldest of the three sibling snakes gained control over the large avatar.

Finally, Huxian split into two foxes, one black and one white. The time had come to show his true power. Both foxes were thirty feet long, twice as big as the original size he'd displayed. The other beasts gasped in amazement when they saw this transformation. Their bloodlines thrummed as they sensed the aura of a king among demons. They felt invigorated to be with him, honored to fight with him.

"Now!" Huxian roared. The spirit beasts attacked in tandem. The large snake attacked their feet, launching a corrosive pool of venom at the group of cultivators and breaking the illusion. The cultivators were all alarmed, but the training the sect offered was cold and brutal. They quickly adapted and used their power to fly up in the air to resist the venom. However, as soon as they flew up, they were quickly attacked from three sides by a boar, a wolf, and a ferret. Six of the cultivators in their formation coughed blood from the shock of their charge but still held strong.

They paled when they saw a rapidly approaching figure. The heron flew toward them with its long, sharp wings, threatening to decapitate every one of them.

"Everyone, burn your blood essence, or we'll all die!" cried the leader.

The twenty-four cultivators coughed up blood simultaneously. This wasn't from injury, rather, it was their heart-blood, which was infused with their vital qi. It would take them each a few years to recover from such a large sacrifice.

Their qi gathered together, and their twenty-four blades glowed, forming a giant frosty sword that struck out toward the heron, who wailed in agony. They reveled in their victory, only to realize that they'd celebrated too soon. In the middle of their formation, a large white fox had appeared. A white aura oozed out from it, and the surroundings lost their color. Their blue robes, their frosty swords, and their black hair quickly faded to white and gray. They panicked when they realized that their strength had been supressed, and they could only fight at fifty-percent efficiency.

Their horror only intensified when Huxian acted once more. The white light forced them to project long shadows. However, they saw that the shadow cast by the fox wasn't stationary, like theirs. It was alive. It leapt from one shadow to another, devouring one shadow after another. Each shadow it ate caused the corresponding cultivator to drop to the ground, dead.

The formation crumbled in an instant, and the weakened cultivators quickly fell to the various demon beasts who assaulted them. As they died, Huxian's purifying power turned their corpses into condensed vitality, which he fed into the grievously injured heron. Its wounds healed at a visible pace.

Finally, the white aura faded. Only the brave spirit beasts remained. They feasted together on the corpses of the cultivators, not wasting a single bite from this nutritious meal. After all, while cultivators hunted them for their beast cores, the flesh of cultivators was also full of heaven and earth qi. This was doubly so for body cultivators. This was why spirit beasts and humans hunted each other with great fervor.

The beasts stopped after eating the cultivators they killed, reserving the other half for their battle leader, Huxian. Both his clones recombined into his original thirty-foot-long appearance. He had no need to hide his appearance any longer. Under the beasts' reverent gazes, he consumed the remaining half of the cultivators' bodies in a single gulp.

Afterward, he gathered their treasures and swallowed them as well. Such things weren't useful to normal spirit beasts, but to him, they were of substantial assistance to refining and strengthening his body. His fur grew more rigid, and his skin toughened immediately after consuming them.

Soon he would be immune to even the attacks of a mid-stage foundation-establishment cultivator.

***

An old cultivator with white hair and a blue robe gritted his teeth when he saw the fight below concluding.

"You told me that he was a two-tailed fox!" he yelled. "That beast's abilities are clearly much greater than you reported. Now I've lost a good tenth of my sect's foundation-establishment disciples."

The large bear grunted in response. "You can't blame me. Your sect members underestimated the enemy. If all fifty of the cultivators you sent had attacked him in tandem, this never would have happened. Of course, this would have exposed me. Still, with twice as many cultivators, you could have made up for quality with quantity."

The older cultivator looked at the bear coldly. "You need to compensate me for this. I want that fox dead and his core in my possession. During the next 'human tide,' you will deliver him to me on a silver platter. Otherwise, our relationship can't continue. I'll find another demon beast to replace you, and we will continue harvesting you like the farm animals you truly are."

With these words, the cultivator flicked his sleeve and vanished. The old bear sighed and closed his eyes. They both didn't notice the small mouse hiding in small hole twenty feet away.

The little rodent had heard every single word of their conversation.