The morning air was crisp but carried a tension that was almost tangible. Li Chen led the joint sect unit cautiously along the rugged paths near the borderlands. The previous two waves of beast tides had been intense, but Li Chen knew that understanding the enemy was more important than defeating them blindly.
"Do not underestimate the beasts," he reminded the disciples quietly. "Patterns exist in chaos. Watch carefully, record everything, and anticipate their movements."
Xu Ming walked slightly behind, concentrating on the flow of his five-element qi. Sword qi coiled in his palms, ready to respond if anything threatened the formation. He had spent the previous day practicing integration under Li Chen's guidance, and the movements now felt natural, almost instinctive. His heart still raced, but he could sense the rhythm of the mission—survival was no longer the only goal.
The first village they reached was small and battered. Roofs had been torn open, fields trampled, and livestock missing. Villagers were huddled near the center, fearful and confused. Li Chen moved through the crowd, scanning for disturbances with his refined senses.
"Explain exactly what happened," he said to the village elder, who trembled as he spoke.
"Beasts came at night," the elder said, voice shaking. "They were not like the usual monsters. They… moved with purpose. They didn't scatter when we shouted, and they didn't eat everything. Some were… selective. They took certain livestock, avoided others, and even circled our homes before leaving."
Li Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. The behavior was unusual. Beast tides were typically chaotic, driven by hunger or instinct. Purpose and selectivity indicated intelligence or manipulation.
Xu Ming stepped forward. "Could they be controlled? Or… influenced by someone?" he asked quietly. Li Chen glanced at him, impressed by his growing insight.
"Possibly," Li Chen said, voice calm but serious. "That is what we need to find out."
The disciples spread out under Li Chen's guidance, examining tracks, claw marks, and traces of qi left behind by the beasts. Li Chen focused on the subtle fluctuations—the way some beasts avoided certain areas, the way their spiritual signatures pulsed irregularly, almost as if they were being directed.
Xu Ming crouched to inspect claw marks leading toward the river. He activated a small talisman, releasing a soft glow to highlight residual energy. The patterns became clearer. Unlike normal wild beasts, these were coordinated: groups moved in tandem, converging on specific areas, avoiding others, and leaving traces of intentional energy behind.
Li Chen observed quietly. "These are not natural tides. Someone—or something—is guiding them. And judging by the energy traces, it is intelligent and aware of our presence."
As they moved deeper into the village outskirts, a young girl ran toward the group, pointing frantically toward the forest. "They're back! The beasts are coming again!"
Li Chen signaled for calm. "Stay behind the protective wards," he instructed. "Observe. Do not engage recklessly."
From the treeline, movement stirred. The beasts were approaching again, but this time their path was different. They avoided open spaces and instead moved through narrow alleys between houses, as if targeting something specific in the village.
Xu Ming felt his five-element qi flare. His sword qi extended unconsciously, a faint shimmer in the early light. He was ready, but Li Chen's calm voice stopped him. "Watch first. Only act when necessary. Observe intent, then strike."
As the beasts passed, a subtle glow emanated from one of the village wells. Li Chen's eyes narrowed. The beasts ignored the livestock, ignored open fields, and focused on the well as they moved past.
He crouched slightly, sensing the residual energy. It wasn't natural. Someone—or something—had left a hidden aura, feeding, guiding, or controlling the beasts.
"This is not just a tide of beasts," Li Chen murmured. "It is a test, a manipulation. And whoever—or whatever—is behind it knows the borderlands and our response patterns."
Xu Ming's eyes widened. "You mean… someone is using the beasts as pawns?"
Li Chen nodded subtly. "Exactly. That makes them more dangerous than the beasts themselves. We will need more than brute strength to stop this. Observation, strategy, and adaptation will be key."
The joint unit quickly moved to secure the village, setting protective wards and organizing scouts to track the beasts' movements. Xu Ming, now confident in his Qi Condensation, assisted by reinforcing wards with his five-element flow. Each protective measure was stronger, more precise, and easier for him to maintain thanks to his breakthrough.
Li Chen watched him carefully, pride hidden behind his calm demeanor. The young disciple was growing, and the lesson of the day was clear: survival alone would not suffice. Intelligence, strategy, and discernment were just as important.
The sun rose higher, casting long shadows across the ruined village. Beyond the forest edge, the beasts circled silently, and Li Chen could feel the subtle pulse of controlled qi in the area. Something—or someone—was orchestrating these tides.
And the borderlands were about to become far more dangerous than anyone had anticipated.