And so it was.

Before this exceedingly perilous and aggressive Beast Tide, one that instilled terror and caused people throughout the entire Federation to flee at its mere mention, they witnessed it once more.

They saw again how the world of ordinary people and Martial Artists was thoroughly bifurcated, the chasm between them growing ever more irreparable.

This was because the number of beasts was destined to increase relentlessly, to a point where even the Human Race could not match their proliferation. Moreover, on the path to becoming Martial Artists and stepping into martial arts, beasts far surpassed the Human Race. Although the Human Race could barely maintain parity in terms of high-end power and not be at a disadvantage, the stringent and inherent requirements to become a Martial Artist were bound to perpetuate the division between their worlds, making it increasingly difficult for ordinary people to protect themselves.

Indeed, one side consisted of powerful individuals soaring through the air or important figures seated comfortably in cars. The other side was made up of those as humble as dust, their lives precarious from one day to the next; at worst, they were like ants, easily swept away by a gust of wind.

Therefore, when ordinary people began to direct their anger towards the Federation, the truth was that the important figures in those slowly passing vehicles before them were not oblivious to the feelings in the hearts of these "ants." Did they not also lament the decline of fate and the fragility of life?

Yet, what more could they do? Apart from observing with cold detachment, did they possess any other means to help these ordinary people forget their sorrow?

They did not.

Oh, right. If there was one method, it was to watch everything unfold with indifference. When you believed yourself sufficiently cold-blooded and mentally resolute, no matter how great the storm raged outside, it truly couldn't affect you. This was called the method of spiritual victory! It was like the reverse of the principle: the more you cared, the less others would.

Nevertheless, Jin Botao neither knew nor cared how they achieved their victories.

Because at this moment, Jin Botao, who was holed up in the State Government urgently deploying various forces, reinforcing defenses, and investigating every anomaly throughout Quan State City, cared about only one thing; his eyes were fixated on only one thing!

It was this single point that had plunged Quan State City into chaos right as the Beast Tide began.

And so, his eyes bloodshot, Jin Botao stared intently at the man before him—Guan Shan, the burly head of the Martial Management Bureau, his partner for several years.

He gritted his teeth and said, "So, can you tell me! Why, before the Beast Tide occurred, did our Quan State City have no warning whatsoever? Why did we have to wait until they had invaded our homes and devoured much of our flesh and blood before you finally reacted?"

BANG.

Jin Botao's palm, veins bulging, somewhat dark, wrinkled, and aged, slammed down on the table before him!

A slap like that would likely make even a strong young man wince in pain. Yet Guan Shan saw not the slightest change in Jin Botao's expression. Beyond the boundless killing intent and rage, there were endless flames, as if they were about to erupt skyward and burn everything to ashes.

One should know, when Quan State City was established, its orientation was that of an ordinary Federal State City, neither a central hub nor a strategic stronghold. Consequently, those living on the outskirts of Quan State City were all ordinary people, utterly powerless. One could well imagine the kind of devastation that would ensue when a ferocious tiger descended upon a flock of sheep.

In fact, Guan Shan was also extremely troubled. He knew Jin Botao's temperament very well. Of course, he himself was also an extremely responsible person. That was why the two of them had been able to cooperate so smoothly over the years, without any major issues.

But who could have expected that such a disastrous mess would occur!

If the beasts hadn't entered the city, even if Jin Botao had ordered me to be the scapegoat and defend to the death, I wouldn't have hesitated, Guan Shan thought. But now, that's no longer an option!

Low-level beasts, though not as cunning as humans, possessed a significant innate advantage: they instinctively pursued benefits, avoided harm, and waited for opportunities to prey.

Thus, the infiltration of the Beast Clan group into Quan State City was already a foregone conclusion. Even if Guan Shan were to risk his life, he likely couldn't clear them out completely and could only allow them to rampage. To cleanse the city, Martial Artists would have to form extermination teams and continuously patrol, maintaining a certain schedule and frequency. Only then could they ensure a thorough cleanup.

Therefore, Guan Shan, knowing this would inevitably be a bitter pill he had to swallow, could only lower his head and, bracing himself, attempt to de-escalate the situation first. "State Governor, this lapse is my responsibility. I will report to the Federation's Martial Management Bureau afterward to plead for punishment…"

Little did he know, Jin Botao instantly flew into a towering rage. He slapped Guan Shan hard on his large head, spitting as he cursed, "Plead for what punishment! You can plead for punishment, but how can the dead plead? Who will plead for them? In short, I don't care who it was that made such a colossal blunder. As the head of the Martial Management Bureau, you must be the first to take action! From this moment on, arrange a thorough investigation into this matter. Find out exactly where the error occurred in the chain of command. Then, you get out there and slaughter the enemy! Afterward, I will use the heads of those responsible to offer tribute to the dead of Quan State…"

For a time, the office was filled with Jin Botao's roars and an overwhelming, iron-blooded aura of fury.

