Sorry but I only accept female disciples!

Jin Wei and Chen Zin sat in the bustling local restaurant, their breakfast laid out before them; fresh dumplings, congee, and steaming cups of tea.

"Slow down, Master," Chen Zin sighed, sipping her tea, "You're acting like we haven't eaten in days."

Jin Wei, her cheeks stuffed with food, waved her hand dismissively. "Mmph, you don't understand, Zin'er. This city's food is amazing!"

Chen Zin rolled her eyes, silently thinking, 'This woman, no worries in the world.'

Suddenly, a deep, earth-shaking roar erupted from somewhere outside, its intensity shaking the walls of the restaurant.

"GUAARAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

The entire restaurant froze, the noise sending chills down everyone's spine.

*crack* Plates clattered as people turned toward the entrance, eyes wide with panic. There was a moment of eerie silence, and then chaos broke loose.

"Beast! There's a beast!" someone shouted, and it was as though a dam had burst.

People scrambled from their seats, toppling chairs and leaving their meals behind in their hurry to escape.

People flooded out the door, their screams filling the air as the restaurant quickly emptied. The waiters, once calmly serving food, were now caught in the wave of panic, trying to avoid being trampled.

*baam* Tables were overturned, and Jin Wei, still holding a dumpling mid-air, blinked in confusion at the sudden shift in the atmosphere.

"What's happening?" she asked, still oblivious as she popped the dumpling into her mouth.

Chen Zin, already alert, narrowed her eyes toward the entrance. "A beast. A loud one, by the sound of it."

Jin Wei, swallowing, stood up and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "Beast? Here? Why would a beast attack a city this early in the day?"

Chen Zin stood beside her, as a sword with a red hilt appeared in her hand.

"Maybe it's because you delayed us for the Phoenix Sovereign Inheritance festival, Master."

Jin Wei rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. "You're still mad about that?"

"Just a little," Chen Zin muttered.

"Come on, let's check it out. We might need to intervene if things get out of hand."

...

Zhang Yuan, Ming Yuelin, Xue Hua, and Mei Yu sat around the table, sharing a light breakfast in the soft morning light.

"Hehe..:" Ming Yuelin kept playfully trying to steal food from Zhang Yuan's plate, her mischievous grin widening each time he caught her hand mid-action.

Zhang Yuan shook his head helplessly "You always try to steal food from my plate..."

On the other side of the table, Mei Yu chuckled softly at their antics.

"Here, My Lord," she said, delicately placing a slice of fruit on Zhang Yuan's plate, and sliding it over. "No need for you to struggle, Yuelin. I'll make sure My Lord is well-fed."

Ming Yuelin stuck out her tongue at Mei Yu, her face scrunched in mock frustration. "Sister Yu, you're too quick! Let me have my fun!"

Mei Yu only smiled, her fingers daintily placing another side dish in front of Zhang Yuan. "Your fun is My Lord's sustenance. Someone has to make sure he eats properly."

The mood was light, with occasional bursts of laughter and playful banter.

Ming Yuelin leaned in closer to Zhang Yuan, her fingers sneaking toward his plate again. "Gotcha this time!" she exclaimed, but before her hand could take his food, a loud and terrifying sound ripped through the peaceful morning air.

"GUAARAGHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

The ferocious roar of a beast echoed from the distance, shaking the ground beneath them. The cups and plates on the table rattled.

*gasp* Ming Yuelin froze for a split second, her face draining of color.

Then, without a second thought, she darted toward Zhang Yuan and threw her arms around him in panic. "M-Master! What was that?!"

Zhang Yuan instinctively wrapped one arm around her, his gaze narrowing. "Stay calm, Lin'er. It's just a beast. Nothing we can't handle."

Mei Yu and Xue Hua who were already alert, stood from their seats. "That sound… is that the one on the west side of the mountain?"

A slight frown appeared on Xue Hua's face "Master, what shall we do?"

Ming Yuelin, still clinging to Zhang Yuan, buried her face into his chest. "No, no! Don't go! It's too dangerous!" her voice was muffled against him.

Xue Hua's frown deepened as she had absolute trust in her Master's power as he even fended off the Goddess of Death for her.

Mei Yu walked toward the door "If that beast wakes up, every spirit beast in the forest will run away in danger creating a beast tide."

Letting out a sigh, Zhang Yuan patted Ming Yuelin's head "Lin'er get up... we need to check on them. The city might be in danger."

With a reluctant nod, Ming Yuelin let go of him and Zhang Yuan stood up from his seat glancing at Mei Yu.

"Yu'er, you handle things... if beasts came here."

She nodded her head "Yes, My Lord..."

His gaze then fell on Ming Yuelin "Lin'er, come with me... it will be a good training for you."

Ming Yuelin gave a faint nod "Yes, master..."

At this time, Xue Hua stepped up, her face expressionless "Master, allow me to come with you. I can also fight."

Hearing this, Zhang Yuan shook his head "No, Hua... after breaking your profound core, you have just started cultivating so..."

But Xue Hua persisted "Please Master, let me fight."

Zhang Yuan let out a sigh "Ok then, use your gauntlets... and I will also mask your demonic energy, so others won't find out about you."

She bowed her head in gratitude, as she also wanted to see the fruit of her training in real-time combat.

"Thank you, Master."

...

*thoom* *thoom* The ground trembled violently as hundreds of creatures stampeded towards the city, forming what everyone feared: a beast tide.

At the forefront were the horned war boars, their tusks gleaming as they charged recklessly, trampling everything in their path.

Behind them, shadow panthers leaped across boulders and through trees, their glowing eyes locked on the city.

Overhead, a swarm of crimson-feathered wyverns screeched as they flew in tight formations, flapping their wings violently, sending gusts of wind that scattered leaves and dust.

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