Chapter 377: 227: Encirclement (9K words long , please subscribe)_5

Chapter 377: Chapter 227: Encirclement (9K words long chapter, please subscribe)_5

At this moment, everyone fell into contemplation, and the entire scene was as quiet as a graveyard.

Apart from the Lin Family members, no one dared to make eye contact with Lin Shilu; they were all intimidated.

And he had deliberately exuded this imposing aura; these families sent representatives who each had their own stance and schemes. If they were to actually command them, it was inevitable that some would lose loyalty and work without effort.

Therefore, it was necessary to display some strength and intimidate them so that they could exert greater fighting power.

Clearly, his goal had been achieved, and to an extent beyond expectations.

After scanning the crowd with his gaze, he saw that almost all family powers had sent representatives, and everyone who made eye contact with him responded with a smile.

...

He nodded in satisfaction, then spoke, “Xing Zhi…”

“Report on the defensive forces of Luoyun Market so we can make a thorough plan and ensure Luoyun Market can withstand this beast tide attack,” he said.

Upon hearing Lin Shilu’s instruction, Lin Xingzhi stood up and retrieved a book from his storage bag.

After flipping through it, he projected his loud voice throughout the entire hall, ensuring everyone could hear him clearly.

“The previous defensive forces of Luoyun Market were as follows: one Foundation Establishment Cultivator, one hundred ten Qi Refining Cultivators above the fifth level, of which fifty were Late Stage Qi Refinement Cultivators,” he announced.

“With the response of all Daoist friends to the call, there have been an additional four Foundation Establishment Cultivators and more than six hundred twenty Qi Refining Cultivators above the fifth level added, including more than one hundred eighty at the Late Stage of Qi Refinement,” he continued.

“After the additions, Luoyun Market currently has five Foundation Establishment Cultivators and more than seven hundred thirty Qi Refining Cultivators above the fifth level, with more than two hundred thirty being in the Late Stage or above,” he concluded.

Upon hearing the report, the Cultivators in the hall were overjoyed, such a formidable force, not even including the Loose Cultivators within the Market.

Under this formidable force, even if two Second Order Late Stage Beasts came, they would probably perish here.

Lin Shilu nodded and then said, “Daoist friends, your support for Luoyun Market is deeply appreciated and I thank you all for honoring the call!”

With that, Lin Shilu stood up and bowed with cupped fists towards the Cultivators below.

Seeing this gesture, the Cultivators below also rose to their feet and returned the salute with cupped fists.

In the crowd, Chen Jingshan from the front row even spoke up to flatter, “Elder Lin and the Lin Family have taken great pains for the safety of the Luoyun Mountain Range, even deploying such a powerful arrangement for its defense.”

“As people of the Luoyun Mountain, the Luoyun Market holds great significance for us all. For juniors like us to respond to the call of the Lin Family and strive to maintain the market’s safety is only right!” he said.

No sooner had his words fallen than another family Cultivator at the Eighth Level of Qi Refinement chimed in.

“Indeed…it is only natural for us juniors to take action; I just hope that Elder Lin won’t look down on us for our lower strength,” he added.

Witnessing the Chen Clan and Liu Family representatives speaking ingratiating words, many representatives of Qi Refining families spoke up as well.

In an instant, the once silent hall was filled with various flattering remarks.

Hearing the compliments from the Cultivators below, Lin Shilu chuckled and said, “I am very gratified that everyone holds the Lin Family in such high regard.”

This statement from Lin Shilu seemed very sincere and was well received by the Qi Refining Cultivators present. Everyone reveres the strong, and since Lin Shilu didn’t belittle them at all, it left the Qi Refining Cultivators quite excited.

Then, Lin Shilu’s expression changed, and he said gravely, “I do not wish to conceal anything. The dangers of the beast tide are well known to everyone, so there’s no need to repeat it. Let’s begin to arrange our course of action.”

“We have five Foundation Establishment Cultivators present. Apart from me overseeing the market, the remaining four will each lead one hundred Qi Refining Cultivators to clear Low-order Monster Beasts in the four directions from the west side of the market.”

“As for the area to the east of the market, which falls under Human Race control, only a small number of demon beasts have infiltrated, and it will only require dispatching one hundred Qi Refining Cultivators above the fifth level to clear them,” he finished.

Upon hearing this, Luo Chenggu, sitting in front of him, spoke up, “Then which Daoist friend will take responsibility for the area due west of us, close to the Luoyun Mountain Range, where encountering large Demon Beast Tribes is highly probable?”

His remarks and question reflected the truth, as the Luoyun Mountain Range itself was irregularly shaped, with a massive area in front that was a gathering place for demonic beasts.

