CHAPTER 228: CHOOSING ANOTHER DAY TO DIE

Amidst the crowd, Chen Tianlu wore an expression tinged with contemplation.

In a clan war, losing a few lives was nothing out of the ordinary.

Currently, he was in the middle stage of the Blood Coagulation Realm. If he were to die, there was a good chance that his body would be enshrined in the ancestral hall. His corpse could continue to serve the family, and he could be transformed into a Yin Spirit, achieving a breakthrough in death. He might even have the opportunity to meet the deceased elders of the clan and have a drink with them.

However, Chen Tianlu shook his head.

He had entertained such thoughts before because he believed he had no hope of entering the Innate Realm. But now...things were different.

The clan had an abundance of cultivation resources, and the Divine Tree enabled its members to experience the power of the Innate Realm early on. Chen Tianjing and Chen Tianyu had already broken through to the Innate Realm with relative ease. Chen Tianlu believed that, in a few more years, he too would have a good chance of achieving that breakthrough.

Dying now felt like a bad bargain.

It would be better to wait until he reached the Innate Realm before planning such a thing. At least then, my starting point would be much higher. Who knows? I might even have a shot at stepping into the Qi Manipulation Realm!"

People need dreams, after all!

Choose another day to die!

Chen Tianlu wasn’t the only one with this thought. Several older clansmen in the crowd had also fallen into deep contemplation.

Their age was catching up with them; their blood and vitality were waning. They were stuck in the early stage of the Blood Coagulation Realm. No matter how hard they tried, the Innate Realm was forever out of reach.

They were well aware of the situation among the departed elders of the clan. Maybe it was time to start thinking about retirement!

In this clan war, they had to give it their all!

A few clansmen wore resolute expressions, their eyes already mapping out their future.

Inside the ancestral hall, Chen Xingzhen stood beneath the Divine Tree and voiced the clan’s request.

As soon as he finished speaking, the dense locust leaves above began to tremble slightly.

Rustle…

Dozens of leaves drifted down from the branches.

Yet, as these half-black, half-green leaves descended, their colors shifted, merging into a pure, vibrant green. Each leaf brimmed with life, radiating vitality.

Since the clansmen were traveling far from the divine tree this time, Ji Yang decided not to use the Leaf Veil divine ability on the locust leaves. Instead, he infused the leaves with an abundant life force.

This was possible thanks to previous simulations that ensured this effect could be achieved.

Now, the clansmen using the Five Viscera Ascension Technique wouldn't have to worry about dying from delayed treatment. The leaves would also help sustain their combat strength for much longer at critical moments.

After receiving the Divine Tree’s blessing, Chen Xingzhen bowed once more in reverence. Then, he turned and left the ancestral hall to rally the clansmen and prepare for departure. ŗ𝐚₦𝐎ʙĚs̩

The sun soon dipped below the horizon. The grounds outside the Chen family estate were already deserted. The villagers who had come to help earlier in the day were sent home by the clan and instructed to return tomorrow.

In the unfinished plaza of the clan grounds, Chen Xingzhen stood at the forefront. The clansmen stood below him, prepared—some barehanded, others gripping iron weapons.

Each of them held a fresh locust leaf in their arms.

“Are you ready?”

“Clan Leader, we’re ready!”

The firm voices of Chen Tianjing and Chen Tianyu rang out from the side.

"Move out!"

Chen Xingzhen said no more. The group set off, their figures bathed in the glow of the setting sun as they marched toward the distant horizon.

…

Far to the north of Chaotic Burial Mountain, deep within a dense forest, Liu Ziqi stood on high ground and gazed into the distance.

His clansmen rested behind him after a full day.

Liu Ziqi lifted his head toward the darkening sky. Less than two hours remained until the time of Hai.

But as Liu Ziqi scanned the area, his brows furrowed slightly.

The clan was almost ready to strike. Why hadn’t the Shi family’s reinforcements arrived yet?

Never mind. I’ll wait a little longer.

As the last trace of sunset faded, Chaotic Burial Mountain was swallowed by darkness. At that moment, the Liu Clan’s warriors began their final preparations.

With battle imminent, they needed to prepare themselves.

Liu Ziqi stood before the gathered clansmen, ready to speak and rally their spirits.

Awooo!

Just as he opened his mouth, a distant wolf howl cut him off.

His expression darkened with displeasure. The Chen Clan is supposed to be the masters of this mountain—how could they not even deal with a few wolves?

But then, Liu Ziqi froze. If his memory served him correctly, didn’t the Chen Clan have a pack of wolves?

The thought had barely surfaced when loud howls began echoing from all directions, one after another.

The cries of the wolves grew louder and closer—and they weren’t coming from just one direction, but from all sides. Liu Ziqi’s face darkened.

"We're surrounded."

As clan leader, he didn’t panic. He immediately shouted to the warriors below:

“Prepare for battle!”

He knew the howls were no coincidence. Clearly, his group had already been discovered.

Many Liu clansmen below wore uneasy expressions. Though they were strong, they were unfamiliar with the terrain and knew nothing of the enemy’s numbers. Judging from the chorus of howls, the enemy was numerous and strong.

Just as Liu Ziqi finished shouting, footsteps echoed from the darkness, accompanied by a fierce cry.

"Kill!"

The next instant, countless Chen clansmen charged in from all directions on Azure Wolves.

The Wolves' eyes gleamed with razor-sharp light and their movements were swift and deadly. Even in the night, their fangs glinted coldly and their powerful bodies radiated an oppressive aura that weighed heavily on the besieged Liu warriors.

"Kill!"

At that moment, Liu Ziqi made a split-second decision and roared to his clansmen:

"Fight!"

When paths cross on a narrow road, the brave prevail!

All of the clan’s elites were present—he refused to believe the Chen family could annihilate them in one fell swoop!

As one of the clan’s Innate Realm experts, Liu Ziqi didn’t hesitate. He lunged forward, meeting a charging Azure Wolf head-on.

Just as he closed in, however, a figure suddenly leapt from the wolf’s back and soared toward Liu Ziqi with a mocking laugh.

"So, you must be Clan Leader Liu! Your opponent... is me!"

Liu Ziqi showed no fear, his gaze locking onto the newcomer.

Yet, when he sensed the aura of an Innate Realm cultivator, a flicker of shock and doubt crossed his face.

"You...you're Chen Qingyu?"

"Of course not. Remember this—I am Chen Tianjing!"

At that moment, another figure sprang from the darkness and dove straight into the fray. That figure was also unmistakably an Innate Realm expert.

Catching Liu Ziqi’s glance, Chen Tianjing grinned and said

"That's not Chen Qingyu either. That’s my cousin, Chen Tianyu.”

Upon hearing the answer, Liu Ziqi's expression turned grim. According to the information provided by the Shi family, the Chen Clan only had one Innate Realm expert. If that were true, where did these two suddenly appear from?

Damn it!

Liu Ziqi’s gaze swept the battlefield and quickly locked onto Liu Ziming.

As a mid-stage Innate Realm cultivator, Liu Ziming’s strength was undeniable.

Yet, at that moment, his opponent was no weaker: a young man with a sharp, vigorous face and an agile body.