Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 471 Seeking Advice
Organizing demon-hunting cultivators into a formal organization has always been Li Xiangming's vision for the Demon-Suppressing Camp.

This idea has three major advantages.

Firstly, it reduces the prejudice between different demon-hunting groups.

We are all in the same trench. Even if we come from different backgrounds, we share the same fate. At least we will not see a situation where the vicious dog demon-hunting team is still fighting to the death with the demon beasts while the mad lion demon-hunting team has already run back to Monkey Valley.

Secondly, it balanced the combat strength of each unit.

Judging from their average cultivation level, the Li family members led by Li Xiangyu and Li Qianshi are the strongest in the Demon Suppression Camp, followed by the disciples of Green Cloud Cave such as Zhang Min and Fang Renkui, then the vassal cultivators such as Luo Silin and Zhang Can, and the demon-hunting group cultivators such as Shenfeng and Jintong are in the fourth tier. As for the "lone wolf" demon-hunting cultivators who were recruited, they are at the bottom.

However, average cultivation level does not represent combat strength.

The Green Cloud Cave only had ten people, while the Golden Eyes Demon Hunting Team had ninety people, almost one-fifth of the entire Demon Suppression Camp.

Even if the disciples of Green Cloud Cave are skilled fighters, how could they withstand a numerical disadvantage of nearly ten times?
Putting aside Li Xiangyu, the Golden Eye Demon Hunting Team is an even more important pillar in the Demon Suppression Camp than the Li family members.

But what about the other monster-hunting groups?
For example, the Mad Lion Demon Hunting Group is far inferior to the Golden Eye Demon Hunting Group in terms of both average cultivation level and number of members.

To ensure the completion and efficiency of the mission, Li Xiangming had to rely more on veteran demon-hunting teams like Golden Eyes and Divine Wind, thus reducing the opportunities for the Mad Lion Demon-Hunting Team to grow.

If he could shuffle all the demon-hunting cultivators and organize them into squads according to their cultivation level, and then further organize the squads into the main force, he could, to some extent, balance the combat power of each unit and improve the efficiency of personnel management and mission execution.

Third, it reduced the harm caused by traitors.

The Crimson Flame Demon Hunting Group's mission to escort supplies was top secret, as was their route. The reason they were attacked was simply because the men in black had obtained information about Wu Xian, their inside man.

The same principle applies to the Vicious Dog Demon-Hunting Team.

There is more than one tunnel connecting their bridgehead to Monkey Valley.

But the path they were on was the only one that was dug up; the truth of the matter is self-evident.

In times of war, the harm caused by traitors is enormous.

Li Xiangming had considered a large-scale purge, but completely eradicating the Demon Suppression Camp in a short time was unrealistic. The beast tide wouldn't wait; it might not be long before they attacked Monkey Valley.

At that time, the Demon Suppression Camp was in a state of panic. What could they possibly use to fight the enemy?
Li Xiangming had no choice but to settle for second best and try to minimize the damage caused by the traitor, such as incorporating the demon-suppressing camp cultivators into small three-person sentry teams.

In this way, the traitor must also be in a sentry post.

When a small sentry is on a mission alone, the traitor is almost useless.

They wouldn't risk exposure to persecute just two people.

When a large force at the "Du" or "Si" level encounters a problem, each sentry can quickly prove its innocence—a large operation involving dozens of people may be chaotic, but you can always keep an eye on your two teammates, right?
In short, organizing the Demon Suppression Camp into an organized system is the best way Li Xiangming can think of to deal with the current crisis, and it also lays the groundwork for him to completely control this force in the future.

Once you're called commander, you're a commander for life!
After hearing Li Xiangming's idea, Master Liaoshen fell into a deathly silence.

I don't know how much time passed, but his expression was strange, and he seemed to want to say something but stopped.

"Master, please speak frankly."

Li Xiangming had been observing the other person's expression and immediately spoke.

Deep down, he also wanted to know Master Shen's opinion on this.

Master Liaoshen hesitated for a long time before finally asking, "Does Hall Master Li intend to take over the mountain?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming immediately stood up and stared into Master Shen's eyes.

Master Liaoshen showed no fear and met Li Xiangming's gaze.

After a long pause, Li Xiangming sat down and slowly said, "The Daishan and Daishan sects have been powerful for generations. Although my Li family has accumulated strength over time, we are still lacking in the necessary skills. However, if something happens to Daishan and the two sects lose their virtue, such a blessed land should naturally be occupied by a capable person."

