To a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, half a year was but the blink of an eye.

However, for a long journey alone, one would eventually need assistance. He rose and sent out a Divine Thought.

A moment later, Zhao Xiaoshu’s figure appeared at the entrance to the Quiet Chamber. He bowed respectfully. “Senior, you were looking for me?”

Lu Zhao looked at this follower who had been in the Sect for ten years. He was steady and reliable in his work.

Lu Zhao pointed to the meditation cushion beside him. “Sit.”

Zhao Xiaoshu sat down as told, his back straight and his gaze calm as he looked at Lu Zhao, awaiting his instructions.

Lu Zhao didn’t speak immediately. His fingertips tapped unconsciously on his knee a couple of times as if he were mulling over his words. The Immortal’s Cave fell silent.

“Little Shu,” Lu Zhao finally began, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable gravity, “I am about to embark on a long journey to carry out a mandatory Sect mission.”

Zhao Xiaoshu’s expression tensed, and he sat up even straighter.

“The location is in Northern Wilderness County, at a place called the Broken River Plains,” Lu Zhao continued, his eyes fixed on Zhao Xiaoshu. “The mission is to guard a location for a period of twenty to thirty years.”

“Twenty years? Thirty years?!” Even with Zhao Xiaoshu’s steady disposition, he couldn’t help but let out a low gasp, his pupils constricting. A Qi Cultivator’s Lifespan was only 120 years; twenty or thirty years was almost a third of his remaining life! This meant he would be far from his familiar surroundings, spending the most precious years of his prime in a strange and potentially dangerous place.

Lu Zhao took in his shock without rushing him, merely adding calmly, “The place was once part of Nine Prosperity Ridge, but it’s now separated by the Broken Dragon River. The Demon Beasts there are mainly Tiers One and Two. The Sect has built a fortress at a strategic point and set up a Grand Array. My duty will be to rely on the Grand Array to protect the cultivator settlement and keep a trade route to Yani Country open.”

He paused, looking at Zhao Xiaoshu’s body, which had tensed slightly from the shock, and posed the most critical question: “This journey will be long. We will be far from the Sect’s core, the environment will be harsh, and we will be surrounded by Demon Beasts. Are you willing to go with me?”

After asking, Lu Zhao said no more, simply watching Zhao Xiaoshu quietly. The air in the Immortal’s Cave seemed to freeze, growing heavy and oppressive.

The color drained from Zhao Xiaoshu’s face. He lowered his head, his hands unconsciously gripping the hem of his robes. ‘Twenty years, thirty years…’ The impact of that time frame was far greater than he had imagined. But then he thought about the stable life he had worked so hard to achieve, the hardships he had faced before, and the abundance of Cultivation Resources he now enjoyed.

Time ticked by, and a quarter of an hour felt exceptionally long in the silence. Lu Zhao didn’t press him; he understood the weight of this decision. For a Mid-stage Qi Cultivation Wanderer, this was tantamount to gambling with his own life. Even if Zhao Xiaoshu refused, Lu Zhao wouldn’t blame him. It was only natural.

Finally, Zhao Xiaoshu took a deep breath as if he had made up his mind. He looked up at Lu Zhao, his voice tinged with an almost imperceptible hoarseness. “Senior… are we leaving immediately?”

“No,” Lu Zhao shook his head. “We still have half a year to prepare.”

Hearing there was a six-month buffer, the tension in Zhao Xiaoshu’s shoulders seemed to ease slightly. He took another deep breath, his tone much firmer this time. “In that case, this junior would like to request a few days of leave to go back and see my sister.”

Lu Zhao understood immediately. Zhao Xiaoshu hadn’t refused outright. By asking to see his sister, he had already made his choice—he was willing to go, but he wanted to make arrangements for his only family member before the long journey.

“You may,” Lu Zhao nodded, a hint of warmth on his face. “Go find Wang Hui and have her come see me. After that, I’ll give you a six-month leave. You can use that half-year to arrange your personal affairs as you see fit.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Senior!” A flash of gratitude appeared in Zhao Xiaoshu’s eyes. He immediately stood and bowed solemnly with clasped hands. He knew how precious this half-year leave was; it was not only for settling his family matters but also for making final preparations and saying his goodbyes.

