The Pastoral Life of a Cultivation Master

Chapter 3231 Preparing the Demolition Team
“Elder Qian,” Zhou Zixing said in a deep voice, “the matter of dismantling the timber must be handled with utmost care. Those shadowy figures are lurking in the darkness, waiting for us to make a mistake. If we rashly send people to dismantle it, I fear they will not return.”

His gaze swept across the endless darkness around him, a rare hint of apprehension appearing on his face. As a master of innate cultivation, he hadn't felt this sense of walking on thin ice in a long time.

He had also witnessed Chen Mo and Ouyang Nan's battle with the shadowy figure.

Although he didn't participate personally, the scene was still very dangerous, especially since the shadowy figure could hide in the shadows and launch a sneak attack. For a master of the second level of the Innate Realm, he might not be able to deal with the shadowy figure that suddenly appeared from the darkness.

What if there are many shadowy figures, or two or more that ambush you? Then you might also be killed by them.

Qian Ying nodded, and kept thinking about how to handle the matter. Countless solutions flashed through her mind, but she rejected them one by one.

Sending a martial artist with acquired skills? That's suicide. Going in person? What if they get entangled by the shadowy figures, and then other shadowy figures emerge? Not going? If the flames go out, it's still a dead end.

Looking at the houses surrounding the square, appearing and disappearing in the firelight like silent tombs, he felt a bit overwhelmed. The wooden structures were right in front of him, within reach, yet it felt as if an insurmountable chasm separated them.

How can we avoid being ambushed by shadows and collect enough wood in such pitch-black darkness?
He turned to look at the burning campfire behind him. Because there were two campfires, there wasn't much wood left after the coffin was dismantled. The planks thrown into the two campfires wouldn't burn for long—maybe an hour, maybe less.

If the flames become insufficient, they may face a sneak attack from the shadows.

Those monsters, like sharks that have smelled blood, will swarm in from all directions, dragging them one by one into endless darkness.

At that time, he and Zhou Zixing might still be able to put up a fight, but those acquired martial artists, especially those below the tenth level, would probably not even have a chance to react before becoming the prey of the shadow.

After all, neither the flashlights nor the emergency glow sticks they had were bright enough.

Qian Ying recalled her previous observations: the modern lighting equipment was far less effective in this eerie valley. Flashlights, in particular, illuminated only a narrow beam of light, making the surrounding darkness seem even more intense.

He had also observed the glow sticks carefully at the time. The shadowy figures didn't seem to care much about the glow; the monsters were more afraid of real flames, the heat and light from burning.

Therefore, we still need to collect the wood, otherwise we definitely won't make it to dawn.

"Damn it!" Qian Ying cursed, unable to contain her frustration.

Seeing Qian Ying's expression, Zhou Zixing knew that he was having a headache.

To ensure the martial artists' safety tonight, we must find a way to obtain wood. This is a matter of life and death, and there is no turning back.

The two remained silent for a long time, with only the crackling of the flames carrying far in the quiet night.

In the end, Qian Ying came up with a solution that was hardly a solution at all.

“Concentrate all the lighting equipment,” he said slowly, his voice low and hoarse. “Then you and I will wear several of them to illuminate the surroundings, creating a bright area. If a shadow attacks, just be able to see the shadow; don’t linger in the fight, focus on self-preservation. Then we’ll take turns dismantling the wood, throwing it aside, and setting it on fire to create a path that burns on both sides and allows movement in the middle. This will make it easier for other warriors to move the wood and also minimize the dark areas.”

This plan was extremely risky, meaning he and Zhou Zixing would have to personally step into the darkness and become targets for the shadows, but they had no other choice. Zhou Zixing thought for a moment, quickly considering all the possibilities in his mind. This plan was indeed feasible, although dangerous, at least it was workable. He nodded heavily: "Okay!"

He immediately beckoned Qian Wantong over and whispered, "Collect all the lighting equipment that everyone has. Gather it all together; we'll use it later."

Qian Wantong accepted the order and left, his figure quickly disappearing at the edge of the firelight.

"In addition, Elder Zhou," a glint of light flashed in Qian Ying's eyes, "we also need to organize the martial artists at the tenth level of the Acquired Realm to assist the two of us. If we are too exhausted and our energy is depleted, they can also cooperate to continue the dismantling work."

Qian Ying thought of Chen Mo and Ouyang Nan's cooperation. Since the two of them could kill a black shadow, then the other post-natal tenth level martial artists, not to mention two, but three or four, should be able to deal with a black shadow, right?

Although he had some doubts about Chen Mo's strength, the young man had indeed displayed a "half-step innate" level, not yet having broken through that chasm. Although he had reached the half-step innate level, he had not yet reached the innate level.

Therefore, if three or four martial artists at the tenth level of the Acquired Realm were to deal with a single shadowy figure, it should be no problem.

Qian Ying plotted in his mind, trying to compensate for the lack of quality with quantity. He was unwilling to admit that he was actually gambling, gambling with other people's lives. But now that things had come to this point, there wasn't much better way than to gamble.

Without hesitation, after Qian Wantong collected the lighting equipment, Qian Ying called people over and arranged for him to organize the personnel.

Although Qian Wantong was somewhat worried, he had no choice but to organize manpower.

He knew all too well how terrifying the shadowy figures were; their speed and power were something that numbers simply couldn't compensate for.

But Qian Ying was an elder, and he had to abide by what she said. So he could only use a little trick to arrange himself in the team with more people.

Several martial artists began to freely form two teams. One team had five people, and the other had four.

The team of five naturally includes Qian Wantong. One more person means one more force to deal with the shadowy figure, which should delay its attack when the time comes.

Qian Wantong tried to comfort himself, though he knew how weak that comfort was.

Although Qian Ying's considerations were sound, Qian Wantong had personally faced the shadowy figure. He had witnessed its power and speed, and the terrifying force of it bursting forth from the darkness. He didn't believe that a few martial artists at the tenth level of the Acquired Realm could stop the shadowy figure.

But he had no choice but to obey Qian Ying's orders, so he could only try to put himself in a larger group, hoping that this would give him a better chance of survival.

As for Chen Mo and Ouyang Nan, let them form a team.

Anyway, these two had already killed a shadowy figure before. Their teamwork was excellent and their strength was outstanding, so dealing with another one shouldn't be a problem.

When Qian Wantong went to find Chen Mo and Ouyang Nan, he didn't speak to Chen Mo. Instead, he found Ouyang Nan and quietly told her about Qian Ying's arrangements. He avoided looking at Chen Mo the whole time, and left as soon as he finished speaking, clearly not wanting to face Chen Mo.

Being defeated by this guy was the biggest loss and the most humiliating thing Qian Wantong had ever suffered. He had long ago sworn to send this young man to his doom. But so far, the young man hadn't gone to collect his lunchbox. He was exhausted!