Barely past midnight, a sudden energy tide surged across most of Southgate Garrison!

At the epicenter—City C—the monitoring map in the Demonhunter Patrol Squad headquarters flickered with frantic red alerts, as if hacked.

Countless red dots erupted district by district, instantly blanketing the entire city.

Each dot signaled an imminent Sky Rift.

The staff watching the screen shouted hoarsely:

"Hurry! Issue highest combat readiness! Connect all Patrol Squads immediately!

Order every squad to engage at full alert!"

Soon, all Patrol Squad bases in City C received sector-specific monitoring feeds.

Just as Lai Yingxin and Han Xiangxue prepared to notify Qu Yi, her figure appeared on-screen.

Qu Yi gripped Ye Thirteen’s trench coat, standing with him atop a skyscraper.

Following their gaze upward, the two girls saw the pitch-black sky now stained with an eerie, mesmerizing spectrum of colors.

As Qu Yi, Lai Yingxin, and Han Xiangxue watched in dread, Ye Thirteen’s calm voice cut through:

"At last, it’s shown its hand."

*The situation is actually better than imagined.*

Ye Thirteen thought.

Since the mic was live for Qu Yi’s notification, the three girls heard him—and inexplicably, their anxious hearts stilled.

Qu Yi tilted her head toward him and asked softly,

"Uncle… what is this?"

Ye Thirteen replied evenly,

"A sudden energy tide surge. No large Sky Rifts triggered, but the affected area is vast—likely most of Southgate Garrison.

We’re near the epicenter. If we hold, other sectors should stabilize.

Only the border… but with Guardian Qu there, it’ll be fine.

Still… a nationwide-scale energy tide like this is unprecedented. I hope everyone can handle it."

His steady tone soothed their frantic hearts.

Lai Yingxin snapped out of her daze. "I’ll transfer the feed to my phone. We’ll rendezvous shortly—operate together tonight!"

Qu Yi nodded. "Good. Sending coordinates."

Amid fading panic, official broadcasts urged citizens indoors. Agency personnel calmly guided residents away from convergence zones.

Ye Thirteen and Qu Yi glanced once at the evacuating crowds, then fixed their eyes on the swirling, eerie energy tide.

As civilians streamed toward safety, Demonhunter Patrol Squads charged *against* the tide—straight into danger.

Though not new, journalists still captured the scene:

*The heroes moving against the current—the Demonhunter Patrol Squads guarding the city.*

In that moment, elders recalled the demons that once ruled their fears… and the light that once pierced despair.

The roar of heavy motorcycles approached.

Lai Yingxin and Han Xiangxue parked, fully geared, and sprinted over.

Qu Yi took the Arcane Energy Longsword Han Xiangxue handed her, eyes gleaming with resolve.

At that instant, headquarters crackled through their earpieces:

"Sector 069! Your energy tide readings are highest. Report immediately if overwhelmed!"

The three girls responded in unison: "Yes, sir!"

*Phew…*

In City C HQ, a short-haired woman slumped into her chair, releasing a held breath.

The incident struck suddenly—but within ten minutes, every squad stood ready at designated zones.

Before the mayor’s initiative, she’d have worried: too few High-tier Demonhunters to cover all sectors.

But now, every Patrol Squad had an Ace Demon Hunter or higher anchoring them.

Some had called it wasteful—"just a private tutor."

Since squads funded it themselves, critics only grumbled.

Now? Pure brilliance.

Without it, even authorities couldn’t mobilize so many High-tier Demonhunters this fast.

Still, staff stared at monitors, hearts pounding. *Nationwide first. No playbook.*

After finalizing deployments, the woman dialed her office line.

*Beep… beep… beep…*

Connection. She snapped to attention.

"Commander! City C has multiple energy tide convergence points. Requesting backup as precaution!"

"Director Huang, no backup tonight. Demons beyond Southgate Garrison launched a full assault.

Even Guardian Qu is now on the fortress walls."

If Qu Yi heard it, she’d recognize the voice—her mother, Xia Qing.

Weary. Uncharacteristically drained.

Director Huang froze. *Guardian Qu deployed?!*

Only one reason: high-tier demons at the border.

Not fifth- or sixth-tier. To move Guardian Qu? At least a Tier-eight Demon.

A Tier-eight Demon meant either a Greater Demon or a Demon King—beings capable of erasing cities.

Xia Qing’s tired voice continued: "So… can your unit manage without support?"

"Affirmative! Leave it to us, Commander! We trust the border to your team."

"Mm. And we trust the city to yours."

Xia Qing hung up.

Clad in battle armor atop Southgate Garrison, her crimson hair whipped in the wind.

She watched a mountain-sized demon advance step by step.

Each footfall sent a faint tremor through the fortress beneath her.