Ironclad Encirclement, Fresh Blood Joins the Ranks

After dealing with traitors like Li Tianhao, it was as though they had cut away a festering poison buried deep within their flesh. Though the process had been painful, it had united the will of the entire Li Family as never before. A tragic yet resolute atmosphere shrouded Heavenly Phoenix City. Everyone understood that the next storm would far surpass anything they had faced before.

Once the meeting ended, every order was carried out swiftly and efficiently. On the city walls, craftsmen and Soul Engineers worked day and night, the clanging of hammers interweaving with the hum of charging Soul Tools. The core of the original Nine Heavens Phoenix Flame Formation was further reinforced, while several advanced defensive array plates brought by the Dongyue Family were skillfully embedded into the city wall structure and the underground veins. Complementing the main formation, they created a more complex and powerful composite defensive system. As light flowed through it, it vaguely formed the phantom of a more solid flaming phoenix spreading its wings, radiating energy fluctuations that made hearts tremble.

However, while physical fortifications could be hastily strengthened, the shortcomings in personnel deployment left Li Yuanhui, Dongyue Qingxuan, and the others deeply troubled.

"The greatest problem is early warning." Li Yuanhui stood atop the newly reinforced walls, gazing into the distance with a grave tone. "Previously, our patrols were led by Soul Sages and made up of Soul Emperors and Soul Kings. Covering a radius of fifty li outside the city was enough to deal with ordinary reconnaissance and small-scale conflicts. But now..."

Dongyue Qing continued, his voice equally solemn. "Now, our enemy is a colossal force with more than thirty Titled Douluo and perhaps even God Rank beings. If they send Titled Douluo-level experts to infiltrate or launch a surprise attack, our old patrols will likely be wiped out before they even have a chance to sound the alarm. Without outer warning, we will be blind and deaf, able only to take blows passively."

It was a cruel but realistic problem. Before such an absolute disparity in strength, traditional patrol methods had already lost their meaning.

After a moment of silence, Dongyue Qingxuan slowly spoke, his tone decisive. "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Starting today, the warning perimeter within three hundred li of Heavenly Phoenix City will be patrolled and scouted in rotation by Titled Douluo-level elders from both our families!"

The surrounding elders responsible for defense were startled. Sending Titled Douluo to handle such a "minor matter" as patrol and sentry duty was extravagance anywhere on the continent, but it also demonstrated just how dire the situation had become.

"Patriarch Qingxuan is absolutely right." Li Yuanhui's voice rang out, and a trace of exhaustion still lingered deep in his eyes. "Only Titled Douluo can contend with enemy experts of the same rank and transmit information if encountered. This concerns our very survival. There can be no room for carelessness."

Li Yuanhui nodded heavily. "Good! Then it is settled. All Titled Douluo of the Li Family and Dongyue Family, except those in seclusion or carrying out special missions, will be assigned to the patrol rotation. They will patrol key areas within three hundred li of the city in pairs, crossing routes. If they encounter enemies, they are not to fight. Their foremost task is to relay the information!"

The orders were swiftly issued. Soon, one powerful aura after another rose from the city and shot toward the vast lands beyond like meteors. Chen Jianjun was paired with a Super Douluo of the Dongyue Family skilled in speed, while Li Tianwu was paired with Dongyue Jinyu... The normally exalted Titled Douluo had now become the most vigilant sentries, moving through mountains, forests, and wilderness to establish an invisible early-warning network composed of peak experts.

At the same time, Dongyue Qingcang also became busy. Using the Dongyue Clan's Moonlight Mirror, which far surpassed ordinary communication methods, he remained in constant contact with the family core far away in Heavenly Heart City. He ensured that information flowed freely, kept track of developments in Heavenly Heart City at all times, and guarded against the Qiu Family and Five Poisons Valley using a feint to attack elsewhere.

The tense atmosphere of the past several days, along with the elders' willingness to lead by example and shoulder responsibility, had also deeply affected the younger generation of the family.

