Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 567 The troops are approaching the city
The mountain ravine in the twilight is as deep and secluded as a snake winding its way through the landscape.

Zhou Miao hunched over, moving close to the ravine wall. Behind him, Yang Yun gripped a dagger tightly, his breathing extremely low: "Chief Zhou, the demonic beasts have indeed moved towards Fish Belly Valley."

Zhou Miao stared intently at the endless stream of monsters in front of him, licking his lips: "This was expected. The existence of Fish Belly Valley is no longer a secret. The beast tide from Lingdong attacked the Xu family yesterday."

"But the Demon Suppression Camp is still in Lingxi."

Suddenly, a young cultivator wearing red leather armor interjected.

Zhou Miao turned around and looked at him: "That's because our commander is waiting for the Yin Sha Ghost Bat to appear. If we can't eliminate the two Bone Fusion Demon Cultivators in one go, the scattered demon beasts around will gather around."

The red-armored cultivator seemed to be deep in thought.

Soon, most of the monsters in sight had gone far away, but on the distant high ground, more than a dozen monkey-type monsters were still swinging happily in the trees, seemingly seeing off the troops.

Zhou Miao frowned. He hadn't expected the beast tide to be more cautious than he had imagined, and to know how to look out for its own way.

"Who dares to approach and lure these monkey demons down?"

"I!"

"I go."

Several people spoke in unison.

Zhou Miao glanced at the demon-suppressing camp cultivators beside her, her gaze finally settling on Yang Yun and the red-armored cultivator.

The monkey troop doesn't seem to be very powerful or intelligent. If we lure them out, we can easily wipe them out with the help of everyone. Therefore, this is a good opportunity to show off.

"Yang Yun, you go ahead."

Zhou Miao remained silent for a while before finally choosing Yang Yun.

Even the best opportunities come with danger. Although he wanted the red-armored cultivator to perform well, this kid came from the Li family of Dangui Mountain, a noble family, but his cultivation was not high, and he was a newcomer. If something happened to him, he could not bear the responsibility.

Li Jiyan was disappointed when he didn't receive the task.

The family mobilized its members to resist the beast tide, and each hall sent people, including the Guardian Hall. Both he and Li Jiguang are currently serving in the Demon Suppression Camp.

However, Li Jiguang was assigned to the Mingqiao Division, while he went to the Yanji Division.

The Yanji Division was composed of former members of the Demon Suppression Camp, and there were very few members of the Li family. Perhaps for this reason, everyone took good care of him and assigned him many of the tasks that should have been his responsibility.

He had already accepted it, after all, he was indeed a newcomer.

But this time, Zhou Dutou assigned the task he could complete to Yang Yun.

It should be noted that Yang Yun's cultivation level was only comparable to his.

"Chief Zhou!"

Li Jiyan took a deep breath, wanting to speak frankly—he was unwilling to be someone who relied on others for comfort and security.

"it is good!"

Just then, a cheer from the side interrupted his thoughts.

Li Jiyan was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously looked at the high ground in the distance, only to see that Yang Yun had already started fighting with the demon.

The two monkey demons at the front were bound by the flexible wooden strips in just one round and lost their heads to the sharp daggers.

"Xiaoyun's technique is so clean and efficient that even I can't match it."

“Our Detective Division is understaffed. In my opinion, Xiaoyun can at least be a squad leader.”

"As expected of the person chosen by Hall Master Li."

There was a lot of chatter around.

Li Jiyan clenched his fists. Yang Yun's abilities were beyond his imagination. If it were him, he would never have been able to deal with the two early-stage Spirit Summoning monkey demons so easily.

And that's exactly what he finds hard to accept.

How could a member of the prestigious Li family be inferior to a mere rogue cultivator?

If Ji Guang were here, he would definitely be able to overpower Yang Yun.
However, Li Jiyan abandoned the idea in an instant.

A green robe flashed through his mind, and he vividly remembered the other man's words that he would recommend him to Xiufeng Academy. He had also been appreciated by that man.

No matter what, he had to defeat Yang Yun and Ji Guang!
"Xiaoyun, watch out!"

As Li Jiyan was filled with distracting thoughts, the situation on the field had already changed drastically.

After dealing with the two monkey demons, Yang Yun did not rush to the high ground aggressively. Instead, he maintained a safe distance and attracted all the dozen or so monkey demons on the high ground to his side.

