In this forbidden area where the power of heavenly lightning was raging, a quiet and suitable small space suddenly appeared.
The chaotic power outside was so intense that it seemed to have noticed the changes inside. The pressure suddenly increased several times over. Under their watchful eyes, the space gradually collapsed and disappeared, eventually being engulfed by lightning once again.
Volume 6, Chapter 13, "Scams and Deceptions" is complete.
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A burst of hearty laughter suddenly rang out from inside the main hall of the Jade Cauldron Sect.
"Haha... Fellow Daoist Xiao is overthinking it. They are just some teleportation arrays. There is no need to mobilize the entire cultivation world to invite people. Just give the order, and our Jade Cauldron Sect will ensure that it is handled smoothly for you."
When Master Huizhe heard that Xiao Wenbing wanted to invite a master of artifact crafting who could build a top-tier teleportation array, he immediately made a boastful promise.
"Ahem, Sect Master, it's not that I don't trust you. Think about it, there are over seventy teleportation arrays, and each one is a top-tier fixed-point teleportation system. Completing this wouldn't be easy without years of practical experience," Xiao Wenbing said, trying to be tactful.
The difficulty in obtaining these teleportation arrays lies in their being top-tier. If they were ordinary teleportation arrays, the experts in the Flame Realm would have already solved them themselves. In fact, given the Flame Realm's meticulous expertise in artifact crafting, given enough time and materials, they could certainly master the technology quickly.
But Xiao Wenbing didn't want to delay any longer, especially after the mysterious beast appeared and disappeared. If anything happened to the thundercloud storm, Zhang Yaqi would definitely not stand idly by, and he would absolutely not allow himself to risk losing his beloved again.
Therefore, Xiao Wenbing's greatest wish at this moment was to be fast, the faster the better. Of course, this speed had to be based on the premise of excellent quality; he didn't want a sudden explosion to occur when the energy conversion was only halfway complete.
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Xiao, don't worry. It's just a few dozen top-tier teleportation arrays. All the elites of our Jade Cauldron Sect will go all out to ensure your satisfaction," Hui Zhe said confidently.
Xiao Wenbing was greatly surprised. Based on his understanding of Hui Zhe, the old man's attitude towards the Flame Realm was extremely ambiguous; he wasn't usually such a kind and compassionate person. However, he wasn't someone who lacked a sense of propriety. Since he had said so, he must intend to help wholeheartedly.
"Very well, Sect Master Hui Zhe truly lives up to his reputation as the sect master of the number one sect in the world. His demeanor and magnanimity are beyond the reach of ordinary people. On behalf of the Yan Realm, I would like to express my gratitude to you."
"Haha, you're too kind. Eliminating this storm of thunderclouds is a great relief for our cultivation world. How could I not do my best?" The old Taoist paused, then said, "Moreover, after Fellow Daoist Xiao's mediation, we treat the Flame Realm equally, and we are as close as brothers. When a brother is in trouble, of course we will spare no effort to help."
"Oh, really?" Xiao Wenbing didn't believe it at all, but on his face, he had to put on a grateful expression.
"Of course." The old Taoist priest said solemnly, almost as if he were about to swear an oath to the heavens.
Xiao Wenbing nodded repeatedly. It turned out that even he made mistakes. The old Taoist priest was truly selfless.
“However,” Hye-cheol suddenly said.
"Hmm?" Xiao Wenbing's eyes twitched. He knew this old guy wouldn't be a good person for no reason; there was actually a reason...
"However, Fellow Daoist Xiao, you are a straightforward person, aren't you right?"
“Of course,” Xiao Wenbing replied without hesitation.
"I'm an honest man, aren't I?" Hui Zhe asked with an honest and simple expression.
After a moment's hesitation, and after beating around the bush for so long, I still don't know what you're up to. If you're really that straightforward, then I'm just a fool. Of course, what Xiao Wenbing was thinking was one thing, but a smile still appeared on his face: "Exactly."
"Since we are all honest people, let's tell the truth. If our Jade Cauldron Sect contributes manpower, resources, and effort to build the teleportation array, can we get five more immortal artifacts in return?"
Xiao Wenbing suddenly realized that the old Taoist's calculations were indeed quite clever. Exchanging a teleportation array for a celestial artifact. What a practical man indeed…
"Five won't do. How many immortal artifacts are there in total? You're being too greedy."
"Five items isn't many. Look, it's only the size of a palm."
"Hmph, one at most."
“Fellow Daoist Xiao, to build this teleportation array, we have to use a huge amount of manpower, consume a huge amount of materials, and spend a huge amount of time. With such a huge investment, we only get one immortal artifact. We really can’t explain this to our fellow disciples.” Hui Zhe gritted his teeth and said, “We’ve already made a huge concession by offering only four.”
