Chapter 1021: Chapter 130 Golden Core Stage_2

Upon reaching the Golden Core Stage, where exactly he would be dispatched for mandatory tasks, Zhao Yu did not yet know, but it was always wise to be prepared for any eventuality.

In the following eleven months, Zhao Yu crazily refined magical artifacts and concocted elixirs in seclusion, accumulating many third-tier magical artifacts and medicinal pills.

Finally, within the one-year timeframe set by Le Le, Zhao Yu smoothly broke through to the Golden Core Stage and emerged from seclusion.

Aside from Liu Wenxuan and Zhao Linger rushing to the scene to greet him, Wu Yong unexpectedly also appeared.

“Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations to Brother Zhao on advancing to the Golden Core Stage…”

“Thank you, Brother Wu!”

Zhao Yu chuckled, the news from the outside world over these years had all been conveyed by Wu Yong. Moreover, back when he was in the prison, it was Wu Yong who had reduced the punishment for both him and Liu Wenxuan.

“Brother Zhao, now that you’ve broken through to the Golden Core Stage, you’re no longer just a seed disciple…” Wu Yong said with a slight concern.

“I know!”

Zhao Yu smiled and said, “This time, I also intend to resolve troubles once and for all…”

“However, whether it will succeed is still uncertain…”

As he spoke, he took out a storage bag and handed it to Wu Yong.

“What’s this?” Wu Yong received the storage bag with some confusion. His spiritual sense swept inside, and he was utterly astonished.

In the storage bag, there were bottles and jars filled with various elixirs that could enhance one’s Golden Core Stage level progress.

“This is…”

“Brother Wu has worked hard over the years. I might not have the chance to return to Mount Shu this time I leave, so these medicinal pills are to repay Brother Wu for your care over these years…”

“I can’t accept this!” Wu Yong hurriedly refused, pointing out that Zhao Yu was about to leave Mount Shu and would face many challenges ahead. He couldn’t take it.

Zhao Yu smiled and said, “I am a Tier 3 Alchemist and Artifact Refiner. Wherever I go, I won’t be at a disadvantage. As for making a comeback, it will be effortless. Brother Wu, please keep it!”

Wu Yong caught the implication in Zhao Yu’s words, glanced around, and transmitted a message: “Do you not plan to return?”

“That depends on whether Duan Yinghong and her husband will chase after me. If they leave Mount Shu and die outside, it would be hard for me to return, wouldn’t it?” Zhao Yu casually transmitted back.

Wu Yong was greatly shocked.

Duan Yinghong and her husband were at the late stages of the Golden Core Stage, and they had dwelt in the Golden Core Stage for a long time, carrying various magical and medicinal artifacts with them.

And Zhao Yu actually believed he could easily overcome them—where did he get such confidence?

This person was truly extraordinary!

Wu Yong felt a sense of admiration in his heart and then nodded, “I understand…”

“Having known Brother Zhao in this life is my honor; I hope we will have the chance to meet again in the future!”

“Good!”

Just as Zhao Yu was about to bid farewell, Wu Yong suddenly took out a map and handed it to Zhao Yu.

“I obtained this item at an auction a few years ago; I hope it will be of use to you…”

Zhao Yu took the map with some puzzlement, and the next second, a look of surprise crossed his face.

This map was, in fact, of the lands beyond Mount Shu.

Ever since entering Mount Shu, he had a learned a bit about this world. Unfortunately, with his lower level progress, he could not understand much.

He only knew about the situation within the jurisdiction of Mount Shu. As for what lay beyond the territory of Mount Shu’s influence, he had no knowledge whatsoever.

“In our world, demons and spirits comprise the majority…”

Wu Yong recounted everything he knew.

“Generally, human settlements are located under the protection of some major human bloodline faction…”

“For example, Mount Shu, even though we haven’t established a country per se, we still shelter billions of the human bloodline within a ten-thousand-mile radius…”

“Apart from sects like ours, there are other major forces that exist in the form of states…”

“It might be hard for you to understand, but unlike our sect’s laissez-faire governance of those mortal towns, handed down to external disciples and descendants, each city under a state’s control is directly managed…”

Regrettably, Wu Yong, being at the Golden Core Stage himself and having never left the territory under Mount Shu’s influence, did not know much.

On the map, in addition to Mount Shu, three other powers were delineated.

