Chapter 51: Visitors from Douhun City (Part 3)

As the group continued discussing, Chen Wenchao entered, his expression grim, bringing someone with him.

The newcomer appeared to be around fifty years old, with a strong, broad build. His face had distinctive features—a hooked nose, a slightly protruding chin, wide cheekbones, and a flat facial structure. His eyes were a light brown with a hint of tea color, resembling twin icy pools—calm, cold, and unfathomably deep.

This was Cheng Yuan, a Level 72 Soul Sage, father of Cheng Hao and nephew of Cheng Nanxing, and Chen Wenchao's right-hand man.

The Cheng family was the foremost follower-clan of the Chen family, inheriting the Blue Shadow Divine Eagle martial soul—one of the few top-tier, Grade 7 martial souls under the Chen family's banner.

Though not as infertile as the main Chen family, the Cheng family also had a sparse population—understandable, as being scouts came with a notoriously high casualty rate.

"Cheng Yuan has returned. Wenchao, is something serious going on in the mountains?" Chen Yu noted their expressions.

"Cheng Yuan, you explain," said Chen Wenchao, stepping aside.

Cheng Yuan chose his words carefully.

"Clan Leader, a few days ago, Uncle Wenchao had me investigate the situation with the wolf packs around the Xieluo Mountain Range.

"The Silvermoon Wolf Pack and the Gale Wolf Pack launched large-scale attacks on the Blackmoon and Blackwind packs. Several packs have already been wiped out.

"Massive battles have erupted between the factions, with casualties numbering in the thousands.

"The conflict has now escalated and even affected other species—Ghost Wolves, Thunder Wolves, Scarlet Flame Wolves, and Bloodthirsty Wolves have all been drawn in."

"How could such a massive intra-species war break out? Have they all gone mad?" Chen Zhang asked in disbelief.

"Zhang, you weren't around earlier. Some time ago, a Gale Wolf Pack attacked Old Hei and the others. Though they pulled through with our support, they suffered heavy losses," Chen Wenchao explained.

"Even that remote corner got hit? The scale of this conflict is too broad," Chen Zhang said in surprise.

"That's why I asked Wenchao to investigate. Cheng Yuan, what exactly is going on with the wolf packs?" asked Chen Yu.

Cheng Yuan lowered his voice and said gravely:

"The Silvermoon Wolf Pack has a Howling Moon Silver Wolf on the verge of breaking through to the 100,000-year mark."

The hall erupted in shock—no one had expected that.

"What does that have to do with the fighting?" Chen Xun asked, momentarily confused.

"Brother, don't forget the relationship between Silvermoon Wolves and Blackmoon Wolves," Chen Zhang reminded him.

Chen Zhang had always admired his Second Uncle, Chen Cong, and had taken a deep interest in soul beast research.

"Tch, use your head," Chen Yu sighed, then explained:

"Breaking through to the 100,000-year threshold is extremely difficult for a Silvermoon Wolf. The best way is to devour large numbers of Blackmoon Wolves to awaken the Howling Moon Heavenly Wolf bloodline. This would significantly reduce the difficulty of the breakthrough—possibly even allow it to evolve into a true Howling Moon Heavenly Wolf and ease the future tribulation process."

Chen Hong added:

"The Gale Wolves are likely serving the Silvermoon Wolf. And even though the other wolf packs can't help awaken the Heavenly Wolf bloodline, consuming them can still strengthen the Silvermoon Wolf's core wolf nature, increasing the chances of reaching 100,000 years."

In just a few words, the Chen clan members pieced together the situation, analyzing the root cause with piercing clarity.

After a moment of silence, Chen Yu asked,

"Cheng Yuan, how far is that Howling Moon Silver Wolf's territory from us?"

"Four to five hundred li, at Liuguang Slope."

"Too close." Chen Yu closed his eyes.

