With the beast chaos imminent, the vast wilderness spanning ten thousand miles was the first line of defense. Chen Xianling, stationed at Yang Yuanqing's ancient cultivation abode, chose to abandon the site and returned to Pingyang City.
The patriarch of the Chen family looked at the seven Foundation Establishment cultivators assembled and couldn't help but smile in excitement.
"With eight Foundation Establishment cultivators in our Chen family, this beast chaos is shaping up to be a turning point for our rise."
"Indeed. Who would have thought that in just a few decades, our family could add seven Foundation Establishment cultivators?"
The group exchanged smiles, clearly optimistic about the family's future.
After some lighthearted conversation, the patriarch grew serious and said, "For this battle, Yu County needs to send ten Foundation Establishment cultivators to Tianxu Mountain. As the foremost family in Yu County, we must dispatch at least two of our own. Whom do you think would be suitable?"
"I could go with Nianchuan," Chen Qinghao suggested after some thought.
"Uncle Changxuan and Elias are the family's pillars; it wouldn't be wise to risk them at Tianxu Mountain."
"I'm at the early Foundation Establishment stage, and Nianchuan is mid-stage. We seem like a reasonable choice."
"No," Elian shook his head, disagreeing.
"Uncle Qinghao is at the fourth level of Foundation Establishment, possesses the Bright Origin Phantom Sword as his natal weapon, and has learned the Metal Element Divine Thunder technique. He is the family's third most powerful combatant."
"With the Crimson-Gold Three-Treasure Flags, Uncle Changxuan's combat ability rivals that of an early Purple Mansion cultivator. He's clearly one of the key players for quelling the beast chaos and cannot stay in Pingyang City."
"You must take Uncle Changxuan's place and guard Pingyang City," Elian declared, turning to Chen Nianchuan.
Although Nianchuan was a three-spirit-root cultivator, he had built his Foundation on his own, giving him more potential than even Xianling and Xianyan. Elian held his elder cousin in high regard, believing such talent should not be risked at Tianxu Mountain.
"Let's do this," Elian concluded.
"Aunt Qingwan and Nianfu will go to Tianxu Mountain."
With Elian's decision final, the matter was settled.
Moving on, Elian smiled and said, "Yu County is the closest to Tianxu Mountain, so Ling County and Feng County will both send reinforcements to support us."
"Feng County will send a thousand Qi Refining cultivators and five Foundation Establishment cultivators, along with Patriarch Xu Daoyuan."
"Ling County, separated from us by Feng County and not bordering the vast wilderness, will send all its Qi Refining cultivators to Tianxu Mountain. However, it will still dispatch one Purple Mansion cultivator and five Foundation Establishment cultivators to us."
"And the Purple Mansion cultivator they're sending is none other than Ancestor Yang Zhengyuan."
The group reacted with delight at this news.
Yang Zhengyuan was two generations senior to Ancestor Yang Yuanhe, over 350 years old, and at the sixth level of Purple Mansion. He was the second most powerful figure in the border provinces, second only to Jiang Linglong.
Having survived four beast chaos events, Yang Zhengyuan was experienced in fighting beasts. Armed with top-tier third-grade artifacts, he could even contend with late-stage Purple Mansion beasts.
"With him stationed in Yu County, even a late-stage Purple Mansion beast would struggle to breach our defenses," someone remarked.
The patriarch smiled and said, "With Tianxu Mountain holding back the main demon forces, the beasts under Sky Python Lake are unlikely to make it past the mountain."
"And even if a smaller force breaks through, with two ancestors here, we can put up a good fight."
Elian nodded and continued, "When the chaos begins, Patriarch Changxuan and I will oversee Yuyang Market."
"As for the family, Uncle Qinghao will guard Pingyang City, Xianyan will oversee Linghu Isle, Xianling will take charge of Black Iron Mountain, and Nianchuan will guard Qingyuan Mountain."
"Remember, in critical moments, only Pingyang City and Linghu Isle are non-negotiable. Even Qingyuan Mountain can be abandoned if necessary."
"Nianchuan and Xianling, you'll hold Black Iron Mountain and Qingyuan Mountain. Depending on the situation, we may deploy you two to the frontlines."
The four acknowledged Elian's instructions solemnly.
With the personnel arrangements settled, Elian retrieved several treasures: a saber, a lightning web, a flying sword, a spherical artifact, and a defensive seal.
Everyone was astonished to find that all these artifacts were top-grade second-tier.
The saber, named Heaven Net Saber, had been the natal weapon of a Qingyang Sect cultivator named Yan, who had fallen to Elian.
The lightning web was none other than the Blazing Fire Thunder Net, formerly the natal weapon of Wei Mingyuan. The flying sword, spherical artifact, and defensive seal had also belonged to Wei Mingyuan.
"These are spoils of battle," Elian explained.
"They're of little use to me now, so I'll distribute them among you."
After some deliberation, he gave the most valuable item, the top-grade second-tier flying sword, to Chen Qingwan. With it, her offensive and escape abilities would improve significantly.
The defensive seal went to Chen Qinghao, whose natal sword and Metal Element Divine Thunder gave him ample offensive power. The seal would enhance his overall combat capability, making him a top-tier mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
The Heaven Net Saber was given to Chen Nianchuan. As a self-established Foundation cultivator, once he reached the third level, he could wield it effectively.
The remaining members, who were not mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators or self-established, could only use the leftover second-tier defensive artifacts handed down by Chen Qinghao and Chen Qingwan.
Finally, the spherical artifact and the Blazing Fire Thunder Net caught Elian's attention.
"Pingyang City's Sunlit Divine Fire Array, while decent at mid-tier second-grade, is still somewhat lacking," Elian said thoughtfully.
"The Blazing Fire Thunder Net can replace the Sunlit Fire Pearl and elevate the array to top-grade second-tier."
The patriarch nodded.
"With my current expertise in formations, I can reconfigure the city's defenses."
"That's excellent," Elian said, smiling.
"As for the spherical artifact, the spiritual veins of Linghu Isle have reached top-grade second-tier. Using a mid-tier second-tier formation is no longer appropriate."
"With this Earth Marsh Pearl, I can try upgrading Linghu Isle's defensive formation to top-grade second-tier."
Reflecting on his unique talents, Elian couldn't help but marvel. He had an innate gift for identifying flaws and finding solutions, whether in battle, cultivation, or the study of various cultivation arts.
In combat, he often detected subtle mistakes in his opponents' techniques, exploiting them to deliver lethal strikes. This keen intuition had earned him numerous victories against formidable foes, solidifying his reputation.
In cultivation, he had improved his family's Blazing Sun Void Ascension Technique, eliminating its flaws over time. His refinements had enhanced the technique's power by more than 20%.
With this extraordinary aptitude, Elian had advanced his alchemy skills to top-grade second-tier, and his progress in formation and artifact crafting was similarly nearing top-grade second-tier mastery.
...
57+ chapters ahead on patreon: patreon.com/David_Lord
I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D