Everything was ready.
With Luo Tian's command, the entire force roared as one.
Countless figures soared into the sky, riding their swords into the distance.
From afar, it looked like countless streaks of rainbow light slicing through the heavens—as if sword immortals had descended to the mortal realm.
This scene shook the entire Cangyun City.
Countless gazes turned skyward, filled with awe and admiration.
Some of the older generation had seen this sight in their youth—when Cangyun Sect rose to repel a beast tide, ushering in decades of peace.
Now, in their twilight years, seeing it once again stirred bittersweet emotions.
They remembered their youthful blood boiling with dreams of becoming immortals...
But fate denied them the path, leaving only regret.
Lu Changsheng, naturally, trailed behind the others.
He couldn't even be bothered to fly with his sword—he simply had Ye Tianyi carry him.
Zhou Qingyu had invited him to fly together, but he was too radiant, too attention-grabbing.
Lu opted for the lower-profile choice—Ye Tianyi.
After traveling three thousand miles, they stopped before a vast mountain range.
Before them stood the Ten Thousand Mountains, grand and magnificent.
In the distance, an ominous aura surged—the beast tide had already gathered and was charging this way.
A middle-aged man appeared from between the peaks and reported to Luo Tian:
"Sect Master, the beast tide is approaching. One hour, maybe less."
Luo Tian nodded and looked around.
"Where are the disciples of Cangyun Sect?!"
"Here!"
"Repel the beast tide. Treat this as your trial. Defend the common people!"
"Yes!"
The mountain echoed with voices like waves crashing—fiery youths ready to face monsters and protect the world.
But when the beast tide drew near, a heavy pressure settled in their hearts.
Countless savage beasts emerged, grotesque in form, roaring in unison.
Their eyes glowed—some crimson and bloodthirsty, others cold and chilling—as they stampeded toward the stronghold.
"Disciples of each peak, follow your elders! Split into seven formations—attack!"
As soon as the command fell, the groups scattered.
Zhou Qingyu, hands behind his back, faced forward.
His expression was calm and aloof, as if none of this warranted his concern.
Lu Changsheng glanced over at the Xuanyuan Sect trio, who were also observing the tide.
Just then, an elder approached:
"Friends from Xuanyuan Sect."
"Fellow Daoist." the elder from Xuanyuan Sect replied.
"Our Dan Cloud Peak focuses on pill refinement, not combat. May we request your assistance?"
Lu Changsheng immediately understood what was happening.
Ah… Sect Master's testing them. Suspecting they're after Zhou Qingyu, he's trying to split them up.
Surprisingly, the Xuanyuan Sect group readily agreed and followed the Dan Cloud Peak members to another area.
Lu Changsheng was stunned.
"They didn't even hesitate? No excuse? No delay? Just left?"
"What are they planning…?"
He grew a bit more alert. Zhou Qingyu was aloof and never cared for scheming.
He'd have to keep watch in his place.
Just then, a familiar figure ran over—Luo Qianling.
"Senior Brother Changsheng!"
"What is it?"
The crowd turned their heads in confusion.
They'd barely departed, and she was already back?
Luo Qianling didn't waste words.
She said very seriously:
"I forgot to tell you earlier—
If you get into danger, make sure to scream for help as loud as you can!
Otherwise I might not hear you in time to tell my dad to come save you!"
Pfft—
A number of people couldn't help but snort with laughter.
Lu Changsheng's brow twitched. She really ran all the way over for that?!
In front of all these people?
Even with his thick skin, he blushed slightly.
I know how to scream for help, okay?
Still, he knew she meant well.
He nodded earnestly.
"Thank you, Junior Sister. If I scream… it'll be loud."
"Good!"
She let out a relieved breath, turned, and ran back toward her father.
She had wanted to stay with him—but Luo Tian wouldn't allow it.
He also didn't want Lu Changsheng trailing behind her, so this was the best compromise.
Lu Changsheng suddenly called out:
"Wait, Junior Sister!"
"What is it?"
He pulled out a cloth pouch and handed it to her.
"Keep this on you at all times."
"What is it?"
"A talisman—for your safety."
The girl blushed and clutched the pouch to her chest.
With her face red as a cherry, she turned and ran off.
The crowd tried hard not to burst out laughing.
Even the usually stoic Ye Tianyi couldn't hide a tiny smirk.
Only Zhou Qingyu remained completely unaffected—as always, cultivation and swordsmanship were all that mattered to him.
At that moment, a streak of sword light pierced the air.
Zhou Qingyu raised his hand and cut down a massive wild ox, several meters long.
The beast tide had begun.
He stood at the vanguard, sword in hand.
Each swing of his blade released sword light so fierce it split mountains—he charged forward alone.
Spells flew, roars echoed, spiritual energy exploded.
Elders from Qingyun Peak led the inner disciples into battle.
Zhou Qingyu stood like a storm.
That gentle and refined aura now turned sharp and ruthless.
Even when faced with beasts of the 8th or 9th Qi Condensation layer, he showed no fear.
Sword light danced.
Beasts fell, blood sprayed across the battlefield.
But none of it touched Zhou Qingyu's robes.
He stood untouched, a true sword immortal descending to the mortal world—every elder present was in awe.
And once he forms his Core, how terrifying will he be then?
Lu Changsheng remained calm.
He had been assigned to the rear, along with a few others, to guard against any beasts slipping through.
He didn't even need to look—his spiritual sense allowed him to perceive everything.
Instead, he pulled out his spatial storage and started collecting beast corpses.
A Condensation-level beast corpse could sell for a hundred spirit stones.
Even a weaker Gathering-level one went for thirty to fifty.
Core-level beasts had monster cores, which were priceless—those would be collected by the sect.
Still, there was big money to be made just from scavenging.
Lu Changsheng even felt a little annoyed.
"Why are they killing so slowly?"
"If I wasn't afraid of exposing myself, I'd be out there swinging too."
He continued observing. If anyone fell into real danger, he'd intervene discreetly.
Some noticed what he was doing and just shook their heads helplessly.
But no one stopped him.
They all knew he wasn't much help in direct combat, and honestly, as long as he didn't cause trouble, he could do whatever he liked.
This wasn't really about defeating the beast tide—they just brought disciples along for training purposes.
Even Lu Changsheng didn't expect that this trip would let him earn spirit stones on the side—a complete win.
Everything proceeded in orderly fashion.
Five days passed without any real accidents.
Lu Changsheng became deeply immersed in the joy of picking up monster corpses.
But then, something strange happened.
The air had long been thick with the stench of blood…
Yet now, he faintly caught a sweet, fragrant scent in the wind.