The sky was overcast with dark clouds, and the air was thick with the heavy stench of blood—the stench of human blood spilled wantonly. Wails came in fits and starts, and houses were stained dark red. Under the peach tree in the center of the village, a pack of demonic beasts surrounded the defenseless villagers.
An old man leaning on a cane roared furiously: "How dare you break the peace treaty! When the guards arrive, you'll—"
Before he could finish, a cold flash sliced through the air. The old man's head fell to the ground with a thud.
The rest turned ashen. Some trembled so violently their legs gave way, collapsing to the ground.
The serpentine warrior who had struck him picked up the head casually, licked the blood off it with his tongue, and spoke arrogantly: "Don't wait for any guards. Hiss… they were all transferred to the royal palace yesterday. We serpentfolk… have long craved your village. Hiss…"
The other serpent warriors with scimitars laughed raucously: "Yes, boss! It's been ages since we tasted human flesh. We'll eat our fill today! Hahaha… hiss…"
Deep in the crowd, a ten-year-old boy was tightly shielded by his parents. His legs shook, his face pale as paper. His mother fought back terror, her voice trembling: "It's okay, Shao'er. Mother and Father will protect you."
The father, standing at the very front, roared suddenly: "Heaven abandons us! We're dead either way. If you're men, charge with me! Clear a path for the women and children!"
Before the echo faded, the boy's father Li Kuo threw himself at the blade-wielding serpent. The other men, as if ignited by bloodlust, roared and charged together. Amid the bloody chaos, they tore open a gap.
"Run!" Li Kuo screamed at the top of his lungs.
The women did not hesitate. They grabbed the children and fled into the passage paved with lives, racing toward the deep mountains.
Enraged, the serpent chief swung his blade. A spiritual blade aura swept out. All the resisting men were cut down instantly, including Li Kuo. Covered in blood, he stared toward his wife and son's retreating figure, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. With his last breath, he shouted: "Shao'er… Father can only go with you this far."
In the distance, Li Shao watched his father fall into the pool of blood. Tears streamed down his face uncontrollably. His mother dragged him tightly, not daring to look back.
Cries echoed through the woods. Despair flooded over everyone like a tide. A woman suddenly stopped and called ahead: "Go on! Cross this mountain and you'll reach the town! I just married yesterday… and today I've lost my father… I have no will to live. I'll buy you as much time as I can."
She picked up a wooden log and turned to charge the oncoming serpents. The outcome was obvious. Yet as she died, a relieved smile spread across her face. She whispered inwardly: I'm coming to join you. Her finger pressed a hidden switch—
BOOM!
The explosion shook the mountains. It was a bomb buried by the old guard unit, its power terrifying. The serpents feasting on her were blown to pieces on the spot.
The serpent chief's face twisted with rage: "Catch them alive! I'll make them wish they were never born!"
The group finally reached the mountain peak. But the serpents transformed into their true forms—giant snakes slithering rapidly. The weak and elderly were caught one after another. The rest fled down the mountain desperately. Just then, Li Shao's mother stepped into a hidden pit. Loose stones crashed down, pinning her leg fast. She abruptly let go of Li Shao's hand, her voice full of sorrow: "Run! You'll be safe once you reach the town border!"
"No! I already lost Father. I can't lose you too!" Li Shao cried, frantically trying to move the stones.
Auntie Wang nearby pulled him away at once: "You can't waste your parents' sacrifice!"
Li Shao was dragged away, forced to watch as the serpents hauled his mother out of the pit.
A shrill scream pierced the air, stabbing his eardrums.
Auntie Wang's face was streaked with tears. She squeezed the hands of the two children tightly: "Remember this grudge. One day, you must pay them back in blood!"
The two children were already hoarse from crying, their minds blank, running on pure instinct.
At the foot of the mountain, two towering watchtowers stood silently. Two guards in green uniforms stood atop them, a badge emblazoned on the front of their caps—the symbol of the Royal Guard.
The left guard spotted the serpents chasing the villagers in the dim light. He grabbed the radio at once and shouted urgently: "Major! Demonic beasts attacking civilians! Requesting backup! Requesting backup!"
He then manned the machine gun on the tower and opened fire to suppress the beasts.
Upon receiving the message, Major Ryder ordered immediately: "All guards, sortie and engage!"
Battle was imminent. Rows of guards charged out of the city gate in formation:
At the front: the Overlord Guard, with powerful physiques and monstrous strength.
