Chapter 517

Chapter 517: The Rise of the Tide

Wang Chen held a favorable impression of Yun Feifei.

This female cultivator from the Purple Palace evidently came from a distinguished lineage, her demeanor and speech reflecting the grace and poise of a well-bred lady.

Yet, how could a true lady of such refinement venture into the Underworld Realm for training?

It demanded extraordinary courage and significant prowess.

Crucially, Yun Feifei was remarkably well-informed, and through their dialogue, Wang Chen gained a wealth of valuable insights.

For instance, he learned that Mou Guangji had once led a group in search of the Cold Underworld mine. Despite their arduous efforts, they not only failed to discover the mine but also nearly lost several comrades in the process.

Though no lives were lost, the organizer of the alliance meeting saw his reputation severely tarnished and subsequently became much more reserved.

"Brother Mou has many commendable ideas," Yun Feifei remarked nonchalantly, "but he tends to overestimate his capabilities."

This assessment was quite incisive.

Wang Chen smiled, "Indeed."

Mou Guangji possessed strong organizational skills and eloquence, and his personality was notably shrewd.

His primary flaw was his inability to match his ambitions with the requisite strength, aspiring to elevate the alliance meeting as a stepping stone for his own advancement.

Among Purple Palace cultivators, intelligence was nearly universal, making Mou Guangji’s failure entirely predictable.

This was also a reason why Wang Chen had distanced himself from the alliance meeting.

He enjoyed a delightful conversation with Yun Feifei, and as she prepared to depart, she specifically cautioned him, "When the negative energy surge begins and evil spirits stir, Brother must exercise utmost caution!"

Wang Chen nodded, "I understand."

The evil spirits in the Underworld Realm specifically referred to those formidable entities endowed with intelligence.

Though not numerous, these unique evil spirits were exceptionally cunning and difficult to handle. Some excelled in stealth and hiding, while others mastered various transformations, even perfectly mimicking the aura of cultivators.

Evil spirits thrived on human brains, with the brain matter of cultivators being their preferred delicacy.

It was said that after consuming a cultivator’s brain matter, some evil spirits could acquire the memories of their victims and then disguise themselves as them to lure and kill other cultivators.

The casualties among the West Sea Sect disciples during their training in the Underworld Realm were largely attributable to evil spirits!

However, Wei Fa City had specific restrictions in place, preventing evil spirits from causing havoc within the city.

Yet, over the centuries, numerous pioneering Wei Halls had been breached by evil spirits.

Most importantly, the negative energy surge marked the period when evil spirits became particularly active.

Cultivators working in the outskirts not only had to guard against the encroaching negative energy but also remain vigilant against sudden attacks from evil spirits.

Generally, as long as pioneering cultivators remained alert and avoided fundamental mistakes, they could rely on the formations of the Wei Hall to fend off most evil spirits.

Of course, Wang Chen took Yun Feifei’s well-meaning advice to heart.

Just a few days after the visit from this Purple Palace female cultivator, he sensed the onset of the negative energy surge.

This sensation was remarkably subtle.

At first, Wang Chen was completely unaware, but as time passed, he gradually noticed the increasing concentration of dark energy in the surrounding space.

This increase was not just a matter of quantity but also a fundamental change in quality.

Previously, the dark energy that permeated the Underworld Realm had no significant effect on Wang Chen, who had cultivated the Invulnerable Vajra body.

The dark energy could not penetrate his outer membrane and seep into his body.

But now, the situation began to change.

The dark energy, once like a gentle drizzle, now felt like countless fine steel needles, driven by the rising negative wind, piercing through his robe as if trying to penetrate his skin.

If Wang Chen stayed outside for one or two hours without the protection of the Spirit Light Shield, his robe would quickly decay and crumble.

Moreover, the Spirit Light Shield’s duration would significantly shorten under the influence of the negative energy surge.

His mana consumption doubled!

And this was only the beginning; as the tide reached its peak, the outside would become a perilous zone!

Although Wang Chen was protected by the Heavenly Dragon Vajra True Method, he had no desire to experience the destructive power of the negative energy tide firsthand. Thus, he decisively retreated into the Wei Hall, closed the doors, and activated the protective formations.

It was worth noting that the protective formations in the Wei Hall could not only be powered by spirit stones but could also be fueled by Evil Energy Pearls as a source of mana.

The protective effect was even superior to that of spirit stones!

This was clearly a clever adaptation by the West Sea Sect, showcasing the profound heritage of the Mountain-Sea Realm’s premier immortal sect.

But from another perspective, since the sect had gone to such lengths to accommodate the pioneering disciples, what reason did they have to retreat at such a critical moment?

None whatsoever!

Wang Chen was fully prepared to face the test of the negative energy tide.

Two days later, as he sat in the quiet room, he could still clearly hear the chilling sounds of wailing from outside.

Wang Chen had not anticipated that the howling of the negative wind would be so unsettling.

He knew that the Wei Hall was built to be extremely sturdy, and with the protection of the formations, it usually blocked out external sounds effortlessly. He could easily monitor the surroundings using magical tools like Dual Mirrors.

Yet, this unnerving sound, which sent shivers down his spine and unsettled his mind, seemed to bypass the barriers of the building and the formations.

Even Wang Chen, with his strong will, frowned at the relentless disturbance.

After enduring such sounds for a long time, even if his spirit remained steadfast, it was impossible to cultivate in peace.

After some thought, Wang Chen retreated to the deepest hidden chamber.

This time, he was free from the irritating noises.

He decided to stay in the hidden chamber, treating it as a hibernation spot.

He had no idea when the negative energy surge would end, but fortunately, he had prepared ample supplies.

He could comfortably stay for three to five years!

However, an unexpected situation did arise.

On the seventh day of the negative energy surge, while Wang Chen was meditating in the chamber, he suddenly felt a jolt in his mind.

A Jade Slip flew out from his pocket and hovered before him, emitting a faint glow that flickered rhythmically.

Hmm?

Wang Chen recognized that the Jade Slip was transmitting a plea for help from his fellow sect members!

The issue was that while the Jade Slip could convey messages, its range was very limited.

He furrowed his brow, reached out to grab the Jade Slip, and used his divine sense to inquire, "Who is it?"

"Is this Brother Wu Jiu Wu?"

An extremely anxious thought immediately responded through the Jade Slip: "I am Shan Yu Xin from Wu Liu Si. My Wei Hall has been destroyed by the negative energy tide, and I am now at your Wei Hall’s entrance. Please let me in quickly."

"I can’t hold on much longer!"

Wu Liu Si?

Wang Chen was momentarily stunned.

Wu Liu Si had a higher number, indicating that this disciple had likely entered the Underworld Realm before him for training.

It was quite disconcerting that the other party had come to him for help.

However, since they had come, Wang Chen truly could not refuse to let him in.

The sect had rules stating that disciples must help each other.

If Wang Chen had been powerless, it would have been one thing;

but now that someone was at the door pleading for assistance, to refuse would undoubtedly violate the sect rules!