Panic Spreads, a Message Sent as a Backup Plan!

On the main peak.

The mountain-protecting formation was fully activated, and a deep purple lightning barrier descended, sealing off the entire back mountain.

A pungent, Blood Sha stench and a violent aura of Geng Metal permeated the air.

Sun Bo'an stood with his hands behind his back, about ten feet away from the light screen. He frowned slightly and turned to look at Sun Mao, who had followed him.

"Xiao Mao, our ancestor has been in seclusion for five years. How did the clan's protective formation suddenly turn into a deadly array? Even the disciples who routinely look after the Beast Valley and cultivate spirit beasts have been turned away..."

What exactly happened?

Upon hearing this, Sun Mao sighed, his eyes also showing confusion:

"Chieftain, Mao doesn't know either. This morning, the Lord Rat suddenly issued an order that the back mountain of the main peak is a forbidden area, and no one is allowed to approach it."

"The array plate controlling the clan's protective formation was also taken away by the Lord Rat."

Sun Bo'an smiled, his tone as gentle as ever. "Alright, I'll go take a look. If the Ancestor needs anything, we'll do our best."

With that, he strode towards the formation.

He had only taken three steps.

"Boom!"

A giant Dark Gold bear, two zhang tall, suddenly stepped out from the thunderous mist, instantly shattering the ground and sending countless fragments of rock flying.

Shi Mo stood like an iron tower, blocking everyone's path!

He stared at "Sun Bo'an," exhaling two streams of white breath from his nostrils, his entire body radiating a suffocating pressure of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Sun Bo'an paused, a barely perceptible glint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

Immediately afterwards, a blood-red afterimage darted out from behind Shi Mo and landed steadily on the giant bear's broad shoulder.

It's Lord Rat.

Its fur was dark red, with barbs barbed along its back, and its scarlet eyes were fixed on "Sun Bo'an". A Blood Sha and stench emanated from it.

"Old man Sun, are you deaf?"

The Lord Rat's voice was shrill, revealing undisguised murderous intent:

"Full formation activated! Anyone who crosses the line will die!"

"The Ancestor is currently in seclusion. Do you intend to disobey his orders?"

Sun Bo'an's expression remained unchanged, his smile amiable, maintaining the composure of an elder. "Lord Rat, I'm just worried about the Ancestor..."

"Our ancestor is the pillar of the Sun Clan; if anything were to happen to him..."

"The old master is doing very well; you don't need to worry about him."

The Lord Rat interrupted him, and with a flick of its claws, a Blood Sha claw strike ripped out, carving a three-foot-deep trench at the feet of "Sun Bo'an".

"Starting today, the main peak is closed!"

"Anyone from the Sun Clan who dares to cross this line, I'll skin them alive!"

Seeing the situation suddenly change, far exceeding Sun Mao's expectations, even if Sun Mao had been completely unaware beforehand, he clearly realized something in this tense situation:

"Please, Lord Rat, calm down!"

"The clan chief meant well. Rumors have been circulating within the clan lately, causing widespread anxiety. Could you perhaps reveal a little something to reassure the people?"

The Lord Rat gave Sun Mao a cold glance. This silly boy, he'd been sold out and was still helping count the money. He probably hadn't noticed anything unusual about Sun Bo'an...

"Sun Mao, keep an eye on your men."

The Lord Rat sneered, his gaze sweeping over the assembled Sun Clan elders. "Our ancestor has reached a crucial moment. Anyone who dares to disturb him is a sinner!"

"And you, Sun Bo'an."

"Don't blame me for not warning you, keep an eye on the people around you. Hongtian City has seen a lot of filth coming in lately."

Sun Bo'an's eye twitched slightly, then he sighed, "Since it is the Ancestor's decree, we will naturally obey..."

"Xiao Mao, let's go, lest we disturb the Ancestor's peaceful cultivation."

Seeing this, Sun Mao had no choice but to nod and lead many clan deacons away.

The atmosphere inside the council chamber was oppressive.

"How can the guardian spirit beast turn the tables and become the host?"

"That main peak is clearly the ancestral hall and clan grounds of my Sun Clan clan, yet even the clan head won't be allowed to enter it!"

"What kind of logic is this?! This is absolutely outrageous!"

A young steward of the same generation as Sun Mao spoke indignantly, recalling how the Sun Clan had held sway over White Cloud Commandery for over a decade.

Today, I was actually choked by the clan's guardian spirit beast.

If word gets out, what will outsiders think of the Sun Clan? They can't even control their own tamed spirit beasts—how can they possibly live up to that?

"That is!"

"We, the Sun Clan, spend so many resources supporting them every year, and now look what's happened—the main peak has become their territory!"

"And us!"

"A pack of insatiable beasts; every penny they consume is squeezed from the hands of the Sun Clan's descendants!"

