"Spoken like a true warrior," Torben nodded approvingly but was surprised by the decision. He thought that task 2 would be assigned to his group. He wasn’t afraid of it but it also did seem like the most challenging tasks at hand. It would be a disaster if the beast was too strong and he got injured early on.

  “Are you sure about this? That Sky-Iron Dreadnought is incredibly strong. I haven’t fought it myself but no one has been able to damage it.” Shen Tu questioned. Even though he was happy someone was taking up the difficult tasks he was also worried.

  These people were from the south and if they all died what would he say to Theron? He would have rejected this outright if it wasn’t for that strange boy. Elder Feng said he was incredibly strong and he himself sensed it as well. A strength that had no reason to belong to someone so incredibly young.

  The group then went into further discussions about the other tasks. It was much faster after Li Yu had volunteered for task 2. After a bit, everything was settled.

  Shen Tu looked at the gathered leaders. "Is it agreed then? With the most dangerous tasks taken and the rest divided up upon yourselves, everything is now settled. Everyone has their tasks assigned to them. Now go and inform all your respective groups on what needs to be done!"

  "Agreed," the leaders chorused. There was nothing else they could say now. With the most dangerous task volunteered for, there was no room for complaining or else they would lose face. Li Yu had done Shen Tu a great favor in taking on that task.

  "Then it is settled," Shen Tu said and dismissed everyone. How could he not understand that these people were also beasts themselves, waiting to pick at the scraps.

  As the meeting dispersed and the tension in the room dissipated. It was replaced by the hustle of mobilization. Li Yu turned to leave with his group to discuss next steps but he was blocked by the massive form of Sect Master Torben.

  The Northern leader looked at Krell and then at Li Yu.

  "You have guts, boy," Torben said to Li Yu. “I’d like to sit down and talk with you more in the future if the opportunity ever arises.

  "Let’s have a drink and some food if our paths cross again. Be careful of your mission out there Sect Master Torben." Li Yu said with a slight bow. Li Yu didn’t dislike the man. He was someone true to his feelings but also was able to back down in front of reason.

  Torben grinned. "Good."

  As the Northerners walked away, they were laughing and boasting about the coming battle. They were confident in their strength and being led by a 8th level Soul Formation expert there was no reason not to be.

  Li Yu turned to his team. "Let's go get Kael and Sylvia. We need to prepare. Tomorrow, we go to war."

  They walked out of the Hall of Meeting, leaving the politics behind. They were escorted to where Kael and Sylvia were waiting.

  “There are several reasons why I volunteered the group for this task, so let me say them first before you ask questions.” Li Yu began. He had indeed volunteered this entire group without discussing it with them. Saying he was going to do the hardest task and putting them all in danger but he had a plan.

  To his surprise, he wasn’t questioned at all by them. He could understand Jian Xuan and Krell but he was surprised when Caelia didn’t speak up. Li Yu felt he owed them an explanation at the very least.

  “The first reason is that I actually intend to do this mission on my own.”

  The room was already silent by his first reason.

  ‘What a bold statement, he volunteered for the most dangerous mission and he was actually intending to do it on his own?’ Thought Sylvia.

  “You can’t be serious. This isn’t some kind of game, it is clearly very dangerous. Everyone else wanted to avoid this one like the plague and you say you are going to do it yourself?!” Caelia spoke.

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  “Please let me explain. I have confidence in my abilities to do this. More importantly, I have confidence in my ability to escape should things go wrong. If you were there with me, if something were to happen I don’t think I can escape with everyone. That is why I intend to go alone.” Li Yu said.

  “The boy makes sense. His abilities over the void is not something we can compare to. He can escape much easier without us.” Krell said.

  “Indeed, Little Crab is invincible when it comes to running! Haha. Of course he is also invincible when it comes to fighting. He must have a plan in mind, trust him.” Jian Xuan also chimed in. He was very confident in Li Yu and ever since he met him again, he had the feeling that there wasn’t anything Li Yu couldn’t do.

