Chapter 013: A Lion’s Roar Lays All the Beasts Low

Although Xiao Yang felt a touch of pride today, he was, at heart, a cautious and prudent man. Hearing Lin Shaofeng’s suggestion, he hesitated. “Wouldn’t that be a bit too ostentatious?” he asked.

Lin Shaofeng smiled faintly. “Ling Dufei is already well-known at Jiangnan Martial Arts University, the only student to achieve martial status before even entering university. His reputation shines at its zenith. If you do not make a grand entrance, how will you surpass his momentum?”

Xiao Yang nodded slightly. Very well, you have a point.

Lin Shaofeng continued, “How much do you know about Jiangnan Martial Arts University?”

“I know a little, but not in detail. Could you tell me more, Director Lin?”

Lin Shaofeng explained, “There are four martial arts universities in the Dragon Kingdom: Jiangnan Martial Arts University, Jiangbei Martial Arts University, Yanjing Martial Arts University, and Xijing Martial Arts University. All four are officially established by the state as cradles for cultivating martial artists, with the most complete foundational legacies.

The three great martial academies—Heavenly Strategy, Heroic Hall, and Dragon Soaring Hall—were each founded by mighty Martial Kings. They possess many advanced martial inheritances, suitable for those of the third grade and above. The vast majority of martial artists begin their cultivation at a martial arts university. Upon reaching the fourth grade, they either join the military, one of the three great academies, return to their family, or found their own force.

The structure of the four martial arts universities is similar: a president and a vice president, both grandmasters of the ninth grade, then six directors. Three are from the school’s internal departments, and the other three represent the three great martial academies—such as myself.

Below them are seven branch colleges, named after the stars of the Big Dipper: Celestial Pivot, Celestial Jade, Celestial Balance, Celestial Power, Jade Crossbar, Opening Sun, and Shaking Light. Of these, Celestial Pivot and Shaking Light are the most special. They only accept prodigies who achieve martial status within six months of enrollment; Celestial Pivot is for male students, Shaking Light for female students. The other five are general colleges, admitting both genders.

New entrants are placed in the Freshman Division. Only after becoming a martial artist and mastering the foundational techniques do they move into one of the seven colleges, which are divided into lower, middle, and upper grades. Lower grades are for first-grade martial students, middle for second-grade, and upper for third-grade. All graduate by twenty-five years old; those who reach fourth grade before then may graduate early.

Upon graduation, students may choose freely: to join the military and serve the official forces, to enter a martial academy, or to return to their family or create their own power.”

After this thorough introduction, Xiao Yang gained a detailed understanding not only of Jiangnan Martial Arts University but also of the balance of power among the upper echelons of the Dragon Kingdom: the official military, the four universities, the three great academies, and several powerful martial families—these together formed the core of the martial world.

Glancing at the window, Xiao Yang asked, “What about the wild beasts outside?”

Through the window, one could see that they had already left Yuezhou—a stretch of wilderness and a succession of mountains spread below.

Lin Shaofeng replied, “Beasts, like martial artists, are divided into nine grades. Beyond the ninth grade are Beast Kings, comparable to Martial Kings. Beast Kings are rare—most dwell in vast oceans or on remote islands, seldom appearing on land. However, beasts occupy much of the wilderness, making travel between cities difficult. For journeys like this, from Yuezhou to Jiangnan, a grandmaster’s presence is essential. Without one, encountering a seventh-grade or higher beast would spell disaster.”

No wonder Director Lin, an eighth-grade grandmaster, had come in person to escort Xiao Yang. The warplane from Jiangnan Martial Arts University that had come for Yuezhou’s students a few days before was a large craft, certainly with a grandmaster aboard.

Xiao Yang had only ever seen beasts in videos, never in reality. He kept glancing out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse, but was disappointed. Whether the warplane flew too high, or beasts were rare even in the wild, he saw none.

