"You are a complete pervert!"
Chen Shu's mouth twitched, a shiver ran down his spine.
The next second, the slime charged towards the spatial passage, ready to return first!
Seven days flashed by.
Near the location where Chen Shu had battled the Ice Snow Tiger King,
The spatial mist churned and receded like a tide.
No living creatures survived where the mist had been, but a massive skeleton remained, at least ten meters long, resembling a giant tiger roaring at the sky…
Roar! Roar!
A group of scattered fierce beasts nearby caught a scent. Their eyes turned manic, and they rushed over at breakneck speed, devouring the skeleton…
…
North Imperial City,
The city walls were packed with people, all young individuals who had come for training in the north.
"Everyone! The number of fierce beasts has greatly decreased, signaling the end of your three-month training!"
Deputy Commander Zhou Yuan stood in the air, his expression stern but his eyes filled with admiration.
"Over the past three months, I've witnessed your outstanding performances. The future will require you to step up!"
"Pack your things and prepare for the National Beast Taming Competition!"
The people on the city walls exchanged glances, then bowed in unison towards the border guards above.
The border environment was harsh. Even in spring, snow still fell heavily. Just three months there had been torturous, inspiring deep reverence for the border guards who endured it year after year!
Zhou Yuan gazed at the crowd, a smile of contentment gracing his face. "You are dismissed!"
The crowd dispersed, preparing to pack and return to the city.
Zhou Yuan was also about to leave when his gaze sharpened as he looked towards the direction of the interior.
An ice bird was flying rapidly towards him.
"Hmm?"
Zhou Yuan blinked in surprise, then his face broke into a smile.
The arrival was none other than his old acquaintance, Liu Feng!
The ice bird chirped and arrived before Zhou Yuan.
Zhou Yuan chuckled, "Liu the Savage, why aren't you teaching at university? What brings you to the border?"
"I'm a little worried!"
Liu Feng's eyes held a trace of concern as he spoke, "It's been three months, and my student hasn't returned."
"You mean Chen Pi?"
Zhou Yuan laughed, "This kid is exceptionally strong. He previously killed twelve Silver Lords consecutively. What could possibly happen to him?"
"You misunderstand me. I'm not worried about him!"
Liu Feng's expression turned serious. "I'm worried about North Imperial City and tens of thousands of young geniuses…"
"???"
Zhou Yuan's mouth twitched. "You can't be serious. I thought this kid was quite well-behaved!"
"Well-behaved?!"
Liu Feng's expression was peculiar. "Wherever this kid goes, trouble erupts within a month. He's been at the border for three months. How can I not be worried?"
"If not for my busy schedule, I would have come two months ago!"
He genuinely wanted Chen Shu to gain experience, but the problem was that he had stayed too long.
If North Imperial City were to be blown up, his career would likely be over…
"You wouldn't understand! Never mind!"
Liu Feng waved his hand and asked, "Where is Chen Shu now?"
"Don't get agitated. I'll ask!"
Zhou Yuan scanned the people on the city walls, his eyes narrowing as he found his target.
"Kid from the Ji family!"
Ji Feng, who was shouldering his pack and preparing to leave North Imperial City, flinched violently upon hearing Zhou Yuan's voice.
He wore a pained expression. "Uncle Zhou, I haven't done anything wrong. Please don't strip me!"
"Strip you for what?"
Zhou Yuan's face darkened as he hauled the young man over.
"Someone wants to ask you a few questions!"
Ji Feng raised his eyebrows, his confidence returning instantly. "Ask me? Uncle Zhou, you know my rules. Unless I give my approval…"
Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by a voice.
"Do I need your approval?"
"Of course, my rule as Ji Feng is…"
He turned around and saw Liu Feng in the distance. His voice abruptly stopped.
Liu Feng calmly inquired, "What about your rules?"
"My rules… can naturally be changed at any time!"
Ji Feng gave a fawning smile, his previous theatrical demeanor vanishing.
Unlike other seniors, Liu Feng actually inflicted pain when he was angry!
Liu Feng cut to the chase, "Stop the nonsense, where is Chen Shu?"
"Chen Shu? He didn't return? I haven't seen him at all."
"You haven't seen him either?"
Liu Feng frowned, a sense of unease creeping into his heart.
They questioned several more people, but none had seen Chen Shu.
"Old Liu, you're too sensitive. He's just a student. What kind of trouble could he cause?"
Zhou Yuan patted his shoulder. "Perhaps if you go back now, he'll be fast asleep in his dorm!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a border guard approached, his expression slightly panicked.
"Commander, a large number of fierce beasts have appeared ahead!"
"Hm?"
Zhou Yuan raised an eyebrow. "It's likely just a few stragglers. Don't panic!"
"Uh… Commander, according to the surveillance robots, the number of fierce beasts is at least over a hundred thousand…"
"???"
Zhou Yuan's body jolted. He exclaimed, "One hundred thousand?! Are these beasts determined to die?!"
"If I'm not mistaken, Chen Shu must have caused some unforeseen event!"
Liu Feng ascended into the sky, already able to faintly discern the beast horde in the distance.
"Then gather the young ones for one last training session!"
Zhou Yuan wasn't overly concerned. With the strength of the border guards, they could even fight Silver Monarchs, let alone having the presence of Liu Feng, a Golden Three-star, nearby!
At this moment, the crowd that was preparing to leave received the news.
Upon learning of the approaching horde of fierce beasts, everyone's spirits soared. They were just itching for more kills!
In truth, only a portion of the fierce beasts were heading towards North Imperial City.
The beasts from the [Ice Snow Island] had all emerged and were fleeing in various directions across Blue Star.
Only the unlucky ones who couldn't find their way were charging towards North Imperial City.
Two hours later, the great battle for North Imperial City erupted once more!
"Excellent! More fierce beasts!"
Ji Feng engaged a Silver Lord. Since it was the final battle, Zhou Yuan no longer restricted them.
"What a shame Chen Shu isn't here. Otherwise, I would have avenged my defeat!"
Jiang Duoyu chimed in,
"I don't believe he could kill twelve lords. He must have cheated!"
His face still held a hint of disbelief as he battered two mutated fierce beasts into submission.
Over ten thousand people charged forward in unison, blocking the beast horde five kilometers away from North Imperial City.
"Why do they seem to lack fighting spirit?"
Another top-tier genius murmured, a hint of uncertainty in his eyes.
Gradually, more and more people noticed something was amiss. It seemed like these were beasts fleeing their pursuers.
Liu Feng stood in the sky, observing. "Old Zhou, have you noticed?"
"Hmm, these beasts seem to be afraid of something…"
He too summoned his contracted spirit, overlooking the entire battlefield.
"Hm?"
At this very moment, both of their expressions froze.
In the center of the beast horde, the beasts' bodies trembled violently, their eyes filled with terror as they hastily made way.
They parted like a tide, as if creating a path.
The people nearby were stunned, their gazes fixed on the empty space ahead. They froze in disbelief.
"Ah, this…"
Liu Feng and Zhou Yuan's eyes widened as if they had seen a ghost.
A large yellow sphere was slowly ambling forward, and atop its head lay the corpse of a Blue Tiger King.
Even in death, the corpse commanded awe. The residual majesty of a king radiated outwards, intimidating the beast horde!
Standing beside it were two figures.
One stood with his hands behind his back, his expression serene, exuding an air of ultimate loneliness…
The other, with a face full of misery, held aloft a banner inscribed with the words:
Nanjiang Bandit!