The System Arrives: Leading My Clan to Become the Strongest

121: Chapter 121 Exploring the Great Wilderness”Well done, Lu Xin. You’ve worked hard.”

Jiang Chen said in a soft tone.

”It was only right.”

Lu Xin spoke as if it were a matter of course. If not for Jiang Chen, she would never have possessed such strength; perhaps she would have remained an ordinary Little Girl, living an unremarkable life.

Everything she had was given to her by Jiang Chen; what she received from Jiang Chen, she would return to the Jiang Family.

Jiang Chen motioned for several maidservants to help Lu Xin back to her room to rest, then turned his gaze back toward Jiang Suhai and the other two.

”It’s good that you’re back.”

Seeing Jiang Chen, Jiang Suhai nodded with a smile on his face.

Jiang Chen’s Mother stepped forward and pulled on his arm, her fingertips brushing over his sleeves. Only after confirming he had no injuries did she breathe a sigh of relief, though the worry deep in her eyes had yet to dissipate.

”Chener, I heard them say you went to the capital to participate in some Qingfeng Martial Meet. How was it? Did everything go smoothly?”

”Don’t worry, Mother. It’s fine, everything went very smoothly.”

”That’s good then.”

”Grandfather, when exactly did this Desolate Beast Tide begin? Have you found any clues?”

Jiang Chen turned to ask his grandfather, Jiang Suhai.

Jiang Suhai stroked his white beard, the smile fading from his face to be replaced by gravity.

”By my count, it started two days ago in the early morning. Just after the Hour of the Tiger, beast roars came from the foot of the mountain. At first, it was just some low-tier desolate beasts, and we took it for a common stampede. Who would have thought that after midday, the Scarlet Flame Lion Emperor and the Black Water Crocodile Emperor would lead tens of thousands of desolate beasts to surround the mountain and directly assault the mountain-protecting Formation.”

”Two days?”

Jiang Chen’s brows furrowed sharply, and his knuckles tightened unconsciously. A hint of pressure from the Nascent Soul Stage leaked out, causing the surrounding air to thicken slightly.

”The desolate beasts within a hundred miles of Qingyun Mountain usually keep to their own territories. Even if there were a commotion, it’s impossible for them to join forces for a siege, let alone being led by Nascent Soul Stage desolate beasts. This is definitely no accident.”

At that moment, the Jiang Family Clansmen also began returning one after another. The first to arrive were several Elders; seeing Jiang Chen, they all gathered around.

Jiang Suhai let out a heavy sigh, his white beard trembling slightly from his heavy heart.

”Chener is exactly right, but over these past two days, we haven’t even had the chance to investigate.”

He looked up at Jiang Chen, his eyes filled with helplessness.

”The highest cultivation in the Family right now is my Early Stage Golden Core. Most of the other Elders are at the Peak of Foundation Establishment. Facing an assault from tens of thousands of desolate beasts and two Nascent Soul Emperor beasts, we’ve exhausted all our strength just to hold the mountain-protecting Formation. No one could possibly break out to investigate the cause.”

The Grand Elder Jiang Xuanting also chimed in from the side.

”Indeed, Clan Chief. For those two days, the Formation was on the verge of collapse. Fortunately, Lu Xin worked day and night in shifts to drive it with her spiritual power. A moment’s negligence and the desolate beasts might have broken through. Furthermore, the beasts surrounded the mountain like an iron barrel; forget sending someone out, even a bird would find it difficult to fly beyond a hundred-mile radius.”

Hearing this, Jiang Chen understood.

”Since this beast tide is definitely no accident, there must be a deep underlying reason. Now that the Formation is stable and the Family is temporarily safe, I have decided to personally head into the Deep part of the Great Wilderness to investigate. I must uncover the truth behind why the desolate beasts besieged Qingyun Mountain.”

Jiang Chen scanned the group and spoke slowly.

”Clan Chief, you must not!”

Grand Elder Jiang Xuanting hurriedly tried to dissuade him.

”The Deep part of the Great Wilderness is exceptionally dangerous, far exceeding the outskirts of Qingyun Mountain. You have just returned from the capital and have yet to rest, and going alone is too perilous! It would be better to let us select elite Disciples to accompany you, so you have some support.”