Master Liaoshen laughed heartily, folded the white paper in his hand into a strip, put it into his sleeve, then knelt on the ground and respectfully bowed to Li Xiangming, saying, "If Commander Li has such ambition, I am willing to do my best to help him."

Li Xiangming quickly helped Master Shen up, gently patted his arm, and earnestly said, "Master, there's no need for such formalities. It is truly my great fortune to have your help."

The two looked at each other and smiled, as if at that moment, the mountain weighing on their hearts had lightened a bit.

"Master, Monkey Valley is currently beset by internal and external troubles. Is there any way to break this deadlock?"

Li Xiangming personally brewed a pot of hot tea for Master Shen.

“In order to fight against the outside world, we must first make peace with the inside.”

Master Liaoshen answered without hesitation.

"Isn't reforming the Demon Suppression Camp enough?" Li Xiangming frowned. Although the traitors within were hateful, they were not enough to overthrow the Demon Suppression Camp. However, the beast tides on the north and south wings were enough to raze Monkey Valley to the ground.

There are priorities.

At this critical juncture, he still wanted to hold off the beast tide first.

"How many people were in the Crimson Flame Demon Hunting Group?"

Master Liaoshen asked a question.

After a moment's recollection, Li Xiangming replied, "About twenty or thirty people."

Do you think that's too much?

"They've already reached the size of a medium-sized demon-hunting group."

"Then why can't they have more?"

Master Liaoshen glanced at Li Xiangming and said seriously, "If the Demon Suppression Camp resists the beast tide and these people riot in Monkey Valley, will you prioritize resisting the beast tide or suppressing the riot?"

Li Xiangming's expression changed slightly.

Master Liaoshen continued, "The Wuxian you mentioned has only been with the Crimson Flame Demon Hunting Group for a year. The two demon-hunting cultivators who rammed the Li family's convoy are also new faces who have only been active in Monkey Valley for half a year. This is enough to show that although the mysterious forces attach great importance to Monkey Valley and have sent many spies here, these spies have not been infiltrating for long, and there should not be many who have infiltrated the Demon Suppression Camp. It was fine if we didn't know before, but now that we know they are deliberately targeting us, why not take this opportunity to eliminate them in one fell swoop?"

Li Xiangming pondered for a moment: "How can we eliminate them?"

"We should turn the tables on them."

Master Liaoshen dipped his finger in the tea and gestured a few characters on his monk's robe.

Seeing this, Li Xiangming slowly exhaled: "I will definitely act according to the plan. If we can eliminate this great scourge, Master Liaoshen will deserve the greatest credit."

"where."

Master Liaoshen waved his hand and said modestly, "What you said is not wrong. The internal traitor is just a minor problem. The key to resolving this crisis is to stop the beast tide."

Li Xiangming readily agreed and was about to ask for further advice.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, he stopped pouring tea and took out a pink communication talisman from his storage bag.

"What happened?"

Master Liaoshen glanced at the communication talisman and stopped drinking his tea.

Li Xiangming frowned: "The Lingluo Merchant Guild said they would donate five thousand spirit stones to me to fight off the beast tide."

"Lingluo Trading Company?"

Master Liaoshen seemed to have never heard of this name before. After searching his memory for a long time without success, he had no choice but to give up.

However, Li Xiangming was no stranger to this name. He not only knew it, but had also dealt with Lingluo Fairy, the owner of the Lingluo Chamber of Commerce.

Who is Fairy Lingluo?

They bully the weak and fear the strong, and they seize by trickery and force.
Even after arriving at Monkey Valley, they still formed cliques, stirred up trouble, and manipulated Madam Feng at will.

Li Xiangming had absolutely no liking for her and had long ago listed her as the second most troublesome person after Madam Zhen.

The only thing that made Li Xiangming acknowledge the other party was the financial strength of the Lingluo Chamber of Commerce.

Before the beast tide arrived, the Lingluo Merchant Guild spent a huge sum of money to buy a cave worth 2000 spirit stones, which made him very happy. It was for this reason that he had always turned a blind eye to the Lingluo Merchant Guild.

Last time, he convened a meeting of members of the Puyin Mountain Guild Hall to discuss donating money to the Demon Suppression Camp to resist the beast tide.

Most people donated, including the Lingluo Merchant Guild, which donated 500 spirit stones.

To be honest, Li Xiangming was already quite satisfied.

Who would have thought that the Lingluo Merchant Guild would suddenly donate ten times the amount of spirit stones?

Master Liaoshen was also surprised when he heard the news.

Five thousand spirit stones, not five hundred!

Even for a large chamber of commerce, this amount of money is enormous.

(End of this chapter)