Zhao Gaofang pondered for a moment before speaking, his voice heavy with gravity. “The Qingniu Market must be held at all costs. You must understand that this is a crucial source of income for our five families. Once lost, it would likely take decades to reestablish!”

He slapped the table a few times for emphasis. “We can’t hold back any longer, gentlemen. We must immediately mobilize the remaining cultivators from our families for defense!”

Every family had, more or less, left at least one Foundation Establishment cultivator at their main residence. This was an unspoken understanding to prevent being wiped out completely if the front lines fell.

Cheng Zhihe nodded in agreement. “That’s true, but the strength of a third-rank demon beast is too great. Relying solely on our three families, we definitely cannot withstand it.”

He paused, a glint of calculation in his eyes. “The Wang Family has profited the most from Qingniu Market. It’s unreasonable for them not to contribute. In my opinion, we should notify them to send at least two Foundation Establishment cultivators!”

“I agree,” Lei Liheng stated firmly. “This time, there are over a hundred second-rank demon beasts coming. The Li Family must also send one Foundation Establishment cultivator. The pressure shouldn’t be borne by our three families alone!”

“Since everyone agrees, let’s notify them immediately.”

Thus, the three quickly wrote message talismans to inform the heads of the Wang and Li Families.

The Li Family only needed to provide one Foundation Establishment cultivator. Combined with the fact that their defensive pressure wasn’t too great, they could manage to spare one. However, asking the Wang Family to provide two, while also having two of their clan territories under attack, truly put Wang Yanzhao in a difficult position.

But Qingniu Market couldn’t be lost. If they didn’t send support, even if it was held, the Wang Family would be ostracized by the other three families, potentially cutting off their trade routes.

Therefore, Wang Yanzhao notified Wang Hao to return to Ruojun Mountain to discuss the matter.

Given Wang Hao’s flight speed and his choice to travel during the day, there was no need to worry about the aquatic demon beasts seizing the opportunity to attack.

“What are your thoughts?” Wang Guang’an looked at the assembled group.

Wang Hao spoke first. “Actually, the pressure at Ling Lake isn’t that great, but it still wouldn’t do to have no Foundation Establishment cultivator guarding it!”

Wang Yanzhao nodded in agreement. “It’s the same here at Ruojun Mountain. There are still about a thousand beasts in the horde, with twenty second-rank demon beasts. Once we few leave, I’m afraid it won’t hold.”

“Then we can only crush one front. Otherwise, we’ll have to abandon one clan territory,” Wang Longyou said decisively. “Ling Lake has less than ten second-rank demon beasts. If we prepare well and launch a surprise attack, there’s a high chance we can completely rout them!”

Wang Guang’an looked at Wang Hao. “Tell us about the demon beast information there.”

Wang Hao nodded. “Originally there were thirteen second-rank demon beasts. Over these past days, I’ve successively killed five, leaving only eight. They are: a second-rank high-grade Profound Water Turtle and a Green Flame Python; a second-rank mid-grade Black-shelled Shrimp and a Six-legged Crab. The rest are second-rank low-grade and not worth fearing.”

Wang Guang’an roughly calculated the strength of both sides. “This old man can temporarily hold off two second-rank high-grade demon beasts without issue. Let Longyou hold off two second-rank mid-grade ones. Can you father and son quickly kill four second-rank low-grade demon beasts?”

Wang Hao thought for a moment. In a one-on-one fight, he could easily slaughter them individually. But there were four of them. However, with his father also there, their chances of success were high.

He nodded. “It should be no problem. I also have the Flying Cloud Boat and can bring several Qi Refining Perfection clansmen along. We can use formations to temporarily block low-level demon beasts from interfering with us.”

“Good! Then everyone prepare separately and act as soon as possible! Yanzhao, you go select suitable Qi Refining clansmen!” Wang Guang’an was greatly pleased. From Ruojun Mountain to Qingniu Market, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator needed a day and a half of flight time. They had to resolve the Ling Lake situation quickly.

This time, Wang Yanzhao once again conscripted the older Qi Refining late-stage clansmen. They operated the Tri-Element Water-Splitting Formation. When this formation’s power was fully activated, its combat strength was almost equivalent to two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. Leveraging Ling Lake’s abundant water energy, temporarily blocking a horde of first-rank beasts shouldn’t be a problem.

Wang Hao brought everyone on the Flying Cloud Boat to Ling Lake City and observed the demon beast situation. He was delighted to discover that the Green Flame Python wasn’t with the main group but was alone on a small island in the lake.

He immediately reported this to Wang Guang’an.

The Old Ancestor was a decisive man and immediately overturned the previous plan. He ordered Wang Yanzhao and Wang Longyou to lead the Qi Refining clansmen to block reinforcements from the other demon beasts, while he and Wang Hao would quickly assassinate the Green Flame Python.

“Since preparations are complete, let’s begin.”

After Wang Guang’an gave the order, Wang Hao piloted the Flying Cloud Boat swiftly towards the small island where the Green Flame Python resided.

It was noon under a blazing sun. Most aquatic demon beasts were hiding deep at the bottom of the lake to avoid the heat. Hidden among the clouds, the Wang Family group quietly approached.

Although the Green Flame Python was an aquatic species, it did not fear sunlight, hence its choice of the island as a temporary lair. However, as they descended, Wang Hao and his group were inevitably discovered.

Following an order from Wang Guang’an, the members of the Wang Family activated their formation flags and charged towards the island.

Leaving its protective formation didn’t mean this Green Flame Python feared battle. It let out a roar to notify the other demon beasts before leading its own clan’s hundred or so low-level beasts into combat with the Wang cultivators.

The priority became killing off the Green Flame Python’s minions before the main demon reinforcements could arrive. Wang Yanzhao led the charge against the lesser beasts.

Meanwhile, Wang Hao and Wang Guang’an took the lead in attacking the main target itself—the Green Flame Python.

Being at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, nearly touching the edge of Perfection, Wang Guang’an possessed profound True Essence. He drove forth an ice sword capable of releasing over ten zhang of blade radiance, a power that could threaten even Golden Core level monsters.

Despite being an aquatic creature, ironically enough, this particular serpent belonged to the fire element, making it vulnerable against icy attacks. Unwilling to directly confront the physical strike head-on, it opted to retaliate by spewing out a scorching fireball from its maw.

The fireball collided squarely with the ice sword. The opposing elements resulted in an immediate, explosive clash. The residual shockwaves instantly shredded several nearby low-tier monsters caught within the blast radius.

Witnessing the scene unfold, Wang Hao inwardly remarked, Indeed, the supernatural abilities possessed by an upper second-rank monster are truly extraordinary.

He felt that facing it alone would have given him almost zero chance of victory.

Seeing his attack neutralized, Wang Guang’an’s pupils slightly contracted, not daring to underestimate the enemy. He hastily summoned forth a black banner—a magic tool which, upon activation, enveloped the surrounding space. It released a surging wave of frigid energy that instantly extinguished the python’s next fiery projectile completely.

Seizing the critical moment, Wang Hao didn’t stand idly by. He promptly deployed his Ash Calamity Sword, slashing forward and forcing the serpent to continuously spit fireballs to entangle him, while Wang Guang’an pressed the advantage further.