Chapter 62: Setting Up the Intercontinental Teleportation Array

Without the obstruction of the Mercenary Alliance Elder Council, Liao Chen could focus on setting up the cross-continental teleportation array. Jiuling and the other two came to assist, and the formation platform for the grand teleportation array was established at the former headquarters of the Phoenix Group. Elders such as He Chengfeng raised no objections to this arrangement.

However, Jiuling and the others found it somewhat incredible. When on earth did the sect give birth to six Emperor-realm experts? Unable to contain their curiosity, they asked:

"Master Sect Master, how many Emperor-realm powerhouses does our sect actually possess? We have never seen elders like Hong Tao and the others before."

"Indeed, my lord, elders like Hong Tao are not ordinary elders; they are Third Heaven Emperor-realm experts! Isn't this considered the absolute ceiling of combat power in this world?"

"That's right! My lord, the two First Heaven Emperor-realm experts, Liu Ruyan and Niyang, are even more formidable than Elder Long Aotian. What is going on here?"

Faced with the questions from Jiuling, Moyuan, and Jindiao, Liao Chen did not know how to respond. Could he say they were gifts from his cheating system? Obviously, that would not hold water. Therefore, after a brief moment of contemplation, he countered with a question:

"Do the three of you know about ancient sects?"

The three shook their heads in ignorance. Liao Chen chuckled softly—it was right that they didn't know, or else how could he spin his tale? He continued, "That's right! In truth, our sect is an ancient sect. In ancient times, there were countless fiercely powerful sects, and our Morning Light Sect was merely an insignificant little sect among them. Of course, even so, placed in the present era, our sect remains an invincible existence. Otherwise, how would this sovereign dare to style himself as the Invincible Patriarch!"

"In ancient times, there were countless monstrous geniuses of all kinds, but our sect's predecessors did not enjoy contending with others. Thus, many predecessors have already ascended to the upper realms. As for those whose cultivation was insufficient, they simply chose to linger on and survive. As for why they managed to survive from ancient times down to the present, it is because our sect possesses its own life-preservation techniques, matters which you need not concern yourselves with. In short, now that the great trend has begun, a new round of elimination will soon sweep through the entire cultivation world. Therefore, our sleeping Emperor-realm elders will awaken one by one to face the tribulation. If we can continuously grow stronger, all of us will amaze the world with a single brilliant feat. But if we fail to cultivate diligently, then dust will return to dust, and earth to earth!"

"So that's how it is! Please rest assured, My Lord, we will definitely cultivate diligently and will never hold the sect back!" Understanding dawned upon Jiuling and the other two after hearing this explanation.

Liao Chen nodded with satisfaction, thinking to himself that he had finally managed to fool them; otherwise, if they hounded him with questions every day, he wouldn't have known how to answer.

Time flowed swiftly. A month later, the teleportation array on the Lihuo Continent side was completed, and the next step required someone to travel to the Qianyuan Continent to install the receiving platform. In truth, such cross-continental teleportation arrays were strictly two-way; they could both receive and transmit, making them exceptionally expensive. Under normal circumstances, each continent possessed only one. Previously, the Lihuo Continent had possessed a single array belonging to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion. Now, the Morning Light Sect also possessed a teleportation array, a piece of news that instantly spread across the Lihuo Continent.

To secure the teleportation array on the Lihuo Continent side, Liao Chen had Hong Tao remain behind, while the other five summoned Emperor-realm experts, along with Jiuling and the others, accompanied Liao Chen back to the Qianyuan Continent.

Three days later, Liao Chen and his party returned to the Qianyuan Continent. Instead of rushing back to the sect immediately, the group headed to All-Phenomena City.

Nowadays, All-Phenomena City was far more prosperous than before. Ever since the Jiang family took control of All-Phenomena City, disputes among the major clans within the city had drastically diminished. Even when conflicts arose, they chose to have the Jiang family step in to resolve them, and the Jiang family truly acted with fairness and strict justice, earning the respect and support of the major clans. Of course, this was not even the most important factor; the crucial point was that the Jiang family had the Morning Light Sect as their backing. If the major clans could establish contact with the Morning Light Sect, the benefits would be immense. Consequently, no one dared to easily offend members of the Jiang family.

At this moment, Jiang Fuyan, the head of the Jiang family, was handling affairs in the city when he suddenly heard an urgent report from a servant: "Lord Family Head, the Invincible Lord has arrived!"

Upon hearing the urgent report, Jiang Fuyan was taken aback in shock. "A-fu, is what you said true? Where is he? Quickly take me to pay my respects to the Lord!"

A-fu nodded and said, "Family Head, the Invincible Lord is in the reception hall!"

Overjoyed, Jiang Fuyan strode quickly to the hall. Upon seeing Liao Chen, he immediately dropped to his knees on both legs and kowtowed: "Greetings, Invincible Lord! Greetings, honored lords!"

Liao Chen exerted a surge of spiritual energy to lift him up and said, "Family Head Jiang need not act like this in the future. I happened to be passing by this place today and coincidentally have a matter to entrust to you!"

"Please give your orders, My Lord. This subordinate will complete the mission even if it costs me my life!" Jiang Fuyan did not even ask what the other party wanted him to do, trusting completely that Liao Chen would never harm him.

