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Chapter 1005: Chapter 971: Attack _2
Furthermore, they are expendable forces provided for free! Other major powers when enlisting vassal forces would at least pay for their lives and even compensate the vassal forces.
However, the Cave Abyss Sect is truly one of a kind! Entirely unique!
If the strength of Cave Abyss Sect weren’t overwhelmingly strong, such actions would surely be overthrown by a combined effort of all vassal forces!
Yet such tactics also gained the disdain of vassal forces like the Li family, who were treated unfairly.
But that matters not to them, as the Cave Abyss Sect does not call upon others usually, and once they do, would they dare to revolt?
Even with Zhirui’s state of mind, hearing this statement and seeing that map, he couldn’t help but have his breath seize up, and from the corner of his eye, he noticed the faces of many cultivators darkening instantly; although they quickly recovered, none escaped his sharp eyes.
This is no longer an implicit threat from the Cave Abyss Sect; they have laid their calculations bare, forcing them to confront the furious Sea Clan, fight with them, while they reap the benefits from behind!
The scene was silent, with no cultivator speaking up, as no one could accept this.
"If any of you Fellow Daoists have any ideas, please feel free to speak up. If it benefits our fight against the Sea Clan, the Sect will consider accepting them."
The Lianxu Cultivator spoke indifferently as if he hadn’t noticed anything amiss in the atmosphere: "If not, please ensure that you know your assigned areas, proceed there promptly, and set up the Defensive Arrays to better manage the Sea Clan."
"Yes!" Faced with the mammoth power of the Cave Abyss Sect, even if there were many grievances and dissatisfaction in their hearts, they had no choice but to comply obediently.
Realizing the implied meaning of hastening them in his words, after recording the map and their designated areas, Zhirui and other cultivators stood up one after another, flying to their temporary stations at the fastest speed.
"Jiu, what’s wrong?"
Da Qing and other close associates immediately noticed Zhirui’s discontent and thought something significant had happened, hurriedly questioning him.
"Pack up, we need to head to a region in the Northeast. From now on, we will stay there, defending a hundred-mile radius of the sea area from being reclaimed by the Sea Clan until the nearshore area’s ownership is decisively settled, or until we await new summons from the Cave Abyss Sect." Zhirui did not explain further but issued orders immediately, other matters could be discussed on the way.
Although puzzled, everyone followed his commands without question.
In just two hours, all of the tribespeople were aboard the Cloud Boat, flying toward the location Zhirui mentioned.
Only later, with high-rank cultivators like Da Qing and a few accompanying elders, did he explain why they had to leave so hurriedly.
"This is outrageous! The Cave Abyss Sect is just bullying us too excessively!" Xiaoqing, who had the most volatile temper, shouted angrily.
Zhirui had already calmed himself down and spoke evenly: "Since they are powerful, we should focus on how to defend that sea area properly."
"It’s a pity Shuo didn’t come with us. With her as a sixth-order Array Master, we would have faced much less pressure." Li Chengsheng sighed.
To defend an area, the best method is to utilize the power of formations!
"I remember there were a few who followed Fengwu to study the Great Array among the tribespeople who arrived at the battlefield, what is their level of attainment in Array Tao?" Da Qing looked towards those few elders who managed miscellaneous tasks.
"By combining all the Array Masters, we can establish a sixth-order Mountain Protection Array, but it would be slow." Given that their own realms were insufficient, although capable, the efficiency would be slower.
Zhirui thought for a moment and said, "First set up the sixth-order Array Flags and Array Plate that we brought from our family. Meanwhile, let all Array Masters fully deduce and try to complete it as quickly as possible."
While they were discussing, the Cloud Boat had already reached the sea area assigned to the Li family by the Cave Abyss Sect.
