The conflict between the Shen Family and the Hundred Beasts Mountain quickly spread throughout the entire Yangnao Land.

Many noble families and Immortal Sect influences were astonished by Shen Wen'an's monstrous talent while marveling at the Shen Family's tough stance, daring to confront an Immortal Sect as a Qi Cultivation Family.

However, it wasn't long before a piece of news started to circulate wildly in the streets.

It was said that the Shen Family's Sword Dao genius, during a battle on the plains with four Fetal Breathing Realm experts from the Hundred Beasts Mountain, was beaten back, coughing blood.

Furthermore, rumors claimed that in the Western Wilderness battle, Shen Wen'an of the Shen Family was severely injured, his Sword Embryo shattered, turning him into a cripple, and even if he recovered, his realm would fall.

Such rumors spread and fermented freely, while the Shen Family chose silence, offering no response.

As the matter exploded into a sensation, even Immortal Sects like Luoxia Mountain and the Vajra Sect, which were on good terms with the Shen Family, couldn't sit still.

On this day, Jin Sheng from the Vajra Sect and Wei Qiuling from Luoxia Mountain came together to the Shen Family Manor.

Shen Wenxing received the two of them.

After some pleasantries, Jin Sheng couldn't help but ask, "Brother Shen, is Junior Brother Wen'an's injury as severe as the rumors outside say?"

"I brought some healing elixirs today,"

Jin Sheng said, taking out a jade bottle from his storage bag.

Shen Wenxing clasped his hands in thanks, "Thank you, Brother Jin. My younger brother's injury is already fine; he just needs some more time to recuperate."

Hearing this, Jin Sheng glanced at Wei Qiuling.

Seeing Wei Qiuling's calm expression, as if she had nothing to inquire about, he said no more.

After the three exchanged a few more words, Jin Sheng was the first to leave.

At the door of the side room, after Jin Sheng had gone far, Wei Qiuling took out a jade box from her storage bag.

"This is an Earth Essence Pill."

"It's one of the few precious elixirs among Luoxia Mountain's collection that can target the Immortal Embryo of cultivators."

"Brother Shen, take it for Junior Brother Wen'an to use."

Shen Wenxing was slightly taken aback, feeling touched, then smiled, "Does Fairy Wei also believe those rumors outside?"

Wei Qiuling tilted her head slightly towards him, "Qiuling knows Junior Brother Wen'an is very strong, but this time he faced four seasoned middle-stage Fetal Breathing experts."

"Even if his injuries aren't as severe as the rumors say, I think his Sword Embryo was certainly heavily damaged."

"A sword cultivator's Sword Embryo, like an Immortal Dao cultivator's Immortal Embryo, is the foundation of their cultivation. If it leaves hidden injuries, it will surely affect future realms."

Shen Wenxing shook his head with a smile, about to speak.

Shen Wen'an then emerged from the backyard, appearing in the front courtyard.

Wei Qiuling turned in astonishment, looking at Shen Wen'an, whose expression was calm, no different from usual.

"Junior Brother Wen'an, you…"

Shen Wen'an's expression eased slightly, clasping his hands, "Thank you, Senior Sister Wei, for your concern. My injuries have long since healed."

"Those four from the Hundred Beasts Mountain are a bit lacking if they wish to harm my Sword Embryo."

He had heard Wei Qiuling's words earlier, and with Sword Heart Clarity, he could feel that Wei Qiuling's concern was heartfelt.

Upon hearing this, Wei Qiuling gave an awkward smile, "So Junior Brother Wen'an is already this strong, it seems Qiuling underestimated you."

Entering the Fetal Breathing for the first time, fighting against four seasoned middle-stage Fetal Breathing cultivators, yet not heavily wounded.

Shen Wen'an's strength was far beyond what she had imagined.

"Elder Brother and Senior Sister continue chatting, I'm going to cultivate."

