Yang Guanfeng learned from Xu Guang that this situation was occurring throughout the entire Zhuhu Wangchao. Even the neighboring dynasties shared similar circumstances.

Due to the sheer number of refugees fleeing the disaster, Liuye and Baishi towns had quickly reached their limits.

The town gates had been sealed shut, forbidding any outsiders from entering.

Refugees spent their days weeping to the heavens outside the walls, kneeling in endless rows. Even when the guards drew their blades to drive them away, they refused to leave.

The Yang family had also taken in many refugees during this time. Sheltered by the family's presence, the few villages at the foot of Little Pine Mountain remained untouched by the wild beasts.

But they were only a single family, incomparable to the scale of a town. All told, taking in three hundred people was pushing their absolute limit.

On the twenty-eighth day of the Beast Calamity's outbreak, Yang Guanfeng switched shifts with Elder Yu, returning to the family estate from the mine.

Inside the Council Hall, Yang Feiyun and Yang Xiaolei reported on the situation.

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

Yang Guanfeng nodded. "Can we continue taking more?"

"Well... in terms of wealth and grain, the family can still manage. As for space, we can squeeze them in. However, we simply do not have enough land for them to farm."

"Do not let them farm. Arm them."

"Arm them?" Yang Feiyun was slightly puzzled.

Beside him, Yang Xiaolei pondered aloud, "Big Brother, do you mean to make them outside-surname Clan Soldiers?"

"Correct. The Beast Tide is approaching, and its assault will undoubtedly be fierce. If these people have no ability to resist, they will only find a dead end!"

Yang Guanfeng stood up. "I leave this matter to you two. Go down and explain the stakes clearly. Those willing to serve our Yang family will join the Clan Soldiers. After the Beast Tide, their elders and children will be allowed to remain here. Those who are unwilling can fend for themselves. We will provide their rations during the disaster, but once it passes, they must return to wherever they came from."

"Yes, Big Brother. We understand."

Yang Guanfeng realized that this Beast Calamity was a great tribulation for the Yang family, but within that danger lay an opportunity.

To grow and strengthen the family, they first needed people.

The river flowing beneath Little Pine Mountain was called the Linshan River. A few days ago, Elder Yu had taken Lingrui there to construct two wooden bridges and one stone bridge.

The Yang family and the mountain-foot villages were all currently situated on the northern bank of the Linshan River. Yang Guanfeng's original plan was to clear the territory to the south for the family's use.

Lacking the manpower at the time, he had temporarily shelved the idea.

Now, with a massive influx of refugees gathering here, it was the perfect time to take them in. After the Beast Tide, they would serve as new strength to open up new land for the Yang family.

Once the Patriarch's decree was passed down, the refugees responded eagerly.

Upon hearing they could remain permanently, eighty percent of the able-bodied men and women expressed their willingness to become Clan Soldiers.

The Beast Calamity had taught them a harsh truth: one needed the shelter of a great tree to survive the storm.

The training of the new recruits began in earnest. The Yang family had reached a state of full mobilization; aside from the old and the young, everyone was assigned a duty.

Little Pine Mountain had a steep pass that was difficult for men to traverse. It was the most frequent point of exit for the wild beasts.

Yang Lingrui stood guard at this location, leading the family's Clan Soldiers.

As for the family's other cultivators, Yang Guanfeng ventured deep alone to observe the latest tracks of the Beast Calamity on Little Pine Mountain.

Elder Yu kept watch over the mine. The refined ore produced there was one of the Yang family's few resources capable of steadily exchanging for Spirit Crystals; it could not be lost.

Linghu and Lingqing guarded the cliffs of the Restricted Grounds.

The beast incursions had been frequent in the preceding days, but lately, they had quieted down considerably.

"Immortal Master! The scout has returned. There is still no activity today!"

The Clan Soldier leader reported as he stepped into Yang Lingrui's command tent.

