The enormous sound was awe-inspiring.

Many villagers in Blackwater Village were immediately filled with fear. In their eyes, this was a very dangerous group that could potentially slaughter the entire village.

Xia Tianqiong was quite pleased to see the panicked looks in those eyes.

On the way there, a soldier gave him this suggestion, saying that a unified shout could not only boost morale but also intimidate others.

So he practiced many times along the way to be able to shout so neatly and with such momentum.

Xia Tianqiong turned around and walked back to the group, handing the Demon Bull Horn to Liu Shan, "I'll lend it to you for now. If they make a move, don't hold back."

Liu Shan nodded and took the horn with both hands. "Team Leader Xia, don't worry. Even if they dare to make a move, I guarantee I will hold this place and never let them enter the village to interfere with you."

Xia Tianqiong then led more than two hundred people, preparing to storm into the village and deal with the village chief.

Seven or eight hundred people had gathered inside the village entrance, but only a few dozen of them were able-bodied young men, armed with weapons.

The rest are mostly elderly people, women, and children, who stay in the village because they can't level up by fighting monsters.

"No entry into the village, no killing of the village chief."

"Didn't you say this was an official operation? I don't believe you would dare to kill anyone."

“These are all elderly, weak, women and children. Aren’t you afraid of being struck by lightning? Come and kill them. Let’s see who dares to do such a heinous thing.”

The villagers of Heishui blocked the entrance to the village. They knew they couldn't beat the other side, but they didn't believe the other side would really dare to kill someone.

The villagers of Taoyuan looked at each other, all somewhat embarrassed.

In reality, most of them haven't killed anyone; in fact, they're somewhat hesitant to actually do it. Even those who have killed before generally wouldn't target the elderly, children, or women.

Xia Tianqiong frowned slightly, seeing a hint of retreat in the eyes of the people of Taoyuan Village.

This won't do. If the first village turns out like this, how are we supposed to complete the plan?

He was prepared to take action and forcibly disperse the people blocking the village entrance. As for killing, he would only do so as a last resort.

But at that moment, a young couple from his group stepped forward.

The man shouted, "Don't back down, Peach Blossom Village! Everyone, charge with me! We won't kill the old people and children, we'll only target these armed men."

The woman shouted, "We've taken Captain Xia's money, we can't back down, let's charge in together!"

These two then took the initiative to attack, followed by six or seven other people.

The other two hundred or so people from Taoyuan Village hesitated slightly, but then rushed over as well.

Before they even made contact, the elderly, women, and children screamed and ran away. The remaining few dozen able-bodied men from Blackwater Village exchanged glances and then also took off running for their lives.

It's obvious they can't win, and neither of them wants to die.

And so, without a single battle, the people of Taoyuan Village stormed into the village.

Xia Tianqiong went straight to the village's central square, where the Blackwater Village chief had been waiting for him since the declaration of war began.

After several rounds, he killed the village chief with his golden horn spear.

The villagers of Blackwater watched from a distance, but no one dared to stop him, fearing instead that he would kill indiscriminately.

Fortunately, this fear did not materialize. After the village chief was killed, everyone in Blackwater Village received a notification in their minds.

"Blackwater Village was annexed by Peach Blossom Village, and all Blackwater Village residents were demoted one level."

Along with this sound, the people of Blackwater Village suddenly felt something being drawn out of their bodies.

Those strong and burly villagers were alright; they were only downgraded in rank, and their bodies were not fundamentally damaged.

However, the elderly, girls, and children in the village are mostly ordinary villagers. At this moment, a large amount of their energy and spirit has been forcibly drained, leaving them weak and listless.

Xia Tianqiong frowned upon seeing this scene.

Ultimately, I still couldn't bear to do it.

"Villagers of Blackwater Village who have lost their spirit and energy due to being downgraded will each receive 50,000 ghost money as compensation after the Ghost Realm ends."

The old man and woman not far away stared at him in astonishment, both surprised and delighted.

A woman in her forties suddenly asked, "Why not give it to us now? You're not trying to fool us, are you?"

"If I gave it to you now, do you think you could keep it?"

Xia Tianqiong rolled her eyes at her, then hurriedly led her people away, returning to the village entrance.