Noticing Xiao Yang’s gaze, Lin Shaofeng explained, “Most beasts’ lairs are underground. During the day, they remain hidden in their dens. Even those that emerge move stealthily through the shadows of trees and mountains; from a distance, they are almost invisible. Unless flying over open ground, it’s difficult to spot beasts from a warplane.”

Xiao Yang asked, “Between martial artists and beasts of the same grade, who is stronger?”

“In sheer strength and vitality, the beasts, naturally,” Lin Shaofeng answered. “But martial artists master combat techniques and forge weapons. A fully armed martial artist, skilled in martial arts, holds the advantage over an equally ranked beast.”

Lin Shaofeng, for all his stature as a grandmaster, carried himself with humility and warmth, putting others at ease. As they chatted, the warplane drew farther and farther from Yuezhou, heading steadily south. The mountains grew ever taller, forming imposing ranges—the southern ridges.

“Look!” Xiao Yang suddenly exclaimed. “So many beasts!”

His eyes, always searching the sky, finally caught sight of distant flocks of birds. In the wild, such birds were certainly beastly fowl—flying beasts.

Following Xiao Yang’s gaze, Lin Shaofeng’s brows arched slightly. The birds were at least ten kilometers away, mere black dots to Xiao Yang’s eyes, but Lin Shaofeng’s vision was keener. He identified two types: Black-plumed Fire-feathered Geese and Black-feathered Gold-clawed Eagles.

The Fire-feathered Geese were fourth-grade, the Gold-clawed Eagles fifth-grade. They were not of the same species; the Eagles, when hungry, preyed upon the Geese. For them to be flying together was highly unusual—unless compelled by some force.

Lin Shaofeng peered down at the mountains beneath the birds, but the distance was too great to discern anything. Channeling his inner energy to his eyes, he vaguely saw clouds of dust rising.

On the ground, it seemed, many beasts were also charging, or such a sight would not occur.

Sensing Lin Shaofeng’s grave expression, Xiao Yang asked, “Director Lin, is something wrong?”

“A beast tide,” Lin Shaofeng answered. “Driven by some unknown force.”

He activated a light screen, which instantly expanded into a floating map. He tapped a glowing point, marked with the words "Blue Crystal Outpost."

Drawing a circle around the outpost, he ordered, “Scan this area.”

Ripples, like radar waves, swept the region. Soon, the map displayed masses of beasts. Enlarging the image, Lin Shaofeng showed beasts thundering across the ground and over a thousand flying beasts in the air, all converging on the Blue Crystal Outpost.

Xiao Yang drew a sharp breath. Even as mere shadows on the screen, the sheer number of beasts was terrifying.

Pointing at the outpost, he asked, “Director Lin, what is this place?”

“A military outpost,” Lin Shaofeng explained. “There’s a fifth-grade blue crystal mine here, source of material for forging fifth-grade weapons. The military has stationed a regiment, with miners at work. With so many beasts, a single regiment can’t hold them back. We must go and see.”

He set a course for the Blue Crystal Outpost. The warplane banked and accelerated toward the location.

“You are to stay in the plane. Do not come out,” Lin Shaofeng instructed, then moved to the rear compartment and opened a case.

“Obsidian Battle Armor!” he called.

Black plates flew from the case, attaching themselves to his body and forming an armored suit—sleek and lustrous, with flowing muscular lines exuding power.

Xiao Yang had read about such armor; its main purpose was to greatly enhance defense. Human flesh could not compare to a beast’s, but with such armor, a martial artist could match, or even exceed, a beast’s resilience.

“Blood Phoenix Golden Sword!”

Lin Shaofeng opened another case and drew forth a massive sword—wider than a palm, over a meter and a half long. Its blade was blood-red, its edge glinted with gold, radiating a deadly sharpness.

Obsidian Armor and Blood Phoenix Sword—both forged from eighth-grade materials, the finest of equipment.

Clad in obsidian, sword in hand, Lin Shaofeng was transformed—his former gentleness replaced by a decisive, lethal aura.

At the Blue Crystal Outpost, battle had already begun.

