《CHAOSBORN:VOLUME ONE》


 Prologue

    A desolate area known as the Wastelands existed in the southernmost part of the Northern Regions.


    Although it sounded arbitrary, the term Wastelands was quite fitting. This was because it was littered with despairing amounts of impurities mixed with Essence that spread over the entire region.


    What was Essence?


    Essence was life itself, the light that gave ordinary humans a chance to leave their mortal shells and understand the World''s truth.


    Every Area had its Essence Density and the Impurities mixed within. It was hard to classify what would count as an impurity; however, ancient scholars believed that everything else in the World was impure apart from Essence.


    As one can imagine, this explanation was rather vague. Still, the consensus was that Impurities existed everywhere Essence was, and they increased when more humans were in the Area.


    It was estimated that one out of ten thousand random people could absorb Essence and store it in their bodies; these people were known as Essence gatherers.


    Essence brought many benefits. Humans became stronger, faster, more sensitive to the natural World, and lived longer. However, the most important aspect was that every Essence gatherer had the prerequisite to learn the Essence arts.


    These were Complex, Intricate, and beautiful ways to use Essence and interfere with the natural environment with the subsequent release of tremendous amounts of energy. When people can perform this feat, they are no longer known as Essence gatherers. Instead, they are referred to as Essence Artists.


    If Essence was life itself, then the Essence Artists were the controllers of life.


    They could not be described as humans anymore; instead, they were some form of higher beings constantly seeking out the truth and secrets of the World.


    Ju was not an Essence Artist, nor was he interested in any of the so-called secrets of this World. Like everyone in the Wastelands, he just wanted to survive to see the next day.


    It was a very cold night, as it usually was this time of the year in the Wastelands, a chilling wind biting through the air like a living thing. The pallor of his skin, almost ghostly white, appeared even more stark against the backdrop of snow clinging desperately to the ground.


    The teenager was swathed in oversized clothing that swayed loosely around his spindly frame, the fabric looking ill-fitting and far too large on his slender body. The garments, an ashen grey, are worn and frayed at the edges, offering minimal protection against the piercing cold that envelops him. Ju''s breath created clouds of vapour as he exhaled; each puff quickly dissipated into the biting chill.


    Ju''s face was partly covered with a piece of cloth over his left eye, while his right eye astonishingly had an iris that was a brilliant shade of purple, making it seem less of an organ and more like a rare gemstone. However, this was not noticeable in the night.


    Ironically, Ju''s hair also seemed just like the snow around him: white, cropped short, tousled, and unruly, that glinted faintly even in the gloom of the impending twilight, a stark contrast to the deepening shadows around him.


    "It is really cold." He thought grimly


    Each gust of wind sent a tremor through him, but his resolve remained firm as he gripped the rusted dagger tightly in his hand¡ªa weapon barely worthy of the name, its blade dulled and marred by time. Despite its condition, it glimmers with a hint of defiance and blood.


    He had killed two of his pursuers already.


    The remaining three scavengers were about seventy meters away.


    The group seemed to be arguing about something; eventually, after a few minutes, they gave up the chase and dispersed.


    It was not worth it to continue chasing that small fiend, they all decided.


    However, a cold wolf-like gaze shone from Ju''s right eye when he saw this. The teenager then did something shocking: He turned back and trailed the scavengers.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    They had attacked him with the intent to kill; he was never going to let them off in the first place.


    Leaving an enemy alive was like having an invisible blade aimed at your neck, and many in the Wastelands have fallen to this kind of blade.


    Ju blended with the darkness as he carefully followed, finally when the scavengers had gone their separate ways.


    He saw his chance.


    Ju first aimed for the one that went to the extreme left, like a hunter stalking his prey. His white hair moved softly as he carefully trailed his target for a few minutes, and then, in an instant, Ju struck ruthlessly with no opportunity for his opponent to react.


    This scavenger was tall and wiry, almost six feet in height, with a gaunt build that seemed ill-fitted to the scrappy armour he wore, stitched together from mismatched scraps of leather and fabric. His distinctive feature was a jagged scar running down the left side of his face¡ªa grim reminder of a life lived on the edge. His dark hair, wild and unkempt, was peppered with snow, mimicking the barren landscape around him.


    A flash of light appeared for a brief moment behind the scavenger before Ju moved at a shocking speed. The dagger in his left hand moved even faster. Meanwhile, Ju''s right hand gleamed with Essence as he struck at the scavenger''s spine.


    "You bastard¡­"


    A sound of horror rang out. The man could have never predicted that the small boy they chased would actually follow them after they had left.


    Although he was an Essence gatherer like Ju and perhaps even more powerful, the tall scavenger was caught entirely off guard. The force behind Ju''s punch caused the man to arch backward, which exposed his neck reflexively. With natural grace, the teenager rushed over the scavenger''s back, twisted and turned, as Ju''s rusty dagger slashed across the cervical region in one precise stroke, like a painter on his canvas, demonstrating that this was an action the youth had performed many times.


    The scavenger let out incomprehensible sounds as blood gushed through his mouth and exposed neck, and then soundlessly, he fell on the ground unmoving. These sets of actions and reactions took less than 5 seconds.


    Ju''s partly covered face was devoid of emotion as he quickly searched through the man''s body; this scavenger didn''t have many items on him, just a few gold coins and a small substance wrapped with a black cloth. When the teenager opened the black cloth, a small white pill was exposed, and then a brief look of excitement appeared on his face.


    "What luck, with this, I can cleanse the impurities a bit," Ju muttered to himself.


    Although Ju was not an essence artist, as a gatherer, he could still absorb Essence, albeit poorly, and it was challenging to store even average amounts in his body for an extended period because of the Impurities. The scavengers that chased him and almost everyone in the Wastelands that could use Essence had the same problem: for every bit of Essence they kept in their bodies, there was a corresponding amount of impurities that followed.


    Too many impurities and the Essence gatherer would suffer a black lash and be overwhelmed. Death was practically inescapable at this point.


    However, without the additional power boost Essence provided, people like Ju, who lived in Wastelands, would be as helpless as Ants, so they had no choice but to take Essence in willingly.


    The white pill was a drug that Alchemists from outside the Wastelands developed; the drug was capable of cleansing the body of some amounts of Impurities based on the quality.


    Its production, sale, and distribution were tightly regulated.


    Even the lowest-quality white pill was challenging to obtain.


    The Wastelands were not attractive to Essence Artists; the region lacked truly valuable resources.


    However, due to the vast impurities that existed here, mutated spiritual beasts and plants were common.


    To Essence Artists who delved into Alchemy and potion making, such mutation could bring astonishing effects when the items were used as ingredients in the lab. Because of this, Powerful Forces from the much more prosperous parts of the Continent had small branches in Wastelands that engaged in research.


    Naturally, they could not bother with menial affairs like hunting spiritual beasts or picking plants; instead, tasks such as these were given to the natives of the Wasteland in the form of bounties.


    So, as a form of encouragement, incentives such as the White pill were brought forward, and low-level spells were also distributed.


    However, these were not the most attractive benefits that made inhabitants of the Wastelands struggle so much for the forces of the Other regions.


    Absorbing Essence without impurities entering the body was practically impossible even for the most privileged Essence artists; however, there were unique ways, stances, and meditations one could adopt that reduced the amount of impurities that were absorbed.


    Collectively, they were known as Essence Cultivation techniques.


    Obviously, the Essence Artists from other regions would not bring top-notch essence cultivation techniques to the Wastelands. Still, even the very low-level ones were enough for the People in the Wastelands to risk their lives repeatedly to hunt spiritual beats and plants from dangerous places.


    After about three years of strife and countless life-or-death dangers, Ju was able to exchange enough resources to get the most common and cheapest Essence-gathering technique that was circulated.


    Tempering Formula.

 Chapter 1

    Tempering Formula was also known as a mediation technique used by cannon fodders. Only the most desperate Essence gatherers would use this technique to practice.


    But Ju didn''t have a choice. He was having frequent confrontations and had to do something to increase his strength.


    A vicious look appeared on his immature face, which was partly covered; no doubt it was the manager at the distribution camp who sold the information to the other scavengers who ambushed him just now.


    "Not like there is anything I can do about it now."


    But Ju shook his head as a helpless feeling filled his heart. Even if he knew who set him up, there was nothing to do. Even if the manager was not an essence artist, the distribution camp was heavily guarded by beings of that level.


    However, this did not mean that Ju had given up.


    The teenager slowly brought out a bamboo slip. Ju drew out the parchment paper embedded in it. There was a medium-sized list of names. Some had question marks over them, some had a kill sign in front, and others were fully crossed out. Ju wrote the word "Manager" and placed a kill sign on it.


    After this, Ju turned his gaze to the direction the remaining two scavengers went. A cold light flashed from his eye, and he continued ahead.


    The night was still young and ripe for killing.


    Two hours later, in between heavy breathing, the teenager made his way to a small cave. The last scavenger he went after was much more powerful than the others; Ju had to get injured in order to take him down.


    Ju slowly made his way to a small, discreet cave nestled among craggy rock formations that tower like sentinels over the barren landscape.


    "Overall, it was quite a fruitful outing."


    Although he had met a few mishaps, Ju was quite satisfied with his gains. Thinking about the person waiting for him, Ju grew a bit more emotional.


    "She would have been a little worried already."


    The cave entrance was expertly camouflaged, obscured by twisted vines and scattered stones, making it nearly impossible to discern from the scraggly terrain above. Despite the constant wind that howls across the wasteland, the cave still projected a feeling like that of a fragile sanctuary, a pocket of safety from the harsher elements lurking outside.


    Before he entered, Ju shivered a bit; a harsh, cold wind blew viciously; they were quite common in the Wastelands.


    "It is really cold," Ju repeated once again in frustration.


    Ju disliked the winds like this the most. Countless times, intense cold had nearly taken his life; frostbite every year caused him so much pain that he could not breathe. Of all the terrible events that had happened to him, the cold of the Wastelands remained his earliest memory.


    Ju shook off the disturbing thoughts as he looked around for a moment before twisting his lithe body amongst the scattered stones and entering inside.


    Upon entering the cave, a distinct sense of silence and warmth enveloped Ju; it was a tranquillity that contrasted starkly with the chaos of the outside world. The interior walls are raw and unrefined, shaped by many years of natural erosion¡ªsmooth in some areas where small streams once coursed and rough in others, telling tales of hardship and survival. The faint scent of damp earth mingles with the cool, stale air, creating an atmosphere that feels both ancient and ephemeral.


    The teenager could already feel his nerves calming down.


    Ju occasionally tapped his feet in measured rhythms against the rocky floor¡ªa prearranged signal, alerting someone to his presence without alerting any would-be intruders. Each tap resonates subtly against the cave walls, the sound muffled yet discernible, conveying a secret signal indiscernible to other ears.


    A few minutes later, a small opening appeared on the ground of the cave in response to his actions, and the teenager descended into the main hideout.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    Inside the underground residence, light struggled to penetrate the darkness. A few makeshift light sources, crafted from salvaged materials, flicker in the shadowy corners.


    Ju had fashioned oil lamps from hollowed stones, their insides lined with bits of cloth soaked in animal fat. The dim glow casts wavering shadows that dance on the uneven surfaces, illuminating a small communal area where there was a small wooden table and two chairs.


    Ju surveyed the cave place he had designed the past year; not much has changed since he and her first came here; it''s evident that this residence has been modified to only suit the bare essentials¡ªthere''s hardly any decoration, just a few scattered items that speak of practicality.


    A modest pile of dried leaves serves as their bed, providing a thin layer of comfort against the hard ground. A stone hearth, blackened from previous fires, is encircled by a few smooth stones that Ju has gathered, where they occasionally manage to bring life to the flame for warmth and cooking.


    "You are back."


    A soft, ethereal voice echoed.


    A small girl in a blue dress who seemed to be around 6 or 7 years old stepped forward. She approached Ju with a slight smile on her face.


    Even though this secret room was still poorly lit, the girl''s snow-white skin was visible. A pair of large black eyes made contact with the deep purple iris.


    Her hair was black and long, so long it touched the floor, yet it didn''t seem untidy; instead, it flowed elegantly like a waterfall.


    She looked at the young boy, who was just a bit taller than her, completely covered with black cloth with bandages around the arms, and frowned a bit.


    "You are injured. Was It because you got the tempering FFormula?"


    Her intelligence was displayed as she accurately guessed what had happened.


    Ju nodded slowly; his voice seemed to be just as delicate as that of the small girl.


    "Five ambushed me, but they have been taken care of; there is no need to worry."


    The girl didn''t ask about the matter again; if Ju said there was nothing to worry about, then there was nothing to worry about.


    "Okay, let me see the wound."


    Ju didn''t reply, but he carefully put his storage bag away and pulled the clothing from his upper body.


    Surprisingly, the skin underneath was also white, like that of the girl child. But if the girl''s skin was like snow white, representing purity, this was an uncomfortable type of white, like that of a cold corpse.


    Across Ju''s torso was a deep slash that extended diagonally from his right rib almost to the pelvic region; it seemed as if the cut went a little bit deeper, he would have been bisected into two. Patches of blood could be seen around the wound; however, it was apparent that the youth''s body had healed independently to some extent.


    Even after seeing such a horrifying injury, the small girl didn''t change her expression. She brought a long needle, thread, and three small containers. Ju rested on a mat. As she spread a white powder over the wound, a sharp sizzling sound could be heard as the skin contracted vigorously. Then, a red liquid was applied almost immediately to clean the area.


    With a speed that was unnatural for her age, she went ahead to rapidly stitch the wound; it was obvious that the girl had performed this action many times. The thread over the wound was so thin it looked transparent. Finally, she brought the last container and spread a brown ointment over her palms; with a calm expression, the little delicately massaged the wound and other areas over Ju''s upper body.


    When she was finished.


    Ju sat up and spoke lightly as he called her by name. Obviously, it was not her real name, but she had to be called something.


    "Words have meaning; Names have power." The teenager was not sure where he knew the quote from, but he felt it was valid and important.


    "MoonFlower, is there still Water and Food?"


    Ju had found MoonFlower more than a year ago; she was left lying face flat in a pond; at first, he was sure that she was dead, but at that moment when Ju was about to leave, she struggled and faced him.


    A single moment when their eyes met seemed to last an eternity. The toddler did not cry or make a fuss; a pair of pitch-black eyes looked back at the deep purple light. Ju did not say a single word. Instead, he picked her up and left the area.


    From then on, he raised her like a parent would raise a child, even though he himself was still just a child in the end.