The Second Elder Jiang Liejun also agreed.

”The Grand Elder is right. The Clan Chief is the head of the Jiang Family, a person of supreme importance; how can you easily put yourself in danger? We are willing to lead a team there and will certainly fulfill the mission!”

Jiang Chen waved his hand.

”Elders, there is no need to say more. This investigation doesn’t require many people; more people would only make it less convenient. Moreover, given your cultivation levels, I fear it would be difficult for you to handle sudden situations deep in the Great Wilderness. As for me, I am merely going to take a look and will return immediately. I have more than enough power to protect myself.”

His gaze swept over everyone as he continued.

”I will trouble Grandfather and the Elders to look after the Family’s affairs. The Grand Elder will remain to oversee the Family and coordinate resources; the Second Elder will continue to patrol the perimeter to guard against counterattacks from any remaining desolate beasts; and the other Elders will look after the elderly and the weak in the clan to soothe their hearts.”

Jiang Suhai knew Jiang Chen’s temperament well—once he decided on something, he would not change his mind. Besides, with Jiang Chen’s current strength, he was indeed the best candidate for the investigation.

He pondered for a moment and then nodded. ”Since your mind is made up, then you must be careful.”

Once Jiang Chen’s words were settled, he delayed no longer. Spiritual Qi flowed around him, his robes snapping in the wind, as he transformed into a streak of light that shot into the sky, racing toward the Deep part of the Great Wilderness.

The speed of a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator was extremely fast; in just a few moments, he was already a hundred miles away from Qingyun Mountain.

Ordinarily, this area should have been a place where low-tier desolate beasts were active. Yet as he looked along the way, the forest was eerily silent. Even the sounds of insects and birds had vanished, leaving only the rustle of wind through the leaves, carrying an unspeakable gloom.

Jiang Chen’s brow furrowed slightly as he spread out his Divine Thought, covering dozens of miles around him. He truly could not detect a single trace of any desolate beasts.

”Something’s not right.”

He whispered to himself.

The desolate beasts that had besieged Qingyun Mountain before numbered in the tens of thousands. Such a massive population could not possibly vanish into thin air. Seeing not even half a beast along the way now only served to confirm the suspicion in his heart—these beasts had not migrated spontaneously, but had been driven by some terrifying existence, all of them flooding toward Qingyun Mountain.

Jiang Chen restrained his aura and slowed his speed, venturing deeper with increasing caution.

After flying for an unknown amount of time, the mountain forest grew even denser, with towering ancient trees blotting out the sun. A faint scent of blood gradually permeated the air, mixed with a hint of an extremely overbearing pressure. Even from a great distance, it caused the spiritual power within his body to stagnate slightly.

After traveling for about another hour, the terrain ahead suddenly opened up, revealing a valley of jagged rocks.

The scent of blood was even thicker here. As soon as Jiang Chen approached the valley entrance, he felt a peerlessly powerful aura entrenched within—it was clearly the pressure of the Soul Transformation Stage!

Jiang Chen quietly hid behind a giant boulder and looked up. In the center of the valley, a desolate beast with a body comparable to a small mountain was lying on the ground, panting.

It was a One-Horned Giant Rhino, its body covered in dark-golden thick armor. The armor was covered in hideous cracks, and in many places, black blood was still seeping out; it was clearly suffering from extremely severe injuries.

The single horn on its head was broken in half, and its eyes flickered with a violent red light. Every breath it took carried a deafening roar. Although its Soul Transformation Stage aura was sluggish, it remained terrifying.

Jiang Chen understood in an instant.

It was this injured Soul Transformation Stage Giant Rhino that had intruded into this region. Its powerful pressure had terrified all the desolate beasts, causing them to flee their homes.

The fifth-tier spirit vein of Qingyun Mountain was rich in Spiritual Qi, making it a coveted place for the desolate beasts, which had triggered that beast tide.

As for this Giant Rhino, it clearly wanted to occupy this unclaimed land to recover from its injuries in peace.

As if sensing someone spying on it, the One-Horned Giant Rhino suddenly raised its head. Its violent gaze locked onto Jiang Chen’s direction, and its low growl shook the valley, causing rocks to tumble down.

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