"The person who sent the email was extremely cautious. They used multiple IP addresses as relays."
"We haven't been able to trace their real IP. I'll report this myself."
"What's most important right now is minimizing the impact of the beast tide," said Wang Jinyin gravely.
"I recommend locating the source of the beast tide and controlling the situation immediately upon its appearance."
"At the same time, activate a Level 1 red alert, and notify citizens through major media channels and neighborhood offices to remain indoors."
"In addition, the entire Pet Guild must be mobilized. Any anomalies must be dealt with immediately to minimize losses."
Immediately, the guild's top officials proposed three key strategies.
"I'd like to add," Wang Jinyin concluded, "that if a beast wave does occur, we must promptly seek assistance from the provincial guild. Our priority is to minimize the damage to Jiaying City."
The Jiaying City Pet Guild sprang into action, organizing into pairs and beginning a sweep of the city's northwest corner.
Early Morning, Day Three – Northwest Jiaying City
A large, abandoned warehouse sat in silence. The interior was empty, the walls were mold-covered, and the air choked with dust.
Suddenly, a man in a black robe appeared, holding a compass-like device.
He wore a smiling mask, and the "compass" he held was alive—with two large eyes, one black and one white, and wriggling roots underneath.
The compass needle pointed toward one end of the warehouse.
"Finally... the hidden secret realm in Jiaying City," the man murmured.
Two red beams shot from the compass's eyes, converging at a point in midair, where they pierced a spatial void in the warehouse.
A cracking noise followed, and web-like fractures appeared in the previously calm space.
The black-robed man struck the cracked area lightly with the compass.
With a series of shattering sounds, a rift opened wide enough for two people to pass through.
From the fissure emerged countless green lights—and a creaking noise.
Alien beasts, about the size of basketballs, crawled out. They resembled oversized rats, with long whiskers and spiraling tails. Their claws were sharp, like miniature drills.
"Haha, this secret realm is teeming with burrow rats."
"Excellent. Drill Rats, go wreak havoc. What I want is in the Pet Guild's secret vault in Jiaying City."
"But first, let me give you some motivation—to make you willing pawns in my game."
The man took a black potion from his pet space and tossed it into the crack.
It exploded in a cloud of black mist.
The burrow rats that inhaled the mist instantly turned feral—their eyes glowed red, claws grew sharper, and they let out screeches of rage.
They charged toward the man, intent on tearing him apart.
But just as they were about to reach him, he vanished—his body dissipated into black smoke and floated into the air.
"Go wild, little rodents. Turn Jiaying City upside down!"
The man's voice echoed as he fully dissolved into the smoke.
The burrow rats, now rabid, gnashed their teeth and began to devour the surrounding buildings. The sound of chewing wood filled the warehouse.
At that moment, the Pet Guild arrived—and were stunned by the tsunami of rats pouring out.
The beast tide had begun!
Elsewhere
Ye Bai had just woken up when an emergency alert popped up on his phone.
"A large number of burrow rats have appeared in abandoned warehouses in Jiaying City's northwest."
Investigations revealed that the rats came from a hidden secret realm and were infected with an unknown virus.
They had become highly aggressive and attacked anything that moved. Many innocent civilians were devoured, leaving behind only bones.
Reports confirmed that the rats were dispersing throughout Jiaying City. Residents were urged to stay indoors.
Any suspicious movement should be reported immediately—Pet Guild personnel would respond on the spot.
Ye Bai turned on the TV. The news anchor's expression was grave.
"Breaking news: A spatial rift has appeared in our city, releasing a massive swarm of burrow rats."
"These creatures are extremely aggressive. Jiaying City is now on Level 1 Red Alert."
"All work and school activities are suspended. Do not wander outside. The Pet Guild will patrol all districts."
"Citizens are advised to call the Guild if they notice anything unusual."
"Several schools, including Shenshan Middle School, have opened emergency shelters. Please seek refuge there if needed."
Just then, teacher Zhang Lingxue posted in the student group chat:
"Students, we've received urgent notice—classes are canceled today."
"The school shelter will remain open. Please go there if necessary."
She then privately messaged Ye Bai:
"Ye Bai, it's not safe where you are. You should come to the school shelter—it's safer."
Under normal circumstances, Ye Bai would've gone.
But now, with the Sunflower King and Big Gray's restored strength, he had nothing to fear from first-level beasts.
To Ye Bai, these burrow rats were merely walking experience points.
Maybe this was his chance—to evolve all his second-level sunflowers into Sunflower Kings.
"Da Hui, our chance to restore peace has arrived."
The Sunflower King leapt onto Big Gray's head, a radiant sunflower blooming atop it.
Ye Bai packed enough nectar and headed out.
The streets were deserted. Shops had shut their doors.
Rustling sounds echoed. Ye Bai looked up to see several burrow rats gnawing on a trash can.
The iron bin was like a chew toy to them.
Crunching noises filled the air.
"Come out, Thousand-Change Silkworm."
Ye Bai summoned the silkworm from his pet space. It was its first battle.
The silkworm yawned and charged out. Sensing unfamiliar auras, the burrow rats turned toward it, their red eyes glowing with menace.
Their claws gleamed under the sunlight—sharp and deadly.