Li Xuanchang, Li Yuanhui's second son and Li Xuansheng's younger brother, was only twelve years old, yet he possessed a steady temperament and already showed a sense of responsibility. He sought out Li Xuanmeng, Li Xuanyan, Li Xuanzhong, and the other brothers and sisters, as well as several young clansmen with good talent and a strong sense of duty.

"Big Brother and Brother Xuan Bei are fighting outside the city, while the elders patrol and stand guard day and night." Li Xuanchang looked at the companions gathering around him, his little face solemn. "We are the Li Family's future hope. We cannot just hide in the rear and watch! The great formation protects the city, but that does not mean there cannot be petty villains causing trouble or oversights somewhere. I propose that we organize ourselves and establish an inner-city patrol to maintain order, inspect the formation nodes, and ensure stability within the city!"

"I agree!" Li Xuanmeng immediately responded. She gripped the Fate Phoenix Staff, her gaze resolute. "Our strength may be weak, but doing what we can is still better than waiting helplessly!"

"Count me in!"

"Me too!"

The young people were fired up and voiced their support one after another.

Just as they were discussing the specific arrangements, a slightly childish yet unusually clear voice came from nearby.

"C-could you... count me in too?"

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a boy of around ten standing not far away. His features were delicate, while his eyes held a composure beyond his years. He looked nervous, yet full of anticipation as he watched them. It was Ye Qi, whom Li Xuansheng had previously brought back from Azure Stone Town.

Li Xuanchang was slightly stunned. He remembered this boy whom his elder brother valued greatly. Walking over, he asked gently, "Ye Qi, you are still young. Even patrolling inside the city could be dangerous..."

Ye Qi raised his head, determination shining in his clear eyes. "Brother Xuanchang, I'm not afraid! Big Brother Xuansheng and the Li Family gave me a new life and hope. This is my new home. Now that someone wants to bully my home, I can't stand by and do nothing! I know my Soul Power is low, but I can still help keep watch, run errands, and do whatever I can. One more person means one more bit of strength! I... I want to advance and retreat with the Li Family!"

He spoke somewhat hurriedly, his little face flushing slightly with excitement. Yet the sincerity in his words and the determination that did not match his age moved everyone present.

Li Xuanmeng stepped forward and gently patted Ye Qi's shoulder. "Little Ye Qi, it is rare to have such a heart. We are all very happy."

Li Xuanchang smiled as well and nodded firmly. "Good! Ye Qi, welcome aboard! From today onward, you are a member of our Li Family's younger generation patrol! Remember, we are one whole. We look after one another!"

"Great!" A brilliant smile immediately bloomed across Ye Qi's face, and he clenched his little fist tightly.

The other young clansmen also gathered around, patting Ye Qi's shoulder in welcome. Ye Qi's arrival seemed to inject fresh vitality into this young team, making their bond even stronger.

Before long, an inner-city patrol composed of young Li Family disciples was officially established. Under the guidance of family stewards, they divided the city into zones and began diligently patrolling its various areas. They inspected the corners of streets and alleys, reassured somewhat panicked ordinary residents, and carefully checked whether key auxiliary formation nodes were intact. Though their cultivation was no higher than the Soul Elder realm, their responsible attitude and the light in their eyes brought comfort to many older clansmen.

Li Xuansheng stood atop a tall pavilion, watching his younger brothers and sisters lead Ye Qi through the city on patrol in a convincing manner. A gentle smile could not help appearing at the corner of his lips. The family's legacy was quietly being passed on in such moments of crisis.

Above the skies, Titled Douluo-level divine senses swept across the vast region like invisible radar; upon the walls, the defensive formation's radiance never ceased day or night; within the city, young blood had already begun to shoulder responsibility.

Heavenly Phoenix City, this massive war machine, had fully begun to operate. United from top to bottom, it was like a giant with its bowstring drawn taut, silently gathering strength as it waited for the fiercer tempest that was certain to come.