Having played in the city for several days,
Chen Sheng finally walked out of the city and began to select a suitable location to establish a secret hideout.
...
Yunxing Mountain Range.
Within a vast mountain forest.
Chen Sheng rode a cyan cloud, slowly descending from the sky to a cliffside.
He surveyed the surrounding environment.
A clear spring flowed by the cliff, surrounded by mountains on three sides, with dense forests on one side.
It was absolutely remote and difficult for ordinary people to reach.
Moreover, after Chen Sheng's repeated inspections,
the spiritual Qi fluctuations within a dozen miles around were extremely faint, making it a place of absolute spirit absence.
It was extremely difficult for cultivators to be attracted to this place.
Chen Sheng nodded with satisfaction.
"Let's do it here."
As he spoke,
he released three bronze puppets from his storage pouch.
He issued commands for the puppets to work as laborers.
Then,
Chen Sheng began to wield his magical artifacts,
opening up a stone chamber, setting up mechanisms...
Time passed slowly.
Half a month went by in a flash.
The secret hideout was completed.
The hideout was divided into two layers, visible and hidden.
The visible layer imitated a mundane prince's tomb,
set up with mundane mechanical techniques, filled with layers of traps.
The inner chamber was piled with mundane gold and silver,
and various jewels that could drive ordinary people crazy.
It appeared luxurious, yet was only worth a dozen spirit stones or so.
The hidden layer,
was where Chen Sheng's true resources and legacy were kept.
Concealed within a perilous mechanical trap,
absolutely sealed with an Absolute Spirit Jade Box and a Concealment Array.
Even if a cultivator used divine sense to probe, it would be difficult to find.
Chen Sheng nodded with satisfaction:
"Time to leave."
After saying that,
he rode the Cyan Cloud Shuttle, swiftly flying away like a streak of cyan light.
When he came, he carried 'immense' family wealth.
He was naturally cautious.
At this moment, on his return,
he carried nothing, so he had no worries.
It was fortunate enough not to rob others.
If any blind fools happened to run into him,
it would be a good chance to try out his carefully honed ultimate move!
...
Yellow sand stretched endlessly, and heat waves surged.
A small caravan struggled through the sea of sand.
Several red and yellow banners flapped loudly at the saddle frames of the lead camels.
A bold "Chen" character was clearly embroidered on them, very eye-catching.
Suddenly,
a sharp whistle sounded.
On the ridge of a sand dune,
dozens of ghostly riding figures suddenly appeared.
They were wrapped in headscarves, wielding scimitars, and showed pairs of fierce eyes.
"It's the 'Sand Scorpion' horse bandits!"
The guard leader's face changed dramatically and hurriedly shouted:
"Form up!"
Soon,
the bandit leader urged his horse forward.
Pointing his knife at the caravan, he looked arrogant and disdainful as he spoke:
"Leave the goods, and we'll spare your lives."
In the center of the caravan,
a middle-aged man in a blue brocade robe stepped forward from the crowd.
He was the leader of the team, Chen Huajiao.
Forcing himself to remain calm, he clasped his hands and loudly said:
"Gentlemen!"
"I am Chen Huajiao, a member of the Chen Clan from the Yan Vein."
"It's not easy doing business, how about offering three-tenths of the goods' value for safe passage and forming a good relationship?"
The leader sneered and spat:
"Three-tenths? That's an insult to a beggar?"
"I want it all!"
Before his voice had faded, he waved his hand violently.
"Attack!"
In an instant,
scimitars danced like locusts, hooves thundered!
The harsh sound of weapons clashing filled the sand dunes.
Though the caravan guards struggled to resist, the bandits were fierce and ruthless.
Among them, several martial arts experts attacked with ruthless precision.
The guards fell like grass being mowed.
Chen Huajiao gritted his teeth and brandished a long sword, making a desperate strike to deflect an oncoming slash,
but he was jarred so badly that his hand split open.
The long sword slipped from his grasp!
The bandit leader sneered, urging his horse towards him, the sharp scimitar swinging, a cold light gleaming!
