The Dawn of the New World

"I think you're gonna wanna hear this!" Hao Xuan barged into First's tent with hurried steps.

First was leaning back on his chair with closed eyes when Hao Xuan entered, "Already? That was fast!" he asked calmly with a small smile.

"Yeaup," Hao Xuan nodded and started talking.

"The camp is about 75 kilometers to the west, near a large tree. Rather, it IS the tree. That's why you weren't able to find it, the camp slowly moves on its own. Both Third and Fourth brothers were in there till last night, but one of them could have been moved. The kappa said the Wu Clan is sending someone from the main branch to interrogate Third brother personally!"

"What?!" First shot up from his seat.

He looked at Hao Xuan in amazement, "Are you sure about this? This is huge news if it's true!"

"100%. I can bet my own life on its authenticity. You can ask the Kappa yourself and it will tell you everything it knows."

"But...how?" First still couldn't believe it.

Hao Xuan smiled self-assuredly and patted his chest, "Brother, trust me. Its sort of special ability of mine. It's all true."

A short bout of silence followed their conversation. First wanted to believe him but it all seemed too good to be true. Looking into Hao Xuan's eyes, his conviction was overwhelming.

"Alright, let me talk to him myself. Wait here," First walked out and called for the other 2 people, one of which was Du Xun, and the other was the specialist in retrieving memories from corpses, Su Zemin.

All three of them went into the tent to question the kappa. They were left speechless within the first few minutes.

This kappa was at the top of the Spirit realm, half-way into the profound realm already. It took two Profound realm experts and a lot of time and resources to capture him alive.

He was stubborn, uncooperative and most of all, knew the human's weaknesses which it exploited at every turn. But now it was talking like its very existence depended on it. They asked him several dozen questions which he answered truthfully.

First walked back into the tent with slumped shoulders, deep in thought.

"So? How was it?" Hao Xuan's ears perked up.

"It...seems to be all true..." First couldn't really believe it himself.

"Great. What's the plan then?"

First shook his head despondently, "It's not that easy. From what the kappa said, there is another profound realm expert in there, with the ones from the main branch still arriving. And talking about those b*stards..."

Hao Xuan frowned, "The Main branch people? What's so special about them?"

First looked up and met Hao Xuan's gaze, "Brother, did you hear about the fight of the Spearheads with the general from the Wu clan a week ago?"

"Yeah, the Wu clan general escaped right? What about it?"

First let out a wry smile, "Brother, out of all the great generals, General Ouki is the strongest in a one-on-one fight. It's just that he keeps a very low profile so not many people know of this, but his prowess on the field of battle is indisputable to the inner circle."

"And rumor has it that he has already broken through to the next realm, he is a 'Sage Lord'. Now if someone at that level wanted to kill someone, how could they escape from his grasp?"

"Then...."

"Yup, General Ouki "let" him escape with his life. And do you know why that is?"

Hao Xuan shook his head left & right strenuously.

"Because of the Wu clan, because he didn't want to create any irreconcilable differences. The Wu clan is a power at the level of an Empire, a Beast Empire. To them, Profound realm experts are like flies."

"So when this Kappa says that there is a member of the main branch arriving, that is not only unbelievable but also very bad news."

"Because there will be strong experts with him?"

"Not only that, but it means that the Wu clan has decided to go all in. Not to mention their powers are...well, not easy to comprehend," First finished with a deep sigh.

Hao Xuan's curiosity had piqued at this point. He didn't know enough to be scared yet.

"What type of creatures are they? The Wu clan's main branch?"

First's expression hardened like stone and the tone of his voice lowered, becoming slightly awestruck.

"They are a type of spiritual beasts. They have the bloodline of a legendary Nine-Tailed Fox. Even among the beast empires they hold a special place since they are considered to be royalty. There is...no way we can stand against a giant like that."

"!!!"

'The Nine-tailed fox! They are real too!?'

The entire conversation was a huge culture shock to Hao Xuan. It showed how less he knew about the Beast world. It seemed like everyday new and more powerful enemies were coming into view.

'The armies of darkness huh...' the words from the book the old demon gave him echoed in his mind. Hao Xuan went quiet for a while until his eyes suddenly shone with a new light. He looked at first with a newfound determination.

"Brother, I think I have a plan."

First raised an eyebrow, "The floor is yours."

Hao Xuan explained his plan for the next few hours while First gave his own input when needed. They were done by around 3 in the morning. They would attack at 7 p.m the next day.

Hao Xuan returned to his own tent and got in the herb bath to recover completely.

The news was delivered to all the different teams, even the ones that were out patrolling. The next morning he was woken up by a familiar voice.

"Captain, are you up?"