Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 470 Dilemma
Li Xiangming stood up in frustration and paced around the room.

The two demon-hunting groups, Mad Lion and Vicious Dog, had briefly come into contact with the main force of the beast tide. According to their intelligence, the beast tide numbered five or six hundred thousand, with no fewer than a thousand demon cultivators at the Spirit Awakening stage, and at least four even at the Bone Fusion stage.

This is significantly larger than the beast tide outside the Maojing mine.

With only five hundred members in the Demon Suppression Camp, going head-to-head with them would be tantamount to courting death.

Fortunately, the beast tide split into two groups, which were conveniently separated by Monkey Valley.

Therefore, in Li Xiangming's view, the ideal outcome would be to take advantage of the fact that the beast tide had not yet been surrounded and to actively lure the northern beast tide to Jinlinpo for a decisive battle to annihilate it.

Even if the casualties in this battle are high, it will be worthwhile as long as the possibility of the beast tide gathering together is broken. Because after that, the Demon Suppression Camp can protect itself and focus on preserving Monkey Valley, without having to fight a decisive battle with the beast tide again.

However, the beast tide to the south might not stand idly by and watch him carry out his plan.

Li Qianshi believed that the beast tide in the north had been quiet for a long time and would surely become restless and would most likely attack Monkey Valley.

But in reality, the beast tide to the south is the one that is most restless. Perhaps before the beast tide to the north moves south, the beast tide to the south has already attacked.

The peace we enjoy today is merely the calm before the storm.

If he recklessly opens up the Jinlinpo battlefield, then Monkey Valley will be in grave danger! If he does nothing, with the existing personnel and resources, he may not be able to withstand the attack from the two beast tides.

In addition, he must also consider off-field factors.

Whether it was the Li family reinforcements arriving at Monkey Valley being rammed, the Crimson Flame Demon Hunting Team escorting supplies being attacked, or the retreating Vicious Dog Demon Hunting Team being suddenly surrounded, all these events indicate that in addition to the conflict between the Li family, the demon-hunting cultivators, and the demon beasts, there exists a mysterious force that is eyeing the Li family covetously.

The Qin family of Red Stone Valley!
This was the first person Li Xiangming suspected.

The Li family doesn't have many enemies, and only the Qin family has a motive to deal with them. Those black-clad men who would rather die than surrender also bear some resemblance to disciples of the Tongbei Sect.

If this is true, the pressure Li Xiangming faces will undoubtedly be enormous.

Because the Qin family has the ability to deal with him personally!
Of course, the Qin family might not necessarily send Foundation Establishment cultivators deep into Pudong.

After all, nothing stays hidden forever. If the Qin family's progress in building their foundation is exposed, the Geng family will not show any mercy.

When the two Foundation Establishment cultivators clash, the Geng family will have continuous support from Meiling and Danggui Mountain, while the Qin family will have nothing—by the time the people from Red Stone Valley arrive, it will be too late.

The lessons learned from the Five Scattered Sects are still vivid in my mind.

Having suffered a loss before, the Qin family should consider this matter carefully.

Even if they don't send Foundation Establishment cultivators, just a few Qi Refining cultivators are enough to give Li Xiangming a headache.

They have spies in Monkey Valley and even in the Demon Suppression Camp.

Even the Crimson Flame Demon Hunting Group, a core demon hunting group, had spies planted in its ranks.

Who knows if other demon-hunting groups don't have them?
Thinking about this, Li Xiangming had an even bigger headache.

He's facing internal and external troubles right now, and his mind is a complete mess.

Seeing Li Xiangming's troubled expression, the cultivators present all fell silent.

They had already heard about Li Jihu and the others' ordeal, and they understood that in addition to the beast tide, Monkey Valley was now being targeted by some people with ulterior motives.

Xu Buxiu was particularly concerned about this point. He glanced at everyone and said fiercely, "If I find out who is behind this, I will definitely twist their dog's head off."

No one agreed.

Especially Hu Qidao and Chi Laiyong, the leaders of the demon-hunting teams.

The so-called demon-hunting groups are not military organizations; they are merely groups of cultivators banding together for survival. Based on this understanding, almost all demon-hunting groups have very low entry standards.

