Chapter 25

Luo Bay County's sky looked as if ink had been splashed, dark and heavy, very gloomy.

No wind, the air was stuffy, making it hard to breathe.

The Wan Family's black flying vessel, the Black Feather Boat, hovered above the county town, very conspicuous.

It resembled a bird with its claws retracted, yet still fierce, silently watching below.

The flying vessel emitted pressure, cold and heavy, like a lead weight pressing on people's hearts.

Wan Hong is a Body Refining Ninth Layer Peak expert, he oversees the Wan Family's branch in the county town, something everyone knows.

Fear spread like a plague.

The county town became very quiet, deathly still.

The streets were empty, even the usually lively children had disappeared.

Ninety percent of the shops were closed; the remaining one or two were just half‑open, with people inside afraid to speak.

Invisible fear like a net enveloped Luo Bay County, making people feel suffocated.

The Wang Family Old Residence is now the center of this lifeless place.

Wang Shan upgraded the Misty Spirit Gathering Array; the array's light became less bright, turning gentle.

A thin layer of light shield, appearing tough, protected the entire residence.

Outside the array, the silhouettes of Wan Family cultivators could be seen swaying.

They hovered like flies over rotting meat, or like stubborn bugs, staring at every corner of the Wang Family gate and residence.

This surveillance prevented the Wang Family from contacting the outside.

Inside the residence, the atmosphere was oppressive to the extreme.

The Wang Family members, including relatives, had gathered in the front hall.

Although the array offered temporary safety, everyone was still worried.

Food was dwindling.

Daily necessities were also decreasing day by day.

The feeling of sitting and waiting for supplies to run out was more anxious than direct combat.

The children were young and didn't understand that the family was doomed.

They were controlled by adults, not allowed to make noise or run around.

The home once filled with laughter suddenly became silent and tense.

The children's eyes showed incomprehension and fear.

Occasionally there were soft sobs, and a child asked, "Father, when can we go out to play?"—like a small hammer striking the adults' hearts, making the atmosphere even more oppressive.

Wang Shan's second son, Wang Zhize, had already reached the Body Refining Second Layer Peak.

He strove to stay calm, comforting his younger siblings and frightened family members.

His voice was steady, saying comforting words he himself didn't believe.

But his clenched fists and the throbbing veins on his forehead revealed his inner unease.

Wang Shan sat in the chief seat, his face calm, showing no emotion.

He looked at the frightened people in the hall and calmly reassured them.

He knew that at this moment, as Family Head, he must not lose composure.

If he faltered, the Wang Family would be finished.

Yet, while he appeared calm outwardly, his mind was racing.

Maintaining the Misty Spirit Gathering Array required many spirit stones.

The Lower‑Grade spirit stones in the storehouse were rapidly decreasing.

The Middle‑Grade spirit stones he had taken from the Wan Family steward, he was reluctant to use.

They were reserved for last resort and could not be used casually.

The stored spirit rice could still last for a while.

However, healing medicines, spirit‑replenishing pills, and cultivation materials were running short.

Wan Hong is truly ruthless.

He wasn't in a rush to storm in; instead, he used a blockade to slowly pressure them.

This slow torment was more despair‑inducing than a direct assault.

At that moment, the fourth son, Wang Zhihai, hurried in with a grim expression.

He was responsible for internal security of the residence.

He approached Wang Shan and whispered anxiously, "Father, something's not right."

"I just went to the rear courtyard and saw that the old well's water level had dropped a lot."

"Furthermore, I drew a bucket of water, and it was turbid, not clear as before."

"I worry… the Wan Family people might be tampering outside, trying to contaminate or cut off our water supply!"

Wang Zhihai was both angry and worried.

Cutting off water is a very insidious tactic.

Upon hearing this, Wang Shan's eyes turned sharp, a cold light flashing.

But he quickly suppressed his emotions and returned to calm.

He said in a low voice, "What's there to panic about?"

"The drinking water issue, I had anticipated it earlier; I had you store plenty of water, enough to last a long time."

"The enemy's use of such a sneaky trick shows they temporarily can't break the array, so they resort to despicable means."

"Hold steady! The more critical the moment, the less we can afford chaos—let them make a fuss outside!"

His voice was deep and powerful, like a divine needle calming the sea, temporarily suppressing everyone's panic.

Yes, the family head had already anticipated it and made preparations.

The enemy doing this shows they are also afraid and have no other choice!

Many thought this way, and their hearts eased a little.

At the same time, inside the Wan Family Branch Hall in Luo Bay County.

The hall was lavishly decorated; Wan Hong leaned back in a large chair covered with animal pelts.

