In the following days, Billy and his group stayed in the inn, focusing on their cultivation.
The recent fierce battle had pushed everyone to their limits. With the aid of abundant cultivation resources, most of them had made breakthroughs without any suspense.
With Billy’s help, Azure Dragon and Azure Fang advanced by one and a half levels, officially entering the Otherworldly Realm.
Others broke through two levels; Felicia and Stout stepped into the half-step Otherworldly Realm, just a step away from the true Otherworldly Realm.
Vermilion Bird and White Tiger reached the ninth-rank Holy Realm.
Additionally, with Aubree’s assistance, Opal and Amber also advanced a level. Opal reached the third-rank Otherworldly Realm, while Amber stepped into the second-rank Otherworldly Realm.
Notably, with Billy’s help, Casey refined most of the residual soul energy within him.
This powerful energy directly boosted Casey by two levels, propelling him into the sixth-rank Otherworldly Realm.
Now, even without using the Demon Blade, he could use his sacred artifact to perform the Demon Blade Technique and slay opponents in the ninth-rank Otherworldly Realm.
Of course, he wasn’t sure about the full power of the Demon Blade Technique yet.
He thought that he might try it out if he got a chance next time.
As for Billy himself, having recently made a breakthrough and with his mind preoccupied, he found it hard to focus on cultivating the Strengthening Bloodline Method. Thus, his cultivation remained at the late fifth-rank stage.
During these days, Billy received no news about Harleen and Lydia Wooler. Given his understanding of Lydia Wooler, she would have responded even if there were no results.
The lack of any response likely meant she was also constrained.
That afternoon, everyone gathered in the inn’s courtyard to discuss matters.
“Casey, take Azure Dragon and a few others to scout around Akabuchi Chamber of Commerce and see if you can find any information about Miss Wooler,” Billy said to Casey after some discussion.
“Got it!” Casey nodded and left with Azure Dragon and Vermilion Bird.
“Be careful. Avoid conflicts unless necessary,” Billy advised.
“Understood!” they responded in unison.
“Who’s there?” Billy frowned and looked to the right as soon as Casey’s group left.
Before he finished speaking, ripples appeared in the void on the right side, revealing a woman within their sight.
The woman wore black tight-fitting clothes, a black silk scarf covering her face except for her eyes, and a black wide-brimmed hat on her head.
Her actual appearance was hidden, making it impossible to guess her age.
“Hmm?” Seeing the woman, Opal and others tensed up.
They released their spiritual power to probe her cultivation but got no response!
“Who is Mr Billy?” The woman asked, looking at them.
“What do you want?” Billy stood up.
“Someone asked me to deliver a message. The person you’re looking for is in Black Rock Gorge,” she replied after scrutinizing Billy.
“Really?” Billy’s eyes lit up. “Are you sure?”
“I’m only responsible for delivering the message. I can’t confirm its authenticity,” she replied again.
After a brief pause, she added, “Also, a friendly reminder: Black Rock Gorge is not a simple place. If you plan to go there, be well-prepared.”
“Miss, could you tell us what kind of place Black Rock Gorge is?” Night Orchid asked.
“You’ve just arrived in Akabuchi City, so it’s understandable you don’t know about Black Rock Gorge,” she replied.
“But if you ask anyone on the street, they’ll tell you what kind of place it is.”
“No one knows its history or how many high-level fighters are there.”
“People only know that even mid-to-late Entering Dao Realm experts who enter Black Rock Gorge never return!”
“So powerful?” Everyone was stunned.
“It’s even stronger than you can imagine!” The woman continued.
“Because no one knows Black Rock Gorge’s true strength, their name doesn’t appear on the Akabuchi star domain’s power rankings.”
“But I can tell you this: their strength surpasses Canyon View Institute!”
Everyone’s faces twitched.
After finally dealing with Holy Heaven Sect and Black Domain Alliance, another formidable force like Black Rock Gorge emerged. Would it ever end?
“Miss, do you know what kind of organization Black Rock Gorge is?” Night Orchid asked further.
“They do anything for money,” she replied.
“A mercenary organization?” Frostblade asked.
“You could say that,” she nodded.
“Where is Black Rock Gorge located?” Billy asked with a slight frown.
“Not far from Akabuchi City’s southern region is an almost abandoned star called Black Rock Nebula. Their headquarters is there,” she replied.
“Not far? How far exactly?” Judge asked.
“About three to four hundred thousand kilometers,” she responded.
“…,” everyone’s lips twitched slightly.
Hundreds of thousands of kilometers were considered ‘not far’-truly cosmic distances!
“Thank you!” Billy continued, “May I ask who sent you?”
“It’s inconvenient to reveal that now. If you survive Black Rock Gorge, we’ll meet again, and I’ll tell you then,” she replied.
“Thank you again!” Billy bowed slightly.
“Good luck!” She said before disappearing in a flash.
“Boss, could you sense her cultivation?” Stout asked after she left.
“No,” Billy shook his head. “She deliberately concealed her aura.”
“Alright,” Stout smacked his lips. “Boss, do you think what she said is credible? Could there be another motive?”
“Not sure,” Billy shook his head again.
“So should we go to Black Rock Gorge?” Stout asked again.
“Of course!” Judge responded. “Whether it’s true or not, we need to check it out. It’s better than waiting here.”
“True!” Stout nodded in agreement.
“Azure Fang, take Bob, Ian, and Stout to gather more information about Black Rock Gorge,” Billy instructed after some thought.
As Judge said, although they couldn’t be sure if the woman’s words were credible, they had to make every possible effort now!
“Alright!” Azure Fang and the others nodded before heading out.
“Opal, keep an eye on everyone. Give me half a day,” Billy said to Opal next.
“Sure!” Opal nodded after a brief pause.
“Billy, are you going to break through?” Felicia asked.
“I’ll give it a try,” Billy nodded before walking to a pavilion at the back of the courtyard and sitting down cross-legged.