It's simply a matter of having reached the required cultivation level, plus the fact that the leader has a good impression of them.

That's it.

In fact, most large demon-hunting groups have the habit of planting spies in other demon-hunting groups.

These informants were far from being trusted confidants; they made a living by selling information about the whereabouts of the infiltrated demon-hunting teams and the buying and selling of demon beast materials, often going hungry.

However, the spies controlled by the mysterious force are clearly very different from the informants commonly found in Puyin Mountain.

Now that the Demon Suppression Camp has suffered repeated setbacks, everyone is on edge. No one dares to take the blame for "indulging traitors," nor can they guarantee that there are no moles in their own group.

Seeing that their minds were already in turmoil, Li Xiangming waved his hand and said, "Go and rest, but don't leave Taibai Restaurant. The threat of the beast tide is imminent, and we must come up with a plan as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, the group exchanged glances and silently withdrew.

After watching their figures disappear, Li Xiangming remained silent for a long time before pinching the communication talisman in his hand.

A short while later, a sleepy-eyed, bald monk pushed open the door and entered.

Li Xiangming looked up and frowned slightly: "What kind of hairstyle is this?"

Master Liaoshen looked down at himself and realized that he was wearing his robe inside out. He smiled awkwardly and said, "I came in a hurry and didn't notice. I hope Master Li will forgive me."

Li Xiangming didn't reply, but just silently observed him.

Not only were Master Liaoshen's clothes disheveled, but he also reeked of a sour smell, clearly indicating that he hadn't washed himself for many days. Even his bald head was covered with a thin layer of stubble, a far cry from his usual saying, "Buddha relies on gold plating, and people rely on clothing."

"Is the monk blaming me for not keeping my promise?"

Li Xiangming asked directly.

Master Liaoshen shook his head and smiled calmly: "I never expected anything, so why blame me?"

Li Xiangming sighed, his tone apologetic: "I was injured at Jinlinpo that day and rushed home without making proper arrangements, which caused the Master to suffer."

Master Liaoshen did not respond, but simply stood quietly.

Upon seeing this, Li Xiangming immediately stood up and solemnly said, "Now that I have regained control of the Demon Suppression Camp, the promises of the past remain valid. The Master will still be the Deputy Commander of the Demon Suppression Camp. This is my latest plan; please review it, Master."

As he spoke, he handed over a piece of paper covered with names written on it.

Master Liaoshen took the paper, his gaze sweeping over its contents, his expression gradually becoming solemn.

After a long pause, he asked in a deep voice, "You want to break up the Demon Suppression Camp into smaller units?"

"Yes."

Li Xiangming nodded: "My original intention in establishing the Demon Suppression Camp was to better coordinate cultivators from all walks of life. But in reality, the main force of the Demon Suppression Camp has always been the major demon hunting groups such as Divine Wind, Golden Eye, and Mad Lion. The leaders of these demon hunting groups are all my confidants and are not difficult to command. But they have one problem, which is that they have difficulty cooperating with each other. In addition, there is almost no cooperation between them and the cultivators of the Li family, as well as the other lone wolf cultivators who signed up to join the camp."

At this point, Li Xiangming's tone became more serious: "In my opinion, although the Demon Suppression Camp has a commander, it has not yet demonstrated the necessary organizational capacity, let alone the power of hundreds of people to turn the tide. With the beast tide about to besiege Monkey Valley, and our lives hanging in the balance, the Demon Suppression Camp cannot continue like this."

Master Liaoshen frowned and asked, "But if we break it down into smaller groups, with three people per squad, wouldn't our strength be even more dispersed?"

Li Xiangming explained in detail: "Three people form a sentry, and an experienced person is selected as the sentry leader; three sentries form a team, with a team leader; three teams form a commandery, with a commander; three commanderies form a division, with a division commander; five divisions form a battalion, with a commander and two deputy commanders. If it is to gather military intelligence, one sentry is enough, which improves efficiency and reduces the risk of exposure; if it is to deal with a large-scale beast tide, one or several divisions can be dispatched, and the strength will not be dispersed."

(End of this chapter)