We agreed to seek enlightenment together, but how did you end up seeking enlightenment for my mother

[True Source of Destiny: The purest mystical energy, applicable to all matters.]

Reflecting on this message, Xu Zhou finally understood the true value of the phrase "universally applicable".

Since one's true essence can be used to fight against superhumans using mystical energy, wouldn't it be reasonable to stuff it into an iron golem as its driving energy source?

However, he doesn't intend to use it directly here; he must always have a backup hidden energy source, his last trump card.

This is a gift left to some future invincible enemy, his swan song in this world, and the last bit of courage he reserved for himself!

"It's a pity that creations cannot be refined, otherwise I would be invincible in this challenge."

With some time to spare before dinner, Xu Zhou explored almost every corner of the village in order to gather intelligence.

He even formed a precious friendship with those two big grey dogs—using the dried meat the village chief gave him.

After going around in circles for a while, some good news finally came: the tailor was willing to repair Wu Lulu's combat uniform for free, and the leather craftsman was able to provide him with a complete set of leather clothing, including shoes, but he would need to pay extra.

As for the bad news... Xu Zhou had no money on him.

So he continued to inquire in the village and finally found two things he could do to help.

One was to assist the pastor in making swiftness potions, and the other was to help farmers harvest wheat.

Relying on his basic chemistry knowledge from his previous life, Xu Zhou encountered almost no difficulties and easily completed the preparation of the potion. The priest praised him repeatedly and paid him three silver coins as a reward.

Silver is so abundant in this world that it is everywhere, and it is the most basic form of circulating currency.

Xu Zhou had originally planned to try and get a few bottles of potions for free, but the priest was adamant and showed no intention of giving them away, so he had no choice but to give up.

As for harvesting wheat, it was even easier. With a sweep of his hair, he could cut and harvest the wheat all at once. What would have taken most of the day was compressed into just over ten minutes, and it didn't even consume much of his mystical energy.

However, the reward is the same: three silver coins.

Holding the six hard-earned silver coins, Xu Zhou excitedly went to the leatherworker, only to be told that this amount of money could only buy the most ordinary leather jacket, which was still in pristine condition and intended for personal use by a beautiful woman.

The workers' smiles vanished instantly.

"One piece is fine, at least it's better than being naked all the time."

In the end, I gritted my teeth and cut off my hand.

Anyway, once you put on the black robe, you can't see what you're wearing underneath, as long as it keeps you warm.

Just as I was about to leave the tanner's hut, a gruff voice suddenly came from behind me.

"Young man, your robe is of quite high quality."

Xu Zhou paused, turned around, and pointed to himself.

"What? This one?"

Wearing only a short apron, the muscular middle-aged man nodded slightly, raised his thick arm and pointed to the wall behind him, where a finely crafted brown leather jacket was hanging.

"Yes, if you're willing to sell to me, I can trade you the newest and best clothes in the store, the whole set."

As he spoke, the man put his hand behind his back, reached into his shorts and casually rummaged around, pulling out a shiny gold coin from somewhere and showing it between his two fingers.

"I can even add another gold coin. Oh, you know, this gold coin is something I inherited from my father; it's practically a family heirloom."

Xu Zhou's lips twitched slightly. After hesitating for a moment, he still took off his black robe and handed it over.

When he got close to the other person, he instinctively held his breath, so much so that his voice sounded a little strange when he spoke.

"I don't quite understand. Could you explain in detail what's special about this robe?"

"Of course, it's actually quite simple."

As he spoke, the leatherworker deftly spread the black robe on the worktable next to the alchemy cauldron.

"Just by appraising it here, equipment of unknown origin like this can be glimpsed by the God of Creation, and all the information on it will be readily available."

Xu Zhou looked at it curiously, and after waiting a moment, he saw information appear.

[Creation: Fireproof Robe]

[Durability: 87%]

[Effect: Isolates flames.]

[Description: This is an industrial product made from very rare materials.]

Upon seeing these lines, Xu Zhou was momentarily speechless.

This black robe was the last gift from the human-machine mother. If it hadn't been used to support her on the chains for a period of time, she probably wouldn't have had the chance to approach the giant cauldron underwater later.

I've been wearing it as an outer layer ever since, right up until now.

He wasn't sure whether Ya Qingyan wore it to protect herself from the Olympic flame or for some other reason, but it clearly wasn't ultimately used.

