113: Chapter 113 Returning to the Inn, Carefully Studying the Map, Formulating a Plan Before Taking Action

Returning to his private courtyard at Yuelai Inn, Ye Qing set up a soundproofing Restriction before carefully taking out the animal hide scroll that had cost him 300 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.

The scroll felt warm to the touch, and its yellowed surface shimmered with a faint spiritual light. It had clearly been treated with special Spells to ensure long-term preservation.

He untied the silk thread binding the scroll and slowly unfurled it.

As the scroll opened, a vast and detailed 3D map gradually appeared before his eyes like a painting.

The map covered a vast area, radiating tens of thousands of miles from Zhenbei City as its center.

Mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, deserts, swamps, cities, passes, mineral veins, dangerous areas, and even regions marked with labels like 'Suspected Immortal Cave,' 'Inhabited by High-Level Yao Beast,' or 'Forbidden Ground, Do Not Enter' were all clearly indicated on this map.

The central region of the map featured the main cities occupied by the Human Race—Zhenbei City, Black Wind City, Sunset City, and the more distant Tianyuan City. These cities were connected by relatively safe official roads, with beacon towers and post stations along the way.

To the west, south, and southwest of the map were vast areas marked as 'Yao Race Controlled Zone' or 'Wilderness Region,' outlined in red pigment with tribal totem marks of various sizes, representing the powers of different Yao Race factions.

Among them, one particularly striking crown mark, composed of countless complex Yao patterns and occupying a large area in the southwest corner of the map, was labeled with small text: 'Heavenly Demon Imperial Court.'

'Heavenly Demon Imperial Court... It really is a massive power. Just the directly controlled territory marked on the map is several times larger than all the cities occupied by the Human Race combined. Its influence radiates across the entire Great Wilderness Region.'

Ye Qing's finger gently brushed over the Yao-patterned crown mark, his gaze solemn.

He continued to examine the rest of the map.

North of Zhenbei City, across the Canglang Mountain Range, lay a vast, blank area marked 'Deep Great Wilderness,' with only sporadic labels like 'Suspected Ancient Ruins,' 'Extremely Dangerous,' and 'Yao Beast Paradise,' providing very little information.

To the east of Zhenbei City was the 'Sunset Plains' that Li Mu had mentioned. The map showed that the Sunset Plains were vast with lush vegetation and were rich in various Spirit Medicine and Yao Beast, making it a major activity area for Human Race hunting teams. But at this moment, the edge of the Sunset Plains near the Yao Race controlled zone was marked with a striking red circle, with the note: 'Frequent Yao Race activity, signs of large-scale assembly recently, enter with caution!'

'It seems the waiter was right; the Yao Race is indeed making moves in the direction of the Sunset Plains. I fear the great war is not far off.'

Ye Qing pondered inwardly and continued to cast his gaze toward other details on the map.

He discovered that deep in the Canglang Mountain Range, near the edge of an area marked 'Black Miasma Swamp,' there was an inconspicuous small dot with a few words written in extremely sloppy handwriting: 'Suspected Abandoned Spirit Stone Mine.'

'An abandoned Spirit Stone mine?'

Ye Qing's heart stirred.

Spirit Stone mines, even if abandoned, often had rich mineral resources remaining deep underground and might even give birth to new mineral veins. For him, possessing a Cave Heaven World, an abandoned mine was simply a Treasure Trove waiting to be developed!

'This is a place worth checking out. However, since it is marked next to the 'Black Miasma Swamp,' it probably isn't a friendly place. I must plan carefully.'

He continued to study the map, firmly memorizing all the areas, dangerous places, and resource points marked on it.

At the same time, based on the information on the map and combined with his current strength and needs, he began to conceive his next action plan.

'First, the top priority is to further improve my strength. My cultivation at the Early Stage of the Nascent Soul Realm is only enough to barely protect myself in this crisis-ridden Great Wilderness Region. I must reach the Middle Stage of the Nascent Soul Realm, or even higher, as soon as possible.'