Zhirui did not immediately let the members of his clan disembark but instead circled around the entire sea area, observing the surrounding environment, swiftly calculating in his mind while issuing the instruction: "All uninjured Lianxu and Huashen clan people, now build two parallel chains of islands at the westernmost side of this sea area, with both ends slightly bending inward. Maintain a gap of no more than ten miles; if there aren’t enough islands, move some from the west."
"Array Masters remained on the Cloud Boat, using two chains of islands as the foundation, devising a sixth-order Mountain Protection Array. The rest of the clan continued to heal and stay alert for sneak attacks from the Sea Clan."
All clan members acted following Li Zhirui’s orders; instantly, the sea area became bustling, a stark contrast to the tranquility of the surrounding waters.
"What is that family doing?" At the same time, it also piqued the curiosity of many Cultivators.
"It looks like they are building defenses, indeed it seems much stronger than our current position." The sharp-eyed Cultivators had already discerned the Li family’s actions and the benefits of their strategy.
The long island chain could disperse the Sea Clan, reducing the defensive pressure at any single point, and the inward curving ends could broaden the attack range. The second island chain added an extra layer of security and could also serve as a rear base for healing and crafting Spiritual Objects.
"This method is good, quick! Before the Sea Clan attacks, replicate this family’s layout, and rebuild the defenses!" Immediately, some forces began to act.
Li Zhirui noticed their imitation, but he did not stop them. Instead, he hoped they would take inspiration because if the surrounding sea areas were breached, the pressure on the Li family would dramatically increase.
Cave Abyss Sect and Zhang Family in the rear also noticed this, but they did not care. These Cultivators were just cannon fodder to exhaust the Sea Clan, and they wouldn’t mind if many died; if they won, that’d be even better.
The Li family’s Cultivators were busy for most of the year, finally constructing the island chain completely. Then, the Array Masters arranged all the brought Formations, and Li family fell into silence.
Li Zhirui and others restored their Mana, adjusted their conditions; Array Masters based on the island chain devised the sixth-order Mountain Protection Array; Skill Artisans responsible for later stages tried their best to craft Spiritual Objects.
Everything was waiting for the arrival of the Sea Clan.
However, the Giant Pincer Thick Shell Crab clan that failed and fled back to the deep sea, among them, several seventh-rank Water Devils, had to retreat into seclusion to heal their wounds due to their lost limbs and urgently enacted Secret Techniques to foster growth.
Otherwise, over time, the effectiveness of the Secret Technique would greatly diminish.
Most of their strength relied on their giant pincers. If they lacked a pincer, their power would significantly diminish.
However, before they went into seclusion, they issued orders to the sixth-order Crab Devils; after resting for a few days, they must lead their clan to attack the Cultivators, disrupt their settlements, and in any way possible, not allow humans to stay on their turf.
So, on the fifth day after the Crab Devils escaped, they regrouped and launched an assault on their original territories, resolute in driving the Cultivators out and protecting their homeland.
"Water Devils are coming!"
The watchers among the clan sounded the Dharma Bell at once, signaling the incoming threat to all clan members.
Li Zhirui immediately flew out of his temporary Cave Mansion and appeared before everyone, "Prepare for a great battle!"
It wasn’t long before a large group of Crab Devils came riding the waves, brandishing their giant pincers, seemingly boasting and heightening their own morale.
Rumble rumble—
But when they were fifty li away from approaching the island chain, a series of explosive sounds erupted, causing enormous waves. The powerful blasts instantly disrupted the Crab Devils’ formation, turning them all into a sorry state.
"Ah! I will slaughter you all, skin and debone you to vent the fury in my heart!" A sixth-order Crab Devil roared madly.
"Let’s see if you can manage that!" Li Zhirui sneered dismissively. Him? A sixth-order middle-stage Crab Devil couldn’t last ten moves in his hands!
Despite significant losses, the Crab Devils continued forwards, but this time much more cautiously. They even conducted specific checks, worried about another explosion.
Otherwise, they might end up as corpses before even clashing with the Cultivators!
