Fang Yuan’s expression froze.
"Ah... I see. Forgive my intrusion then," he said carefully, lowering his head.
The tortoise gave a long, gravelly snort.
Pebbles tumbled from its shell as it tilted its massive head, voice deep and rough with mock irritation.
"Human... this is the second ti you’ve made a ss in my territory. Do you truly expect to ignore it again?"
Fang Yuan froze and his back stiffened.
His hand subtly slipped toward his sword hilt, body tensing as his qi stirred beneath the surface. "Uh... I didn’t an to cause trouble," he said quickly.
"Those who ssed with my family just happened to co from your territory."
The tortoise’s massive head tilted slightly.
A deep, grinding chuckle rolled through its chest, echoing like thunder caught between mountains.
Then its jagged beak twisted into a grin, a slow, unsettling expression that made Fang Yuan’s scalp prickle.
"I suppose," it said slowly, voice like sliding mountains, "I could let you off... if you do one favor for ."
Fang Yuan blinked.
"A favor?"
He kept his tone even, but his thoughts raced.
How fast can this thing move? It’s an Emperor Beast, just because it’s a tortoise doesn’t an it’s slow. Could I outrun it? No... Lian’er’s still ditating below. I can’t leave her here.
Still, he managed a wry smile.
"Fine, what kind of favor? Just so you know, I’m still human. I won’t do anything that involves betraying the humankind."
The tortoise’s grin widened, stone grinding against stone.
"Perfect," it said.
"...Huh?" Fang Yuan blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, how’s that perfect?"
The tortoise leaned closer, the ground trembling beneath its weight.
"I need you... to save the two kingdoms."
"Huh—what?" Fang Yuan blinked, completely thrown off.
"Save them? What are you even talking about?"
The tortoise’s tone shifted, heavy now with an unshakable gravity that made even the wind pause.
"The Azure Phoenix Kingdom and the Tharz Kingdom... You should be more rciful toward your fellow humans."
Fang Yuan stared, speechless.
He had no idea what the old beast was talking about but he simply forced a stiff smile, bowed slightly, and said, "If... you say so, mighty one. I’ll, uh... do my best?"
The tortoise’s chuckle rumbled like distant thunder again, low and knowing, as if amused by Fang Yuan’s confusion.
"See that you do, little human.And, Ahem, I know your clan likely seeks a demonstration of strength," it said.
"But I’ll ask only this, keep both kingdoms alive, even if they are currently being ruled by fools. Humanity depends on it."
Then, the ancient beast grinned again wide and stony, like a mountain cracking open to reveal a smirk.
Fang Yuan’s expression twitched and he cringed slightly while the tortoise rumbled a laugh.
"In return," it said, lowering its head, "Mount Skyhowl, its lands, and every secret buried beneath it—shall be yours."
The mont the word secret left its mouth, Fang Yuan’s pupils sharpened. His interest sparked like flint striking steel.
"Secrets buried, you say?" he murmured, lips curling faintly. "All right. You’ve got yourself a deal."
The tortoise’s granite-like jaw creaked open in a gravelly grin.
Then, with a slow exhale that sent dust spiraling through the air, it spoke again.
"Good. Then hurry, human. Go back... before your wife destroys the two kingdoms."
Fang Yuan froze.
"My—wife?"
Realization struck him like lightning.
"Zhaoyue! And the two kingdoms—!"
He shot upright, face paling.
"They were supposed to be attacking soon! Heavens! I forgot!"
Without another word, he cupped his hands in haste.
"Goodbye, Mr. Beast! I owe you one!"
And in the next instant, his figure blurred, vanishing into a streak of golden light as he shot off the mountain like a cot.
He reappeared monts later within the stone courtyard of the Feng Clan’s library. Fang Lian sat cross-legged, still deep in ditation, her breathing calm and steady.
Fang Yuan hesitated, glancing toward her.
He turned back toward the distant roar of the tortoise’s mountain-like body.
"Beast Emperor! I can’t leave without ensuring my disciple’s safety! Will you—"
The tortoise cut him off with a guttural rumble that shook the air.
"I will."
Its eyes narrowed, "Stop delaying, human. I will guard this place."
Fang Yuan gave a short nod, jaw tightening.
"All right. I’ll hold you to that."
He took one last look at Fang Lian’s serene face, then stepped forward.
Space rippled around him like shattered glass, and in a blink, his figure dissolved into the void.
Lin Zhaoyue spun aside just as a spear thrust streaked toward her ribs, the blade whistling past close enough to slice a few strands of her hair.
She twisted mid-air, her cloak whipping around her like a fla, and drove her dagger across the attacker’s neck in a clean arc.
The Qin soldier dropped before he even realized he was dead.
Another ca from the right, shield raised, sword poised for her heart.
Lin Zhaoyue kicked off the corpse beneath her, flipping backward as the sword carved the air where she had been.
She landed lightly, boots sliding across blood-slick soil, and parried the next strike with a flash of the Blazing Fang Dagger, steel t steel with a shriek that echoed through the barrier.
Two more soldiers charged in tandem from the front and left.
She caught one blade with her dagger’s hilt and pivoted low, sweeping her leg beneath the other man’s knees.
Both fell while one gasped as her dagger found his throat.
A fifth lunged from behind, roaring.
Without even looking, Zhaoyue spun her dagger in reverse grip and stabbed backward, the tip bursting through his breastplate in a spray of red.
She exhaled sharply, her shoulders rising and falling.
Around her, the clamor was unending, Qin and Azure Phoenix soldiers alike, surged together in a single wave of desperation.
They shouted to one another, faces set with determination, spears and swords glinting under the barrier’s glow.
Lin Zhaoyue’s eyes flicked toward the distance.
Xiao Bai and the other three Saberfangs were roaring, tearing through ranks of n like storms given flesh but even their massive paws could not stem the tide.
For every soldier crushed, another took his place, crawling out of the chaos like ants from a broken nest.
No matter how many the beasts swatted aside, the enemy simply re-ford, driven by so mad courage or perhaps by fear of the kings who had trapped them all here.
Lin Zhaoyue’s teeth clenched.
Her movents had long slowed and she could already started to feel the drain in her limbs, the missing pulse of qi she relied on so instinctively.
Still, she raised her dagger again, its dull fla reflecting in her fierce, unyielding eyes.
"Co on then," she hissed, blood streaking her cheek. "Let’s see how many of you it takes to bring down."
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