CHAPTER 227: ASSEMBLY

"An Innate Realm martial artist? It must be Chen Qingyu; he's the only one from the Chen family at that level. What do you think of his strength? Do we stand a chance?"

Liu Ziming hesitated briefly before replying.

"His cultivation is on par with mine. Both of us are at the mid-stage of the Innate Realm. However, he appears quite young, and his abundant vitality suggests he lacks combat experience. If I were to face him, I'd say there's a sixty percent chance I'd win."

Upon hearing this, Liu Ziqi frowned slightly. Liu Ziming had survived many battles and was considered a standout among martial artists of the same realm. Yet, he only had a sixty percent chance?

"No matter. I’ll assist when the time comes."

With the Patriarch joining the fight, I doubt there will be any major issues."

Two against one—the odds were clearly in their favor.

The only regret was that Qian Ye hadn’t managed to find out more. However, since the Chen family had just established their clan, their internal defenses were bound to be lacking. This was the perfect opportunity for a surprise attack.

However, that meant they could only rely on the intelligence gathered by the Shi family to proceed with the operation.

Hopefully, the Shi family’s information is accurate.

Liu Ziqi turned his head to look behind him. Eighteen Blood Coagulation Realm experts stood behind him, all martial artists he had brought from his clan for this mission. They were the same ones who had followed the family during their desperate flight last time. Their strength was considerable, and their coordination was flawless. Without question, this was the core force of the Ruo Qian clan, and now he had brought them all.

In addition, the Shi family had sent about a dozen Blood Condensation Realm warriors as reinforcements. Though they couldn't compare to his clan's fighters, they were still Blood Coagulation Realm cultivators.

This operation would combine nearly thirty Blood Coagulation Realm cultivators. According to intelligence reports, the Chen family has barely a dozen such warriors, only half the number required.

With the addition of two Innate Realm experts, Liu Ziqi and Liu Ziming, this battle should be a foregone conclusion.

The only unsettling factor was the Chen family’s clan totem. Although Lord Qingshan left behind several bamboo leaves, the divine power within them was nearly depleted, so they could no longer exert much influence.

The outcome would depend on how the Shi family planned to counter the Chen clan’s divine tree. If they couldn't, then our clan would have to alter the original plan.

After a moment of thought, Liu Ziqi slowly said, "Let the clansmen rest well. Eat and drink your fill. We will attack at the hour of Hai tomorrow!"

"Yes, Patriarch!"

“Clan sister, the Liu family warriors have gathered outside Chaotic Burial Mountain. In about two days, they’ll likely make their move. Should we send a message to warn the Chen family like last time?"

Inside the room, a young girl spoke up.

After hearing this, Xie Hongyuan shook her head.

"Not this time. The clan recently ordered me to procure more Blood Rice from the Chen family. This is the perfect opportunity."

The girl was stunned.

"Isn't that precisely why we should warn them—because the clan needs the Rice?"

Xie Hongyuan smiled faintly.

"Sending only a warning won't help the Chen family much. But if we wait until the Liu Clan breaks into their territory, they suffer losses, and then our clan steps in, that would be a far greater favor than a mere message, don’t you think?" 𝖗𝘼𝐍ȪＢĘʂ

The young girl suddenly understood. "Clan sister, you meant that it's like adding flowers to brocade or sending charcoal in the snow. In that case, the Chen family will surely be grateful, and we can naturally ask for Blood Rice."

Xie Hongyuan smiled lightly, saying nothing.

Though the approach felt somewhat dishonorable, it was the only way to obtain more Blood Rice from the Chen family for now.

I suppose Uncle Yanwu and Uncle Yangong have already reached Chaotic Burial Mountain by now, waiting for the right moment.

…

At dawn, the morning rooster crowed and many villagers arrived at the clan grounds once again to resume construction.

In bed, Chen Xingzhen slowly opened his eyes and sat up.

Last night, an Innate Realm martial artist had tried to spy on the clan. Although Chen Xingzhen had already guessed that the intruder was from the Liu family, the clan still lacked detailed knowledge about the family's branches.

Upon learning what had happened, Chen Xingzhen immediately rushed to the ancestral hall to seek help from his father and the elders.

Moments earlier, in a dream, his father had shared intelligence gathered by departed clansmen.

After learning about the size of the Liu family’s forces, Chen Xingzhen was shocked. They had two Innate Realm experts, more than thirty Blood Coagulation Realm warriors, and over ten late-stage Body Tempering cultivators. It seemed the Liu family had come prepared.

In a direct confrontation, the clan might not necessarily have the upper hand.

But times have changed. Now, the clan has two more innate realm experts, and with the power of the Divine Tree, the Liu branch shouldn't be able to cause much trouble.

Nevertheless, Chen Xingzhen remained humble. After all, the enemy possesses a clan totem as well, and their large-scale offensive surely means they have something to rely on.

The clan needed to act with caution.

Recognizing this, Chen Xingzhen immediately summoned the clansmen to prepare for a strategy meeting.

“Clansmen, since the enemy has arrived but hasn’t attacked, they clearly intend to rest for a day and strike when we least expect it.”

"Right now, the clan is still being built. If they launch a night raid, it could delay our progress. Since that’s the case, why don’t we strike first? We can catch them off guard while they’re in poor condition."

After analyzing the situation, Chen Tianjing spoke up.

His words immediately drew nods from the other clansmen.

Currently, the clan has nearly twenty Blood Coagulation warriors and dozens of Body Tempering cultivators. With three Innate Realm experts added in, their overall strength was far from weak.

Most importantly, the clansmen possessed the Five Viscera Ascension Technique, a ferocious battle art that could push their limits. In terms of raw power, they were not inferior to the Liu family.

"The Liu Clan moved without fully scouting our situation. They must have obtained information about us. I fear that other families may be pulling the strings behind this large-scale assault."

Chen Xingzhen spoke with concern.

The other clansmen’s expressions hardened at his words. Although the Patriarch hadn’t specified which family aside from the Shi Clan was involved, there was likely no other possibility.

If the Liu family truly had the support of the Shi Clan, the Chen Clan would need to exercise extra caution.

“Patriarch, the situation in Yong’an City is complicated right now. With the Xie family still there, I doubt the Shi Clan can spare many troops to send here. Instead of waiting for the enemy to strike, why don’t we take the initiative?"

Chen Tianyu stepped forward and spoke from beside him.

Chen Xingzhen swept his gaze across the hall. Seeing that the clansmen were brimming with fighting spirit—neither fearful nor hesitant, but rather eager—he broke into a carefree smile.

"All right! Since you all share this resolve, the clan will no longer hold back!"

"I’ll seek the Divine Tree’s blessing right away. Make your preparations!"

"Tonight, we’ll leave them in utter chaos!"

Hearing the Patriarch’s command, the clansmen below were overcome with excitement.

Until now, the clan had always been on the defensive, relying heavily on the power of the Divine Tree.

Now, however, their strength had grown, and the enemy was no longer unbeatable.

Since that’s the case, why not fight?

There are no cowards in the Chen Clan!