A daily divination, from family tortoise shells to immortal clans.

Chen Qingmo felt somewhat relieved. He figured that if Qin Wangyue and Chen Weisheng acted together, they would both be safer.

His deductions were fruitless, but he had still obtained a result. He focused his mind and began cultivating.

Three days later, Chen Qingmo led a group of clansmen to Shuangyang Ridge.

Ten miles from the entrance to Shuangyangling in Dongze County, a stretch of yellowish-brown tents stretched out.

Two mountain ridges, like giant dragons coiled together, separated the two armies.

Chen Qingmo arrived at his own camp and saw his eleventh uncle, Chen Minglu, making some arrangements.

This area is roughly divided into four parts, each controlled by one of the four Foundation Establishment families.

The Wei family of Dongze County sent out scouts to investigate several times, but they didn't get much useful information.

"Qingmo, on the Chen family's side, you're leading a twenty-person team. The personnel have been assigned. Do you want Weisheng and the others to follow you?"

After finishing his business, Chen Minglu came to Chen Qingmo.

"Let Weisheng stay in my team for now; I'm still not entirely comfortable with him."

"Eleventh Uncle, will the clan leader and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators come to the battlefield?"

Family affairs still needed to be handled, so the elders all stayed behind, leaving only Chen Mingzheng as the only one who could come.

Chen Minglu nodded: "Brother Mingzheng and several Foundation Establishment cultivators will come, but they will not appear until some time after the battle begins."

"This is a consensus between the two sides. A battle between Foundation Establishment cultivators will affect others, and they will create a new battlefield for themselves."

"I only recently learned about this myself, so we'll just have to wait and see."

The barbarian shamans won't cause much damage; they just want to compete for resources.

The barbarian territory had very little arable land; it was mostly vast wilderness, and animal husbandry was the primary means of livelihood.

They faced food shortages and often traded livestock and large quantities of minerals with neighboring countries.

Every few decades, wars are waged to seize territory, but most of the time they end in failure.

However, their alliance with the Wu Clan has put immense pressure on the Qi Kingdom, and both the righteous and demonic factions have sent people to join the An'nan Prefecture's Barbarian Defense Army.

"Then let me first get to know everyone and see who's in my team."

Chen Qingmo entered the tent and saw many familiar names on the list.

Chen Qingyang, Chen Qingjie, and some other clansmen.

Several members of the Bai family from Xiyun Town were also under his jurisdiction; one was at the late stage of Qi Refining, and the rest were at the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

Since Chen Weisheng and Qin Wangyue were not on the list, the two of them could directly follow Chen Qingmo.

The team now consists of 23 people: 5 in the late stage of Qi Refining and 18 in the middle stage of Qi Refining.

……

The next day, a scout reported that the barbarian shaman had not made any move.

On the fifth day, the scouts encountered the witch clan. The two sides tested each other with magical techniques before retreating.

On the ninth day, scouts discovered that the barbarian shaman's army had assembled, numbering in the thousands.

On the eleventh day, the barbarian tribe sent a small team into Shuangyang Ridge, and the scout was injured.

……

"It seems the barbarians can't wait any longer. Gentlemen, let's send cultivators into the mountains."

In the main tent, Sun Tianying sat at the head of the table. He was one of the few Qi Refining Grand Perfection cultivators among the various families.

Since no Foundation Establishment cultivators have arrived, he, the patriarch of an old Foundation Establishment family, will serve as the commander.

"Chief Sun, you can send three teams into the mountains first. If the enemy has more people and strength, then retreat temporarily."

Bai Jian suggested that since the entire Shuangyang Ridge stretches for hundreds of miles, it would take at least two or three days to explore the area after entering.

Unlike scouts, combat squads cannot act quickly and must consider the safety of the entire team.

"Our Chen family agrees with Chief Bai's proposal. Even if the three teams are no match, they can help each other and avoid total annihilation."

Chen Minglu spoke out in support.

Sun Tianying nodded in agreement.

