169: Chapter 169 The Monsters Begin Their Attack

"The second matter: the entire Family is to begin preparations for battle from this moment on," Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui said solemnly, holding up two fingers.

"Prepare for battle? Is there any unusual activity from the Wei Family or the Wang Family?" Ye Tuanbang asked, puzzled.

"Yisong, tell the Elders about the situation you discovered." Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui beckoned, calling Ye Yisong to the center of the council hall.

"Respected Elders, three hours ago, I discovered that the Restriction buried at the bottom of the Weishui River months ago had been triggered. Five Grade 4 Demonic Beasts suddenly appeared in the Weishui River. I suspect that the East Sea Demon Clan is very likely preparing to launch a beast tide to avenge that injured Grade 5 Black Flood Dragon." Ye Yisong succinctly and quickly explained the situation he had discovered to the Elders.

"Five Grade 4 Demonic Beasts?" Everyone present drew a sharp breath. They instantly understood the purpose of Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui summoning them. If the East Sea Demon Clan were truly preparing to launch a beast tide, there would definitely be more than just five Grade 4 Demonic Beasts; the number would certainly be far greater. The situation was dire!

"A Restriction? What kind of Restriction can span hundreds of miles and clearly sense the traces of Yao Beasts?" Ye Jiexin glanced at Ye Yisong without leaving a trace, but he kept his thoughts to himself and did not ask aloud on the spot.

"Clan Chief, tell us, what should we do next?" Ye Tuanbang asked.

"Tuanbang, first tell me how many Medicinal Pills, Talismans, armor, and weapons are stored in the treasury." Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui patted Ye Tuanbang on the shoulder, signaling him not to be anxious. The Yao Beasts would not break in immediately; they needed to take stock of their assets first so they could respond accordingly.

"Reporting to the Clan Chief, the Family treasury currently holds 10 sets of Grade 4 precious armor, 500 Tier 4 Talismans, 50 bottles of Grade 4 Medicinal Pills, over 1,000 bottles of various Grade 3 Medicinal Pills, 2,400 Grade 3 divine weapons, 80 million Spirit Stones, and countless Spirit materials, Spirit ores, and Spirit Medicines." Ye Tuanbang recited the resources stored in the Family treasury to the Elders present as if counting his own Family treasures.

Hearing these figures, the tense hearts of the Elders eased slightly. Wealth strengthens a Martial Artist's courage; with grain in the pocket, one need not fear anything.

Old Ancestor Ye Rongming also raised an eyebrow. This was the first time he had heard these figures; ever since Ye Jiexin had achieved a Breakthrough as a Fourth-Rank Talisman Master, he had not paid attention to the Family's financial situation for a long time.

"Good, Tuanbang, you have worked hard all these years," Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui praised.

"It is my duty; everything is for the Family," Ye Tuanbang said.

"First, add one million Spirit Stones to each of the twenty-five Formation eyes of the Family's mountain-protecting Formation—the Two-Yi Taiji Bagua Formation—and activate the Formation's third-level defensive mode," Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui said, then scanned the room, looking at the Elders.

"Agreed," Ye Tuanbang said, raising his hand first. Following him, everyone else raised their hands one after another.

"Second, all Martial Ancestor powerhouses in the Family will be issued fifteen Tier 4 Talismans and one bottle of Grade 4 Medicinal Pills; Martial Masters will be issued 20 Grade 3 Talismans and 2 bottles of Grade 3 Medicinal Pills, with Late Stage Martial Masters receiving an additional 2 Tier 4 Talismans. Martial Artists below the level of Martial Master will not participate in this battle; they are to assist in repairing damaged houses throughout the Family."

"Agreed."

The Family was really bleeding resources this time, distributing Tier 4 Talismans as if they were free. There was no need for Martial Artists below the level of Martial Master to participate; facing an overwhelming Yao Beast tide, it would just be suicide, and the Ye Family did not have that many Disciples to sacrifice.

"Uncle Rongsong, you lead Tuanbang and Jiefang to guard the south side."

"Uncle Ronghui, you lead Tuantu and Jiechen to guard the west side."

