The howl echoed across the Sanctuary.
It wasn’t merely loud.
It carried authority.
The crystal rivers rippled.
Ancient trees bent as though bowing to an unseen king.
Even the stars in the artificial sky seemed to dim.
Lin Tianyu felt the pressure in his chest.
It wasn’t killing intent.
It was…
Judgment.
The System flashed crimson.
Emergency Quest
Proceed to the Northern Forest Habitat
Objective:
Stabilize Guardian Bai Hu.
Time Limit:
46 Hours, 17 Minutes
Failure:
Seal Collapse Probability:
61%
Reward:
White Tiger’s Recognition Keeper Authority +5 Unlock: Forest Sanctuary
“…Let’s go.”
Tianyu didn’t hesitate.
If Bai Hu was already awake, every minute counted.
Shen Yuan raised a hand.
“Wait.”
“What?”
“No Keeper enters the Northern Forest unprepared.”
He walked to an old cabinet inside the cottage and removed a narrow wooden box.
Opening it revealed a simple-looking bronze whistle attached to a leather cord.
“There.”
“What is it?”
“The Keeper’s Whistle.”
“It won’t command Guardians.”
“It reminds them.”
“…Reminds them of what?”
Shen Yuan smiled.
“That they’re not alone anymore.”
The System confirmed it.
Keeper Equipment Acquired
Ancient Keeper’s Whistle
Grade:
Legendary
Effects:
Calms awakened Guardians.
Strengthens Keeper’s voice within the Sanctuary.
Can only be used once every twenty-four hours.
Tianyu placed the whistle around his neck.
It felt surprisingly warm.
Almost…
Alive.
Chief Builder Lu climbed onto Tianyu’s shoulder.
“I’m coming too.”
“…You?”
“The forest bridges haven’t been inspected for six thousand years.”
“…That’s your priority?”
“A collapsing bridge is everyone’s priority.”
Tianyu couldn’t argue with that.
The group quickly assembled.
Hei Bao walked at the front.
Sun Xiaohou bounced from tree to tree.
Granny Mu stayed beside Yue.
Shen Yuan remained behind.
“I’ll reinforce the valley.”
“If something comes through while you’re away…”
He didn’t finish the sentence.
He didn’t need to.
Following the Sanctuary Map, they reached the northern edge of the hidden valley.
A colossal stone gate stood before them.
Unlike the elegant halls beneath Monkey Mountain, this gate was wild.
Its surface was covered in claw marks.
Deep.
Ancient.
Above the gate were four carved characters.
Forest of Heavenly Judgment
The System appeared.
Access Requested
Keeper Authority:
Level 2
Permission…
Granted.
The massive gate slowly opened.
A gust of cold wind rushed out.
It smelled of pine, rain…
And blood.
Beyond the gate stretched an endless forest.
Trees rose hundreds of meters into the sky.
Massive roots twisted across the ground like sleeping dragons.
Spirit mist drifted lazily between the trunks.
Every few seconds…
Pairs of glowing eyes appeared in the darkness before disappearing again.
“…We’re being watched.”
Chief Lu nodded.
“By everything.”
As they stepped inside…
The gate closed behind them.
BOOM.
The sound echoed for miles.
The System updated.
Location Discovered
Northern Forest Habitat
Synchronization:
13%
Guardian Status:
Awake
Extremely Agitated
Almost immediately…
A white blur shot through the trees.
WHOOSH!
Tianyu barely had time to react before something landed on a nearby boulder.
It was a wolf.
No…
Something much larger.
Nearly the size of a horse.
Its snow-white fur shimmered with Spirit Qi.
Silver eyes examined the newcomers.
The wolf lowered its head toward Hei Bao.
“…Your Majesty.”
Hei Bao nodded.
“…Feng.”
The wolf turned to Tianyu.
“So…”
“…this is the new Keeper.”
The System scanned it.
Spirit Beast Identified
Name:
Feng
Species:
Moonfang Wolf
Rank:
Elite Sanctuary Guardian
Threat Level:
Moderate
Trust:
Neutral
Feng circled Tianyu once.
“You smell…”
He sniffed again.
“…Like Old Keeper.”
Tianyu smiled.
“My grandfather?”
The wolf nodded.
“He always carried dried meat.”
“…I don’t.”
“…Disappointing.”
Sun Xiaohou burst into laughter.
Suddenly…
The ground shook.
Not gently.
Birds exploded into the sky.
Trees swayed.
A terrifying roar shook the forest.
ROOOOAR!
Every creature immediately flattened itself against the ground.
Even Feng.
Tianyu looked around.
“What was that?”
Feng’s ears folded back.
“…Lord Bai Hu.”
“He has been angry since yesterday.”
“Why?”
“We don’t know.”
A deer suddenly burst through the undergrowth.
Its body was covered in deep claw wounds.
It collapsed a few meters away.
Breathing heavily.
Yue immediately rushed over.
“It’s hurt!”
The deer’s golden eyes were filled with panic.
“It…”
“…He’s killing us…”
Tianyu froze.
“…Who?”
The deer trembled.
“…The White Tiger.”
Hei Bao frowned.
“…No.”
“Bai Hu wouldn’t attack innocent beasts.”
The deer looked terrified.
“He doesn’t recognize anyone anymore.”
“He says…”
The deer’s voice broke.
“…Everyone is guilty.”
The System reacted instantly.
Analysis Complete
Guardian Bai Hu has entered:
Judgment Frenzy
Cause:
Unknown Corruption.
Recommended Action:
Reach the Guardian before complete loss of reason.
Estimated Time Remaining:
11 Hours
Eleven hours.
Not forty-six.
Eleven.
Tianyu’s heart sank.
“If we fail…”
The System answered.
Guardian Bai Hu will permanently lose his consciousness.
The Northern Forest Habitat will collapse.
Another roar echoed.
This one was closer.
Much closer.
Then…
The trees ahead exploded outward.
A massive silhouette emerged from the mist.
Golden-black stripes.
Snow-white fur.
Eyes glowing crimson instead of gold.
The White Tiger.
Bai Hu.
He stood nearly fifteen feet tall.
Every step cracked the earth beneath him.
His gaze locked onto Tianyu.
For a long moment…
Neither moved.
Then Bai Hu spoke.
His voice was deep enough to shake the forest itself.
“…Another…”
“…Human…”
His crimson eyes narrowed.
“…Come to judge me?”
[End of Chapter 21]