Shade of Autumn watched from a tree. The wolves had reached her position; she tailed them for a while before descending.
If it weren't for the elusive shadows cloaking her body, one would see her brown robes. Arms bare, save the black wrist bands.
Her black hair was tied high into a bun.
She wore no armour, instead conjuring her protection with a Dao Art.
The shadowy figure fell from the trees like a leaf, gliding in the air.
Rustling began to resound from above.
Startled, the wolves saw an abundant number of leaves sprouting from the dark.
Shade of Autumn's skin peeled like flakes, turning into brown leaves of a seemingly brittle nature.
In a few breaths' time, hundreds of leaves have sprouted from her body, following her like a deafening, rustling storm.
Moving towards one side of the pack, the trail of leaves followed her movement, weaving through the wolves.
Immediately, of the hundreds that unfortunately encountered her, one dozen were killed, and dozens more were injured.
Stopping and turning around, the hundreds of leaves spun around like a protective coat.
Immediately, the majority of the wolves stood their ground.
Suspicious, Shade of Autumn looked around.
'Where is it...'
Besides these 'fearless' wolves, only the dead and injured didn't move. The other few had fled deeper within the funnel.
Closing her eyes, she paused and let the world quiet down.
'There!'
Waving her hand, the leaves moved and slammed into the trunk of a tree.
'Now there!'
Pointing, more leaves shot out and whipped.
Small plumes of dirt were lifted in the areas where the leaves whipped.
Except for a few, which seemed to hit the air.
Yelping, a beast had stumbled out of thin air; small lacerations scarred its fur coat.
Snorting, Shade of Autumn struck again.
The leaves created the visage of a human hand, slapping down onto the beast's staggering body.
It was an ordinary Beast King, a Fleeting Wolf King, whose ability lies in their camouflage.
What allowed her to find the hidden Beast King was her immersion into the world.
Despite being a Second Foundation Cultivator, she had ample experience with immersing herself into the world.
It was also not an ability only Third Foundation Cultivators had, it was simply part of its criteria.
Any Second Foundation Cultivator can immerse themselves in the world.
However, the danger lies within what you sense during Immersion.
For most, it is the myriad sensations assaulting one's senses.
The most dangerous part of Immersion is connecting with the world.
This is what allows one to pick up all the fine details, like the beating heart of a beast, or the tightening of muscles when one throws a punch.
It also carries the most risk, such as being overwhelmed by the world or Night itself.
If Night is hopelessness, then immersing into Night means immersing into hopelessness.
Wallowing in despair, cruelty, all things bad.
One's Way is what protects them from being overwhelmed.
As one ascends through their cultivation journey, they will naturally strengthen their Way.
...
Killing the rest of the defiant wolves, Shade of Autumn stood above the beast king.
Even as the leaves strangled the Fleeting Wolf King, shredding its fur coat and muscles, it struggled fiercely.
'Poor beast, relentlessly fighting back despite the odds. Such vigour is befitting of a king.'
'Refusing to be overwhelmed and dying in a struggle, such is a beast's Way.'
'Naturally, that would also make us alike...'
Shaking her head, she begins hauling them all together and bundling them within a massive leafy pouch.
Resting this bag far away, she swept the fields of blood.
Shade of Autumn jumped into a tree, awaiting the next group of beasts.
...
Sun was still in the midst of fighting his share of beasts.
The few wolves that struggled against him in vain were slaughtered.
Strength continued to course through his body.
Slamming, stabbing, sweeping.
Kicking and bashing, he fought against the dozens of wolves relentlessly.
Golden light flickered and danced in the air as Sun moved his halberd.
Eventually, after killing half of these wolves, the rest of them lost their vigour.
They began to retreat.
Sun only pursued those who tried to leave the funnel, sparing the few that remained within.
Of course, they had no idea that they were in a 'funnel'.
It was almost cruel, they were attacked and dispersed, relentlessly assaulted and slaughtered.
Would a beast suspect their luck? Or would they blame the world for these endless predicaments they face?
Unable to see the great plan that surrounds them, they will inevitably fall into a disadvantageous position.
Looking up, Sun inhaled the strong scent of iron.
Having finally finished killing all those beasts, he was tired.
While they weren't strong, his fighting style was rigorous.
The supplementary Dao Art only helped to loosen and recover his muscles.
There was also the sheer number of wolves he had to slaughter.
'Sixty...? Or was it seventy...?'
'I see just how difficult these tides will be. If this is only the first wave, of the first day of the first tide... just how many will there be?'
'Hah, this is going to be exhausting.'
Sun couldn't help but feel like the wolves themselves, and all the other beasts.
The two Demons were the perpetrators of the tides. Mist and destruction, Confusion and Calamity.
'They caused the tides as mere collateral, or were there deeper intentions?'
'Either way, just a hint of their power is enough to influence the entire world.'
'If the wolves cannot see the big plan around them, would we be able to see a 'big plan' around us?'
Sun thought.
Being reduced to no more than a chess piece, the idea left a sickening taste in his mouth.
Shaking his head, Sun brought himself back to the world.
Gripping his halberd tightly, inhaling the deep stench of violence.
Even if he was no more than a chess piece, he didn't let his resolve waver.
If he gave up now, how could he fulfil his vow and get revenge?
Regardless of their predicament, he would rather struggle than give up.
Like the beasts around him, who fought for their lives despite the odds.
He allowed the scent of violence to drive his body
He let violence drive his motives.
He fell deeper into bloodshed and hatred.
Refusing to be overwhelmed by these predicaments, Sun remain resolute.
Willing to fight fearlessly against the world itself.
Even if it meant fighting against the Demons and dying.