“Kunlun, Turquoise Pool, Jin Kingdom…”

“Kunlun and Turquoise Pool are forces whose strength is not inferior to our Mount Shu, while the Jin Kingdom is somewhat weaker, especially in recent years. It seems that some chaos has erupted within the kingdom, with demons running rampant and heavy casualties among the mortals…”

“We from Mount Shu, as well as Kunlun and Turquoise Pool, have repeatedly requested permission to enter the kingdom to exterminate demons, but alas, the Jin Kingdom has not agreed…”

“Being fellow powers of the human bloodline, we three neighboring factions cannot insist too forcefully, so we could only send some of our younger members under the pretext of gaining experience to enter the Jin Kingdom and fight demons…”

Wu Yong shook his head and said, “If Duan Yinghong and her husband want to get rid of you, they will most likely send you on a mission to the Jin Kingdom. Even if it’s not there, it won’t be far off…”

“After all, even if they are in the late Golden Core Stage, going out on a mission could lead to unforeseen accidents…”

“Compared to missions in other three directions, those headed towards the Jin Kingdom are the most controllable and thus the best option for them…”

Zhao Yu thought about it and indeed it was so. According to Wu Yong’s reasoning, the Jin Kingdom was after all situated at the juncture of two major forces and was not home to any overwhelming giant demons.

In contrast, the other three directions were all territories uncharted by the human bloodline, where the appearance of earth-shattering giant demons, or even a Demon King, was possible.

According to the records, tens of thousands of years ago, Mount Shu was once attacked by a Demon King and nearly annihilated. It was only through the sacrifice of their Sect Leader at that time, who offered himself to slay the Demon King, that Mount Shu was saved.

For cultivators like them in the Golden Core Stage, let alone a Demon King, even a single giant demon could wipe them out with one breath.

The two chatted for a long while before bidding each other farewell.

They knew that perhaps this departure was forever.

“Friend, take care!” Wu Yong muttered to himself as he watched Zhao Yu’s departing figure, understanding that the likelihood of Zhao Yu never returning was high.

He had not been back at his residence for even a day when the mandatory mission arrived.

Just as Wu Yong had guessed, the compulsory mission was indeed for Zhao Yu to go to the Jin Kingdom.

“Yan Chixia, a true disciple undergoing trials in the Jin Kingdom, has encountered danger and sent multiple requests for reinforcement…”

“Therefore, you are to proceed to the Jin Kingdom, locate Yan Chixia, and assist him in slaying demons and exterminating devils…”

“Understood!”

Zhao Yu accepted the mission, which demanded him to report to the port within three days for assembly.

Zhao Yu immediately sought out Sun Lele, informing him that he had received a compulsory mission and would be leaving Mount Shu.

“Sun Lele, if you need any Tier 3 elixirs, give me the prescriptions. I will take the time to learn them while I’m out, and when I return next time, I’ll refine them for you…”

“Heh heh!”

Sun Lele chuckled lightly, a hint of scorn in his gaze as though seeing through Zhao Yu’s intentions, and spoke indifferently, “This time, I will accompany you on your journey!”

“Ah?”

Zhao Yu was surprised and somewhat astonished, “You can leave Mount Shu?!”

“Who told you that I cannot leave Mount Shu?!” Sun Lele retorted.

Zhao Yu looked around bewildered. Indeed, she never said such a thing, but she gave off the impression that she could not leave Mount Shu.

This left Zhao Yu both shocked and somewhat taken aback.

He had hoped to take this opportunity to rid himself of Duan Yinghong and her husband, who had repeatedly harmed him, and on the other hand, to break free from Sun Lele’s control.

After all, he thought, since Sun Lele’s strength came from the Demon Subduing Tower, once they were far enough from Mount Shu, the energy needed to remove the restrictions she had set would inevitably decrease.

But now it seemed, the problem with Duan Yinghong and her husband might be resolved, but Sun Lele’s control over him was still far from over.

In the three days, Zhao Yu made some preparations. He spent the accumulations of these years to purchase a large amount of supplies before heading to the port with Liu Wenxuan, Zhao Linger, and Sun Lele.

Originally, this mission was a situation with a high probability of death; Zhao Linger was still in the later stages of Foundation Establishment, and following along could be dangerous.

But Zhao Yu thought it over and decided it seemed improper to leave Zhao Linger behind by herself. If Duan Yinghong and her husband targeted her, there would really be no way to help.

Moreover, Zhao Linger was already capable of supplying ten times the amount of energy, and she was now a member of his group; it was better to keep her close.

He believed that if real danger arose, even if he had to advance to the Nascent Soul Stage, he would be able to keep Zhao Linger safe.

If he reached the Nascent Soul Stage and still couldn’t protect Zhao Linger, it meant that the enemy he had encountered was even stronger, and not even he could ensure his own safety.

After taking one last look at the place he had lived for nearly twenty years, Zhao Yu felt a wave of emotion before he finally said:

“Let’s set off!”

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