Chapter 68
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Chapter 68: A Second Request for Help
The north wind howled as it swept down from the top of the hillside, carrying the biting chill of winter.
A tiger-striped lizard emerged from a pile of scattered rocks, its eyes darting warily from side to side.
It extended its slender tongue, tasting the air for any traces of nearby activity.
The creature was determined to gather enough sustenance to hibernate in its cave before the first snowfall.
Yet, the recent scarcity of insects had made foraging an increasingly arduous task.
Suddenly, a dull thud startled the tiger-striped lizard, sending it scurrying back into the safety of the rocks.
After a brief pause, sensing no immediate threat, it cautiously peeked its head out once more.
Not far away, a large patch of grass had been violently torn apart.
A figure emerged from beneath the ground!
Before the lizard could fully comprehend the scene, a flash of golden light pierced its skull in an instant.
It was a three-inch-long golden needle!
The needle then shot through the surrounding stones, tracing a long, glowing arc through the air.
Finally, it came to rest, hovering beside Wang Chen.
Wang Chen, who had just surfaced, let out a soft whistle.
The golden needle immediately flew to his right hand, coiling around his index finger and transforming into a ring.
It was done!
Wang Chen ran his fingers over the ring, a wave of satisfaction washing over him.
After nearly two months of construction, with numerous expansions and modifications, the "doomsday fortress" was finally complete. From now on, safety was assured, and he could sleep soundly at night.
He now stood at the exit of the longest and final escape tunnel—a passage that had just been completed.
This exit had been meticulously chosen by Wang Chen, who had taken great care to ensure its alignment through repeated measurements.
The location was well-hidden, surrounded by dense hillside forests, with no sign of spirit fields or farmhouses in sight.
The area was also devoid of any wild beasts.
Aside from the occasional child who might wander over to play or forage for wild vegetables, the place was almost always deserted.
Wang Chen had reinforced the tunnel exit and carefully camouflaged it.
Only after ensuring everything was secure did he depart.
But instead of heading straight home, he made his way westward along the hillside, climbing over a nearby ridge.
He continued until he reached the edge of the mountain gate, where the land met the outer territories.
Here, the landscape was dominated by rolling hills, with a distant range of mountains stretching across the horizon. The area was barren and uninhabited, a desolate expanse of wilderness.
Wang Chen carefully surveyed his surroundings before commencing his practice of Shadowless Divine Movement.
Shadowless Divine Movement is a movement technique, or more precisely, a spell designed for escape.
Wang Chen had spent three hundred and fifty contribution points to acquire it.
According to the elder teaching from the library, this technique is suitable even for those who have achieved perfect mastery of Qi Training.
It is considered a higher-level spell within Qi Training.
Consequently, the initial learning curve is quite steep.
Wang Chen, with his doubled comprehension points, took a full half-month just to get a basic grasp.
However, the limitations of his immediate environment hindered his progress in enhancing his skill proficiency.
That’s why he had ventured out here today.
Taking a deep breath, pure magical energy surged from his dantian and instantaneously infused his legs.
In the next moment, Wang Chen’s figure darted forward like an arrow shot from a bow.
He disappeared swiftly into the dense jungle!
The sky was heavy with clouds, and soon, snowflakes began to fall.
As the first snow of winter started to gather, thousands of spiritual plant farmers from the outer sect of Yunyang Sect were racing against time to harvest the newly ripened spirit rice.
Many households had faced disasters during the summer, leading to a shortage of food after paying the sect’s rent for the fields.
Thankfully, the Yunyang Sect dispatched Golden Core true masters and flying ships to eliminate the gray-eyed thieves, ensuring a safe autumn and securing the winter rice harvest.
As the bountiful spirit rice was gathered, smiles returned to many faces.
The gloom that had clouded people’s hearts finally lifted.
Everyone looked forward to a new year free from the worries of hunger.
At this time, Wei Xiong arrived again with his sister at Wang Chen’s home to assist in harvesting ten acres of spirit fields.
This time, Wei Xiong insisted on helping without charge.
Thus, Wang Chen prepared a modest yet heartfelt lunch, including two chickens, eggs, magical beast meat, and homegrown vegetables, to honor the siblings.
Wei Xiong did not hold back, consuming three large bowls of spiritual rice in one go.
After the meal, Wei Xiong had his sister clear the dishes and then asked Wang Chen to step outside for a private conversation.
“Immortal Master Wang,” the innate martial artist spoke in a deep voice, “there’s something I need your help with.”
This was the second time Wang Chen had heard him make such a request.
He nodded and said, “Please, go ahead.”
Wei Xiong clenched his teeth and said, “I would like A-Lian to stay at your place for a few days. Would that be possible?”
Wang Chen was momentarily stunned. “What’s the matter?”
Wang Chen was well aware of how much this burly man cherished his sister.
In the past, this had even led him to be somewhat wary of Wang Chen.
Now he was actually suggesting that A-Lian stay at Wang Chen’s home, wasn’t that like sending a lamb into the tiger’s den?
Although Wang Chen was not a tiger and had no such intentions towards A-Lian, Wei Xiong’s request was indeed quite unusual.
“Heiyan Zhai has been struck by a calamity.”
Wei Xiong’s expression was bitter. “A-Lian and I were fortunate to escape unscathed.”
It turned out that just three days ago, a Mysterious Fire Phoenix suddenly attacked the town where the siblings resided, causing the town lord, who had achieved perfect mastery of Qi Training, to perish on the spot, and leaving over a hundred cultivators either dead or injured.
The town was more than half destroyed!
It was a tragic scene.
Wei Xiong and his sister were quite lucky; they happened to be away when the disaster struck.
However, with their home in ruins, they had no choice but to seek another place to stay.
Wei Xiong planned to scout other towns first and, once he found a suitable place, he would bring his sister there.
Thus, he wanted to ask Wang Chen for help, to shelter and take care of A-Lian for a few days.
“No problem.”
After understanding the situation, Wang Chen agreed without hesitation.
But he still felt puzzled: “How did your town come under attack by the Mysterious Fire Phoenix?”
The Mysterious Fire Phoenix was a spirit beast, equivalent to a Purple Palace master among cultivators.
Spirit beasts, once they gained intelligence, possessed a high level of wisdom.
They usually also had their own territories.
Without a specific reason, it would not attack a Gathering Point of cultivators without cause.
“Rumor has it that someone stole the Mysterious Fire Phoenix eggs!”
Wei Xiong was extremely furious. “They brought them to our town.”
Wang Chen suddenly understood.
Who would truly seek their own death?
For most monsters, their offspring were like a reverse scale; touching it would lead to a fight to the death.
“Rest assured, Immortal Master,” Wei Xiong said, cupping his fists. “I will find a place to take A-Lian as quickly as possible, so I won’t trouble you much.”
According to the rules of the Yunyang Sect, loose cultivators with a travel permit could enter and exit the mountain gates, but they could not settle down.
Wang Chen could shelter A-Lian for a short time, but if someone discovered and reported it, he would definitely face trouble.
Wei Xiong knew this rule and wouldn’t want to burden Wang Chen unless absolutely necessary.
Wang Chen smiled and said, “It’s no trouble at all.”
If it had been before, it would have been a bit troublesome.
But now, with the newly completed Underground Safe Fortress, let alone accommodating a sister, hosting a harem wouldn’t be a problem at all!
