102: Enemy information, division of labor and deployment

The speedboat cut through the azure sea, leaving a white wake, and after several days of rapid travel, the coordinates of the overseas Immortal Island had been reached.

Lin Xiaowan, Aya, and Yan Gang stood solemnly behind, all with grave expressions, no longer having the relaxed chatter they had on the way there.

The speedboat broke through the mist Formation, and the outline of the Immortal Island appeared before their eyes.

Aya and Yan Gang were secretly astonished that the Li Clan still had such a backup plan.

As soon as the boat docked and they stepped onto the familiar beach, a group of Disciples led by Li Qingzhu, who had stayed behind, came to greet them.

"Uncle!"

"Clan Chief!"

Everyone's faces showed obvious fatigue and worry, but the moment they saw Li Yinglong's figure, their eyes all burst with the relief and excitement of finding their backbone.

Li Yinglong's gaze was like lightning, quickly sweeping over everyone, especially lingering for a moment on Li Changyun, Li Changxuan, and Stone Iron Ox.

Although the three of them could barely stand, their faces were pale, and their Qi was weak; Li Changxuan and the other's bodies were covered in dense bandages, and Stone Iron Ox even needed someone to support him slightly, clearly indicating serious injuries.

"Qingzhu, everyone, you've worked hard."

Li Yinglong said in a deep voice.

He turned sideways to introduce them:

"Little Wan has returned, accompanied by Miss Aya from the Angry Dragon Clan and Brother Yan Gang. Hearing that there were matters on the island, they specially came to help."

Lin Xiaowan immediately stepped forward, seeing her three Senior Brothers in such a state, her eyes reddened slightly, and she anxiously said:

"Brother Changyun, Brother Changxuan, Brother Iron Ox, you..."

"It's fine, just superficial wounds, a few days of rest and we'll be good."

Li Changyun and the other two quickly forced a smile, not wanting her to worry.

However, Lin Xiaowan didn't wait for them to finish speaking. She had already taken out several ceramic jars and jade bottles from a medicine box she carried, carved from a dark purple hardwood from the Southern Border with ancient patterns.

"I studied with Long Yun the Medicine Ritualist in the Angry Dragon Stockade and learned some of their ancient methods for treating external injuries and expelling evil poisons. Let me try!"

Her tone was firm, brooking no refusal.

She first took out a jar of deep green ointment with a strange, cool scent, carefully scraped some with a bamboo stick, unfastened Li Changxuan's bandage, and applied it to his still bleeding wound.

The moment the ointment touched his skin, Li Changxuan couldn't help but let out a soft "hiss." He felt an extreme coldness penetrate his body, instantly suppressing the burning pain, and the faint black Qi that had been around the wound receded at a visible pace.

"This is 'Ice Silkworm Gu Ointment,' refined from the silk fluid secreted by century-old ice silkworms mixed with 'Clear Heart Grass,' 'Earth Yin Lotus,' and over ten other Spiritual Plants unique to the Southern Border. It can quickly relieve pain, detoxify, and promote muscle regeneration."

Lin Xiaowan explained while gently applying the ointment, her movements skilled, clearly having mastered its essence.

Next, she took out a reddish pill with a faint scent of blood and handed it to Stone Iron Ox:

"Brother Iron Ox, your internal organs are shaken, and your Qi and blood are stagnant. Swallow this 'Blood Python Bone Strengthening Pill' and guide the medicinal power to circulate through your Meridians with your Qi and blood."

Stone Iron Ox took it as instructed. A moment later, a flush of color appeared on his face, and he let out a long breath, saying in a muffled voice:

"Comfortable! A warm current spread in my stomach, and I feel my muscles and bones have loosened up a lot!"

Finally, she took out a small bottle of pale yellow liquid and had Li Changyun take a few drops:

"This is 'Wood Spirit Marrow Fluid,' extracted from ancient tree hearts. It is best for nourishing Meridians and calming Spiritual Qi backlash."

After her treatment, the three's complexions visibly improved. Although still far from full recovery, they were no longer as listless as before.

"Younger Sister Xiaowan, you really learned great skills on this trip!"

Li Changxuan moved his arm, praising her with surprise.

Li Changyun and Stone Iron Ox also cast grateful and relieved glances.

Lin Xiaowan was also happy to see that her knowledge could indeed help her clansmen, her pretty face slightly flushed:

"It's good if I can help everyone."

Li Yinglong saw that the three's injuries were stabilized, nodded slightly, and said to Li Qingzhu:

"Qingzhu, take me to see those things."