“Three items, no more than that.” Xiao Wenbing said decisively, “If you agree, then go for it, otherwise I will ask Long Shi to recruit scattered soldiers.”
“Alright, three items it is.” Upon hearing this, Hui Zhe made a quick decision and high-fived Xiao Wenbing to form an alliance.
After receiving the old Taoist's promise, Xiao Wenbing asked Feng Baiyi and the nine Heavenly Venerables of Tianlei Palace to act as errand runners, transporting a large team of several hundred people from the cultivation world in batches.
Of course, these people's purpose was not to visit the Flame Realm, but to build a large teleportation array.
With their help, the construction of Yanjie resumed in full swing. Not only did the progress speed up considerably, but the quality also fully met, and even exceeded, Xiao Wenbing's requirements.
This result immediately filled him with emotion. The Jade Cauldron Sect, such a profound and powerful sect, truly produced a wealth of talented individuals and was unfathomable.
As for that ferocious beast, it only appeared once on the Demon-Suppressing Star, and after that, it vanished without a trace, like a stone thrown into the sea. But for some reason, Xiao Wenbing kept this matter in mind and felt a deep unease.
After receiving Xiao Wenbing's message via flying sword, the four immortals, including Quini, took turns guarding the passage in pairs, but so far they hadn't seen a trace of it. If Xiao Wenbing hadn't said it himself, they really wouldn't have believed it. However, since it was their future master's first order, the four of them carried it out without complaint.
Half a month later, Zhang Yaqi successfully emerged from seclusion, and the Five Elements Tunnel was naturally successfully opened to the spirits. At the same time, under the guidance of the Mirror God, Xiao Wenbing also completed the modification and expansion of the energy conversion array.
After all, the energy to be converted this time is too enormous, and there can be absolutely no negligence whatsoever.
A month later, when Xiao Wenbing finished his work, the Mirror God remembered something. It recalled the origin of the magical fluctuations emanating from the ferocious beast, which were energy fluctuations generated when a treasure was used.
So, a few days later, carrying a newly made, strange ring, Xiao Wenbing arrived at the residence of the sisters Feng Baiyi and Zhang Yaqi, and said bluntly, "Baiyi, I need your help again."
"Um."
"Look." Xiao Wenbing took out the ring and waved it at Feng Baiyi. Zhang Yaqi, who was beside him, exclaimed softly, her eyes looking rather strange.
Xiao Wenbing was taken aback, then immediately understood, and smiled, "Yaqi, how about I make one for you later?"
Zhang Yaqi blushed and tacitly agreed.
Xiao Wenbing was overjoyed and was about to step forward. Suddenly remembering his important matter, he had to put aside his thoughts and asked, "White Robe, can you imitate a thundercloud storm here?"
"Here?" Feng Baiyi asked curiously, "Are you sure?"
"yes."
"Wenbing, do you want to destroy the temple?" Zhang Yaqi asked in surprise.
"No, no." Xiao Wenbing shook his head vigorously, making a circle with his hands in front of his chest, and said, "It doesn't have to be that big, just a small ball like this will do. Of course, the energy in it can't be too little."
Upon hearing this unusual request, even Feng Baiyi felt a surge of curiosity. After a moment's thought, she said, "Alright."
She stretched out her jade-like hand, condensed her energy into a sword, and the Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword, composed of heavenly lightning, appeared in her hand.
The powerful energy fluctuations immediately alerted several experts within the temple, who all rushed to investigate. However, upon Xiao Wenbing's glare, they scattered like birds and beasts, their heads in their hands.
At this moment, the future of the entire Flame Realm rested in the hands of these three saviors. Although they felt it was somewhat inappropriate to play with lightning within the temple, no one dared to ask them to move.
Under Feng Baiyi's precise control, the shape of the Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword gradually began to change, as if someone was forcefully twisting it, and the tip of the Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword slowly bent down.
The continuous power of lightning spread in all directions, and in a short while, the Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword had transformed into a small sphere, forming a small thundercloud storm at the center of the three.
Seeing Feng Baiyi's performance, Xiao Wenbing sincerely admired her, saying, "Baiyi, your strength has reached a new level." Indeed, without using his divine power, Xiao Wenbing could never have controlled energy so precisely.
Picking up the ring, and seeing that both women were looking at him, Xiao Wenbing smiled and said, "This is a magic artifact, made of very ordinary materials. But the array engraved on it is not simple."
Zhang Yaqi took it and saw that the ring was covered with densely packed, strange symbols. Not only could she not decipher their mystery, but even looking at them for a while made her feel dizzy.
"Wenbing, what is the purpose of this?"
"This is a teleportation ring, used for fixed-point teleportation," Xiao Wenbing explained. "However, this formation requires powerful lightning to activate."
Feng Baiyi's expression shifted, and she looked at Xiao Wenbing as if she had realized something.