Liao Chen nodded and continued, "Family Head Jiang, the task I am asking you to arrange this time is actually very simple. Since we now have economic exchanges with the Lihuo Continent, I have set up a teleportation array over there. Next, we need to set up a teleportation array in All-Phenomena City as well, to facilitate travel between the two regions. The task for you next is to select a site. The location for the teleportation array needs to be spacious and convenient for transportation. Many people around here will surely want to go to the Lihuo Continent to do business, allowing your Jiang family to collect tolls; you may decide the specifics yourselves. Next, Elders Zhao Wuji, Qin Feng, and Wang Tianze will remain behind to assist in setting up the formation platform. You must entertain them hospitably, and once everything is finished, you will bring them back to the sect!"

"Understood, My Lord!" Jiang Fuyan acknowledged the command.

He had originally intended to host a welcoming banquet for Liao Chen and his party, but Liao Chen declined. Afterward, Jiang Fuyan watched respectfully as Liao Chen and the others departed. Shortly thereafter, he summoned the heads of the major clans in All-Phenomena City to discuss where the teleportation platform would be most appropriately built. Following a thorough discussion among the clan heads, they decided to construct it in the exact center of the city. Next came the demolition of several buildings in the city center, and the compensation matters were swiftly settled as well.

At this juncture, the various major families also actively contributed their efforts, because according to the installation standards of the teleportation platform, at least one-third of the surrounding structures had to be demolished. Consequently, the subsequent expansion of All-Phenomena City became a coveted prize. The entire All-Phenomena City was slated for an expansion of more than fivefold. In an instant, the entire city erupted into a frenzy of bustling construction, with massive waves of craftsmen pouring into All-Phenomena City.

Such large-scale operations in All-Phenomena City instantly caught the attention of the Dayong Imperial Dynasty. Major factions sent people to inquire about the situation. When everyone learned that All-Phenomena City was going to build a cross-continental teleportation array, they scrambled to dispatch agents to purchase land, housing, warehouses, and so forth. A massive influx of hot money flooded into the city overnight. Even the imperial family contemplated relocating the capital here, but Emperor Li Wei of Dayong thought long and hard before ultimately abandoning the idea. After all, ever since Li Yuanyuan abdicated, the relationship between the Dayong imperial family and the Morning Light Sect had been completely severed.

As for the Dayong imperial family attempting to collect taxes from All-Phenomena City, that was even more out of the question. Li Wei knew very well that only with All-Phenomena City could the Li family firmly secure the imperial throne. Without All-Phenomena City, it was likely that before long, their Li family would be overthrown by another dynasty. On this point, Li Wei still possessed sound judgment. Fortunately, after the Jiang family took control of All-Phenomena City, they sent monthly tributes to the Dayong Imperial Dynasty. Although the amount was modest, it was at least provided, preventing others from finding fault or spreading gossip.

As the setup of the teleportation array neared completion, the spiritual energy fluctuations throughout All-Phenomena City grew intensely volatile, making it utterly impossible to cultivate within the city. Consequently, many rogue cultivators were forced to rent secret chambers from the major clans in order to practice their cultivation.

Jiang Fuyan placed the spirit stones into the energy slot, and a spatial gateway subsequently connected to the City of Sin on the Lihuo Continent. At the teleportation entrance, onlookers could distinctly smell the scent of the ocean. Just as the spectators broke into cheers, a group of people suddenly emerged onto the teleportation platform.

The arrivals were none other than He Chengfeng, Li Yuan, Long Aotian, and the others. The presence and auras emanating from the group were overwhelmingly powerful; having been born as mercenaries, they had no concept of how to restrain themselves, and their Emperor-realm auras rapidly swept across the entire All-Phenomena City.

"Emperor-realm powerhouses! They are Emperor-realm experts!"

"That's right, they are all Emperor-realm powerhouses! How could so many Emperor-realm experts appear all at once?"

"Could they have come to annihilate us? If they unleash their wrath, who among us can withstand it?"

"Will someone please save us? This damned spiritual pressure is far too oppressive; we can barely breathe!"

......

Just as the onlookers were gripped by fear and trembling, Zhao Wuji displeasure showed as he reminded them, "Long Aotian, pull back your auras. The Sect Master gave orders that no one is permitted to expose their aura within the city!"

Seeing that Zhao Wuji had spoken, Long Aotian and the others instantly turned as obedient as well-behaved babies, swiftly withdrawing their auras back into their bodies. Jiang Fuyan let out a long sigh of relief at this moment, stepped forward before the group, and said, "I am Jiang Fuyan, the City Lord of this All-Phenomena City. I wonder what the purpose of your honors' visit here might be? If there is any way this humble official can be of service, I will exert every ounce of effort to serve you all."

Without beating around the bush, Long Aotian asked, "City Lord Jiang, since you put it that way, I'll be direct. Might I ask where the Morning Light Sect is located?"

Jiang Fuyan had not expected this group to actually be heading to the Morning Light Sect and initially intended to refuse. However, Li Yuan, standing off to the side, perceived his hesitation and offered a reassuring reminder: "City Lord Jiang need not worry; we harbor no ill intentions toward the Morning Light Sect. We are also members of the sect, and today marks our very first time returning home. Therefore, we must trouble you to lead the way for us."

Realization dawned upon Jiang Fuyan after hearing this. He nodded and said, "No problem at all! I was planning to head to the Morning Light Sect today anyway, so let us travel together!"