Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 485 Attacked
Daishan.

A cool breeze swept through an unnamed mountain stream.

The stench of blood filled the entire venue.

The heavy footsteps crunched on the gravel, making a sharp, echoing sound in the empty valley.

Liu Lingzhou immediately opened her tightly closed eyes and stared straight at the distance.

A young man dressed in a white Taoist robe with several blue flowing cloud patterns embroidered on the lapel walked slowly over, looking somewhat tired: "Senior Sister Liu, I've cleaned everything up over there."

Liu Lingzhou did not answer, but lowered his head as if he was thinking. After a while, he slowly said, "Junior Brother Zheng, gather everyone back."

"Yes."

Zheng Yuzhu nodded in agreement, took out a talisman from his waist, and gently blew on it. The talisman instantly transformed into several white doves, flapping their wings and disappearing into the horizon.

After a while, more than a dozen figures returned from the surrounding area one after another, all looking exhausted.

Liu Lingzhou glanced at them, her brows furrowing: "Where is Junior Brother Hao?"

Two people in the crowd ducked down and whispered, "Junior Brother Hao was too eager to make a name for himself and chased the monster too far, getting surrounded. When we arrived, he... only had half a corpse left."

These words immediately caused an uproar among the others.

Liu Lingzhou's face turned even paler, then anger surged within her, and she shouted sharply, "Are you all truly not afraid of death? How many times have I told you? The priority is to drive away the demonic beasts, and act according to your capabilities! Have you all been ignoring me?"

No one responded, and no one dared to look up.

After cursing for a while, Liu Lingzhou's mouth became dry, and he suddenly felt a darkness before his eyes and his body sway as if he were about to fall.

"Senior Sister Liu!"

The surrounding Bailu Sect disciples were all greatly alarmed.

Zheng Yuzhu rushed over immediately and helped Liu Lingzhou up: "Senior Sister Liu, are you alright?"

"I am fine."

Liu Lingzhou waved her hand, suppressing her fatigue and discomfort.

She herself was not injured by the demonic beasts, but in order to defeat the demonic beasts in the valley, she forcibly controlled the "Panshan Sword Formation," which consumed a huge amount of mental energy and also caused a slight backlash.

The dizziness you're experiencing right now is just one of the aftereffects.

"you."

Liu Lingzhou raised her head, glanced at the Bailu Sect disciples around her, and wanted to say something, but in the end she just sighed: "Never mind, this place is not safe to stay any longer, let's go back first."
-
"what?"

"Another disciple lost?"

Inside the simple tent, a thin old man with mostly white hair and beard suddenly stood up. His stern voice was filled with barely suppressed anger: "Liu Lingzhou, I placed high hopes on you and specially bestowed upon you the Panshan Sword Formation. Is this how you repay me?"

Liu Lingzhou knelt on the ground, her face filled with remorse: "This disciple has failed Elder Wen and the sect's trust, and is willing to accept punishment."

"All right."

Sitting to the side, Ma Houchen spoke up to smooth things over: "I roughly understand what happened. Lingzhou led the team to break through the beast tide formation and won the battle. The demon beasts scattered and fled in panic. The disciples dispersed to pursue them and were all unharmed. Only Hao Jing underestimated the enemy and acted rashly, which cost her her life. It's no wonder that Lingzhou was in charge."

"I don't care about the process, I only care about the result."

Wen Zhengju snorted heavily, but did not continue to scold Liu Lingzhou. Instead, he sat back down, his brows furrowed, seemingly deep in thought.

Seeing this, Ma Houchen immediately gestured for Liu Lingzhou to stand up and asked with concern, "Does your team still have enough pills and talismans?"

Liu Lingzhou quickly replied, "Reporting to Elder Ma, the rest of the supplies are fine, but we've consumed a lot of Spirit Replenishing Pills and Explosion Talismans."

Ma Houchen nodded, wrote a note and handed it over: "Go find Zhou Qin later to fill the vacancy. I'm afraid we'll need your help in the next two days."

