The borderlands stretched endlessly before them, a jagged expanse of mountains, forests, and winding rivers. Mist clung stubbornly to the valleys, giving the landscape a strange, eerie calm. To anyone unfamiliar with the region, it looked peaceful. To Li Chen, every shadow, every whisper of wind, carried a subtle warning.
The joint sect unit had stopped at the edge of a canyon where reports of recent beast activity were concentrated. Representatives from the other sects were already discussing strategies, arguing quietly over the placement of units and scouting patterns. Li Chen observed in silence, walking slowly among the disciples. Every movement of the trainees told him volumes—postures slightly off, breaths shallow, qi circulation uneven.
Xu Ming walked beside him, a bundle of nervous energy coiled in readiness. Though he had been training diligently under Li Chen's guidance, this was his first real mission. The weight of the protective talismans around his neck reminded him that one mistake could be fatal.
Li Chen's eyes narrowed subtly. "Beasts rarely strike openly," he said, voice low, almost to himself. "They probe first, test defenses, retreat if met."
A scout from the Flame Sect, young but confident, stepped forward. "Senior Li Chen, signs of movement here," she said, pointing to faint disturbances in the earth—small craters, broken foliage, and traces of scorched qi.
Li Chen crouched, examining the ground with a practiced eye. "Multiple individuals. Not a single predator. They are coordinated."
The group stiffened. Coordinated beast tides were extremely rare in these borderlands. It meant intelligence—either the beasts themselves had evolved, or an external force was guiding them.
Minutes later, the first wave appeared. From the treeline, hulking shapes emerged, their glowing eyes reflecting the sunlight. Each beast was larger than any ordinary creature, with thick, scaly hides and jagged claws. They moved with an unnerving coordination, almost as if they had rehearsed the attack.
The disciples murmured, some backing away instinctively. Li Chen stepped forward, sword at his side, the faint hum of sword qi already emanating around him. Xu Ming instinctively fell slightly behind, clutching his talismans, ready to assist in defensive maneuvers.
Li Chen's calm presence stabilized the group. "Positions," he instructed, voice carrying over the tension. "Do not attack until I signal."
The disciples quickly formed ranks. The joint training aspect of this mission was now a real test. Miscommunication or hesitation could be deadly.
The beasts lunged almost simultaneously. Li Chen moved first—not with his sword, but with precise sword qi. Invisible arcs swept through the air, cutting the beasts' paths and forcing them apart. A younger disciple from the Mountain Sect froze mid-step, overwhelmed by the pressure of the sudden sword qi, but Li Chen's eyes flicked toward him. A subtle adjustment of intent shifted the sword qi slightly, redirecting a beast's charge away and stabilizing the disciple.
Xu Ming watched carefully, learning how sword qi could defend as effectively as it could attack. When one smaller beast slipped past the initial arc, Xu Ming instinctively activated a protective talisman, creating a short-lived barrier that deflected the strike.
Li Chen's gaze flicked toward him briefly. A faint nod, imperceptible to others, acknowledged Xu Ming's timely action. It was subtle, but for Xu Ming, it was the first real proof that he was not just a burden but a participant.
Li Chen moved through the ranks like a shadow. With a flick of his eyes, he directed inner disciples to intercept larger beasts, while outer disciples created a perimeter to prevent the smaller predators from flanking. Each action was calculated to minimize risk and maximize efficiency.
The battlefield became a living lesson. Students who had only trained in isolation now had to think and react together. Sword qi, elemental manipulation, formations, and coordinated strikes blended seamlessly under Li Chen's guidance.
Even the representatives from the other sects began to recognize his skill. Whispers circulated: "He doesn't just fight. He orchestrates."
After nearly two hours, the beasts began to retreat. Their ranks thinned, coordination faltered, and their intelligence became apparent—they had tested the defenses and found them too strong. Li Chen exhaled once, stepping forward to survey the area. The disciples were exhausted but unscathed, their expressions a mix of awe and relief.
Xu Ming approached carefully. "Senior Li Chen… they retreated."
Li Chen's eyes scanned the horizon. "This was only the first wave. Others will follow. Remember this: beasts attack where they sense weakness. If we stay predictable, they will exploit it. Keep alert."
Xu Ming nodded solemnly, clutching his talismans. For the first time, he truly understood the scale of the dangers outside the sect walls—and the critical importance of Li Chen's guidance.
Li Chen turned to the group, voice calm but carrying authority. "Prepare for the next wave. Learn from this one. Survive, adapt, and execute precisely."
And with that, the borderlands fell silent… for now.