Chapter 16: City Projection

Without paying any attention to Midaling’s affairs, Li Mingxing proceeded deeper into the cave. After passing by numerous altars and high platforms, he discovered something remarkable.

Upon seeing it, Li Mingxing let out a long sigh. “This trip was not in vain after all.”

What lay before him was a large pool, about three meters in diameter. Its edge was built from obsidian, divided into four sections by marble partitions. The pool directly facing Li Mingxing roiled with thick mud.

In the two adjacent pools, one held clear water while the other blazed with fire. As for the last pool, Li Mingxing saw nothing within it.

Even though he had never encountered such an object before, Li Mingxing could guess its purpose. It was most likely an elemental pool used to invoke the four elements. Though he did not know why it was hidden here, he was certain that installing this in front of his city hall would bring great benefits.

With this in mind, Li Mingxing pressed his forepaw against the edge of the pool. At that very moment, he realized his guess had not been entirely correct.

It was called an Elemental Pool, that much was true. It could indeed be transported to his own city. However, it was not meant for summoning elementals. Aside from linking to the elemental planes, its primary use was to grant magical boons for an hour to anyone who drank from it.

The pool bestowed Stone Skin from the earth section, increased offense from the fire section, enhanced agility from the wind, and improved endurance from the water.

Moreover, if gemstones of the corresponding elements were cast into the pool, it could unleash powerful spells during sieges: Fire Trap, Chain Lightning, Spiked Barrage, and Winter’s Ring.

Outside of wartime, the pool could cast Fossilize or Mud to Stone four times daily, Levitation five times, Tranquility three times, and Stamina Enhancement three times.

With the addition of magical towers or arcane sanctuaries, even more spell effects could be drawn from the pool.

Such properties instantly dispelled Li Mingxing’s disappointment at not being able to summon elementals. Excitedly, he pondered how best to transport the pool to his city.

After much deliberation, he hit upon a solution. Just then, Midaling finished gathering her things. Upon seeing her, Li Mingxing asked, “Are you certain there’s absolutely no way out of this underground world?”

“I am sure of it. No one has ever escaped from here,” Midaling replied calmly, showing none of the despair one might expect from someone trapped underground.

Li Mingxing nodded, walked to the edge of the pool, and paced out the steps, searching for a precise spot. Turning to Midaling, he said, “Are your people finished over there? If so, gather a few and see if you can dig a two-meter-deep pit here.”

He had barely finished speaking before Midaling asked, “What are you planning? This is solid rock—digging down will take a long time.”

“I know, but we have plenty of time now. Go arrange it. I’ll look over what you’ve collected,” Li Mingxing replied with a wave of his hand, dismissing her.

While Midaling directed her people to dig, Li Mingxing checked her earlier haul through the genie of the lamp. This time, she had truly opened every coffin—and the contents astonished him.

Among the finds were seven elemental belts, each with a different property, said to be taken from the coffins of high-ranking elemental warriors. The coffins from the desert leaders, by contrast, contained only gemstones with bases. The gems were mostly red, white, blue, and yellow, though occasionally there were blue and black stones as well.

After a moment’s thought, Li Mingxing understood. The so-called elemental belts had not originally belonged to the desert lords before the elemental war; their only power had been command over slave elementals and spirits.

The belts had been the possessions of the elemental lords themselves, while the desert officers only had gems to enhance their powers.

Those gemstones, too, were specialized. If he could find suitable buyers, they might bring him considerable profit.

As he considered this, Midaling returned to inform him that the pit was ready.

Li Mingxing was about to have the genie collect everything, but on second thought, he had Yin Haitao do it instead.

Then he walked to the newly dug pit, examined it carefully, and asked, “The genie I summon—he obeys only my commands, correct?”

No matter how odd the question, Midaling answered seriously. After receiving affirmation, Li Mingxing casually tossed the lamp he used to summon the genie into the pit, then placed a purple crystal beside it.

With both objects together, he spoke: “City Projection One, initiate. City projection at 25%, environmental influence 25%, autonomy 50%. City level: Manor. Command: Dark Lamp City. City Lord: Genie. No guardian deity assigned. Allocate fifty slaves.”

No sooner had he finished than Midaling stared in astonishment at the ground. The stone walls of the cave were swiftly transformed to obsidian.

At the sole entrance to the cave, a wall and gate of greenstone sealed it off from the ancient battlefield outside.

Before Li Mingxing and Midaling, fifty fierce demon slaves appeared, each gripping their tools, with the now twice-sized genie towering behind them.

Understanding Li Mingxing’s wishes, the genie bowed. “Master, I shall develop and guard this city with all my strength.”

Li Mingxing nodded, instructing Yin Haitao to bring out a third of the elemental belts and gemstones, and to unload a third of the common gems from the elephant.

“These are for your use. Guard this place well and develop it. Don’t concern yourself with surface affairs. However, if you can unite the underground world, then do so on my behalf.”

“To unite the underground world? That can be done. But as city lord, I cannot leave the city to fight for you,” replied the genie.

“That’s fine. I’ll leave you some helpers. Since you’re not fighting in the desert anymore, desert warriors won’t suffice. Instead, I’ll leave you my battle leopards, two iron golems, and five dwarf cannoners. That should be enough to handle the initial threats. As the city grows, so will your forces, and there should be no further trouble,” Li Mingxing explained.

The genie accepted his arrangements without further comment, immediately ordering the demon slaves to work.

Midaling watched in awe as the demon slaves leveled every high platform, using the materials to construct a city hall.

Once the city hall was complete, the elemental pool at the deepest part of the cave began to stir. Elemental energy surged forth, flooding the entire cavern.

The genie, now city lord, drew upon this power and grew even stronger, attaining the level known as “Giant Spirit” by the desert warriors.

Satisfied, Li Mingxing nodded. “Do your best here. When I return, I’ll set up a market. Whatever you need, I’ll have it delivered.”

The Giant Spirit nodded. After instructing his subordinates to obey the genie’s commands, never to leave the city undefended even when fighting outside, and to maintain a garrison until new barracks could be built and troops trained, Li Mingxing gathered his men.

He took out the badge given by Raymond and declared, “I’m going back.”

A black portal opened before him. Smiling at Midaling, he said, “Now you see—with this, we can come and go as we please, wherever we are.”

Midaling smiled and followed Li Mingxing through the portal.

After the portal vanished, the city lord Giant Spirit proclaimed, “From now on, all here obey my orders. The two iron golems will stay; the rest, go search for settlements of elementals nearby and bring some back. Battle leopards, you go steal some elemental gold rings—we may be able to raise our own elemental troops. Since my master has tasked me with unifying this underground world, I must achieve the best possible results.”