Chapter 45
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Chapter 45: The Water is Too Deep
The invasion by the gray-eyed thieves was, without a doubt, the most significant crisis the Yunyang Sect had faced in recent years.
There is no need to elaborate on the enmity between the two sides.
As the saying goes, justice and evil cannot coexist. The high-ranking members of the sect were indeed vigilant and prepared for the resurgence of the gray-eyed thieves.
However, some time ago, the Outer Sect Wei Hall expanded the Night Patrol Team, forcibly conscripting Outer Sect Disciples to become night watchers.
This decision clearly had significant flaws.
Fortunately, the Grandmaster was wise, and the elders were discerning, promptly taking measures to rectify the situation.
It was said that Vice Master Cao, who bore major responsibility, had been stripped of his position and sentenced to ten years of contemplation in the Demon Subduing Cave.
As for the casualties among the low-level Outer Sect cultivators and the devastation faced by several farming families, that was not something to be discussed lightly.
One must understand that when the disaster struck, the inner sect and headquarters swiftly dispatched a dozen Purple Palace masters, who decimated the invading evil cultivators, effectively safeguarding the borders.
There were certainly cultivators who had suffered at the hands of the gray-eyed thieves, but their numbers were not large.
Recently, rumors circulated claiming that the outer sect headquarters was deliberately concealing and underreporting casualties to avoid the wrath of the true masters.
That was surely just gossip!
These rumors should not be spread carelessly.
If discovered, sharing the information with more than five people could lead to severe punishment by the punishment hall.
Remember, remember!
…
In light of the two packs of Cloud Mist Spirit Tea and Wang Chen’s sincere attitude, Old Master Sun shared numerous secrets with him, speaking earnestly and at length.
After indulging in his storytelling, perhaps finding the topic too sensitive, he spoke superficially about deep matters.
There was a risk of 404.
So he forcibly changed the subject and called over his Family to join him.
Then a crowd of aunts and cousins surrounded Wang Chen, bombarding him with questions like, “Doggie, do you want a wife?” “You’re old enough to get married now,” “I have a cousin who’s perfect for you.”
Seeing Wang Chen’s blushing and embarrassed expression, they all burst into laughter, filling the living room with a cheerful atmosphere.
With no other choice, Wang Chen once again employed the Invulnerable Vajra technique to break free from the situation.
As he took his leave, Old Master Sun personally saw him to the door.
With a deep and meaningful expression, the local head said, “Think back to whether you’ve offended anyone in the past.”
Wang Chen was startled.
Although Old Master Sun spoke somewhat ambiguously, he understood clearly.
The matter of him being inexplicably conscripted into the Night Patrol Team clearly had deeper implications.
However, once he returned home, he fell into deep thought.
Wang Chen searched through the memories of the original owner but couldn’t recall anyone he had offended.
The original owner had poor qualifications, an introverted personality, and was simple-minded, diligently tending to the fields in the outer sect.
His social circle was exceedingly narrow.
The only person he had ever had a minor conflict with was likely Zhang Xiaoshan from the Zhang family.
But it was utterly impossible for such a trivial matter to provoke such a severe retaliation.
Not to mention Zhang Xiaoshan, even the Zhang family didn’t possess that kind of influence!
Wang Chen’s head ached from the strain of thinking.
He felt as though he were ensnared in an invisible large net, aware of the danger but clueless about how to escape.
The situation felt far too deep and treacherous.
Gritting his teeth, he made another trip to Yunshan City.
He rushed to the library before it closed and spent seventy contribution points to exchange for the Earth and Stone Technique.
Though the name sounded unremarkable, it was a genuine higher-level Qi Training spell with immense practicality.
Just as the Rain Summoning Technique could be divided into Cloud Walking and Rain Dispersion, the Earth and Stone Technique also encompassed two methods: Turn Fossil to Mud and solidify mud into stone.
The two were polar opposites.
This spell was primarily used for mining, clearing paths, cutting through mountains, building houses, and more.
