"Have you never heard of the beast surge? It seems you've been secluded here for many years, completely unaware of what's been happening outside!" The middle-aged cultivator exhaled deeply. "From the way you're speaking, things must be quite dire!" The man seemed slightly interested, though his tone remained cool and detached, with a subtle hint of curiosity beneath. The middle-aged cultivator, however, found himself at a loss. How could the situation outside be described merely as "bad"? It was far more than that! Clearly, the other person was a true old timer—someone who had been closed off for decades. Otherwise, how could they not know about the major event that occurred over twenty years ago? Yet now, this only gave him greater reassurance. Given their cultivation level and status, the elder typically wouldn't bother to harm the younger cultivators unless there was something of real value to gain. What could they possibly offer that would be of interest to someone of such stature? With this thought in mind, the middle-aged cultivator bowed slightly more respectfully and replied, "Senior! The beast surge occurred over twenty years ago. At that time, I was still in my Qi Condensation stage." Though I haven't seen it with my own eyes, I've heard a few accounts from the elder figures within the gate. It's said that on a certain day, without any prior warning, tens of thousands of yin-shen beasts surged forth from the deep-sea realm, rushing straight toward Qi-Yuan Island and encircling Black Stone City, launching relentless attacks. Despite the island's several large defensive arrays and the presence of thousands of cultivators, along with numerous senior cultivators at the Yuan-Ying stage, the city was eventually breached after several days. Most of the human cultivators perished on the spot, though only a small number managed to escape during the chaos. The middle-aged cultivator spoke with growing somberness as he recounted the tale. "Such an event! What happened afterward? Did the beasts retreat back into the deep sea?" The man's voice initially showed astonishment, but soon settled into a calm, composed tone. "If they had retreated back into the deep sea, the situation would have been much more manageable. After reducing Black Stone City to ruins, the deep-sea beasts split into several groups and, under the leadership of senior beasts, began sweeping through other human villages." Although most of the villagers had already been informed in advance and had evacuated their homes, seeking refuge elsewhere, many cultivators and ordinary people still fell victim to the attacks. As a result, within less than six months, not a single human settlement remained in the coastal areas around Qiyuan Island—every village had been completely destroyed. Even more troubling, while most of the beast creatures returned to the depths, several high-level, intelligent ones began actively searching for and capturing human survivors, devouring them. It is said that soon afterward, the common people on the outer seas were nearly wiped out, and most of the human cultivators perished. The survivors were forced to retreat far from the waters near Qiyuan Island, seeking shelter on remote, isolated islands, living in constant fear and dispersion. Today, Qiyuan Island has become a gathering ground for high-level beast creatures, which promptly mobilize whenever news of our human cultivators reaches them, launching fresh campaigns to eliminate us. The middle-aged cultivator's expression grew increasingly sorrowful. At that moment, the mysterious man's voice remained silent for a while, as though equally stunned by the news, clearly struggling to absorb and process it. "Ha! That's quite amusing," he chuckled finally, breaking the silence. "So it seems, when it comes to the Outer Stellar Sea, we cultivators have ended up resembling the ancient beasts back in the day—constantly being criticized and attacked by everyone." His tone carried a clear undercurrent of irony, which surprised the cultivators present. Yet the man seemed unwilling to elaborate further, and instead posed several more questions: "There are several senior cultivators at Qi Yuan Island at the Yuan Ying stage stationed there. Surely, they couldn't all have perished in this beast surge, could they? Why haven't they stepped forward to take charge now? Furthermore, given the magnitude of this upheaval at Qi Yuan Island, hasn't the Inner Stellar Sea reacted at all? Hasn't it dispatched any reinforcements? Or has it, in fact, completely abandoned this region?" Each question grew sharper and more incisive than the last. Some of the mid-aged cultivators were familiar with the answers, while others found themselves completely at a loss. Thus, after a brief thought, he carefully replied, "During the great beast surge, it was reported that two senior cultivators at the Yuan Ying stage had perished, though most of the elder masters managed to escape. Although we haven't heard from them since then, there are rumors suggesting they are planning a major campaign aimed at reclaiming the Qiyuan Island in one decisive move. The specifics, however, remain unknown to me. As for the Inner Stellar Sea, communication has been completely severed since the surge began—no one knows whether they are even aware of what's happening here. As for reinforcements, we