Chapter 84: Beast Tide

Star Monument, officially known as the Catastrophe-Level Stellar Beast Mimic Obelisk, was developed fifty years ago by the New Federation—a specialized Stellar Energy device capable of effectively repelling Stellar Beasts of Level 4 and below. Its exact mechanism draws upon advanced knowledge from fields such as Advanced Stellar Energy Theory, Advanced Stellar Beast Knowledge, and Advanced Intelligent Machinery Applications.

At its core, however, the Star Monument consists of just two key components.

First: a Catastrophe-level Stellar Beast mimic suit—the intricate, blood-red patterns covering the four obelisks currently standing on Embers Island. This illusion tricks Level 3 and below Stellar Beasts into perceiving the obelisks as formidable Level 4 Catastrophe-class entities.

Second: a Catastrophe-level Stellar Beast mimic brainwave emitter. Unlike lower-tier beasts, Level 4 Catastrophe-class Stellar Beasts possess a unique aura and a distinct high-frequency brainwave signature. It is through this aura that they claim and defend territorial dominance, warning off other Catastrophe-class entities that dare trespass. And through their specialized brainwaves, they can issue clear commands—summon or repel—to all Stellar Beasts of Level 3 or below within range.

The New Federation leveraged these traits to great effect. By eliminating Catastrophe-class beasts one by one, they claimed new territories. Then, using the beasts’ blood and skeletons, they forged the obelisks—equipping them with the mimic brainwave emitters—transforming them into towering, artificial "Catastrophe-class Stellar Beasts" scattered across cities. These monuments now serve to repel any nearby Stellar Beasts, keeping the cities safe.

Thus, the entire network of New Federation urban zones rests upon these artificial guardians—safe havens where ordinary people can live and thrive.

This is precisely why Tian Dao and the others were so surprised when they encountered "Stellar Beasts" twice in Deep Blue Metropolis. According to this principle, such weak creatures wouldn’t even dare approach the city—let alone enter it. To a Stellar Beast, Deep Blue Metropolis was a domain claimed by a true Catastrophe-class entity. To venture near it would be suicide.

Moreover, due to the Star Monument’s critical strategic value, it remained a high-level classified secret within the New Federation—information inaccessible to the average citizen.

Chen Xing and the others were completely unaware of it, and that was perfectly understandable. Even Tian Dao, with his access to Freedom’s full database and prior knowledge from the original timeline, would never have known about the Star Monument otherwise.

Now, having grasped the mechanism behind the Star Monument, Chen Xing instantly understood what had happened to him—and to the other Stellar Prodigies.

"Tian Dao," he said, voice sharp with realization, "you’re saying that what suddenly fell around the base just now… was the legendary Star Monument?"

"Yeah."

"And Sak’s sudden outburst… and the strange reaction I felt, and the one you sensed too—was all caused by the special brainwaves those monuments are emitting?"

"Exactly."

Tian Dao nodded, confirming Chen Xing’s deductions.

This was the truth of their current predicament.

Why did Star Core Surgery carry such a high mortality rate? Why had Doctor shown such interest in Tian Dao’s group?

Because they were the rare few who had survived the Star Core’s corruption—retaining not only the strength and instincts of a Stellar Beast, but also their human intellect and rationality.

But that balance was never absolute.

Now, with the Star Monuments surrounding the base continuously broadcasting those alien brainwaves, they were stirring the beast within the Stellar Prodigies—awakening the primal instincts buried beneath their humanity. For those who hadn’t fully mastered the power of their Star Core, the result was a violent, uncontrollable rage.

And yet, this was not the greatest threat Tian Dao faced at this moment.

"ROOOOAAARRR!"

A thunderous roar echoed from the distant shoreline.

From the sands, a horde of grotesque, monstrous oceanic Stellar Beasts surged forth—massive, jagged, and ravenous—charging toward Yujin Base with merciless intent.

They had answered the call of the King—obeying the will of the one who had summoned them to assault the heart of Embers Island.

"Tian Dao," Jing Ruli whispered, trembling on her Dream Pillow. Her face paled. "I can feel… the nightmares coming."

Stellar Core: Eternal Night Butterfly—a high-sensitivity Stellar Beast capable of perceiving the dreams of other beings. And with it, Jing Ruli had inherited that ability.

Normally, she could only sense these dreams during the night, when Stellar Beasts slept. But since acquiring the Stellar Source: Daydream, even in waking hours, she could still perceive the subconscious echoes—the dreams—of those around her. To her, the subconscious was simply another form of dream.

"Hey, don’t be afraid, Ruli," Tian Dao said softly, gently stroking her head.

Before he could say more, a familiar voice cut through the air from behind them.

"That’s right, Ruli. Nothing to fear. Little Tian Dao’s got you."

"Yun Meng!" Jing Ruli’s face lit up with relief and joy.

Alongside her appeared Gangyan—the captain of Yujin Base’s defense team, a towering, broad-shouldered man with dark skin and a cold, imposing presence. He rarely showed himself, but now he stood ready, silent and lethal.

Yun Meng stepped beside Tian Dao, lowering his voice. "Since you know about the Star Monument, you must also know why they’ve placed them here?"

Tian Dao nodded.

Of course he did. The purpose was clear: summon a beast tide, drain the base’s defenses, and wear them down.

"Good," Yun Meng said, cracking a small smile. "Then I won’t waste words."

"I’ll take the northernmost monument—the one farthest from the base. Gangyan will handle the southern one."

"As for the east and west—Tian Dao, pick one. The other goes to Chen Xing and the others."

Gangyan gave a single, sharp okay sign, his expression unreadable—no words, no hesitation. Just action.

Tian Dao didn’t hesitate. He chose the eastern side—the more dangerous of the two.

Yun Meng chuckled as he walked toward his Great Earth Lizard. "Always the hardest path, huh? Just like you, little Tian Dao."

He climbed onto the creature’s broad back, gazing out across the stormy sea.

"Still… true strength means bearing more than the weak."

He turned to the group, voice firm.

"Alright, everyone—move out. The longer we wait, the worse it gets. Because the enemy won’t give us a single moment to breathe."

"Yes!" the team answered in unison.

With that, Yun Meng urged his Great Earth Lizard forward—launching it from the base in a thunderous charge.

And only then did Tian Dao and the others truly witness the beast’s true power.

No longer the passive, indifferent creature from the Final Evaluation, the Great Earth Lizard now moved like a living tank—barreling straight into the sea of roaring oceanic Stellar Beasts.

With its massive frame and thick, rock-hard scales, it didn’t need Yun Meng to fight. It tore through the enemy horde like a storm, shattering the front lines with sheer force.

Bodies flew. Limbs scattered. The ground turned crimson.

And all the while, the Great Earth Lizard surged forward—its target clear: the distant Star Monument on the beach.

Because no matter how many of them there were, these creatures were just cannon fodder.

To a true warrior, they weren’t even worth warming up against.

Numbers? Just a weakling’s excuse for unity.

"ROOOOAAARRR!"

At the heart of the beast tide, the Great Earth Lizard roared—its body glowing with a faint, earth-yellow hue. From its scales, a shimmering metallic sheen spread outward.

Moments later, a gravity field—over ten meters in radius—erupted around it.

Every oceanic Stellar Beast within range was crushed beneath the force, forced to the ground, helpless. The Great Earth Lizard stepped on them, crushing them into pulp without pause—moving forward, relentless.

In the face of such overwhelming power, Yun Meng and his mount drew ever closer to the distant Star Monument.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end