Chapter 510

Chapter 510: Establishing a Foothold

Along the long road, Wang Chen surged forward with astonishing speed.

Even without the ability to perform sword flight, a Purple Palace cultivator like him found long-distance travel to be a trivial matter.

He activated two Armor Horse Talismans, and in an instant, he was racing ahead like the wind.

From zero to one hundred kilometers in just one second!

Originally, Mou Guangji had arranged for the disciples attending the alliance meeting to depart together, but Wang Chen, having left early, saw no need to wait for them.

The area within a thousand miles of Wei Fa City was relatively safe, as the city’s cultivators regularly conducted cleansing operations, ensuring that no powerful evil spirits or monsters lingered.

However, the skies told a different story; the high-altitude winds were bitingly cold, and strange entities often darted through the air, making it perilous.

Wang Chen pressed on for several hundred miles, leaving Wei Fa City far behind.

The road ahead disappeared into the vast wilderness.

Before Wang Chen stretched a vast plain covered in Black-Striped Grass.

The stems and leaves of the Black-Striped Grass were entirely black, speckled with gray spots, and the long grass blades spread across the ground in layers, resembling a silent, dead sea from afar.

Occasionally, small glowing insects flitted up from the grass, adding a hint of vitality to this desolate world.

Though the Underworld Realm was dominated by evil spirits and monsters, it was not entirely devoid of life.

Most of the life forms were weak insects.

This area still lay within the reach of the Nether Moon’s light; despite the dim surroundings, visibility was not a problem.

Yet, as he gazed into the distance, the mountains loomed like lurking fierce beasts, sending a chill down his spine.

Many areas were enveloped in thick mist!

Wang Chen halted.

The Armor Horse Talismans he had used had already expired.

This was unusual, as the talismans he crafted himself were far superior to those available in the talisman shop.

Normally, a single talisman could sustain a journey of about one thousand miles without issue.

Yet, after using two, he had only managed to traverse three to four hundred miles.

This was a significant depletion.

He activated new Armor Horse Talismans and continued his journey.

The further he ventured from Wei Fa City, the dimmer the Nether Moon’s glow became, and the surrounding dark energy grew more intense.

It wasn’t that the Nether Moon’s light was limited, but rather that the thin mist in the air obstructed some of the moonlight, worsening the ground conditions.

However, this had little effect on Wang Chen.

From start to finish, he had not bolstered himself with any protective magical power.

The Invulnerable Vajra completely shielded him from dark energy, preventing it from penetrating his skin in the slightest!

This was one of Wang Chen’s greatest advantages over his peers.

His body cultivation was exceptionally robust.

After venturing deep into the vast plain devoid of any roads, Wang Chen retrieved the Jade Slip that had been issued by the previous messenger.

This Jade Slip was, in fact, a versatile magical tool capable of accurately displaying directions, ensuring that one would not lose their way.

Guided by it, Wang Chen hastened towards his designated areas for expansion.

He was determined not to take any wrong turns.

After more than an hour of relentless travel, Wang Chen successfully arrived at the area marked as "Wu Jiu Wu."

Before him rose towering mountains, with a dark and profound canyon cutting deep into the range. The Black Water River, originating from the canyon, meandered through uneven grassy mounds, eventually flowing into the shimmering Marshland.

Though the scenery of mountains and water appeared picturesque, the reality was that this place was a true land of barren mountains and perilous waters!

The mountains harbored no abundant prey, only strange and malevolent monsters; the river’s water was undrinkable, as no one knew what sinister creatures lurked beneath its dark surface.

The seemingly tranquil marsh bubbled with mud, concealing countless traps.

Establishing a foothold in such a place was undoubtedly an immensely challenging endeavor!

Upon reaching his destination, Wang Chen began to survey the terrain.

His first task was to construct the Wei Hall, the place where he would reside and cultivate in the future.

The choice of location for this construction was of utmost importance.

The foot of the mountain, the riverbank, and the edge of the marsh were all unsuitable for building the Wei Hall.

Wang Chen made a wide detour and eventually chose a Rocky Hill as his base.

This Rocky Hill was expansive and, most importantly, elevated, situated approximately ten miles away from the Black Water River and the Marshland.

He drew the Chini Sword and unleashed sword energy to clear away the protruding rocks.

These rocks, weathered by the relentless winds for countless years, were riddled with tiny holes on their surfaces, yet their texture was incredibly hard, displaying a dark purple hue.

Smoothing them out was no easy task; Wang Chen spent over an hour just clearing a ten-by-ten zhang area.

The Wei Hall should not be built too large, as a larger area would mean a greater space to defend.

And he was currently alone.

After leveling the ground, Wang Chen retrieved a set of Mechanism Houses from the Xumi Ring.

This was a building spirit tool provided by the sect.

Wang Chen placed it at the center of the foundation, loaded it with a full hundred Intermediate Spirits, and then infused it with magical power to activate it.

In an instant, spiritual light burst forth, accompanied by a continuous "crack" sound, as the spirit tool began to "grow" on its own.

The pillars it generated pierced through the hard rock layers, sinking deep into the Rocky Hill, then spreading out in all directions.

Walls and stone columns rapidly formed, stacking themselves as if building with blocks, until a five-story fortress stood before Wang Chen!

The main gate, windows, towers, and stargazing platform…

Though small, this newly built Wei Hall was no different from a conventional fortress, save for its size.

But Wang Chen’s work had only just begun.

He took out the set of formation components that had been distributed to him, placing them in various areas within the Wei Hall.

This formation not only served a defensive purpose but could also convert external dark energy into spiritual energy for cultivation.

It significantly mitigated the impact of dark energy.

However, it required a substantial number of spirit stones to maintain normal operation.

After constructing the Wei Hall, setting up the formations, and successfully activating them, Wang Chen finally had a true home.

He then took out furniture and items to arrange anew.

He wanted to live comfortably.

Yet, Wang Chen always kept in mind that safety was the top priority.

Although he had not encountered any dangers so far, he did not believe that the days ahead would remain so tranquil.

For safety, Wang Chen began to dig a tunnel beneath the Wei Hall.

It felt as though he had returned to his days in the outer sect of the Yunyang Sect, like a diligent groundhog, driven by a sense of insecurity, digging and digging underground.

Using the perfected level of Earth and Stone Technique, Wang Chen broke through the hard-as-steel rocks, carving out long passages deep underground.

One tunnel, two tunnels, one hidden chamber, two hidden chambers…

He spent three days excavating a Subterranean Palace beneath the Rocky Hill.