haven't seen any at all. Perhaps, as the senior cultivator mentioned, the Inner Stellar Sea has indeed abandoned us altogether." As he said the last sentence, the middle-aged cultivator's face took on a noticeably somber expression. It seemed that the surviving cultivators who had weathered the beast surge had, unconsciously, grown increasingly resentful of the Inner Stellar Sea's neglect. Yet the voice of the man remained silent for a while, only finally speaking in a measured tone after a pause: "Given how perilous the situation is, why have you young ones not stayed safely at your homes, but instead come out so abruptly? Do you intend to commit suicide?" Upon hearing this, the middle-aged cultivator frowned, visibly troubled, but had not yet opened his mouth to explain. Suddenly, while hesitating, the young woman in yellow robes took a swift step forward. "Master, my father has suffered from a reversal of vital energy due to improper cultivation techniques, resulting in disrupted meridians and now is paralyzed and unable to move. With your great powers, I am certain you must have a way to save him. If you can restore my father's health, I shall serve you faithfully, doing whatever it takes to repay your great kindness!" Her delicate face was filled with earnest pleading, and her clear, bright eyes glistened with tears, shimmering with emotion. The other several men and women present were all startled, exchanging bewildered glances. Only the middle-aged cultivator listened, his heart stirred, yet he immediately launched into reprimanding: "Xing'er, what on earth are you talking about? Your senior has been bedridden for years—beyond the reach of human effort. This trip to gather medicinal herbs is merely a slight alleviation of his suffering. Even if the elder possesses the most profound mastery of cultivation, there is simply nothing that can be done." Though his words were sharp and unyielding, a subtle change in his expression hinted at something else. "True energy reversal, meridian disarray. Clearly, another person who's been trying to rush things—someone whose cultivation level isn't yet sufficient, yet who insists on forcibly advancing to a higher stage of practice, resulting in these symptoms." After a quiet chuckle, the man said lazily. The elder, having accurately diagnosed the condition without having witnessed it firsthand, left the middle-aged cultivator with a flicker of genuine delight. "Your insight is truly remarkable. Indeed, my senior's condition stems from his eagerness to cultivate. Might I ask, do you know of any secret methods that might remedy this?" The middle-aged cultivator first offered a compliment before asking with genuine concern. It seemed that he and this senior brother had a good relationship. "This symptom is naturally nothing to worry about, but why should I tell you all this? Do you think I'd simply show up to help you without any reason?" The man seemed to have read the unspoken thoughts in the other's eyes, and he delivered his remark with sharp, unyielding sarcasm. Upon hearing this, the middle-aged cultivator was momentarily stunned, then his face flushed and paled several times, his lips moving slightly before he managed to utter a single word. "If the elder still feels uncertain, then I shall allow you to first cast your sealing spell, and then proceed to heal my father." Upon saying this, the young girl bowed deeply toward the light screen, knocking three times with firm, resonant movements, then remained straight-backed and motionless, her face resolute. Though young, the yellow-robed girl displayed an extraordinary tenacity. "Stupid girl, what are you doing? How can such a distinguished elder look upon you, a plain and unremarkable one like you?" the middle-aged cultivator exclaimed, astonished and indignant. Others, too, quickly realized the situation and began to speak in protest. Yet the yellow-robed girl remained unmoved, steadfastly kneeling as though she would not rise until the elders agreed. "My entire life has been marked by misfortune. My mother passed away due to complications during childbirth. My father, in his effort to refine the *I Ching* and cleanse my marrow, forced himself to practice the sixth level of the *Qingling Xuan Gong*, which has left him bedridden ever since." It is now precisely the time for me to fulfill my filial duties. As long as my father can be healed, I am willing to serve you my entire life, with no complaints whatsoever." The young girl, her face pale, shook her head gently, speaking in a calm voice. "Young lady! Are you trying to pressure me? Will you never rise again if I don't act?" The man sneered, his voice suddenly sharp and cold. "No, I have absolutely no intention of pressuring you. Your gratitude for the life-saving intervention you received just now is already profound. Since my father has been bedridden, he has sought out numerous senior colleagues for treatment, yet none have been able to restore his health. From the tone you've just adopted, it seems to me that healing him is merely a simple task for you. That is why I am so earnestly pleading with you. I have no other intentions than to fulfill my filial devotion to my father." As she finished speaking, the girl had begun to weep softly, and with a choked voice, she bowed deeply once more. Silence fell across the screen.