"Given your current situation, heading to Zhoushan Town should definitely secure you good treatment... It’s just a pity your innate talent is a bit lacking. I’ve heard you’ve eaten quite a bit of Treasure Meat, but you’re still not even Tier One yet."

Mengyi shook his head and continued:

"You can rest assured about the issue of having your lifespan drained. I investigated before coming here; you’re not even twenty years old this year. At that age, staying inside the air cavity for a whole day won’t even drain a few minutes of your lifespan. However, after you turn thirty, it’s brutal. An hour in there, and you’ll lose a month’s life."

A few minutes of life, however, is still life.

Su Lin frowned slightly and asked:

"So what do you two want me to do?"

"We’ve learned that one of the top three forces in the Sea Tail, Changfeng Town, might want to use their advantage in acquiring the Shadow Stele to gain the rights to exploit the air cavity." Mengyi spoke frankly without holding back, "We want you to be a surprising agent. When the monk and I draw attention, you sneak in to steal the Shadow Stele. You’re fast, and your Qi and Blood talent is good, the ’Hidden’ ability should be quite well utilized."

This sounds very dangerous.

Su Lin thought about it and prepared to refuse.

It’s not just because of the few minutes of life, but also because entering the air cavity inherently implies danger.

The air cavity is dangerous, and other people entering it are dangerous too.

Su Lin is very curious about the air cavity and wants to obtain Shadow Stones that can accelerate the upgrade of his safe house, but everything must be considered from the perspective of safety.

In the recent contest with the Dao Guan, although the monk didn’t give his all, he also didn’t fully stack the Tap Dance.

If he had fully stacked it, he might have been even more formidable.

But even so, he is ultimately just a Tendon Lock. To chop down an ordinary First Transformation is already his limit.

Encounter someone more powerful who also understands the ’Armor’ ability, even if he swings the Bamboo Pole Blade until it smokes, he won’t be able to cut through their turtle shell.

Nonetheless, Dao Guan spoke up:

"Donor Su, please rest assured. Even for a few minutes of life, we will compensate and reward you accordingly. Wuyin Village will continue to send supplies to Zhoushan Town as usual. Donor Su only needs to stay with the two of us in the Red Heart Wilderness and enter the air cavity once it’s opened."

Mengyi spoke timely:

"Seven ordinary Tier One Mechanism Blueprints of your choice, three rare Tier One Mechanism Blueprints, ten pieces of Tier One Treasure Meat, one piece of Tier Two Treasure Meat, and in addition..."

He said this as he pulled out a piece of translucent odd stone from his Daoist Robe.

Su Lin’s eyes immediately fixated, looking at the stone with a hint of astonishment.

This stone was fist-sized, shaped like a diamond but more magnificent than any diamond, and it gave off a very ethereal, otherworldly feeling, as if it might disappear at any moment.

"This is the Empty Nether Stone, not only your reward but also the tool to help you steal the Shadow Stele."

Mengyi took out his House Title Deed.

Holding the deed in one hand and the Empty Nether Stone in the other, he said:

"You just need to place the Empty Nether Stone into your House Title Deed, and it will give the deed additional storage capability.

"This thing is hard to find, but it so happens that I have an extra one. Miss this chance, and I estimate that even if you spend ten years in Zhoushan Town, you wouldn’t find a second. So, would you agree?"

Su Lin was silent.

The reward was so good that Su Lin was almost compelled to accept.

Leaving aside the Treasure Meat.

A total of ten Tier One Mechanism Blueprints!

Among them, there are three rare blueprints.

If the types are suitable, they are enough to upgrade his safe house to level six or even higher.

In addition to that Empty Nether Stone...

If he had this stone, it would be much more convenient for hunts outside.

At this moment, Dao Guan suddenly spoke up:

"Amitabha Buddha, taking the Shadow Stele indeed involves considerable risk."

He also reached into his clothes, pulled out a small bag, and poured out five platinum-colored coins, handing them to Su Lin, saying:

"This humble monk’s savings are limited, these five White Gold Coins will also be counted as part of the reward."

Mengyi was shocked:

"Damn! You dog monk, last month when I asked to borrow money, you said you had none, and now you have five White Gold Coins!?"

Dao Guan ignored him and said:

"Donor Su should know the value of White Gold Coins, their market exchange rate with Gold Coins is one to a thousand." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Su Lin’s breath halted momentarily.

One to a thousand!?

Then those ten White Gold Coins are equivalent to five thousand Gold Coins!?

