The thunderous roar clearly came from beneath the earth, as if a thousand troops and ten thousand horses were stampeding across the ground.
From the surrounding forests, flocks of fierce birds suddenly took flight, startled by some dreadful danger. Even more ferocious beasts fled in panic in all directions.
In the sky, a faint blood-red hue began to spread.
Outside the city, Big Niu and Ergou, who had been plowing the fields, both looked up. Their faces twisted in shock.
"What's going on? Is it a beast tide? The ground is shaking so violently," said Big Niu, alarmed."No… it can't be. Didn't reports say that during the natural disasters, both fierce birds and beasts were severely wounded and still haven't fully recovered? How could a beast tide even form?" Ergou frowned, gazing into the forest."Something's wrong—could this be an enemy attack? Look! The sky's turning red. That aura is terrifying—I can barely breathe!"
One by one, the human civilians looked to the distance.
Suddenly, their expressions changed drastically, mouths agape in horror.
Big Niu took a deep breath and shouted, "Enemy attack! It's the Wolf Cavalry! Hurry! Run! Get back to the city!"
"Run! Get back inside!"
"To the city! Hurry!"
Cries of panic rang out as countless civilians sprinted toward the city gates in a frenzy.
Ding ding ding!!
Urgent bells rang out—the alarm bells hanging on the city wall were struck in a continuous flurry.
The Rattan-Armor Troops swiftly rushed up the walls and formed ranks, eyes fixed on the wilderness beyond.
Rumble rumble rumble!!
The ground shook violently.
Just outside Xiaoyao City, the earth trembled with a deafening roar. It was as if an earthquake had struck. A bloody and savage aura surged like a tide, staining the sky red.
A massive army was charging forward.
The land outside the city was a flat plain—ideal for both defense and warfare. The wide-open field provided clear visibility. There were no hidden ambushes to fear, and the nearby moat served as an extra line of defense.
This open layout was no coincidence—King Xiaoyao, Wang Chen, had deliberately cleared the surrounding forest when he grew strong enough, ensuring an open space around his city.
Now, the citizens rushed back within the city walls, some even climbing onto the ramparts. All eyes widened in terror.
From the rising dust, the source of the ominous presence was revealed—and the sight left the people gasping.
Even the usually steadfast Rattan-Armor Troops faltered slightly in their resolve.
"Wolves! So many wolves!"
"Such huge ones—bigger than warhorses!"
"Those are ferocious wolves—some even have scales! Their auras are terrifying! Those must be noble-blooded wolf breeds, even other fierce wolves don't dare approach them."
"These are Wolf Cavalry—elite warriors of the Werewolf Clan. Each wolf is a War Wolf, strong, fast, and deadly. Ordinary warhorses can't compare. On the battlefield, they are slaughtering machines."
"Why are Werewolf Clan elites here? Are they targeting Xiaoyao City?"
The blood drained from the people's faces.
Yes—it was indeed the Wolf Cavalry.
Not just any troops—these were the elite of the elite.
They were all equipped with Skywolf Bows, Bloodwolf Arrows, and wielded massive, crimson Skywolf Blades—a single swing could bisect a full-grown man. Their killing aura was overwhelming.
And there were too many of them.
Ten thousand... twenty thousand... thirty thousand...
In the blink of an eye, four to five hundred thousand Wolf Cavalry surrounded Xiaoyao City, enclosing it entirely.
Their eyes, cold and filled with malice, locked onto the defenders and citizens with sinister grins—as if they might launch an assault at any moment.
And yet, strangely, they stopped short.
They stood exactly one kilometer from the city and made no move to attack.
This eerie silence only deepened the terror within the city. It was like being a condemned prisoner awaiting execution—the blade suspended at the neck, never descending. The mental strain was maddening.
Thump thump thump!
Amid hurried footsteps, a chubby figure appeared atop the city wall.
It was none other than King Xiaoyao, Wang Chen.
At his side was An Lushan, donned in battle armor, his presence commanding and his strength evident.
"What's going on? Why are the Wolf Cavalry here? When did we ever provoke the Werewolf Clan?"
"Five hundred thousand Wolf Cavalry surrounding my city—what are they trying to do?"
The sight made Wang Chen's heart lurch. This force could easily flatten Xiaoyao City in no time.
His one hundred thousand Rattan-Armor Troops were no match. Resistance would be suicide.
The rise of the Great Yi Dynasty had elevated the human race's standing; no longer were they mere prey. Fewer alien races dared slaughter humans so brazenly. Even minor human factions now enjoyed relative safety.
This attack made no sense.
Xiaoyao City had done nothing to provoke the Werewolves.
"General of the Werewolf Clan! If my city has done anything to offend your people, name it, and I, King Xiaoyao, will make it right!"Wang Chen called out with trembling breath, trying to project confidence.
But the truth was—he was terrified.
He may now be a king, but in his heart, he was still a former nobody. Scenes like this were utterly beyond his experience.
From the army, a silver-furred Werewolf sat atop a War Wolf, exuding a chilling presence like moonlight.
"Someone in Xiaoyao City hunted a Dragonscale Wolf—a mount sacred to our clan. That's an act of war. You kill one Dragonscale Wolf, we exterminate your entire city. Let the world know—those who offend the Werewolf Clan will be annihilated."
"At midnight—we shall massacre your city in tribute to the moon!"
The words froze Wang Chen on the spot.
Then his face flushed with rage.
All this over a single wolf? And now, they wanted to slaughter hundreds of thousands of his people?
"General, this charge sounds trumped-up. Do you truly think Xiaoyao City can be bullied at will? You dare massacre five hundred thousand human civilians—are you not afraid of the Great Yi Dynasty's wrath?"
Wang Chen's voice trembled with fury.
Since the rise of Great Yi, no one dared massacre a human city. This was an open challenge to Great Yi's authority.
Great Yi wouldn't tolerate such an insult. If they dared massacre a human city, Great Yi would dare exterminate their clan.
"Let the Great Yi come. You think you're worthy of calling upon them?"
The werewolf general sneered.
"You're seeking death!"Wang Chen clenched his teeth.
"Midnight. Massacre the city!"
With those final words, the Werewolf general withdrew into the army formation, still staring coldly at the city.
The pressure grew heavier by the second. There was no mistaking it—they were serious. At midnight, they would strike without mercy, turning Xiaoyao City into a river of blood.
"General An, what do we do now?" Wang Chen asked.
"With our strength, we can't stop the Wolf Cavalry. We only have one option—call for help from the Great Yi Dynasty. As fellow humans, they won't ignore this."
An Lushan gave a bitter smile.
There was no other way out.