'Second, the evolution of the Cave Heaven World cannot be neglected. An area of 20,000 zhang might seem large, but for a true world, it is far from enough. I need to find more resources for the Cave Heaven to devour and absorb to accelerate its growth.'

'Third, I need to find a relatively safe and hidden stronghold as a base for long-term development. Although Zhenbei City is prosperous, it is a front-line city, and once the great war breaks out, it will bear the brunt. It is not suitable as a place for long-term seclusion.'

'Fourth, I can take advantage of the time before the war to accept some missions for hunting Yao Beast or collecting Spirit Medicine. This will allow me to earn Spirit Stones, hone my practical combat experience, and collect resources needed by the Cave Heaven. It kills several birds with one stone.'

'Fifth, that 'abandoned Spirit Stone mine' can be a key object of investigation. If I can take it and incorporate it into the Cave Heaven, it will have a huge boost to the Cave Heaven's growth.'

He sorted out his thoughts one by one, gradually forming a clear action plan.

'Eat one bite at a time, take one step at a time. Let's start by familiarizing myself with the surrounding environment and accepting some simple Yao Beast hunting missions. By the way, I'll also see if I can find any Cultivation Technique or secret arts that are useful to me.'

Having made up his mind, he carefully put away the animal hide map and meditated in the room for a while. When the sky was completely bright, he rose and left the inn again.

This time, his destination was the Mission Hall in the city.

The Mission Hall was located near the central square of Zhenbei City. It was a three-story stone building with a huge notice board hanging at the entrance, covered with various mission slips.

There were missions to hunt designated Yao Beast, collect specific Spirit Medicine, escort caravans, explore unknown areas, and even hire bodyguards, find people, or find objects. It was a motley collection of everything.

The hall was crowded and noisy, filled with Cultivators who had come to accept missions or find partners for teams.

Ye Qing squeezed to the front of the notice board, his eyes quickly scanning the mission slips.

He mainly focused on Yao Beast hunting missions, especially those marked with 'Tier 3 or above,' 'Generous Bounty,' and 'Can provide specific activity range of the Yao Beast.'

Soon, his gaze locked onto a mission slip.

Mission content: Hunt a Tier 3 Middle Stage 'Azure Wind Wolf King' entrenched in the 'Green Wolf Valley' in the middle of the Canglang Mountain Range, and bring back his Yao core and fangs as proof.

Mission reward: 1,200 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, plus a bottle of 'Ningyuan Pill' (can be used to assist Golden Core Stage Cultivators in their Cultivation).

Mission time limit: 15 days.

'A Tier 3 Middle Stage Azure Wind Wolf King has strength roughly equivalent to a Golden Core Middle Stage Cultivator. With my current strength, killing him is like slaughtering a dog. However, this mission is just right for me to familiarize myself with the environment in the middle of the Canglang Mountain Range, and the reward is also good. This is the one.'

He reached out and took down the mission slip.

The deacon in charge of registering missions was an old man at the Foundation Establishment Perfection Stage. He glanced at Ye Qing, then at the mission slip in his hand, and reminded him as a matter of routine: 'Fellow Daoist, the Azure Wind Wolf King is not weak, and Green Wolf Valley is his nest; there may be a wolf pack entrenched there. If you go alone, you need to be extra careful.'

'Thank you for the reminder. I have my own sense of measure.' Ye Qing nodded, registered his identity information with the deacon, and received the mission certificate.

Then, he stopped lingering and turned to leave the Mission Hall.

After leaving Zhenbei City, he identified the direction and turned into a streak of light, flying again in the direction of the Canglang Mountain Range.

The three differently colored moons rose again, casting fantastic brilliance, illuminating the virgin forest below like a dream.

Ye Qing's figure, like a meteor under the moonlight, streaked across the sky and soon disappeared into the vast mountains.

His goal was clear—Green Wolf Valley, to hunt the Wolf King.