Living steadily in the world of gods and mystery

The next day.

The group headed out of the city once more, traversing mountains and playing in the waters.

Despite being near the heartland and that the Firecloud Sect had developed the area for over two thousand years according to estimations, many places still maintained their natural ecology. The mountains outside Red Pillar City undulated, and marshes and wetlands were spread throughout.

Not long after leaving Red Pillar City.

The originally paved main road had completely turned into a mud path.

Due to recent rain in the past few days, the entire way was littered with "mud ponds" of various sizes, coupled with the rotten muck’s foul smell and dense weeds on both sides, nearly making it impossible to set foot.

Of course, for the lofty cultivators, it was just a bit unsightly.

"Look, there are so many birds!" Zhang Shuniang exclaimed excitedly.

"It looks like there’s a lake ahead!" Zhou Hong also showed a young girl’s demeanor, saying with excitement.

In the distance, the blue waves reached the horizon, merging with the sky; a vast expanse of aquatic forests spread wildly along the lakeside. Although it was nearing late autumn, the area was still lush and continuous like a canopy, with flocks of birds fluttering above, creating a noisy and lively scene teeming with vitality.

"Then why don’t we stay here tonight," Chen Li suggested with a smile.

The reason for taking his wives and concubines out this time was partly that, although there seems no immediate danger from the Wu Earth Bright Light Array in the basement at home, it still wasn’t entirely safe; for caution, Chen Li decided it was best to leave for a while.

Secondly, he needed the opportunity to fine-tune the formation so that it could integrate seamlessly into the City Defense Array, run perfectly, and increase its concealment.

The illusory figure moved quickly. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Chen Li and his companions continued to roam around the vicinity.

Going back was not much trouble.

As long as they used a succession of illusory figures to relay, it was hardly any different from him being at home.

...

The evening sun!

By the lake!

A waterfowl, plucked and cleaned, was roasted golden brown over charcoal fire, occasionally dripping grease that sparked little flames, and its fragrance was mouth-watering.

This type of waterfowl was quite large, with one weighing thirty to forty pounds.

Quite plump.

"It should be ready to eat," Zhou Hong said, cutting a large platter with a small knife.

"Not bad," Chen Li said, taking a piece and chewing it.

After all, this was just an ordinary bird; one couldn’t expect too much, but combined with the lakeside colors, it had a certain leisurely rustic charm.

From time to time, cultivators could be seen flying across the sky.

Some cultivators who had originally been heading in this direction, upon seeing Chen Li and his company, were startled and quickly changed course, not daring to come closer.

"Husband, do you think there could be demon beasts in this lake?" asked Zhang Shuniang with some concern.

"It’s possible," Chen Li stood up and looked out over the lake.

You could hardly see the end with a glance.

It was highly likely for such a big lake to have demon beasts.

However, since this place was near Red Pillar City, Chen Li thought at most there would be Second Order, Third Order seemed unlikely:

"When we go to sleep, we’ll just stay a bit farther from the lake," he suggested.

The group chatted and laughed while eating, and the night gradually deepened.

Chen Li chose to set up camp a few miles away from the lake shore, pitched tents, and arranged formations.

Fortunately, their luck wasn’t too bad; the night passed without alarm or danger, safely.

...

In the following days, the group traveled aimlessly, stopping wherever they found themselves.

They dug holes in mountains to stay and pitched tents where there were none.

After more than a month of wandering and braving the great outdoors, even Zhang Shuniang, who loved traveling the most, was worn out and no longer as excited as at the start. Considering that the Wu Earth Bright Light Array was almost fully adjusted, Chen Li finally declared it was time to return.

"Master, First Lady, Second Lady, you’re back!" Bai Wei exclaimed joyfully as they entered the house.

"Ah, I’m exhausted; it wasn’t fun at all. We just roamed around the nearby areas, which were desolate. We had poor food and rest every day, practically living like savages." Zhang Shuniang grabbed Bai Wei and chattered, "I missed you so much. Next time you should come with us."

Bai Wei blushed and said with her head lowered, "Everything is up to the Master and the Ladies to decide."

"It’s more lively with more people, and besides, Bai Wei is not an outsider. I think she should come with us next time," Zhou Hong said with a smile, casting a glance at Chen Li. Bai Wei’s feelings might be hidden from others, but not from her, and she had no objections.

In her view, it was only a matter of time since Bai Wei was always by their side.

As for Zhou Hong’s look, Chen Li just pretended not to see and refrained from getting involved in their conversation, heading to check the Formation instead.

The Wu Earth Bright Light Array was no longer concealed in the basement.

Instead, it was placed above ground.

Surrounded by the Green Yuan Avoiding Disaster Array, and within that, the Wu Earth Bright Light Array, if one more layer were added—the City Defense Array of Red Pillar City—it would amount to a triple-layered array, extremely complicating the challenge. If it weren’t for the help of Chen Li’s Fortune Seeking and Disaster Avoiding Skill, the gradual tests and adjustments, they would have been unable to keep the Array’s fluctuations hidden.

Still, even so, Chen Li dared not keep it activated all the time, due to the great risk involved.

Such a thing should only be used in times of utmost danger.

After inspecting for a while and finding that there were hardly any amendments needed, he pulled out the control Token and started shutting down the Wu Earth Bright Light Array.

He couldn’t help but feel relieved.

The pressure that had been weighing on his mind for the past month finally dissipated like smoke.

"With this Array in place, we can finally establish ourselves in Red Pillar City."

"Oh right, I almost forgot." Chen Li slapped his forehead, remembering something.

This period hadn’t just been about playing for him.

He had maintained his daily cultivation practices, and during this time, he had also skimmed through the books on skills in the scripture library when he could afford to. Unfortunately, he hadn’t found any lower-rank aiding skills that seemed useful, but a low-rank Secret Technique called "Battle Roar" had caught his interest.

It was a close combat aiding technique.

By using the secret technique to stimulate the blood and Spiritual Power, a giant roar could be unleashed. On one hand, it could boil one’s own blood, significantly increasing one’s strength and courage, and on the other hand, it could also disrupt the opponent’s mind.

This low-rank secret technique was almost useless for Cultivators who had completed Foundation Establishment.

However, Chen Li found that this technique was a perfect match for the Giant Voice Skill.

The Giant Voice Skill may have had the name "Giant Voice" but didn’t actually produce sound; it only amplified it, usually used for long-distance communication or battlefield commands. After leveling it to Max, the skill turned into a powerful sonic weapon.

At close range, even the regular level Water Elemental Shield Skill could be directly shattered by it, its destructive force astonishing.

But a normal shout, even if one was shouting until the throat broke, had limited power after all.

It might be effective against mid-Foundation Establishment opponents, but against late-Foundation Establishment, it left much to be desired.

"Battle Roar," on the other hand, resolved this issue.

The secret technique had a short activation time, and when leveled to Max, it could be practiced almost to instinct. Just a thought was needed to activate it, making the time consideration negligible. Together, they virtually created a higher-ranking combined secret technique.

During their travels, Chen Li had also been busy adjusting the Array.

While he had learned the technique, he hadn’t practiced it.

But now, he could start practicing it.

Fortunately, this first-order secret technique was easy to practice, much faster than other skills.

Chen Li then consecutively cast spells, releasing three phantom bodies, which quickly ran off to a secluded corner to begin leveling up.