And that’s at market price.

In reality, it could be more!

He was indeed tempted.

Mengyi looked painedly at the five White Gold Coins in Dao Guan’s palm and sighed:

"Alright, alright, now Old Su, what do you think? Do you agree or not? You must understand, these things the two of us have on hand, selling ten or eight of your Martial Seals wouldn’t even exchange for them."

Su Lin remained silent, carefully considering, and asked:

"When do we enter the air cavity?"

"That depends on when the air cavity opens. I estimate it to be two weeks later." Mengyi replied.

Two weeks... Su Lin felt a sense of relief, believing that by then, he should be able to break through the First Transformation.

After much contemplation, Su Lin showed determination in his eyes and said:

"If you two can promise me one more thing, why not risk my life this once?"

Mengyi and Dao Guan exchanged glances.

Mengyi said:

"Speak."

...

...

Early the next morning, Su Qi listened to the entire matter in silence.

"Apart from the Empty Nether Stone and the five White Gold Coins, the other items are still just empty promises by Mengyi. When you reach Zhoushan Town, there will be someone to deliver the goods. As for these White Gold Coins, for now, you should keep them, as I anticipate some expenses will arise soon after getting there."

Su Lin placed the money bag containing the White Gold Coins on the Eight Immortals Table.

Su Qi did not take it, his gaze focused on his nephew’s face, speaking in a deep voice:

"What the air cavity holds, we don’t yet know, but judging from the eerie Wandering Giant, it’s bound to be extremely dangerous inside... Based on our current resources, even without these things they offer, we can still live quite well in Zhoushan Town. You can completely refuse."

"Your second uncle is right."

The old man sat upright in the main seat, looking at his grandson with tiger-like eyes filled with concern and worry:

"We already have two Tier One Mechanisms, we’re not short on Treasure Meat for now, and we can slowly save money... you don’t need to take this risk."

"I understand what you’re both saying." Su Lin smiled helplessly, "But the sooner we become stronger, the sooner we can live a good life, isn’t it? The initial phase of advancing to the camp is the most gruelling, but with the things given by Mengyi and Dao Guan, we can directly bypass the hardest initial days, maybe even save many lives."

Su Can and Su Qi, father and son, were silent, unable to argue.

During the initial phase of advancement, time is most precious, not to mention the daily beast tide growing harder, the Night of Survival is chasing lives too.

The sooner you grow stronger, the more safety you gain, a point, even several points.

"Besides..." Su Lin looked at his uncle, speaking seriously, "Mengyi promised me, after I lend a helping hand this time, once you reach Zhoushan Town, someone will take Second Uncle to see the captain of the second team to assess your injury. If not even the second team captain can resolve it, Mengyi and Dao Guan will find a way to have Zhoushan Town’s leader personally intervene."

Su Qi’s pupils contracted violently.

His... injury?

Is there a way?!

"Although there’s no guarantee that Second Uncle’s injury can be healed, this at least gives us an extra ray of hope, doesn’t it? Second Uncle’s innate capacity is definitely robust, being in his prime age, once healed, it won’t be long before he surpasses Grandpa." Su Lin half-jokingly said.

He didn’t dare promise, afraid his uncle would be severely shaken if the healing failed.

When Su Can heard there might be a chance to heal his second son’s injury, his eyes lit up instantly.

But upon hearing Su Lin say it wouldn’t be long before his second son surpassed him, the corners of his mouth twitched.

Yet, thinking of this possibility of healing, which his grandson brought at personal risk, he felt a surge of unease.

The old man’s face showed red and white hues, torn with inner conflict.

Even Su Qi was tremblingly moved, after a moment, he finally began to speak...

"Alright, Grandpa, Second Uncle, I’ve already made my decision."

Su Lin looked at the two elders, eyes filled with resolve:

"This is decided."

For the first time, he spoke to the two elders with such a determined tone, exuding an indisputable aura.

Su Can, Su Qi were both stunned, realizing that the little one they needed to protect and worry about had suddenly become a towering tree.

Even Su Can, a mighty tiger, couldn’t compete with his grandson now!

"You brat..."

Su Qi wanted to laugh and cry.

His son passed early, his big brother was gone too, and the nephew he once was so frustrated with now not only can alleviate his worries and difficulties but is also intent on treating the injury that’s been troubling him for years.

Su Qi’s emotions were indescribable.

Strong as he was, he could not help but tear up with emotion.