Xiao Wenbing nodded slightly to her, then took the ring, flicked his finger, and the ring flew into the lightning circle after tracing a beautiful parabola in the air.
The ring, struck by lightning, suddenly emitted a strange purple light and exploded, forming a small, independent space within the lightning circle. After a moment, compressed by the surrounding lightning, the space dissipated. The entire process was almost identical to what they had witnessed in the thundercloud storm, except that the space lasted for a much shorter time.
"Wenbing, this is..."
"That ferocious beast is not a being of the Heavenly Thunder Body, but it possesses such a Heavenly Thunder Teleportation Immortal Artifact. Only an Immortal Artifact of this quality can withstand the brief bombardment of the thundercloud storm and thus activate its teleportation function."
"But if he is an immortal, why does he need to rely on a celestial artifact to teleport?"
“Perhaps…” Xiao Wenbing pondered for a long time, then his voice turned cold, and he said, “It wants to be teleported directly to the Immortal Realm.”
"You mean, that ferocious beast used the power of heavenly lightning to return to the immortal realm."
"Yes, that should be the case. Otherwise, once you come down, it won't be so easy to go back."
The two women exchanged a glance. Logically speaking, this ferocious beast they had encountered by chance should have nothing to do with them, but like Xiao Wenbing, they also felt a faint unease in their hearts, as if it had some strange connection with them.
Just then, a ripple came from the space, and Quini leaped out of the void, excitedly saying, "Fellow Daoist Xiao, the teleportation array is ready."
Volume 6 Scams and Deceptions, Chapter 14: Treatment
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The teleportation array was completed much faster than Xiao Wenbing had expected. While the efforts of Hui Zhe and others were the biggest reason, it was also inseparable from the fact that the experts in the Flame Realm who were skilled in the art of craftsmanship quickly mastered the key points of large-scale construction through extensive practice.
However, regardless of the circumstances, the first step of energy transfer had been accomplished. In the following three days, the twenty-four Dragon and Phoenix Venerables of the Dragon and Phoenix Clans, led by Long Shifenghua, thoroughly experienced the concept of the word "limit."
At Xiao Wenbing's request, the Dragon and Phoenix Barriers, jointly created by the Venerables, had to be set up on these seventy-plus top-tier teleportation arrays within a three-day period. Thus, during these special days, the Dragon and Phoenix Venerables worked day and night, setting up arrays, traveling, setting up arrays, and traveling again.
After all the teleportation arrays were covered with top-tier dragon and phoenix barriers, even Long Shi and Feng Hua, whose abilities far surpassed those of Tongji, cried out that they couldn't take it anymore. As for the other Venerables, they were quite unceremoniously paralyzed on the spot.
The dragons and phoenixes said in unison that this was definitely not a job for dragons and phoenixes. At the same time, their resentment towards Xiao reached a new peak.
However, given Xiao Wenbing's current status in the cultivation and fire realms, these top-tier Dragon and Phoenix Venerables only made empty promises and did not take any further concrete action.
After the dragons and phoenixes took their final bow, Zhang Yaqi appeared. She divided the Five Elements Tunnel into seventy-three equal parts, placing one part on each teleportation array. The Five Elements Tunnel, sharing the same attribute as the Dragon and Phoenix Barrier, quickly assimilated the power of order within the barrier, forming an impregnable, invisible fortress.
With everything prepared, Feng Baiyi led the nine Heavenly Venerables of the Thunder Palace to the passage.
The moment they opened the passage, a continuous stream of chaotic energy surged in.
Having made preparations in advance, Feng Baiyi and the nine Heavenly Venerables set up the largest Heavenly Thunder Barrier in history, drawing the inexhaustible chaotic power within into the first teleportation array that had been prepared beforehand.
One by one, the seventy-three teleportation arrays lit up, and powerful energy continuously impacted the Five Elements Tunnel. However, the super artifact, the result of the efforts of tens of thousands of people, now displayed unparalleled effectiveness. Even the chaotic power, hailed as the strongest in all planes, failed to cause the slightest damage.
All the energy traveled through the spatial rift created by the teleportation array, arriving at its final destination.
Xiao Wenbing, who had been standing smiling on the energy conversion array, could no longer smile after a short while.
Because he suddenly realized that things seemed to be a little beyond his control.
Although he had long known that the energy in the thundercloud storm was extremely powerful, it was still beyond his calculations to be this incredible.
The teleportation array at this moment was dozens of times larger than the one used when the small golden talisman was converted, but even such a large-scale array was extremely strained at this time.
Purple lightning bolts cascaded down from the vast sky, surging into the energy conversion array along its predetermined path. Standing at the array's core, Xiao Wenbing crossed his arms and continuously cast all available runes to enhance the array's effectiveness.