As both Wu Guang and Yuan Taotu decided how the preparations would be made they decided to act right away but when leaving the residence they were stopped by an outer disciple that called out to them while approaching them.

"Senior disciple Wu and senior disciple Yuan?"

"Yes" As his partner as always recurred to a simple nod in response, Wu Guang was the only one who answered

"I have a delivery for you"

As neither of them expected such, at least as Wu Guang knew, he intended to say so but something stopped him and so he answered while trying to find out more information

"I see, but we have asked for several things, could you please pass me the inventory of the delivery?"

"Senior disciple ask for the obvious as this is a delivery paid on receipt, I would ask you to check it anyway" Was the answer of the disciple that seemingly accepted the courier mission that was an extremely popular one for the outer circle, after all, not only no work except moving between the locations inside the sect was present and it would even be used to get to know seniors and even elders. The inventory was a simple paper with a brief description and prices of the items that were delivered in the rune-box.

Surprisingly the contents were almost identical to the supplies they intended to buy and even several extras were added, for the most part, antidotes and medicines. Judging that this should be Elder Mo's idea of helping and that the disciple would not know anything anyway, Wu Guang simply passed the list to Yuan Taotu after scanning it and after the latter also read it made an almost unnoticeable motion that meant them to accept. The payment for such deliveries was made on the spot, as the rune box would only open when the badge of the receiver was pressed unto it and the relevant points were deducted.

With the process of paying the 80 contribution points each complete, the rune-box began spewing out snares, rations, bags, boxes, and medicines.

Wu Guang expected the courier disciple to leave right away, but he did not, in place saying something surprising again

"I also have a packet for you Senior disciple Wu"

As the disciple took out another rune-box, this one far smaller but of higher quality if judged from the fact that it was locked with a full rune lock, opened only in the case of Wu Guang badge usage and not as the previous one which actually could be opened by the correct amount of plates if the points were paid. Judging that such precaution would void any possible knowledge of what was inside by the courier, Wu Guang simply proceeded to unlock it.

No points were mentioned and so none were needed, but the full lock was a bit more complicated so it took almost a full minute for the box to spew out its contents. The contents were a set of scrolls and three sealed letters and after judging that they were delivered in such a way, Wu Guang did not make haste in examining them before first thanking and sending off the disciple, who had accompanied them to one of the free rooms for the unloading process.

He did not have any secrets from Yuan Taotu, so he did not ask him to leave but in place motioned him to follow, moving to their common room while carrying the scrolls and letters.

First, he checked the scrolls and found out that they covered all the information he wanted to search for, and even had some extra that he did not expect to find by himself, information about the ruins themselves. Putting them aside for later examination, Wu Guang proceeded to open the first letter which turned out to be an approved permit of leave for him and Yuan Taotu - expedited today and valid for 15 days.

The second letter was also surprising but somewhat expected by Wu Guang as it was an accepted registration for the monthly martial tournament to be held in 15 days in the arena.

Before even proceeding to open the third one, Wu Guang had already reached a conclusion of what most probably was inside and turned out to be right as the contents were a simple and short letter. In it, Elder Mo wished the team luck on their expedition and asked them to be careful, and wishing Wu Guang quick progression and the first prize in the fighting tournament.

"I understand now..." When Wu Guang said it under his breath Yuan Taotu turned to him and sensing this, Wu Guang decided to explain what was happening, starting with an apology

"Sorry Yuan Taotu, seems that you were somehow involved in the matter that I told you before, well at least affected by it" And then proceeded to explain about everything that had happened to him starting the ambush, albeit omitting some of the details that involved his own thoughts and interactions with the others.

As he finished sharing this, he proceeded to explain why he thought Yuan Taotu was involved now

"I did not have any thoughts or even suspicions until today when I was reporting to High Elder Mo. While reporting I observed him only feigning to listen. And as he only started listening in earnest when I started explaining my thoughts, I had a feeling that is now basically confirmed - he already knew about everything that happened. This is possible only in one case, that we were followed and monitored all along.