It was a worker’s divine skill.
However, Wang Chen had no intention of switching to manual labor.
He planned to learn the Earth and Stone Technique to dig tunnels!
Despite the limitations of his resources, Wang Chen’s understanding of the Yunyang Sect was limited, and he couldn’t stay updated with the latest developments.
Yet, he could keenly sense the growing tension both inside and outside the sect.
The gray-eyed thieves had been temporarily repelled.
But who could guarantee they wouldn’t return?
Evil cultivators who worshipped dark gods were like weeds in the spirit fields, nearly impossible to eradicate completely.
Wang Chen had no idea what dangers he might face next.
Moreover, within the outer sect, there was likely someone harboring ill intentions toward him!
On top of that, there were even more terrifying Evil Spirits…
At this moment, Wang Chen lacked both the resources and the strength to flee, nor could he enter the safest inner sect.
He didn’t even have a foothold in Yunshan City.
Thus, under such circumstances, Wang Chen could only think of ways to improve his living conditions.
He couldn’t afford the defensive formations that cost hundreds or thousands of spirit stones, so he decided to follow the example of the cunning rabbit and dig some underground tunnels.
Once faced with an insurmountable danger, there were paths for hiding and escaping.
Even during regular training and sleep, he could retreat to a hidden chamber.
It was incredibly reassuring!
The more Wang Chen pondered, the more he felt this approach was correct, truly embodying the essence of quiet cultivation.
Thus, in the following days, he devoted himself entirely to comprehending the method seed of the Earth and Stone Technique.
He aimed to grasp the basics and accumulate skill experience as swiftly as possible.
To this end, he temporarily set aside the Shadowless Divine Movement and Breath Concealment Technique, which he had exchanged for a significant amount of contribution points.
There was no alternative; the foundation left by the original owner was too weak, forcing him, the successor, to catch up on numerous lessons.
As the saying goes, perseverance yields success. Through Wang Chen’s relentless efforts, on the fourth day after acquiring the method seed, he successfully mastered the fundamental techniques of the Earth and Stone Technique!
In the small courtyard, Wang Chen scooped up a handful of black mud dug from the rice field outside and channeled his mana into it through his palm.
His right hand immediately radiated a lightly yellow glow.
In an instant, the black mud enveloped by the yellow light rapidly solidified.
Solidify mud into stone!
【Earth and Stone Technique · Experience +1】
Wang Chen spread his fingers, and a black mud stone ball dropped to the ground with a thud.
It was as hard as a billiard ball.
He reached out again and used Object Manipulation to draw the stone ball back into his palm.
He clenched his fingers and squeezed firmly.
Crack!
The stone ball shattered into pieces, and countless bits of mud spilled through his fingers.
This hardness still wasn’t sufficient.
Wang Chen surmised it was due to his low skill level and believed that advancing to proficiency would significantly enhance it.
What he needed to dig wasn’t merely a tunnel.
To achieve true safety, he had to excavate a bunker.
Even if confronted by a strong enemy invasion, he could hold out momentarily, buying himself time to escape.
The higher the level of the Earth and Stone Technique, the more potent it would become!
Fortunately, this spell consumed minimal mana, and accumulating skill experience was relatively easy.
Even if it meant spending all his Virtue points, Wang Chen was determined to reach the basic level.
He picked up another handful of black mud.
Bang bang!
At that moment, someone gently knocked on the courtyard gate.
A rough voice reached Wang Chen’s ears: “Excuse me, is the master of the house present?”
Who is it?
Wang Chen dropped the black mud in his hands and casually cast a Cleansing Technique.
Then he went to open the courtyard gate.
He saw a tall, burly man with a thick beard standing outside. Upon seeing Wang Chen, he immediately cupped his fists in a salute: “Esteemed Immortal Master, I apologize for the intrusion. May I inquire if you require assistance in harvesting the rice?”
Wang Chen was slightly taken aback.
The man’s presence was deep and powerful, unmistakably an innate expert!