    The girl hesitated a bit before answering thoughtfully.


    "There isn''t much left; I left some for you."


    A slight look of dissatisfaction appeared on Ju''s single eye.


    "Don''t worry about me. Always make sure you are not hungry or thirsty."


    Ju then brought out his small bag and emptied its contents. There was the Bamboo slip, the rusty dagger, a blue scroll, a white pill, and¡­ small cakes covered with a transparent wrapper.


    A look of excitement shone from the Moon Flower''s black eyes, but she was patient as Ju unwrapped the cakes; he then handed them over to her.


    But the small girl shook her head and sat on the youth''s lap. Ju''s face appeared helpless, but he still went on to feed her the small cakes.


    After she had finished the cakes, the girl asked softly.


    "Are you going to start learning the Tempering Formula? Also, I don''t think you can go to the distribution area again; people will be with you from now on."


    Ju''s single eye shone as he replied.


    "I would not start learning it right now; it''s not safe here. I plan on heading south to work at the mines. Hopefully, in a few years, I will have gathered enough money to get us a residence in Ender Town. The security is guaranteed, and then I can start to comprehend the Formula."


    After hearing Ju''s explanation, the girl didn''t say anything again. She rested her head on the youth''s Chest and slowly drifted into sleep.


    In this cold and cruel world, this was one of the rare occurrences filled with intense warmth.

 Chapter 2

    <div>


    The mines were selected places in the Wastelands where special types of ores were extracted. Under normal circumstances, these ores didn''t have much value, but for research centers and labs of Alchemists, they provided a decent power source to fuel the Furnaces and other tools used for alchemy. However, the processing was complicated and strenuous.


    For every 50 kilograms of ore mined, only about 2 kilograms would be useful in the long run. The most precious resource, however, that could be gotten from the mine were spirit stones. Purified materials infused with a dense amount of Essence. Even in decent-sized Mines, less than 20 spirit stones could be acquired in a day.


    Large mines hired men, women, children, and rouges. In short, anyone who could meet the Quota of 100 kilograms of ore mining per day.


    Old Kai was in charge of one of such mines, and his expression was not friendly.


    His appearance reflected the struggles he faced daily; his skin, deeply furrowed and tanned from years spent under the harsh light of mineral lamps and the oppressive atmosphere of the mines, has taken on shades of rugged earthiness. Crow''s feet nestle around his sunken eyes, which shimmer with keen awareness and ruthlessness.


    Old Kai''s rusty brown hair was cropped short but with a few unruly strands escaping the confines of his scalp. Old Kai''s beard was thick yet maintained properly, resembling a tangle of grey underbrush, filling the spaces of his face in a protective manner as if it were guarding him from the cold and unforgiving world outside the mines.


    His clothing, practical yet threadbare, consisted of a heavy tunic and a large coat that was made with exotic fur; around his waist was a small pouch of enchanted minerals hanging at his hip¡ªevidence of the treasure often sought by miners and scavengers alike.


    Sitting in a huge chair, he continuously banged on the table in front of him in a fit of rage. Five men dressed in navy blue were behind him, all with stoic expressions¡ªa long line of Wasteland Inhabitants were clamoring before the old man, struggling to be selected.


    "Alright! Time for work! All of you unfortunate folk better crawl out here right now; let this Old Kai see how many would be lucky to enter the mines today."


    About a hundred people gathered at the entrance, making the place quite rowdy; however, in spite of the disorder, none of the people in the mob stepped within a five-meter radius of the old man named Kai as if there were an impenetrable barrier.


    Some newcomers who had come here for the first time didn''t know about the rules and pushed their way to meet Old Kai; they didn''t see the look of pity other scavengers had for them until it was too late.


    One of the men in navy blue stepped forward and expressionlessly waved his hand; very thin air blades materialized and were shot at the people who trespassed the 5-meter barrier. Before they realized what was going on, the unlucky scavengers were already bisected into many pieces.


    The entire place was silent. Even though some had seen this sort of scene play out before, it was still nerve-racking. It was not the deaths of the people, of course; gruesome deaths were commonplace in the Wastelands. It was the sight of an Essence Artist in action. Such power was still awe-inspiring no matter how many times it was displayed.


    For anyone to dare come to the mines to work, they must be able to use Essence to a degree. Yet before a true Essence Artist, they were still less than ants that a single finger could crush.


    Three young girls dressed in white quickly came out of nowhere and cleaned the area with incredible speed. In less than a minute, all the body parts had been packed and disposed of, and the ground looked so tidy, as if multiple murders didn''t take place just now.


    Old Kai shrugged his shoulders indifferently and took a sip from the bottle of alcohol on the table. He gave the beverage a few swirls in his mouth before swallowing it down. It was his last bottle, and it would take months for another batch to arrive in the Wastelands. He had to savor every bit he had.


    "Okay, you all should come forth, one by one."


    Any time a person arrived in front of him, a deep red light would flash through his eyes; by using this spell, Old Kai was able to roughly estimate the number of impurities mixed with the Essence in each person. If there were too many impurities inside the body of the miner, the ore that the person would later extract would not be of satisfactory quality.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Old Kai passed some people while others were asked to leave. Then, it was a burly middle-aged man''s turn. A brief look of familiarity appeared in the eyes of the men dressed in Navy blue.


    "Hmm, Jack¡­ I am sorry, but your impurity level is well above the limit now," Old Kai sighed.


    A look of shock appeared in the muscular man''s eyes as he quickly spoke out.


    "You can''t chase me away; this is the only way I can feed my family."


    But Old Kai shook his head.


    "Rules are rules," The elderly man said bluntly.


    Jack gritted his teeth in anger and desperation. A slight fluctuation appeared in the air as Essence seemed to gather around him. However, as soon as he saw Old Kai''s eyes, which seemed to appear darker by the second, all his bravado evaporated, and he left dejectedly. It was better to look for work elsewhere than to die here for nothing.


    After a few more rounds, it was Ju''s turn to be assessed.


    When he saw Ju''s small stature and strange attire with the eye patch, Old Kai raised an eyebrow and proceeded to examine Ju.


    Shortly after, a look of brief surprise appeared on the elderly man''s face. Although it didn''t last for long, the men beside him were able to notice; they looked at Ju with curiosity.


    "Kid, so you want to work at the mines?"


    "Yes"


    "You know there would be punishment if you are not able to meet the minimum  quota for the day, right?"


    "I know¡­.I still want to try."


    "Why?"


    Ju was silent for a moment before answering.


    "To gather enough money to be able to live at Ender Town"


    "Humph, what''s so great about that hell hole¡­Though it is still a  much better hell hole than here, I guess." Old Kai sighed as he continued looking at Ju thoughtfully.


    The teenager didn''t say anything in response.


    "Okay, you would see an axe and a crate by the entrance. The minimum Quota is a hundred kilograms from now till dusk. The Crate can hold up to 300 kilograms at once. Once you feel you have mined enough, notify one of these guys behind me, and you will get your payment."


    Ju nodded slightly and went inside.


    "Old Kai, You looked a little surprised when you inspected the boy." One of the men in blue could not help but ask.


    But the elderly man waved his hand immediately.


    "His essence was just purer than I expected. Obviously, he just started gathering, and the impurities have not accumulated."


    The man in blue stayed silent because it was obvious that Old Kai didn''t want to speak about the issue further.


    "But that sort of Essence purity is really uncommon in these parts." Old Kai mused a bit before putting the matter at the back of his mind.


    If somehow Old Kai had discovered that Ju was already using Essence more than three years ago, then his shock would have been many times greater.


    As Ju gradually approached the interior of the mines, the lights slowly became dimmer. The actual working station of the mine itself was a lot bigger than it looked at the entrance. Ju saw a pile of axes and large containers that, even when empty, would have been difficult for an ordinary person to move, but for someone who could manipulate Essence, they were relatively light.


    The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the iron tang of sweat, mingled with the overwhelming presence of impurities that seemed to seep from the bedrock. His hands gripped the handle of the pickaxe, a basic yet sturdy tool fashioned from a thick wooden shaft and a head that, while serviceable, bore signs of extensive wear¡ªthe result of countless strikes against a stubborn earth.


    Ju''seyese narrowed as he looked at the blade of the pickaxe. Even under poor illumination, it still shone quite well, indicating that the material it was forged from was not ordinary.


    "It is much more sharper than my dagger." Ju mocked himself internally


    Ju''s arrival didn''t cause much of a reaction from the other miners, as they were too busy trying to utilize the most out of every time they had; after all, you had to meet the Quota, or all of the miner''s efforts would be for nothing.


    The young boy spotted a nice corner that no one had claimed and quickly set to work, his small stature contrasting greatly with his fellow miners.


    With a grunt, Ju swung the pickaxe, the effort reverberating through his shoulders as it struck a seam rich in concentrated essence ore; for a moment, Ju tried to see if he could make out the tiny bits of essence shards, but he quickly realized that he was searching for something far more elusive than he thought.


    The ores were completely black, entangled in a dogged mass of impurities¡ª amalgamations of darkness that sought to choke the teenager himself.


    Much like the realities faced by the other miners of old, the fight against the unwanted elements could soon turn dangerous for Ju, as inevitably, some of the impurities would taken into his Body. About one hour had passed when the teenager began to feel his already merged essence flow stagnate, adding to his fatigue.


    "I''ve got to be careful," Ju thought, wiping his brow and squinting at the shimmer within the rock, which beckoned him like a siren song.


    With each strike, the fatigue mounted, yet Ju pressed onward. Ju took a deep breath, feeling the weight of impurities swirling around him, enveloping him in an aura of challenge and uncertainty.


    He remained undeterred, seeking to sift through the detritus, to isolate the shimmering essence from the filth that sought to mask its brilliance. Lifting his pickaxe once more, he swung down and watched as his first large piece of ore fractured, spilling forth the coveted essence mixed with gritty residue, dazzling and sinister all at once.


    "A bit of progress." Ju thought in between heavy breaths, but he did not use so much time to think about this small victor as he swung the pickaxe again.


    Time slowly flew by.

 Chapter 3

    <div>


    Dusk soon approached. The difference between night and day was not really noticeable in the mines, but it was only during this time that the workers could be paid. Several tens of miners sounded like beasts as they released savage growls and pushed their containers containing the mineral ores. It was time for the offloading.


    One by one, all the miners exchanged their gains. For every 100 kilograms, they received ten gold coins. One gold coin was enough for a typical family to eat for one week. However, that was for "Normal" individuals. Regarding those who could wield Essence, ten gold coins could barely buy a white pill. So they had to keep coming back to mines or going out to hunt dangerous spiritual beasts.


    It was a vicious cycle that benefited only the large forces. This system made sure to take full advantage of the wilderness inhabitants.


    Ju slowly came from the interior of the mines. Behind him was the container almost filled to the brim with ore. The young boy was dragging it gently and unsteadily.


    Old Kai and the men around him didn''t say a single word as they watched the small child make his way to the mountain of ore placed outside and then pour the contents of his container. Ju then took the paper slip he had received from the foreman. Patches of red, blue, and grey could be seen around his clothing.


    His white hair was littered with the same colorings, and his breaths were fast and a bit forced, but overall, the teenager''s aura was stable and yearning.


    Seeing Ju walk over, Old Kai''s eyes shimmered a bit. He looked at the paper slip and nodded several times.


    "Not bad, the attendant calculated that you mined almost 300 kilograms, not bad at all. I am supposed to give you 27 gold coins, but I would make it 30!"


    Old Kai laughed. Perhaps he was expecting a joyous reaction from Ju, but he was disappointed as the youngster just said softly.


    ''Thank you."


    Old Kai rubbed his nose.


    "Do you want to get the money directly, or are you interested in exchanging the amount for resources that the mine offers?"


    Ju nodded.


    "I want items in the Mine store."


    This was the moment he had been waiting for.


    For the first time throughout the day, Old Kai got up from his chair; the key to the store could only be opened by the supervisor and no one else.


    Ju noticed that Old Kai''s gait was a bit crooked; however, each step the man took was full of power and purpose. An unseen pressure was palpable in the air as Ju walked.


    "How strong is he truly?"


    Ju could only wonder how much the old man had advanced in the Essence arts to control such a large mine on behalf of those foreign forces.


    Some minutes passed before Ju and Old Kai got to a large door that seemed to be made out of stone. Old Kai took out a small talisman and placed it in front of the door. The item fitted in perfectly, and the door gave way to reveal the contents of the mining store.


    The mines had a system of providing basic amenities for workers, another tactic they used to attract people to come and work there so that all the gains would literally go back to the mines.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Ju looked at all the items that were neatly arranged; there were food items, weapons, drugs, and even white pills were present.


    But the young boy pointed at something else entirely.


    A strange look appeared in Old Kai''s eyes; this young lad was just full of surprises.


    "Are you sure?" the mining supervisor asked.


    Ju nodded.


    He requested crystal essence water, the purest form of water you could find in the wastelands. Although it was called water, this liquid was used only to make medicinal pills and drugs. No Wasteland inhabitant would use such an expensive resource just for dietary needs.


    Clearly, Ju was not an alchemist, and he certainly didn''t look like the extravagant type, so what did he want to use the water for?


    Old Kai could only wonder.


    One pint cost five gold coins. Ju took 6 pints.


    As he prepared to leave, Old Kai took a long look at him and brought out several large pieces of bread from the counter.


    The mining supervisor then threw it at the boy.


    "Brat, mining is a hard task as you continue. Make sure to eat well before coming. Remember, now you owe me five gold coins extra. I will take it out of your payment tomorrow."


    The boy caught the bread and carefully put it away, as he had for the water container. He then bowed deeply to Old Kai before leaving.


    As he saw the young boy leave the mines, Old Kai sat on his chair and muttered to himself.


    "Perhaps I didn''t do that boy much of a favor; after all, those other scavengers have noses like rats¡­ The boy might be torn apart and even worse¡­ I might lose five gold coins."


    Old Kai looked at the men behind him.


    " Do you guys think I would lose five gold coins?"


    One of the men responded,


    "Who knows."


    Old Kai shook his head.


    "But crystal essence water, such extravagance." One of the men remarked.


    "He is raising a kid." Old Kai said in a low voice.


    "What? With his age, how can he be raising a child?"


    In the Wastelands, Children had a very low survival rate; this was due to the amount of violence that occurred every day; a child could find himself without his parents in an instant; another reason was the dense amount of impurities present; it was not easy for a child to thrive, or be able to sense and gather Essence.