Li Qingzhu's expression became serious:

"Uncle, please follow me."

They arrived at a secluded spot in the encampment, where the several Sea Yao Beast corpses were placed separately, covered with straw mats.

When the straw mats were lifted, a strong stench of fishiness and decay rushed to their heads.

Due to being out of water for several days, the corpses were severely dehydrated and shriveled. The skin clung to the twisted bones, appearing dark brown, like sun-dried fish that had been exposed for many years, their forms distorted, almost unrecognizable from their original appearance.

One could only vaguely make out the remnants of broken scales, webbed membranes between their fingers, and strangely structured heads with extremely wide mouths.

Li Yinglong bent down, examining them carefully, his brow furrowing tighter and tighter.

He recalled the description of the "Blood Curse Sea Clan" in the records of strange tales of the universe:

They should be closer to human form, like products of a crude splicing of human and sea beast features, possessing a certain degree of intelligence and organization.

But these in front of him... were more like some kind of sea beast living in the deep sea, affected by an unknown power, evolving savagely towards a humanoid direction but far from successful!

They were filled with a primitive, savage, chaotic aura.

"System, scan and analyze these biological remains, compare them with the database, and confirm their Origin and nature."

Li Yinglong silently recited in his mind.

【Command confirmed. Starting scan of target biological remains... Energy spectrum analysis... Tissue composition parsing... Gene fragment comparison...】

【Analysis complete】

【Conclusion: Target organisms are not known 'Blood Curse Sea Clan' individuals.】

【Their life Origin is deep-sea predatory fish, long-term eroded and mutated by a certain high-concentration, complex, unknown energy containing strong negative emotions and chaotic will. Their body shape and skeletal structure have undergone adaptive mutations, tending towards a humanoid form, to gain survival and hunting advantages in more complex environments.】

【Energy attribute determination: The Rank of this mutated energy is extremely high, but it is extremely chaotic and violent, full of destruction and devouring desires, completely opposite to the orderly and peaceful Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi; those eroded by it will have their intelligence suppressed or distorted, retaining only the most primitive instincts of predation, reproduction, and expansion, with extremely strong aggressiveness.】

【Threat assessment: The individual combat power of such mutated sea beasts is approximately at Qi Refining Rank one to four. They fear strong light and intense fire. Their behavioral pattern is more akin to a beast pack driven by instinct. There is currently no evidence to suggest they are under the unified command of a higher intelligent individual, and the island has the Mist Concealment Grand Formation for defense. This batch of sea beasts is highly likely to have accidentally moved to this location, but their appearance means that the source of the anomaly may have approached the sea area radiated by the Immortal Island, requiring high vigilance.】

【Suggestion: Increase defense Rank, establish an early warning mechanism, collect more samples, and continuously monitor sea area anomalies.】

The System's analysis was cold and objective, allowing Li Yinglong to breathe a slight sigh of relief.

It wasn't the terrifying remnant race of legend, which was a blessing in misfortune.

But what the System said about "source of the anomaly" and "beast pack instinct" still weighed heavily on his mind.

This meant the attack might not be over, but just beginning.

He straightened up, his face calm, and looked at the crowd gathered around him. He took the core information from the System's analysis, disguised it as his own judgment using the records of strange tales of the universe as a cover, and said in a deep voice:

"Children, these things are extraordinary. They are deep-sea Vicious Beasts that have been eroded and mutated by a malevolent energy. They fear no death and only possess the instinct to hunt, like a plague of locusts. Their source is unknown, and it is highly likely that they landed on the island by accident, but they are probably not an isolated case, and we must be on guard. To ensure the peace of the Immortal Island, we must immediately set to work, strengthen our defenses, and plan ahead."

His gaze swept over everyone:

"The defensive stronghold planned earlier must begin construction immediately, without further delay."

Li Changyu and Zhao Mingyuan immediately stepped forward.

Li Changyu cupped his hands and said:

"Clan Chief, Mingyuan and I have already surveyed the terrain and planned the direction of the stockade walls, the locations of watchtowers, and the layout of the core area. We originally wanted to refine it further and perfect the connections of various Formation nodes, but now that the matter is urgent, we can first build the walls and establish the stockade, and then gradually add the Formations!"

Zhao Mingyuan's eyes sparkled with wisdom as he added:

"Using local materials, mainly ironwood and black stone from the island, and building along the mountains and cave areas, the walls need to be over two zhang high. Key points will be reinforced with spirit patterns. Although simple, it can resist the impact of ordinary Yao Beasts, buying time for the Formations."

