Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1462 - 919: Enemy Attack Approaches (Part 2)

The name Li Shangyuan was unknown to him; it had never even crossed his ears before.

"Li Shangyuan? He must be the one who accompanied the Family Head to the Sea of Spirit back then!" Chen Zhongshu mused aloud.

"Yes, that's him!" Lv Hua corroborated.

They had all navigated the treacherous Stormy Sea Area alongside Li Shangyuan, sharing a vessel for over a month, and afterward, journeyed together for several more months. Thus, Li Shangyuan was a familiar figure to them.

However, with the passage of time, it took Chen Zhongshu a moment to fully recall the identity of Li Shangyuan.

"Ah, so he’s an old acquaintance then?" Yang Chengzhang inquired, his spirits lifting.

Chen Zhongshu chuckled, "An old acquaintance, indeed, though we haven't crossed paths in quite some time. I hadn't expected him to still be alive!"

"Then, what is the meaning behind this message?" Yang Chengzhang pressed further. "It speaks of an enemy invasion; who could this enemy possibly be?"

"I cannot say for sure," Chen Zhongshu replied, "but regardless of the enemy's identity, it is always prudent to make preparations."

"That is most sensible. I shall return at once to request reinforcements," Yang Chengzhang declared.

"I will accompany you!" An Yuxing chimed in.

Following a brief exchange, Yang Chengzhang and An Yuxing made their way back to the Spirit Source Land.

Even without knowing Li Shangyuan's current whereabouts, the reason for his message, or even its authenticity, they were compelled to begin their preparations without delay.

Furthermore, Li Shangyuan was an old friend of Yang Zhenshan, and news of this message swiftly reached him.

"Li Shangyuan!"

Within the confines of his study, Yang Zhenshan softly uttered the name, a flicker of remembrance in his eyes.

He held a favorable impression of Li Shangyuan, remembering him as a man of integrity, magnanimous in his dealings, and possessing a broad network of associates. Though Li Shangyuan was considerably younger at the time, he already exuded the bearing of a distinguished hero.

Their shared journey had been marked by considerable camaraderie.

"If it is indeed him, then he is worthy of our trust," Yang Zhenshan stated quietly.

"Grandfather, are there any additional preparations we need to undertake?" Yang Chengzhang inquired.

Yang Zhenshan gestured dismissively, "I shall handle the arrangements. You may return for now."

The audacity to target the Yang family suggested an opponent of considerable strength. However, their reckless actions implied a lack of thorough knowledge regarding the Yang family.

With the warning received, the remaining course of action was straightforward: await the enemy's advance and lead them into a well-laid trap.

...

The night descended like rich ink, silently cloaking the Yang Family Town and draping it in an enigmatic shroud.

Brilliant moonlight cascaded down, bestowing a silvery sheen upon the streets; the dancing shadows of trees cast intricate patterns upon the verdant stone pathways. A profound silence reigned, with only the gentle caress of the moonlight reaching the eaves and illuminating every hidden nook.

The resplendent celestial dome, adorned with stars like scattered gemstones, mirrored the moonlight, seemingly standing guard over this serene and tranquil hamlet.

All was submerged in the embrace of this peaceful and beautiful nocturnal panorama.

Yet, concealed within the deep shadows, formidable figures lay in silent ambush.

A gentle night breeze carried the distinctive, refreshing moisture of the Sea of Spirit; a subtle mist ascended from the ground, mingling with the bright moonlight, lending an ethereal and mystical quality to the tranquil town.

Yang Zhenshan stood poised beneath the eaves of the main hall within the Yang family courtyard, his gaze sweeping silently across the entirety of Yang Family Town.

The Yang Family Town was expansive, far exceeding the proportions of a mere village and grander than many cities. Yet, it lacked any defensive walls, its streets intersecting and extending outward to connect with the surrounding fields.

It was a town exuding peace and prosperity, bustling with life by day and hushed in tranquility by night.

Behind him, perched upon the roof ridge, Yang Jizhen meticulously polished a cerulean longsword. This blade, known as the Wood Thunder Sword, was a magical artifact he had personally refined.

Though the Wood Thunder Sword was merely a low-grade magical treasure, it perfectly complemented his mastery of the Wood Thunder Sword technique. Should he choose to refine a Lifebound Magical Treasure in the future, it would undoubtedly be a manifestation of the Wood Thunder Sword.

Kou Ta and Hong Fuxiu occupied another eave, the night wind playfully lifting Hong Fuxiu's crimson attire, while the moonlight lent her an almost sacred aura.

