Half a day later.

The group landed on a desolate plain.

The ground was covered with sand and yellow earth, a scene of utter barrenness. In front of them was a large cluster of wooden houses, and further ahead were several underground mine shafts, with low-level cultivators constantly going in and out.

From all directions, a chilling aura of array formations emanated.

Upon seeing the flying boat and hundreds of streaks of light approaching, arrays immediately surged forth, emitting multicolored light. After recognizing the Cloud Soaring Sect's emblem, they immediately dimmed, creating a path.

Two powerful beams of light rose into the sky, directly confronting the approaching figure.

Lin Xiuyuan immediately led everyone off the spirit boat.

"This must be the newly appointed Manager Lin. I've heard so much about you."

Two middle-aged men dressed in the robes of the Cloud Guardians came forward, the one in the lead bowing.

"Protector Zhong, you're too kind."

Lin Xiuyuan returned the greeting with a cupped-hand salute, then looked at the other person and continued with a cupped-hand salute, saying, "Protector Zhang."

"Master Lin," the other party replied with a smile.

Zhong Kangshun and Zhang Cheng are the protectors sent by the sect to this place, specializing in protecting the sacred land and returning resources.

The former represents the late stage of the Purple Mansion realm, while the latter represents the middle stage of the Purple Mansion realm.

"Deacon Pang, fellow disciples, it's been a long time."

The two then smiled at the guardians behind them.

Deacon Pang and the other Dharma Protectors stepped forward to pay their respects. They were all elites who had been promoted from the main peak to the Dharma Protector Pavilion, and their relationship with each other was quite close.

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone landed at the camp.

"Fortunately, you arrived ahead of time, Manager Lin. Those rogue cultivator gangs are indeed not just talk. At least a thousand cultivators have already gathered in the mountains ahead. If we had arrived any later, we would probably have been plunged into a fierce battle here."

Zhang Cheng laughed.

Zhong Kangshun, standing to the side, sneered, "These rogue cultivator gangs are really audacious. It's only because of the current situation that they've been suppressed. If the elders had arrived, they would have been crushed! Now they think they have the numbers and power? They're just a rabble."

"With Steward Lin leading his elite troops, our combined strength as protectors is more than enough to suppress all villains. If we charge out directly, we will surely crush this newly assembled army of cultivators!"

Upon seeing this, the three elders and Steward He's expressions shifted slightly, and they immediately echoed his sentiments.

"Indeed, Protector Yunxiao possesses astonishing combat power, far beyond what these rogue cultivators can even imagine."

"These rogue cultivators, though they have gathered together and have some influence, are nothing but chickens and dogs in front of our sect."

"…………"

On their way here, the group was somewhat apprehensive, for although they were independent cultivators, they were still enemies several times, or even ten times, larger than themselves.

But after Zhong Kangshun's words, everyone's fighting spirit stopped fluctuating and instead continued to rise.

Lin Xiuyuan glanced at Zhong Kangshun and couldn't help but smile slightly, but he didn't say anything.

After everyone entered the camp.

Lin Xiuyuan then arranged for the elders of the three families, as well as He Chengji and others, to go and arrange manpower to strengthen the defense of this place.

The two protectors had only brought a few disciples to this place to hold the line, and had set up simple array plates, mainly to prevent those rogue cultivators from making rash advances.

Only when the main force arrives can we further build up our defenses; otherwise, it will be difficult to withstand a major battle.

Seeing that everyone had left, leaving only "family," Zhong Kangshun's cold expression changed, revealing a hint of dissatisfaction. He looked at Lin Xiuyuan and said:

"Master Lin, what are your considerations? Why have you decided to retreat? These rogue cultivators are picking on the weak. It was one thing before, but now that all the Dharma Protectors and fellow disciples have arrived, along with Senior Brother Pang and Elder Ge's firm stance, we are ready to face the enemy head-on. Why retreat?"

“Junior Brother Zhong, now that Junior Brother Lin is in charge, you must understand the meaning of the guard period, right? We just need to obey the orders of the person in charge.”

Upon seeing this, Pang Hongbo, who had remained silent until now, couldn't help but shout a rebuke.

“I understand, but why retreat when you can clearly confront them head-on? Since it's a defensive period, shouldn't you stabilize the current resource areas? If you can retain most of the territory within sixty years, wouldn't that be an excellent performance? After all, the situation here is so chaotic, it's already difficult to stabilize most of it.”

"Retreating now is one thing, but to retreat directly into the Black Tide Secret Realm... wouldn't that be handing over all our resources to others for nothing? How will the outside world view my Cloud Soaring Sect then?!"

Zhong Kangshun said, puzzled and dissatisfied.

"Junior Brother Zhong..."

Pang Hongbo shouted in a deep voice, and was about to say something more.

Lin Xiuyuan waved his hand to stop the conversation. Seeing the gazes directed at him, he knew that he could probably use a strong stance to subdue others, since most of the deacons were acting in their own self-interest.

But these guardians are different; they are all elite combat forces of the sect. Even if they are sent out to other places, they enjoy first-class resource supply, and if they perform well, they will be richly rewarded.

Now, Lin Xiuyuan's term of guarding the area, and their performance here, will determine whether they are outstanding or not.

Their interests are tied to Lin Xiuyuan's.

These Dharma protectors are of one mind with him.

At this moment, although the surrounding protectors did not speak, their expressions varied, indicating that many of them shared similar thoughts with Zhong Kangshun.

Considering the future, it is still necessary to explain my next steps to them.