Complete one practice method every day

"Leave?" Chen Yue's eyes flickered slightly.

This thought did cross his mind when he sensed the undercurrents in Youlin County, but he never gave it much thought.

Chen Yue's understanding of the world was limited to the county town and its surroundings; he knew almost nothing about the vast world outside.

"Yes, leave!"

Shen Dujiang said with certainty, "For example, go to the prefecture! Tianzhou Prefecture! It is the most prosperous and thriving place within thousands of miles, rich in resources and with smooth trade routes. You can find all kinds of medicinal herbs there, as long as you can afford the price!"

More importantly, the prefecture is home to numerous sects, and its martial arts traditions are far richer and more profound than those in this remote county!

If you are truly interested in martial arts, with your friend's ability to refine pills and earn resources, you could join a sect and dedicate yourself to cultivation. Your future prospects would be far superior to staying cooped up in this Youlin County.

Join a sect?

Chen Yue's heart stirred; this was indeed a way out.

A sect means a more systematic inheritance, richer resources, a safer cultivation environment, and... a broader stage.

But it also means more constraints and more complex struggles.

"I have never left Youlin County," Chen Yue said slowly.

"The journey to the outside world is long and fraught with unknown dangers. Moreover, how do we get to Tianzhou Prefecture? And how can we ensure our safety along the way?"

These are Chen Yue's real concerns.

Even a dilapidated temple outside the city can produce a courier ghost, and behind the courier ghost must be the mountain king.

The journey to Tianzhou Prefecture is long and arduous. If one is completely in the dark, one might unknowingly stumble into a dangerous situation.

Shen Dujiang seemed to have anticipated Chen Yue's question, leaning forward slightly and lowering his voice:

"There is a way, of course. I've been in the black market for many years and I have friends from all walks of life. I happen to know a caravan that travels between Tianzhou Prefecture all year round. They will be arriving in Youlin County soon. They are trustworthy and their prices are fair."

As for safety... the caravan has its own guards and travels on official roads, so as long as they don't encounter large-scale bandits or strange natural disasters, they are usually safe.

A brief silence fell over the room, the flickering flame of the oil lamp casting the two shadows on the wall, swaying erratically.

With the threat of a medicinal herb supply cutoff looming and the shadow of the Divine Flame Sect looming all around, staying might offer temporary protection under the Chen family's protection, but with limited resources and powerful enemies all around, it is by no means a long-term solution.

Leaving may mean an uncertain future, but it could also open up new possibilities.

Chen Yue tapped his fingers unconsciously on the table, his mind racing as he weighed the options.

The panel is his greatest asset, but its growth requires resources, more advanced techniques, and a safe environment. It seems that Youlin County can no longer meet his next needs.

"When will that caravan arrive?" Chen Yue looked up at Shen Dujiang.

Upon hearing this, Shen Dujiang couldn't help but smile:

"The information has been found out. According to past practice, the caravan will pass through Youlin County this month, where it will resupply and rest for a day or two before heading to Tianzhou Prefecture."

"The safest way is to spend more money to bribe the manager and get into the caravan to travel with them."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yue nodded.

"good!"

Chen Yue no longer hesitated and made a decision, "Then let's do as you say, and leave Youlin County with the caravan when the time comes."

"Haha, good!" Shen Dujiang couldn't help but smile upon hearing this.

Chen Yue is strong and can also refine pills, which are the foundation for him to make a living in Tianzhou Prefecture.

Moreover, after spending time together, Shen Dujiang had come to understand Chen Yue's personality and realized that he was worth befriending.

Chen Yue suddenly thought of another question and frowned slightly: "Are there any other methods for obtaining medicinal herbs recently?"

Chen Yue didn't want to waste this precious month or so. At his current cultivation speed, with the addition of pills, he could accumulate even more immunity to poisons and the strength to become as tough as copper and iron.

Moreover, once on the road, the bumpy and tiring journey will inevitably greatly affect the conditions for alchemy and cultivation. At this time, it is even more essential to accumulate more pills.

Shen Dujiang stroked his sparse beard, his eyes darting around, revealing a hint of ruthlessness:

"If you've really made up your mind to leave, you can actually be more flexible in your actions during this period."

Come back at this time tomorrow, and I'll try my best to get you as many of these medicinal herbs as possible.

Chen Yue nodded and was about to speak when his expression suddenly changed, his muscles tensed instantly, and a chill ran from his tailbone straight to the top of his head.

The keen perception and subtle observation of the environment brought about by the Mind Cultivation Technique allowed him to detect several extremely subtle auras spreading from outside the courtyard wall.

There was another aura, deep and obscure, carrying a sense of oppression far exceeding that of the Bone Forging Realm.

Chen Yue moved with lightning speed, suddenly turning around and shooting his gaze toward the courtyard gate. The Qi and blood of the Vast Yuan Strengthening Technique and the Tiger Roar Golden Bell Cover within his body had already been quietly circulated to the extreme, ready to be unleashed.

Shen Dujiang was a beat slow, but seeing Chen Yue's violent reaction, he instantly understood and a pair of poisoned short daggers appeared in his hand as he focused his attention on guard.

"Heh... Not bad reaction time. No wonder you were able to kill those two good-for-nothings, Cheng Ziqian and Yuan Tiansu!"

A mocking voice, like a ghostly whisper, suddenly rang out.

Before the words were finished, three dark figures silently landed on the low courtyard wall, forming a triangular shape, overlooking Chen Yue and Shen Dujiang inside the house.

The moonlight shone down sparingly, barely illuminating human figures.

The person in the center was tall and slender, wearing a dark blue robe. His features were ordinary, but his eyes were exceptionally bright, gleaming with a sharp light when they opened and closed.

He stood with his hands behind his back, and just by standing there, he exuded an invisible sense of oppression.

Marrow Refining Realm expert!

On the left was a burly man with a full beard, wielding a pair of heavy iron short halberds. He exuded a powerful aura and had fierce eyes, clearly possessing the cultivation level of the Bone Forging Realm.

The person on the right was thin and pale, like someone who had been ill for a long time, but had long, slender fingers and a thin, soft sword hanging at his waist. His aura was cold and elusive, indicating that he was also at the Bone Forging Realm.

One Marrow Refining Realm cultivator, and two Bone Forging Realm cultivators!

They actually came knocking on our door, and they arrived so quickly, with such a strong lineup!

Shen Dujiang felt as if his breath was about to stop, and only one thought occupied his mind: It's over!

Marrow Refining Realm! How could they possibly defeat such an expert?

Chen Yue's eyes narrowed slightly, showing no sign of panic.

The Marrow Refining Realm... This was the strongest enemy he had ever faced, and the opponent had come prepared, clearly not intending to give them any way out.

Chen Yue flicked his right hand across the table beside him with lightning speed, and the half-full teapot, filled with scalding tea, shot towards the three people on the wall. He didn't intend to harm them, but only to disrupt their vision and movement.

At the same time, he turned around, grabbed Shen Dujiang's shoulder, and hissed, "Let's go!"

Before he finished speaking, Chen Yue unleashed the full power of his Cloud Thousand Steps, his figure shooting out like an arrow, carrying Shen Dujiang as he charged towards the backyard.

In just a few steps, they had passed through the room and entered the courtyard. Just as they were about to reach the wall, Chen Yue pushed off the ground and leaped into the air, carrying Shen Dujiang directly over the courtyard wall and into the dark and winding alleyway outside.