Shen Wen'an clasped his hands, then left through the side door of the manor, heading towards the Black Water Pavilion.

Seeing him in person, well and unharmed, Wei Qiuling put away her worries and spoke,

"News from the sect has come; what happened at the Danzhou Barrier, Qiuling is already aware."

"Brother Shen, the Hundred Beasts Mountain will not let this go."

"Qiuling has already informed the He Family, and they will soon send some early-stage Qi Cultivation and Body Tempering realm members to station in Anyang City."

"If the Western Wilderness Barbarian Race takes further action, they can quickly support the Shen Family."

"Additionally, Junior Sister Yu has returned to Luoxia Mountain and will soon bring some junior brothers and sisters here."

"At that time, we can also send some to Anyang City."

Shen Wenxing continuously clasped his hands in thanks hearing this.

"I already have a rough idea of this matter in my heart."

"That Hundred Beasts Mountain constrained my Shen Family's Fetal Breathing, likely intending to wear us down leveraging the millions of the Western Wilderness Barbarian Race."

"The Shen Family is already preparing ahead of time."

Wei Qiuling nodded, "Brother Shen's foresight eases Qiuling a bit."

"However, the future of the Shen Family likely won't be peaceful."

"The He Family and the Zhang Family in Yingchuan County have always eyed covetously, especially after Jinghe Market was established, the Suihuo Sect behind the Zhang Family seems to have significant disagreements."

"The Suihuo Sect are all strange-tempered folks, acting erratically, not following usual norms, truly a headache."

The Suihuo Sect?

Shen Wenxing frowned slightly.

Though immortals have descended for so many years, he really wasn't very acquainted with this Immortal Sect called the Suihuo Sect.

Not due to the Shen Family's lack of information; rather, this so-called Suihuo Sect was too low-key, rarely showing up after occupying Yingchuan County, leaving many matters to their proxy family, the Zhang Family.

Seeing his confusion, Wei Qiuling smiled, "The Suihuo Sect is the same at Qishan, rarely interacting with other Immortal Sects."

"Qiuling heard they are a branch of a large sect from the Central Province, with a long heritage."

"But their sect's cultivation methods are too unique, with high requirements for disciples, resulting in not very strong overall strength, barely ranking mid-level among the many Immortal Sects at Qishan."

Shen Wenxing nodded.

He currently wasn't too focused on the Suihuo Sect, as handling the Western Wilderness Barbarian Race was the utmost priority.

Wei Qiuling stayed a while longer at the manor before departing.

Shen Wenxing stood alone at the courtyard gate, contemplating for a long time before heading to the Shen Family's ancestral hall, ordering that the stewards of the six affiliated clans be summoned.

Once the six people arrived, he spoke directly: "The recent attack by the Western Wilderness Barbarian Tribe served as a harsh lesson for the Shen Family."

"The purpose of gathering you all here is to continue expanding our clan soldiers."

"Yunshui Town currently has a population of just over ten thousand people, and at best, only five to six hundred of our clan soldiers have reached the Body Tempering Realm."

"These soldiers are simply insufficient to deal with the barbarians."

Upon hearing this, everyone present wore grave expressions.

The last time the barbarians attacked, they mobilized over five thousand people, resulting in the death of Shen Family's Huang Qingzhou and injuries and deaths of dozens of other clan soldiers.

Had it not been for the intervention of the Shen Family's Sword Dao genius, the losses could have been even greater.

"Patriarch, what about Immortal Master Wen'an's injury...?"

The rumors about Shen Wen'an's injuries have not only garnered attention from other powers.

Several affiliated clans have been trying to find out about Shen Wen'an's condition.

Now, Chen Sanxing, head of the Chen Family, cautiously clasped his hands and spoke.

Shen Wenxing glanced at him briefly.

Chen Sanxing immediately laughed and clasped his hands: "I meant no harm, just concerned about the Immortal Master's injuries."

Shen Wenxing slowly lifted the teacup before him and said coldly: "Don't pry into matters that aren't your concern."