    In a place like the Wasteland, the inability to wield Essence was synonymous with a death sentence most of the time.


    "If a young child below seven years of age takes only crystal essence water and eats clean things, plus with the right medication and talent, in the future they have a higher chance of becoming an Essence Artist with ease, even in a shit hole like the Wastelands. The brat, although still very young, is clearly above ten; he is unlikely to be the apprentice of an alchemist¡­so that''s the only explanation. I am sure of it."


    "How do you know all this?"


    "Because I have also raised a child before." Old Kai''s tone grew gloomy as he revealed.


    The men in blue were shocked.


    "You never told us you had a child, Old Kai. Where is he now?" one asked curiously.


    "He is dead." Old Kai said simply with a tone of finality.


    The men in blue wisely didn''t ask anything further, and slowly, dusk ultimately overcame the day. This was the period when the numerous lone wolves that roamed the Wastelands were most active, and some of these wolves had their sights on a smaller wolf, a wolf cub even.


    As he gradually left the mines, a cold light shone from Ju''s eyes as he slowly brought forth a dagger.


    Essence rumbled through his body as a violent clash soon broke out a few seconds later; perhaps it was because he held precious water and bread meant for his girl sibling. Ju fought even more ferociously than before, and within minutes, three of the miners had already been dismembered.


    Other vultures, seeing how Ju treated the first wave, wisely chose to retreat. The young boy''s journey home was peaceful afterward.


    Time slowly passed. Ju would go to the mines, all covered up as usual, mining the same amount of ore each day. The only difference was that the money he owed Old Kai had gone up to 40 coins.


    A few more times, the teenager was attacked outside the mines. However, it was unknown how such a young person could be so strong; life or death was determined within seconds of trying to engage him; gradually, his infamous reputation spread, and Ju was not bothered by the other miners again; it took about 20 deaths to achieve this result.


    When he heard the news of Ju''s activities, Old Kai just shrugged and lazily commented.


    "Wolves are more vicious when they have something to protect."


    Regardless of how many miners had died, the sun rose as usual, and many more were available to take their place.


    Three months later, it was unclear whether it was due to the bread Old Kai always gave him or because the boy grew stronger with Essence. The amount of ore he could mine per day increased, filling up a container and a half, and as a result, the amount of money he owed slowly decreased.

 Chapter 4

    Life in the Wastelands was inconsistent yet flowed like water. Three years passed in the blink of an eye.


    In the Wastelands, living a simple life with enough to eat was an unimaginable luxury. Ju went to the mines every day, worked from morning till night, exchanged enough food and water for himself and his child, slept a bit, and the cycle continued.


    Whether the young boy ever grew tired of such a routine was unthinkable. After all, Ju was a simple person with simple thoughts. The fact that he had basic amenities and his child never starved was enough for him.


    Even more time passed, and the amount of Ore Ju could mine in one day tripled. He grew taller little by little, and wrinkles appeared around  Old Kai''s eyes. Although they were very faint, the boy''s translucent left eye picked up the tiny details like this fairly quickly and accurately.


    Old Kai grew even more fond of Ju as time went on, telling him odd stories and tips about the nature of places; the young boy felt it was a chance for the supervisor of mine to kill the boredom,


    The quantity of food and water Ju exchanged for also increased, but thankfully, he could work more, so everything eventually balanced out.


    But there was one thing that didn''t change in three years: it was Moonflower. The small girl didn''t have a single change in appearance, height, weight, or anything. No matter how Ju studied her¡­ nothing changed. Ju even discovered that her eyebrows stayed in the same position as it was years ago when he first saw her, even to the millimeter.


    Another person might be curious about these strange events or at least try to ask the girl her actual origins, but like it was said before, Ju was a simple person. He had found her alone in the wastelands and adopted her as his ''child,'' even though she never changed. Moonflower still needed to eat and drink, and Ju would continue to provide for her. It was as simple as that.


    Due to the many headaches he has had in the past, the boy always tried to distance himself from complex thoughts.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Every mine had a limited amount of Ore that could be extracted. Small mines lasted five to ten years, medium-sized sites lasted about thirty to fifty years, and large-scale mines could continue running for 100 years. However, no large-scale mines had been discovered in the Wastelands.


    The mine that Ju worked in was medium-sized. It had seen three inspectors before Old Kai took over. Old Kai had stayed in the Wastelands for ten years supervising the mine, and its life span was ending.


    One day, when Ju finished moving the containers up to the pile, he filled three and a half containers, which was about 360 kilograms, in just one day, significantly surpassing the other miners. Old Kai then summoned him. On the supervisor''s desk was a large map. It contained several markers over areas spread across the Wastelands. Some of the markers were colored blue, green, red, and black.


    Pointing his fingers towards the map, Old Kai gave a brief explanation.


    "These are some important areas in the Wastelands, much more vast than what you think. Some places here are up to a thousand kilometers from our current location. The places marked blue are relatively safe, but there are few resources that would help someone who wants to take that step and become an Essence artist. A young wolf like you can not thrive here. One of the blue areas is the locations of the mines."


    The places marked green are much more challenging to stay in. Here, you would start to meet a lot of Essence gatherers who have advanced significantly. Essence artists would also be relatively common, whether they are natives or people from outside the Wastelands like me. You have much better chances here to gather resources for you and your child. One of these places is "Ender Town."


    Old Kai paused a bit.


    "But don''t be fooled by the rumors or advertisements; there is no place that is ever really safe. While you feel Ender Town has a reputation as a haven. I know that there are still a lot of murderous scum bags there. People who can quietly kill you, and nothing is going to happen. Be careful if you decide to go there, little wolf."


    "The areas marked red are dangerous even for Essence Artists; it is here where you would find the largest number of mutant animals and plants. Warriors usually form hunting parties to go through these places. On no account should you ever journey here if you have not formed your spirit source. One of those sorts of areas is located directly behind Ender Town. It is a dark forest where spiritual beasts thrive."


    "Finally, the single place marked black. "


    Old Kai''s expression turned solemn.

 Chapter 5

    "Legends say that the reason that the Wastelands is as it is today is because, in ancient times, two extremely powerful Essence Artists fought here. It was a heaven-shaking battle that resonated throughout the whole world. The aftermath of that fight was so horrifying that the Wastelands could never have normal amounts of Essence ever again; people say on the power level that those two Essence Artists were,  it is no longer only Essence that is used to fight, but another greater source of power. Now, this area marked black is thought to be the very center where those two experts fought. As you can imagine, a lot of curiosity was directed here; however, all those who had gone there died. Forget Normal Essence Artists. Even powerhouses that could kill me with less than a breath have perished there. But the fact still remains that there seems to be a great secret in this place, and essence artists have not completely given up on finding it."


    Ju took a deep breath as he digested the secrets that Old Kai divulged. Information like this was very valuable.


    But the elderly man was not yet done; Old Kai still had one more thing for the young wolf, something that was even more precious than the map he had shown Ju.


    "What do you know about Essence Arts?"


    "They are the most powerful ways to use Essence, and they can only be used by the Essence Artists," Ju replied subconsciously, a little bit confused as to why Old Kai asked him this. Even the most lowly person in the wastelands knew this.


    "True, but Essence Arts is not just a single entity; there are several categories and types based on numerous factors. Techniques, Spells, Skills, and the Innate abilities of spiritual beasts are all Essence arts. But one thing you said was a bit false; it is not only us Essence artists who can use some of these Essence arts, but it is only Essence Artists who can display their true worth and power. Do you see the point I am trying to make?"


    Ju nodded slightly. It was not that some techniques and skills could not be taught to people like him who were not yet Essence Artists; they required so much Essence that it was deemed unnecessary for Essence gatherers to be taught in most cases.


    Only the most skilled Essence gatherers could successfully use an essence art, even at the lowest proficiency. Techniques were also challenging to come by and learn, even for Essence Artists, let alone for gatherers. Old Kai continued.


    "My spirit source was forged more than 30 years ago, yet I only know three techniques; one was given to me by the Family I served when I became an Essence artist, the other one I bought for a large amount of resources,  the last and most peculiar of them all  was the one I found by myself, from the dead body of a most difficult foe, what was more astonishing that he was not yet an Essence artist, yet he gave me such a hard time and the reason why he was so troublesome, was this particular technique that I am about to show you."If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Ju could feel his heartbeat quicken. Up until now, he had only heard vague rumors about techniques and essence arts, and to think that right now, he had been offered one.


    "The name of the technique is Dark Assault." Old Kai allowed a bit of tension to rise before he continued.


    "Dark Assault allows the wielder to draw upon the essence from somewhere other than their spirit nodes or spirit source, which is the ''soul'' and ''life source'' of its user as a power source. In simpler terms, it amplifies the physical prowess to a monstrous scale."


    As Old Kai illustrated the mechanism behind this obscure technique, Ju could vaguely sense ethereal tendrils of Essence coiling around the elderly man''s limbs, synchronizing with the cadence of his heart.


    "When casting the Essence, the user''s physical attributes¡ªstrength, speed, agility¡ªare heightened, mirroring the potency of the soul''s energy within. The more potent the soul power is the more devastating the effect. However, Dark assault would still leave a significant amount of impurities," he explained.


    Old Kai''s then fingers curled in contemplation before he continued.


    "For some reason, I feel that the technique would suit you a little well, but if you should use it and feel severe adverse effects, then it''s better you discard the technique. The consequences of using it forcefully are quite unsavory," the elderly man said with an eerie look in his eyes.


    Ju felt the chill of the Old Kai''s words sink deep.


    "Yes. I would heed your words." the teenager spoke up, excitement creeping out of his tone.


    With the solemness Old Kai showed, Ju knew that this was not an ordinary Essence art, even by the standards of Essence artists; rather than mastery over Essence or a spirit source, what the technique needed was more ethereal in origin depending on the innate soul strength and life-force of the user.


    Old Kai brought forth a scroll tied with a black ribbon and handed it over to Ju. The teenager looked at it tentatively before grabbing it.


    "It can be extremely useful, but at the same time perilous¡­ But then the path of Essence arts is loaded with danger." Old Kai sighed.


    "Take some time to learn it; you are smart, and it should not be too difficult to grasp some basis, as this is not a bona fide essence art in the long run."


    Old Kai hesitated a bit before giving a final warning.


    "It is best not to show this technique to another person in the future. I fear its origins are not that simple. Don''t forget to use it only as a trump card. I am still trying to clear some of the backlash caused by Dark Assault. That is all I have for you. The mine closes tomorrow, and I am going back to where I came from. Take care of yourself, young wolf.


    Old Kai then waved his hands; Ju knew he had to leave now


    Before exiting through the door, Ju looked up at Old Kai for a moment and took one last bow at Old Kai before giving his thanks.


    It was the loudest the boy had ever spoken, yet his tone was as gentle as a warm breeze.


    A strange light shone from Old Kai''s eyes as he saw the young boy leave.


    He then sighed to himself.


    "I really am getting old."


    The following day, word spread that one of the medium-sized mines had officially closed. The inhabitants who relied on the mines once again had to look for another means of survival, whether it was going to another mine, becoming an adventurer, or robbing other people.


    Nothing ever really lasted in this world, especially not in a place like the Wastelands.

 Chapter 6

    The sunlight chased the night crawlers back into their lairs. As the mutated animals concealed themselves, a teenager appeared at the edge of the landscape. His body was entirely covered with a black oversized cloak.


    His face, hair, and arms were tightly wrapped with white bandages.


    Holding his hand was a small female figure equally covered with a brown cloak. Both of their features were totally concealed.


    After about four years, Ju and Moonflower left their rock house.


    It had been a month since the mine had closed, and Ju had finished all the preparations he felt were necessary to move to Ender Town.


    Under the eyes of a large desert rat, the two figures, one large and one small, walked hand in hand, far away from the depths of the Wastelands.


    The journey was relatively smooth for some time before suddenly, a fierce wind blew about; it was so fast that the two were caught off guard. The clothes covering Ju and his child flew back, revealing a head full of black silk-like long hair and another one with snow-white long hair.


    Under the sunlight, white and black hair danced about with streaks of dazzling radiance.


    Ju quickly paused and gathered the girl''s hair before once again covering her head and face. He also adjusted his own appearance.


    Ju then once again held Moonflower''s hand to continue walking far away from the depths of the wastelands in search of a better life.


    They continued for three days until they reached one of the places marked blue on the Old Kai map.


    "Based on the map, Ender Town was still a few tens of kilometers away."


    Ju thought as he made the decision to take a rest. In a nearby cave, which was similar to the one they came from, the young boy helped his sibling settle. He had already offered her their last morsel of food; thankfully, their stock of water was still sizeable.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "I have to find more food," Ju realized as he took a simple sip from the water container.


    Due to the fact that he could gather and use essence, he was a bit less reliant on food, unlike Moonflower. She needed to eat often.


    Then, under the cover of the night, he walked alone into the lair of a group of spiritual beasts.


    After much deliberation, Ju decided to test out the dark assault technique. Although Old Kai said he should only use it in an emergency, The teenager still felt that he needed to witness how much toll the technique took under controlled circumstances.


    He had spent about a week studying the scroll, and although Ju could not really read that well, under the occasional guidance of Old Kai, Ju was able to familiarize himself with the hand gestures needed to activate Dark Assault.


    Moonflower''s brilliant black eyes watched the boy as he left. She didn''t know when he would return, but she was certain Ju would come back to her eventually.


    Ju eventually returned, albeit with difficulty during dusk on the second day. The small girl quietly sat at the cave entrance as she saw him approach.


    Some minutes later, Moonflower''s brows were furrowed as she used her small teeth to tear at the flesh of a mutated rat. The flesh was tough, smelly, and borderline rancid, but she earnestly chewed and swallowed; even the juices sticking to her fingers were licked clean.


    Deep inside the cave, Ju dealt with his injuries. Several bite marks and slashes were all over his body; some of them were so deep that the bone could be seen. Inside his body, impurities also rage; the power of dark assault was overwhelming, and the cost was relatively high. He had already taken two white pills just to stabilize his condition.


    "If I used this move again without purifying my essence. It would most certainly result in a severe backlash¡­However, its power is quite astonishing."


    Although Ju had mentally prepared himself, he was still shocked when he used Dark Assault; he had never felt so powerful in his entire life; spiritual beasts that would be difficult for him to confront became soft like butter under his dagger.


    MoonFlower would have been the one to treat his injuries, but Ju feared that the poison of the spiritual beasts might affect her. Next to him were a few dozen bodies ranging from rats to large scorpions to vultures.


