The night sky was painted with the glow of the Li Clan's defensive array, shimmering like a celestial barrier that separated the clan from their attackers. The Zhou and Peng forces, confident in their overwhelming numbers, pressed forward relentlessly, unaware that their every move was futile.
At the head of the enemy forces, Zhou Feng and Peng Yue, seasoned elders of their respective clans, stood at the forefront, their eyes narrowed in concentration. Both men had anticipated a relatively easy battle, convinced that the Li Clan, weakened by the death of their old patriarch, would be ripe for conquest.
But now, faced with the unyielding power of the Li Clan's Tier 9 Defensive Array, their arrogance began to wane.
"This isn't a simple barrier," Zhou Feng muttered, his expression dark. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, which pulsed faintly with his Qi, but even he hesitated before launching another attack. "It's far stronger than I expected."
Peng Yue scowled beside him, his eyes flickering with frustration. "We've underestimated them. This array… it's not something a weakened clan should possess."
Behind them, the combined forces of over 150 cultivators from the Zhou and Peng Clans were growing restless. They had attacked with all the power they could muster, but the shimmering barrier before them remained unscathed. Waves of Qi techniques had crashed against it like the tide against a cliff, but each strike was absorbed by the array without so much as a crack forming.
"They can't hold out forever," Peng Yue said, trying to inject some confidence into his voice. "The array must be draining their resources. If we keep the pressure up, it will collapse eventually."
Zhou Feng gritted his teeth, his eyes scanning the glowing barrier. "Perhaps. But we're wasting valuable time. If we don't break through soon, we risk losing our advantage."
But Peng Yue had no better plan. The Zhou and Peng Clans had already committed too many resources to this attack to pull back now. They had to push forward, or risk looking weak in front of the other factions. There was no turning back.
Inside the Li Clan Estate, the atmosphere was starkly different. Despite the assault raging just beyond the walls, the members of the Li Clan remained calm, their confidence bolstered by the strength of their defensive array.
In the council chamber, Li Bao sat with his elders, his expression unreadable as he listened to the distant sounds of the enemy's futile attacks. Beside him stood Li Jun, Li Leyue, and Li Runchu, each of them poised and ready for battle, though there was no urgency in their movements.
"They've been attacking the barrier for hours now," Li Jun remarked with a smirk. "And yet, here we are, still waiting for them to make a dent."
Li Leyue remained more cautious, though even she couldn't hide the confidence in her eyes. "They'll figure out soon enough that this isn't something they can break. But we can't get complacent. Desperation might make them reckless."
Li Bao nodded, his mind working through the possibilities. "Agreed. But we control the battlefield as long as the array holds. Let them waste their energy. When the time is right, we'll strike."
Li Runchu, ever the strategist, added, "Their leaders will realize soon that brute force isn't enough. They'll either pull back and try to find another way in, or they'll risk throwing everything they have at us in a final, desperate assault."
Li Bao's gaze sharpened. "And that's when we'll crush them."
The elders exchanged nods of agreement. The past weeks had transformed the Li Clan, both in terms of cultivation and unity. They had grown stronger, and now, it was time to demonstrate that strength to the world.
Outside the estate, Zhou Feng and Peng Yue stood together in silence, watching as their forces continued to assault the barrier. Despite their best efforts, the array remained intact, its glowing surface seemingly impervious to their attacks.
"This is ridiculous," Zhou Feng muttered, his frustration boiling over. "How could they have such a powerful array?"
Peng Yue, equally frustrated, slammed his fist into his palm. "There's no way this clan could have prepared something like this so quickly. The death of their patriarch must have shaken them. They shouldn't have the resources for this."
But no matter how much they tried to rationalize it, the truth was undeniable. The Li Clan had somehow gained access to an array far beyond what they had anticipated, and it was holding them at bay with ease.
"We need to change tactics," Zhou Feng said at last. "This isn't working."
