Chapter 143: Shi Yi—Has He Come?
Below the ruins of the mountain gate, murmurs rippled through the gathered cultivators and beasts.
But none of them were waiting for the two brothers, Shi Yi and Shi Hao—not directly. They awaited a being no less terrifying than the Pu Demon Tree. Another legend of the old world.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh.
A fierce wind swept the shattered earth, sending sand and gravel flying. A massive bird descended from the heavens, its entire body a deep emerald, dotted with shimmering crimson, divine light radiating from its feathers. Its beak gleamed bone-white, as if chiseled from jade.
It had only one leg. And yet, as it landed, it stirred no dust—its descent lighter than a falling leaf.
"The Bi'an... It's actually the Bi'an!"
"An ancient sacred beast... equal in lineage to the Pu Demon Tree."
"They say in the Primordial Age, the Bi'an's ancestors were sky-ranked demon kings. One of their supreme ancestors once devoured several Lower Realm deities alive."
The Bi'an resembled a colossal crane—its green feathers streaked with red, white-beaked, its body glowing with celestial brilliance. It gave off a cold, aloof pressure that made the very air around it feel thin.
Its eyes, sharp and ancient, swept across the crowd at the ruins. They paused on the Riftwing Devil Moth, the Ancient Divine Ant, and the Pu Demon Tree. Then it looked away.
"Aoo—!""Roar!""Hiss!"
More beasts arrived, swarming toward the broken gate like a black tide. Savage, primal, almost endless in number. The air grew heavy. Oppressive. These weren't just any beasts—they were the most powerful heirs of their lineages.
Seeing them, the proud prodigies of the Human Race stiffened. They didn't dare act carelessly. One wrong move, and they could end up as food for these monsters.
Still, there was no despair among them.
Because the Human Race had Shi Yi.
Shi Yi was like the first light of dawn breaking through eternal night—guiding the way, anchoring their pride. His presence changed everything.
The truth was simple. Ever since Shi Yi rose to prominence, the Ferocious Beast clans in the Eight Lower Realms no longer dared to run rampant. No longer could they casually devour millions of humans or seize lands at will.
Three years ago, Shi Yi had slain a full-grown Bi'an, a Ya Zi, and a fully matured Pixiu—three of the fiercest sacred beasts in existence.
If he could do that then, he could do it again.
"Has Shi Yi arrived?"
"Not yet."
"Will he come?"
"He will. He must."
"Look! The Heaven Mending Pavilion has arrived!"
A ripple of excitement stirred the Human clans. They saw the Heaven Mending Pavilion contingent appear at last. At the front, riding a massive flying gourd, was none other than Xia Youyu, the Pavilion's senior disciple.
She led her sect's group with poise, joining the Human forces gathered before the ruins.
"You finally showed up. I thought you were going to forfeit the Divine Tide of the Hundred Shattered Mountains," said a sharp voice.
The speaker was a woman of breathtaking beauty. Her long black hair flowed like ink, and her white-and-gold armor clung to her body like flowing silk over steel. Her presence radiated power.
"I was delayed," Xia Youyu replied, calm and self-assured. "But I'm not late."
"You call this not late?" The woman crossed her arms, unimpressed.
"As long as I arrive before the Divine Tide begins, I'm on time."
"You think you know when the tide begins?"
This woman was known only by a title—the War Goddess of Zhu Lu Academy. Her true name was unknown, but her strength and ferocity in battle earned her that moniker. She was the first-ranked prodigy of her sect.
The War Goddess didn't believe Xia Youyu could truly time her arrival with the elusive Divine Tide. No one could.
"I don't know," said Xia Youyu, eyes distant, tone quiet. "But someone does."
She didn't say more. She stopped engaging, her gaze shifting toward the horizon. Waiting.
She knew that he—that man—would arrive before a single incense stick burned down.
And then—
"The Divine Tide! I've come for it!"
The booming voice split the sky like thunder. From the azure clouds, a colossal Flame-Feathered Vermillion Bird dove down. On its back rode a group of young men and women, brimming with vitality, their eyes sharp and spirits high.
"Form and Will Sutra: Falcon Shape.""Form and Will Sutra: Bear Form.""Form and Will Sutra: Hawk Form."
These youths carried themselves like beasts in human form. Their auras were potent enough to rival Ancient Bloodline Descendants, standing toe-to-toe with Pure-Blooded Ferocious Beasts.
"Them…" The Riftwing Devil Moth narrowed its eyes.
"I heard they hail from the Great Wilderness, followers of Shi Yi," murmured the Ancient Divine Ant.
"A terrifying foe," said the Pu Demon Tree, voice low. "We must never provoke him."
"To be ridden like a mount by the Human Race... what disgrace!" sneered the Bi'an, looking down at the Flame-Feathered Bird. Not just because of its bloodline, which it considered inferior, but because it had submitted to a human.
But then something happened.
In less than three seconds, Bi'an froze.
It spotted a Nine-Headed Golden Lion, every bit its equal in lineage—perhaps even superior in latent potential. And riding high on its back was a Human youth, laughing loudly, a vine wrapped around his waist.
He patted the lion's head casually.
"Three days without a beating, and now you think you can rebel?"
"You—!"
"What 'you'? Say it. Say 'Master'."
"Hit me again and I'll bite your arm off!"
"Try it. I'll scoop out your skull and use it as a bowl."
"Ahhh, you bully!"
The lion gasped for air, overwhelmed by the youth's antics, but clearly afraid. After all, this youth wasn't bluffing.
The lion's ninth head had only recently grown back. For now, it endured, not wanting to lose more dignity than it already had.
The spectacle of a Human teasing a Nine-Headed Golden Lion drew the attention of everyone at the ruins.
"That's a Nine-Headed Golden Lion… Grandson of the Nine-Spirit King who once shook the Divine Mountains of Antiquity! If he saw this, he'd tear that Human limb from limb!"
"Such arrogance! Even if he's a Human prodigy, he's still young—daring to beat a Golden Lion? He must be mad."
"Who is that Human youth?"
"I know him. He's Shi Yi's cousin. Not a blood brother, but as close as kin. They're like real brothers."
"No wonder. If he's connected to Shi Yi, that explains his guts. Even the Nine-Spirit King would think twice before touching a Saint Child of the Heaven Mending Sect."
The Hundred Shattered Mountains formed a self-contained world. Countless beasts poured in from every direction, driven by instinct and ambition.
Many of them hadn't believed the rumors—that a descendant of the Nine-Spirit King had become a human's mount.
But now, it was undeniable. Right there before their eyes.
The Human Race… was no longer prey.
They weren't fodder, nor dirt beneath divine claws.
"Wait… Shi Hao is here. But what about Shi Yi?"
"The younger brother came. Where's the older?"
"Where is Shi Yi?"
And as the questions spread, a shadow fell across the sky.
Night had come.