    "It should be enough."


    The young boy calculated as he stitched himself that the meat from the carcasses should last them for two weeks, and by then, they should have reached Ender Town.


    The next day, the two set out again, this time without any more pauses. The girl ate and drank on the road.


    About two weeks later, Ju and Moonflower finally reached their destination.


    Ender Town.

 Chapter 7

    They had spent nearly a month on the road, yet this was the fastest and safest possible route. They had not met any other hostile Wasteland Scavengers, and the spiritual beast population was minimal and easily avoided unless Ju needed to kill them for meat.


    At this moment, Ju realized that the map Old Kai had given him was much more valuable than he had imagined.


    Ender Town was an inhabited area that had been developed for 30 years. It had over a thousand inhabitants and one of the largest concentrations of essence artists in the Wastelands. It was run by a man known simply as Pike.


    To be able to run a place like Ender Town, a vast amount of strength was needed. Pike was known as someone who could trample ordinary essence artists easily, and he had a large amount of support amongst rouge Essence artists in the Wastelands.


    Ender Town was a massive commercial hub and one of the few places where white pills were regularly sold. Meditation techniques, weapons, spells, and anything useful to an essence artist can be found here.


    But the settlement also offered more important things.


    Protection.


    This was the most valuable commodity in Ender Town as long as the person was not all-powerful.


    Ender Town forbade battles of any kind, whether between ordinary people or Essence artists. Because of this, many adventurers or Travellers came here to seek rest or asylum. It was just that every hotel, inn, or apartment was operated directly by Pike and his associates. Even the cheapest, smallest of rooms cost 20 gold coins a day.


    By working in the mines daily for a few years, minus the daily expenses of food and water, Ju saved about a little over a thousand gold coins.


    That was barely enough for him and the Moonflower to stay in Ender Town for two months.


    "The most natural course of action for me is to use the tempering formula to try to advance. If I manage to do that, I will have the confidence to explore the areas marked on Old Kai''s map for better resources."


    Ju already had a steady goal in mind.


    When the teenager finally observed the place from afar, Ju noticed that Ender Town looked less like a commercial hub and more like a campsite.


    After all, from the perspective of Essence artists, even the most prosperous places in the Wastelands were like this: scavenger camps.


    At this moment, such a campsite was perfectly reflected in Ju''s purple right eye as he stood on a hilltop with Moonflower.


    "Staring from afar, It doesn''t seem as large or grand.".


    Ju could see the range of Ender Town from the inner parts to the outer parts and how the structure of the houses and buildings grew increasingly simpler from the outer sections to the inner sections.


    At the camp''s entrance, there was an extensive line. Sounds of shouting, insults, curses, trade, and loud laughter could be heard, typical of any gathering in the Wastelands. Not far away behind Ender Town was a pitch-black Jungle.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    The place was shrouded with mist and sand storms as though it held terrifying beings within. Even with the sunlight, the sun''s rays still found it hard to reach the area; from a distance, Ju could feel excluded cold intimidation.


    "This Dark Jungle was one of the places marked red on Old Kai''s map. It was also one of the primary sources of income for people who stayed in Ender Town, but only for those with sufficient strength. Hordes of spiritual beasts and plants lurked within. Adventuring parties regularly explore the jungle to gather materials for exchange."


    Ju took a deep breath and held the little girl''s hand even tighter. Perhaps she, too, felt the spiritual fluctuations of the people staying in Ender Town and the Dark Jungle, the girl said for the first time.


    "I am scared."


    "Don''t worry. I will protect you." The young boy''s voice was low yet full of determination and resolve. Yet only he knew how much confidence he really had.


    Soon after, the two figures descended and went straight to the entrance of their supposedly new home.


    On getting closer, Ender Town looked like the mouth of a giant beast that awaited Ju and his child. Fortunately, the entrance line was short, and most people had already dispersed.


    Ju heard murmurs that an important person had arrived at the place, and everyone was eager to take a look. Because of this, none of the visitors paid close attention to a closely covered teenager and a minor child that had just entered the Town.


    Even the gate guard was impatient, so he quickly took the entrance fee for Ju and the little girl.


    "There are several inns depending on the amount of money you have. I see that you are quite weak. It''s best not to willingly provoke just any existence, regardless of the city rules prohibiting


    fighting. If you die without leaving a trace, there is nothing we can do." Powerful Essence fluctuations were emitted from the guard as he waved his hand, indicating that Ju should enter.


    However, the young boy paused, brought out 20 extra gold coins, and offered the guard.


    "I want to try to break through faster and grow stronger. Are there places I can go to that might help?"


    A look of mockery appeared on the guard''s face even though he still quickly pocketed the money.


    "Since you dared ask this question, it means you must have gotten a meditation technique, most likely the tempering formula. However, the odds you would be successful with it are still very low, less than 10% if we are being blunt. There is a library where some insights on breaking through are given, though they are not cheap to access, at least 200 gold coins upward just to have a look. Still, they don''t offer good chances. There are also meditation rooms that have a good concentration of the purest essence you can find in the wastelands; by staying in such an environment, any meditation technique you use, no matter how useless, would be three times as effective, but it is not something a person like you can come in contact with, a day in such rooms costs at least three thousand gold coins, and there is a quota. And there is a final way¡­ This has the highest return of all of them; with it, your chance would increase to at least 50% at the minimum."


    The guard didn''t say anything again; instead, he smiled at Ju.


    Underneath his disguise, Ju sighed as he brought out 20 gold coins again.


    The guard let out a small chuckle as he quickly started talking again.


    "There is a plant known as the blue mist flower; it has this mysterious ability to aid one in condensing a spirit source; the spirit source is the foundation of any Essence Artist. However, to form it out of nothing is difficult, so difficult that it is the most dangerous step in trying to break through. Usually, people hire a fairly powerful essence artist to aid them in forming their spiritual source. So you can try that method, although the price is not cheap. As for the flower, ingesting it would give you a fair chance to be able to form your spirit source on your own, but it is nearly impossible to find in shops and auctions; as soon as it is available, the fairly important


    people in Ender Town snatch it."


    Ju paused a bit to digest what the guard said. The option of hiring an Essence Artist to help him condense the spirit source was out of the question. Although Ju didn''t know much about the details, he was sure that doing so would be like putting your life in another person''s hands, something he could never attempt. As for that flower, Ju felt the primary supply of the resource was the Jungle behind Ender Town, but exploring a perilous place even for Essence Artists made the youth hesitate.


    As if reading his mind, the guard dropped a final piece of statement.

 Chapter 8

    "Also, with the time you arrived, you are in luck. There is another way you might get the flower."


    The guard continued in a mysterious tone.


    "Once every ten years, Master Pike holds this tournament for people who are yet to become Essence Artists. The first-place prize is the Blue mist flower. But know that every match in this sort of tournament has the potential to lead to death. Based on the rumors, registration for the competition will occur about half a year from now. "


    Ju snorted in response when he heard this.


    "How is that supposed to help me?!"


    Ju thought in annoyance. Obviously, Such a competition would host some of the strongest people below the level of an Essence artist in the Wastelands. How would someone like him, who did not even know how to use a meditation technique, be able to participate in such an event?


    The guard guessed Ju''s feelings but said nothing, only chuckling lightly.


    It was obvious he just wanted to collect more money


    Ju didn''t ask anything further, so he left with a dark expression.


    "Moonflower did not catch his interest. That is good."


    Ju noticed that other than the slightly strange look the guard had when he saw her, he didn''t seem to pay much attention to Moonflower afterward, which relieved Ju.


    <div>


    As Ju and Moonflower stepped cautiously into Ender Town, an immediacy of sound and motion enveloped them like a wave from the relentless sea. The streets were teeming with people, vibrant and bustling with a life that pulsed in sharp contrast to the desolation of the mining district they had just left behind.


    In the mines, everyone was silent, suspicious, and defensive, not wanting to fall prey to the other scavengers.


    "So many Essence gatherers.Much stronger than me."


    Yet, beneath the surface of this apparent vibrancy, Ju couldn''t shake off the oppressive weight of numerous powerful presences that filled the space. It was as if the very air clung, thickening with an unquantifiable energy that sent prickles up his spine.


    Each brush of a passerby sent a shiver coursing through him¡ªa reminder of his vulnerability in a world dominated by those who wielded a deeper level of Essence he could comprehend right now.


    He could also feel their eyes upon him¡ªsome curious, others calculating¡ªinstilling a sense of defensiveness. Ju clenched his jaw as he held Moonflower more tightly, with the rusted dagger at his side a feeble assurance against anyone who might threaten his sister or him.


    Moonflower walked closely beside him, her hand lightly resting on his forearm, sensing the tension that enveloped him like a shroud. "Stay close," she whispered, her voice barely a breath against the cacophony surrounding them. Ju nodded, his determination unwavering.


    After careful observation, Ju approached a nearby vendor, a robust man with a booming laugh, and inquired about directions to one of the inns. "Excuse me, sir," he began, his voice softly. Could you help us find a place to stay? The type that does not cost so much."


    <div>


    The vendor paused, shifting his weight to puff his chest and take a thorough look at Ju and Moonflower, his eyes narrowing with curiosity. "Two small fry, looking for shelter? Ha! You''ll find what you need just down the way," he exclaimed, gesturing towards a narrow alley.


    Ju felt a mix of relief and apprehension as the vendor continued, "Head towards the end of Street on the left. There''s the Old Hearth Inn. Cheap enough for a couple of stray souls like you!"


    Ju gave his thanks, and he could move with purpose for the first time.


    After about ten minutes, the teenager was able to find the inn the shop vendor was talking about. Stolen novel; please report.


    The inn owner was an old woman with a smile showing some missing teeth.


    Her skin was quite dry and scaly, but her eyes were very bright, signifying that she was Essencek in Essence didn''tgh. Ju didn''t feel as much pressure from her from the guard at the gate or Old Kai.


    Ju concluded that she was not yet an Essence Artist, but the fact that she could run an inn in Ender Town showed that she was more complex than she appeared on the surface.


    "Hmm, you really are young, little one, both of you, yet your aura has that familiar scent of blood."


    The old woman said, accepting Ju''s payment for two weeks upwards.


    "And quite rich, too." She chuckled as she looked at the little girl beside Ju. Before coming to the inn, Ju had thoroughly covered Moonflower, especially her skin, and hair, leaving only her eyes, to which he added a bit of soot to make them less bright or appealing.


    He was dressed in a way similar to Moonflower, although he uncovered some of his outer clothing to communicate well.


    Noticing the older woman''s gaze, the little girl instinctively moved closer to Ju.


    When she saw this, the Innkeeper''s eyes looked amused before giving Ju the keys. The teenager didn''t waste any more time as he quickly moved upstairs. The Innkeeper observed Ju and Moonflower until they were out of sight, and then she muttered.


    "It seems like another interesting  person has arrived."


    "This would be fine." Ju thought as he entered the room.


    As expected, the room was modest, measuring approximately 300 square feet. It offered just enough space for the essentials of survival and minimal comfort.


    The small bed against the far wall was the first noticeable feature. It was crafted from sturdy wooden planks. The bed, fitted with a simple mattress covered by a well-worn quilt, was slightly lopsided as if it had endured countless restless nights.


    "I wonder how many people have used it before now.".


    A thin pillow rested against the wall. To the left of the bed, a small wooden table¡ªscratched and smudged but functional¡ªstood ready for meals or contemplative discussions.


    Ju took his attention away from the bed. On the opposite side of the room, a meditation mat lay unrolled, its faded, patterned fabric, yet Ju felt an odd sense of peace looking at it.


    "I am actually feeling motivated to start Tempering formula as soon as possible. Interesting"


    The teenager thought as he led Moonflower to the bed.


    "I am so tired, Ju."


    Moonflower exclaimed softly.


    The little girl was exhausted and quick to lay on the bed. After eating their last piece of food, Moonflower was already fast asleep.


    Ju observed the room a bit further just for added safety


    The cracks in the plaster exposed patches of stone beneath, creating a sense of rugged authenticity. Ju saw the small cracks in the window that provided a glimpse of the outside world but dulled the view with grim" and dust.


    "Although I lowered my expectations, it is still disappointing. But I guess I can not ask for too much. This is known as one of the cheapest, after all."


    And by cheapest, a day in the room still costs as much as what a small family would use to eat for months.


    "I hope she soon starts to be able to feel Essence."


    Seeing Moonflower''s gentle breathing, Ju felt that by now, with the special grade waster, she should have shown signs of Essence gathering, but her body was still devoid of Essence. Ju didn''t feel any spiritual fluctuations from her.


    Other than stamina greater than an average person''s, there seemed to be nothing special about her yet.


    But Ju was sure she was far from ordinary; the fact that she did not seem to age proved his belief.


    ''Maybe it is her meals. I must make sure to improve the quality of food she eats."


    Every parent wanted their child to be stronger and better than them, and Ju was no exception concerning Moonflower. He decided to continue trying to make her suitable enough to gather Essence.


    The teenager sat cross-legged on the meditation mat. For the first time, Ju took out the tempering formula and began to study its contents.


    Ju''s expression was plain. But then, a slight frown appeared, yet it vanished almost immediately. A helpless sigh escaped from Ju''s lips as he pondered what to do next.


    "I thought it would be easy to start using the tempering formula,  but it seemed like I have to make some preparations."


    Although he knew some literature, he still found it difficult to understand the contents of the tempering formula completely.


    Rather than practice the meditation technique wrongly, Ju decided to put it away for now,


    "I might need to visit that place tomorrow."


    Ju then quietly stayed beside Moonflower on the bed, drifting to an uneventful slumber.

 Chapter 9

    Early the following day, Ju prepared to set out. In just one day, he had spent more than half of the money he had earned working in the mines; the remaining money was meant to be strictly for Moonflower''s nutrition and needs. But Ju had to make a difficult compromise.


    "I have no choice."


    Yesterday, when he studied the tempering formula, Ju realized that he could hardly understand the words or descriptions. The meditation technique also used vague terms he had never heard before.


    "So, even though I am not about to become an Essence artist or have any special moves. I still have to go."


    Ju had to visit that library sooner or later. The guard had mentioned that just a single book there could cost over 100 gold coins to read.


    "At least with 500 gold coins, I should be able to get enough information on how to proceed with the tempering formula, amongst other things."


    Obviously, for someone like Ju, hunting was the best way to get resources. Even though he spent only one day here, Ju already knew that the market for spiritual beasts and plants seemed large in Ender town, and demand was also high.