His name was Yang Tieli. By blood, he was considered Yang Lingrui's uncle, having even held him when he was a baby.

But now, Yang Lingrui had embarked on the Immortal Path. As an Immortal Master nurtured by the Yang family, his status was transcendent, far exceeding that of mere mortals.

Yang Lingrui, who was currently studying a map, nodded slightly at the words.

"Thank you for your hard work, Leader Tieli. Continue to scout the area. We absolutely must not let our guard down."

"Yes! As the Immortal Master commands!"

Backing out of the tent, Yang Tieli relayed Yang Lingrui's orders. A new batch of scouts ascended the mountain.

"Leader, are we really just taking orders from a little kid?"

Upon returning to their own tent, one of Yang Tieli's subordinates voiced his doubts. "We've slaughtered so many beasts these past few days while he does nothing. He just stays inside the tent all day."

Another man quickly chimed in, "Yeah, and there aren't even any beasts showing up now. I say this Beast Calamity is nearing its end."

"Presumptuous!"

The two were still muttering to themselves when Yang Tieli suddenly roared in anger.

"I see the two of you have lived long enough! You dare gossip about the Immortal Master in front of me?!"

Seeing his fury, the two men immediately shrank their necks, too terrified to speak.

Both men were young, only eighteen or nineteen. They had grown up hearing the thunderous reputation of Ancestor Yang Guanfeng, but they still harbored doubts about how capable this newly emerged little Immortal Master truly was.

Bound by ordinary mortal reasoning, they found it truly impossible to place their absolute trust in someone as young as Yang Lingrui.

But Yang Tieli was different. He belonged to the same generation as Yang Guanfeng. When Guanfeng was young and cultivating under Elder Yu's guidance, Tieli had witnessed his various techniques and divine might with his own eyes.

He understood perfectly well that the immense power possessed by cultivators was completely beyond mortal reach, regardless of their age.

Thus, his respect for Yang Lingrui came from the bottom of his heart.

"Get lost! Go tell the others: if I catch anyone gossiping about the Immortal Master in private, they will all be dealt with according to clan law!"

Under Yang Guanfeng's rule, the Yang family's clan law was exceptionally strict.

Hearing those words, the two young Clan Soldiers visibly paled. Finally grasping the gravity of their offense, they hastily agreed and scrambled out of the tent, trembling in fear.

High on the northern cliffs of the Yang estate.

Given the need to keep their identities concealed, Yang Linghu and Yang Lingqing had been tasked with guarding this specific cliff during the Beast Calamity.

The cliff's height was fatal to ordinary mortals and wild beasts, but the same could not be said for Demon Beasts.

Yang Guanfeng had entrusted Chen Yang to Yang Lingqing.

Among the three children, she was the one he trusted most.

This child possessed a cool head, remained calm under pressure, and always saw the bigger picture. Handing the Strange Stone over to her was the most fitting choice.

Coincidentally, the Mud Dragon Art she cultivated excelled in control and defense. With the Strange Stone making up for her lack of offensive power, she was perfectly balanced.

"Xiaoqing, there's no movement in the woods. Do you think the beasts have all retreated back into the mountains?"

Yang Linghu asked, returning to the Restricted Grounds after completing a patrol.

Yang Lingqing shook her head. "They wouldn't retreat so easily. This is merely the calm before the storm. They want us to lower our guard before launching a final assault. It seems there truly are Demon Beasts orchestrating this from the shadows. Ordinary beasts wouldn't understand such tactics."

"Makes sense!"

"I'll go make another round. Take a rest, Huzi."

The two exchanged shifts. Yang Lingqing began her patrol along the cliff edge, keeping Chen Yang tucked securely in her robes.

After walking the entire length of the cliff and finding nothing amiss, she headed deeper into the woods.

Once she had ventured a fair distance, she took Chen Yang out.

"Good treasure, take a look around. Are there any traces of Demon Beasts?"