Though Shelley no longer held Thorne accountable for the mishap that worsened her injuries, her current strength was barely above an ordinary person's—hardly enough to face the impending beast tide, which posed a real challenge.
"You're saying the beast tide might reach here tonight?" Shelley asked, frowning deeply.
"Based on my perception, yes. It's a scale of tens of thousands of magic beasts, possibly including some Transcendent Tier ones," Thorne replied.
"So, what's your plan?"
Thorne's lake was a treasure trove. After the beast tide passed, the magic beasts would surely notice it, and Transcendent Tier ones might even settle here. After all, his spiritually rich water was irresistibly alluring to them.
Thorne fell silent for a moment before asking in a gravely serious tone, "I know you're no ordinary person, but this beast tide won't spare you either. How about we team up?"
"Team up? I'm practically an ordinary person now, Mortal Tier at best. What use am I to you?" Shelley spread her hands, then added, "You don't need to worry too much. As long as you keep your sentience hidden, even Transcendent Tier beasts won't detect you. They'll just use you to bathe or treat you as a giant spiritual energy refill."
Thorne formed a water figure, approached Shelley, and stared into her eyes. "I'm not joking. You know we've got half a day until the beast tide hits. If you won't join me, then please leave."
Shelley put on a pitiful expression, tears glistening in her eyes, looking as if she might cry.
Thorne was unimpressed. "I'm just a lake. That trick doesn't work on me."
Shelley snapped out of it, inwardly cursing her stupidity. She didn't know why she kept treating Thorne like a human—perhaps because his behavior was so human-like, unlike the willow spirits or river spirits she'd encountered before.
"Fine, since you don't want me here, I'll go. Let's hope we never meet again."
Given her condition, staying was the best option, but Thorne's mystery—and the possibility he was some powerhouse's avatar—filled her with dread.
"Better keep my distance. These big shots' games aren't for a small fry like me."
Without further ado, Shelley pulled out a magic scroll, transforming it into a flying carpet, and soared off into the distance.
Thorne watched her receding figure with a pang of envy. "When will I be able to fly freely like that?"
He indulged in the thought only briefly before snapping back to prepare for the approaching beast tide.
Shelley staying would've eased things with her knowledge and mysterious treasures, but she clearly wasn't willing to cooperate.
This was fine—her enigma matched his own secrets, which he didn't want to expose in her presence.
Thorne first summoned Gordon and the Huang Tribe members, using this month's Blessing on them.
Under the gentle white light, Gordon and the others felt as if they were back in their mothers' arms, an indescribable comfort.
When they awoke, Gordon and Tylen found they'd advanced to Mortal Tier Level 3, while the others, previously un修炼 (uncultivated), reached Level 1.
The twenty-plus knelt, praising Thorne from the depths of their hearts.
Thorne's system panel showed their loyalty skyrocketing, all exceeding 80.
"Good. I've blessed you because I need you to do something for me."
Tylen, trembling with excitement, said, "Serving the Lake God is our honor. Please command us, Lord Lake God—we'll die before failing you."
Thorne nodded, pleased. After the spiritual rain and this Blessing, their physical condition had vastly improved. Though the Huang Tribe, like the elves, wielded elemental magic, this advancement still greatly enhanced their bodies.
Their task was to dig deep pits around the lake. Time was short, so Thorne had them focus on one side, filling the pit bottoms with lake water.
Assigning this to Gordon and the others, Thorne turned to the Ghost Thorn Tree and Magic Dragon Gecko.
Lately, busy with skill practice, he'd neglected them. They'd enjoyed the freedom, harassing shore beasts all day.
Thorne ordered the Ghost Thorn Tree to shed some thorns—a damaging task, but unavoidable. After this, it'd gain ample blood and souls to recover and more.
This job went to the Magic Dragon Gecko, whose razor-sharp claws could slice thorns off faster than the tree could pluck them carefully.
The Gecko gleefully climbed the Ghost Thorn Tree, which shuddered in alarm.
Fortunately, their symbiotic bond with Thorne ensured loyalty, and the tree knew the stakes. Success could push it several steps forward.
These were Thorne's only tools—nothing more was possible. For the remaining time, he closely monitored the distant rumblings.
He periodically infused Gordon and the others with spiritual energy to keep them vigorous.
By sunset, with night looming, the eastern pits were only half-dug. It couldn't be helped—many Huang Tribe members were children, and there were just over twenty. Thorne had demanded ten-meter pits—enough to stall ordinary magic beasts climbing out.
Though incomplete, it was better than nothing.
Thorne instructed Gordon to lead the tribe to the lake's west side, where beasts wouldn't reach yet. He couldn't stop all the beasts, so their fate was up to chance.
The roars grew closer, audible even to Gordon and the others. Pale with fear, they looked to the lake, praying for Thorne's protection.
Through the system, Thorne heard their pleas, but they didn't know he was powerless to help fully—he wasn't a true god.