    "If I explore the outskirts of the dark forest, I would find low-level spiritual beasts that haven''t formed a core yet, from which I can gather materials."


    After setting basic precautionary mechanisms at the door of their room and giving Moonflower some instructions, Ju was already outside the Entrance of the inn, wearing black attire covering his entire body, a head scarf, and an eye patch.


    Several hunting parties were located on the outskirts of the Dark Forest. The dark forest at the back of Ender Town was about seven times larger than the settlement and measured about 150 kilometers in diameter.


    The first five kilometers were considered relatively safe for people who were not yet Essence artists.


    Most people Ju met on the way were calling for recruits; most were pseudo-Essence artists, the Essence gatherers.


    Essence Artists were more aloof and were not seen in public like this.


    Ju had already purchased a low-version map and had a general understanding of the area, so he decided to try his luck.


    The youth noticed the strange looks he received from the crowd. Even though he had covered himself, his small stature was unchangeable. It was evident he was still a very young child, either that or a dwarf.


    Regardless, only a few people seemed interested in approaching him to form a group.


    Just as Ju was wondering whether he should explore the forest all by himself for the first time, a pleasant voice sounded right behind him


    "Young Traveler, I see you plan to go to the Outskirts. Would you be willing to join us?"


    Ju turned back to see a thin man with a short beard smiling at him. He had three companions by his side.


    The teenager remained silent for a moment as he observed the group. They were the youngest-looking group he had seen so far.


    The man who called him out seemed to be their leader. There were two other males and a female in their party. Ju''s single eye reflected their figures. He had encountered a few powerful people before, such as Old Kai and the Essence Artists clothed in blue in the mines. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Old Kai was still the one that caused Ju to have the most sense of danger to date.


    Also, due to the countless battles he had faced before, Ju had developed a decent ability to measure a person''s strength.


    "They don''t seem all that strong compared to others."


    The teenager thought.


    Ju would never normally choose to join a group. However, this was the first time he had ventured into the place, and perhaps a bit of guidance would have been better.


    "Yes, it is my first time; I would be glad if you let me accompany you," Ju replied.


    Faint looks of surprise appeared on the faces of everyone present, seeing as he was dressed in all black and had covered up his hair and most of his features with his eye patch. They had assumed that Ju would be a rough individual, as this was not certainly a place for a child; however, after hearing his soft voice, a good feeling mixed with doubt could not help but appear in their hearts, coupled with his small stature, Ju seemed less of a dwarf adventurer and more a kid out of home for the first time.


    "Okay, I am Tylen. What''s your name?" the man with the short beard said with a smile.


    "Ju." After thinking a bit, the teenager felt hiding his name was unnecessary.


    ¡°This is Zabel,Aron, and Oberon.


    "You really are young, aren''t you? Are you interested in fighting spiritual beasts?" Zabel said in a low tone


    Zabel was the female, nodding at Ju with a shy smile. When Ju saw this, a strange light shone from his single eye.


    "Yes. I am confident in being able to protect myself.*


    "Really? You wouldn''t mind showing us then."


    Another voice sounded out.


    Aron was a tall, lanky man. With a pair of small knives strapped by his sides, he seemed to be the most equipped of the group. He merely nodded at Ju as he said casually and turned his attention elsewhere.


    Oberon was a muscular man. He was the oldest of the group. His clothes were rather loose, showing his impressive figure. He then stepped forward and brought forward his hand towards Ju.


    "Little guy, as you know, we are out on a dangerous affair; seeing that you still had the resolve to come means that you have a bit of confidence in your abilities, so you would not mind me testing your strength a little, right? After all, weaklings would only put their other members in danger. "


    Ju was silent, but after some thought, he stretched his right hand. Although it was covered with bandages, the people around him did not notice how thin and delicate his hands were underneath.


    "I can enhance my physical abilities somewhat," Ju softly said.


    The group waited eagerly as Ju and Oberon''s hands came in contact. Oberon''s large hand completely covered that of Ju, yet strangely, for some time, he was unable to move or squeeze it.


    It seemed as if the young boy''s bones were made of steel. Seeing the difficult spot that he was in, Oberon decided to enhance his hand a little more with Essence.


    A slight spiritual fluctuation appeared in the air. After seeing Oberon''s actions, Ju applied more Essence.


    The boy emanated a vicious aura as Essence was mobilized from his body. Years of killing man and beast have made Ju''s aura quite bloody. It might not show, but if Ju took a battle stance, some of the aura would inevitably leak out.


    In fact, Ju was looking for ways to cleanse this aura or at least hide it properly.


    The moment Ju''s aura appeared, Tylen and the others'' looks changed. The pressure from the youth was no joke.


    In the end, after a few more seconds. Oberon laughed out loud and released Ju''s hand.


    "I am sorry for my rudeness; although very young, you lad are a proper warrior, as things should be."


    After sensing Ju''s power, Oberon immediately adopted a docile and polite demeanor and enthusiastically greeted him. Zabel and Aron''s attitudes also changed slightly.


    Oberon was the strongest member regarding raw physical strength and essence body enhancement. The fact that he could not dominate Ju surprised and excited the others.


    "His aura is quite uncomfortable, though." Tylen thought, but regardless, a strong member was always welcome wherever they went.


    A brighter smile appeared on Tylen''s face.


    "Please, brother Ju, don''t take offense to Oberon. Let us not waste any more time and head into the forest. I am sure we will make a decent hunt today."


    Ju didn''t say anything. He just nodded as a harsh light shone from his eye.


    It was time to hunt for the first time in Ender Town.

 Chapter 10

    "The spiritual beasts in the forest are of different types and grades, just like humans that use Essence like us, but there is a crucial difference; humans would always have superior intellect and deeply complex arts, so even if a beast has the same amounts of Essence a human had. Generally, it can never be as intelligent as a human being on the same level. But the beasts have an advantage that makes up for this, in that by eating flesh infused with Essence, they are able to absorb that Essence very effectively. Humans can also absorb Essence from meat and food sources, but it is not up to ten percent of what the most basic spiritual beast can absorb."


    Tylen quickly spoke as the group navigated to the forest. He and his members had discovered a common spot where low-level spiritual foxes lived.


    More vicious and dangerous red-fur wolves had just chased the foxes from their natural habitat.


    According to rumors, one wolf had formed a core and was elevated to the same level as an Essence artist. Thus, the wolves, now united under a leader, were more deadly than before.


    It was clear that Tylen and his group didn''t intend to provoke those wolves, so they went after the foxes.


    "Looks like it was not such a bad decision to follow them after all."


    Ju was already appreciating the decision to follow this group.


    Tylen provided valuable information, and the young man clearly liked talking.


    "But other than the meat, there are other things of value that a beast could offer, the fangs, the fur, the eyes; in other words, not a single part is wasted. Usually, we manage to kill around ten to fifteen daily, but with Brother Ju here, we might even kill more than twenty!" Tylen concluded excitedly


    The group soon arrived at their location; the area was relatively sparse with vegetation. Ju and others stayed around 100 meters away when they sensed multiple spiritual energies emanating from the creatures.


    Ju silently observed the beasts. The foxes were about two times as large as normal foxes. Ju''s right eye shone as he tried to assess their capabilities further.


    "Their muscle density was more than that of the beasts I had faced in the mining area."


    Before now, Ju usually pursued beasts that could not properly handle the impurities of the Essence they absorbed, beasts that were relatively weak and on the verge of rotting. Although the returns were not so good, hunting was still relatively safe back then.


    Ju immediately noticed that these beasts gradually became stronger and had various abilities.


    "It seemed as if the impurities here were even a bit lesser than where I am coming from, or the spiritual beasts were just of better quality and bloodline."


    However, Ju was not deterred by the beast''s strength. Instead, he was excited. He silently brought out his rusted dagger.


    Aron saw this, and a look of disdain flashed through his eyes. Oberon took out a large axe that gleamed under the sunlight. Zabel took a green bow. Tylen didn''t have any weapons.


    "Usually, brother Ju, we males are front liners; our Job is to harass the foxes head-on, and when they are weak enough, a well-timed arrow from Zabel will finish them off. Zabel is the weakest among us but has the best Essence control." A brief look of admiration appeared on Tylen''s face as he looked at Zabel. The girl shyly lowered her head and blushed a bit. Seeing how coy Zabel was acting, a look of annoyance leaked from Aron''s face.


    Ju noticed all of this with a calm face. It seemed as if the group dynamic was not as straightforward as it looked on the surface, but that was just how things were in this cruel world.


    Ju didn''t care about anything they might have hidden, but the moment they should attack him, then they would become enemies he must kill.


    Tylen raised his hand, and streams of Essence rapidly converged. Letting out a low shout, Tylen directed the blast towards the foxes. A small explosion sounded, and the foxes quickly sounded battle cries.


    Ju didn''t waste any more time again; the youth blasted forth with incredible speed as his dagger moved with deadly accuracy; oddly enough, Ju realized that he had been itching for a fight for a while now.


    His aim was right in the temple of one of the foxes. But the responses of the spiritual beasts were swift.


    Essence surged forth around the battlefield as the foxes let out numerous howls; enhancement soon shone from their bodies, and the fox that Ju targeted moved away at an equally incredible


    speed; just as it dodged Ju''s attack, its tail hardened as the spiritual beast swung at Ju with astonishing force.


    "Too fast."


    Ju''s eyes widened slightly; moving away from the fox''s unexpected counterattack was too late.


    The teenager stretched his free hand, which shone with Essence, to his side in an attempt to protect his ribs. The moment the tail hit landed, the pain was sharp and instant, but it was still more manageable than the pain caused by other, much more vicious battles he had previously encountered.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    The teenager''s entire being radiated killing intent as he directed his dagger downward to the nape of the fox.


    "So tough."


    To the young boy''s surprise, when the dagger made contact with the fur, it felt like the clash of two similar materials.


    Sparks flew as Ju struggled to pierce the fox''s skin. After some time, he could feel the resistance loosening as he saw traces of blood, but the situation didn''t seem that good. The clash between Ju and the fox hardly lasted 10 seconds, but that was already too much time spent.


    The other foxes were rapidly converging toward their location, and Ju could be overwhelmed, but he remained calm. Soon, a loud laugh sounded behind the foxes as Oberon swung his axe, sending numerous shock waves.


    Although the shock waves were not strong enough to send the foxes flying, they could disrupt their movement a bit, and Ju had enough time to get his first kill within less than half a minute of engaging the beasts.


    Seeing how rough Ju was, the others naturally did not want to be left behind. Aron quickly took out his two knives, which were curved like agricultural tools. Ju could notice some writings on their surfaces. Like a whirlwind, Aron made his way through multiple foxes, giving them slashes here and there.


    His attacks were not as deadly and overbearing as Lu''s. But he was able to slow down the fox''s movements, and gradually, their injuries accumulated.


    Seeing the foxes were getting slower, Tylen kept blasting them, inflicting burns on their bodies. Oberon hacked and slashed while Zabel, who was at the back, performed her attacks, effectively landing the finishing blows. At least three foxes dropped for every five arrows she shot, never to move again.


    Ju paused to observe how Zabel attacked. She didn''t use any external arrows; instead, she just drew the empty bow, and Essence converged. She sharpened her stance using her will and let out the Essence like an arrow.


    Although what she did looked simple, Ju knew how difficult it was to bend Essence to one''s will that delicately. If he tried something similar, it would dissipate in his hands, and that Essence would be lost.


    "It''s her bow that helps her." Ju made a crucial assessment. He also saw that, like Aron''s knives, Zabel''s bow had numerous writings on the surface.


    Ju had never seen such weapons before, but they seemed to have a miraculous ability to work with Essence, which basically improved their users'' attacks. Unlike the conventional enhancement he was used to, this enhancement was more seamless and natural.


    "If I have the chance, I should ask about those writings afterward." Ju placed a mental reminder.


    The fight with the foxes lasted about an hour. The teenager had already figured out the team''s battle style and gradually eased into it. All he had to do was charge and engage, and he would have support.


    "Working alone can not compare to the efficiency of working with other individuals."


    As an Essence user, Ju released the importance of companions in battle for the first time in his life. It was an odd feeling for him.


    Tylen and the others also had different thoughts as they fought. Ju was ferocious on the battlefield, seeming to double their group''s overall strength.


    "The young boy seems to have an affinity for killing." Oberon thought as he took a sideways glance at Ju.


    Every attack that the newcomer made either maimed or outright killed a fox.


    Meanwhile, Tylen was more amazed by another aspect.


    "He is so young yet can fight so well. Where did he come from?"


    Ju''s attire, weapon, and demeanor make it clear that the boy does not have a solid background, but Tylen finds it hard to believe that Ju is a lone adventurer who grows on his own.


    "Whatever happens as long he continues to help my team." The young man thought.


    Tylen knew that his group was in the bottom tier in Ender Town, even amongst fellow essence gatherers, so Ju''s addition made Him happy.


    "I was right to trust my instincts. Maybe I should even execute that plan sooner."


    Ju''s hand was soaked in blood as he stabbed in the neck of the last fox; his black robe had cuts and slashes, and patches of his blood dropped to the ground. However, Ju learned resilience in the other parts of the Wastelands.


    This level of injury was nothing to him.


    By the time the group settled, they had killed more than 40 foxes, and an entire den had been cleared out.


    Tylen''s face radiated greed as he calculated all the money they would make. A single fox could provide about 40 gold when all its parts were sold. Forty foxes brought one thousand six hundred gold. Each member would see at least 300 gold.


    Tylen quickly explained the processing to Ju.


    Ju just stared at Tylen silently.


    He could not tell if Tylen and the others were deceiving him, but the look on Aron''s face when Tylen said Ju would win the most, 400 gold coins, gave the teenager some confidence.


    "With just one outing, I have made about one-third of the amount I saved by working arduously in the mines for three years." Ju thought with an odd feeling in his heart.


    Furthermore, the foxes were not even that valuable in the eyes of most residents of Ender Town.


    Ju suddenly felt that taking the risk of bringing him and Moonflower here was a good decision. Although the danger was higher, the reruns were too great.


    "I  wondered just how much I could get if I were able to  hunt those savage wolves that drove the foxes out or, even better still, their leader who had formed a core."


    But going after an existence on the same level as an Essence Artist would result in a violent death.


    Ju knew when to calm himself.


    "But I would definitely get stronger."


    This was a fact the teenager was sure of.


    "Damn! Thank heavens we found Brother Ju; see how successful we are today; we could even make more every day at this rate. Let''s celebrate a bit. My treat!" Oberon laughed in his booming voice.


