After everyone dispersed from the meeting, Liu Changxu began his first night watch. Joining him were his third uncle, Liu Shijie, his ninth uncle, Liu Shijia, and his fifth elder brother, Liu Changshun.
Each of them watched for activity in one direction. Liu Changxu was responsible for the east. He sat in meditation facing east, periodically sweeping the area ahead with his Golden Light Eye.
In the mountains, the bright moon hung high over a night that was peaceful yet concealed murderous intent. From time to time, the roars of beasts drifted over from afar.
Many ferocious demonic beasts came out to forage at night. Gradually, gusts of mountain wind began to blow, and a fine, steady rain drifted down.
The Small Five Elements Maze Formation emitted a faint, dusky-black dome of light that not only concealed their whereabouts but also kept out the wind and rain.
As a superior-grade tier-one formation, the Small Five Elements Maze Formation had excellent illusion and concealment effects. Its dome of light changed with the surrounding spiritual energy environment.
If the Small Five Elements Maze Formation was set up in a desert, cultivators and demonic beasts viewing it from afar would see what looked like desert. If it was set up in a forest, they would likewise see what looked like forest.
Moreover, the Small Five Elements Maze Formation offered considerable defensive strength, enough to withstand a full-force strike from a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator.
This formation was an important piece of equipment for the Liu Lineage's Demon Hunting Team when they went out on hunts. The lineage had spent 3,500 low-grade spirit stones to purchase it.
Since Liu Changxu and Liu Changshun had always been close, they chatted quietly during their watch while surveying the distant surroundings.
Naturally, cultivation was what they discussed most. Although Liu Changshun was older, his cultivation was lower than Liu Changxu's, so he greatly admired him and sought his advice whenever he had the chance.
Before they knew it, the early hours of the morning had arrived. Liu Changxu suddenly heard faint roars of demonic beasts from far to the north, but with the darkness, wind, and rain obstructing his view, he could not see clearly with the Spirit Eye Technique.
Liu Changxu immediately activated the Spirit Ear Technique. Under the influence of his magical power, both ears swelled noticeably, and the distant roars instantly became clearer.
Judging from what the Spirit Ear Technique detected, a wolf pack was hunting a herd of deer twenty li north of their campsite.
Liu Changxu clearly heard the howling of wolves, the cries of deer, and the sounds of biting and fighting rising and falling in an unbroken din.
Packs of demonic wolves had always been a major threat to cultivation lineages. Even the smallest pack had more than ten demonic wolves, while larger ones could number one or two hundred.
If a pack of several dozen demonic wolves appeared, not only would their handful of Demon Hunting Team members be helpless, but even all the Liu Lineage's cultivators gathered together could only hold their ground behind the lineage's great formation.
Upon discovering this, Liu Changxu hurriedly informed his third uncle, Liu Shijie.
His third uncle, Liu Shijie, had also vaguely sensed that something was wrong. After listening with the Spirit Ear Technique, he knitted his brows tightly and woke their seventh grandfather, Liu Baichuan, from his sound sleep.
After listening with the Spirit Ear Technique, Liu Baichuan's expression grew grave.
Liu Baichuan's higher cultivation allowed him to hear the sounds more clearly, and he was deeply wary of this pack of demonic wolves that had entered the lineage's territory.
After some thought, Liu Baichuan decided that their most urgent task was to determine the pack's exact numbers and strength.
Although individual demonic wolves were not as powerful as tiger or leopard demonic beasts, the packs' tight organization, strong discipline, and cunning minds made the vast majority of cultivators keep a respectful distance.
Once he had thought through the seriousness of the situation, their seventh grandfather, Liu Baichuan, woke all the other sleeping lineage members as well. He assigned their third uncle, Liu Shijie, to lead them in guarding the camp and continuing to monitor the wolf pack's movements.
He himself changed into a black enchanted robe and put on a black enchanted hat. Woven from black brocade hemp, the robe and hat could block spiritual sense to some extent and offered good protection. They were the best enchanted garments Liu Baichuan possessed, and he only brought himself to wear them when scouting powerful demonic beasts.
Before leaving, Liu Baichuan told everyone to prepare for battle and listen for his messages. If the situation became hopeless, they were to flee back to the lineage immediately.
At the same time, Liu Baichuan informed the lineage patriarch of the situation through a Hundred-Mile Transmission Talisman, hoping the lineage would make the necessary preparations. Once he had finished giving his instructions, Liu Baichuan quickly vanished into the night.
Everyone waited anxiously in the camp for news from Liu Baichuan. Liu Changxu was deeply worried about Liu Baichuan's safety. He realized that the lineage was far too weak-even a single pack of demonic wolves could threaten its safety. I must lead the lineage to strength! Liu Changxu silently vowed.
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