  “Okay, that is settled then. The other reason I am doing this is because I want for us to earn more merit and to show off our strength. I need things for my cultivation and I plan to get them from the vaults of this continent. To show off our strength so our words have more weight to them.”

  “Of course the merit will go to all of us equally for this. I do not plan to take it all for myself.” Li Yu quickly held up his hand as he was expecting people to shoot him down. “I won’t take no for an answer, you all came here and everyone gets an equal share.”

  “Now, for what the rest of you are going to be doing during this time I will leave it up to you. Jian Xuan and Kael will go together to see Jian Xuan’s master and senior sister. He has already discussed that with me.”

  “Krell, are you going to follow them or talk with Shen Tu and see if you can work alongside their smiths?” Li Yu looked at Krell.

  “I will go with them for now. I am not trusted yet. I will speak to him regarding joining the smiths after you have completed the task and shown our worth. I also want to look around this continent first anyways.”

  “What about you Lady Caelia and Lady Sylvia? You can join in on the other tasks, like sweeping for rifts or something else entirely.” Li Yu spoke while looking at the two of them.

  “We came here to help and pay off the debts of the past. Of course we are also here for Sylvia to get experience. We will join a team doing the sweeping for rifts to see more of this place and get experience. Be careful of your task. Heroes generally fall when they are over confident.” Caelia said to Li Yu.

  “I will keep that in mind, thank you for your advice Lady Caelia.” Li Yu replied with a slight nod.

  The team began to split up. Everyone was given a merit token, very similar to the one given on the Southern Continent. It was a way to identify people, keep in communication and show their merit points.

  Li Yu needed vast resources so he could continue his advancements. He was in a rush and every short cut was a welcomed one. That was the main driving factor for him being here. As it was the most dangerous task, the merit points given will surely also be the highest.

  The amount of beast essence, materials and cores that he would be able to collect from the beast tide there and from the leader of it would be massive. All of those materials could be used to boost cultivation or be traded in for additional resources. He was a hungry animal that had to be fed and that feeling of hunger was growing.

  Jian Xuan, Kael and Krell were the first to leave. Jian Xuan wanted to find his master and senior sister to make sure they were safe. He would relocate them if needed to a safer spot but their usual location was not currently affected. Jian Xuan contacted his master and told him he was coming.

  “I am incredibly nervous to see my master again after all this time. I had kind of left without saying much. In my quest to advance beyond 2nd level of Soul Formation, I crossed the ocean on whim. Then I met you and the rest you already know.” Jian Xuan said to Li Yu before leaving.

  “Don’t you mean you are nervous to see your senior sister again? I remember you telling me that since you are embracing your real self and who you actually are now, you were going to confess when you see her again. I am sad I will miss that.” Li Yu replied to him cheekily.

  Jian Xuan's face turned crimson red, nearly matching his armor. This was the first time Li Yu had seen him so embarrassed. This was a man who was going around as the “Crab Champion.”

  “I did say that but I didn’t think it would happen so soon. I thought that since it was so hard to get around the continent it would be years from now!” Jian Xuan blurted out.

  “There’s no time like the present Jian Xuan. Perhaps she likes you too? You said she has remained single this entire time before you had left. Just confess your feelings! If you can be the Crab Champion, you can do that as well.” Li Yu said with a smile.

  “Fine… you’re right! What’s there to be afraid of? The Crab God guides my path!” Jian Xuan hit his chest with his hand and was now full of energy and confidence.

  Krell watched the interaction as though he was watching two fools but he didn’t say anything. Kael was too distracted to think of anything else besides his own revenge.

  “Take care then! I am off as well!” Li Yu said as he patted Jian Xuan’s shoulder. He took one step from where he was and he was already gone.

  “That boy is getting more and more mysterious every time I see him! How does he do that?!” Krell shouted to the remaining two.