"If it breaks through to 100,000 years," Chen Zhang said anxiously, "it'll attract other high-level soul beasts nearby. If that power base forms, just one 100,000-year soul beast in our vicinity would endanger the entire Wushan Prefecture, and cause us no end of trouble."

"Exactly," Chen Xun added. "If a beast tide breaks out, we'll be on the front lines."

"Even without a beast tide—wolves hold grudges.

"That Gale Wolf Pack that attacked Old Hei lost many members. If the Silvermoon Wolf breaks through and they gain the upper hand, they may retaliate.

"That would endanger not only Old Hei but all of us. And even if we repel the Gale Wolves, it'll likely escalate into a confrontation with the Silvermoon Pack and the 100,000-year Howling Moon Silver Wolf," Chen Wenchao said with a furrowed brow.

Chen Hong scanned the room, then declared firmly,

"We cannot let it breakthrough!"

Chen Yu calmly asked,

"Cheng Yuan, what's the current status of the wolf packs?"

Cheng Yuan answered:

"During our scouting, we found that the wolf packs are extremely alert.

"We couldn't even approach the Silvermoon Pack before they detected us.

"We only learned the details thanks to Old Hei."

"Were there any casualties?" Chen Yu asked immediately.

Cheng Yuan shook his head.

"We withdrew quickly—still had a few wounded. The pursuing wolves weren't trying to fight to the death, so they fell back after light skirmishes. No one died."

"That's good." Chen Yu nodded.

"What's their strength level?"

Cheng Yuan hesitated, then said:

"From my rough long-distance observation using Eagle Eyes, aside from that nearly 100,000-year Howling Moon Silver Wolf…

"There's one 80,000+ year Saint King, nine True Kings, fifteen Beast Kings, and around 500 century- and millennium-level wolves.

"Whether there are any hidden forces, I can't say."

Everyone was stunned—that was more than they expected.

Chen Xun said,

"That's a very strong force. Even if we win, it'll be tough."

Chen Wenchao agreed,

"The current faction split means fewer other 10,000-year beasts will join, but their pack is very alert. We don't have enough strength to overwhelm them. If the battle drags on…"

Chen Zhang added,

"Even if we defeat them, the battle will stir up massive energy fluctuations, likely attracting nearby 10,000-year soul beasts. If we're wounded, we might be swarmed."

Chen Wenchao summarized:

"Unless we have twice their power, we can't crush them. We're short on manpower."

Chen Zhang considered.

"Other than the Muke family of Qinglian, no other clan in Wushan Prefecture is reliable. Even if they were, none of them are strong enough.

"Reporting to the Fasno Guard Corps? Mobilizing an army is unrealistic. Even if they send experts, their elites may not be strong enough.

"Bringing people from the Empire would take far too long."

"Old Tuber, how many of our people came back this time?" Chen Hong asked quietly.

"Meng Lin came back with you, right? Qiu Jun is arriving today. We still haven't reached Shi Hua," replied Chen Yu.

"What about Yaoting?"

"He won't make it. Things are tense on his side."

Chen Hong spoke firmly,

"That's not enough. Even with your strength and mine, fighting those two titled-level Howling Moon Silver Wolves will be tough—we'll need help. And taking on the rest of the pack? We'd be stretched thin."

Chen Yu nodded.

"Agreed. And we can't bring a large force with us."

"Yunxiao, how many troops can we mobilize?" he asked Ling Yunxiao, the garrison captain.

"At minimum garrison strength, we can send: 3 Soul Sages, 10 Soul Emperors, and 30 Soul Kings," Ling Yunxiao replied. His garrison only included those below Soul Sage level.

This didn't count the Chen clan's main force, Cheng Yuan's Sword Shadow Hall, or other groups.

"So the real difficulty lies in those two Saint King–level Howling Moon Silver Wolves," Chen Yu concluded.

Suddenly, Chen Hong's eyes lit up.

"Maybe not. Old Tuber—what about those two families you haven't reached out to yet?"