The elders gathered in a large tent reinforced with layered barriers, the air heavy with the lingering tension of the earlier battle. Outside, the camp still buzzed with activity—disciples tending to the wounded, logistics divisions replenishing supplies, and guard rotations ensuring no further surprise from the beasts. Inside, however, the tone was far more grim.
"We've all read the old reports," Elder Ming Xiu said, arms crossed as his eyes swept over the others. "Beast tides do occur in the Southern Marshes. But this… this was no tide. This was a concerted strike."
Elder Zhen Rong gave a slow nod, his expression taut. "The outer ring beasts never coordinated like this before. Different species working together? That alone tells me something else is pulling the strings. And the middle ring beasts appearing in such numbers—hundreds, some even at the peak of Core Condensation—it's far from natural."