The roar of heavy machine guns filled the air, bullets of special metal tearing apart first- to third-grade beasts, and even fourth-grade ones were wounded under the barrage. Shells exploded, deadly to fourth- and fifth-grade beasts. Yet, beasts who absorbed spiritual energy healed swiftly; unless killed outright, they soon recovered.

Thus, these weapons were lethal to lesser beasts, but only wounding to those above third grade. To slay higher-grade beasts required martial artists, wielding weapons forged from spirit-infused metals.

A regiment had few martial artists; only a dozen or so of fourth and fifth grade, each leading a squad and holding a segment of the defensive line. Ordinary soldiers laid down covering fire; martial artists formed the final line. When beasts, battered by gunfire, charged the line, the martial artists struck them down with ease.

But the numbers pressing forward were overwhelming, waves upon waves, their assault furious.

From the outset, as the regimental commander Chu Tianlong realized the gravity of the situation, he sent out calls for help. But the nearest base was at least twenty minutes away—an eternity in battle.

Staring at the endless tide, Chu Tianlong’s heart was heavy. This was no ordinary beast tide; it seemed a directed attack. After years in the army, he sensed this might be his last stand.

Yet his eyes held no fear. As a martial artist, he could have chosen a life of honor and comfort, but he had chosen the army, and within it, sought out the front lines, fighting beasts head-on.

Defending the Blue Crystal Outpost was a duty he had claimed. If he were to die, he would do so holding the line, protecting the outpost.

Chu Tianlong donned his armor, armed himself with a spirit weapon, and joined the fray.

In little over a minute, he felt the pressure mounting; martial artists had already died beneath the beasts, and ordinary soldiers fell one after another.

The physical disparity was too great. Even a gravely wounded beast, if it reached the line, could take a soldier with it in a single swipe.

From the very start, the battle was brutal—a tragic sight for Chu Tianlong, who knew each fallen soldier, had trained with them, led them daily. To see them bloodied on the field was heart-wrenching.

Every officer and soldier knew the situation was dire. If the line broke, they would all perish and the outpost would fall. Surrender was not an option—only fighting to the death.

Every man was shouting, fighting with all his strength. Even in the face of death, they would die standing, not cowering.

Suddenly, a jet-black warplane hurtled through the sky and hovered above the outpost.

On the ground, the soldiers’ spirits soared.

Reinforcements had arrived.

Warplanes were not for the ordinary; these must be powerful allies.

Chu Tianlong, even as he cleaved a beast’s head, looked up in surprise and delight.

Wasn’t rescue at least twenty minutes away? How had they arrived so quickly?

The warplane’s hatch opened. Out leaped a figure in black armor, gripping a blood-red giant sword—Lin Shaofeng.

The plane hovered fifty meters above ground. Lin Shaofeng arced through the air, landing outside the outpost, directly amid the thronging beasts.

As he landed, the Blood Phoenix Sword swept down, unleashing a scarlet wave of sword energy, a dozen meters long—a blood-red arc that exploded among the beasts, flesh and blood flying, dozens slain instantly. The blade carved a deep furrow into the earth.

Incredible! Savage!

From the warplane, Xiao Yang watched in awe, as did every soldier within the outpost.

Commander Chu Tianlong was overjoyed. Reinforcements were only one man—but a grandmaster! And not just any grandmaster, but one fully armed. One person could sweep aside a horde of beasts.

Lin Shaofeng’s arrival drew the beasts’ attention, and they swarmed toward him.

He hefted the Blood Phoenix Sword and spun in a full circle, the blade’s edge sweeping a 360-degree arc. From his position, a blood-red wave of sword energy blasted outward in all directions.

Beasts all around were hewn apart, blood and bone flying.

A grandmaster had refined his spiritual energy into true essence, connecting with heaven and earth—a force of terrifying might. Wielding an eighth-grade weapon, his sword aura was peerless. No beast below seventh grade could withstand it.

In a single sweep, the beasts fell like grass before the scythe.

Lin Shaofeng alone slew more third-grade beasts in an instant than the entire regiment had managed.