Upon hearing this, Liu Lingzhou hesitated for a moment before speaking her mind: "The number of demonic beasts is enormous, and the sect disciples have been inexperienced in battle for a long time. It's inevitable that they will be at a loss when they first arrive on the battlefield. Is it appropriate to continue sending them to block the beast tide?"

Hao Jing's death was not an isolated case.

In fact, during this period, Bailu Sect has lost as many as five disciples in Daishan.

Wen Zhengju seemed still furious. Hearing Liu Lingzhou question his decision, he roared, "A disciple who neglects cultivation in ordinary times and is self-righteous in wartime, what is the loss of such a disciple?"

"Elder Wen, please calm down!"

Ma Houchen's head ached, and he repeatedly comforted her, then explained to Liu Lingzhou, "It is precisely because the disciples of the sect have been at peace for a long time that this beast tide is an opportunity for them to be trained. Moreover, we cut off the reinforcements of the beast tide from Lingyue Peak, which greatly relieved the pressure on Shengyi Sect, so it can also be considered as carrying out our mission."

Half a month ago, Bai Lumen sent him and Wen Zhengju to investigate the scale and development of the Daishan beast tide.

It doesn't matter if you don't see it, you will be shocked when you see it.

The sight of more than twenty bone-fusion demon cultivators was enough to make even the White Dew Sect's scalp tingle.

But in the end, Bailumen decided to support Shengyimen.

Not only that, Bailu Sect also invited Zhanggongling Fuhu Temple and Yeshan Daode Sect, two major sects, to join forces to send troops. At the same time, they sent Wen Zhengju to persuade Zhenhun Sect to put aside their past grievances, prioritize the overall situation, and jointly resist the threat of the demon race.

After a series of intense planning and negotiations, the four parties finally reached an agreement.

The Bailu Sect, led by Wen Zhengju with Hua Lun as his deputy, sent a hundred disciples to Daishan. The Fuhu Temple sent Huangye Daoist and twenty disciples. The Daode Sect sent Liyuan Daoist and thirty disciples. Even the Zhenhun Sect sent Tong Sinian and fifty disciples.

Of the six Foundation Establishment cultivators, Wen Zhengju was in the late Foundation Establishment stage, while the other five were in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. Add to that over two hundred Qi Refining disciples in the mid and late stages, and this force would be a force to be reckoned with, no matter where it is.

Wen Zhengju, who was acting as the leader of the allied forces, immediately intended to attack the tail of the beast tide and coordinate with the counterattack of Shengyimen.

However, Tong Sinian refused no matter what. His reason was simple: Shengyi Sect had been besieged for too long and its strength was severely depleted, so it might not be able to coordinate with the surprise attack.

If Sheng Yi Sect fails to provide adequate support and cannot hold back the Bone Fusion Demon Cultivators at the front line, these six Foundation Establishment cultivators will be trapped in a deep encirclement.

It should be noted that there were more than five palm-sized demon cultivators among the beast tide!

Tong Sinian's words made sense. Even though Shengyi Sect repeatedly sent out messages emphasizing that they had the strength to fight to the death, Huangye Daoist and Liyuan Daoist still hesitated.

The risk of engaging the beast tide head-on is too great.

After several discussions, the four allied forces decided to adopt a roundabout strategy, namely, to cut off the reinforcements of the beast tide at Lingyue Peak by blocking the small swarm of beasts from Puyin Mountain to Daishan Mountain.

As time goes on, the scale of the beast tide on Lingyue Peak will inevitably shrink due to the stubborn resistance of Shengyi Sect.

At that time, the four allied forces, together with Shengyimen, will launch a counterattack, greatly increasing their chances of victory.

Under this strategic plan, Liu Lingzhou and other disciples of the Bailu Sect divided into five teams and launched repeated attacks. In just seven or eight days, a vacuum zone was formed between Daishan and Puyinshan.

Of course, this also came at the cost of some casualties.

Upon hearing Ma Houchen's explanation, Liu Lingzhou fell silent for a moment.

