Chapter 931 - 696: Close Combat
The sun sank in the west, twilight encompassed all.
The Liu Family’s team hurried along and finally reached an elevated slope.
With its back against a steep slope and no threat of retreat, it was an ideal place for camping.
The cultivators swiftly took action.
Under the command of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator named Liu Zhi’an, the group divided their tasks clearly: cutting wood to erect stakes, digging earth to form ramparts, and began constructing the camp.
Liu Zhi’an was the Liu Family’s Array Master, Tier One Upper Grade.
With a solemn expression, he personally led several apprentices to lay Array Flags around the camp and draw spiritual patterns, setting up multiple layers of defensive restrictions.
This arrangement was far more meticulous and serious than usual when marching.
In the center of the camp, Liu Zhicheng and Liu Zhijie worked together nimbly to set up a large tent.
"Master Guo, the tent is ready."
Liu Zhijie approached Shen Xuan, who was resting with closed eyes, and respectfully spoke.
Shen Xuan opened his eyes and nodded slightly: "Thank you both."
"It’s our duty. Master, please enter the tent to rest; we still need to assist elsewhere."
"Alright."
The two of them bowed and hurried away.
Shen Xuan had just entered the tent with herbs in hand.
Then Liu Yiyun swept in like a gust of wind.
"Master, here!"
She presented a Jade Box, which contained the Demon Core of the Silver Lightning Wolf King, still warm.
Shen Xuan casually accepted it and placed it into his Storage Pouch.
"Master, could you be a bit gentler next time you act?"
Liu Yiyun pouted with a hint of pity, saying: "That Wolf King’s fine hide was all burned away by you, such a shame!"
She then took out two Jade Boxes and untied a large bulging cloth bag from her back.
The boxes held the sharp claws and fangs of the Wolf King, while the bag contained large sections of Wolf King meat that had been divided.
Shen Xuan collected the claws and fangs.
These were excellent spiritual materials for refining Tier Two Upper Grade magical treasures.
As for the pile of wolf meat, he only cast a glance at it.
"Keep some of this meat, share some with Zhicheng and Zhijie. The rest, hand over to the clan leader for disposal."
"Got it!"
Liu Yiyun immediately beamed with delight.
"The clan leader will come shortly."
Liu Yiyun unceremoniously chose some wolf king rear leg meat with the richest Spiritual Qi in front of Shen Xuan, happily storing it in her own Storage Pouch.
Herbs silently arranged a few simple chairs, inviting Shen Xuan to sit down.
Before long, Liu Minglin entered the tent.
Shen Xuan offered him the Qingling Spirit Tea gifted by Ming Liu True Master.
Liu Yiyun and herbs served attentively beside him.
Liu Minglin took a sip of tea, sighed softly, and a touch of melancholy appeared on his brow.
"I’m getting old."
"In my prime, I wouldn’t have allowed that vile creature to wreak havoc in front of me, injuring our clan members!"
In this battle, over thirty members of the Liu Family were injured or killed.
The injuries were manageable; apart from three or four seriously injured individuals, the rest were no longer in danger after treatment by the clan elders.
But those seven clan members would never return.
Among them was Liu Zhishan of the Golden Body Realm.
Liu Minglin, as a Fake Pill Cultivator and a Dharma Realm Body Refining Master, if facing the Silver Lightning Wolf King one-on-one, would naturally have been certain of victory.
However, at that moment, the enemy had the advantage in numbers, and the Black-winged Cold Crow hovered nearby, requiring him to distract and protect the whole team, stabilizing the formation.
The Silver Lightning Wolf King was cunning and adept at concealing his traces.
It was logical that he could not immediately cut down the Silver Lightning Wolf King.
Once Shen Xuan took action and instantaneously killed the Silver Lightning Wolf King,
The remaining Silver Lightning Wolves and Black-winged Cold Crows instantly became fearful, scattered, and fled with extreme speed.
The Liu Family did not chase and instead quickly cleaned the battlefield, collecting the bodies of their comrades.
They then hurriedly searched for this location to camp and set up the fortifications.
This decision was extremely wise.
For the Liu Family, acquiring achievements was secondary.
Bringing home as many safe and sound elite members of the clan as possible was the top priority.
"Come to think of it, this time we owe thanks to Fellow Daoist Guo for his thunderous action, achieving merit with one strike!"
Liu Minglin set down the tea, speaking sincerely.
"The clan leader is too kind, it’s my duty."
Shen Xuan responded with a smile.
"By the way, that Wolf King meat benefits Zhicheng and Zhijie in their body refining, so let’s gift it to them."
"I thank Fellow Daoist Guo on their behalf."
Shen Xuan had killed the Silver Lightning Wolf King, and the Liu Family cultivators had also contributed.
The demon core, wolf teeth, and claws were significant gains.
The remaining wolf meat was given to the Liu Family’s Body Refining Master.
It was also a favor easily done.
Liu Minglin took another sip of tea, pondered momentarily, then raised his eyes to look at Shen Xuan, his expression solemn.
"Fellow Daoist Guo, what’s your view on the current situation?"
"I’m afraid it’s not good."
Shen Xuan spoke in a calm tone.
"Please give your insight, Fellow Daoist."
"This pack of Silver Lightning Wolves came rather strangely, as if prepared."
Liu Minglin’s face suddenly tensed: "You see it that way too, Fellow Daoist?"
Shan Xuan nodded slightly.
In his opinion, the Silver Lightning Wolf pack, guided by the Black-winged Cold Crows, had a clear target, directly attacking the Liu Family’s team, which was not just a chance encounter.
Being cunning and cautious, wolves typically scout, probe, and assess the strength of their prey before a large-scale action, rarely launching such a costly frontal assault.
"Either driven by hunger, they have reached a desperate state, or there’s a higher-tier Demon Race orchestrating behind the scenes."
"In my opinion, the latter is more likely."
"A higher-tier Demon Race orchestrating..."
Liu Minglin murmured, repeating, his brows furrowed tightly.
"What Fellow Daoist said coincides with my own thoughts. If this is truly the case, as we advance further, we may face a Tier Three Demon King!"
He abruptly stood up, pacing back and forth in the tent, his boots making a dull sound against the muddy ground.
After several rounds, he stopped, appearing to convince himself.
"Impossible! Our Liu Family can only halt here. If we recklessly advance further, there’s a risk of total annihilation!"
He turned around, facing Shen Xuan, his tone firm: "Today’s battle, our Liu Family slew one Tier Two Top Grade Wolf King, five Tier Two Wolf Demons, over forty Tier One Wolf Demons, and over a hundred Black-winged Cold Crows were wiped out. Such military achievements are more than enough to boast among peers, not disappointing this expedition."