The plan is proceeding smoothly!
Suddenly, a strange creature with a white face and black eyes jumped out from the monkey troop, grabbed a rock with both hands, and hurled it fiercely at Yang Yun.

Before the stone even hit the ground, it exploded violently under the influence of demonic power, just like a fire talisman.

Yang Yun hurriedly tried to dodge, but was still caught in the blast wave and stumbled into a ravine, disappearing from sight.

Upon seeing this, Li Jiyan got up without saying a word and rushed over!

"Jiyan, come back!"

Zhou Miao was terrified. One was a trusted confidant of Alliance Leader Li, and the other was a member of the Li family. If they were to perish in this small Gushe Ridge, the consequences would be unimaginable.

But at this moment, Li Jiyan could hardly hear anything else.

He stared intently at the demon before him, his figure moving like lightning, closing in to within a hundred feet in the blink of an eye. His fingertips suddenly changed their magic, and more than ten fire crows shrieked as they shot out, heading straight for the black-eyed monkey demon.

The black-eyed monkey demon blinked, seemingly puzzled, yet also somewhat amused. It threw away the stone in its hand and charged towards Li Jiyan. The flying fire crows fell one after another, but none of them could truly hit it.

"So fast!"

When the terrifying face of the black-eyed monkey demon came into view, Li Jiyan's mouth went dry, his heart skipped a beat, and most of his courage vanished instantly.

He is a demon cultivator in the late stage of the Spirit Summoning realm!

Li Jiyan finally realized he had acted impulsively, but it was too late. The black-eyed monkey demon not only did not stop, but its speed increased by three points. Its bronze palm, wrapped with immense demonic power, clenched tightly.

Li Jiyan dared not compete, and focused solely on drawing upon his magical power to create a protective shield.

However, his magical shield was as fragile as paper. The moment they met, it was shattered by the black-eyed monkey demon's palm, and he was thrown away like a kite with a broken string.

The black-eyed monkey demon was relentless, relentlessly pursuing Li Jiyan. Before he even landed, it intended to kill him all in mid-air.

In the nick of time, four long wooden strips shot up from the ravine, two of which struck the black-eyed monkey demon, while the other two bound Li Jiyan and dragged him down.

"Roar!"

Enraged by the obstruction, the black-eyed monkey demon gripped a wooden stick in each hand, his arm muscles bulging as he suddenly exerted force.

"Click!"

Yang Yun's figure suddenly froze in the ravine. He was actually dragged out of his hiding place by this brute force. His face turned pale and a look of disbelief flashed in his eyes.

The Thousand Machine Dragon Binding Box is ingeniously constructed. With just a little effort, the mechanism inside the box can amplify the dragging force of the wooden strips tenfold, making it easy to move even a heavy cauldron weighing a thousand pounds.

But at this moment, the box creaked under the strain of the monkey demon's struggle. Just how terrifying was the strength of this beast?
He dared not delay, manipulated the mechanism, directly broke the two wooden strips in the hands of the black-eyed monkey demon, and at the same time leaped up to catch Li Jiyan who was being dragged back.

"Li Jiyan, are you alright?"

Yang Yun slapped Li Jiyan's face.

"Cough cough!"

Li Jiyan coughed for a while before finally snapping out of his daze, his hand just touching a tattered talisman on his chest. If it weren't for this Vajra Talisman, he would have been slapped to death by that monkey demon.

Thinking of this, Li Jiyan was instantly drenched in cold sweat, but he didn't forget the danger and quickly turned to Yang Yun, anxiously saying, "Quick, let's go, that guy!"

"Don't worry, Chief Zhou and the others are here."

Yang Yun raised his head slightly. At this moment, Zhou Miao and the others had arrived to provide support and were fighting against the Black-Eyed Monkey Demon.

Zhou Miao was a Qi Refining Level 6 cultivator, but he was still no match for the Black-Eyed Monkey Demon.

However, there was only one Black-Eyed Monkey Demon, while Zhou Miao was accompanied by seven experienced Demon-Suppressing Camp cultivators. These people were experienced in hunting demons, cooperated well, and knew how to make flexible use of magical artifacts and talismans.

Even with its ferocious power unleashed, the black-eyed monkey demon was unable to break through the encirclement and was quickly injured.

Seeing that the situation was settled, Yang Yun withdrew his gaze, looked at Li Jiyan, and said softly, "Thank you."