Clearly, he had steeled his resolve. No matter which link in the chain had failed, causing Quan State to miss the crucial window of opportunity, as long as he survived this, even if the culprits were individuals placed by the highest authorities, he, Jin Botao, would personally take up the firearms and ammunition he hadn't touched in far too long and forcefully blast them into dust.

Fortunately, Jin Botao's anger did not last too long. Because as critical as this matter was, it paled in comparison to the overall safety of Quan State City.

One had to understand that Quan State City had a population of nearly three million. If the city's defenses were breached and more medium- to large-sized beasts infiltrated, then that would spell doomsday for Quan State City!

And so, once representatives from various noble families and the financial groups investing locally in Quan State had all arrived, Jin Botao, who had just finished berating Guan Shan until he was practically bruised and swollen, finally left his office. In an instant, he appeared before everyone, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's. The previous fury on his face was gone, replaced by a boundless, majestic aura and an awe-inspiring presence, ready to confront the enemy at any moment.

Naturally, as his right-hand man, Guan Shan had to stand behind Jin Botao at this moment, even if he had just endured a verbal lashing. After all, for the current Quan State City, nothing could happen to Jin Botao! If something were to happen to Jin Botao, who knew if those threats within the city, which had been gradually diminishing, wouldn't suddenly spring up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, intending to tear Quan State City asunder.

However, just as Guan Shan was surveying his surroundings, his vigilance constantly heightening, he suddenly noticed a young man who appeared quite imposing, yet possessed a refined and enduring charm.

In fact, Jin Botao had noticed him first.

And so, immediately, the young man whom Guan Shan had observed hurried forward and explained to Guan Shan, "Sir! I am Tian Qi from the Quan State Underground City. We were alarmed to hear that Quan State City had been attacked by a Beast Nest. The Internal Affairs Department of the Underground City specifically sent word for me to lead a team to provide support. That's why I've brought eight Grandmasters and have only just arrived."

Guan Shan observed him carefully. Only then, at a gesture from Jin Botao, did he temporarily put the matter of this young man aside.

He's just a mere Grandmaster, after all, Guan Shan thought. Even though he has the realm of a fifth-level Grandmaster, if it came to a real fight, he wouldn't last a single exchange against me…

Jin Botao, however, looked at Tian Qi and nodded slightly.

Then, meeting the concerned and questioning gazes of the crowd, he quietly took a deep breath and stepped onto the most prominent platform before everyone.

The last time he had stood here was when he had just retired from the Military Department and become the State Governor of Quan State City.

He never imagined that after stepping onto this stage for his inauguration ceremony, and then serving for over thirty years as the State Governor consistently ranked first in public opinion, he would actually have such a second opportunity!

This scene was so strikingly similar to his younger days! The same acceptance of command in a crisis, the same turning point of fate, the same representation of Quan State City's completely unknown future…

Therefore, Jin Botao finally spoke out loud and clear, without the slightest hesitation.

"Fellow Martial Artists of Quan State City, I am Jin Botao, your State Governor! Frankly, I too would love to chat leisurely with you, to speak a load of nonsense. But we are out of time! I'm sure all of you have seen them—the beasts that exploited a loophole in our city defenses, infiltrated our city, and are now annihilating our compatriots! And beyond the walls of Quan State City, an even larger horde of savage beasts that devour flesh and leave no bones lies in wait…"

At this moment, solemnity etched Jin Botao's face. Even though, due to his advancing age and the volume of his voice, his throat quickly became dry and hoarse, Jin Botao did not relent in the slightest. He didn't even pause for a sip of water, single-mindedly issuing urgent mobilization orders and systematically explaining to everyone the current crisis facing Quan State City.

The top priority, naturally, was the rescue and replenishment of Quan State's future Martial Artists: the students who had been about to leave school for the day but were now forcibly confined to their schools by their Teachers because the Beast Clan group's arrival had been so sudden and overwhelming.

They were the first item on Jin Botao's agenda. His stance was exceptionally firm, as if he didn't care in the slightest whether this mobilization rally would devolve into a farce.

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