I also thought that his reaction to my request for points was too quick and it turns that I was right, as the supplies, permission, and even tournament application could not be prepared during the time after our talk - so it was done before he even met me today"

"I see"

"So I really offer you my apologies as it seems you are now involved. Before you ask, I don't know if this is for protection or the Elder suspects me but from the fact, he admitted it openly this should be the first"

"Or the second and he expects you to escape"

"Well yes, but he is an old fox, I doubt he does expect to provoke me into running with this, after all, if I am - and I am just an accidental actor, I have no reason to do so. Neither I would have a reason to do so if I am guilty, as running is basically admitting to it"

"I see, well, apology accepted. Do we go hunting tomorrow as expected?"

"Yes, why should not we? Experience and points are indeed something we need and judging from the fact that all the information was delivered to us, we at least have some extra assurance now of not getting in lethal danger"

"Agreed"

"Ok, so let's proceed to spend the points as we decided to. I will go to the Martial library and then spend the rest of the day training, I suppose you will do the same?"

"Yes"

"As for the scrolls, they are in our possession so we can carefully examine everything while moving towards our destination. After all, judging from the fact that even antidotes were delivered someone already analyzed all the dangers we will meet"

"Ok"

With this pretty long talk done the pair left the residence and moved towards the Martial library. Wu Guang felt that opening to Yuan Taotu was something good and judging from the fact that the latter even abandoned his usual pair of words to actually converse, it was the right move after all. "Seems that I will be able to trust him with helping me find a way to leave the island" Was the main thought of Wu Guang after this talk but he also knew that for it to work out, their trust should be mutual so he would need to wait until Yuan Taotu was ready as to share his own story. And that story should be very interesting if his entrance tests and origin were considered.

***

Arriving at the Martial library a pair of hours before sunset they quickly proceeded to the second floor. Thankfully there were not many disciples present so neither of them had a hard time in searching the area, albeit Wu Guang did not do so, after all, he already had scanned all the available techniques on the floor during his first visit. So leaving Yuan Taotu to search for whatever he needed, Wu Guang simply walked to the location of the 'Flaming Kick' which was a technique from the same set like the one he had already and could be utilized at the same time. It also was a part of the same set, so when he completes the four of them, his goal of 'Flaming Body' would be reached. Regretfully both of the other ones were not located on the floor. Still, after asking and reading the provided description they were located on the next floor, which would be accessible after reaching the 4th level of the Spirit realm.

After paying the 400 points for the 'Flaming Kick', Wu Guang left the library and returned to the residence - planning to use the rest of the day to at least familiarize himself with the movement. He did so until sunset and only when he finished and felt that he had obtained the Beginner mastery Yuan Taotu returned.

Greeting each other was their only interaction as the latter moved inside and Wu Guang sat down to meditate and recover. The usage for this technique was similar to 'Flaming Fist' so the usable time was not more than 15 minutes in combat. While recuperating he also decided to examine his dantian closely, after all, he was already feeling some hints of it starting to take physical form or solidify. The process was extremely easy but at the same time marked the first of the real differences that cultivators had with normal mortals. This being that the solidified dantian would become part of the body, like an extra organ.

The 2nd level of the Spirit realm was exactly this process and one could enter the level and start it right as the until now incorporeal dantian assumed its final form and covered itself with the first solid layer. As Wu Guang observed, he felt that the first layer was already half-finished, so judging from the speed of the advance he should reach the 2nd level of the Spirit realm during the next days.

Even though he knew that he would have no problems he still inwardly felt slightly relieved. The fact that the dantian started to solidify meant that he would not face the bottleneck. A bottleneck that appeared for at least half the cultivators of this level. This being the solid form not creating naturally and stopping their progress on the 1st level of the Spirit realm. There were several methods to solve it and Wu Guang had already thought of a pair of them. Still, the natural progression was far quicker and would be beneficial in the long run.