It was certain that this direction was the most dangerous side, and although the dangers of the other three directions were not as severe, they were roughly comparable in the peril they posed.

Upon hearing this, Lin Shilu’s brows furrowed. He then spoke, “I wonder if Luo Daoyou has any wise suggestions?”

Seeing that Lin Shilu had addressed him, Luo Chenggu found himself at a loss for words. If his suggestion benefited the Lin Family, it was fine, but if it made it seem like he was using the Lin Family as a pawn, he was bound to offend them.

After all, Lin Shilu was astute. Attempting to deceive him would certainly offend the Lin Family. The Sun Family was already having a hard time, and facing sanctions from the Lin Family would only make matters worse.

At this moment, Luo Chenggu was filled with regret, questioning why he had spoken out of turn. Now, whether he moved forward or retreated, he found himself in an exceptionally awkward position.

Faced with Lin Shilu’s somewhat oppressive gaze, Luo Chenggu let out a bitter laugh before continuing, “Since Daoist Lin is holding the fort at Luoyun Market, among the remaining four, I have the highest cultivation.”

“In doing so, it is my unavoidable responsibility to take on the area directly ahead.”

Upon hearing these words, the Qi Training Cultivators in the hall burst into cheers, with many cultivators standing up to bow towards Luo Chenggu, followed by a flurry of compliments.

“Luo is deeply aware of the greater good, a role model for our fellow cultivators…”

“Luo is truly a blade of fervor, worthy of all fellow Daoists’ admiration for his spirit that fears not the danger ahead, all for the sake of the many cultivators and mortals of Luoyun Mountain…”

The ceremonious praise twisted Luo Chenggu’s heart, as he inwardly cursed himself for speaking up, inadvertently creating trouble for himself with no easy way to express his distress.

Seeing Luo Chenggu take initiative, Lin Shilu chuckled, then cupped his hands and said, “I have great admiration for Luo Daoyou’s action. Once you return victorious, I shall personally come out of the city to greet you.”

“We’ll leave the frontline to Luo Daoyou. Now, let’s arrange Qi Refinement Realm teams for you.”

Without waiting for Luo Chenggu’s response, Lin Shilu decided on the spot, which complicated Luo Chenggu’s expression even further.

After a moment to compose himself, Luo Chenggu, with a gloomy face, said, “I have no objections to Daoist Lin’s arrangement.”

“However, the situation at the frontline is still unclear; no one knows if Second Order Demonic Beasts are present. Therefore, I suggest allocating more Qi Refining Cultivators under my command so that we can complete the task given by Daoist Lin more efficiently.”

After considering the proposal, Lin Shilu thought Luo Chenggu’s request to be reasonable and well-founded.

He chuckled and said, “Then, let’s assign twenty Qi Refining Cultivators each from the forces of two Lin Family members to you, Luo Daoyou. No more objections then, right?”

Upon hearing this, Luo Chenggu was about to further negotiate, but the thought of Lin Shilu’s Foundation Establishment Seventh Level strength deflated him.

With a bitter smile, he nodded and conceded, “I am impressed by Daoist Lin’s understanding of my predicament, I will comply with Daoist Lin’s decision.”

“Good.”

Lin Shilu smiled, finding Luo Chenggu quite decisive—one who dared not offend the Lin Family; therefore, he was forced to suffer in silence without means of retort.

He nodded and declared, “Then that’s settled. Luo Daoyou has the front, and two Lin Family members will handle the area from here to Green Bamboo Mountain, while Daoist Sun will take the section down to Flying Eagle Mountain.”

“Do Daoist Sun and Luo Daoyou have any objections?”

“No objections.”

Then, Lin Shilu began to assign Qi Refining Cultivators to the teams of the four individuals. After some negotiation, the final team compositions were established.

Families close to the Lin Family naturally followed the Lin Family’s lead. Families like the Chen Clan and Liu Family, which had some strength, were assigned under Lin Xing Yuan and Lin Xingcheng.

Other Qi Refining Families that had been close to the Sun and Luo Families, who now sought to cling to the Lin Family, were ruthlessly rejected and, with no choice, continued to join the ranks of the Sun or Luo Families—hoping that their old masters would not disregard their lives.

An hour later, the arrangements for the extermination of the demonic beasts were thoroughly settled, and all cultivators started to take action.

After many cultivators had left the hall, Lin Shilu then instructed Lin Xing Yuan and Lin Xingcheng to be cautious and complete the extermination tasks swiftly.

After that, Lin Xing Yuan and the others left, leading the allocated Qi Refining Cultivators in grand processions towards the Luoyun Mountain Range.