Free Web NovelChapter 12: Chapter 12: The Black Iron Beast Tide
The announcement changed the entire rhythm of the Newcomer Trial.
Across Black Iron Training Valley, teams that had been competing for Trial Tokens and resource points immediately stopped to reassess their situation. Some weaker teams activated their signal flares without hesitation, choosing to preserve their current scores rather than risk injury. Others rushed toward marked safe zones, hoping to gain defensive points while avoiding the worst of the beast tide.
Only a few stronger teams hesitated.
A hidden event was dangerous, but it also meant additional rewards.
For new students trying to prove themselves, this was both a threat and a chance.
Qin Yuheng opened the map crystal.
Three safe zones appeared on it.
Safe Zone One: Eastern Stone Platform
Safe Zone Two: Central Ironwood Camp
Safe Zone Three: Western Broken Gate
Their current position was closest to Safe Zone Three.
The Western Broken Gate was located near the lower western ridge, not far from the path they had originally used to enter the danger zone. Based on the terrain, it was likely a defensive structure left behind by the academy.
Qin Yuchen studied the map.
"Safe Zone Three is closest, but it may also receive pressure from the western ridge beasts."
Qin Lian nodded. "Ironhide Wolves, Black-Claw Hounds, Rockhide Boars. Maybe more."
Qin Mo said, "Central Ironwood Camp is more stable, but every team will think the same. Too crowded."
Qin Yuheng looked at the flashing safe zones.
Crowded meant competition.
Safe meant limited gains.
Dangerous meant higher contribution.
The academy’s hidden event was not simply a survival test. It was a way to observe how students reacted under sudden pressure. Those who evacuated were not necessarily wrong, but those who stayed and performed well would receive more attention.
Qin Yuheng did not want too much attention.
But he needed resources.
And he needed his team to grow.
"Western Broken Gate," he said.
Qin Mo lowered his head. "I knew it."
Qin Yuheng looked at him. "You disagree?"
"I agree. That is why I am sad."
Qin Lian’s lips twitched slightly.
Qin Yuchen asked, "What is our goal? High score or resource collection?"
"Both if possible," Qin Yuheng said. "But survival comes first. If the pressure exceeds control, we use signal flares or retreat."
His tone became more serious.
"This is still a trial. Do not risk your lives for rank."
The others nodded.
They moved quickly toward the Western Broken Gate.
Along the way, the valley became restless.
Birds flew out from dead trees. Small beasts ran across the path without attacking, as if fleeing something behind them. The black iron energy in the ground pulsed faintly, and distant howls rose one after another.
The beast tide had not begun yet, but its shadow was already spreading.
When the Qin team reached the Western Broken Gate, three other teams had already arrived.
The gate was a half-collapsed stone structure built between two ridges. Its walls were only three meters high in some places, broken in others, but formation pillars still stood at the corners. Behind the gate was a flat defensive area large enough for several teams to gather.
A senior academy observer stood on the wall.
He looked at the arriving students and spoke coldly.
"Safe Zone Three defense rules. Beast tide begins in fifteen minutes. Students may leave now. Once the first wave arrives, leaving the defensive zone without tactical purpose will reduce score. Signal flares remain usable."
A student immediately asked, "Will instructors help?"
The observer answered, "If danger exceeds the trial limit."
That meant no unless absolutely necessary.
Qin Yuheng scanned the teams.
Most were nervous.
One team had already suffered injuries. Another had only three members left, probably because teammates evacuated earlier. The strongest team present was led by Wei Chen.
Wei Chen stood near the broken gate, wearing metallic-gray armor and holding a large shield. His presence was steady, like a wall.
When he saw Qin Yuheng, he nodded.
"You came." freeωebnovēl.c૦m
Qin Yuheng walked closer.
"So did you."
Wei Chen looked toward the western ridge. "This zone will be hit hard."
"Then why choose it?"
"Because someone must hold it."
Qin Yuheng paused for a moment.
Wei Chen’s answer was simple, but sincere.
He was not here only for points.
Qin Yuheng’s impression of him improved.
"Then let us hold it properly," Qin Yuheng said.
Wei Chen looked at him. "Command?"
"You take the front center. Your shield and defense are the best here."
Wei Chen did not deny it.