Watching Zhao Xiaoshu’s departing back, a flicker of approval crossed Lu Zhao’s eyes. ‘Though his aptitude is lacking, he has a tenacious mind. He’s steady, loyal, and knows when to advance or retreat. He’s a worthy subordinate. Taking him to the Broken River Plains is a good choice.’

「A day later」

Zhao Xiaoshu returned to Lu Zhao’s Immortal’s Cave with Wang Hui.

Wang Hui was dressed in neat, practical attire, and her expression exuded a sharp competence. She bowed respectfully to Lu Zhao. “Uncle Lu, you were looking for me?”

“Yes.” Lu Zhao gestured for her to sit and got straight to the point. “I am about to travel to the Broken River Plains in Northern Wilderness County to carry out a Commander’s mission. The term is twenty to thirty years.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Wang Hui’s eyes, but she quickly composed herself and didn’t ask for any reasons, simply listening quietly. She knew well that Uncle Lu had his own way of doing things and didn’t need her to interfere.

“After I leave,” Lu Zhao continued, “the Puppet trade cannot be interrupted. I need you to adjust the caravan’s route to make at least one trip to the Broken River Plains each year.”

He tapped a finger lightly on the tabletop, and a Jade Scroll slid over to Wang Hui. “This contains the route map, the general location of Broken River Castle, and contact methods. When you arrive, you will take the Puppets I’ve refined to sell and bring me the Spiritual Materials I need. The list and requirements are all in the Jade Scroll. The profit-sharing will remain the same as before.”

Wang Hui picked up the Jade Scroll, and a quick scan with her Divine Sense was all she needed to understand.

“Rest assured, Uncle Lu!” Wang Hui put away the Jade Scroll and replied decisively. “The caravan will definitely arrive at the Broken River Plains on time every year. The exchange of Puppets and Spiritual Materials will never be delayed!”

Crisp and efficient, without any hesitation. Lu Zhao was very satisfied with her response and nodded. “Very good. You can discuss the specific details with Little Shu. He will be going with me.”

Wang Hui glanced at the silent Zhao Xiaoshu beside her, a look of understanding in her eyes, and replied again, “Yes, Little Hui understands.”

After settling the caravan’s affairs, Lu Zhao gave a few more Precautions before dismissing Wang Hui and Zhao Xiaoshu. Watching their departing figures, Lu Zhao knew that this lifeline for his supply of resources had been preliminarily secured.

「In the following days」

Lu Zhao was not idle. He made another trip to the Sect’s Merit Hall and took out the simple, unadorned “Broken River” Jade Talisman that Han Bufan had given him.

The one who received him was a stern-faced Inner Sect Steward. After verifying the Jade Talisman and confirming the mission details, an imperceptible flicker of surprise crossed the Steward’s eyes. He was clearly aware of this mission’s special nature. But he said nothing more, simply retrieving two heavy Storage Bags in a businesslike manner.

“Junior Brother Lu,” the Steward said, his tone devoid of any emotion, “this is your thirty-year Salary, paid in advance: three hundred and sixty Water Jade Green Radiance Pills and ninety Middle-Grade Spirit Stones. Please inspect them.”

Lu Zhao swept his Divine Sense over them. The Pills were rich with Spiritual Qi, and the Spirit Stones held a deep Spirit Light within. The amount was exact. He nodded and put away the Storage Bags.

The Steward then took out a jade box. After opening it, he revealed thirty tokens lying neatly inside. They were made of a material that was neither gold nor jade, were inscribed with profound runes, and emitted a faint golden glow. “These are the credentials for thirty ‘Great Merits’.”

After putting away the Merit Tokens, Lu Zhao didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he asked, “Does the Merit Hall have any Tier Two Talismans or Array Discs for exchange?”

