“Deputy (Fùjiàng，副将)… Da Qiang (Dà Qiáng，大强) — hey!”

  “Hey… here!”

  Yi (Yì，毅) jogged as he called out, feeling increasingly exasperated — sure enough, the deputy was at the city gate, earphones in, bobbing along to music.

  “Ah, come on… Quick! Pick a few of the best fighters and come with me out of the city to meet the enemy — give your captain a hand!”

  “Yes!”

  This was the plan Yi had just thought of — sharing blessings and hardships alike. It was time to show some real skill.

  Soon, the deputy had swiftly assembled a squad of elites. They looked righteous enough… except their hands and feet were trembling.

  “What are you shaking for!”

  Yi glanced back in irritation. “—Be brave! You’re the best! With me here, what’s there to fear…”

  “Yeah, and with me too!” The deputy puffed out his chest and stood tall in agreement.

  “Uh? Brotherinlaw (dàjiěfū，大姐夫), aren’t you…?” The squad members glanced at each other, then all turned their eyes toward Yi along with the deputy.

  “I’m just… warming up because it’s cold, alright! I’m not scared…”

  “Wait — you don’t need to go out of the city!”

  Just as they were hotly debating the cause of their trembling legs, the strategist’s (cānmóu，参谋) voice suddenly rang out from the wall, instantly easing the tension. Everyone pricked up their ears to listen…

  “You two, get up here on the wall — there’s a show to watch…”

  The legshaking stopped at once. The two, full of grievance, hurried up to the wall and demanded of the strategist, “What is it? At such a critical moment? We were just about to go fight!”

  “No need!”

  The strategist simply smiled, relaxed, and pointed into the distance. “Look…”

  The two obediently followed the old man’s finger — and saw a current of electricity racing toward the Giant Monster (jùguài，巨怪). The silver light was as bright as moonlight, and its speed was no less than the lightning that had fallen from the thunderclouds earlier.

  “—That light, could it be…?”

  “Mm, that’s right!”

  Everyone craned their necks, a mix of joy and uncertainty in their hearts. But the strategist calmly stroked his beard and confirmed with confidence, “That is the sacred beast (shèngshòu，圣兽) of Baihu County (Báihǔ Jùn，白虎郡)!”

  At that moment, Qing’s (Qīng，青) eyes brimmed with uncontrollable killing intent. She held off the Giant Monster’s attack with one hand, while the other was poised to break free — her intent unclear. At her waist, the greenbladed saber trembled and shone. If not for concern over the elder’s (Zhǎngzhě，长者) safety, Qing would have already flattened the brute before her. She had not noticed the approach of reinforcements.

  “They’re here…”

  Just as the female general resolved to risk the next move, the elder suddenly pushed herself up on one hand, slowly stood, and placed a hand on Qing’s shoulder, speaking weakly but with certainty…

  “—It’s alright now!”

  Following the elder’s gaze, Qing saw a bolt of lightning roar past her. In an instant, a sphere of electricity came to a steady halt before them, blocking the Giant Monster’s path of attack. The beast froze in shock, eyes wide, and even stumbled back several steps.

  As the electric light faded, the form of a tiger emerged — a white tiger, far larger than any ordinary tiger. Snowwhite fur was patterned with silvergleaming stripes, and arcs of electricity rippled across its body. It radiated an aura of absolute dominance.

  “You’ve come!” The elder bowed her head slightly in greeting.

  “—Lord White Tiger (Báihǔ Dàrén，白虎大人)!”

  “Rooaaar—” The White Tiger raised its head and roared toward the enemy ranks.

  Truly the king of beasts — the sacred beast’s roar sent those enemies who had just gotten back on their feet, still groggy and preparing to attack, into a panicked retreat. They tumbled and scrambled away for several li, then stopped, staring at each other, not daring to advance.

  Of course, the Giant Monster was the exception. It did not retreat, but pounded its chest with all its might, bellowing in defiance. Its eyes still gleamed, its silver back shone even brighter — looking impressively fierce… though perhaps it had hit itself too hard, for it nearly choked.

  Steadying itself, it opened its mouth as if to launch a new attack. In the next second, a deep crimson energy sphere began to form.

  The sacred beast, however, seemed disinclined to bother with it. It merely glanced back — those deep blue eyes sharp and commanding.

  Qing, oddly flustered, returned the gesture with a bow. When she looked up again, there was another flash of lightning and a thunderous boom. The Giant Monster — needless to say — could no longer stand. Its eyes glazed over as if drunk, and it crashed heavily to the ground. Its mouth looked as though something had exploded inside — lips charred, thick, and smoking… like two burnt sausages.

  Qing’s eyes widened in shock, afraid she had misseen. Such a fierce strike left her inwardly humbled and full of respect.

  At that moment, thunderous applause erupted from the distant city wall, led by the familiar trio, as everyone cheered loudly.

  The sacred beast turned, looked at the elder, then at Qing, dipped its head in return, and slowly approached the bundle.

  At last, the elder opened the precious thing she had been clutching to her chest. Qing frowned slightly, eyes widening in surprise…

  Inside was a sleeping infant, apparently a boy. The child was unremarkable — in truth, rather sicklylooking.

