Chapter Two: Calamity Strikes

At these words, everyone turned to look, their faces instantly draining of color as terror filled their hearts. In the sky, four glaring red characters appeared: "The Beasts Are Coming!"

The deep toll of bells shattered the silence of Gu Lin City. Upon hearing the warning, the city's residents dared not linger indoors; they hurried outside and quickly spotted the four scarlet words in the heavens.

Everyone understood this was an alert sent by the garrison stationed outside the city through spiritual arts. Clearly, they had already encountered a beast assault, and the situation was extremely dire.

In recent years, the conflict between the beast clan and humankind had somewhat abated. After all, humanity had grown powerful, and any large-scale war would ultimately lead to mutual destruction. Still, minor skirmishes persisted, though they were confined to the remote borderlands.

The human defensive line was heavily guarded, with masters overseeing the front. It was nearly impossible for the beast clan to break through. Life had been peaceful for years, and no one had ever imagined this day would come—after all, Gu Lin City was not situated on the front lines. How could the beasts have crossed the border defenses to arrive here?

"Beasts are coming"—just four words, but they pierced every heart like a razor-sharp blade.

The garrison was stationed thirty miles west of Gu Lin City. Only two thousand troops remained after fifty thousand had marched to the front days ago. If the beasts could breach the border, their strength was unimaginable. How could Gu Lin City withstand them?

"How did this happen? How could the beasts come here?" Wails of despair echoed throughout the city.

People realized that the sudden arrival of the beasts, as if descending from the heavens, meant catastrophe was upon them.

Panic erupted throughout Gu Lin City. The beasts were only thirty miles away—they would arrive soon, and the city was powerless to resist. The nearest city was over a hundred miles off; even those who wished to flee had no time, let alone hope for rescue.

Before the beasts even arrived, the city had already fallen into chaos—a terror none could suppress, for no one wished to be devoured alive.

Death seemed inevitable. Cries and screams filled the air; panic and despair reigned.

The massive city gates had been sealed. From the four corners of Gu Lin City, beams of multicolored light shot skyward, interlacing to form a vast luminous barrier that enveloped the city in protection—this was the city's defensive formation.

Gu Lin City was no strategic stronghold, so it could not afford the elaborate military defenses of the front lines. Now, this barrier was the last hope for its people.

Before the Spirit Battle Pavilion, a crowd of youths stood in panic, at a total loss.

It had all happened so suddenly. Just moments ago, they had dreamed of entering the Spirit Battle Pavilion and making their mark on the world. Now, disaster had ruthlessly shattered all hope.

Suddenly, a creak echoed out, and the crowd's spirit stirred; all fell silent. It was the sound of the great doors of the Spirit Battle Pavilion opening!

Two middle-aged men strode out first. Dressed in brocade robes, tall and powerfully built, they exuded a natural authority that inspired awe.

Standing atop the stone steps, the two men swept their gaze over the assembly. One of them shouted, “The situation is urgent, so I’ll be brief. But do not panic—there is still a warship in the city. Those of you capable of spiritual transformation may board and escape ahead of the others. Now, let me see your spirit forms! Begin your transformations!”

His voice was thunderous, cutting through the wind and snow, reaching even Chu Feng in the farthest corner.

At his words, the youths immediately sat cross-legged, eyes closed, hands weaving special gestures. Then, with their right hands formed like swords and pressed to their brows, they intoned in unison, “Spiritualize!”

In an instant, above each of their heads appeared a shimmering shadow—a manifestation of spiritual energy that gave each person an ethereal aura.

Witnessing the spirit forms, Chu Feng trembled, deeply moved.

Yet, Chu Feng remained composed. He had faced life and death through trials beyond ordinary endurance; he just had not expected to face such peril from the beasts.

Soon, Chu Feng left the scene. He knew well that there would be no place for him on that life-saving warship—he could not yet transform his spirit.

The beasts were coming, and unease gnawed at his heart. He could not pretend to be unafraid; he was at a loss.

He returned to his humble dwelling—a dilapidated house, but one filled with cherished childhood memories.

All the neighbors had fled, their whereabouts unknown. Chu Feng had nowhere to go, so he climbed onto the roof and sat down.

“Are you crying for the people of the city?” Chu Feng stroked the small sword in his hand. At last, he understood—when the beasts arrived, Gu Lin City would be awash in blood. There was no escape, nowhere to hide.

Chu Feng hung the little sword back around his neck, gazed at the sky, and murmured, “Xiaoyue, it’s been four years. Are you well in the Spirit Battle Pavilion? I’m sorry—I may not be able to keep our promise.”

Emotion surged within him, when suddenly a voice called out, “Chu Feng, come down here!”

Chu Feng looked up to see a middle-aged man in silver armor beckoning as he ran over—this was Uncle Wang Ze.

“Uncle Wang, what’s wrong?” Chu Feng leapt down to meet him.

“Hurry, come with me to the East Gate!” Wang Ze grabbed his hand and rushed off.