Peng Yue glanced at him, his brow furrowing. "What are you suggesting?"
"We need to withdraw for now," Zhou Feng said, his voice low but firm. "We regroup, gather more information, and find a way to neutralize that array."
Peng Yue looked incredulous. "Withdraw? We've already committed too much to this! If we pull back now, it'll be seen as a sign of weakness."
"Better to withdraw and fight another day than to throw ourselves at an impenetrable wall," Zhou Feng shot back. "This array is too powerful. We'll be throwing lives away if we keep this up."
Before Peng Yue could argue further, a loud hum filled the air. Both men looked up, startled, as the array before them pulsed with energy. For a moment, it seemed as though the barrier was reacting to something — but instead of weakening, it grew brighter.
"What's happening?" Peng Yue whispered, his voice filled with unease.
The defensive array surged with power, and suddenly, a wave of energy burst from its surface. The light was blinding, forcing the Zhou and Peng forces to shield their eyes. A second later, a powerful shockwave erupted from the array, sending the attackers stumbling backward.
Zhou Feng barely managed to stay on his feet, his eyes wide with shock. "That… that wasn't just a defensive measure," he muttered. "The array is fighting back."
Peng Yue, still reeling from the shockwave, looked up in disbelief. "What kind of array is this?!"
From atop the walls of the Li Clan Estate, Li Bao watched with satisfaction as the defensive array repelled the enemy forces. The array wasn't just a shield — it was a weapon, capable of launching counterattacks when necessary. The Zhou and Peng Clans had walked into a trap, and now they were paying the price.
"Impressive," Li Jun said, his grin widening as he watched the enemy forces scramble to recover. "I almost feel bad for them."
Li Leyue's expression was more serious, but there was a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes as well. "They'll have to rethink their entire strategy now. They can't brute-force their way through."
Li Bao nodded, his gaze still fixed on the battlefield. "This is our chance. We won't just sit behind the barrier forever. The array has weakened them, but we'll finish them off."
Li Runchu stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Shall we strike now, then? While they're disoriented?"
"Not yet," Li Bao said, holding up a hand. "Let them retreat. Let them stew in their failure. When they come back — if they come back — they'll be more desperate, more reckless. That's when we'll hit them."
As dawn approached, the Zhou and Peng forces began to pull back, their morale shattered by the realization that they couldn't break through the Li Clan's defenses. Zhou Feng and Peng Yue exchanged grim looks, knowing that they had severely miscalculated.
"This isn't over," Zhou Feng muttered, his voice filled with venom. "We'll find a way to break that array. The Li Clan won't be able to hide behind it forever."
Peng Yue nodded, though his confidence was clearly shaken. "Next time, we'll be ready."
But as they retreated into the night, both men knew that the balance of power in the region had shifted. The Li Clan was no longer a weak, mourning family. They had become something far more dangerous.
And as they prepared for their next move, the Zhou and Peng Clans would have to reckon with the reality that their enemies were no longer the easy target they once believed them to be.
The retreat of the Zhou and Peng forces sent a wave of relief through the Li Clan. Though the enemy hadn't managed to breach the estate's defenses, the tension that had hung over the clan like a storm cloud finally began to lift.
In the council chamber, Li Bao sat with his elders, his expression calm but contemplative. The battle had ended, but he knew that the conflict was far from over.
"They'll be back," Li Leyue said, her tone serious. "They're too prideful to accept this defeat without a fight."
Li Jun nodded, his arms crossed. "No doubt. But when they come back, we'll be ready for them. They can't break the array, and they know it."
Li Bao leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. "They'll return, but not in the same way. Next time, they'll come with a different plan. They'll be desperate, and desperation makes people dangerous."
Li Runchu, ever the strategist, spoke up. "We should take this opportunity to fortify our position even further. The defensive array has proven its worth, but we need to ensure that we're prepared for anything. If they bring more powerful cultivators or find a way to neutralize the array, we'll need to have contingencies in place."