Shi Chenghong sat on the raised platform with the other clan elders. He looked down at the densely packed crowd below and a trace of confidence appeared on his face.
This ti, the family had assembled over a hundred martial artists for the sole purpose of utterly destroying the Chen family.
These people were the clan’s elite, the core of its strength.
Even the lowest among them were at the Body Tempering Realm, and many more were Blood Coagulation Realm practitioners. A rough count showed dozens, if not more.
This was the foundation of the Shi family.
After developing in Yong'an City for many years, the family had grown to number in the thousands. Although martial artists made up less than half of the clan and most were in the Tempering Body Realm, the sheer number of them ant there were naturally quite a few high-level practitioners.
However, the final decision still rested with the clan elders.
Shi Chenghong shifted his gaze to the present elders, but a trace of gloom soon appeared on his face.
The clan had originally possessed around ten, or even twenty, Innate Realm elders. Among them, there had been as many as five late-stage Innate Realm martial artists—an enviable number for a small clan.
But, in recent months, the clan had suffered repeated setbacks at the hands of the Chen family. Of the five late-stage Innate Realm martial artists they had once had, only two remained!
At the sa ti, the clan maintained places elsewhere, such as the Shi Nuan Pavilion, that also required elders to be stationed as guards.
Moreover, in Yong'an City, they needed to leave several elders behind to stand watch and monitor the Xie family. This left the clan short-handed, and only six elders were available for the assault on the Chen family.
Among them were the two late-stage Innate Realm elders, Shi Chengyi and Shi Chengqiu, as well as four other elders in the early or mid-stages of the Innate Realm.
This was already a considerable force, but considering how resourceful the Chen family was, Shi Chenghong still felt uneasy.
However, when he shifted his gaze and saw an old man standing quietly not far away, his worries quickly eased.
No matter what tricks the Chen family had up their sleeves, could they possibly be a match for Clan Uncle He Zhang?
The clan chief and the remaining elders only needed to stay at the clan and wait for good news from their people.
The elders stepped forward one by one to report the situation, and Shi Chenghong nodded.
After learning that everything had been arranged, he strode over to He Zhang.
"Uncle, everything is ready. We can depart at any ti.”
"Hm, Chenghong, I will accompany you this ti, so rest assured."
Shi Chenghong smiled and said hurriedly, "With you here, Uncle, I naturally feel at ease."
"Then let's depart!"
When He Zhang nodded, one of the senior elders imdiately shouted, "Move out!"
"Target: Chaotic Burial Mountain!”
In an instant, the Shi Clan mbers began to leave the clan in an orderly fashion, heading toward Chaotic Burial Mountain.
“Clan Leader, I want to go too.”
At that mont, a voice ca from behind Shi Chenghong.
When he turned around, he saw that it was Shi Pojing.
Shi Chenghong's face showed hesitation. Before he could reply, Shi Pojing continued, "Clan Leader, I've been to Chaotic Burial Mountain twice and am sowhat familiar with the area. If I go this ti, I can help the elders analyze the situation and observe conditions.”
Shi Chenghong pondered for a mont but did not imdiately agree. However, when Shi Pojing revealed his aura, Shi Chenghong was surprised and asked, "Have you reached the Innate Realm?"
Shi Pojing nodded.
"A few days ago, I made a fortunate gain and finally broke through to the Innate Realm!"
"Good! In that case, you can co along, but you must discuss any actions you take this ti with Elders Chengyi and Chengqiu first!”
Shi Chenghong's face lights up with joy. Having another Innate Realm martial artist in the clan is a cause for celebration.
“Thank you, Clan Leader.”
Shi Pojing imdiately turns and joins the clan’s ranks, but his expression is cold.
I painstakingly built connections within the clan, and in just a few days, they’ve already fallen at Chaotic Burial Mountain. This has almost completely upended my plans. It even dulls the joy of breaking through to the Innate Realm.
Still, with the clan moving as a united force, he intends to see how the Chen family will resist. Besides, perhaps he can use the journey to sway so of the other clan elders to his side.
It would be even better if they could win the support of Clan Uncle He Zhang.
The group set out in a grand procession and quickly left the clan behind.
In Yong’an City, passersby who saw the large group gave them a wide berth and whispered among themselves.
"Who offended the Shi family this ti? This doesn't look good for them!"
"Tsk, tsk. You don't know? I heard it’s the Chen family from Chaotic Burial Mountain!”
"For the Shi family to mobilize so many fighters, the Chen family can't be underestimated. Maybe they're a powerful clan themselves!"
"Not necessarily. A while back, I went to Chaotic Burial Mountain to buy pelts. That place is tiny and nowhere near the Shi family. They’re way outmatched. This could be trouble!”
…
“Clan Leader, Clan Leader! News just ca from Yunng City!”
“Hmm? Read it!” Shi Chenghong said imdiately.
"Clan Leader, according to our investigation, the Zhou family was annihilated for offending soone from the Gongyang family. After the Zhou's were wiped out, only a few small families that depended on them ran into trouble.”
"However, those families were deeply involved with the Zhou's beforehand. It appears other matters were involved as well."
A great weight lifted from Shi Chenghong’s chest when he heard the news.
If many of the Zhou family’s subordinate clans hadn’t been affected, then the Chen family was likely safe too. After all, the Chen family was remote and connected to the Zhou's only by blood ties.
This ant that the clan’s attack on the Chen family would likely not encounter any complications.
This was good news for the clan.
They should also notify He Zhang, who had left not long ago, so the clansn could go into battle with peace of mind.
Just as Shi Chenghong was about to send a ssenger bird to inform the others, another elder ca running in, shouting:
"Clan Leader, I have bad news. The Xie family has disappeared!"
Upon hearing this, Shi Chenghong sprang to his feet, a trace of gravity appearing on his face.
"Tell
in detail. How did they disappear?"
Shi Chenghong's mind raced. Perhaps the Xie family was preparing to oppose the clan by secretly dispatching their warriors to Chaotic Burial Mountain to support the Chen family and sabotage the clan’s plan.
If so, the clan would have to be extrely careful, as the Xie family was much stronger than the clan.
However, another thought quickly ford in his head: Was the Chen family worth the Xie family going to such lengths?
Besides, hadn’t the clan already reached an agreent with the Xie family? Once the clan obtained the Blood Rice, half would be given to the Xie family.
Given these benefits, why would the Xie family still make a move? Perhaps the Chen family offered them an irresistible temptation—that high-level combat technique suspected to be of the Earth tier, or sothing else entirely.
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