"Jiefeng, you lead Jiezhu, Jiegou, and Jiechuan to guard the north side."

"I will personally lead the eldest, second, third, and seventh to guard the east side."

"Yes, Clan Chief."

For every direction, Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui arranged for a Late Stage Martial Ancestor powerhouse to lead the team to stabilize the situation, and finally, he kept the most dangerous east side for himself.

For this garrison mission, all Martial Ancestor powerhouses remaining on Luomu Mountain, except for the uncle and nephew Ye Jiexin and Ye Yisong, were assigned tasks. Even the secret Family guards who had always been hidden in the shadows surfaced and appeared in everyone's view.

"Finally, I have some good news to tell everyone: the child Yisong has had a Breakthrough in his Talisman Making skills to the fourth rank. Our Family's second Fourth-Rank Talisman Master has been born."

"What?" Ye Tuanbang stood up excitedly. Not only him, but the other Grand Elders and Elders who had come in later all looked toward Ye Yisong, waiting for his answer.

"Respected Elders, under the cultivation of Elder Jiexin, I have fortunately not failed the mission and managed to have a Breakthrough to become a Fourth-Rank Talisman Master a few days ago," Ye Yisong said humbly.

"Hahaha, good child!" The group burst into earth-shattering laughter, startling the Disciples on duty outside. They looked toward the council hall in confusion, wondering what good news had occurred to make the Elders so happy.

"Jiexin and Yisong will remain at Lingmu Peak to produce Tier 4 Talismans in preparation for the decisive battle," Old Ancestor Ye Rongming said.

"It should be so," Ye Tuanbang said matter-of-factly. Unless it was a moment of life or death for the Family, which Family would send high-end technical talent out to engage in hand-to-hand combat with Yao Beasts? "If it weren't for these extraordinary times, our Family would have to invite friends and relatives far and wide and hold a grand banquet for three days."

The others all nodded, firmly supporting the Old Ancestor's decision.

"The task assignments are clear; everyone, go and prepare according to what Tuanhui said. The Yao Beasts will arrive at Luomu Mountain in a few days," Old Ancestor Ye Rongming said majestically as he sat at the head.

"Jiexin, Yisong, you two stay behind."

"Yes, Old Ancestor." After bowing and saluting Ye Rongming, everyone slowly exited the council hall.

"One hundred years ago, Jiexin had a Breakthrough to become a Fourth-Rank Talisman Master, solving the Family's financial crisis and also liberating this old man from the brink of life and death while hunting Yao Beasts." After everyone had left, Ye Rongming recalled the past, patted Ye Jiexin on the shoulder, and said, "Child, keeping you trapped in the Family all these years has been hard on you."

"It is not hard; this was Jiexin's own will, and I do not blame anyone." The corners of Ye Jiexin's eyes were slightly red; his perseverance over these years had finally paid off.

"You kid have really made me look at you with new eyes. You are worthy of being the Qilin of my Ye Family," Ye Rongming said, looking with gleaming eyes at Ye Yisong, who was standing to the side, at a loss.

"It is all under the wise and martial leadership of the Old Ancestor and the good cultivation of the Family," Ye Yisong said, flattering him, which made Ye Rongming laugh heartily.

"Interesting kid. Here are ten Grade 4 Spirit Gathering Pills; you each take five and consolidate your cultivation well." Ye Rongming waved his hand, throwing ten Medicinal Pills and stuffing them into their hands. "Go now, and craft more Talismans to assist the clansmen in killing the enemy."

...

"Father, the old Lion-head Fish sent a message saying that he suspects the humans have already discovered our plan and wants to launch the attack one day early. I have already agreed to his request." Cang Yun transmitted the message to the old Black Flood Dragon, Clan Leader Cang Lan, via a long-distance mirror, reporting the news of the early action to him.

"Since the humans have become aware, then do not wait any longer. Start the attack tomorrow. Rest assured, the other two clans will absolutely not support the Ye Family." Clan Leader Cang Lan quickly replied to Cang Yun, and moved the attack time up by another day.