The three of them headed towards the Council Hall, discussing their plan along the way.
On the way, Shen Wang encountered another relative, his third brother Shen Step, who was now also an elite of the family with his cultivation reaching the Eleventh-Layer Qi Cultivation, qualified for Foundation Establishment.
Shen Qingyun had three sons and four daughters, numbered from one to seven according to age, not sorted separately by gender.
The eldest son, Shen Nian, was the oldest, now over sixty years old, having reached Foundation Establishment and becoming a family elder.
The second daughter was nearly sixty years old and had been married off long ago.
The third son was also around fifty, just a step away from Foundation Establishment, while the fourth and fifth daughters were cultivating outside, also in their forties and fifties.
Shen Wang himself was almost forty years old, with only his youngest sister being the last born, just thirteen at the moment.
Their father was over a hundred years old, already considered a centenarian in the secular world, but still counted among Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
Their original mother, also over a hundred years old, with low cultivation and having sustained injuries, passed away when the youngest sister was six.
If nothing unexpected happened, Shen Wang estimated it would also take him until he was fifty or sixty to reach Foundation Establishment, but now he was confident in reaching Core Formation.
Thinking of family matters, Shen Wang arrived at the Council Hall, seeing that the elders were heavily packed, each storage pouch filled to the brim.
This is one of the advantages of being a cultivator—having storage pouches to pack things, eliminating the need for large carts of goods in emergencies, making actions much more convenient.
"It seems everyone’s well prepared."
Shen Qingyun nodded, looking at a middle-aged man: "Third Elder, how much longer can the array hold?"
"Withdrawing most of the spirit stones, it will be hard to hold on for even half a day."
The Third Elder replied.
"Then we should have time to plan a retreat."
The Great Elder said, glancing at Shen Wang: "Hopefully you won’t lead us down a dead end."
Shen Wang shook his head: "It can’t hold on for that long. The Demon Suppression Department wouldn’t foolishly break the array through sheer force; don’t you think they have Array Masters?"
After saying this, he looked at the Great Elder: "Also, don’t push all the responsibility onto me. If I hadn’t come today, you’d just sit here and wait to die, right?"
The Second Elder immediately protested: "Is that how you talk? Do you really think you’re so great, able to fight against the Golden Core Zhenrens outside?"
Shen Wang didn’t expect that his straightforward words would lead these two elders to argue with him, frowning slightly: "Why do I feel you’re both targeting me, why so many objections?"
"You young one, really think you’re that capable?"
The Great Elder said, not particularly against Shen Wang, just purely finding him unreliable.
"Alright, instead of bickering, we should think about how to retreat."
Shen Qingyun interrupted the Great Elder, stating: "Each branch go gather people quickly, prioritize the children, and focus on protecting those with Spirit Roots."
The entire family sprang into action, over a thousand people gathering, many of whom were ordinary people but had basic martial arts training, so swift movement wasn’t a problem.
For those too old to move, nothing could really be done; those willing to stay and wait for death could do so, while those unwilling could follow, but they would be the first to be abandoned in danger.
A large crowd gathered in front of the Council Hall, many feeling troubled. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ Novᴇl_Fire(.)net
If they could live peacefully here, who would want to flee?
Shen Wang noticed the anxious expressions of many of the old, weak, women, and children, his gaze heavy.
This is the cost of weakness; if the Shen Family had several Golden Cores, the Demon Suppression Department would have to think twice about taking action, and even if they did, escape wouldn’t be the only option.
"There are too many people; it’s really hard to take them away."
Shen Wang took a look at the numbers, over a thousand people going out like sheep into a wolf pack against those from the Demon Suppression Department.
He thought of the large space inside the Tai Chi Yin Yang Mirror that could accommodate these people, should he...?
But if he did take so many people, besides raising suspicion from the Black Death Blade King, even his own people might leak the secret of his powerful artifact.
Shen Wang was momentarily conflicted.
Profound Thunder Zhenren had just attacked him out of suspicion he had a powerful treasure, which had just been resolved, so he was reluctant to expose himself to such a problem again.
If the Shen family’s members fully supported him, perhaps in a moment of recklessness Shen Wang would help them, but now...
Shen Wang glanced at certain people and, remembering the suspicions of the Great Elder and the Second Elder, restrained his impulse.
He had a family and couldn’t be as reckless as before.
The family’s assistance to him had its limits, saving everyone would instead become a burden.
Shen Wang’s heart raced, and a strand of power was unleashed from the Blood of Living Creatures in his chest.
His expression changed again.
Was it right to be so stingy after just receiving the benefits of the family?
He was conflicted again; if he hadn’t obtained that drop of blood, he could save as many as he could this time.
Nevertheless, having obtained the blood, he was transformed, inadvertently owing the family a debt of gratitude.
"Still, it’s not possible; with so many people, no idea how much in resources would be consumed, it’s beyond what I can manage, better to save more if possible."
His rationality triumphed over sentiment; Shen Wang carefully analyzed that even if he saved everyone, he wouldn’t be able to support over a thousand people at Kunyu Mountain.
He couldn’t always stay at home, and if these people had any ideas, it would only harm his family.
If they went to the Celestial Travel Sect, then he couldn’t hide the existence of the Tai Chi Yin Yang Mirror, which would be more dangerous.
He couldn’t trust so many people to keep his secret, better to do what he could, beyond family, save more people and have a clear conscience.
Looking at the numerous old, weak, women, and children, considering the many Demon-Banning Guards outside, he said to his younger sister who had collected medicinal herbs: "Nannan, you have many herbs, right?"