"My life is over!"
Chen Huajiao lamented inwardly.
He closed his eyes in despair!
At that critical moment!
Across the sky,
Chen Sheng, dressed in a plain white cloud-patterned magic robe, flew over quickly, wielding his magical artifact.
He suddenly caught sight of the red and yellow banners.
Suddenly, his heart stirred.
He formed a hand seal, changing its form, and gently pointed downward.
"Burning River!"
Instantly.
Dozens of almost imperceptible fiery embers drifted down from the high heavens,
Puff!
The leader of the horse bandits still maintained a ferocious look.
Yet, at the center of his brow, there was a tiny needle-sized scorch mark.
No blood gushed like a waterfall, no bones shattered.
Only a gentle fierce fire began to burst forth from within.
Like a rapid wind.
No time to react at all.
In just a single breath.
The flesh was burned away.
Only a pile of black charcoal remained, scattered by the wind.
Puff, puff, puff...
Dozens of notorious horse bandits followed suit.
In a matter of moments.
Under the scorching sun and yellow sand, they all turned to black dust.
Witnessing this scene.
The members of the caravan were dumbfounded.
They gripped their sword hilts blankly, unable to find their fierce enemies anymore.
Chen Huajiao also stood frozen.
He quickly came to his senses.
Suddenly looked up!
A dazzling blue light flashed like a meteor, streaking across the sky.
In the blue light.
A magnificent figure could be vaguely seen.
The next instant it plunged into the clouds on the horizon.
"It's an Immortal!"
Chen Huajiao fell to his knees in the sand with a thud, bowing heavily in the direction where the blue light had vanished.
At this moment.
The others also came to their senses.
In unison, they knelt down.
Ignoring the scorching sand, they were all in tears, loudly shouting:
"Thank you, Immortal, for saving our lives!"
"Thank you, Immortal, for saving our lives!"
...
A month later.
Chen Sheng arrived at a Market—Xingluo District.
All the way here
he hadn't encountered any trouble.
However, near the Market, he casually intervened twice.
Burned a few late-stage Qi Cultivation Tribulation Cultivators who didn't have eyes.
Then.
Chen Sheng sold his spoils at the Market.
Made a little profit.
He also consulted a 'broker' for information.
"Is there a caravan heading to Linglong Immortal City?"
"There is!"
Chen Sheng quickly gathered the information.
Picked a suitable caravan.
Prepared to travel together.
This journey was even longer.
During which many were Cultivation Influences, far more dangerous than the Yan Region trip.
If Chen Sheng were a lone ranger.
He might not reach his destination.
...
Several days later.
Chen Sheng was mixed within the caravan.
Gazing ahead.
The destination of this journey—Linglong Immortal City
His most cherished eldest daughter and disciple suffered successive setbacks here.
His lifespan was now nearing its end.
His Secret Mansion was also well-arranged.
With no worries left.
Chen Sheng murmured to himself:
"Such a frail body, what is there to cling to?"
...
Linglong Immortal City.
Seen from afar, shrouded in mist,
it was a colossal city, built along the mountain range, like a ferocious ancient beast.
According to Chen Sheng's rudimentary knowledge of Arrays,
the city's Grand Array was intricately connected with the mountain's form, very mysterious.
This journey.
Took over a year in total.
The caravan leader was rather capable, making the journey relatively peaceful.
"Everyone, I shall proceed first."
"Mr. Chen, take care."
Chen Sheng handed over a Lower Grade Spirit Stone, easily entering the city.
As soon as he entered the city.
Chen Sheng immediately sensed the difference in the 'Immortal City'.
The strength of the cultivators coming and going far surpassed that of the Thousand Machines Market.
Not to mention anything else.
Just looking at the patrol members dressed in cyan uniforms.
The weakest were late-stage Qi Cultivation.
The leading captains were all at Qi Cultivation Perfection.
In just a mere hundred steps.
Chen Sheng sensed several profound presences—Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
"Truly a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers!"