Lin Xiaowan also stepped forward, saying clearly:

"Clan Chief, I brought back several kinds of unique Spiritual Plant seeds and saplings from the Southern Border. Among them is 'Iron Thorn,' which, when cultivated, becomes as hard as refined iron and covered in sharp thorns, and can be planted beneath the outer wall; 'Misty Orchid,' which can emit a hallucinogenic scent, can be placed in the outer passages; and even 'Demon Devouring Vine,' which is sensitive to blood Qi and can actively entangle and attack nearby living creatures. I can set up such a plant defense line around the stockade walls, complementing the Formations."

Her eyes were full of confidence; these were practical methods she had learned in the Angry Dragon Stockade.

Seeing Lin Xiaowan speak, Yan Gang instinctively took a step forward, his dark face showing a hint of eagerness and sincerity, his voice booming:

"Clan Head Li, for building the stockade and raising walls, moving stones and transporting wood, my Rock Armor dragon spirit can be put to good use! I can easily lift giant stones weighing a thousand catties, solidify Foundations, and even change the terrain in a small area. Digging ditches and diverting water are no problem! Leave these heavy tasks to me!"

He patted his chest, but his gaze involuntarily drifted towards Lin Xiaowan.

Aya pursed her lips and smiled, naturally seeing her brother's thoughts, and also spoke:

"Grandpa Li, I can help Little Wan plant defensive Spiritual Plants. Besides, I also brought some Gu insects, which might come in handy."

"'Shadow-Winged Bees' fly silently, and their stingers carry paralyzing venom. They can patrol at night to warn of danger. 'Iron-Jawed Ants' can gnaw through metal and iron, swarming out to attack the lower body. And 'Miasma Toads' can hide in dark corners, spewing poisonous mist that causes fatigue and unconsciousness. Don't worry about accidental injury; just have your clansmen apply my specially made anti-poison potion, and they won't be attacked by them. These Gu insects can be placed in the cracks of the stockade walls and dark passages as a hidden defense line."

Everyone offered their opinions, and in a short time, they outlined a three-dimensional, multi-layered defensive System prototype, showing that they usually did not waste time.

Li Yinglong listened silently, the look of relief in his eyes growing stronger.

In times of crisis, the strength of a united Family is truly revealed.

He pondered for a moment, then decided:

"Excellent! We shall proceed as you all have suggested and immediately begin the construction of the stockade. Changyu and Mingyuan will oversee the planning and Formations; Little Wan will be responsible for the arrangement of the outer Spiritual Plants; Yan Gang, I will trouble you to be the main force in building the city; Aya, your Gu insects can serve as a surprise force, and you will be fully responsible for their deployment; Qingzhu will coordinate the allocation of materials and manpower; Changyun, Changxuan, and Iron Ox, your injuries have not yet healed, so for now, you will be responsible for supervising the new Disciples in collaborative work and accelerating your recovery."

With the arrangements made, he changed the subject, bringing up a crucial point:

"However, the manpower on the island is ultimately limited. To complete this stockade quickly, we need more labor. My intention is to dispatch a reliable group of people from Linhai City's main port to assist."

Upon hearing this, Li Qingzhu showed a hint of worry:

"Uncle, the location of the Immortal Island is a core secret of the Family. Introducing a large number of outsiders might..."

Li Yinglong waved his hand:

"I have already considered this matter. The people to be dispatched are all vassals of the Family, with clean backgrounds and proven loyalty; they will be transported by sea vessel, obscuring their whereabouts so that their location is unknown. During their stay on the island, their activity area will be clearly defined, and they will be strictly forbidden from prying into the core area; upon completion of the project, they will be immediately sent back and generously rewarded. We have the Mist Concealment Grand Formation for defense; they will only know that they are working for a certain overseas industry of the Family and will not know the specific location."

"In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. If the island stronghold is not established, there will be no peace. Guarding a secret in vain will only bring harm."

Li Qingzhu thought it over and indeed found it to be true, so she no longer spoke much, nodding in agreement:

"Niece understands, I will respectfully obey Uncle's command!"

"Good!"

Li Yinglong's gaze swept over the excited crowd:

"The Immortal Island is the Foundation of my Li Clan, and it must not be lost! From today onwards, with one heart and one mind, we will build our stronghold and defend our homeland!"

"We respectfully obey the Clan Chief's command!"

Everyone responded with a resounding roar, their voices shaking the surroundings.