His presence revitalized the defenders. Gunfire and cannon roared, martial artists redoubled their attacks. Beyond the outpost, Lin Shaofeng moved like the wind, cutting a bloody path—wherever he went, beasts fell in heaps. Fourth, fifth, even sixth-grade beasts could not withstand a single blow.

Such was the might of a fully armed eighth-grade grandmaster—he could fell even seventh-grade beasts in a handful of strokes.

Some beasts attempted ranged attacks—energy balls, bone spikes—but Lin Shaofeng ignored them. The attacks clanged harmlessly off his obsidian armor, leaving not a mark.

Even eighth-grade beasts would struggle to pierce such armor; beasts below seventh grade could do nothing.

From the warplane, Xiao Yang tracked Lin Shaofeng’s every move. With each stride, Lin Shaofeng crossed dozens of meters, his blade sweeping in full circles, mowing down all within reach. From a distance, he was like a crimson whirlwind—wherever he passed, beasts fell.

Xiao Yang’s blood surged with excitement. At the grandmaster level, a martial artist’s power was truly terrifying. If Lin Shaofeng continued at this pace, he could sweep aside thousands of beasts alone.

Lin Shaofeng’s killing speed was a storm; soon, the area outside the outpost was cleared. Though fresh waves of beasts charged, the pressure on the defenders was halved, and casualties ceased.

Moreover, as Lin Shaofeng pressed forward, carving into the heart of the beast tide, the pressure on the Blue Crystal Outpost lightened further.

Minute by minute, Lin Shaofeng advanced, finally vanishing over a mountain crest.

Few beasts now reached the outpost; the danger was past.

But in the sky, a new threat appeared—masses of flying beasts.

Fourth-grade Fire-feathered Geese. Fifth-grade Gold-clawed Eagles.

Commander Zhang Yunlong’s face changed dramatically—over a thousand flying beasts, dense as a black cloud.

Flying beasts were the hardest to deal with; so many fourth- and fifth-grade fliers could not be stopped.

As the flock drew closer, a thunderous roar echoed from beyond the ridge.

Even separated by a mountain, the defenders’ ears ached, their minds reeled, dizziness overtook them. The mountain itself shuddered, rocks and earth crumbling as if the very land would split apart.

In the sky, both the Fire-feathered Geese and Gold-clawed Eagles tumbled from the air like rain.

Again, the roar sounded—a second, then a third.

It was clear that Lin Shaofeng was moving swiftly, his position shifting with each roar.

In the sky, the flying beasts fell in swathes.

Soon, over two-thirds of the flock had been slain.

“Lion’s Roar! That’s the Lion’s Roar!” Commander Chu Tianlong exclaimed in awe. “Which grandmaster is this, to have mastered the Lion’s Roar to such a degree? If he had used it earlier, the beasts outside would have been dead already!”

A fourth-grade officer nearby remarked, “If he had used the Lion’s Roar earlier, we might have been killed along with the beasts!”

The others nodded. The roar was so fearsome that even at a distance it stunned them; those flying beasts fell like rain. Up close, who could survive?

Even Chu Tianlong, a fifth-grade martial artist, conceded he would be slain by the Lion’s Roar at close range.

Roar after roar echoed, each growing more distant.

Soon, not a single flying beast remained—over a thousand slain by the Lion’s Roar. One could only imagine how many ground beasts perished as well. In this battle, Lin Shaofeng’s tally was beyond reckoning.

Aboard the warplane, Xiao Yang was secretly astounded. When a martial artist reached such heights, he was an army unto himself—one man surpassing thousands, one man able to slay myriad beasts.

When the roaring ceased, Lin Shaofeng soon returned, striding through the forest as if on level ground.

In his hand, he dragged a man like a dead dog.

This man’s face was covered in patches of beastly scales—a terrifying, half-human, half-beast visage.

As Lin Shaofeng returned to the outpost, Commander Chu Tianlong’s face darkened with rage.

“A beast-tamer among the half-beasts?” Chu Tianlong’s eyes brimmed with killing intent.

The other soldiers felt the same.