Chapter 718
by fanqienovelChapter 718: Changing the World
The vast wasteland stretched endlessly, its grass and trees sparse and lifeless.
As dusk settled, a plump groundhog cautiously emerged from its burrow, sniffing the air intently to detect any potential threats.
Suddenly, it sensed something and immediately retracted its head in alarm.
But in the next moment, the thick soil layer abruptly heaved upward, violently dislodging the groundhog’s hiding place.
Without its shelter, the groundhog let out a terrified squeal, leaping three feet into the air before darting away in a frantic escape.
At that very moment, a figure burst forth from underground.
It was Wang Chen!
After five days of digging through the pitch-black depths, Wang Chen had finally resurfaced, though his appearance was far from pristine. His clothes were caked with dried mud, and his entire body was covered in dust, leaving him looking thoroughly disheveled.
He warily scanned his surroundings, ensuring no one else was nearby, before finally exhaling in relief.
At last, he was safe!
The harrowing experience he had just endured—a brush with death—was something Wang Chen would likely never forget.
Even though he had reached the peak Purple Palace cultivation level and was just one step away from condensing elixirs, needing only two more heavenly materials and treasures to ascend to a higher realm, Wang Chen couldn’t help but feel how insignificant he was in this vast world.
Simply walking down a road, he had been casually seized by someone, subjected to restrictions, and thrown into battle as mere cannon fodder.
This time, Wang Chen had managed to escape by sheer luck.
But what if there were a next time?
No one could guarantee that he would always be so fortunate!
The burning desire to grow stronger once again surged through Wang Chen’s heart.
After calming his thoughts, he retrieved the map of the Nine States from his Xumi Ring to determine his current location.
Using this spirit tool, Wang Chen discovered that he was situated to the northwest of Yongle Immortal City, approximately one hundred fifty miles away.
Over the past five days, he had averaged thirty miles of digging each day, surpassing his previous record.
In fact, he had stopped sensing any movement from above ground two days prior.
He surmised that he had either moved far from the battlefield or that the battle for the immortal city had concluded.
But he dared not take any chances, so he continued to dig.
His past experiences had taught Wang Chen that in the face of danger, excessive caution was never a mistake!
He stowed the map, changed into clean clothes, and altered his appearance.
With a swift transformation, he became an unremarkable initial Purple Palace loose cultivator.
Though he was unaware of the current state of affairs in Yongle Immortal City, Wang Chen had no interest in finding out.
Whether the Yishan Sect had emerged victorious or not was of no concern to him.
Despite having obtained the Yongle Immortal Registry, Wang Chen felt little attachment to this immortal city.
His destination remained unchanged: Qianxing Immortal City.
However, this time he had learned from his previous lesson and chose not to travel by sword flight.
Although sword flight is swift, it is too conspicuous. If there were still Yishan Sect’s flying ships in the vicinity, it would spell disaster!
Wang Chen decided to traverse the land on foot rather than repeat his past mistakes.
Yet, unforeseen events are always beyond prediction!
He had barely covered a hundred miles when a group of cultivators intercepted him.
They were not from the Yishan Sect, but a band of five, comprising both Qi Training and Purple Palace cultivators, each with a menacing glare.
They were unmistakably robbers, a mix of loose cultivators and guilty cultivators!
“Hand over your storage bag, and we’ll spare your life!”
The robber leader was a mid-level Purple Palace cultivator, his aura oscillating between the fifth and sixth levels, with a thin, dark face and fierce eyes, looking as though he wanted to devour Wang Chen whole.
The other four spread out seamlessly, encircling Wang Chen completely.
Wang Chen wordlessly raised his right hand.
“Settle!”
A domain nearing the Golden Core level abruptly expanded, enveloping everyone in the vicinity.
The mid-level Purple Palace cultivator was as if struck by lightning, his eyes wide with shock.
He hastily retreated a few steps, exclaiming, “A misunderstanding, this is…!”
But Wang Chen’s oppressive force had already descended!
Ten breaths later, four bodies lay on the ground.
The mid-level Purple Palace cultivator survived.
Not due to his strength, but because Wang Chen had intentionally spared him for interrogation.
“Truly, it was just a misunderstanding!”
The robber leader was utterly distraught, trembling on his knees. “True Master, I am willing to do anything to atone for my sins! Please, grant me my life!”
He had clearly mistaken Wang Chen for a Golden Core true master, his despair indescribable.
To rob a true master, he had brought this calamity upon himself!
Wang Chen ignored the robber’s pleas and asked directly, “Do you know the current state of Yongle Immortal City?”
“Yongle Immortal City?”
The robber leader hesitated, cautiously observing Wang Chen’s expression before replying, “Yongle Immortal City is no more.”
The once-thriving Yongle Immortal City had completely changed hands!
Five days prior, the Yishan Sect had launched a massive attack on Yongle Immortal City, utilizing one of the ancient divine trees, the Fusang wood, to combat the dragon tortoise Bixi.
After three days and nights of intense battle, Bixi shattered Yongle Immortal City’s protective formation and subdued the dragon tortoise.
In this immortal city battle, Yongle lost two true immortals, and the Yishan Sect suffered the death of a Yuan Ying, marking a brutal conflict.
The number of Golden Core and Purple Palace cultivators who perished remains largely unknown.
From hundreds of miles away, the robber leader had seen blood clouds churning and resentment surging towards Yongle Immortal City!
He dared not approach.
Only yesterday did he learn that the Yishan Sect had seized Yongle Immortal City and renamed it Fangshan Immortal City.
In three days, they would hold the ceremony to officially take control!
News of this had spread far and wide, and local loose cultivators were now aware of the situation.
It was said that the Yishan Sect had declared they would welcome talent; anyone with Purple Palace cultivation or exceptional root bones could apply for the Fangshan Immortal Registry or even join the sect!
The original Yongle Immortal City was composed of multiple Families of Cultivators, but now those families had either perished, fled, or surrendered; the new Fangshan Immortal City was now entirely dominated by the Yishan Sect.
The Yishan Sect also planned to elevate Fangshan Immortal City’s status after fully subduing the dragon tortoise.
From an Xuan level to a Di level!
This was no simple task, involving numerous aspects; the first requirement for a Di level immortal city is to have True Lords personally stationed.
But for the many loose cultivators, this was undoubtedly a prime opportunity for advancement.
The robber leader also aspired to obtain the Fangshan Immortal Registry, but he had always been short of funds, so he gathered some struggling brothers to commit a few robberies, planning to eventually seek apprenticeship in style.
Little did he expect that the first step of his perfect plan would be thwarted by the uncooperative Wang Chen!
“I understand.”
Wang Chen nodded, acknowledging the other party’s plight.
To ensure his own peace and stability, Wang Chen swiftly decapitated him with a sword.
Now, it was utterly silent!