"After all these years, I've raised a bunch of ungrateful wretches; they have no gratitude whatsoever!"

"These beasts..."

"Shut up, all of you!"

At that moment, Sun Mao slammed his hand on the table, instantly silencing all the noise. For a moment...

The entire hall fell into a deathly silence!

"Have you had enough of arguing?!"

Sun Mao's sharp gaze swept over the crowd. "Without the Ancestor, without the spirit beasts of Beast Valley, the Sun Clan would still be stuck in the mud, serving as dogs for others!"

"You are the heartless wolves! The Lineage has wasted its time raising you!"

"Anyone who dares to utter another word of criticism will be punished according to family rules!"

Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to utter a sound.

Sun Bo'an sat to the side, holding a teacup and gently skimming off the foam.

"Xiao Mao, don't get angry."

He put down his teacup, playing the perfect peacemaker, and said, "They're all good kids, and they're all doing it for the good of the Lineage."

"Since our ancestor desires peace and quiet, we'll simply focus on securing the outer perimeter."

As he spoke, Sun Bo'an stood up and straightened his clothes:

"I heard there's been a slight mishap on the trade route to Fenghe Commandery. Since you still need to stay and oversee the clan, I'll make the trip myself."

"Take good care of the clan's affairs, and don't rush things and delay the ancestor's important matters."

Sun Mao sighed, stood up, and bowed. "I'm so grateful to the clan chief. I'm ashamed that you have to come out of seclusion to handle all matters, big and small, for the clan."

Sun Bo'an walked out of the council hall with a smile, but the moment he turned around, the gentleness on his lips vanished, leaving only a mocking sneer.

The blood rat seemed to sense that something was wrong.

It doesn't matter.

It seems that the bear demon of the Sun Clan is probably in seclusion breaking through to the Core Formation stage. Once the celestial phenomenon appears, the clan's protective formation will surely be disrupted.

When the dozen or so Foundation Establishment cultivators on the periphery attack together, these few beasts won't be able to withstand it at all. If they can kill them...

I wonder if True Person Yan Qiu will be satisfied...

Clear Wind Mountain Range, Stone Forest.

Thunderclouds lingered year-round, and the air was filled with the smell of burning.

A One-Horned Grey Badger was lying on the tallest stone pillar. It had grown much larger than it had been six or seven years ago, now measuring over ten feet in size.

Between the hairs, faint purple arcs of electricity could be seen moving!

Level 2 Demon Beast, Lei Huan.

A gray rat crawled out from a crack in the rock, quickly climbed to the top of the stone pillar, and spat out a bloodstained Jade Slip.

The Lei Huan crushed the Jade Slip with a single claw.

Amidst the blood-red light, the piercing voice of the Lord Rat exploded in my mind:

"Our ancestor has been in seclusion for many years, seeking to Core Formation. Take your vassals and infiltrate Hongtian City to join us in protecting him!"

Upon hearing this, Lei Huan was immediately filled with excitement.

He then suddenly stood up and let out a deafening roar.

Around the stone forest, hundreds of Demon Beast tainted with lightning energy responded, emerging from rock crevices and caves, their eyes filled with bloodlust.

"An army is raised for a thousand days, but used for only one."

The Lei Huan Badger spoke in a rough, yet fanatical voice:

"Follow me, protect our ancestor!"

White Cloud Temple, inner gate cave abode.

Sun Yao sat cross-legged, surrounded by misty water vapor and abundant Spiritual Qi. She opened her eyes, her spiritual power contained, and her aura steady.

Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

Beside him, a giant, earth-yellow bear was devouring a piece of third-grade spirit ore, its aura becoming incredibly powerful.

Not only did Shi Pan reshape his lower body, but he also received considerable resources from the sect thanks to the glory of the Heavenly One True Water Qi from back then...

Over the past few years, he has naturally broken through level 2 and advanced to become Foundation Establishment Great Demon.

Moreover, as its mastery of the Earth Dao grew more and more proficient, its fur gradually lost its bluish-iron color and turned brownish-yellow, and its physique became more and more sturdy and large!

The array outside the cave abode was suddenly activated.

A paper crane flew in, wobbling precariously.

Sun Yao took the paper crane and unfolded it. There was only one line of crooked words on it, the handwriting exuding a strong Sha Qi of bloodlust.

"Return quickly, protector."

Sun Yao suddenly stood up, her expression changed drastically, and she was overjoyed.

The ancestor is about to Core Formation!

"Shi Pan, stop eating, let's go!"

"Sigh, I understand." Shi Pan sighed and reluctantly tossed the spirit ore aside.

Immediately, Shi Pan conjured a demonic cloud, carrying Sun Yao, and headed straight for Hongtian City, leaving a trail in the sky.