Jiangnan City.
It was still a bustling scene with a constant flow of traffic and people.
The people on the streets were in a hurry and had no time to care about anything else.
Living in the big city, they were still rushing day and night for their livelihood, just like ten years ago.
But compared to those living in the wild, the probability of encountering life-threatening dangers was significantly lower.
In a large conference room at the Martial Arts Association Headquarters, nearly a hundred people were seated.
Among them were young men and women in their teens and twenties, steady middle-aged individuals in their thirties and forties, and quite a few elders with gray hair.
They were all prominent figures within the association.
Even in Jiangnan City, they had considerable influence.
At this moment, they were all sitting around the table, discussing in small groups.
"What’s going on? The President called an emergency meeting early in the morning?"
"Not sure, but my intuition tells me it’s certainly not something good."
"Indeed, I still remember the last emergency meeting, it was because an Evil Cult appeared in the city, slaughtering ordinary people, which alarmed the entire Jiangnan City. Finally, after various efforts, it was pacified. Now, almost half a year has passed, could it be that those rats have resurfaced?"
"It seems that a Beast Tide has burst."
Someone said.
In an instant, the previously noisy conference room fell eerily silent.
Over a hundred eyes turned to the person who spoke.
"Xiaozhang, is what you said true? Where did you get this information?"
An elder asked nervously, his body even trembling.
"Brother Zhang, did you get this news from your family?"
"Is it true or not, Brother Zhang? That’s a Beast Tide. Once it bursts, it’s not a joking matter?"
Several middle-aged men also hurriedly inquired, staring intently at him.
The speaker was from the Zhang Family, a renowned large family in Jiangnan City, controlling over twenty percent of the city’s industries.
It’s normal for such a large family to obtain some important news in advance.
Seeing everyone looking at him, the Zhang family man smiled bitterly and said, "Everyone, don’t get excited. I just heard some rumors from within the family. I don’t know the specifics either."
He belonged to a collateral branch of the Zhang Family and strictly speaking, wasn’t qualified to be privy to certain matters.
He came here mainly because the family wanted to place bets on multiple sides, not putting all their eggs in one basket.
"I see."
Upon hearing this, everyone leaned back.
Actually, if a Beast Tide were to truly burst, it wouldn’t affect them much.
Because apart from the one ten years ago when the Human Race was in a precarious situation, the subsequent bursts were more like probing attacks by the Fierce Beasts.
They were repelled by various forces before they even reached the inland.
If a Beast Tide bursts this time, it will most likely end just like the previous ones.
It’s just that the medium and small cities and villages will suffer, destined to have heavy casualties.
"Perhaps it’s something else?"
Someone laughed, breaking the dense atmosphere.
"Yes, yes, let’s not always think negatively. What if it’s good news this time?"
"I say, there’s no point guessing here. When the President arrives, everything will become clear."
"That’s right, judging by the time, it should be any moment now."
After speaking, the atmosphere in the conference room quieted down again.
The ticking of the clock on the wall was the only sound.
It’s unknown how much time passed before footsteps were heard outside the conference room.
Instantly, everyone inside straightened up and looked towards the door.
The footsteps approached, and with a creaking sound, the door was pushed open and several figures walked in.
Leading was a tall man with a square face, exuding an aura of authority.
"President!"
"President!"
Everyone stood up promptly, greeting him.
"Sit down, no need for formalities."
Shi Tao nodded as he walked forward.
Following behind him were Chang Fei, Shen Si, and a few others.
Despite his words, everyone waited until he sat down before taking their seats one by one.
Before they could speak, Shi Tao began, "I gathered everyone today to announce a very significant matter."
Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances.
"May I ask, President, what is it?"
Someone asked cautiously.
"The Beast Tide has burst."
Shi Tao slowly uttered five words.
The conference room first went silent, then exploded into a storm of discussions.
Many people’s eyes turned to the Zhang family man, their mouths agape.
Was what he said earlier true? Has the Beast Tide really burst?
However, the latter also looked very shocked.
What he heard last night were just some rumors.
But now, the President had gathered everyone to solemnly announce it, which was different.
"It seems everyone has more or less prepared mentally."
Shi Tao scanned the room and continued, "In the past, several Beast Tides have burst within Yan Country’s borders. Apart from the first, the subsequent ones have been relatively harmless for Jiangnan City."
Hearing this, no one showed a relaxed expression.
Because such words usually precede a turning point.
Chang Fei, Shen Si, and others sitting beside Shi Tao all looked very serious.
This time, the situation might be different.