Chu Tian used his talent to examine Fareed's martial skills, identifying it as Bongshan Fist, a common martial art developed by some federal combat academies.
Chu Tian wondered why Fareed didn't continue his studies at the federal combat academy but instead returned to run an inn.
Following Fareed downstairs, Chu Tian saw Xu Qiao Sheng in the lobby, who was studying the map.
Xu Qiao Sheng, upon seeing Chu Tian, was straightforward in his request, asking if Chu Tian was willing to guide them into Hell's Gate again, specifically to the area of the Red Lotus Karma Fire.
Chu Tian immediately refused, emphasizing the perils of Hell's Gate and portraying a sense of fear. Xu Qiao Sheng offered a substantial amount of spiritual energy crystals as compensation, but Chu Tian remained firm in his refusal, highlighting the life-threatening dangers of Hell's Gate.
Xu Qiao Sheng, considering Chu Tian's reaction, seemed to believe the latter reason for Chu Tian's reluctance. After some hesitation, he offered 50,000 fourth-grade spiritual energy crystals if Chu Tian would guide them.
Chu Tian, internally frustrated by Xu Qiao Sheng's sudden increase in the offer, feigned hesitation and eventually accepted, agreeing to guide them but insisting on their protection.
Xu Qiao Sheng assured Chu Tian of his safety and planned to set out the next morning, giving Chu Tian little time to prepare. Chu Tian wasn't worried about the physical dangers in Hell's Gate, confident in his defensive abilities and mental fortitude.
Xu Qiao Sheng left the inn after making the arrangements. Fareed, the innkeeper, expressed concern about Chu Tian returning to Hell's Gate, but Chu Tian reassured him.
Chu Tian had two plans in mind: to follow Xu Qiao Sheng's team to Hell's Gate and find an opportunity to kill him, or to guide them himself. In both scenarios, his goal was to eliminate Xu Qiao Sheng, with the treacherous environments of Hell's Gate serving as an advantage.
He considered the path he had previously taken with Mukto and others as a potential location for his attack, familiar with the terrain and the psychic attacks in the wind near the Red Lotus Karma Fire.
However, Chu Tian also planned a more risky alternative route, one he had never traveled before, which included three dangerous areas: a foggy area that blocked all senses, a hallucinatory area that drained life force and spiritual energy, and the area of the Red Lotus Karma Fire itself.
The foggy area was particularly dangerous, with a narrow, winding path and an abyss below that blocked spiritual perception, rendering talents and martial skills useless. The hallucinatory area was also a threat, as it could trap people in illusions while draining their life force and spiritual energy.
Chu Tian wasn't sure if he could withstand the psychic attacks in these areas, but he was prepared to rely on his mental strength and his ability to navigate through the fog using his spiritual perception as a guide.