dim owlBOT
so i was just being in the industrial complex (i forgot it's name), and i somehow skipped garbage wastes, shoreline, and one more location, and somehow got to the... uhh... blackened citadel? (i think), and my friend told me that it is literally the worst location to be in and that i am cooked, but after two cycles, i found a giant spider cave thing and a karma gate really fast, what the hell do i do???
fresh gust
Meh, I don't think it's the worst place to be 
besides, in the game it'll vary where you end up; if you weren't meant to be there, you wouldn't be able to get there
Either way, some good ol' exploring will help you get out if that's what you're after
gilded vortex
it does seem like your friend is unintentionally spoiling you, and i'd suggest telling them not to do that because the game is best experienced blind 
there is no "right" or "wrong" path to take in this game
you seem to be doing a good job in that new place already
do what you want, really