    The thought of returning to Ender Town''s safety and a warm meal made Tylen and the others excited. Even Aron seemed to have a small smile on his face.


    The group quickly packed the corpses of the foxes; Tylen knew someone who would quickly exchange the loot for the money while Ju and the others would stop at a specific restaurant.


    From the description given by Tylen, Ju was surprised that the restaurant was not too far from the inn where he and Moonflower stayed.


    "I will be there as soon as I can., Ju said to Tylen as they prepared to depart.


    "Great! It was nice meeting you, brother Ju."


    Moments later, Ju and his new "partners" left the area and went to their separate locations in Ender Town.


    Not long after they had left, three figures suddenly appeared in the area.

 Chapter 11

    The trio''s different attires covered most of their features. The Essence around the area seemed exceptionally agitated when they arrived, far from when it was just Ju''s group and the foxes.


    Every one of them was an Essence artist!


    If Ju were to observe them, especially the one who stood in the middle, he would have been soaked in cold sweat.


    This person would have an aura far stronger than the Old Kai''s!


    "It seems like they were here for a while and had gotten someone new; there is a different residual aura." One of the figures spoke sharply.


    "But it is certain he is the one we are looking for. Should we go after him?" The shortest of the three offered.


    "No, not yet. I want to observe further, plus that beast is still a bit agitated; it is best we leave it for now." The person who seemed to be the trio''s leader waved his hand. The other two figures didn''t say anything else.


    Soon after, they all vanished, and the area returned to being as it was.


    Ju slowly knocked on a room''s door in the same rhythmic manner he used back then at the cave.


    After a moment, the teenager entered.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    MoonFlower was waiting on the bed crossed-legged with calm eyes; Ju had been gone for half a day.


    She assumed he probably went to hunt as usual; he had a bloody aura around him. However, she could feel some other presence mixed within.


    "He had moved with some other people for a long time." She thought to herself.


    The girl didn''t know what to do with the information or how she could even know that sort of thing, but it was uncomfortable nonetheless.


    Ju observed Moonflower for a few seconds.


    "I went to the outskirts of the forest today, and I followed some people. We were able to score several resources. I would go back to collect the reward. I also have plans to go to the library." Ju briefly said.


    He usually did this, explaining himself and his activities even though it didn''t really matter. Ju felt that sort of communication between them was necessary.


    MoonFlower said nothing, only nodding lightly.


    "I will be heading to the library now. I plan on reading a bit." Ju spoke again.


    "I don''t want to be alone." the little girl finally spoke out with a pleading look.


    Ju''s eyes grew soft for a moment.


    "Most of the time, she stays alone even though it is for her safety. MoonFlower is still a child. Despite everything, she  wants to see the world to some extent."


    However, Ju felt he was not strong enough to protect her from danger.


    "The library might have powerful Essence users. But the group I met today invited me to a small restaurant just a small distance from here. We could go together." Ju pondered a bit and offered.


    When she heard this, the little girl let out a bright smile.


    Ju rubbed her head and proceeded to feed her some sweets.


    Moments later, Ju had an oversized grey coat on as he left the inn.

 Chapter 12

    "The library is quite far from the Inn."


    Ju thought as he made his way through the other street. Unlike before, when he was tense and wary, Ju was beginning to slowly adapt to the atmosphere and was able to experience another side of Ender town. The teenager still saw that several people who moved across this street had auras that made him feel uncomfortable, showing that they were probably much more powerful than him. Ju wondered if there might have even been Essence Artists among them.


    Yet despite all the disparity in power, everywhere was still orderly, and the sort of conflicts inherent in the Wastelands, when a large number of people gathered together, were not present at all.


    At this moment, Ju was more impressed with the city''s authorities for achieving this feat.


    "This should be the place."


    Thirty minutes passed before Ju reached the Library. The building was easily recognisable because it was the largest in the area. Unlike most buildings, the Library was well-built. Its walls were made from polished stone and steel, and slender shutters held wide windows. The entrance was covered by two heavy wooden doors held together by brass hardware; the left door was swung open to allow passage.


    A group of guards patrolled the entrance, checking anyone coming in and out of the Library.


    Ju felt a faint yet dangerous spiritual pressure from them. Just as the young boy was about to approach the guards, a burly-looking man came out of the door. He had a fierce countenance and sideburns on his face while radiating a wild aura.


    The guards, who seemed confident before, suddenly appeared quite meek as the man walked past them.


    "This is¡­"


    Ju closely observed this individual. Given his countenance and the looks of respect from the other guards, Ju suspected he was an Essence Artist.


    The teenager clutched the small bag tightly as he approached the entrance. The supposedly Essence Artist paid zero attention to Ju as he left the area.


    Ju felt a tightening in his chest after the encounter, just like how a prey would feel anxious when he spots a predator. Even though there was no interaction whatsoever, he still felt a bit shaken by how coincidental it was to meet someone like that the first time he visited the Library.


    "Mason is said to be one of the top 5 Essence Artists in the settlement. Rumour even points out that he and Pike had fought numerous times, although he always lost. Pike has acknowledged his strength. What would such a person be looking for at the library


    "Don''t underestimate this place. Although most books were scavenged from more prosperous places, you never know what hidden gem of information you can find relating to specific matters. Insights on meditation techniques and essence arts could be derived from the books there, although the chances are very low. Perhaps Mason is at a bottleneck and needs a different source of knowledge." One of the guards analysed


    "He is already a fairly powerful Essence Artist; what else can he be looking for? If I were already an Essence Artist, I would start a family and live my remaining life in splendour." Another guard fantasised.


    "Hehe, it''s not a bed of roses as you might think; I even believe anyone who can take that step and condense a spirit source lives a more tumultuous life than us; even without the danger, there is also ambition. After all, there are ranks for Essence Artists, and even within the ranks, there are subdivisions. No one would want his peers to outshine him, so they still have to train and look for ways to get stronger and stronger¡­or die in the process." A nostalgic look appeared on the other guard as he spoke out.


    Ju could not hear them discussing anything. Instead, he provided his means of Identification: a small piece of fine wood infused with Essence that authorities in Ender Town used. The wood also contained Ju''s Essence imprint, meaning that the item was unique to him alone.


    After confirming that Ju''s Essence matched that in the Wooden Token, Ju paid the fee and entered the LLibrary.


    There were fewer people than Ju had expected in the building. But that was to be expected to some extent.


    "So many books."If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Although he was on the lowest floor of the Library, everywhere  Ju looked, tall shelves of paper books stretched into the distance.


    According to the Attendant, the books had already been arranged into various topics and subcategories, each with books of varying qualities. The lowest floor had low-grade books, and more precious knowledge was available as one went higher.


    There were even rumours that the highest floor had only seven books, 3 of which were bonafide meditation techniques, much more effective than tempering formula, and the rest were powerful spells, even among the ones used by Essence Artists.


    "There should be about 70 books on the lowest floor," Ju observed as he took his seat.


    He had about 3 hours before he was required to pay again.


    "I have  to use my time wisely."


    Ju had spent about 200 gold coins on four books.


    He spent about 30 minutes selecting the books he wanted to check. In the end, the teenager chose only four books.


    A Basic Description of Essence and its Users.


    Who are the Essence Artists?


    A General Overview of the World.


    Common beasts in the Wastelands.


    These books contained common knowledge, but it was valuable and rare information for the people of the Wastelands. After all, one would not expect people who don''t know where their next meal will come from to bother about the state of the World and miscellaneous information.


    Few people in the Wastelands were interested in this kind of knowledge and even had to pay an exorbitant price for it.


    "I do not think that I earned enough to read as much as necessary. There were still many other things that I needed to worry about, such as Moonflower''s upkeep, his training, and better equipment."


    After seeing the power of the tools used by Zabel and Aron, Ju became interested in weapons with writing on them.


    Another issue the teenager had was that he could not read as fluently as he would have liked. In the mines, Old Kai taught him how to read the most common language and recognise symbols. Although Ju was not completely literate, he could only slowly navigate paperwork.


    The first book he went through was titled General Overview of the World.


    According to the book, the World was divided into six regions by "Veins of the Earth."


    North, South, East, West, and the Central region.


    The last region was not named.


    Each region and its inhabitants, whether Mortal or Essence Users, had special characteristics that made them unique.


    Ju discovered that he was in the Northern Region, which is said to have the least dense amount of Essence, more impurities, and the most scarce resources.


    Because of this, the people from the North lived tougher lives on average than their counterparts. Ju could certainly relate to this.


    But the North was much more than just Wastelands Ju was currently in. In fact, the Wastelands could not even be described as one per cent of the territories in the North. It was just a lonely place no one even cared about.


    An actual territory in the North that Ju estimated was closest to Wulan City was Wulan City.


    "The place Old Kai came from¡­"


    Old Kai in the mines told him a bit about the place; it was about 15 times the size of the Wastelands and roughly hundreds of thousands of kilometres from here.


    Even for Essence Artists, this was an incredibly long distance. Ju wondered how those foreigners came to the Wastelands since it was now obvious they came from Wulan City.


    That was all the useful information Ju could extract from the book. The book also described other regions, such as how the Central Continent was the most powerful and prosperous part of the World, the East was blessed with the densest amount of Essence and Resources, and the Southern plains were home to the largest number of spiritual beasts and other "Non-Human" entities. The West was the only region unified and ruled by only one power: the blood of the titan, the An family.


    But Ju didn''t delve deep into the other places. After all, he did not know if he could explore the entire North, not to mention other regions, throughout his life.


    The young boy quickly went to the next book.


    A basic description of Essence and its users.


    No one actually knew how Essence appeared in the World. Ancient scholars believed an almighty beast came to this World to die. Its body disintegrated, giving what was known as the "Essence" of its body, which spread. Its bones became the veins of the earth that separated the regions.


    The prerequisite to using Essence lies in a person''s anatomy from birth. This special trait was known as Spirit Nodes. It was very rare for someone to be born with them. There were nine nodes: one in the Glabella, chest, and umbilical part, two in each arm, and one in each leg.


    You can not begin to absorb Essence if you don''t have these nodes in your body. The more nodes you open, the more Essence you can absorb, and the more likely you are to become an essence artist.


    Time slowly went on, and he kept on reading.


    Ju spent more than an hour reading the book. The young boy was beginning to understand the very basis of what he wanted to become: the power he sought.


    The fact that he had the Spirit nodes made him special amongst hundreds of thousands; he didn''t ever want to waste this opportunity.


    "I should be able to use the tempering formula now properly."


    The youth then checked the next book.


    Who are the Essence Artists?

 Chapter 13

    Essence Artists were beings that condensed a spirit source and reached a sufficient stage in essence manipulation. Since the beginning of time, humans and beasts have been competitive. Eventually, some understood how to use essence better than others, and distinctions were slowly being made. Then, finally, Essence Users became divided into ranks.


    Rank 1 to 9.


    In fact, it was only Ranked 1 to 3 Essence Users, who were generally referred to as Essence Artists.


    Ranks 4 to 6 were known as Essence Masters.


    Then, Rank 7 to 9 were known as Essence Lords.


    It was unclear whether Rank 10 existed, but since immemorial, when the first men and beasts alike could use essence, no one could be said to have reached that level.


    The difference between each Essence rank was vast and grew as one ascended higher. For example, the difference in strength between a Rank 1 Essence Artist and a Rank 2 Essence Artist could not compare to the difference that existed between a Rank 3 and a Rank 2 Essence Artist.


    Even more distinctive were the breakthrough ranks: an Artist, a Master, and a lord. The difference between them was incalculable.


    Strength was the core of the World of the Essence users; the largest fist has the greatest say.


    Fairness and Equality were non-existent. If a stronger person bullied you, then it was only right; if he went further and killed you, you could only blame your bad luck for being weak.


    No Essence artist ever challenged someone who was of a higher rank than they were; it was akin to suicide.


    Within an Essence Rank, there were three substages. Mastering Essence was profound and incredibly difficult. Even just reading, Ju felt dread at the task ahead.


    Each rank had Early, Middle, and late stages. After the late stages of one rank, you would break through to the next rank if you were lucky or skilled enough.


    Even though the last stage of mastering the Essence Arts lay in the lord ranks, there was still one more distinction.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Rank 9 was said to be the apex, but within that rank existed a title, a rare feat achieved by only the most talented of Essence Users¡ªa Lord amongst the lords.


    "An Exalt¡­"


    Ju trembled a bit as he read the final part of the book.


    This was the very apex of the World. Exalts were the most powerful beings known in history, worshipped like literal gods.


    Throughout the ages, there had been only 9 Exalts.


    The Origin Exalt, The Flame Exalt, The Blood Exalt, The Ice Exalt, The Moon Exalt, The Exalt of the Sword, Battle Spirit Exalt, The Purple Rose Exalt, and The Soul Exalt.


    Each Exalt had completed his principle and achieved greatness.


    At some point, every region produced an Exalt, some more than others.


    The Exalted Rank was known to be the final point of an Essence Artist''s Journey.


    There may have been a tenth rank; no one knew for sure.


    But the first person to ever reach the level of an Exalt, An Muren, once made a simple quote that transverse throughout the ages.


    "The path of an Essence Artist is Endless."


    The teenager slowly closed the book, feeling emotional.


    "The Path is endless."


    Ju pondered on these words for some time.


    Soon after, the teenager regained his calmness. Although Ju felt inspired by the book, he was realistic. Ju doubted that there was no Rank 2 Essence Artist in the Wastelands. If there had been, he would have heard about them.


    So, out of about less than fifty Essence Artists in the Wastelands, the fact that no single Rank 2 Essence Artist emerged showed how difficult it was even to move up a single rank.


    Even the book mentioned how difficult it was to advance. Most people barely pass the Rank 1 stage as Essence Artists without exceptional talent, backing, and access to resources.


    Things that could not be found in the Wastelands.


    "Moonflower¡­"


    not able to go as far as an Essence Artist, maybe he can take her to prosperous places like Wulan City, and they could have a better life together.


    The teenager clenched his fists.


    "Strength. Above all, I need Strength."


    Ju finally opened the last book.


    Common beasts in the Wastelands.


    The book was the smallest of the four. It superficially described the spiritual beasts normally found in the wastelands and the species that found it easier to form a core than others. Ju read the book fairly quickly, and by the time he was done, he already had a mental image of various beasts and their characteristics.


    After a few moments, Ju''s three hours were up. He quickly put away the books and left the library.


    "I  am slightly behind the time for the meeting."

 Chapter 14

    The teenager went back to the inn to get MoonFlower.


