Two more days passed, and the same routine continued, but with diminishing intensity. The beast attacks grew weaker and more sporadic. A small swarm might appear in the morning, be dealt with in less than an hour, and then the rest of the day would be peaceful.

Most were thinking the beast tide would end any day now, convinced that the sea beasts’ numbers were being used up. A palpable sense of relief and impending victory settled over the five cities. Disciples started talking less about the fighting and more about what they would do when they finally went home.

Li Yu was now pretty friendly with the disciples of the Azure Wave Sect. During the long, quiet afternoons, he would often be found sharing a table with them, listening to their conversations. The main topic, unsurprisingly, was what they were going to do with all the resources they were going to get from this beast tide. For many of them the wealth they had accumulated from looting beast corpses and sect contribution was a life-changing sum.

“I’m going to buy a set of Spirit-woven robes for Senior Sister Lan,” a young male disciple said, a hopeful blush on his face. “I think she might finally agree to go on a date with me then.” Some thought he was a fool for chasing after this one sided love but others thought he was romantic to chase.

Another, a more serious-looking woman, spoke of her family. “My parents are mortals. With the money from selling the beasts that I have killed or my portion for team kills, I can buy them enough life-extending pills to see their own grandchildren. They won’t have to worry about anything for the rest of their lives.” A lovely filial gesture that many shared in.

A burly disciple with a boisterous laugh slammed his mug on the table. “I’m going to buy a bottle of that hundred-year-old Storm-Cellar Spirit Wine from the Northern Empire! I’ve always wanted to know what it tastes like!” If Jian or Kael was here they would have approved of such a move.

Another disciple, a quiet swordsman, nodded. “I finally have enough to commission a custom-made blade from the Crimson Forge Sect, one forged with tempered deep sea iron.”

A young man with a determined look chimed in, “My little sister is about to go to a sect next month. I’m going to buy her the best Qi-gathering pills money can buy to give her a head start.”

Finally, a scruffy-looking rogue with a wicked grin declared, “I’m taking all my earnings to the biggest gambling den in Beacon City and betting it all to try to get a fortune!” Li Yu thought this disciple was the most foolish one out of the bunch but he didn’t say anything. Everyone had their own dreams.

Everyone of these disciples was working towards their own thing. What they were going to use their new found wealth on was an interesting topic of discussion. Of course many of them will still use a good amount of it towards cultivation resources to help them stay alive.

This talk of the future inevitably led the conversation into the topic of their ultimate goals and dreams. One particularly ambitious disciple, the one with the Tidal Serpent martial spirit, declared his goal loudly. “I want to become a sect elder and also reach the Core Formation realm! I want my name to be respected throughout the entire southern coast!” It was a lofty goal but a common dream for talented cultivators.

Another disciple shared a darker motivation. “My village was destroyed by a sea beast raid when I was a child. I cultivate for one reason: to become strong enough to hunt down every last one of those monsters, to ensure no other child has to see what I saw.”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from NovelBin. Please report it.

But then, some of the disciples shared more unique goals. The quiet woman who wanted to help her parents spoke again, her voice soft. “Honestly? Once I reach the Foundation Establishment realm and have a long life secured, I want to stop chasing strength. I want to use my earnings to open a small shop in a peaceful, inland city. The life of a cultivator… it’s too stressful. I just want a quiet life.”

Another, a lanky, scholarly-looking youth, had a different ambition. “I want to travel the continent and write a bestiary, a complete guide to every spiritual beast, their habits, their powers. That, to me, is a greater achievement than reaching any cultivation realm.”

A woman with an artistic air about her added, “I want to master the art of sound cultivation. My goal is to compose a piece of music so beautiful it can make even demons weep.”

A grizzled, older disciple who had been quiet until now spoke up. “I just want to earn enough to buy a small spirit-farm back home and marry my childhood sweetheart. I’ll just live out my days in peace.”

Finally, the ambitious disciple who wanted to be an elder scoffed, but another spoke up with a grand vision. “I want to become strong enough to unite all the southern coastal sects into a single, powerful alliance. We’re too scattered. Only together can we truly be safe.”

It was a mix of different things all of such had their own unique charms.

Li Yu listened on as their goals and dreams were shared, a quiet, thoughtful smile on his face. He found their honesty refreshing. Finally, the scholarly youth turned to him. “Senior Li, you’ve listened to all of us. What about you? What is your ultimate dream?”

All eyes turned to him, the disciples curious to hear the ambition of someone so powerful. Li Yu took a sip of his tea, considering the question. He shared that his goal was to be strong enough to have the freedom to do what he wants, and the peace that came with that.

“I’m not trying to conquer the world, or become the strongest under the heavens,” he said, his voice calm and sincere. “I just want to be strong enough that no one can force me or the people I care about to do anything we don’t want to do. I want the freedom to explore, to learn, to eat good food, and to enjoy this world with those I cherish. That’s my dream. Strength, for me, is just a tool to achieve that peace.”

His answer was met with a moment of silence. Some of the more ambitious disciples looked confused by its simplicity especially when he already had such strong strength. Others, like the woman who dreamed of a shop and the man who wanted a spirit-farm, looked at him with a newfound sense of connection. Some had similar dreams to his.

Later that afternoon, the peaceful, philosophical atmosphere was shattered. Li Yu’s communication token went off with an urgent buzz. It was a high-priority distress signal. He answered immediately.

It was Bai Yan. Her voice was tense, strained. “Everyone! A single, powerful expert is approaching my city extremely quickly. I can sense them off in the distance, and their aura… it is stronger than mine. I don’t think I can hold them. People need to get here quickly!”

The message sent a jolt of ice through Li Yu’s veins. In the city where Jian was stationed, the powerful swordsman was already moving. The moment the distress signal was relayed through their private channel, Jian quickly reacted and rocketed into the sky, a silver streak heading directly for Bai Yan’s location without a moment’s hesitation.

Back in Azure Wave City, Li Yu was also in motion. “Spine!” he yelled. His companion appeared at his side in an instant. Li Yu and Spine shot off flying together. They flew for a little bit outside town, clearing the city’s defensive formations around the walls.

Once they were over the open water, Spine transformed into his beast form, a colossal, awe-inspiring sea dragon. With Li Yu on his back, they rocketed off at an incredible speed. They were the only ones that could fight someone that strong. Though Li Yu was still injured, he knew he could and had to help. The deceptive peace was over. The enemy had finally shown their face.