Although Li Jiyan was quite reckless, rushing over without knowing the details of the monkey demon, which might have caused some trouble and he would probably be punished when he returned, the other party was filled with righteous indignation because he saw him in danger. This feeling was still quite novel to him.

Li Jiyan's face flushed slightly. He knew that the basic organization of the Demon Suppression Camp was three people per sentry. If there were only three people, including him, Yang Yun, and Zhou Miao, then his "causing trouble" would undoubtedly bring devastating danger to the sentry.

"sorry"

Li Jiyan hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head.
-
Fish belly valley.

The drizzling rain blurred the bloodstains on the city wall, turning them into dark red streams that meandered down the mottled bricks and stones, eventually spreading into the mountain of monster corpses piled up at the valley entrance.

"Fourth Sister, how long has the monster siege lasted today?"

In the light screen, an old woman with white hair, leaning on a dragon-headed cane, stood on a high tower, staring intently at the surging tide of beasts outside the valley, and asked with a frown.

Xu Zhilan stood by, looking rather worried: "It's been half an hour already."

Fish Belly Valley's walls were tall and protected by an array. The Xu family's array masters controlled the Dragon Yang Array and launched three counterattacks within two quarters of an hour. Each time, the beast tide left behind thousands of corpses and fled in panic.

Logically speaking, the beast tide should have recognized the power of the Dragon Yang Formation and retreated in the face of difficulties—in the past, the beast tide army would usually retreat and reorganize after about half an hour.

However, today's beast tide is different. Not only are they more numerous than before, but they are also more fearless. Each time they retreat, they only retreat for a moment before regrouping and launching a "suicidal" attack.

"How long can the Dragon Yang Formation hold out?"

The white-haired old woman continued to ask.

Xu Zhilan hesitated for a moment, but still answered honestly, "If the beast tide continues to attack Fish Belly Valley at this frequency, we can only hold out for a maximum of seven more days."

The spiritual pool in Fish Belly Valley was insufficient to support the Xu family in setting up a spiritual array; therefore, the Xu family's Dragon Yang Array was a magic array.

The magic array is great in every way, except that it consumes a lot of magic power.

The Xu family had accumulated a considerable amount of magical power over the past ten years into the Dragon Yang Formation, but facing tens of thousands of demonic beasts, they had consumed nearly half of it in just three days.

If this continues, the Dragon Yang Formation will eventually become unsustainable.

Of course, the Xu family also has over a hundred cultivators, who can help the Dragon Yang Formation hold out for a few more days.

But this is only a temporary solution and doesn't address the root cause.

The beast tide is growing larger and larger. If the Xu family fights like cornered beasts and damages the vitality of their family members, they will be lambs to the slaughter once the formation is broken.

"Is Alliance Leader Li still unwilling to come?"

The white-haired old woman's tone carried a hint of anger.

Xu Zhilan lowered her head and remained silent.

Seeing this, the white-haired old woman became even angrier, slamming her dragon-headed cane heavily on the wooden board: "Where is he?"

"He's with Master Qiu right now."

After saying this, Xu Zhilan didn't dare to breathe loudly.

The white-haired old woman paused for a moment, then her face turned gloomy.

The Xu family gained some advantages in the Gushe Alliance, while the Immortal Ape Manor suffered a silent loss.

At the time, she did not notice these details. It was only after the alliance was concluded and she saw Li Xiangming frequently trying to win over Qiu Changzhang that she realized what was going on.

The Li family is trying to sow discord between the Xu family and the Immortal Ape Manor!

However, even knowing this, the Xu family could no longer salvage their close relationship with Immortal Ape Manor.

Now that she hears Li Xiangming and Qiu Changzhang having a secret talk while the Xu family is being excluded, how could she not feel resentful?

But both of them were the saviors of the Xu family, so how could she possibly lash out?

The white-haired old woman took a deep breath and instructed, "Fourth Sister, go over there again and invite Alliance Leader Li and Vice Alliance Leader Qiu here. Tell them I have important matters to discuss."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhilan immediately withdrew.

Soon, Li Xiangming and Qiu Changzhang arrived hand in hand.

The two were in good spirits. Li Xiangming took the initiative to cup his hands and asked with a smile, "Madam Xu, is there anything else you wish to discuss with us?"

The white-haired old woman stared at Li Xiangming and slowly asked, "With the beast tide army pressing in, I wonder when Alliance Leader Li will order the Demon Suppression Camp to take action?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Xiangming frowned.

