The Blackwood Forest, a frontier of new opportunities. Previously sealed by a mysterious barrier which only now is weakening. Those at the Core Forming Realm and below are able to explore it's depths yet the major powers are still weary.
Spanning over a million miles, the Blackwood Forest encroaches on the borders of many empires who seek to lay claim.
Each of them is precariously sending their warriors to explore, drawing the bravest among them to pursue this new opportunity.
Within the Eternal River Empire is Heimu Village, along Eternal Azure River. The town was founded under a year ago and it's already under threat.
Throughout the village, thousands of mortals and cultivators are busy preparing. Some fleeing, yet some deciding to stake their lives on the potential of victory.
Atop a small hill overlooking the walls of the town, a large azure tent near the northwest gate was erected.
Zhang Guowei, the other patriarchs, and a mid stage Body Reforging Realm youth stand around a large table with a map lain across resembling the town.
Together they quickly prepared the defense for the incoming siege.
Zhang Guowei's eyes narrow as he looks at the path from the forest towards the northwest side wall.
Chen Baoliang yells,
"It's impossible! We're not ready. Even with all my family's puppets the beast tide still outnumbers us by the tens of thousands!"
Liu Changfeng ponders for a moment and says in an aged tone,
"The mortals are willing to fight as well, yet they're unorganized."
Chen Baoliang sneered,
"A bunch of ants grouping together is only a mountain of ants!"
Zhang Guowei smacked the table and glared at Chen Baoliang,
"This is their town as well, they have every right to fight for it. Most of the empire's army is made up of mortals! Do not neglect their contributions."
Chen Baoliang spat on the ground,
"Those ants are trained, have special weapons and armor to deal with savage beasts. When they come across a blood awakening stage beast... Hmph... they will only be slaughtered!"
He took a breath to calm down,
"Even if we give them all the weapons and armor we have created so far, it will only arm a thousand mortals."
Zhang Guowei smirked,
"We will start there then."
Chen Baoliang sighed,
"If the Chen Clan is going to bear the brunt of this expense its only fair..."
Zhang Guowei rubbed his eyes,
"All the spoils can be negotiated, the Chen Clan will have the first right. Is that acceptable?"
Chen Baoliang smirked greedily then yelled,
"Baosheng!"
An elder of the Chen Clan walked through the flaps of the tent, clasped his hands and bowed his head,
"Baosheng greets the patriarchs"
They all nodded.
Chen Baoliang commanded,
"Take Jinshi and start a draft. Any mortals who are willing will be outfitted with the Chen Clan's weapons and armor. The first 1000 will receive a full set... after that distribute as you see fit."
Chen Baosheng nodded,
"As you command"
Then turned away leaving the tent.
Zhang Guowei looked toward the Body Reforging youth,
"Wu Tianfeng about the Wu Patriarch.."
The other patriarchs gazed deeply at the white haired swordsman.
He met their eyes.
"The Wu Patriarch has gone into the Blackwood Forest, we didn't expect the beast tide to come so suddenly."
Chen Baoliang inwardly smiled,
That brat is probably dead already! The Wu Clan will be much easier to control now..
Liu Changfeng warmly nodded,
"Fear not, the Wu Patriarch is quite strong. After his feats at the Slaughter Festival, he should be able to protect his life."
Chen Baoliang chuckled sowing discord,
"How do we know he didn't just abandon the village? That brat... never took an interest in anything but his own estate! I--"
Liu Changfeng interrupted his monologue and sent out a burst of aura,
"The Wu Patriarch isn't the type of person to abandon his comrades."
Chen Baoliang's face turned sour and pointed,
"Don't think we don't know you're defending him because that brat is engaged to your granddaughter!"
Zhang Guowei smacked the table,
"Enough!"
His aura was fierce, his words cut with meaning,
"This is not the time for your bickering."
He turned his gaze to Wu Tianfeng,
"You recently joined the Blackwood Guards, go and assemble them."
He took a sword out from his storage ring,
"This was to be a gift on your wedding day from our clan, however.... it seems you will need it now."
Wu Tianfeng looked at the tier two sword then hesitated, gave a slight bow and then took the sword,
He inwardly sighed.
There is no such thing as free lunch... Tianmo why aren't you here to deal with these people..
Zhang Guowei continued and pointed to the northwest gate,
"Assemble all the guards here, station a few along the wall. We should have twenty five cultivator guards, I'm giving you command of their forces."
Wu Tianfeng's heart quickened,
That crafty bastard... putting the guards under my command. If I fail it will implicate the Wu Clan.
Chen Baoliang sneered,
"Yes you will need to put everything you have into the defense of that gate..."
Hopefully the brat dies.. like their patriarch....
He glanced at the map of the town,
"If you fail, your estate will be the first to resist the tide."
Tianfeng inwardly sneered,
This bastard put us there on purpose!
Liu Changfeng added,
"Worry not, our Liu Clan will stand with the Wu. With our estate being somewhat protected by an array we will only keep our elders within."
Tianfeng nodded and clasped his hands,
"We appreciate the Liu Patriarch's magnanimity."
Zhang Guowei motioned for him to leave, Tianfeng nodded and exited the tent.
Chen Baoliang nearly puked in his mouth at their exchange,
"Even with your Liu Clan's cultivators, the gate will struggle to hold back the tide...If they're only beasts it will be manageable. However..."
Zhang Guowei sighed,
"My scouts have reported seeing savage beasts within the tide, at a ratio of 100 to 1. With an estimation that the beast tide is over 50,000 strong"
All the patriarch's faces turned pale,
Zhang Guowei continued,
"They didn't report any Blood Awakening Realm beasts. It's possible this beast tide will be led by one Blood Awakening leader."
Liu Changfeng nodded slightly relieved,
"We're still in the outskirts of Blackwood Forest, it wouldn't make sense for a higher realm beast to be here. However, we can't disregard the possibility."
They all looked at the map creating their own plans of action.
Zhang Guowei listened to their thoughts and plans, then placed their clans' banners along the wall at key places.
He elaborated,
" The tide will strike at many places.... This will be our plan."
"The Chen Clan would be responsible for laying traps and sending out their army of puppet warriors."
"The Liu Clan will be responsible for holding the northwest gate with the Blackwood Guard."
"My Zhang Clan will act as a roaming force to wear down the enemy and reinforce as needed. Fear not, I will die before I let this town succumb to the beast tide."
The patriarchs nodded in agreement.
Outside the tent a slight scuffle was heard and a Chen clan member who was guarding it was sent flying through the flaps onto the ground.
Chen Baoliang's aura flared,
"Who dares?!"
An unexpected youth walked into the tent uninvited. He was accompanied by an imposing guard dressed in military armor wielding a large halberd and a robed eunuch with a feminine looking face.
He was a youthful man who appeared to be in his mid twenties. His amber hair was long and tied with a jade pin. His azure robes were trimmed with golden flood dragons and his green eyes looked down on them.
The military commander released his aura and the eunuch declared,
"Entering is Han Mingze, Son of the King."
Zhang Guowei's face went pale.
The youth eyed each of the patriarchs and smirked arrogantly his eyes residing on Zhang Guowei,
"Zhang Guowei, It's good to see you."