Option 1 was the safest and it was his initial objective as a precaution against the strong, long-eared foreign entities. Although it meant throwing away a perfectly good, high-level farming spot or training ground for the store patrons, he deemed it necessary due to the growing threats of the Outer Realms.
With one confirmed 'stabilized Anchor' down in the Southern Wilderness, he naturally wanted to prevent the appearance of another one as it would be difficult for the Eastern Abyssal Dungeon alone to defend against an Outer Realm invasion that could send entities stronger than most cultivators in the region.
Option 2 was something he hadn't expected to see. Anchor is supposed to be a space carved out by the Outer Realm forces to create a Dimensional Bridge and stage their invasion.
