The pitter-patter of the raindrops resounded throughout the city. The rain seemed to have picked up and now there was a strong wind and thunder accompanying it.

Kuo, Hash, and Maddy stood atop the walls along with Hao Xuan and waited for the Horde's arrival.

"We found it, captain,

" Hao Xuan's badge rang and a message popped up. It was from Cav.

"Alright, continue as discussed. Secure it in case we need to use it in an emergency. Are the beast cores primmed and ready?

"

"Yes, they have all been placed in the most optimal locations.

"

"Good job. Send its location to Kuo and others.

"

Galena was in a state of emergency right now. All the civilians had been told to get ready and prepare enough rations for a several days long journey.

Hao Xuan looked at the time and sighed,

"Any response from HQ?

"

"Not yet sir,

" Kuo replied through the badge.

"Hmm.

"

All the town guards were bubbling with energy. They would finally have the time to show off in front of these imposing people from the main city. They formed a unit of more than 10,000 people. All of them had been recruited from the civilians that were left in Galena.

Most of them were around the age of 15 to 25, while the rest were 35-55 years old. These people had never even held a sword before, let alone fought in a war.

Since the Mad Saints got here, they had been training these people along with the 300 newbies of their own. This was Kuo's idea and it made both of them work harder to show the other one who was superior.

Luca was a team captain and had about a thousand people under his command. He was the son of Matea, an older captain that had served Galena for a long time hence it was very easy for him to get such a rank. And he deserved it as well. He was one of the rare few that didn't follow Fel's orders and had been imprisoned for it for several weeks.

"Alright, get ready. Remember your training, stay in the formation, look at the person behind you and in front of you. They will be your sword and shield. Do not go out there alone, no matter what!

" Luca shouted at his men.

*Tremble*

There was a faint sound followed by a small earthquake. The entire city felt it.

"They're here,

" Hao Xuan's expression turned serious and even Black and White who were playing in his fingers straightened up and looked out towards the ocean of trees.

"Start the broadcast,

" Hao Xuan said to Aria who pressed a few buttons on her Spirit Band. A live stream had been started which was visible to everyone. This was Hao Xuan's idea. He wasn't going to do this at first but after a complete lack of response from the HQ, he wanted them and everyone else to see what their incompetence would do to this town.

"There really isn't anything better than the public's outrage,

" he grinned inwardly.

*Bzzt*Bzzt*

Spirit Bands all over the kingdom started vibrating. People sitting in their homes, out in clubs, parties, even some soldiers. He had used the Den's connections and sent the notification to some of their frequent customers.

Basically, anyone that had ever visited the Den or were subscribed to their newsletter got the link for the stream.

As did all of the Mad Saints and they then shared it with their friends and families. Some people were against it but it was their captain's order so they did not have a choice.

Within a few minutes, millions of people were watching and they were sharing with others. Like a tidal wave, people rushed in. Even in this world of magic, demons, and gods, social media had its own power.

Hao Xuan checked the comment section and was more than satisfied. The stream's title was

"Beast Horde of Galena

" and he made Aria and co. comment things like,

"They can't stop a horde with just these many people!

",

"Yeah, its going to be a massacre!

",

"What is the military doing?!

"

And from there it took a life of its own.

"Hehe, let's see you ignore me now,

" he let out an unintended evil laugh, making his four guards slightly worried.

*Crack*

The forest seemed to had come alive as the tree's parted like the red river and massive silhouettes came into view. One second they were barely visible, the next they were a few thousand meters away.

Hao Xuan stood up abruptly and walked forward, leaning over the wall.

*STOMP*

The entire ground vibrated with every step of these hulking beasts. One of them was so big that its head was in the clouds. There were seven of these gigantic creatures. (Img in authors note).

"Oi, what the f*ck are those?!

" he asked Kuo who was also staring at them with his mouth open.

"E-Ether beasts! They are Ether level beasts! By our standards, they would be at the top of Profound realm!

" he replied with a quivering voice.

"WHAT?!

" Hao Xuan shouted so loudly that his voice reverberated throughout the city.

"How long can the barrier hold against them?

" he quickly followed up as soon as he remembered.

Kuo silently calculated and said,

"Less than 10 hours, if even that.

"

"...

"

"What are you orders captain?

" Kuo asked when there was no response from Hao Xuan.

Hao Xuan looked out towards the seven figures shrouded in rain and darkness and then below them. Because of their existence, all the other beasts looked like ants, but to Galena, they were the impending doom. As far as the eye could see, hundreds of thousands of various silhouettes were popping out of the forest one after another. And then he finally saw it, up in the air, flying majestically, a beast with the head, wings, and talon of an eagle, and the rest of a lion.

A mutated griffin. This beast although was much smaller as compared to the seven surrounding silhouettes, on its own it was still at least thirty meters big. Its massive wings stretched outwards and slowly flapped, sending strong gusts of air and uprooting a few trees.

Hao Xuan took in a deep breath to calm himself down as he looked hatefully at the Griffin. It seemed to have noticed his gaze and looked at him calmly.

"There will not be a fight. We do not stand a chance. Activate the barrier at full power and implement plan C. GO!

" he gave the orders to Kuo as everyone started shuffling around.

"Holy sh*t, what are those things?

"

"No idea, but it doesn't look good for those people. Is another city going to be destroyed?

"

"That's such a shame. I thought there would be a fight.

"

"A fight happens between two parties of comparable strength. But when the difference is that big, it's just a massacre.

"

"But what about the military? Other cultivators? Is no one going to go help them?

"

"I doubt they can make it in time right now...

"

These types of conversations were taking place in different chatrooms around the kingdom and in the comment section of the stream itself.

"Sister Xu, there is a stream of a beast horde from where Teacher is!

" Yun Wentian ran into First's house where Xu Qing and Anya were sitting, talking with one another. Little Xin Qiye was in Xu Qing's arms and was drolling all over her shoulder.

"Hmm? What stream?

" she asked with a frown.

****

Authors Notes:

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Griffin: https:

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