Beast Taming Star Journey

Chapter 381 The Beginning of Qi Gathering

Chapter 381

As the sun set, it bathed the assembly square in a golden-red hue. I stood on the high platform, watching the beast tamers arrive one after another, my heart heavy. Most of them looked dejected, their steps heavy, as if carrying a thousand-pound burden. Occasionally, a few whispered among themselves, their brows furrowed with an inescapable gloom. Su Yao stood beside me, her hand gently resting on my shoulder; this silent support brought me a little peace of mind.

The square grew larger, a cacophony of whispers rising like a tide, the air thick with unease and despair. I took a deep breath, channeling my spiritual energy to ensure my voice carried clearly throughout the square: "Everyone! I know the recent fighting has left you all exhausted, both physically and mentally, and I know fear and despair are eroding us..."

As soon as I finished speaking, some dissatisfied murmurs arose in the square. "What's the use of saying all this? The enemy is too strong, we have no chance of winning at all!" a sharp voice shouted.

I ignored the noise and continued, "But we cannot give up hope! Think of the victories we have won, think of the homeland we have protected, think of our beloved families! We have defeated enemies far stronger than this one before, are we going to back down now?"

I began to recount our glorious past, from the initial small-scale battles to the later successful defense against the invasion of the beast tide. I described the details as vividly and concretely as possible, hoping to awaken their dormant fighting spirit.

My story didn't immediately resonate with everyone. Some people kept their heads down, their eyes vacant, seemingly indifferent to everything. Others whispered among themselves, their faces showing disdain, as if they thought I was telling a fantasy. But I also noticed that a glimmer of light gradually ignited in the eyes of a few people. They straightened their backs, clenched their fists, and seemed to have rediscovered the courage to fight.

I pointed to the battle flag in the center of the square, embroidered with the emblem of our Beast Taming Alliance: a majestic Howling Moon Wolf. "This flag represents our glory, our resolve! It led us to victory before, and it will lead us to victory again!"

My voice echoed across the square, carrying an undeniable power. The noise in the square gradually subsided, and more and more beast tamers raised their heads to look at me and at the battle flag fluttering in the wind.

Su Yao tightened her grip on my shoulder, her eyes gleaming with approval. I knew that I had at least ignited a spark of hope in some people.

Just as I was about to continue, a short, stout, and sorrowful high-level beast tamer stepped out from the crowd. He wore tattered armor, and the spiritual energy around him fluctuated erratically, clearly indicating he had been through a fierce battle. He raised his head and said in a hoarse voice, "Nong Yu, we understand what you're saying, but..." He paused, his eyes filled with fear, "But, do you really understand the power of those dark forces?..."

"But do you really understand the power of those dark forces?" The beast tamer's voice trembled, tinged with a sob. "They possess countless ferocious beasts, beasts that are bloodthirsty and brutal, far stronger than our beast tamers! We are no match for them!"

His words were like a bomb, exploding in the crowd. The glimmer of hope I had ignited was instantly extinguished by a wave of fear.

"Yes, how could we possibly be a match for them?"

"We'll just be throwing our lives away!"

"I don't want to die..."

Desperate whispers filled the air once more, coiling around everyone's hearts like venomous snakes. I felt as if a boulder was pressing on my chest, making it hard to breathe. Was there truly no hope left?

Just then, I felt a warm hand gently grasp mine. I turned to look, and there was Su Yao. In her large, watery eyes, there was no fear, no despair, only utter trust and unwavering resolve. She gently squeezed my hand, as if to tell me: Don't give up, I believe in you.

This simple action, however, felt like a warm current flowing through my body, dispelling the gloom in my heart. I took a deep breath and looked again at the beast tamers below the stage. Their faces were filled with fear and despair, but I also saw a faint glimmer of hope in their eyes. They were afraid, but they longed even more for survival, for victory.

What I need to do is fan this faint flame of hope into a raging inferno!

Just as I was about to speak, the Beastmaster of the Metal-Clad Warrior shouted again, "We have already lost too many comrades. Do you want to see even more sacrifices? We should preserve our strength and wait for the right opportunity!"

His words resonated with the crowd once again, and many beast tamers nodded in agreement.

"Yes, preserving our strength is the most important thing."

"We can no longer make unnecessary sacrifices."

A sense of despair spread like a plague, and the atmosphere in the square was extremely oppressive. I felt as if something was blocking my throat, and I couldn't utter a single word.

Su Yao gripped my hand tightly again, her eyes firm and resolute. She didn't speak, but I knew she believed in me and supported me.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to calm myself down. I couldn't let their emotions affect me; I had to find a way to awaken their fighting spirit.

I suddenly opened my eyes, looked at the beast tamer, and asked in a deep voice, "Are you afraid?"

He paused for a moment, then nodded subconsciously. "I... of course I'm scared."

I looked at him and said, slowly and deliberately, "I'm scared too. But I know that if we back down now, we've truly lost. We'll lose not only our homes, but also our dignity and our hope!"

My voice wasn't loud, but it was full of power. The noise in the square gradually subsided, and everyone looked at me, waiting for me to continue.

I looked around and said in a deep voice, "I know we are facing enormous challenges, but we are not without a chance of winning! As long as we unite as one and work together with one heart, we will surely defeat the enemy!"

As soon as I finished speaking, Su Yao suddenly released my hand and turned to walk towards the center of the square. Her figure was graceful, yet full of power. Everyone watched her curiously, wondering what she was going to do.

Su Yao walked to the center of the square, stood still, and then...