Chapter 523

Chapter 523: Buying Rice

The conclusion of the negative energy surge was heralded by a talisman dispatched from the law hall of Wei Fa City.

This might sound peculiar, but during the period from the onset to the end of the negative energy surge, numerous Wei Halls were completely cut off from Wei Fa City due to the pervasive influence of negative energy.

Whether it was talismans, letters of crane paper, or flying swords, none could transmit messages over long distances.

Only a few special magical tools managed to function, albeit with severe range limitations.

All the Wei Halls stood like ancient fortresses, steadfastly defending the West Sea Sect amidst the snowy ground.

Thus, when Wang Chen received the talisman from the law hall, he knew that the devastating negative energy surge, which had lasted over four months, had finally subsided!

He breathed a profound sigh of relief.

In the early to mid-stages of the negative energy surge, Wang Chen’s life was considerably more comfortable compared to his fellow disciples stationed in other Wei Halls.

While others were confined within their Wei Halls, scarcely daring to stray from the central formations for fear of accidents that might breach the protective barrier and plunge them into an abyss of despair,

they also had to devise ways to combat the evil spirits that accompanied the surge, safeguarding their fortresses.

Aside from the resources required to sustain the high-intensity operation of the protective formations, the sheer pressure alone was enough to drive one to the brink of collapse. Without a resilient will, enduring such strain would be impossible.

Yet, Wang Chen not only maintained his Wei Hall with unshakable stability but also took the initiative to launch occasional offensives, harvesting evil spirits as resources.

However, his boldness eventually backfired when he provoked the BOSS.

He had no choice but to retreat.

In the final stages, Wang Chen guarded the Wei Hall day and night; it was far from easy.

Now, at last, he was free!

Shortly thereafter, Wang Chen received two more talismans.

One was from Yun Feifei, and the other from Mou Guangji.

The former expressed concern for Wang Chen’s well-being.

As for the latter…

It seemed more like a probe to ascertain whether he was still alive!

Wang Chen replied to Yun Feifei’s letter but disregarded Mou Guangji.

With divergent paths, he had no words to exchange with this shrewd and opportunistic senior brother and saw no need to feign politeness.

After resetting the protective formations, Wang Chen left the mechanical puppet soldiers he had obtained from the law hall to oversee the defenses of the Wei Hall in his absence.

This was one of the primary functions of the mechanical puppet soldiers.

Though they lacked sufficient intelligence for adaptive responses, they were perfectly capable of managing the protective formations.

Should danger arise, they would promptly send him a message.

Then, Wang Chen departed the Wei Hall and flew his sword toward Wei Fa City.

The notice from the law hall was, in fact, a summon order.

It mandated that disciples who received the edict must gather at Wei Fa City as swiftly as possible.

Those who failed to arrive by the deadline would face punishment according to the sect rules!

This was the first Summon Order Wang Chen received after entering the Underworld Realm to participate in the pioneering mission, so he dared not be the least bit negligent.

He raced forward Like the Wind and Lightning.

The negative energy surge had just ended, and the frost on the ground began to thaw. Above, the Nether Moon hung high in the sky, and the once cold and desolate moonlight surprisingly exuded a hint of warmth.

When Wang Chen arrived at Wei Fa City, he found the only city in the Underworld Realm bustling with activity, as lively as a grand festival!

The streets and alleys were crowded with people, and all the shops and taverns were open, adorned with festive lanterns.

Wang Chen felt a fleeting sense of déjà vu, as if he had returned to the Mountain-Sea Realm.

Such a vibrant scene was something he had never witnessed during his previous visits to Wei Fa City.

Perhaps due to the outbreak of the negative energy surge, people had been confined in the city for too long, and now that they were free, everyone naturally wanted to release their pent-up emotions.

With the Summon Order in hand, he didn’t linger in the city and headed straight for the sect’s law hall.

The sect’s law hall was located in the very center of Wei Fa City, guarding the core of the protective formation and serving as the highest authority of the West Sea Sect in the Underworld Realm.

All orders issued to the disciples originated from here!

Wang Chen arrived without delay, but when he reached the main hall, hundreds of fellow disciples were already gathered inside!

These disciples, like him, were all Pioneers stationed at various Wei Halls, all Purple Palace cultivators.

Some had cultivation levels as low as the second or third level, while others reached the seventh or eighth level.

The mid-level cultivators from the Purple Palace made up the majority.

After him, even more disciples arrived one after another, until the entire hall was filled to the brim.

Wang Chen made a rough estimate and silently gasped in awe.

The foundation of the West Sea Sect was indeed unfathomable; a small world had dispatched so many mid-level forces.

This massive power could serve as a reserve force, ready to be called back for support whenever the Mountain-Sea Realm’s sect faced any issues.

Moreover, cultivators tempered in the Underworld Realm had superior combat power and willpower.

However, having so many people also brought its own troubles. For instance, the hall was quite noisy, with many familiar peers either exchanging pleasantries, laughing, or even arguing.

Wang Chen had no intention of socializing with strangers, nor could he force himself into groups.

So he found a quiet corner to hide away.

"Wang Senior Brother!"

Just as he settled into his spot, a crisp and pleasant voice reached his ears.

Wang Chen turned to see Yun Feifei and a female cultivator squeezing through, both holding hands, and showing him joyful smiles.

"Junior Sister Yun."

Wang Chen smiled and greeted her, "Good to see you again."

He also nodded to the other female cultivator, "Junior Sister Sun."

This female cultivator was also from the same batch that entered the Underworld Realm as Wang Chen; he remembered her name was Sun Yulian.

"Wang Senior Brother…"

Sun Yulian blushed slightly, looking a bit shy.

Her demeanor was more delicate than Yun Feifei’s, resembling that of a sheltered young lady, which made Wang Chen wonder what had brought her to the Underworld Realm to endure hardship.

"Wang Senior Brother, Yulian feels embarrassed, so I’ll ask directly for her."

Yun Feifei asked with a smile, "Do you have any spare Three-Ying Spiritual Rice? Yulian wants to buy some, and the price isn’t a problem."

Buying rice?

Wang Chen hadn’t expected that the reason Yun Feifei wanted to meet at the law hall was to help someone buy rice!

He asked, "How much does Junior Sister Sun want?"

Wang Chen indeed had a considerable amount of spiritual rice he had grown himself.

Although his appetite was large, he couldn’t eat too much by himself and still had over twenty thousand pounds left.

Sharing some with Sun Yulian was definitely not an issue.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Sun Yulian said softly, "I just need eight hundred pounds, five hundred is fine too."

"Then I’ll give you a thousand pounds."

Wang Chen replied with a smile, "Let’s make it a round number."

He found it somewhat strange.

Four months ago, Yun Feifei had exchanged five thousand pounds of Three-Ying Spiritual Rice for a puppet servant; couldn’t she spare a few hundred pounds for Sun Yulian?

It was obvious that their relationship was quite good.

Moreover, wasn’t there any three-ying rice for sale in Wei Fa City? Did she have to seek him out at a High Price?

"Senior Brother."

Just as Wang Chen finished speaking, Yun Feifei came over and tugged at his sleeve, sweetly saying, "I want some too."