52: Intelligence update, regional updates

The Light Screen in the Sea of Consciousness suddenly brightened, and information cascaded down like a waterfall!

This time, it was no longer a single event, but a grander, categorized map of regions!

"Ding!"

[System Prompt: Detected expansion of Host's influence and intensification of regional Spiritual Qi anomalies, unlocking a new intelligence category—Regional Sector Type.]

[Regional Sector Intelligence: Will provide macro-level information regarding force distribution, resource overview, major event clues, potential threats/opportunities, etc., within the Host's current region (or specified related regions).]

[Refresh cycle is variable, related to Host's actions and regional changes. First unlock grants a free overview intelligence report for the Northern Border of Barren Mountain Domain!]

Li Qinghe's spirit lifted, and he immediately immersed his mind.

[First Regional Sector Intelligence: Overview of the Northern Border of Barren Mountain Domain]

[Core Force Structure (Currently Detected):]

"Qingxuan Sect Influence Fringe Zone: Centered around Li Qingfeng's New Town (including Black Mountain Town), formed by Mortal Town Nodes like Qingshui Town (Zhao Tianbao). Nominally governed by the Qingxuan Sect, but actual control is weak, relying mainly on scattered dispatched Disciples (like Li Qingfeng, Zhao Tianbao) to maintain basic order."

"Characteristics: Relatively barren resources (before the Spiritual Qi Resurgence), primarily inhabited by Mortals, currently a disaster zone suffering from Yao Beast Mutations and raids."

"Potential Points: Newly discovered Spiritual Veins (New Town), Unknown Regions (Deep within Black Mountain)."

"Small Cultivator Families (Stronghold: 'Cold Crow Ridge' in the far north): Approximately three hundred li from the New Town, the journey is long and obstructed by many perilous, steep mountain ranges."

"Detected the existence of a small Cultivator Family using 'Cold Crow' as its totem (suspected surname 'Han' or 'Han'), likely possessing Mid-to-Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivators (specific numbers and Realms unknown)."

"Characteristics: Keep a low profile, firmly entrenched in their ancestral land, Cold Crow Ridge (suspected to have a small Spiritual Vein or Spiritual Spring), rarely interact with the outside world, maintaining a wait-and-see or neutral stance regarding the conflicts in the Northern Border of Barren Mountain Domain."

"Potential Relationship: Unknown (Can be approached / Must be wary)."

"Barbarian Tribes (Activity Area: 'Vast Grasslands' at the northern foot of Black Mountain): Located north of the main Black Mountain range, in the vast grassland area."

"Several nomadic Barbarian Tribes are active here (Stronger ones detected: Blood Wolf Tribe, Black Eagle Tribe)."

"Characteristics: Fierce customs, worship totems (Wolf, Eagle, etc.), possess unique Body Cultivator or Shamanic Sorcery Legacies (not orthodox Immortal Dao)."

"Relations with southern agricultural towns (like Black Mountain Town) are complex; historically, there has been both trade (furs, livestock exchanged for salt, iron, and grain) and conflict/raiding."

"After the Spiritual Qi Resurgence, the strength of their tribal warriors and Totem Beasts may have increased; their movements require close monitoring."

"Recent Intelligence: The Blood Wolf Tribe shows signs of moving south (approaching the northern foothills of Black Mountain)."

"Qingxuan Fellow Disciples' Forces:"

"Location: Scattered across various important villages, towns, or transportation nodes (e.g., Zhao Tianbao in the Qingshui Town area)."

"Rank: All are recently promoted to the Qi Refinement Stage or have achieved Spirit Enlightenment Perfection and returned home, or have been ordered to be 'stationed' as Outer Sect Disciples of the Qingxuan Sect, holding the Sect's Jade Seal, possessing the legal authority to govern one town and several villages. Their strength generally ranges from Spirit Enlightenment Perfection to Early Stage Qi Refining (Levels One to Three)."

"Clear Objectives: Stabilize their territories, gather resources (population, special products, potential spiritual items), accumulate Merit, in hopes of advancing further within the Sect. Intense competition exists among them, fighting over unclaimed lands (like the former Black Mountain Town), resource points, and even population."

"Zhao Tianbao is just one of them. There are at least seven or eight 'Town Guard Immortal Masters' like him in the Northern Border, each carving out their own domain. (Currently known: Zhao Tianbao - Qingshui Town and three villages; Li Qingfeng - New Town (including three villages) and Black Mountain Town; others pending investigation...)"

"Characteristics: Potential competition exists between them (for resources, population, performance for the Sect), relationships are delicate—they might cooperate or become enemies. Zhao Tianbao, due to the larger size of his jurisdiction and proximity to the New Town, is the target requiring the most attention recently."

[Karma Deduction: The intensification of the Spiritual Qi Resurgence is stimulating the transformation of wild beasts and also attracting low-level Yao Beasts that originally inhabited deeper, more dangerous areas to spread toward the fringes where Spiritual Qi is relatively thin but food sources (Mortals) are abundant. This trend is likely to continue or worsen in the short term. Mortal settlements without a powerful Cultivator guarding them face sharply increased risks!]

