The old fisherman seemed pleased with my words, his voice carrying a hint of praise, "This is the kind of ideological awareness a cultivator should possess..."
I avoided saying too much, as I knew well that this was what I was about to face.
Compared to life itself, other things truly meant nothing.
Furthermore, I wasn't just trying to preserve my own life; I also needed to safeguard the hopes and expectations of so many people.
"Make your preparations. We depart tomorrow, and I will tell you where to go!" the old fisherman said.
"Why don't we leave directly today..." I replied. Honestly, I didn't want to wait another minute.
"I also need to prepare a few things..." the old fisherman stated.
I nodded, "Do you need me to bring anyone?"
"You can bring one person... However, this time, it is extremely dangerous, so you should know what to do!" the old fisherman said.
"I know!" I replied.
It wasn't that I was afraid to go alone, but having another person would provide an extra layer of support.
Most importantly, perhaps the opportunities within might be too much for me to digest alone, and I could let someone else improve their strength as well.
To some extent, this would also be helping myself.
I called Shen Zhi and Lin Chun over.
"Brother Lu..." they both said in unison as they entered.
"I've called you here because there's something I need to discuss," I began. "I might have to go to a place, a very dangerous place, where I might even lose my life. If either of you is willing, you can come with me. I can only take one person..."
"I'll go!" Shen Zhi and Lin Chun said simultaneously.
"I've already said it's extremely dangerous, and you might lose your life!" I said sternly. "I can't predict what we'll encounter there..."
"It's fine!" Lin Chun spoke up first. "Danger and opportunity go hand in hand. I also feel my progress in strength has been a bit slow lately. Let me go this time..."
"Why?" Shen Zhi asked.
"You still can't pass the arrow formation, so there's still room for improvement!" Lin Chun said with a smile.
"You..." Shen Zhi blushed, but it was indeed the truth.
Due to a shoulder injury sustained earlier, her training progress had been delayed. Had it not been for that injury, she might have been the first to pass.
"Then it's settled for now," I said with a smile. "Also, there's something I need you to do..."
Shen Zhi, who had been a little disheartened, immediately brightened up upon hearing this.
"Take Zuo Qing and a few capable people with you, and head to the location of the Stone Spring," I said seriously.
"What are we doing there?" Shen Zhi asked.
To prevent terrifying monsters from breeding there again, I occasionally sent people to check on it. They all knew where that Stone Spring was located.
"Dig down and dismantle that stone platform. I suspect there's something inside..." I said seriously.
"This..." Shen Zhi paused. "What is it?"
"I don't know, but this time you can bring Yaqin along..." I said with a smile.
Since we started cultivating, Luo Yaqin had also been working very hard.
Although there were many things she wanted to do with us, I had always refused her. Now, allowing her to participate in some actions would ease her mind.
"Okay!" Shen Zhi nodded solemnly. "Don't worry, Brother Lu, I definitely won't let her come to any harm!"
I nodded, saying nothing more, and then turned my gaze to Lin Chun. "Go and prepare some things. We're setting off tomorrow. As for when we'll return, I don't know yet..."
This wasn't a joke, as the old fisherman hadn't told me the location either...
Lin Chun nodded and quickly went back to prepare.
The next morning, Lin Chun and I left the city.
This time, we didn't follow the coastline but headed inland towards the island.
This direction was also what the old fisherman had told me.
I was eager to reach our destination quickly, so I didn't stop much.
Because with our current strength, we could recover while moving and feel no discomfort.
However, to maximize our physical recovery, we still needed sleep and rest.
After only two days, we had reached the depths of the island.
To be honest, I hadn't been to this part of the island during my time here.
After all, I still didn't know how large this island was.
Lin Chun and I found a cave to rest in. Beside the cave, there was a stream. I took a bath in it and felt refreshed.
Then, in the cave, we ate the wild boar I had casually dealt with earlier.
"Brother Lu, we've been traveling for two days, haven't we arrived yet?" Lin Chun asked, sprinkling salt on a leg of boar, her face full of confusion.
"Not yet..." I shook my head.