    When he returned to the room, Ju noticed that she hadn''t stayed in bed this time but was pacing around.


    "Are we going already?" She asked eagerly.


    Ju nodded as he looked at her clothing. She still had the same large black coat to cover her body and the scarf for her hair.


    Ju thought of the blue dress underneath. It was an eye-catching piece of clothing he had bought from one of the foreign forces'' stores while working in the mines.


    It was woven with a special material that preserved body heat, making it useful in hot and cold conditions. He had purchased it for protection only while they were travelling to Ender Town, but now it seemed he could use it for other purposes.


    "Maybe it is better if you wear this for today."


    After some thought, the teenager removed her coat, revealing the long blue dress for the first time.


    The scarf stayed, although he took it off for some time to add some touches to Moon Flower''s long black hair. Ju had never learned braiding techniques, but he observed the hair patterns of the women who regularly visited Old Kai in the mines. Clumsily, Ju could barely set the hair well enough for the scarf to cover it completely.


    Ju then brought out a small bottle of rose oil he had purchased on the way back and applied it on the little girl''s arms and neck.


    After he had finished with her face, Ju inspected himself. Although his clothing was not entirely dirty, it was torn in several places due to a fight with foxes, and his blood had soaked the bandages in various places.


    "I should wear something else also."


    Ju didn''t feel comfortable wearing the same attire to meet Tylen and the others. The teenager didn''t care so much about his appearance, but he felt it was unwise to create scenarios in which they would have the opportunity to look down on him or learn about his situation.


    Old Kai gave him one piece of fine clothing when he worked in the mines. That day, the elder took Ju along to meet his superiors. Although Ju didn''t enter, the meeting went so well that Old Kai gave him a robe.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    For three years, he never wore it; the clothing was too clean, too precious.


    He could use it today, even if he were not too eager to wear it. The teenager would have preferred to keep it safe and untouched.


    "I guess we have no choice then."


    Eventually, Ju put on the black robe with some embroidery embedded in the front. The robe covered most of his body, allowing him to remove the bandages on his arms and other body parts.


    But Ju didn''t remove the bandages that covered his face; no matter the situation, the youth would never completely reveal his face or that of his sibling.


    Ju had considered purchasing a mask, but he felt that would have made them more conspicuous. Instead, he applied a soot-like mixture to darken both their skins, a powder to lessen the light in her eyes, and other¡­ slight modifications.


    By the time he was done, most of her appearance had thoroughly changed; she looked much more ordinary and plain, not a starving look, but not that well of either¡ªthe look a typical person in the Wastelands had.


    Ju had learned this in his earlier days when he could not use Essence. His face often drew unwanted attention, and at times, mortal, dangerous events took place because of the interest both females and males showed him.


    That''s when he learned about Dressing Powder, both black and white, an item usually used by women who wanted to appear more ''pleasing'' to men.


    The different types of powder are usually made from the crushed wings of silver and dark moths. Ju began hunting these insects alone because he could not afford to buy them.


    He used the powder until he was about ten, when his left eye began to hurt. Then, his skin became even whiter and much more noticeable. He opted for bandages, a scarf, and an eye patch.


    A few years later, Ju was using the same procedure now for his child; an odd feeling could not help but appear in his heart.


    "Let''s go, little one."


    The teenager smiled and said.


    The restaurant Tylen mentioned was not far from the inn where they stayed. Ju had heard Oberon say it was called the Three Crowns restaurant.


    The restaurant had many people present. As Ju observed, it had about thirty tables, and twenty were filled.


    Almost immediately, Ju had seen the party, Oberon''s prominent muscular figure occupying the space for two people, and Zabel''s gleaming bow pointing out of the chair.


    "Ha-ha, welcome, Ju," Tylen said enthusiastically, smiling.


    "Although a bit late," Aron muttered lightly.


    "I am sorry for my lateness. I lost track of time while at the library. This is my sibling."


    Ju said softly.


    "Oh, what''s her name?" Zabel asked curiously.

 Chapter 15

    Ju was stunned for a moment.


    Moonflower could not remember her real name since he found her inside the lake, so he gave her one. Although he didn''t feel the name was good enough, she seemed fine with it.


    The young boy, even his name, Ju, could not remember the background behind it. All he knew was that Ju was the name that his parents gave to him.


    His memories of his parents were in disarray, but that was a matter the teenager would deal with later.


    "Moon¡­Moon-flower," he muttered. Thinking of the night, he found her under the bright full moon, delicate and helpless like a flower.


    A Flower is blooming under Moonlight.


    "Her name is Moonflower," Ju said once more affirmatively.


    The little girl''s eyes brightened as she held Ju''s hand tighter. It did not matter what she might have been called before; her name was Moonflower now, and that was all there was to it.


    "Oh, Moon-flower, I see," Tylen said with twinkling eyes. He then placed a medium-sized brown pouch on the desk.


    "We were lucky to get a good deal today, better than normal. The apprentice of an alchemist was in urgent need of the body parts of foxes, so he paid a slightly higher price." Oberon said in a booming voice.


    "It''s 500 gold coins," Aron said lightly.


    "You can check it if you want," Zabel added.


    But Ju shook his head as he took the pouch and placed it by his side.


    "It''s fine."


    When they saw Ju''s tactfulness, Tylen, and the group''s looks eased further. They were slowly beginning to warm up to this quiet boy. He was silent, could fight well, and never questioned anything they did.


    However, Ju thought to himself.


    "They had been lying right from the forest; they purposely kept my exceptions low so that when they gave me a higher amount than was promised. I would be grateful and would not think much of it. Even now, those body parts are worth much more than they are saying. Still, I can''t act on my own right now. Tylen is a familiar face in Ender Town. It is easier for him to move goods. Suppose I decide to hunt and sell alone. I might be targeted. For now, I have to play along."This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The young boy gently felt the pouch in his right hand.


    When Tylen dropped it on the table, Ju knew it contained five hundred coins.


    "Ju, you have so much power at such a young age. I can imagine you have been through quite a lot." Tylen said lightly as he took a sip of his drink, as he wanted to continue


    "What I am driving at is..."


    ''Tylen, let''s leave the talking for now; let''s eat!'' Oberon waved his hand as he called the waiter.


    Fresh rabbit meat cooked in a thick broth with vegetables and herbs was served. Oberon had ordered 30 plates for just the six of them, but still, it was hardly enough. People who could use Essence needed much more energy than mortals, so their appetites were enormous.


    In fact, the most desired food for Essence Artists was powerful spiritual beasts and spiritual plants infused with Essence, which provided much more energy. This source of food was still paramount in an Essence Artist''s journey.


    The flesh obtained from a beast that had formed a core provided benefits. Pseudo-spiritual beasts, like the foxes Ju had hunted earlier, were not all that different from normal animals.


    The amount of essence and energy humans could derive from beasts was far less than what the beast could gather if it ate the essence user instead. This was why pseudo-spiritual beasts provided little to no essence for the consumer at all.


    The benchmark was a beast that had already formed a core.


    Ju and the others ate normal rabbits. Of course, they could not afford to eat that type of spiritual beast just yet; it was too extravagant.


    Even though Ju had often fantasised about the taste of such powerful creatures, it was still a pipe dream to acquire them for now.


    Large jars were also brought forth; Ju perceived the thick, pungent smell of alcohol from them, although they didn''t smell half as rich as the Old Kai usually drank.


    Tylen quickly poured for everyone, but his expression turned slightly awkward when he got to Ju and Moon-flower.


    "You should have ordered a drink made from only fruits." Zabel chuckled.


    "Well, to be honest, if you are old enough to fight in life or death battle against spiritual beasts, then you are old enough to drink," Aron muttered.


    Ju took the cup and sipped. Not wanting to be left out, Moon Flower did the same.


    Ju felt a rush of heat in his lower abdominal region, gradually spreading to other parts of his body. Under the bandages, the skin around his face grew flushed.


    The young boy was even beginning to feel lightheaded; when they saw this, Tylen and others laughed.


    "It was just one sip, Ju. You would be a very lightweight in the future." Oberon mocked.


    But when it was Moon-flower, there seemed to be no change in her countenance; this was someone relatively younger than Ju, and within moments, she had finished her cup with a regular expression.


    "Can¡­ Can I have more?" She spoke out for the first time.


    Looking at the child, who was not up to ten years old yet quickly finished a cup of flame spirit, provoked odd looks from Tylen and the rest.

 Chapter 16

    "Moonflower..."


    Ju had an uneasy expression. The drink was meant for those who could use Essence to some degree, so it was much stronger than usual alcohol.


    Ordinary people could be seriously injured if they consumed it. Moonflower could not use Essence yet, so Ju could not help but be worried.


    Oberon shrugged his shoulders and poured more for the little girl.


    "Ju, you should probably learn something from her." The large man teased.


    Ju looked at his cup, which was still quite full; his expression hardened as he took another gulp, this one much larger than the last.


    If the previous feeling was like a fire raging, this was an inferno. Every part of his insides screamed with a massive number of sensations; it was so much that he could not help but cough a little.


    Everyone, including the indifferent Aron, chuckled at the young boy''s helplessness. Ju normally had a frighteningly calm exterior and rarely displayed emotion, so seeing the boy so flustered because of the drink pleased the others in a way.


    Even Moon Flower was smiling as she drank her portion with ease.


    Gradually, the atmosphere became harmonious, and time flew by.


    By the time they were about to leave, Tylen had already explained the next course of action to Ju.


    "The group will meet at the outskirts tomorrow. I got the information for a high price; our target is no longer the foxes but a nest of golden falcons, which had already become spiritual beasts. The falcons have a leader who was very close to forming a core, and the beasts were already responsible for quite a number of deaths."


    "But they would be able to fly; how are we going to deal with that?" Ju pondered for a moment and asked.


    Tylen took another sip of his drink and continued.


    "Their ability to take flight made them troublesome, making them difficult targets. The crux of the mission would be Zabel and her bow. The others would play supporting roles."


    Ju was confused about how they could help Zabel get enough power to slaughter an entire nest.


    "Don''t worry, you will see."


    Tylen, with a mysterious smile, said. Ju didn''t ask anything further.


    The teenager and Moonflower then left the restaurant. When they returned to the inn, it was mostly empty.


    As usual, the Old Woman was at her counter, wearing the same crooked smile as the first day Ju saw her.


    Ju gave a polite greeting and quickly went into his room.


    Although she was still happy about their outing, Moon-Flower was already tired, and it didn''t take long for her to go to bed. This was after she made Ju had to promise her that he would retake her to the restaurant and¡­bring her more Flame spirit wine.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    A request the young boy found to be quite disturbing.


    "It''s time to check it now."


    Ju went to the drawer and took out the tempering formula. This time, he was much more familiar with the signs and symbols referenced in the manual.


    Ju then sat cross-legged on the mat, slowly regulating his breathing.


    According to theory and some descriptions he studied at the library, anyone who could use Essence had nine Spirit nodes: three in the glabella, chest and umbilical region, and two in each arm and leg.


    Ju reasoned that he had awakened one Spirit node each in his two arms.


    Leaving seven more to be awakened. Most people who didn''t have a meditation technique were like this, because trying to open more Spirit nodes required more absorption of Essence in the wastelands, which was dangerous, as impurities also gathered around the Spirit nodes.


    With every Node awakened, one came closer to becoming an Essence Artist. To become an Essence Artist, one has to awaken every Node and then try to condense a spirit source in order to create something out of nothing, like an artist on his canvas.


    Mediation techniques were indispensable to attempt awakening more than one Spirit node. The tempering formula allowed the user to gather Essence through tidal waves. In other words, its greatest aspect was its accelerated nature of gathering Essence.


    The moment one Spirit node was opened, Essence would rush into the person''s body, and the tides would rise, overlapping each other and grinding against each Spirit node. Due to the harsh nature of the mediation technique, impurities were generally removed efficiently.


    Because of this, the tempering formula was widely decimated for common people. Foot soldiers and sacrificial warriors in large clans and forces were trained using this art.


    However, the drawback was obvious: Because of the tumultuous nature, using this technique was very painful. Depending on the number of tides he generated, the user might damage his body extensively.


    So, the more one used the tempering formula, the more damage it could cause. In other words, just like the impurities the mediation technique was created to remove, the method was more difficult and deadly with the higher frequency of usage.


    "Ironical." Ju thought.


    Because of this hidden danger, no one used just the tempering formula to become an Essence Artist, that is, if they wished to progress further in the Essence arts.


    Most people switch to another mediation technique when they are close to taking that final step.


    This was why Tempering Formula was relatively easy to access, even in the Wastelands.


    "But I do not have much of a choice." Other better meditation techniques were tightly controlled, and access required more than money. Usually, you would have to swear allegiance to the force or person providing the meditation technique.


    Due to his personality, Ju could not take that route,y et he needed more personal strength for his future.


    And the only way to get stronger was to open more Spirit nodes.


    Following the instructions in the Tempering Formula, Ju imagined the Essence gathering like a lake. Slowly, he tried to gather waves. The tides were slowly rising.


    Ju knew he had completed a cycle when he saw the first tide. Ju willed the Essence flow to the Node on his chest.


    Bang.


    A light crash sounded in the youth''s mind as painful sensations transmitted throughout his body. Ju observed that the impurities were still very much present. He then tried to raise another tide, then another, and another.


    Until there were three separate tides, the pain was so intense that the young boy could not stop trembling; tiny streaks of blood came out of his orifices. One of the factors that contributed to the pain and difficulty was the vast amount of impurities he had gathered when he used dark assault back then on his way to Ender town.


    Ju''s body was on the verge of collapse, but he still held on. According to the manual, the more numerous the tides, the purer the essence and the more straightforward it would be to awaken a Spirit node.


    "I have to hold on."


    Using sheer willpower, the teenager bit his tongue and directed the EEssenceagain to his chest node.


    This time, the sound was much larger, and Ju could feel the resistance loosening; the Spirit node was gaining a bit of light.

 Chapter 17

    About thirty minutes had passed, and Ju tried so many times to awaken that node but to no avail. It was only that flicker of light that showed until the end, and then the pain grew so much that he could not hold on any longer.


    Ju had no choice but to stop. In between heavy breaths, he analyzed the events. There were two problems.


    ¡°One is my endurance; perhaps I have to slowly get used to the discomfort that the meditation technique brought to awaken a node.¡±


    ¡°The second is the amount and quality of Essence I can draw. Even though the Essence in Ender town seems relatively better than the one from where he came from, it is still impure and very sparse.¡±


    ¡°Raising the tides with so little Essence around was challenging.¡± He lamented inwardly as he wiped the blood from his mouth.