[Recommendation: Consolidate defenses of existing strongholds (Black Mountain Town, New Town), strengthen patrols and early warnings, closely monitor northern intelligence, guard against the possibility of large-scale Beast Tides forming, and quickly enhance your own strength and that of your subordinates!]

[Current Regional Situation: Spiritual Qi Resurgence, Yao Beast Mutations, Power Vacuum, Competition Emerging.]

[Potential Risk Points: Yao Beast harassment is continuously escalating, the possibility of Savage Tribes plundering southward is increasing, competition among fellow Disciples (especially Zhao Tianbao) is intensifying, and the attitude of small Cultivator Families remains uncertain.]

[Potential Opportunity Points: Consolidate resources (New Town, Black Mountain Town, potential Spiritual Veins), absorb refugees (those fleeing Yao Beast harassment), establish limited cooperation with some fellow Disciples or Savage Tribes (requires caution), explore the depths of Black Mountain (risk and opportunity coexist).]

[Note]: This is a macro overview; specific details and minor factions require subsequent intelligence supplements.

Li Qinghe's brows were tightly knitted.

Just as expected! The appearance of the Black Water Profound Python was no accident!

The entire northern part of the Desolate Mountain Domain, and even the broader Mortal lands, were beginning to be enveloped by the shadow of Yao Beasts!

Just as Li Qinghe was digesting the intelligence, the construction site of the New Town and the recently settled Black Mountain Town successively received more specific news.

Wang Tiezhu returned to the New Town with the processed precious Materials (Yao Cores, Essence Blood) and some snake meat samples.

He immediately found Li Dashan and Li Qingfeng.

"Uncle! Brother Feng!" Wang Tiezhu's expression was grave:

"Black Mountain Town is basically settled. Shi Tou stayed there, but on the way back, I saw the Sect's communication bird. Sensing the signal through the Identity Jade Slip, I received the regional warning message that was sent out!"

He unfolded a simple animal skin map (the regional map issued by the Qingxuan Sect) and pointed north:

"Look! It's not just us! Big things are happening to the north! The Kaoshan Village managed by Zhao Tianbao in Qingshui Town had nearly half the village wiped out by Mountain Ghouls! There's a wolf plague happening near Black Rock Fort!"

"The villages near the swamp in Beilin County suffered even worse; I heard entire households were dragged into the water and disappeared! The Qingxuan Sect sent a message saying this is a 'Minor Beast Tide' caused by the intensification of Spiritual Qi Resurgence, urging all Disciples outside to be vigilant and protect their respective territories!"

Li Dashan looked at the disaster points marked on the map and gasped: "So many places were attacked by Yao Beasts? This..."

Li Qingfeng's gaze was deep, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table.

He had just taken control of Black Mountain Town and was ready to make great strides, but the demonic aura from the north was already this intense.

The New Town and Black Mountain Town were both in relatively forward positions.

He said in a deep voice, "Father, Tie Zhu, it seems our actions must be faster! The defensive works for the New Town and Black Mountain Town must be strengthened immediately! Patrols must be expanded, running day and night! Recruiting and training able-bodied young men is urgent! Also..."

He looked towards Wang Tiezhu:

"Tie Zhu, take some trouble and run to the liaison point set up by the Qingxuan Sect near the northern prefecture city again."

"Take some parts from the giant python to prove our Merit in slaying a Qi Refining Third Layer demon python, and exchange them for more basic defensive Talismans, warning Magical Artifacts, and healing Medicinal Pills! If the Spirit Stones are insufficient, use these Materials as collateral!"

He pointed to the Yao Cores and Essence Blood that Wang Tiezhu had brought back.

"Understood! I'll go right away!"

Wang Tiezhu knew the situation was urgent.

A more direct impact soon arrived.

A few days after the news spread, scattered refugees, dragging their families and looking emaciated, began appearing outside the New Town construction site and Black Mountain Town.

They came from villages further north that had been devastated; their homes destroyed by Yao Beasts, forcing them to flee south in search of a glimmer of life.

"Immortal Master Sir! Have mercy, give us some food..."

"Qingshui Town suffered disaster too; Immortal Master Zhao can't manage everything..."

"Beilin County is terrifying, the water and the forest are full of man-eating monsters..."

The refugees' cries and fearful eyes made the residents of the newly merged three villages feel a chill.

They looked at the bustling construction site, then at the somber Black Mountain in the distance, and for the first time, truly felt that the existence of Immortal Masters not only meant opportunity but also the hope of survival in the impending chaotic era!

The scroll of the Northern Border of Barren Mountain Domain slowly unfolded due to the Spiritual Qi Resurgence.

Beneath the calm surface were the roars of Yao Beasts and the blood and tears of Mortals.

Li Qingfeng stood atop the nascent earthen walls of the New Town, gazing at the gloomy northern sky, his fists clenched tight.

His Qingxuan New Town, along with the Black Mountain Town just brought under his command, now stood at the forefront of this rising tide.

Defending the land and securing the people, while strengthening the Foundation, could not be delayed!

At this moment, Li Qinghe was in his Immortal Cave, carefully processing that tough, cold-attribute snakeskin.

Simultaneously, his gaze once again fell upon the countdown timer in his Sea of Consciousness regarding the collection of Grand Yin Lunar Essence; personal cultivation was equally a crucial force in facing this chaotic era.