Days passed…
Two days passed…
Lan Tianxiong and the other Lan family powerhouses grew increasingly alarmed. Some even began to worry about Ling Fan's safety.
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, they sent a Lan family elder, who was at the peak of the Qi Refining realm, to find Ling Fan. Although they couldn't pinpoint Ling Fan's exact location, they managed to contact him and confirm his safety.
Only then did they relax.
Even before this Lan family elder had truly ventured into the ore vein, he felt the overwhelming power of the fire spiritual energy, which was already too much for him to bear.
He had no choice but to stop and call out into the depths of the ore vein.
To his surprise, he actually received a response from Ling Fan.
According to the Lan family elder, Ling Fan's voice came from extremely deep within the ore vein, a place that was practically an ocean of fire spiritual energy, bathed in red light everywhere. Even at the peak of the Qi Refining realm, just a distant glance made him feel as if his true qi was about to ignite.
He couldn't even imagine how violent the fire spiritual energy must have been at such a deep location.
Upon hearing his description, all the Lan family members were awestruck.
At the same time, their reverence for Ling Fan deepened.
“The son-in-law is truly a divine being!”
A Lan family powerhouse exclaimed sincerely.
…
Just as the Lan family was busily constructing the Lan Family Fortress.
Within the fire crystal ore vein, a world of crimson.
Ling Fan pressed deeper into the ore vein step by step.
At this depth, the surrounding rocks were almost entirely crystallized, and the dense fire spiritual energy had practically condensed into a visible mist.
If it were a martial artist like Li Qingxuan, who had just entered the Profound Gang realm, they would likely be eroded by the violent fire spiritual energy within half an hour, their true qi ignited, and they would burn to death.
The fire spiritual energy here was concentrated to a terrifying degree.
It would require at least a peak Profound Gang realm or even a quasi-Heavenly Origin realm expert to barely resist it.
Ling Fan, however, was different.
Not only did he not need to exert any effort to resist the erosion of the fire spiritual energy, but the incredibly dense fire spiritual energy here was, in fact, the best cultivation paradise for him.
“Let’s stop here for now. I can’t go any further.”
Ling Fan halted his steps, not proceeding forward.
He sensed a faint trace of danger ahead.
He had a hunch, and if his guess was correct, it would be an immense opportunity.
However, it was not the time to claim it, and his fire meridians had not yet been opened. Forcibly claiming that opportunity might even lead to some danger.
The Samsara Divine Cauldron floated out from Ling Fan’s body, and a terrifying suction force erupted, creating a vortex of fire spiritual energy in the ore vein that poured down like a funnel.
Soon, a large pool of extremely pure spiritual liquid appeared within the Samsara Cauldron.
The fire spiritual energy here was simply too abundant!
Drop by drop, the spiritual liquid was swallowed by Ling Fan, and a vast, pure power spread within his body, opening up his fire meridians according to the positions and routes outlined in the Five Elements Meridian Opening Art.
…
On the surface.
Above this fire crystal ore vein, a massive castle was slowly taking shape.
The fire crystal stones from the outer perimeter of the fire crystal ore vein were continuously mined, and in return, countless construction materials and skilled craftsmen were brought in.
Under the personal supervision of Lan Tianxiong, all work was progressing with great enthusiasm. A magnificent castle was rising amidst the mountains.
During this period, the entire Jiangnan City learned of the Lan family’s plan to build the Lan Family Fortress in Mount Mogan, and everyone was shocked by the Lan family’s audacious and ambitious plan.
Many experts from prominent families and forces even made special trips to witness it. When they saw the scale of the castle, they couldn't help but gasp in awe.
“The Lan family is simply nouveau riche. With such wealth, why not build a grand mansion in Jiangnan City instead of a castle in a place like this? Are they planning to be neighbors with demonic beasts in the future?”
“Tsk, building a castle in such a desolate wilderness, with nothing around. I wouldn’t want it even if it were given to me for free.”
Many spoke with envy.
…
In the underground world.
Red light flickered and pulsed.
A figure sat quietly on the ground, with an ancient and majestic luminous cauldron suspended above his head. From time to time, a drop of spiritual liquid, as red as blood jade, flew into the figure’s mouth.
The aura of the figure began to climb at a staggering rate.
After an unknown amount of time.
The figure suddenly opened his eyes abruptly.
It was as if two streams of flame flashed from his eyes.
He clenched his fists, and a series of crackling sounds erupted. He felt as if he could punch through the mountain body.
Of course, this was just an illusion.
With his current strength, punching through a few meters of earth should not be difficult.
To punch through the ground buried tens or even hundreds of meters deep, he would likely need to reach the Heavenly Origin realm or even the Giant Spirit realm.
Ling Fan stood up and put away the Samsara Divine Cauldron.
Before he had opened his fire meridians, he still needed the protection of the Samsara Divine Cauldron to cultivate here. But now, with his fire element perfected, the violent fire spiritual energy here not only posed no threat or harm to him but instead gave him a sense of effortless comfort, like a fish in water.
“Only the final earth attribute is left for the Five Elements perfection.”
Ling Fan whispered, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
“Now, I should go and see what lies at the end of this ore vein.”
Just as Ling Fan was about to set off.
A shout came from behind.
“Son-in-law, son-in-law! Are you still inside?”
Outside the ore vein.
The Lan family elder, who had contacted Ling Fan earlier and was at the peak of the Qi Refining realm, craned his neck and shouted into the depths, using all his might.
He had wanted to go a little further, but the pervasive, all-penetrating fire spiritual energy was too overbearing. With his cultivation at the peak of the Qi Refining realm, he simply couldn't withstand it; his true qi was on the verge of igniting.
Therefore, no matter how anxious he was, he could only stop here.
“What is it? Speak.”
Ling Fan’s faint voice echoed from extremely deep within the ore vein.
The Lan family elder’s expression immediately brightened.
The son-in-law was indeed still here!
Hiss.
This is terrifying.
Just how terrifying is the son-in-law’s strength?
He is not a Profound Gang realm martial arts master, yet he is like one!
He quickly suppressed the shock in his heart and shouted, “The family head sent me to inform you that our Lan Family Fortress is almost complete. In about ten days, we will hold a grand completion ceremony for the Lan Family Fortress, and all the major families and forces from Jiangnan City will be invited. Please do not forget to attend.”
“How long have I been in seclusion?”
Ling Fan asked.
“You have been in seclusion for nearly half a month!”
Ling Fan was surprised by the Lan family’s swift actions, to have the castle built in such a short time.
Ling Fan nodded slightly.
“I understand. I will make sure to attend at the appropriate time.”
Having received Ling Fan’s affirmative reply, the Lan family elder quickly retreated as if fleeing. He truly couldn’t stand the violent fire spiritual energy.
Perhaps only a fire-attribute expert who had cultivated to the Profound Gang realm could endure such an environment.
He wondered what kind of monstrous talent the son-in-law possessed to be completely unharmed!
He had been in such a deep location for nearly half a month.
After the Lan family elder left, Ling Fan turned and walked towards the deeper parts of the ore vein.