Journey to the West: Building a Celestial Empire Starting from Lion Camel Ridge

"Please come in."

Chen Ping'an stepped out from the gap in the stone wall and made an inviting gesture outside the barrier.

Ah Li was angry and stood far away, silently sharpening the arrowhead.

Why does it feel like they're sharpening their knives to slaughter pigs and sheep?

Chen Ping'an thought to himself.

Fortunately, Ali just stayed there quietly and didn't rush up and stab Fan Qiming in the head.

Fan Qiming, who had just stepped into the barrier, touched his chin, feeling embarrassed. He looked away from Ali and, for the first time, solemnly cupped his hands to Chen Ping'an.

The previous disdain was completely gone from his face.

and many more?

How could the aura within this barrier be so pure?

Fan Qiming thought he was already shocked enough, but when he sensed that there was absolutely no death energy within the barrier, he felt as if he had been hit by another blow.

For a moment, he lost his composure and completely forgot what he was going to say next.

Having grown accustomed to the pervasive deathly aura of the ruins, this moment felt like stepping into paradise!

This is a paradise standing amidst the purgatory of Lion Camel Ridge!

As for Liu Cheng, he greedily inhaled the pure air, a look of ecstasy on his face.

"How many years has it been..."

Liu Cheng muttered to himself.

Fan Qiming, being experienced in dealing with people, quickly regained his composure.

"Doggy, hand over your gift!"

Upon hearing this, the boy, who was curiously looking around, blushed and quickly handed over the package.

Fan Qiming took the package, coughed lightly, and calmed the surging emotions in his heart.

"The purpose of this visit is to discuss our previous cooperation. I sincerely invite you both to the Land God Temple Shelter. The upcoming rainy season will be fraught with danger; I hope that through our sincere cooperation, we can safely get through the rainy season."

After saying it out loud, Fan Qiming himself was somewhat impressed with his own courage.

Stone walls, arrow towers, and a whole ring of golden light.

Before Fan Qiming arrived, his original plan was, "Given the current conditions, cooperation is inevitable; how could a shelter built by two people possibly compare to the incense-filled protective barrier of a local temple?"

But after arriving, my entire worldview collapsed.

The word "invitation" felt like a stone stuck in my mouth, making it difficult to say clearly.

Liu Cheng stood to the side, subtly turning his face to the side; his ears felt a little hot.

He had seen what the shelter looked like before, and was amazed by its current size.

When Boss Fan said those words, Liu Cheng felt even more uncomfortable than Boss Fan himself—he was ashamed for Boss Fan for saying those words.

As for the thin boy, after initially observing him with curiosity, he quickly suppressed his curiosity, silently lowered his head, and looked somewhat honest, dull, and taciturn.

"There's a little salt and pork in the package. Please don't find it offensive, Young Master Chen," Fan Qiming said.

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Brother Fan, you're too kind."

He took the package, just like Ali said, "Why not take it if it's free? We'll see."

"So, what about the cooperation?"

Fan Qiming wasn't one to keep things bottled up; no matter what, he wanted to push things forward.

The safety of the entire local temple rests on my shoulders; what does a little face matter?

Hehe!

The sound of sharpening arrows in the corner suddenly grew a little louder, then quickly subsided.

Chen Ping'an found it amusing, and after a moment's thought, he slowly said, "Senior Fan, I appreciate your kindness, but we can't leave here."

His tone was calm, without any sarcasm.

Fan Qiming sensed Chen Ping'an's polite refusal and breathed a sigh of relief, nodding in agreement.

"I see."

How could I not understand?

In comparison, even I would prefer to stay in this shelter!

Its defensive and offensive capabilities are nothing short of abnormal, and its cultivation environment far surpasses that of a local temple.

What a wonderful shelter!

......

At this moment, the atmosphere in the shelter was indeed a bit awkward.

Liu Cheng looked down at the ground, while Zhao Gou'er looked to the side.

Even Ali shifted her gaze elsewhere.

It was Fan Qiming who broke the silence first.

He rolled up the sleeve of his left hand.

The deep black lines spread upwards from the wrist bone, past the elbow, and toward the shoulder, with clear edges, the color of death that had long penetrated beneath the skin.

"It's been eroded by death energy for four years. I wonder how much longer it can hold out."

Fan Qiming raised his arm and pointed to the hideous patterns.

"It doesn't matter if I die, but the local temple will be finished."

Chen Ping'an remained silent, sensing the tragic and desolate tone in the voice.

This damn world!

It's not easy for mortals to even survive, but demons eat people and live carefree lives.

The gods and Buddhas of the heavens eat human food and receive offerings, yet they remain indifferent to the matter of Lion Camel Ridge!

The culprit, the Golden-Winged Roc, devoured Lion Camel City, yet ultimately managed to enjoy the sacrifices from the Four Continents unscathed!

Screw gods and Buddhas!

......

"So, I can't die yet."

Fan Qiming rolled up his sleeves again, looked at Chen Ping'an, and said sincerely, "Liu Cheng said that your shelter can solve the problem of death energy erosion?"

"Yes, it works."

Chen Ping'an said it directly, without beating around the bush.

He looked at the man in front of him who had already sacrificed an eye for the sake of the local temple and might lose his life at any moment, and nodded gently.

An uncontrollable surge of joy appeared in Fan Qiming's eyes, a look of hopeful anticipation for survival.

He knelt down on one knee without hesitation.

In a panic, Liu Cheng and Gou'er stepped forward and knelt down in front of Chen Ping'an.

The shelter was quiet.

Ali, who was sharpening the arrowhead, stopped what she was doing and turned her gaze over.

"Please, Young Master Chen, save my life!"

Fan Qiming spoke, his eyes burning with passion.

"Please, Young Master Chen, save my local temple from this disaster!"

Liu Cheng and Gou'er followed suit, and fearing that Chen Ping'an would not make a move, they kowtowed repeatedly.

"I can't thank you enough; my life belongs to Young Master Chen from now on!"

......

"Let's give it a try."

Chen Pingan helped Fan Qiming up, quickly walked to the purification platform, and gently patted the rough stone platform.

"Brother Fan, come and try sitting on it."

Fan Qiming excitedly stood up and almost ran to the stone platform; although there was still some doubt in his eyes, his expression completely changed when his palm touched the stone platform.

"It works, it really works..."

He muttered to himself.

Chen Ping'an remained silent, having complete confidence in the architecture created by the system.

Moreover, with Ali's precedent, it's only a matter of time before the purification platform completely expels the death energy from Fan Qiming's body.

Fan Qiming sat on the purification altar, trembling slightly, completely enveloped in gentle golden light.

Take a breath.

The power of purification surged forth, covering Fan Qiming's forearm.

Two breaths.

A look of pain appeared on Fan Qiming's face, and the black, ferocious lines quickly faded away.

Three breaths.

The deathly aura had only eroded the area below the wrist bone, but it was still struggling in its final moments.

Four breaths.

The deathly aura on his entire arm was completely expelled.

Five breaths.

Fan Qiming opened his one eye and looked at his arm with surprise, as if it had never been eroded.

An extremely powerful aura erupted from his body.

"It's time to establish the foundation..."