Qin Yuheng pointed to the broken left side. "My team will hold the left breach. Qin Mo can reinforce the formation there. Qin Lian scouts and handles fast beasts. Qin Yuchen supports between left and center."
Wei Chen looked at him carefully. "You are used to arranging battles."
"A little."
The academy observer above the wall listened silently but did not interfere.
Other students also began to gather.
A few looked dissatisfied that Qin Yuheng was giving instructions, but Wei Chen’s acceptance made them hesitate. In a dangerous moment, people naturally followed those who sounded like they knew what they were doing.
Qin Mo inspected the left breach and frowned.
"This formation is old."
"Can it be used?"
"Barely. If I had half a day, I could repair it properly. With fifteen minutes, I can make it less embarrassing."
"Do it."
Qin Mo crouched and began drawing formation lines with black iron dust and two D Grade Black Iron Formation Crystals.
Qin Yuheng had taken out only two crystals from the hidden cache. The rest remained in his inventory. Using them here was reasonable. They had found resources during the trial, and formation crystals fit the environment.
As Qin Mo worked, the broken formation pillar flickered faintly.
Qin Yuheng stood near the breach and checked his items.
D Grade Defensive Talismans.
B Grade Jade Marrow Recovery Pills.
A Grade Black Thunder Pattern Sword.
D Grade Ironhide Wolf Alpha Core.
D Grade Black Iron Spirit Liquid.
A Grade Black Gold Marrow Liquid.
C Grade Sealed Trial Box.
He did not open or evolve the box yet.
Not during a beast tide.
The first wave arrived exactly when the timer ended.
The ground trembled.
A dark line appeared at the edge of the western ridge.
Black-Claw Hounds.
Dozens of them.
Behind them were Iron-Fang Rabbits and a few Rockhide Boars. Their eyes glowed with abnormal red light, and their bodies carried unstable black iron energy.
The observer’s voice rang out.
"First wave! Prepare!"
Wei Chen raised his shield.
"Front line!"
Several students gathered behind him.
Qin Yuheng drew his sword.
"Left breach. Hold formation."
Qin Yuchen stood to his right.
Qin Lian disappeared along the side.
Qin Mo pressed his palm against the formation pillar.
The beasts crashed into the defensive zone like a black wave.
The first impact landed on Wei Chen’s shield.
A heavy boom shook the gate.
Wei Chen slid back half a step, then roared and pushed forward. His body released a metallic glow, and his shield expanded with a gray light barrier.
At the left breach, five Black-Claw Hounds rushed in.
Qin Yuheng stepped forward.
His sword moved like a dark line.
One beast fell.
Qin Yuchen pierced the second through the throat.
The third triggered Qin Mo’s temporary formation, slowing for one breath before Qin Lian’s dagger entered its eye from the side.
The remaining two were blocked by Defensive Talismans and finished quickly.
The first few minutes were controlled.
Then the second layer of beasts arrived.
Rockhide Boars charged the broken wall.
Their bodies were heavy, and their stone-like skin made them difficult to kill quickly. One smashed into the left breach, cracking the already damaged stones.
Qin Mo’s expression changed.
"If another one hits, the breach opens wider!"
Qin Yuheng’s eyes sharpened.
He could no longer use only minimal strength.
He stepped forward, circulated a small portion of the Primordial Thunder Emperor Body, and slashed.
A faint violet-gold arc flashed across the blade.
The Rockhide Boar’s stone armor split.
Blood burst out.
Qin Yuheng followed with a second strike, cutting into its neck.
The beast collapsed.
The students nearby stared in shock.
"What sharp sword!"
"Is that really a black iron sword?"
Qin Yuheng immediately suppressed the lightning.
"Focus!"
His voice snapped them back.
The battle continued.
The first wave lasted twenty minutes.
By the time the last beast fell, the ground before the Western Broken Gate was covered in corpses. Several students were injured, but no one had been eliminated from Safe Zone Three yet.
The recording badges flashed.
[First Wave Defense Successful.]
[Safe Zone Three Contribution Ranking]
1. Wei Chen Team
2. Qin Yuheng Team
3. Liu Team
4. He Team
Qin Mo leaned against the formation pillar.
"Second place. Acceptable."
Qin Yuchen looked at Qin Yuheng. "You held back less."
"Still enough."