Behind them: the Spirit Mage Guard, capable of flight and wielding staffs.
Further back: the Modern Guard, ordinary humans armed with advanced weapons.
To the side: the Sword Alliance Guard, agile and wielding long and short blades.
At the rear: the Healer Guard, tending to the wounded and protecting the homeland.
Yanshan, an early Eighth-Rank pioneer captain, charged first, grabbing a serpent holding a child hostage.
The serpent threatened: "Let go! Or I'll strangle them!"
Before it finished, its head exploded.
The attacker was not Yanshan, but Ma Lie, captain of the Modern Guard, also early Eighth-Rank.
He scoffed impatiently: "Tch, always so soft. I don't know how you even got that strength."
Yanshan replied calmly: "If the child had died, you'd learn exactly what my strength is for."
Mo Ji, mid Eighth-Rank captain of the Spirit Mage Guard, intervened: "Argue after we finish these serpents."
The Sword Alliance Guard moved in light and shadow, silently slaying serpents.
After the guards' fierce resistance, the serpents suffered heavy casualties—and so did humanity.
Seeing the situation turn against them, the serpent chief chose to retreat, leaving a threat: "How much longer can you humans last? Hiss… retreat!"
Auntie Wang brought Li Shao and her daughter Zhao Xi'er to the city gate. Logistics guards rushed to help.
She had exhausted every ounce of strength on the run and collapsed unconscious upon arrival.
Fortunately, Lin He, captain of the Healer Guard and late Eighth-Rank healer, saved her leg, which had endured life-and-death torment.
"I am Ryder, the major stationed here. What exactly happened?" Ryder's expression was grave.
The rescued villagers exchanged glances. One woman spoke shakily: "We were holding a bonfire tonight when serpents suddenly surrounded us. The leader… was a Fourth-Rank serpent chief."
She broke down sobbing. Lin He quickly stepped forward to comfort her.
"I'll speak!" Auntie Wang limped toward Ryder, her leg still injured.
"What? All the men in the village are dead? Those vile beasts lingered near the royal palace. The ministers thought they'd break the treaty and attack the palace, so they transferred most guards there. We fell for a diversion!" Ryder fumed.
At that moment, the western watchtower sent the same alert.
Ryder left a few logistics members behind and rushed west with the rest.
Lin He, the healer captain, stayed. She spoke gently: "Let me find you a place to rest first."
She arranged for food and shelter for the refugees.
Suddenly she spotted a boy standing alone near the gate. Curious, she approached: "Little one, what's your name?"
Li Shao turned. The woman before him wore white, a white nurse's cap atop her head. Her slender frame should have seemed cold, yet she bent slightly, hands resting on her knees, her expression extraordinarily gentle.
Li Shao stared blankly for a moment before replying hoarsely: "Li Shao."
"Why aren't you getting food?" Lin He asked softly.
Li Shao did not answer. He spoke numbly: "How… do I become strong?"
Lin He sighed quietly and explained patiently:
"This world is made of three continents. The one we're on is only a tenth the size of the other two, the weakest in power, with relatively easier demonic beasts to fight.
Since ancient times, humans and beasts have fought without end, even to this day.
Spiritual power is innate to demonic beasts. But through long struggle, humans awakened several types:
Overlord — powerful physique, immense strength, like the pioneer guard.
Spirit Mage — can fly, cast spells, like the Sky Staff Guard.
Sword Vein — extreme speed and agility, divided into Shadow Sword and Light Sword.
Shadow Sword strikes from stealth. Light Sword attacks head-on, with Overlord-level physique.
Gan Mo, captain of the Sword Alliance, is a Third-Rank Light Sword master.
Then there's modern combat — no spiritual power, only firearms.
And Healers, in charge of treatment and defense. I'm a healer.
Of course, these are only the types known on our continent. The other two may have rarer spiritual powers.
If you want to grow strong, you must wait for the spiritual power test at twelve. Only then can you cultivate.
There are two paths:
One, join the Guard Academy and become an official guard. Stable resources, safest path.
Two, rogue cultivation — no academy affiliation. Hunt beasts alone, use the energy cores in their brains to advance. Even those without power can sell cores for money to upgrade weapons."
Lin He patted his head: "Don't think too much. Revenge can wait. Your parents sacrificed themselves. They wouldn't want you to live in pain forever."