Vol. 1 - Ch. 47 - Winter Comes

Upon hearing their questions, Chen Xingzhen sighed and said, "I don't know what's going on either. Tonight, I plan to communicate with the Divine Tree to inquire about the situation." If it had been other clan members asking, he would have provided a reassuring explanation.  But with Chen Tianjing and the others, there was no need to hide anything. Seeing that even the clan leader was uncertain, the three of them frowned slightly, their eyes lingering on the strange, familiar faces within the fruits. After a long silence, Chen Xingzhen spoke again, his voice firm with resolve.  "Alright, now that the Li Clan has fled to the Chaotic Burial Mountain, let's call our people back from the outside." "Winter is approaching, and our clan doesn't have enough food to see everyone through the season. The most urgent task is to plant another crop of blood rice. Tianjing, you'll be in charge of this." "Yes, Clan Leader," Chen Tianjing responded immediately. "Qingyu, you'll oversee the hunts. Choose the best warriors, but remember, don't venture too deep into the mountains. The safety of our people is paramount. If you encounter any Li Clan members, don't engage recklessly. Return to the clan, and we'll devise a long-term strategy." Chen Qingyu nodded in agreement. "Understood." "Tianyu," Chen Xingzhen continued, "keep a close watch on the Liu clan. With the Li Clan's absence, only our two great families remain in the Chaotic Burial Mountain, and I cannot rest easy." He paused, then added,  "You'll also be responsible for the body tempering of our martial artists, particularly the younger members who require careful guidance." Sᴇaʀᴄh the NƟvelFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality. "I understand," Tianyu replied with a serious nod. After giving these orders, the three men left the hall, leaving Chen Xingzhen alone with his thoughts.  He turned his gaze back to the Divine Tree, though his eyes seemed to look far beyond it, lost in deep contemplation. The clan might appear stable for now, but the recent battle with the Li Clan had taken a heavy toll.  Their food reserves were nearly depleted. Even with the blood rice confiscated from the Li Clan and the domesticated beasts, it wouldn't be enough to sustain them through the harsh winter. Chen Xingzhen pondered this grim reality.  Logically, the Li Clan should have had more reserves, but whether they had hidden them or taken them during their escape, his clan had found nothing more. The shortage was critical. Blood rice alone wasn't sufficient. Although the clan's martial artists weren't of the highest realms, their numbers were considerable.  Especially those in the Body Tempering Realm---they required Qi and blood-rich meat to fuel their progress. Therefore, hunting was crucial for the clan's future. Furthermore, with the Divine Tree's revival, the worship rituals needed to resume.  According to the clan's ancestral rules, the Divine Tree required a minor worship every three days and a major worship every seven days.  Given the current dire circumstances, they would have to settle for the seven-day service. Even with this reduced frequency, the number of fierce beasts required was still substantial.  And once winter arrived, the heavy snow would make hunting in the Chaotic Burial Mountain nearly impossible, even for Blood Coagulation Realm martial artists. Preparations had to begin immediately. In this harsh world, where the cold was more intense than elsewhere, the Chaotic Burial Mountain was even more unforgiving.  Body Tempering Realm martial artists, though strong, still needed to keep warm. If they fell ill, the Qi and blood in their bodies would stagnate, making it even harder for them to advance to the Blood Coagulation Realm. Blood Coagulation Realm martial artists might not be easily deterred, but the majority of the clan members had not yet reached even the Body Tempering Realm.  With only about two months until winter, there was much to prepare---cold-resistant clothing, firewood, and other necessities. The time was quickly running out. Chen Xingzhen gradually came to his senses, gazing at the endless sky with a sigh rising from his heart.  The power of Heaven was formidable, and it was challenging for an individual to withstand it alone, hence the need for a strong clan.  Only when the clan itself grew stronger could the lives of its members improve and allow them to reach higher realms.  As the clan members' realms advanced, they would, in turn, nourish the clan, creating a cycle that eventually led to prosperity. The path to the clan's prosperity was long and fraught with responsibilities. Yet, it remained manageable; the protection of the Divine Tree had already placed the clan ahead of many others.  Chen Xingzhen's eyes regained their confidence as he turned and left the Ancestral Hall, aware that there were many matters requiring his attention. Finally, things had calmed down. Seeing the Ancestral Hall empty once more, Ji Yang's emotions settled.  The cacophony of the clan members' wails and screams had been a headache, and he wondered how many more days it would take for peace to fully return. Yet, he had a nagging feeling that he might have forgotten something.  The "rustling" sound of leaves in the wind reminded him, and Ji Yang found himself lost in thought. ... In the heart of Chaotic Burial Mountain, the Li Clan warriors were gathered in a deep valley, their clothes torn by thorns and their bodies smeared with blood.  Many were groaning in pain. While the physical pain was bearable, the fear in their eyes was evident. "Li Yongcheng, several of our people have been injured again. What should we do next?"  Li Cailiang approached Li Yongcheng, who was deep in thought. Despite being a late-stage Blood Coagulation Realm warrior, exhaustion was etched on his face.  He had sustained injuries during the battle with the Chen Clan, and the clan's journey had demanded that he lead the way. His extraordinary perception allowed him to avoid most wild beast territories, but accidents were still inevitable.  Recently, they had encountered a mid-stage Blood Coagulation Realm beast while hunting for food.  Although they had managed to kill the beast, several clan members were injured. Li Cailiang's discomfort was compounded by the distant howls of wolves they heard upon entering the heart of the Chaotic Burial Mountain.  The howls carried a pressure that no beast from the Blood Coagulation Realm could impose on him, yet it struck fear into the hearts of the clan members. Even though he struggled to accept it, reality was unrelenting---what they were facing was undoubtedly an Innate Realm beast.  Moreover, only he and Li Yongcheng were Blood Coagulation Realm warriors in the clan.  Even if two more joined them, they would still be no match for such a creature. Wolves, being social animals, posed an even greater threat; their encounter could spell disaster for many of their people. Li Cailiang chose not to share this morale-destroying reality with anyone except Li Yongcheng.  When he asked Li Yongcheng for guidance, the latter remained silent, absorbed in an incomplete topographical map of Chaotic Burial Mountain. This map, drawn based on previous hunting expeditions, was only half-finished, with a significant blank area in the middle.  Li Yongcheng had intended to traverse Chaotic Burial Mountain not only to evade the Chen Clan but also to complete the map. If successful, they might launch a surprise attack from behind the mountain and catch the Chen Clan off guard. Initially, Li Yongcheng believed that despite the challenges, the combined strength of himself and Li Cailiang would be sufficient.  However, delving into the depths of Chaotic Burial Mountain revealed the harsh reality---he had overestimated both himself and his clan. The mountain was home to many powerful beasts, and those in the Blood Coagulation Realm were commonplace. The clan members, not yet seasoned warriors and unprepared for the continuous trials they faced, were losing confidence. The howling of the wolves was the final blow to their morale. When Li Yongcheng learned that the howls came from an Innate Realm beast, even he felt shaken. As the clan leader, however, Li Yongcheng quickly regained his composure.  He understood that immediate action was crucial---not only for seeking revenge but also for ensuring the clan's ability to escape Chaotic Burial Mountain.