Qin Lian returned from the side, her sleeve torn but her expression calm. "Fast beasts are increasing. The next wave may include more Level 10 and above."
Qin Yuheng handed her a basic bandage and quietly passed one B Grade Jade Marrow Recovery Pill.
"Only if needed."
She nodded and stored it.
Ten minutes later, the second wave came.
This time, Ironhide Wolves led the charge.
There were at least thirty.
And among them were three larger elite wolves.
The observer’s voice became serious.
"Second wave! Level 12 elite beasts detected!"
The pressure increased sharply.
Wei Chen held the center, but his team began to struggle. Several students on the right side panicked when two wolves climbed over a broken wall. Qin Lian rushed to intercept one, but the other lunged toward an injured student.
Qin Yuheng moved.
His speed suddenly rose.
He crossed several meters in an instant and kicked the wolf away before it could bite the student’s neck. His sword followed, piercing through the beast’s skull.
The injured student stared at him with wide eyes.
"Thank—"
"Move back," Qin Yuheng said.
He returned to the left breach before anyone could react fully.
But above the wall, the academy observer’s eyes narrowed.
That burst of speed was not ordinary.
At the center, Zhao Tianyu’s team finally arrived.
They looked somewhat battered, likely having fought through beasts on the way. Zhao Tianyu saw Qin Yuheng holding the left breach and Wei Chen holding the center, and his expression became complicated.
He wanted to compete.
But the beast tide did not care about his pride.
A group of Ironhide Wolves rushed toward the right breach.
Zhao Tianyu gritted his teeth and charged.
"Zhao team! Hold the right side!"
His arrival stabilized the defense.
For the first time in the trial, Qin Yuheng, Wei Chen, and Zhao Tianyu fought on the same battlefield.
Wei Chen was like a wall.
Zhao Tianyu was like a raging beast.
Qin Yuheng was like a blade hidden in shadow, appearing wherever the line began to break.
The second wave became brutal.
Defensive Talismans shattered one after another. Students shouted, beasts roared, and the broken gate shook under repeated impacts.
Qin Mo used the two formation crystals until they cracked.
"Left formation will fail soon!"
Qin Yuheng looked at the remaining wolves.
There were still too many.
If the left breach broke, the safe zone would be flooded.
He made a decision.
"Yuchen, cover me."
Qin Yuchen’s eyes focused. "Understood."
Qin Yuheng stepped beyond the breach.
For a moment, he stood outside the defensive line.
Several students shouted in alarm.
"What is he doing?"
"Is he crazy?"
Three Ironhide Wolves lunged toward him at once.
Qin Yuheng’s eyes flashed violet-gold.
The Primordial Thunder Emperor Body awakened slightly.
Not fully.
But enough.
Thunder moved through his muscles.
His sword rose.
A single arc cut through the air.
The first wolf’s armor split.
The second lost its front leg.
The third was forced back by the thunder shock.
Qin Yuchen immediately struck from behind, finishing the wounded beast. Qin Lian appeared from the side and killed the second. Qin Mo activated the last formation flash, blinding the third long enough for Qin Yuheng to pierce its throat.
The left breach stabilized.
The second wave finally ended after nearly forty minutes.
Many students collapsed to the ground.
Wei Chen’s shield was cracked.
Zhao Tianyu’s arm bled.
Qin Mo looked as if he wanted to sleep for three days.
Qin Yuheng’s breathing was heavier than before, but his eyes remained clear.
The badges flashed again.
[Second Wave Defense Successful.]
[Safe Zone Three Contribution Ranking Updated]
1. Qin Yuheng Team
2. Wei Chen Team
3. Zhao Tianyu Team
4. Liu Team
5. He Team
Zhao Tianyu stared at the ranking, his face dark with disbelief.
Qin Yuheng did not look at him.
His attention was on another message that only he could see.
[Special battlefield condition detected.]
[Accumulated beast cores may be evaluated as trial reward materials.]
[Primordial Origin Evolution available.]
Qin Yuheng’s gaze moved to the pile of beast cores collected near the left breach.
Dozens of E-grade and D-grade cores.
A battlefield reward material.
His path had opened again.
And the beast tide was not over.
At the edge of the western ridge, a deeper roar echoed through the valley.
The third wave was coming.