"So, are you selling?"

The leatherworker didn't hand back the robe; instead, he looked over with an expectant expression.

Xu Zhou pondered for a moment. His first thought was not of leather clothing, but of the equipment made by the weaponsmith and armorer next door.

The invitation challenge will begin in as little as five days. If you can exchange this robe, which offers almost no protection, for better armor and weapons, your chances of defeating Chifeng might increase.

Based on the information currently available, the bald priest is likely skilled in close combat, and he used fist and foot techniques when fighting Wu Lulu.

"With full armor against unarmed opponents, wouldn't that give me the advantage?"

Having made up his mind, Xu Zhou was about to agree when a prompt suddenly appeared in his mind.

[Inspiration: The scent of Ya Qingyan seems to linger on this black robe, making you somewhat reluctant to part with it.]

Xu Zhou: ? ? ?

Why can't I bear to part with it?

Isn't this just slandering someone's innocence out of thin air?

Besides, what kind of smell could a bionic robot possibly have? The smell of engine oil?

Once I start making connections, my thoughts can't stop; my mind is filled with the image of that human-machine mother.

"...Never mind, I'll just keep wearing it. This robe is pretty useful; it's windproof, fireproof, and warm."

After all, if you've already used up a bit of inspiration, it would be impolite to insist on selling it.

Xu Zhou was also very curious about what secrets were hidden inside.

"What a pity." The leatherworker shrugged, pursed his lips, and returned the black robe. "It is indeed a very good piece of work, quite excellent."

Xu Zhou took the robe and put it back on, adjusting the ties as he looked at the other person with curiosity.

"By the way, how did you determine that it was so precious?"

"Muscle memory, kid."

The middle-aged man habitually bent his arms to show off his biceps, then turned around and raised his arms to reveal his well-defined latissimus dorsi muscles, occasionally letting out a few strange groans.

Looking at his pointed head, Xu Zhou thought to himself that his muscles were indeed well-developed.

As they left the leatherworker's hut, the afternoon was drawing to a close. Xu Zhou called over Wu Lulu, who had just finished repairing her combat uniform, and the two headed to the banquet hall together.

There weren't many people in the village, so to save fuel, they naturally ate from a communal pot.

The chefs are assigned to specific seats, as are the seating arrangements.

Perhaps because it was rare to see unfamiliar faces, the villagers were in high spirits for the meal, and they generously served all kinds of delicious food to the two of them. The children also swarmed around them, asking questions about the outside world.

"They can't leave the village until they grow up, so they inevitably get excited whenever they see adventurers."

The village chief pulled aside a little boy who was squeezed at the front, sat down opposite Xu Zhou, and casually pushed a cup towards him, his kind expression tinged with a hint of apology.

"Wheat wine, produced in our village."

"Thank you." Xu Zhou took the glass, raised it in acknowledgment, took a sip, and then asked, "And what about when you grow up?"

"Follow the merchants to the castle, learn and acquire a profession, and eventually either live out your days in the city, or like me, form a pioneering group and establish a village on the edge of the forest or plain." The village chief paused, "Or perhaps..."

Seeing that the other party hesitated to speak, Xu Zhou couldn't help but press for an answer.

"Or what?"

"Join the Survey Corps and vanquish the dark creatures."

"It feels like a very dangerous profession," Xu Zhou frowned.

"Yes, it's very dangerous, extremely dangerous." The village chief took a swig of wheat beer, put down his glass, and sighed softly. "In the Survey Corps, there's no warrior who has lived past thirty."

At this moment, Wu Lulu also came in, with a little girl riding on her neck, happily tugging at her chubby light blue ears.

"The Survey Corps? This is the first time I've heard of them. How strong are they?"

"I'm sorry, I'm not quite sure either." The village chief shook his head, stroking his beard as he recalled, "But according to a friend of mine, even the most ordinary knight in the legion can handle five iron golems on his own."

"Uh, that's really strong."

Wu Lulu shrank back, fearing that the five iron golems' massive metal fists would smash her into mincemeat on the spot.

The village chief glanced around and timely dispersed the villagers and children who had gathered nearby. Just then, the pastor sat down next to him with a plate, clearly ready to get down to business.

The white-robed priest adjusted his glasses and looked at Xu Zhou and the other person.

"Please forgive my intrusion, but before we begin, I'd like to confirm one thing—are you two married?"