At the border of the Azur Water Continent and Dreadfall Forest, in the southern region of the kingdom, stands a massive gate. It was constructed by the cultivators and powerful forces stationed in the Azure Kingdom to prevent monsters and spirits from approaching human settlements. From time to time, beasts—both in small and large groups—attempt to invade for various reasons. However, ever since King Sage Alucard took charge of the kingdom, not once have these creatures succeeded in crossing the gate.

This is one of two great gates built to defend against the Monster Race and Spirit Race. The second, located on the northern side, directly faces the vast Dreadfall Forest.

To the east of the Azur Water Kingdom, the borders connect to two other kingdoms—northeast to the Blue Flame Continent and southeast to the Great Wind Continent. To the west lies the Great and Endless Sea, a vast, mysterious expanse. Due to its unpredictable nature, human settlements are scarce in that region.

Currently, at the southern gate of the Azur Water Continent, which borders the Dreadfall Forest, two figures hover in the air above the massive structure. Their overwhelming auras ripple through the surroundings, and upon closer inspection, one can see rings of different colors on their fingers—symbols of their immense power.

The first figure, Lord Alucard, wears eight rings of mixed blue and sky-blue stones. The second, an elder, has five blue rings on his right hand and two white rings on his left.

"Lord Alucard, I don't understand why you suddenly decided to visit this gate. There doesn't seem to be any trouble here. Even the Monster and Spirit Races have been unusually silent for quite some time."

Alucard's gaze remained fixed on the distant forest. "That is precisely my concern, Great Elder. This silence feels temporary—like the calm before a great storm. We must be prepared."

The elder frowned. "What could trouble you this much, my lord? Are the Titans of Dreadfall Forest making a move? If so, we must inform the other lords and prepare for battle—or, if necessary, retreat strategically."

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Alucard shook his head. "No, there has been no motion from the Titan Race, but something else is coming. I can't pinpoint it, yet I know a great change is about to occur. It could be good... or disastrous for all of us—and for the entire human race."

The elder's expression grew serious. "Something else? What other force, aside from the Titan Race, could make you this uneasy?"

As Alucard continued surveying the forest, the elder pondered aloud. "There can only be two possibilities, my lord. One lies within the Great and Endless Sea, which remains full of mysteries even to us humans. The second…"

Alucard's gaze shifted eastward, his voice dropping into a deep murmur. "The High Hills..."

Zephiron, the elder, nodded. "Both are possibilities."

Alucard's tone turned firm. "Elder, send a group of strong cultivators to inspect the High Hills and the surrounding areas. Report anything unusual. Deploy reinforcements at the gate as well—we must not underestimate the unpredictability of these beasts. As for the sea..."

The elder bowed. "I will make the necessary arrangements, my lord."

Alucard's gaze darkened. "I will personally inspect the western sea border."

"Should I inform the other continents?" Zephiron asked.

Alucard shook his head. "No. They will sense it on their own. This is not just a warning—it is nature itself announcing a change. All races will feel it, just as we do. The high-level beasts lurking in the depths of Dreadfall Forest have already sensed it… and that is the real reason for their silence."

Unbeknownst to the two powerful human cultivators, deep within Dreadfall Forest, a small pigeon-like beast observed them intently. Its beady eyes gleamed with intelligence, yet it remained completely unnoticed.

A deep, ancient voice rumbled through the depths of the forest. "So… the humans have also sensed the approaching storm. But this time, the phenomenon is different. Heavier. It will impact even nature itself."

Another voice responded—this one melodic, almost like a heavenly beauty murmuring. "Indeed. The scale of this reaction is far beyond anything we've seen before. Not even the ascension of our Beast Race powerhouses has ever triggered such a disturbance in nature. Imagine the magnitude of what is coming."

A third voice, deeper yet composed, joined in. "And what is Brother Fang doing during all this? Has he not sensed the change?"

The melodic voice chuckled. "Brother Fang is occupied with handling his own race. He recently cast out some of his own clan members, and it has caused quite a stir."

"With his power, who could possibly trouble him within his own clan?"

"You know their race. Even though they are a high-level race like us—with both intelligence and brute strength—their uncontrollable rage is a common problem. That is why humans fear them as the most terrifying half-beast, half-spirit race."

The deep voice rumbled once more. "Let him handle his own problems. Our focus must be on preparing for what is coming."

The beings conversing in the shadows were none other than the Titan Beasts that Alucard had just spoken of. However, the Titan Beasts were not a single species—but an entire race. Their exact numbers remained unknown, even to humanity. The only information humans possessed was limited to the Titan Races they had encountered.

Now, as the storm of change loomed ever closer, both humans and beasts braced themselves for the unknown.