Kou Ta's eyes burned like embers, his presence intensely focused, poised for combat.

Still, his gaze repeatedly drifted towards Yang Zhenshan, who stood not far away.

"Why do you keep looking at me?" Yang Zhenshan inquired, perceiving the persistent stare with curiosity.

Kou Ta paused momentarily before posing his question, "Is Master Yang employing his spiritual sense?"

A peculiar glint flickered in Yang Zhenshan's eyes, "You perceived it?"

The Seven Treasures Soul Suppressing Tower provided an additional layer of concealment for his spiritual sense. Typically, only an individual possessing a Divine Soul vastly superior to his own would be capable of detecting its presence.

"I sensed it faintly, though not with great clarity," Kou Ta admitted.

Hong Fuxiu cast a surprised glance at Yang Zhenshan. She was well aware of Kou Ta's capabilities. Although Kou Ta appeared as a hulking brute, he was actually precise and vigilant; if he were truly a simpleton, he wouldn't have lasted this long. Furthermore, Kou Ta possessed an innate sensitivity to various energies, whether it was mana fluctuations or spiritual sense waves, his perception was exceptionally keen.

"Indeed, your perception is remarkably sharp!" Yang Zhenshan exclaimed in praise. Both Hong Fuxiu and Yang Jizhen had detected nothing, yet Kou Ta sensed something, confirming that Kou Ta's perception surpassed that of others.

"I never imagined Master Yang's Divine Soul would be so potent!" Kou Ta expressed, a hint of astonishment in his voice. His respect for Yang Zhenshan originated from his admiration for a Pill Master. Prior to undertaking the task of safeguarding Yang Family Town, they had already gathered information about Yang Zhenshan. Word of Yang Zhenshan's proficiency in refining high-grade Demon Essence Pills was not a secret within the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.

They accepted this assignment not for the remuneration, but because of Yang Zhenshan himself. Establishing a connection with an accomplished Second-Order Pill Master was, without a doubt, a significant fortune for them. Consequently, when they first encountered Yang Zhenshan, they approached him with a degree of deference.

However, they had not truly considered Yang Zhenshan's martial strength with due seriousness. It was natural for a Pill Master's cultivation to be less formidable, as one's focus and energy are finite and cannot be excelled in all aspects. If a cultivator dedicates their time and effort to alchemy, their progress in other areas would inevitably be slower. Thus, they had presumed Yang Zhenshan's combat prowess to be quite ordinary.

Now, witnessing Yang Zhenshan display such robust Divine Soul power and spiritual sense, they were taken aback. "Hehe, a Divine Soul is crucial for alchemy as well!" Yang Zhenshan chuckled softly, offering this explanation. It was at this precise moment that his demeanor shifted to one of gravitas.

"They have arrived!"

Beyond the confines of Yang Family Town, amidst the emerald expanse of rice paddies. Concealed figures moved with incredible speed beneath the luminous moonlight. In a remarkably short span, they had neared the town's outskirts, poised to infiltrate.

As Fang Shou propelled himself forward, he cast a predatory and exhilarated gaze upon the serene town. This was Yang Family Town, a place he had long desired to possess! As a prominent member of the Cui Lake Fang family, he held little interest in plundering mere Martial Arts families; the prospect of acquiring a few tens of thousands of Spirit Stones held scant appeal for him.

But the Yang family presented a different proposition; they were not a mere Martial Arts Family but an Immortal Cultivation Family. The inherent wealth possessed by the Yang family far surpassed that of insignificant Martial Arts clans. A family like the Yangs, being an Immortal Cultivation Family, undoubtedly possessed vast reserves of precious and rare spiritual materials. Even if he could secure only a fraction of their treasures, it would represent a substantial windfall for him.

His assessment, however, contained a fundamental flaw, as they seemed to have misidentified their primary target. Yang Family Town was not the main stronghold of the Yang family, and thus, would not house a significant hoard of spiritual materials, containing only common provisions. Consequently, even if their surprise assault were successful this time, the spoils would be meager.

Li Shangyuan was also among the approaching group, yet his position gradually receded towards the rear. The closer they drew to Yang Family Town, the more his pace decelerated, to the point where he seemed to be deliberately falling behind. "Mr. Li, why are you dawdling? Hurry up!" The tall, gaunt cultivator noticed Li Shangyuan's lagging progress and transmitted a message to him. Li Shangyuan merely glanced upwards at the sender, offering no reply, his pace slackening even further.