Hearing this, the Inner Sect Steward gave a wry smile. “Junior Brother, we naturally have Tier Two items, but most are standard-issue and of ordinary quality. The offensive Talismans are likely less powerful than a normal Magic you could cast, and the same goes for the Defense Talismans. As for Escape Talismans, I’m afraid their speed can’t match your own Escape Technique.”

Lu Zhao had already expected this. The Sect’s Merit Hall catered to the general disciple population, so it naturally offered the most cost-effective and generic goods. High-quality items were rare. Still, holding onto a sliver of hope, he asked the Inner Sect Steward to bring out the catalog.

Sure enough, just as the Inner Sect Steward had said, the Talismans marked as Tier Two Lower Grade had unremarkable descriptions of their power, and their activation speed offered no advantage. There were a few Trapping Arrays and Defense Arrays, but based on their descriptions, their power also seemed limited.

“If you want something better, Junior Brother,” the Inner Sect Steward suggested, “you might as well visit the Talisman Hall and the Array Hall. They may have some high-quality items, but the required Merit or Spirit Stones will likely be much higher.”

Lu Zhao nodded, thanked the Inner Sect Steward, and turned to head for the Talisman Hall and Array Hall.

In the Talisman Hall, he spent five Great Merits to exchange for three Tier Two Lower Grade “Profound Ice Soul Splitting Talismans” of acceptable power and two “Golden Gang Protection Talismans.” Although the price was steep, they were a welcome addition to his arsenal.

His gains at the Array Hall, however, were a bit more gratifying. He took a liking to a Tier Two Lower Grade Trapping Array called the “Nine Bends Lock River Formation.”

Once deployed, this array could form a Ninefold Water Elemental Force Field, layered like the nine bends of a great river. It was said to be particularly effective at trapping Water Element and Earth Element Demon Beasts, and it was especially suitable for the moisture-rich environment of the Broken River Plains. Although exchanging for it cost a full ten Great Merits, Lu Zhao felt it was worth it.

With a ‘might-as-well-try’ attitude, he then went to the Pill Hall. As he expected, there were no Refinement Pills for cultivation available for exchange.

However, he did manage to use his last Great Merit, plus some Middle-Grade Spirit Stones, to exchange for a bottle of Tier Two Lower Grade “Cyan Wood Rejuvenation Pills,” a bottle of “Hundred Herbs Detoxification Pills,” and a small vial of “Spirit Recovery Liquid.” This Spirit Recovery Liquid had an effect similar to the Spirit Recovery Pills used in the Qi Cultivation Stage. Consuming one bottle could instantly restore about thirty percent of an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s Magical Power, which could be a lifesaver in a critical moment.

And so, having spent sixteen Great Merits and some of his Middle-Grade Spirit Stones, he had acquired the Talismans, arrays, and Pills he urgently needed. Although high-quality items were hard to come by, he had prepared everything he could.

With all worldly affairs arranged and his supplies gathered, Lu Zhao returned to his Immortal’s Cave and activated its array.

「Two months later」

Lu Zhao made a trip to the Artifact Hall to pick up the Tier Two Carving Knife he had commissioned from Zhou Xianlu three months prior. The blade’s cold gleam was even more intense now, with faint Spirit Patterns flowing across its surface. Lu Zhao named it the Black Gang Blade.

A Carving Knife of this quality would be more than sufficient to handle the long hours and high intensity of future Puppet Refining.

After retrieving the Carving Knife, he returned once more to his Quiet Chamber. The black, silver-inlaid “Broken River” Jade Talisman floated before him.

‘Broken River Castle… thirty years…’

‘Will these thirty years become a solid stepping stone on my path of cultivation? The potential Tier Two Demon Beast Materials on the Broken River Plains, the environment far from the Sect’s troubles where I can focus on cultivating… Opportunity and risk exist side-by-side.’

He closed his eyes. The Immortal’s Cave was silent, save for the faint hum of Spiritual Qi flowing through the air. Like a piece of Cold Jade sinking into a deep pool, Lu Zhao used the last moments before his departure to bring his condition to its absolute peak.

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