After handling these matters, Luo Dingran went to check on the progress of washing the mud. Cheng Zongyang, on the other hand, opened the large wooden chest and began inspecting it inside the small hut.

The chest was an ordinary wooden one. Inside, three books rested on the top layer. Two of them were as thick as his pinky.

This left him dumbfounded. "These are almost as thick as dictionaries! Is the information on Arrays this staggering?"

Array Manual, Array Plate Manual, and Arrangement Guidebook.

He took them out one by one and set them aside. Fortunately, the third one wasn’t very thick.

With the books removed, two round metal disks lay underneath, along with hundreds of other assorted objects.

There were many, but he didn’t recognize a single one.

He thought for a moment, then decided to leave the items inside untouched for now. Instead, he picked up the Array Plate Manual and began flipping through it, identifying the objects one by one.

As soon as he started reading, Cheng Zongyang became completely engrossed. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

The manual explained each of the materials in great detail, covering everything from their names and functions to their maintenance.

’This manual... it’s practically spoon-feeding me. Once I memorize all of these materials, I’ll know a great deal about Arrays,’ Cheng Zongyang reflected with great emotion.

He had only read the first dozen pages, but he already knew that once he memorized everything, he would know how to set up the Array Plate without even needing the manual.

At the same time, he also discovered the Array’s power source: one hundred included Spirit Stones, each the size of a thumb and as brilliant as a diamond.

’That’s right, Spirit Stones! And High Grade Spirit Stones, no less.’

Placing five stones in each Array Plate allowed for one hundred uses. This meant the Teleportation Array had a total usage limit of one thousand uses.

From this, he could confirm that the former civilization of the Wilderness World was a Cultivation Civilization. It had simply been wiped out due to some mysterious virus.

The purpose of silver, then, was to eliminate this virus while expanding territory.

’This Teleportation Array can be dismantled and reused, which will be incredibly convenient. But where should I set it up?’

Cheng Zongyang gazed at the Array Materials in the chest, lost in thought.

’The Array’s range is five thousand li, a distance of 2,500 kilometers. That’s far enough to cross prefectures. It could even cover the entire Celestial Break Mountain Range. What if I teleported to the coast?’

Cheng Zongyang fell silent, pondering whether such a plan was feasible. But once he studied it thoroughly, perhaps he could build Teleportation Arrays himself.

’By then, could I set up teleportation relays? I might even be able to develop a Teleportation Array with a far greater range!’

The idea had already taken root in Cheng Zongyang’s mind. Then, the Cheng Family could find a massive, uninhabited island, and Cheng Family Village could expand and develop without restraint. Whenever they needed supplies, they could just procure them through the Teleportation Array!

Pulling his wandering thoughts back to the present, Cheng Zongyang shook his head and gave a wry smile. "I’m getting way ahead of myself. Why think so far ahead?"

Since he hadn’t yet decided on a location, Cheng Zongyang had no intention of deploying it for now.

Of the three books, he kept out the Array Manual and the Array Plate Manual, returning the third to the chest.

He would read the first two when he had free time and see what he could learn.

He returned the chest to the third floor of the Preservation Warehouse and placed the two books on the bookshelf in his market hut so he could access them anytime while he was out.

Stepping out into the open area, he saw that the ten Soul Slaves had finished washing the mud off the items. They were now gathered together, appraising what they had sifted out.

Luo Dingran wasn’t just standing there watching. He was off to the side, giving instructions to some of the Soul Slaves.

Cheng Zongyang paid him no mind and headed toward the Water Rat Breeding Farm.

The Mole Beast had already been assigned to expand the Water Rat breeding grounds. A number of Soul Slaves followed behind it, clearing away the excavated earth.

The farm was located just below the two fish ponds.

He gazed out toward the Yu Sea. Seeing the small Dragon Bone Ship bobbing forward and back with the waves, yet never getting swept away, Cheng Zongyang felt greatly relieved.

Then again, even if it were swept away, he could just summon it back.

"Perhaps the Array Plate can connect to the coast of Xiangyang Prefecture. That way, the Dragon Bone Ship can be used out there in the future," Cheng Zongyang murmured.

But he only had one set of Array Plates. He would have to wait until he fully understood them and could craft his own before he could set up another.

"My Lord."

Just then, Luo Dingran walked over to Cheng Zongyang.

"What is it?" Cheng Zongyang asked, pulled from his thoughts as he turned to look.

Luo Dingran said, "Li Kai just sent someone back to report that he’s found a place that appears to be a County Town."

Cheng Zongyang was puzzled. "Appears to be?"

’A County Town is a County Town, and a town is a town. How can it just ’appear’ to be one?’

Luo Dingran nodded. "Yes. The city is almost nothing but ruins. But he discovered something even more shocking, so he sent someone back to report. He’s still there investigating to confirm it."

Cheng Zongyang’s expression turned serious. "Give me a moment."

As he spoke, Cheng Zongyang began expanding his wilderness map. The last expansion had covered an area of two hundred kilometers, but much of it had yet to be appraised.

Since he had some time, he decided to expand the map first.

After a quick calculation, he began to continuously expand the map, pushing it to the current territorial limit of 320 kilometers!

As a result, 3,180 Points were deducted!

"Alright, let’s go!"

Cheng Zongyang and Luo Dingran then teleported to the town together.

Upon arriving in the town, Cheng Zongyang immediately appraised it.

—Botao Town!

Seeing the name appear, Cheng Zongyang gave a slight nod. ’A pleasant-sounding name.’

Coincidentally, at the very moment they arrived, they ran into Li Kai, who was just returning.

"Did you run all the way back?" Cheng Zongyang asked, puzzled to see Li Kai panting for breath.

Li Kai nodded. After catching his breath, he spoke quickly, "It’s confirmed! It is a County Town, but... but it’s been smashed to pieces!"