"In that case, the Sun, Zheng, and Chen families will each send a team. The Wei family's scouts have already been injured, so we three Foundation Establishment families will set an example for the others."

He didn't send the Qi Refining families to be cannon fodder. The members of the major Foundation Establishment families were relatively strong, making it easier for them to return from the mountain range.

After the discussion, all that remains is for the three major families to select their teams.

Chen Minglu returned to the Chen family camp and summoned Chen Qingmo and others.

"Now that the barbarians have mobilized, our clan needs to send a small team into Shuangyang Ridge. Who among you is willing to volunteer?"

"I do!"

The four captains of the family remained silent for a moment before speaking.

Chen Minglu was moved and pondered who would be the most suitable candidate.

"Eleventh Uncle, let me go. I have fought against the barbarians before. This first battle should be led by someone with experience to reduce casualties."

Chen Qingmo stood up and said that none of the elders could object to his explanation.

Moreover, he has a tortoise shell on his body, which allows him to avoid some dangers in advance.

"Then let's do as Qingmo says. This is a positioning talisman. If we're outmatched, we must regroup with the other two teams as soon as possible and not linger in battle!"

Chen Minglu made the arrangements and handed over a talisman.

After entering the mountains, the three teams will head in different directions and must rely on locators to confirm each other's positions.

Chen Qingmo put it into his storage bag, left the tent, and found Chen Weisheng.

"Weisheng, I will be leading the team to depart early tomorrow morning. You and Wangyue can stay in the camp."

"Father, Sister Wangyue is about to break through her cultivation technique. Let her stay behind."

"Wei Sheng is going with the group; I'd like to see what's so special about the barbarians."

Chen Weisheng waved his hand in refusal.

"Then I won't try to persuade you anymore. Come to the team first thing tomorrow morning."

After saying that, Chen Qingmo returned to his tent to cultivate.

child time.

The divination result has been updated.

[Today's Divination - Neutral]: You lead your team into Shuangyang Ridge and encounter several lone barbarians. You kill them with your men, and nothing else happens.

The hexagram that appeared in Chen Qingmo's sea of ​​consciousness was a neutral hexagram.

The next day.

The three teams waited for the miasma to dissipate before entering the ridge.

In Shuangyang Ridge, one must not only be wary of the hidden barbarians, but also of the monsters lurking within.

Fortunately, Chen Qingmo had been here once before and found a relatively safe route with ease.

After marching for quite some time, the group arrived near a small hill.

Chen Qingmo ordered everyone to adjust their breathing. Although the divination indicated safety, it would be a loss to be careless and cause someone to get injured.

"Father, I have plenty of spiritual energy and am full of spirit. I'll go and survey the surrounding area."

Chen Weisheng stepped forward, wanting to go out and explore the way.

"Yes, but remember to be careful. If you encounter any barbarians, you must report to us first. If you disobey, you will be confined to your tent."

Chen Qingmo spoke sternly, saying that this was war and his son could not be allowed to act recklessly.

"Yes, sir!"

Chen Weisheng agreed, and with light steps, headed towards the other side of the hill.

"Qingmo, isn't it too dangerous for Weisheng to be alone?"

After Chen Weisheng left, Chen Qingyang felt somewhat worried.

He hadn't heard the conversation between the father and son, and only realized that Chen Weisheng had gone to scout ahead after he saw Chen Weisheng walk away.

"Brother, it's alright. Wei Sheng is very strong, and with the sword techniques passed down by his master, he can retreat even if he encounters an enemy."

Chen Qingmo was very confident in his son, and at the same time, he did not believe that the barbarians would send out a large number of elite troops at the beginning.

Both sides must first test each other's strength in order to better plan their battles.

Chen Weisheng returned to the team not long after.

"Father, I have spotted a few isolated barbarians about five miles to the left of the hill."

"Just as the tortoise shell predicted."

Chen Qingmo thought to himself, and at the same time gave the order: "The Bai family members who are in the late stage of Qi Refining will stay behind to temporarily lead the troops. The rest of you, follow me."

Led by Chen Weisheng, the four quietly approached the barbarian territory.