"I understand your intentions, so I'll tell you now."

He took a sip of tea and looked at them: "Do what you are supposed to do, and if the sky falls, the Shen Family will bear it."

At his words, the crowd quickly responded, "Yes."

"Let's get to the point."

Placing down the teacup, Shen Wenxing began, "Not all of the Western Wilderness Barbarians are Body Tempering Realm warriors; the vast majority are just regular people."

"We have too few people; to combat a potentially looming barbarian attack, the strong youths from all villages and clans need to undergo clan soldier training during non-farming periods."

"Otherwise, if the enemy comes, they'd just stick their necks out to be struck."

"Spread this message upon your return."

"Tell the common people in each village that they are protecting their families, don't think that if the Shen Family falls, they can survive."

"The women and children rescued from the plains have been assigned to each village; you must've heard from them what happens once the barbarians break in."

Everyone's expression changed upon hearing this.

"Rest assured, Patriarch, our clans will surely stand or perish with Yunshui Town!"

The Liu Family's patriarch, Liu Fang, quickly stood up to make his stance clear.

"Stand or perish with Yunshui Town!"

The others also repeatedly clasped their hands respectfully.

Shen Wenxing nodded with satisfaction and said, "Go."

Leaving the ancestral hall, he sent a letter to Shen Wenping and He Zishi in Yunshui Town.

In recent years, the Shen family's business has gradually expanded beyond Yunshui Town. At He Zishi's suggestion, Shen Wenping organized caravans, extending the Shen family's goods beyond Yunshui Town.

Since marrying, Shen Wenping had shed her youthful awkwardness, becoming a beautiful young woman.

He Zishi had also grown a beard, making him appear more composed and refined.

"A letter from Brother has arrived."

He Zishi brought the letter to Shen Wenping.

"What does it say?" Shen Wenping, heavily pregnant, was carefully tallying accounts and did not reach to take it.

He Zishi opened the letter, read it, and said: "Brother wants us to procure more leather and iron, and find skilled blacksmiths elsewhere to set up a smithy in town for weapons production."

Shen Wenping put down her pen, frowned, and pondered for a moment: "The pressure the barbarians are putting on us is immense, this matter needs to be handled quickly."

"Husband, leave the business affairs to me these days, and focus entirely on this task."

"Get the smithy up and running as soon as possible."

He Zishi nodded and glanced at her large belly, saying: "Take care of your health, don't overwork."

Shen Wenping smiled slightly: "Don't worry, go."

...

While the Shen Family was preparing for war, the Western Wilderness Barbarians were not idle.

The entire Western Wilderness Barbarian Tribe numbered nearly ten million, but the grassland was vast, and although Hundred Beasts Mountain nominally controlled the entire Western Wilderness,

It actually had control over only two to three million people.

The rest of the Western Wilderness Barbarians wandered the grasslands, living by the water.

The last assault on Yunshui Town and Fengxian County involved two barbarian troops, totaling ten thousand, all of whom perished.

Including a massive battle between those of the Fetal Breathing Realm, which nearly wiped out the Alai Gu Tribe.

Upon learning his elder's plan, Yang Xun immediately sent people deep into the grasslands to seek out barbarian tribes, recruiting warriors, and preparing for another attack over Hidden Dragon Mountain toward Yunshui Town.

He understood the Shen Family's situation.

Since the rise coinciding with the Immortal Sect's arrival, they currently had only about ten Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators.

Besides the monstrous Shen Wen'an, the rest of the cultivators were mostly at the third or fourth layer of Qi Cultivation.

As long as no other forces intervened, he could slowly wear down the Shen Family.

This kind of excruciating ordeal was more likely to cause someone's Dao Heart to collapse.

However...

Yang Xun narrowed his eyes slightly and murmured to himself: "It would be wise to find an ally to distract Luoxia Mountain, preferably to put some pressure on them."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.