  But strangely, a light flickered on his forehead — erratic and disordered, like a broken lamp.

  “Achoo!”

  Leaning in too close, Qing couldn’t help but let out a small sneeze. For some reason, her nose itched fiercely, sneezes welling up, and she quickly stepped aside.

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  “Are you certain?”

  The elder asked in a tone of confirmation. The White Tiger glanced at the child but said nothing.

  “—Understood!”

  After several more sneezes, Qing’s symptoms finally subsided. She turned — and saw, before the White Tiger’s chest, a mysterious energy sphere forming. Pure silver, it radiated a dazzling light.

  After a while, the small energy sphere slowly moved from the sacred beast’s (shèngshòu，圣兽) chest to hover above the infant’s navel, then descended, sinking into the tiny body that made Qing (Qīng，青) feel both a little annoyed and a little sympathetic.

  Immediately, at the child’s lower dantian, a mysterious seal appeared — shaped somewhat like a tiger. The light began to flash in an orderly rhythm, its color turning clearer, with the purity of silver. Then it slowly faded, and the infant’s complexion gradually returned to normal.

  “Quick — open the city gates! Everyone, maintain alert status!”

  At the same time, Yi (Yì，毅), seeing the battle over and the situation stable, gave an eager order: “—Old brother, I’ll leave this to you… Deputy (fùjiàng，副将) — take your men and come out of the city with me!”

  “Yes!”

  Before long, the two were smiling as they drove a retrostyle carriage out of the city with a group of bodyguards.

  At first glance, the carriage seemed unremarkable, but on closer inspection, the brand name “Nangong” (Nángōng，南宫) was printed on its body. Not only was it fast and stable, it also boasted hightech features like autopilot, voice control, and perfect aerodynamics. Its bronzecrafted axles were so intricately made that even the latest human technology would struggle to replicate them.

  Thus, with the deputy driving, Yi humming a tune beside him, and the bodyguards marching in light steps, they set off together to welcome victory.

  “Are you alright…?”

  On the battlefield, the elder (Zhǎngzhě，长者) had already withdrawn her arm and cradled the infant again. Looking at the White Tiger (Báihǔ，白虎) with concern, she asked, “—Lord White Tiger (Báihǔ Dàrén，白虎大人)?”

  The sacred beast still gave no reply, only slowly turning its massive body to check the surroundings. Then, once more, it transformed into a bolt of lightning and sped toward the distant forest — growing smaller and smaller until it vanished from sight.

  “Thank you! Please take care!” the elder said with heartfelt concern, gazing in the direction the White Tiger had gone.

  “Master (Shīfu，师父)!”

  “—Slow down, Master!”

  As the carriage drew closer, Yi’s voice rang out again and again. He stood on the driver’s bench, waving. Qing, carefully supporting the elder, was already impatient to ask questions. Hearing his voice, she shot Yi a look of disdain — but in her heart, she felt a surge of warmth.

  “Are you alright — but tell me, why were there so many exotic beasts (Yìshòu，异兽) attacking you? Where did they come from? So many… I remember the Barrier Squad (jièjiè bān，结界班) just inspected things two days ago.”

  “No matter — perhaps it was… cough!”

  The elder answered slowly, her tone unsteady. With a trace of fatigue, she glanced at the bundle in her arms, sighed, and explained, “—They came for this child!”

  At this, Qing’s expression grew puzzled. She looked at the child, her eyes a mix of doubt and displeasure, struggling to control her emotions as she helped the elder into the carriage. Then, suddenly, she leaned out of the carriage and shouted at the two drivers in front:

  “Notify the Exotic Beast Administration (Yìshòu Guǎnlǐjú，异兽管理局) immediately — have them round up all the remaining beasts. And that Giant Monster (jùguài，巨怪) — tell them to study it thoroughly and find out what’s going on!”

  “Yes…”

  The deputy grinned and agreed readily, then turned to look — and suddenly blurted out in confusion, “Uh… where’s the Giant Monster?”

  “Have you been bingewatching dramas lately… eyesight going bad? Let me see.”

  Muttering, Yi followed the deputy’s gaze — and what the—? The Giant Monster that had been lying there just moments ago had suddenly vanished.

  “—What… happened?”

  Seeing this, Qing was about to jump down to investigate, but Yi stopped her.

  “Hey! What are you doing — it probably just… woke up and ran off. Let’s get back to the city, come on!”

  “No! This must be investigated!”

  “Eh… let the Administration handle it! Look, Master’s condition doesn’t seem good — she needs to return for treatment immediately. And besides, those beasts might come back. Staying here isn’t safe!”

  “Hmph—”

  Yi put on a serious face, speaking with conviction. This time, Qing found herself unable to refute him. After all, her master’s safety was paramount. She pursed her lips in frustration, then reluctantly agreed: “Then… let’s… go!”

  “Huh? Go… where?”

  In that instant, Yi felt rather pleased with himself — it was rare for Qing to be persuaded by him — but he was still a little unsure, so he shamelessly asked.