She knew in her heart that the elders were considering the bigger picture.

Since the sect is going to support Shengyi Sect in fighting against the beast tide, casualties are inevitable. If they don't train in front of small groups of beast tides now, the losses will only be more severe during the great battle at Lingyue Peak.

Even so, she was still sad.

In the elders' eyes, Hao Jing was nothing more than a cold, indifferent name. How many times had they met Hao Jing, and how much did they really know about him?

But in her presence, Hao Jing lived up to his name, being a well-behaved and quiet junior brother who obeyed her every word. She never imagined that Hao Jing would lose his mind on the battlefield and fight to the death with the demonic beast.

However, this is the battlefield.

There are too many unpredictable things.

Hao Jing died in battle today, but who will die tomorrow?
With a heavy heart, Liu Lingzhou bowed and withdrew, heading towards the northwest corner of the camp.

In any case, once you've accepted the mission, there's no turning back.

All she could do was try her best to save her junior brothers' lives. "Senior Brother Zhou! It's me, Lingzhou."

Before long, Liu Lingzhou arrived at another, slightly smaller tent and called out softly.

A middle-aged man with unkempt hair lifted the curtain and glanced at her.

Liu Lingzhou immediately explained his purpose: "Senior Brother Zhou, I have been granted permission by Elder Ma to come and replenish the supplies consumed by the Second Team. You..."

She stopped mid-sentence, her gaze fixed on the bluish-purple tinge on Zhou Qin's face.

Zhou Qin's cultivation level was not high, only at the sixth level of Qi Refining, and he had been unable to break through to the late stage of Qi Refining for many years.

Logically speaking, such a person should only be a marginal figure in Bailumen.

However, Zhou Qin's background is extraordinary; his father is Zhou Yuanchen, the elder of Bailu Sect who guards Dahuang Town.

While Zhou Yuanchen couldn't elevate his son to a high position and make him a powerful figure, securing him a good job wasn't difficult. The recent rescue of Daishan by Bailu Sect, where Zhou Qin was unfortunately selected but not sent to the front lines, instead being assigned to guard and distribute important supplies like pills and talismans at the camp, is a good example of this.

This wasn't the first time Liu Lingzhou had dealt with Zhou Qin. However, Zhou Qin gave her a strange feeling at this moment, especially the bluish-purple bruises on his face, which revealed a familiar eeriness.

"What's wrong?"

Zhou Qin's voice and demeanor were normal.

Liu Lingzhou frowned and pointed to his face: "Senior Brother Zhou, are you poisoned?"

Zhou Qin was stunned for a moment, then slapped himself in frustration: "It seems my disguise skills are still not up to par, and I have made 'Junior Sister Liu' laugh at me."

"Disguise?"

Liu Lingzhou's expression changed drastically. She took several steps back, drawing her long sword from her waist as she demanded sharply, "What disguise technique? Who are you?"

Zhou Qin stepped forward, staring intently at Liu Lingzhou, and licked his lips: "Speaking of which, this isn't our first meeting. I noticed you last time in Dahuang Town."

"Dahuang Town?"

Liu Lingzhou quickly searched her memory.

Suddenly, she recalled a horde of corpses that seemed to stretch to the sky, and her heart skipped a beat. She blurted out, "Are you the Mangjiao heretic who attacked Great Wilderness Town?"

"The name 'demon' sounds rather awful."

Zhou Qin grinned and gently patted his cheeks with both hands.

In an instant, his face transformed into a bluish-purple one, his two bewitching eyes darting around as if adjusting to his new identity, his tone tinged with mockery: "I am Yin Guangyang, let's get to know each other again."

"Qiang!"

Liu Lingzhou suddenly drew her sword, as fast as lightning.

The sword tip struck Yin Guangyang's face, producing a sound like metal striking stone.

Liu Lingzhou's expression changed, and she retreated again, while simultaneously pinching the communication talisman in her hand, coldly questioning, "What did you do to Senior Brother Zhou?"

