Chapter 508

Chapter 508: Entering the Underworld (Part 2)

The West Sea Sect disciples who qualified to enter the small worlds for training were all at least Entry Disciples of the inner sect.

Among those who descended with Wang Chen, many were scions of large aristocratic families.

They arrived at the Underworld Realm brimming with ambition and hope, bearing the weight of their families’ expectations, eager to carve out new territories.

Their goal was to secure resources for advancement.

However, reality dealt them a cold, harsh blow!

There was no warm welcome, no grand reception, and they didn’t even get to meet the city lord of Wei Fa City. They were treated like mere puppets, manipulated by Bai Wuchang.

They found themselves entirely at the mercy of circumstances.

The alien world, the harsh environment, and the poor treatment plunged many into deep despair.

But Bai Wuchang showed no intention of offering them any comfort; he pulled out a stack of storage talismans and distributed them.

“This is your supply for the first month in the areas for expansion.”

The guidance envoy’s smile carried a hint of malice: “Use it sparingly; if it runs out, you’ll have to purchase more with spirit stones.”

He paused and added, “Items in Wei Fa City are quite expensive.”

“Very expensive!”

Hearing this, everyone’s hearts sank, and they instinctively tightened their grip on the storage talismans they had just received.

Bai Wuchang continued, “Unless there are special circumstances, you can come to Wei Fa City once a month to collect supplies for the following month, but you can stay in the city for at most three days.”

“Your achievements will be calculated based on the results of your exploration and the supplies you submit.”

“Lastly, if anyone wishes to withdraw, you can speak up now; after this, you won’t be able to change your mind.”

His gaze swept across each disciple’s face: “Does anyone wish to withdraw?”

Everyone exchanged glances, and no one answered.

The situation in the Underworld Realm was indeed far worse than they had imagined, but withdrawing now would mean forfeiting any future in the sect, and joining the nine veins would be out of the question.

This point had been repeatedly emphasized by many of their elders.

The sect has no use for the weak!

No matter what, they had to endure for a year. After a year, they could apply to return to the Mountain-Sea Realm, which would be much better.

“No one wishes to withdraw, right?”

Bai Wuchang clearly found this unsurprising; he pulled out a handful of Jade Slips. “Choose for yourselves.”

The thumb-width Jade Slips floated in the air, emitting a soft glow.

There were thirty-eight in total, just enough for each person.

Each Jade Slip represented an area for expansion, containing a map related to it.

Choosing was essentially a blind selection; whether it was good or bad depended purely on luck.

Everyone glanced at one another and, without prior agreement, reached out their hands.

Wang Chen took one Jade Slip into his hand, infused it with magical power, and a map instantly appeared before his eyes.

He also obtained the relevant information.

The area for expansion selected by Wang Chen, named or numbered Wu Jiu Wu, was situated one thousand three hundred seventy li from Wei Fa City and had already been explored and cleared.

His mission was to establish Wei Hall there, eradicate the surrounding evil spirits and monsters, and gather valuable resources and specialties.

“You have three days to prepare.”

Bai Wuchang concluded, “You may recruit subordinates within Wei Fa City. The number and quality of people you can attract will depend on your own abilities.”

“Remember, in the expansion of territories, life and death are predestined!”

Bai Wuchang’s final words hung heavily over everyone’s hearts like a massive stone.

They suddenly realized they had embarked on a dangerous journey with no immediate return!

After receiving their supplies and selecting their area for expansion, Wang Chen and the thirty-seven other disciples were “escorted” out by Bai Wuchang.

According to this guidance envoy, their future success now rested entirely in their own hands.

His task was complete.

As Wang Chen and the others stepped out of the grand hall and onto the street outside, a crowd that had been waiting eagerly rushed over, surrounding them with excitement.

“Master, do you require servants or attendants?”

“I have cultivated for ten years in the innate state and am well-acquainted with the regions around Wei Fa City; I humbly seek the opportunity to follow you.”

“I am willing to serve you faithfully!”

“Master, Master, I am at the seventh level of Qi Training…”

They all clamored at once, creating a chaotic din that left everyone unsure of how to respond.

Wang Chen calmly extricated himself from the eager volunteers vying for his attention and strode down the main street.

Some attempted to follow and continue their pleas, but a single glance from him instilled fear and hesitation.

As the saying goes, not every opportunity is a good one; Wang Chen doubted he would find the subordinates he needed among this throng.

He intended to first familiarize himself with Wei Fa City, then proceed to establish Wei Hall in his chosen area for expansion. Once settled, he would return to hire personnel as necessary.

This approach was undoubtedly superior to making hasty selections.

Sometimes, an incompetent ally can be more troublesome than a formidable enemy!

Wang Chen had just walked a hundred steps when he abruptly halted.

He turned and regarded with calm detachment a young boy who had been quietly trailing him.

The boy, about fifteen or sixteen years old, was dressed in gray clothing, with his neck and left cheek wrapped in cloth, revealing only his right cheek, which appeared rather unusual.

Under Wang Chen’s gaze, the boy trembled and timidly inquired, “Master, do you need a guide? I only ask for a spirit fragment.”

A guide?

Wang Chen considered for a moment, then tossed a spirit stone to the boy: “Take me to the finest inn in the city.”

“Certainly!”

The boy eagerly caught the spirit stone and hurried ahead of Wang Chen. “This way, please; it’s just up ahead.”

Wang Chen nodded and asked, “What happened to your face?”

The boy stiffened.

He hesitated, bit his lip, and then reached up to remove the cloth.

Wang Chen saw that his left cheek was covered in black and purple patterns, resembling a fearsome demon.

Wang Chen frowned: “Has negative energy invaded your body?”

He recalled reading about similar cases in a book.

The boy lowered his head, as if awaiting a verdict from fate.

“It’s nothing.”

Wang Chen said, “Let’s proceed.”

The boy, taken aback, quickly rewrapped his face and led Wang Chen to the inn.

The inn was nearby; after just a few hundred steps, Wang Chen spotted the sign hanging on the main street.

The streets here were broad, but the number of shops was sparse; most storefronts were tightly shut, and pedestrians hurried past, many with their faces covered like the boy’s.

But Wang Chen noticed there was not a single ordinary person in sight.

The boy guiding him was at the third level of Qi Training!

At the inn’s entrance, Wang Chen handed the boy another spirit stone: “Alright, you may go now.”

The boy stared in astonishment at the spirit stone, watching Wang Chen’s retreating figure as he entered the inn, his eyes reflecting a complex mix of emotions.

Surprise, gratitude, astonishment—so much was conveyed in that moment!