Chu Feng was puzzled, but seeing Wang Ze’s grave expression, he followed without question. The East Gate was not far—he would find out soon enough.

Along the way, Chu Feng grew more suspicious. Nearly everyone was running toward the East Gate. Could there be hope of escape there?

“It must be the warship!” Chu Feng guessed, recalling what he’d overheard in front of the Spirit Battle Pavilion.

Before long, Chu Feng and Wang Ze reached the East Gate, where a massive crowd had already gathered.

At the gate, a squad of soldiers formed a half-circle, holding back the throng and keeping a stretch of ground clear. These soldiers were all spiritualized, their presence imposing—they were guards of the City Lord's Mansion.

Seeing this, Chu Feng knew his guess was correct—there must be a warship outside the gate. Still, he asked, “Uncle Wang, is there a warship outside the city?”

Wang Ze nodded. “There’s only one left in the city, led by Spirit Warriors. It can fly at great speed—enough to escape the beasts’ pursuit.”

Chu Feng understood: Gu Lin City was doomed. That ship was the only way out, yet there were hundreds of thousands in the city—how many could possibly escape?

Sorrow filled his heart. “Only those who can spiritualize are allowed to board, right? But I…”

Wang Ze replied, “That’s the City Lord’s decision—an effort to preserve some fighting strength. But the warship is large enough—even after the spiritualized board, there will be space left. I have some connections and have made arrangements. Let’s go!”

Over the years, Wang Ze had been moved by Chu Feng’s resilience and could not bear to see him perish. He had spent the bulk of his savings and called in favors to secure permission to bring someone aboard.

“Uncle Wang, thank you!” Chu Feng was deeply moved. He had resigned himself to death, yet now a glimmer of hope remained.

But in the face of such harsh reality, he could take little joy in it.

Just then, a young soldier approached Wang Ze, shot Chu Feng a complicated glance, whispered something into Wang Ze’s ear, and departed.

“Outrageous!” Wang Ze’s face twisted with fury, but he looked at Chu Feng with helplessness.

“What’s wrong, Uncle Wang?” Chu Feng asked, suspecting the matter concerned himself.

Wang Ze looked troubled, forcing a bitter smile. “The Qin family intervened. I’m allowed to bring one person, but not you.”

“The Qin family?” Chu Feng gave a cold laugh, an unexpected calm settling over him.

He was silent a while, then said, “Don’t worry, Uncle Wang. It’s all right.”

He understood that the Qin family wielded power. If Wang Ze insisted on taking him, Wang Ze himself might not get aboard in the end.

Among the crowd, Chu Feng saw a little girl of about five, lost and calling for her mother. His heart ached. He picked her up and handed her to Wang Ze. “Save whoever you can, Uncle. Take her with you.”

He stroked the little girl’s face. “Don’t cry, little one. Go with Uncle Wang—he’ll help you find your mother.”

Tears welled in Wang Ze’s eyes as he nodded and took the girl. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help you,” he said to Chu Feng.

“Uncle Wang, I will never forget your kindness. Go quickly,” Chu Feng replied.

“Take care.” With that, Wang Ze departed with the girl.

Chu Feng watched Wang Ze disappear through the city gate, then turned away, calming his thoughts. He was about to leave when a mocking voice sounded, “Well, if it isn’t Chu Feng!”

“I knew you wouldn’t miss this chance, Qin Hao. You really are something,” Chu Feng retorted with a cold smile, turning to see a richly dressed youth approaching with two imposing attendants.

This youth was Qin Hao, of the Qin clan—a young man of no true talent or learning, yet arrogant beyond measure.

Chu Feng’s parents had died early, and he had grown up with Long Yue, another orphan, thanks to the charity of the City Lord’s Mansion and the kindness of their neighbors.

Years ago, Qin Hao had bullied Long Yue, only to be beaten soundly by Chu Feng. Qin Hao never forgave this, but since he too could not spiritualize—and was no match for Chu Feng—his attempts at revenge always ended in humiliation.

The Qin family was a great clan, its influence spanning both military and civil realms. Yet Chu Feng and Long Yue sought neither power nor favor, making themselves unassailable. Besides, for a powerful clan to bully two orphans would only invite ridicule.

Unable to best Chu Feng, Qin Hao nursed his grudge for years. Now, he had found his chance.

He and his kin had been on their way to the warship when they encountered Chu Feng. Seizing the opportunity, they sabotaged his chance of escape, intent on humiliating him.

Qin Hao, brimming with pride, ignored Chu Feng’s words and strode forward. “Heading home, are you? The beasts are coming—why aren’t you boarding the ship?”

Feigning sudden realization, Qin Hao slapped his forehead. “Ah, my mistake. I forgot—you’re not qualified to board. Being eaten by a beast is no pleasant thing. I’m a kind soul—kneel and beg, and perhaps I’ll show mercy and take you along.”

At any other time, Qin Hao would never have dared provoke Chu Feng so. But with death at hand, he expected Chu Feng to bow for the sake of survival. He was mistaken.