Chapter 166: Surveying the Terrain

166. Chapter 166: Surveying the Terrain

By now it was getting late, and Li Xuan didn't want to stay in the carriage, so he took a tent out of the Kongming Crystal, intending to make do outdoors for a night, since Li Xuan also didn't know when the Yellow Turban Warrior would finish scouting the surrounding area.

Li Xuan also didn't want to return to the space of the Palm Sky Bottle, after all he couldn't let the Yellow Turban Warrior return to find no one there.

Soon the tent was set up, Li Xuan lit a pile of campfire, took out some beef and mutton skewered on sticks, and began grilling with Bangchui; now that Li Xuan was under no pressure, he felt much more relaxed.

After a while, Li Xuan and Bangchui ate their fill and drank enough, still not knowing when the Yellow Turban Warrior would return, and each retreated to their own tent to rest.

……

Early the next morning, Li Xuan got up early, stepped out of the tent, and saw the Yellow Turban Warrior drawing a blueprint.

"Yellow Turban Warriors, has the surrounding environment been fully surveyed?" Li Xuan asked the warriors curiously.

"Master Immortal, we already completed the survey of the surroundings yesterday at dawn; here's the plan view," the Yellow Turban Warrior said to Li Xuan with a smile.

Li Xuan immediately went to the table and examined the planar terrain map.

Here is a long, continuous mountain range, and this canyon cuts the range into two sections.

Inside the canyon lies an expansive, boundless stretch of land.

"Is there really this much land here?" Li Xuan widened his eyes and asked the Yellow Turban Warrior in disbelief.

"Indeed the land is this vast, but I personally surveyed it yesterday; the soil is unusually barren, and even flowers and trees are rarely seen," the Yellow Turban Warrior said, spreading his hands helplessly.

Upon hearing the Yellow Turban Warrior, Li Xuan felt no disappointment, but rather some joy; after all, he possessed Dragon Tooth Rice, a treasure that can increase soil fertility, so the barrenness posed little problem.

Moreover, it seemed the land was so barren that the local noble wanted to sell this vast tract; otherwise, such an expanse could easily sustain a noble.

The barrenness has driven a noble to the point of selling his land.

"Besides this land there are over a dozen peaks, and we have located an iron ore and a coal mine; it seems the mineral resources here are relatively abundant," the Yellow Turban Warrior said, pointing to the dozen peak markers and two differently colored lines on the map.

"That's excellent; we have our own ore and coal, so we can save a lot of effort!" Li Xuan's eyes lit up.

"Moreover, we discovered something valuable," the Yellow Turban Warrior teased Li Xuan.

"What is it?" Li Xuan asked curiously.

"Earth Vein Fire! There's likely a volcano nearby; we can use certain methods to channel the Earth Vein Fire into the base. Whether for forging or alchemy pills, it's an excellent resource," the Yellow Turban Warrior said, nodding at Li Xuan.

"Also, the terrain here is superb, suitable for building defensive works and Liaowang Ta," the Yellow Turban Warrior continued.

"Fine. Then I'll purchase this place. Next, I ask everyone to start designing the building layout and tally the required construction materials. In the coming days I can make a long trip to the capital of the Star Luo Empire, Star Luo City, to procure these supplies," Li Xuan said to the Yellow Turban Warrior.

"Master Immortal, rest assured; we will spare no effort to give you a safe base," the Yellow Turban Warrior replied.

"Thank you," Li Xuan bowed respectfully to the Yellow Turban Warriors.

One must admit that this place is ideal as a main base from every angle, with abundant farmland as well as peaks and canyon mineral veins.

Li Xuan thought that if the soil were fertile and the canyon's gate sealed, this place could rival a small principality. However, his prior scouting revealed that the lord here is a baron; were it not for the land's issues, such a vast tract wouldn't fall to a baron.

"Warrior Uncle?" Bangchui's voice came from the tent.

Bangchui stepped out of the tent and saw the Yellow Turban Warrior, shouting excitedly.

"Little Bangchui, you had us worried; now it's safe, safety is all that matters!" the Yellow Turban Warrior said happily, looking at Bangchui.

During Li Xuan's absence, the Yellow Turban Warrior grew very fond of the cute little fellow.

"Warriors, please look after Bangchui from now on; I will go negotiate with the local lord to purchase this place," Li Xuan said to the Yellow Turban Warrior.

"Rest assured, Master Immortal, we will take good care of Bangchui," the Yellow Turban Warrior smiled brightly, agreeing.

"Then I shall set off," Li Xuan said, nodded to the Yellow Turban Warrior, boarded the carriage, and drove straight toward the canyon.

"Master Immortal, don't forget the map," the Yellow Turban Warrior ran a few steps and handed the map to Li Xuan.

"Thank you," Li Xuan said with a smile, took the map, and focused on driving the carriage.

……

Three hours later, Li Xuan stopped the carriage, took out the map, and examined it carefully.

The area before him was called a ruined small town.

Nine out of ten buildings had collapsed, leaving only rubble everywhere! "How could it be so desolate?" Li Xuan said, his face awkward as he looked at the surroundings, yet he still drove the carriage toward the town center.

Although the Yellow Turban Warrior's map had markings, it did not record the specific conditions here.

Soon Li Xuan arrived at the center of the ruined town, at the lord's manor entrance.

The manor was now a wreck, its former grandeur only faintly visible, now reduced to fleeting clouds.

Li Xuan stepped out of the carriage, approached the gate, and knocked lightly.

"Is anyone there?" Li Xuan asked while knocking.

After a while, the gate finally opened. An elderly man slowly opened it.

"Who are you? What business do you have?" the old man, hunched and pale, asked Li Xuan.

"I wish to purchase these lands; please convey my request, sir," Li Xuan bowed respectfully to the old man and said.

"Oh? You want to buy this land? Do you know how barren it is?" the old man said, looking at Li Xuan speechlessly.

"Of course, and I already understand the conditions; I have made my plans," Li Xuan said to the old man. (End of Chapter)