Yin Guangyang twisted his neck back and forth, then rubbed his hair before slowly replying, "I thought his face looked familiar and I found it interesting, so I turned him into a zombie. Would you like to see it?"

Before he finished speaking, a nauseating stench wafted from inside the tent.

Immediately afterwards, a stiff corpse slowly crawled out. Its slightly raised face was deathly pale, and bloodstains remained on its gouged eyes. Yet, a smile lingered on its lips, as if it were silently mocking Liu Lingzhou.

"Senior Brother Zhou?"

Liu Lingzhou trembled all over, her lips were bitten and blood dripped slowly from the corner of her mouth.

An uncontrollable rage surged from the depths of her heart, threatening to burn away her reason. She could no longer bear it. The longsword in her hand burst forth with dazzling light, and the sword energy surged like a raging dragon emerging from the sea, slashing fiercely towards Yin Guangyang.

"boom!"

With a deafening roar, the tent in front of them was instantly torn apart, turning into countless fragments.

"who!"

Angry shouts rose and fell, and dozens of streaks of light shot up from the ground.

"Senior Sister Liu?"

"Come here quickly!"

In just a few breaths, Liu Lingzhou was surrounded by disciples of the White Dew Sect. Two Foundation Establishment cultivators, Wen Zhengju and Ma Houchen, arrived silently, their gazes icy.

"You heretic from the Mang Cult!"

Liu Lingzhou immediately reminded him.

All eyes were drawn to the smoke and dust.

Soon, the smoke dissipated.

Yin Guangyang dusted himself off, revealing his gleaming white teeth: "As expected of the Bailu Sect's hospitality, even after experiencing it several times, it still makes me unhappy every time."

"Yin Guangyang, you dare to offend my Bailu Sect all by yourself?"

When Wen Zhengju saw the other party's true face, he was furious.

Although Yin Guangyang is a newcomer to the Mang Sect, he has been unusually active in recent years. Especially after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, he has repeatedly attacked the Bailu Sect and has become one of the most important wanted criminals of the Bailu Sect.

"one person?"

Yin Guangyang shook his head repeatedly: "Then you're overestimating how afraid I am of death."

Upon hearing this, Ma Houchen's pupils suddenly contracted, as if sensing something, and he abruptly turned around. He saw a man shrouded in a black robe standing on a tree not far away.

"escape!"

Ma Houchen's voice boomed like thunder, and he exuded an astonishing aura.

The disciples of the White Dew Sect in the camp were all stunned. Before they could react, an unprecedented sense of oppression came from all directions.

At the same time, a faint rustling sound came from the surroundings, as if something was quietly approaching.
-
"Report!"

The lengthy announcement echoed throughout the camp.

A pale-faced disciple of the Soul Suppressing Sect rushed into the tent and knelt down: "Report, the White Dew Sect has been attacked. The situation is unclear. The Tiger Subduing Sect has sent someone to request reinforcements."

Tong Sinian, who was sitting at the head of the table, immediately stood up, frowning: "Are you kidding me?"

As the leading force in Pu County, Bailu Sect has a profound foundation. This time, it has sent three Foundation Establishment cultivators and hundreds of elite disciples to be stationed at Dai Mountain. Nearby, Fuhu Temple, Daode Sect, and their Zhenhun Sect camps are also providing support.

Who would dare attack them?

Who has the power to attack them?
The disciple, panting heavily, presented a blood-stained jade slip: "At first, I didn't believe it either, but Fuhu Temple said it was a personal message from Daoist Huangye, and instructed me to make sure it reached you."

Tong Sinian took the jade slip and closed his eyes slightly.

Almost instantly, he threw the jade slip away, strode out of the camp, and said in a cold and decisive voice: "Gather all disciples and immediately enter a state of combat readiness!"

"Are we going to rescue Bailu Gate?"

The messenger disciple hurriedly caught up.

"No!"

Tong Sinian paused, then replied in a deep voice, "Let's go to Lingyue Peak!"

(End of this chapter)