Legacy of the Spirit Stone

Chapter 17 – The Calm Before the Storm

Yang Guanfeng learned from Xu Guang that this situation was occurring throughout the entire Tiger-Chasing Dynasty, and even in neighboring dynasties.

Due to the overwhelming number of refugees, the populations of the towns of Willow Leaf and White Stone quickly reached their limits.

The town gates were closed, prohibiting any more outsiders from entering.

Refugees wailed and cried outside the towns, kneeling row after row, refusing to leave even when the army brandished swords to drive them away.

The Yang Clan had also taken in many refugees during this time, and the villages at the foot of Little Pine Mountain were spared from beast attacks due to the presence of the Yang Clan.

However, they were just one family and couldn't compare to the capacity of a town. Altogether, they could accommodate about three hundred people, which was roughly their limit.

On the twenty-eighth day of the beast problem outbreak, Yang Guanfeng and Elder Yu switched shifts, returning from the mines to the Yang Clan.

In the Council Hall, Yang Feiyun and Yang Xiaolei reported the situation to him.

"As of today, we've taken in two hundred and thirteen refugee households, and they have all been properly settled," Yang Feiyun said.

Yang Guanfeng nodded and asked, "Can we take in more?"

"Well... in terms of finances and food, the family can still manage, and space-wise, we can squeeze a bit more, but there's not enough land for them to farm."

"Don't let them farm, give them weapons."

"Weapons?" Yang Feiyun was puzzled.

Yang Xiaolei pondered, "Big brother, do you mean to make them external clan soldiers?"

"Exactly, the beast tide is imminent, and the assault will surely be fierce. If these people don't have the ability to resist, they'll have no way out!"

Yang Guanfeng stood up and said, "Leave this matter to you. Go and explain the stakes to these people. Those willing to serve the Yang Clan can join the clan soldiers. After the beast tide, their elders and children can continue to stay here. Those unwilling can fend for themselves. During the disaster, the Yang Clan will provide their food, but afterward, they'll have to return to where they came from."

"Yes, big brother, we understand."

Yang Guanfeng realized that this beast problem was a major calamity for the Yang Clan, but it was also an opportunity.

To grow stronger, they first needed people.

The river below Little Pine Mountain was called Linshan River. A few days ago, Elder Yu and Lingrui had already gone to build two wooden bridges and one stone bridge.

The Yang Clan and the villages below the mountain were currently on the north side of Linshan River. Yang Guanfeng's original plan was to develop the area south of the river for the Yang Clan's use.

But at that time, there wasn't enough labor, so it was temporarily shelved.

Now, with a large number of refugees gathered here, it was the perfect time to absorb them. After the beast tide, they could become a new force to help the Yang Clan open up new land.

After the clan leader's order was passed down, the refugees responded enthusiastically.

Upon hearing that they could stay here in the future, eighty percent of the young men and women expressed their willingness to become clan soldiers.

After this beast problem, they understood that relying on a big tree provides good shade.

Training for the new soldiers began in full swing, and the Yang Clan reached a level of full mobilization, with everyone having a task except for the elderly and children.

Little Pine Mountain had a steep mountain pass, difficult for people to traverse, and it was the area where beasts most frequently emerged from the mountain.

Yang Lingrui led the clan soldiers to guard this place.

The other cultivators of the Yang Clan, with Yang Guanfeng venturing alone, observed the latest developments of the beast problem on Little Pine Mountain.

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Elder Yu was overseeing the mines, as the refined ore produced there was one of the few stable resources the Yang Clan could exchange for Spirit Crystals, and it couldn't be lost.

Linghu and Lingqing were guarding the cliff of the Forbidden Zone.

A few days ago, beast disturbances were frequent, but recently, they had quieted down significantly.

"Immortal Master! The scouts have returned, and there's still no movement today!"

The leader of the clan soldiers returned to Yang Lingrui's tent to report.

His name was Yang Tieli, and by blood, he was Yang Lingrui's uncle, having held him as a child.

But now, Yang Lingrui had embarked on the path of immortality, becoming an immortal master supported by the Yang Clan, with a status far superior to that of ordinary people like them.

Yang Lingrui, who was examining a map, nodded slightly upon hearing this.

"Thank you, Leader Tieli. Continue to scout, and do not let your guard down."

"Yes, following the immortal master's orders!"

After leaving the tent, Yang Tieli passed down Yang Lingrui's orders, and a new batch of scouts went up the mountain again.

"Leader, are we really just going to follow the orders of a little kid?"

Back in his own tent, one of Yang Tieli's subordinates questioned, "We've killed so many beasts these days, and he hasn't done anything, just staying in the tent all day."

Soon, another chimed in, "Yeah, there are no more beasts appearing now. I think this beast problem is nearing its end and will be over soon."

"How dare you!"

As the two spoke, Yang Tieli suddenly shouted in anger.

"I think you two have had enough of living! How dare you discuss the immortal master's affairs with me!"

Seeing this, the two immediately shrank back, not daring to speak.

These two were quite young, eighteen or nineteen, and had grown up hearing about the legendary reputation of Ancestor Yang Guanfeng. But they still questioned the abilities of this new little immortal master.

In the minds of ordinary people, Yang Lingrui was young, still a child, and they couldn't fully trust him.

But Yang Tieli was different. He was of the same generation as Yang Guanfeng, and had witnessed various spell techniques and divine powers when Yang Guanfeng trained under Elder Yu.

He knew very well that the power possessed by cultivators was far beyond the reach of ordinary people, unrelated to age.

So he had genuine respect for Yang Lingrui.

"Get out, and tell the others that anyone caught discussing the immortal master in private will be dealt with according to clan law!"

Under Yang Guanfeng's leadership, the Yang Clan's laws were quite strict.

Hearing this, the two young clan soldiers were clearly frightened, understanding the seriousness of the matter, and quickly agreed, retreating from the tent with trepidation.

On the northern cliff of the Yang Clan.

Due to the need for confidentiality, Yang Linghu and Yang Lingqing were tasked with guarding this cliff during the beast problem.

The height of the cliff was deadly to ordinary people and beasts, but not necessarily to demonic beasts.

Yang Guanfeng entrusted Chen Yang to Yang Lingqing.

Among the three children, he trusted Lingqing the most.

This child was calm and composed in the face of trouble, with a broad perspective, making her the perfect choice to handle the Strange Stone.

Coincidentally, Lingqing's training in the Mud Dragon Technique excelled in control and defense, and with the Strange Stone, she was now adept in both offense and defense.

"Xiao Qing, there's no movement in the forest. Could it be that the beasts have all returned to the mountain?"

Yang Linghu, after patrolling, returned to the Forbidden Zone and said.

Yang Lingqing shook her head, "They wouldn't retreat so easily. It's just the calm before the storm, waiting for us to let our guard down before launching a full-scale attack. It seems there's indeed a demonic beast behind this; ordinary beasts wouldn't know such tactics."

"That makes sense!"

"I'll go for another round. You take a break, Huzi."

The two switched shifts, and Yang Lingqing began patrolling the cliff, carrying Chen Yang with her.

After walking along the cliff and finding nothing unusual, she ventured into the forest.

After going a certain distance, she took out Chen Yang.

"Good treasure, can you see any traces of demonic beasts around here?"