  “Home!”

  Qing, having forgotten her earlier mood, shot Yi a helpless glance and answered, then turned back into the carriage in a huff.

  “Got it… Da Qiang (Dà Qiáng，大强) — let’s move!”

  “Yes!”

  And so, with Qing and the elder resting inside, the two men drove the carriage homeward, bodyguards flanking them on both sides, steadfast and close — there was strength in numbers, and at least it felt safe.

  Inside the carriage, after giving the elder a restorative potion, the female general busied herself cleaning away bloodstains. She kept her head down, silent, her expression somewhat heavy, her gaze unfocused…

  “Ask, it’s fine.”

  From time to time, Qing glanced at the elder, wanting to speak but holding back. But the elder suddenly broke her hesitation, speaking while sitting crosslegged with eyes closed, regulating her breath.

  “So… was the battle successful? That fellow should have been defeated — but why are there still enemies? And… why is this child with you? Why protect him so fiercely? You even got hurt like this — wait, what happened to your hair…?”

  Given permission, Qing immediately began firing off questions like a curious child, spilling everything she’d been holding back.

  “You… so impatient!”

  The elder was amused despite herself, then glanced at her disciple and closed her eyes again. “—Don’t worry. He’s been imprisoned in the safest place; for now, there’s no need to be concerned. I was injured in the battle, but it’s nothing serious — you needn’t worry too much. As for this child…”

  “—This is nothing? You look badly hurt!”

  Anxious, Qing interrupted without thinking, then, after a pause, continued softly, “Besides, even with a serious injury, your hair wouldn’t be like this — no… did you use that technique?”

  Qing had been clever since childhood — nothing could be hidden from her. The elder knew this well; she understood her disciple too thoroughly.

  So the master exhaled slowly, then looked at her and said, “You guessed right. It was the technique recorded in the Forbidden Tome — the immortal art (xiānfǎ，仙法) ‘Qíxīng’ (祈星), created by our Zhuge clan (Zhūgě yīzú，诸葛一族).”

  On the continent of Suoluo (Suǒluó Dàlù，桫罗大陆), Guardians’ abilities fell into three main categories — of these, immortal arts were deeper, harder to master, and more powerful than secret arts (mìshù，秘术) or special skills (juéjì，绝技). The formation Qing had used earlier was one such art.

  “—Was it… because of this child?”

  By now, Qing seemed to have guessed most of it. She stared at the child with astonishment, her voice trembling as she sought confirmation.

  “Correct… Only with this art could I activate our clan’s secret technique, the Eight Gates Golden Lock (Bāmén Jīnsuǒ，八门金锁), to suppress what’s inside this child’s body…”

  “—Why! Master…”

  The female general’s emotions nearly broke. Tears welled in her eyes as she forced her voice low, choking out, “Just for this child, you’d throw away your own life? Who is this boy, that you’d protect him so — even at the cost of your life? That’s a lifeforalife method…”

  “—Cough… This child is the hope of our Guardian Alliance (Shǒuhùzhě Liánméng，守护者联盟), and of the entire Suoluo Continent’s future!”

  The elder’s resolute answer left her devoted disciple stunned. For a moment, she felt as slowwitted as Yi, unable to grasp the meaning.

  In Qing’s mind, however, a voice kept insisting she must have misheard — yet reason told her that her master was perfectly lucid and calm. The elder had never spoken without certainty, and never lied.

  Gradually, Qing’s gaze grew vacant. She looked again at the infant — so ordinary, so frail, nothing about him suggested he could bring hope. On the contrary, this little brat… would even require her master’s very life force to save.

  “Master! I don’t understand… why?”

  She forced herself to sort through her tangled thoughts, calming her voice as much as she could, and asked again, choking back emotion. The elder seemed to have anticipated her question. Eyes still closed, she spoke slowly, one word at a time, revealing the truth.

  It turned out that the infant before them was the very child spoken of in Guardian (Shǒuhùzhě，守护者) legend — the one who, in the future, would be the only person capable of saving the Suoluo Continent (Suǒluó Dàlù，桫罗大陆), and even the entire world.

  But Qing had little faith in such legends. She looked helplessly at the child again, still unable to see anything special — in fact, he seemed stranger than most.

  That thin little face, sallowskinned, with eyes, nose, mouth, and sparse hair — nothing unusual; didn’t everyone look like that? Oh — except for a pair of small, slender ears, their tips pointed, almost as if…

  “You don’t yet know what he is enduring now, nor what he will face in the future. You must understand — within this child’s body, an external force is devouring him. His condition now is already much better than when I first found him… cough… As for that force, it comes from the Reformer (biàngé zhě，变革者) — the one you spoke of. Even in defeat, he refused to relinquish his obsession. In the instant before being sealed, he invoked a supreme, restrictedlevel technique from that Forbidden Tome — the Eastern Emperor: Dharma Manifestation of Heaven and Earth (Dōnghuáng · Fǎxiàng Tiāndì，东皇?法相天地). It is a sorcery capable of seizing another’s divine consciousness — and is counted among the Ten Great Divine Arts of the ancient era…”

  “—What!”