The demonic beasts were lured to the outside of Fish Belly Valley, where the Dragon Yang Formation was used to deplete the beast tide's strength. When the time was right, the Xu family and the Demon Suppression Camp would work together to defeat the beast tide.

This is a strategic policy that the alliance set long ago!
To this end, Hu Qidao spared no effort, leading his men to wander around Gushe Ridge, blocking the retreat routes to the north and south of the ridge.

It can be said that everything is ready, only the east wind is missing.

However, the Xu family seemed impatient. The beast tide had only been at the city gates for three days, and they had already urged him more than ten times.

He understood the Xu family's concerns, but he wouldn't let the demon-suppressing camp cultivators die in vain. So he kindly advised, "Madam Xu, the beast tide has only been in Fish Belly Valley for three days, yet it has already claimed over ten thousand lives. Such a brilliant victory proves that our strategy of using the Dragon Yang Formation to kill the demon beasts is correct."

However, the beast tide remains surging, indicating its scale far exceeds our estimates. If we launch a counterattack now, both the demon-suppressing camp cultivators and the Xu family disciples will suffer considerable losses. In my opinion, how about waiting three more days? After three days, these demonic beasts will surely be exhausted, allowing us to rest and prepare, and hopefully annihilate the Gusha Ridge beast tide in one fell swoop.”

Three more days?

The white-haired old woman was immediately enraged.

The Dragon Yang Formation can withstand the beast tide attack, but it cannot defend only this once!
What if the demon-suppressing camp retreats and the beast tide of Gushe Ridge returns?

Even though the Demon Suppression Camp abided by the alliance and came to provide support again.

However, the Xu family lost fifty elite disciples, and the Dragon Yang Formation, which was considered their life-saving talisman, was severely depleted. They might not even be able to wait for reinforcements before the tragedy of the valley being destroyed and the family perishing unfolds.

How does she accept this?
Upon seeing this, Li Xiangming and Qiu Changzhang exchanged a glance.

The Xu family is already desperate; if he doesn't make a move, it could shake the very foundation of the alliance.

Qiu Changzhang was aware of this as well. He stroked his beard and hair and took the initiative to invite, "Alliance Leader Li, why don't we join forces and charge into battle for a few rounds to relieve the pressure on Fish Belly Valley?"

"Right on my mind."

Li Xiangming nodded, floated up, and flew out of the valley.

Looking down at the densely packed horde of monsters, Li Xiangming felt a strange urge to test the limits of the Evil Green Robe—if he released a large number of Yin Souls into the beast tide, he might be able to turn the tide of the battle in one fell swoop.
However, he only thought about it.

The evil spirit inside the green robe looks anything but respectable.

He is now the leader of the Gushe Alliance, an upright and righteous leader, and he cannot afford to tarnish his image.

Moreover, if he releases too many Yin spirits, he will be unable to take them back, which will instead affect the Demon Suppression Camp and the Xu family.

Li Xiangming suppressed his distracting thoughts, casually scanning the area before locking onto a bull demon in the late stage of Qi Refining.

The bull demon was extremely burly, like a small mountain, and kept attacking the light barrier of the Dragon Yang Formation. Members of the Xu family within the formation, wielding golden bows, repeatedly shot arrows at it, but only managed to leave a white mark.

Li Xiangming immediately swooped down.

"Gah!"

Seven or eight flying beasts were the first to discover his whereabouts and intercepted him.

Li Xiangming remained expressionless, and with a sudden jerk of the Weeping Spirit Desolate Sky Rope in his hand, although it was just whipping the air, several bursts of magical power shot out as the frost-like light within the rope flashed.

The screams were endless.

The birds and monsters that had gathered together all lost their wings and fell to the ground in the blink of an eye, turning into mincemeat in the frenzied beast tide.

Li Xiangming didn't even glance at them; wherever he went, it was as if he were in an empty place.

The green-skinned bull demon was clearly caught off guard and only looked up blankly when the green robe on Li Xiangming cast a shadow over its head.

At that very moment, the Weeping Spirit Desolate Sky Rope lashed down, and the enormous body of the Green-skinned Bull Demon crashed to the ground. Its head was then bound by the rope and suspended above the city wall, a horrifying sight.

"it is good!"

The dozen or so watchtowers inside the city walls erupted in deafening cheers.

Even the arrows that were launched became more numerous.

(End of this chapter)