After completing these tasks, it was time for the real work.
In the Thunder Refining Pool, filled with the aura of lightning, Wan Lei and Fang Xiaoyu descended to the very bottom to begin constructing the teleportation array.
This was to be the terminal teleportation array, the first one to be built. Using it as a coordinate, other teleportation arrays would then be established.
The Thunder Refining Pool was vast, spanning an area as large as several Southern Prefecture Cities. However, the construction of buildings in the future was not something Wan Lei needed to worry about.
Wan Lei only needed to lay a solid foundation. Matters concerning the refuge would be handled by Wan Yangfan and Wan Hongxin.
The construction of a teleportation array was a time-consuming and labor-intensive endeavor, requiring not only stability but also the assurance that it would function for thousands upon thousands of years.
Therefore, Wan Lei used the finest materials and poured his utmost effort into its creation.
It wasn't until the middle of the night that Wan Lei finally completed the teleportation array. He wiped the fine beads of sweat from his forehead, gazing at the massive structure before him with an inexpressible sense of satisfaction.
With this in place, whether he was being hunted by the six great clans or if the demon race were to invade, the Wan family would have a safe haven.
Having finished, Wan Lei took Fang Xiaoyu's hand, activated the Golden Lightning, and teleported directly back to his courtyard.
In the courtyard, Wan Yangfan and Wan Hongxin had been waiting for a long time.
"Lei'er, what were you doing all day? You made us wait here for you and told no one else. Was something major happening?"
Wan Hongxin frowned. Before Wan Lei's return, he and the clan patriarch had received his notification.
That's right, a notification.
As the young master of the Wan family and their strongest practitioner, Lei had the confidence to issue such a directive.
"Come, let's talk inside."
Wan Lei gestured with his head, pulling Fang Xiaoyu along as they entered the house.
"Greetings, Patriarch Wan."
Upon entering the room, Fang Xiaoyu offered a slight bow.
Wan Yangfan looked at Fang Xiaoyu with a smile,
"Time truly flies. In the blink of an eye, six years have passed, and Xiao Yu has grown from a little girl into a young lady. I remember when I first met you, you weren't this tall."
Fang Xiaoyu's delicate face flushed at his words. She was only sixteen then, visiting the Wan family for the first time, aloof and ice-cold, looking down on everyone, and naturally, she had been dismissive of the clan patriarch.
Now, after spending more time with Wan Lei, her icy demeanor had gradually softened. Recalling the past events, she felt utterly embarrassed.
"Lei'er, what are you doing?"
Wan Hongxin, seeing Wan Lei busy setting up an array, grew even more curious.
"Setting up a soundproofing array, which can also block divine sense."
"It seems to be something very important."
Wan Yangfan nodded.
Soon, Wan Lei finished setting up the array and sat down on a stool, motioning for everyone else to sit as well.
Wan Lei poured himself a cup of water and drank it down in one gulp.
"Father, Patriarch, what I am about to tell you can only be known by the four of us. It must not reach the ears of a fifth person."
"Yes, speak."
"I plan to build teleportation arrays in the five prefectures of the Wan family. The four outer prefectures will connect to the main prefecture, and the teleportation array in the main prefecture will lead to a hidden refuge."
"A refuge? Is something going to happen?"
"I am worried. I have experienced some illusions before, and in those illusions, the Wan family was annihilated.
I have too many secrets now, and I am at odds with all the major clans except for the Fang family. Once they discover that I possess the Innate Lightning Body, they will surely try to eliminate me. If that happens, the Wan family will inevitably suffer their wrath.
Also, I believe the matter of the demon race is not as simple as it seems. They are unlikely to be finished, and they might launch another counterattack.
A few days ago, I sensed demonic energy from Wan Liuchuan..."
"In conclusion, for the safety of the Wan family members and for the continuation of the clan, building the teleportation arrays and the refuge is essential."
"Lei'er's reasoning is sound. I will arrange for people to purchase the materials for building the teleportation arrays immediately."
Wan Yangfan readily agreed.
"The materials for building teleportation arrays are something the Wan family cannot afford even if we were to bankrupt ourselves. Furthermore, it would attract too much attention.
Before returning, Xiaoyu and I pooled our spirit stones and disguised ourselves to purchase the materials for the teleportation array.
I have chosen the Thunder Refining Pool as the location for the refuge.
Today, I have resealed the Thunder Refining Pool, and it is currently converting its spiritual energy. The terminal teleportation array has already been set up."
"So, Lei'er has already made all the preparations! I am truly ashamed. How much did it cost to buy those things? The family can reimburse you..."
"No need. What needs to be done next is to implement a curfew. No one is allowed outside at night. I can build one array per night. What remains for you is to carry out the rest.
After a month, once the lightning in the refuge has been fully converted, we will begin building houses, stockpiling water, food, spirit stones, weapons, and so forth.
To carry out these tasks, we can round up some criminals and make them do the work, and then kill them all once it's finished. These matters must not be known by anyone."
This was experience Wan Lei had learned from Kalun.
"This..."
Wan Yangfan and Wan Hongxin both frowned. This matter was somewhat too brutal and did not align with their principles.
"Now is not the time for sentimentality. If there is any slip-up in this matter, the Wan family will be utterly destroyed. Do you understand?"
Wan Lei's tone was stern. Wan Hongxin felt that Wan Lei's personality had changed significantly, but he said nothing. Wan Lei was correct, and he had no grounds to object.
"Very well, then let it be so. Starting tomorrow night, a curfew will be enforced. Anyone caught outside, or anyone daring to release their divine sense, will be killed!"
The next evening, at midnight.
Wan Lei, accompanied by Fang Xiaoyu, arrived at the main prefecture's plaza.
Wan Hongxin and Wan Yangfan maintained vigilance from high in the sky, their divine sense covering the entire city. Anyone daring to release their divine sense would be met with a fierce counterattack.
"Wife, do you remember this place? This is the place that left the deepest impression on me in my life."
"Stop talking."
"On that day, a little girl here wanted to beat me. That little girl was so beautiful..."
"If you mention any more embarrassing past events, I'll beat you right here."
"Oh? Are we going to have another decisive battle in the place of our first decisive battle?"
"Do you dare to fight back?"
"..."
Hmph, bullying.
Defeated, Young Master Lei could only diligently begin setting up the array.
He dug a large pit on the ground and built the teleportation array within it. Then, he disguised it with an illusion array, and finally, he meticulously paved all the ground tiles back, restoring the original appearance.
By the time he finished, the sun was already close to rising.
Over the next four days, every night, they would visit a different city and repeat the process, constructing the teleportation arrays for the other four prefectures.
This was followed by the tedious work of protection, disguise, and restoration.
No one could help with these tasks; only Wan Lei could do them, exhausting him greatly.
Although the people of the Wan clan were somewhat suspicious, Wan Yangfan informed them that Wan Lei was reinforcing the protective arrays within the city, and they harbored no further doubts.