He held a jade ball in his hand, playing with it.

A subordinate stood below, respectful, reporting the situation of the Wang family.

"Lord Hong, that old fogey of the Wang family still hasn't come out; he's hiding in the array, making no movement."

"We've sealed all their exits; not even a fly can get in."

"Following your instructions, we set things up in their backyard well; they'll soon be in trouble."

Wan Hong heard this, curled his lip in a cold smile, and dismissed it contemptuously.

"Hmph, that old fool got lucky, relying on a broken array and thinking it could stop the Wan family."

A ruthless gleam flashed in his eyes.

"Hiding won't save you; that's naïve!"

"Pass the order!" Wan Hong sat upright, his voice cold, "Continue to tighten the blockade! No supplies allowed in!"

"Also, spread the word!"

"Say the Wang family colludes with demonic cultivators, practices devilish arts, and has slaughtered Wan family cultivators—heinous crimes!"

"Tell the county officials to issue documents quickly, ordering the confiscation and execution of the Wang family, to raze them to the ground!"

"I want Wang Shan's supplies cut off and him under pressure! Let's see how long he can hold out!"

Wan Hong's face bore a cruel smile.

He intended to destroy the Wang family both physically and mentally, driving them to despair and collapse.

The news spread, as if grown wings, quickly throughout Luo Bay County.

Before, some small clans in the county felt a bit sympathetic toward the Wang family, or wanted to see the Wan family suffer.

But once the labels "colluding with demonic cultivators" and "government purge" were slapped on them, no one dared to think otherwise.

Demonic cultivators are shouted down by everyone.

The authorities are not to be provoked by low‑level cultivators and small clans.

Thus, even the remaining sympathy and giddy curiosity vanished.

Everyone avoided the Wang family, fearing to bring disaster upon themselves.

The Shangguan family, who had previously traded with the Wang family, still had a decent attitude.

They only sent a servant, who stood far outside the Wang family's perimeter and uttered an ambiguous remark: "The situation is dire; I hope the Wang family head… will take care of himself."

After that, there was no further news.

The Shangguan family's attitude shows that the Wang family is finished in Luo Bay County.

They truly became an isolated island, abandoned by the world.

Besieged on all sides, troubled within and without.

The night grew deeper.

A chill seeped through the array's light barrier, making it feel even colder.

Wang Shan told everyone to go rest and recuperate.

He himself stood in the empty courtyard.

He looked up at the barrier; it was restrained yet resilient.

Outside the barrier, in the night, Wan family members watched like ghosts, full of malice.

The air felt oppressive, as if a storm were about to break.

Wang Shan drew a deep breath; the icy night wind made him more alert.

Hope for outside help?

The Shangguan family's attitude says it all.

Other clans dare not help even more.

His grandson Wang Xuanqing, far away at the academy in Heitu City, might be able to lend a hand, but it's too distant.

By the time the academy arrives, the Wang family may already be gone.

The only way out lies within oneself!

On the Spirit Plant system in his mind!

These days, to counter the Wan family, he has been refining pills and crafting talismans.

He produced Return Spring Pills and Golden Talismans, solving some problems and boosting morale.

But Wang Shan knows that low‑grade pills and talismans are useless against Wan Hong, who is at the peak of the ninth layer of Body Refining.

He needs a stronger trump card!

The system mall's 【Array Core Enhancement Module (one‑time)】 and 【Obstacle‑Breaking Pill】!

The former can boost the power of the Misty Spirit Gathering Array; the latter might help him break through to the eighth layer of Body Refining!

Obtaining these two gives the Wang family hope!

But they are too expensive.

Five thousand Spirit Plant Points, three thousand five hundred Spirit Plant Points!

A total of eight thousand five hundred points!

He now has few Spirit Plant Points left, having used up a lot before.

Must hurry! Earn a lot of Spirit Plant Points!

Before Wan Hong loses his patience!

"Time waits for no one!" Wang Shan no longer hesitates.

He turned around and went back to his room.

He closed the door and set up a soundproof seal.

He sat down, his thoughts moved.

A green light screen appeared, it was the Spirit Plant System Interface.

"System!" Wang Shan's voice low and firm rang out in the room, filled with determination.

"Open the Spirit Plant Mall and Spirit Field Interface!"

"Old man, today in this desperate situation, I will plant a path to survival with my own hands!"

His eyes held no worry, only steadfast light.

He was ready.

He began racing against time, wits with the enemy—this 'farming'!

For the family, for the lives of the Wang Family members!

【136> He must succeed!

He must succeed!