    ¡°But it was not completely useless. Part of my Essence feels stronger.¡± Ju observed himself. He could sense a part of the spirit node that was much more vibrant than the other, but it was not profound. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Ju reckoned that with this type of Essence in the room, at this rate, he might not be able to awaken even a single node in one year.


    ¡°Perhaps this was why there was no ¡°young¡± Essence artist. It takes a lot of  time to progress.¡±


    ¡°But I don¡¯t have time.¡±


    He needed strength to protect himself and his child, and he needed that strength as soon as possible.


    ¡°What steps can I take.¡±


    He thought about when he first came to Ender Town. The guard at the entrance talked about a particular room with pure Essence that could aid his training. But then the guard spoke about how difficult it was for ordinary people to have access; it was not by money alone.


    Ju sighed internally.


    ¡°There seems to be no quick solution; for now, I have to become used to the pain of the Tempering formula.¡±


    After struggling to clear his mind of disturbing thoughts, the teenager went beside Moonflower and soon fell into a dreamless sleep.

 Chapter 18

    The next day


    A group of five slowly made their way up a small hill around the outskirts of the forest. In front of them were several nests, and the occasional sound of avian life could be heard. The mists were thick, but flying creatures could still be seen.


    Ju reflexively rubbed his arms together; it was a cold morning. Tylen had suggested setting out early to avoid complications or human interference. Oberon, Aron, and Zabel were beside him as Tylen unfolded a large paper parchment.


    ¡°Have any of you heard amount Formations before?¡± Tylen asked with a mysterious smile.


    Ju frowned a bit; Aron''s eyes flickered imperceptibly while Oberon and Zabel shook their heads straightforwardly.


    ¡°I saw something relating to it in the library; it was used in ancient wars between Essence Artists. By adopting some position, the warriors could form a much more powerful channel of essence to enhance their offensive or defensive power.¡± Ju stated briefly.


    Tylen nodded his head.


    ¡±But formations are quite rare and valuable,  and just like meditation techniques, they are tightly controlled by powerful forces. How did you have contact with such an item?¡± Aron asked curiously.


    ¡°Yes and No. I purchased a one-time use from an Essence Artist I am familiar with; this formation is incomplete even, but still very, very powerful. It is called the Sun Chasing Arrow Formation. You might have guessed what it does from the name. Using this piece of paper, we could temporarily summon the formation and channel our Essence to Zabel, who would have the power of the sun chasing arrow for around 15 minutes. Our main goal is to kill the leader of the Falcons; doing that would make the rest of the work easy after that. Tylen explained with excitement.


    ¡±Since I was solely responsible for purchasing this, I would take 30% of our total profits later.¡± Tylen continued solemnly.


    Ju and the others didn¡¯t need to think long before nodding in agreement.


    Tylen smiled and instructed them to sit cross-legged and told Zabel to stay at the center.


    Tylen placed the parchment and slowly chanted in an obscure language. Ju''s eye flicked. Essence arts were not just directly using Essence; there were other ways to manifest essence, including techniques, spells, and skills.


    The book didn¡¯t define these terms, but Ju guessed that what Tylen was doing now was some spell. Techniques generally didn¡¯t need to be accompanied by words.


    The atmosphere became tense; everyone could feel the Essence in the area getting agitated.


    A low cackling sound occurred, and Ju¡¯s eyes hardened. The falcons were also agitated now.


    One by one, flashes of blue light appeared in the air. The falcon''s size was about the same as that of a normal one. But there was a difference: their wings were blue in contrast with the white of their body.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    The wings shimmered with light. Right in the center of the crowd, Ju spotted one particular falcon. It was bigger than the rest, and its wing span was more significant than the others. There seemed to be a bulge on top of his head. Massive spiritual pressure emanated from its body, which appeared to be short of an essence artist.


    On sighting the Falcon Leader, Tylen started chanting faster; the parchment of paper soon began to dissolve around them into specks of yellow light. The yellow light soon began to form into a circular disk with a pointed end.


    ¡°Zabel, prepare your bow and stay on that pointed end. Aron, Oberon, and Ju start gathering your Essence; the formation will do the rest.¡± Tylen hurriedly spoke while taking out a bottle and drinking its contents. His figure seemed to be enlarged suddenly, and Tylen''s hands glowed with red light.


    ¡°I would stand guard, Zabel. It''s up to you to make sure to kill the falcon!¡±


    After seeing the threats below, the falcon let out a loud cry, like a signal. The others also let out their own shouts.


    Opening their mouths, the falcons shot large blue blasts towards the formation.


    Ju''s face turned ugly as he felt Essence leave his body steadily; no matter what happened once he saw the situation threaten his life, he would go at once. The pressure that particular Falcon gave was enormous; Ju was not sure all of them together could defeat not to talk about its minions.


    Zabel took out her bow as the yellow light gathered near her. The woman drew her bow. Previously, simple white arrows formed, but now they were golden and emitted such intense heat that Zabel¡¯s skin felt pain.


    She let out the arrow. Even Ju, with his sensitized eye, could not properly make out the arrow because of its speed. However, the falcon leader was alert. The spiritual beast quickly twisted its body, and the arrow flew past it and headed toward the smaller falcons.


    A low explosion sounded. The falcon bodies soon flew to the ground, sensing the threat. The falcon leader''s cries became louder and fiercer. The birds, sensing their leader''s killing intent, fired more blasts toward the formations.


    Tylen snorted, bringing his arms together; he formed a large seal in front of the formation.


    No matter how much the blue blasts were, they dissipated once they made contact with the seal.


    Zabel took a deep breath and drew her bow again. The sun-chasing arrow once again formed. This time, Zabel didn¡¯t immediately release the arrow; instead, her eyes shone with intense light as she observed the movements of the falcon leader.


    The spiritual bird also sensed it had been targeted, sending another signal. Other falcons rapidly converged in its direction, acting as decoys. Zabel didn¡¯t seem to mind this as she let out the arrow; this time, her aim was true.


    The arrow shone a bright light as it pierced through the bodies of two smaller falcons; the arrow found its way into the wings of the Falcon leader. It let out a cry of pain, but it was apparent it would take more than one arrow to bring it down.


    Cycling around in the air, the falcons became much more aggressive; in addition to the blast, the minions started to make actual contact with the Tylen seal.


    Tylen was close to becoming overwhelmed when he shouted.


    ¡°Half the time has already been used up.¡±


    Ju and rest tensed up, further mobilizing even more Essence, and the formation shone even brighter.


    Starlight converged around her hands as Zabel was about to continue attacking, but she formed two arrows this time. Her figure seemed to shake due to the stress, but she held on.


    The two arrows were released with hot air, intertwining as one. They made their way to the falcon leader. Once again, however, it was still the wings and not a particularly vital spot.


    The falcon leader''s eyes turned red as a burst of essence converged into the body; the falcon leader flapped its wings as numerous blue lights shone from its feathers. The attack was aimed at the formation, but Tylen stood in its way,


    After sensing the intensity of the attack, the young man''s eyes grew solemn. He rapidly made strange movements as the seal grew enough stronger and more resilient.


    Ju''s eye flickered when he saw this.

 Chapter 19

    ¡°Hand seals.¡± He muttered silently.


    The book in the library described hand seals as effective ways to cast techniques swiftly; in addition, they were quite easy to master and execute; the major problem lay hand seals were specific; in other words, one had to have the correct stances to cast a technique, any incorrect variation and a backlash was certain.


    Another problem was that casting hand seals took a large amount of essence every time it was cast. Just like Old Kai said back then in the mines, objectively, it was not only those who had forged a spirit source that could use essence arts and techniques; each attack depended on the amount of essence that was used to cast it.


    This was why someone who did not have a spirit source and a large Essence reserve could not use most techniques.


    The attacks rained upon Tylen like an avalanche, but the seal stayed steady.


    ¡°Zabel!¡± His shouts were becoming more desperate.


    Even though the Falcon leader attacks were becoming much more dangerous because it was getting closer, it was much more vulnerable than before. This position of the Falcon provided a better aim, and Zabel didn¡¯t waste the opportunity.


    Letting loose another arrow with killing intent, the midsection of the leader was hit. The spiritual bird backed off a bit as the streams of blue blood flowed.


    Ju could see the shimmering of the half-formed core; his body displayed endless longing. Every group member had greed in their eyes. Even if it was not completed yet, this was a precious resource that could set them on the path of an Essence artist.


    The spiritual feeling of its injury started to retreat, its minions shielding its escape.


    ¡°Oh no, it''s getting away!¡± Oberon struggled to say. His side of the formation was already dissipating. All his nodes were already drained; all the team members were exhausted.


    Ju still had some essence left. The light from the tempering formula still flickered in his right arm node, but that was strictly for his safety; he could not use it to fuel the formation.


    ¡°Zabel, just one more good shot; time is almost up,¡± Aron said between deep breaths.


    A tinge of blood appeared on the girl¡¯s mouth as she formed the last arrow; behind her, the formation was already fading out of existence, and the Falcon leader was already gaining altitude; in a few seconds, it would be out of sight.


    The bow inscriptions shone even brighter, so she arched her back. Letting out a low cry, she shot the last sun-chasing arrow.


    The Falcon leader could feel the life-of-death threat. It desperately tried to dodge, but it had been weakened due to the previous confrontations, making it a little too late for the beast to dodge; almost immediately, its head exploded mid-air in a blast of fiery light.


    Its enormous body slowly spiraled around in the air and crashed down. There were about eight Falcons left. They became even more bloodthirsty after seeing their leader die and rushed towards Tylen.


    Everyone was already on their knees. Tylen could not even maintain the seal anymore. Seeing the remaining spiritual birds approaching, beads of cold sweat formed on Tylen¡¯s head. But suddenly, a figure flashed by his side. It was Ju.


    Ju brought out his dagger. The spiritual birds shot blasts towards him. Ju''s single eye shrank as he rapidly dodged. His last Spirit node shone with a brighter light.


    ¡°There is a difference between the Essence of the tempering formula and the one I had previously. ¡°


    This one in his forearm sprit node felt purer, more potent.


    Swiftly, Ju buried his dagger into the head of one bird. Meanwhile, his left leg vibrated with power as he twisted his body and launched a vicious kick at the falcon beside him. Ju''s single eye moved as he felt two falcons coming at his sides. In a split second, he freed his dagger from the slain spiritual bird and threw it into the midsection of the falcon on his left.


    His hand shot forward, grabbed the falcon''s mouth by the right, and clenched! The falcon''s head exploded immediately. In less than a few seconds, Ju had destroyed the eight birds.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Ju had never felt anything like this. The Essence felt much better, and he could feel the flow intimately.


    ¡°The meditation technique''s results are already showing, and this was the basic tempering formula that circulates around.¡±


    The teenager didn¡¯t know that most people usually only raise one tide when using this mediation technique. Ju had raised three tides on the first night and gone through more than a few cycles. Ju''s pain tolerance seemed to be very much, much larger than that of the average Essence user.


    By enduring more, the benefits were better, and Ju had access to a relatively purer, more robust Essence.


    ¡°I have to practice seriously and awaken another node.¡±


    Meanwhile, Tylen and others were also astonished by Ju''s sudden burst of power. Although they all still reserved some power, Ju was so energetic that he quickly slain the remaining spiritual birds.


    Uneasy expressions appeared in Tylen, Aron, Zabel, and Oberon. Would this young boy turn on them since they were weakened after all? Ju himself seemed¡­unaffected by the previous fight.


    ¡°I would keep watch; you guys should try to regain some strength,¡± Ju said indifferently, acting as if he didn''t see their wary faces.


    For a split moment, Ju actually did consider attacking them and taking all the loot for himself, but after debating internally, he decided the risks were not worth it. Ju didn''t believe they had used all their trump cards in the last battle.


    ¡°Thank you, Brother Ju. You are full of surprises to think you have robust reserves like that. Have you opened another node?¡± Tylen said curiously.


    Ju shook his head.


    ¡°Almost, it''s¡­ hard.¡±


    ¡°Yes it is, for the past 5 years I have been trying to open my 5th node to no avail.¡± Oberon sighed


    Ju''s eye flickered. Oberon had four nodes open, yet Ju had only two.


    "Tylen, Aron, and Zabel would also be like that; three to five nodes had opened already, yet I could roughly match them in strength."


    It may have revealed that the teenager had more battle experience. Now, with the tempering formula, Ju felt he would gradually eclipse them in power.


    Sometime after, the group members recovered. It was time to divide the loot.


    As the group looked at the falcon leader without its head on the floor, mixed feelings floated around. This was perhaps the most powerful being they had ever encountered, and its value was impressive. For a beast of that caliber, even without the half-formed core, it could sell more than a thousand gold coins and, with the core, up to tens of thousands.


    ¡°I will be straightforward. I want the half-formed core. The rest can be divided without me,¡± Tylen pondered and said straightforwardly.


    The other members were silent. Without Tylen''s methods, they would have never slayed the beast, so his request was not unreasonable. However, it wasn''t easy to let go of such an item.


    Sensing the hesitation of the others. Tylen gritted his teeth and offered.


    ¡°I would also add 600 gold coins for each of you.¡±


    ¡°Since Brother Tylen wants it¡­I accept your proposal.¡±


    Ju said decisively. Although he regretted the half-formed core, it was no use dragging the matter out. The benefits he received were quite enough.


    ¡°I also accept your term, Tylen.¡± Oberon waved his hand.


    Zabel also nodded as she stood aside. Aron''s expression remained unwilling, but he eventually sighed and moved backward.


    Tylen beamed a brilliant smile as he put the core away.


    A few minutes later, the rest of the loot was divided. Ju took the bulk of falcons he had killed alone, while Zabel settled for just the Falcon leader. Oberon and Aron shared the rest.


    ¡°I feel we should take a  few days to rest before we hunt again, at least to digest our gains. I will give you all your proceeds tonight. Let''s meet at the restaurant again.¡± Tylen happily said.


    Ju calculated the amount he would soon have, already more than 1,000 gold coins. The youth felt surreal.


    He had learned that the Essence Artist rarely used gold coins to transact; rather, spirit stones were used, and bits of the earth veins were filled with Essence.


    The usual exchange rate was 1000 gold coins for one spirit stone, but it was rare for anyone to trade a spirit stone for gold coins. Ju had never seen a bonafide spirit stone, even in the mines where they could occasionally be obtained, and he had never seen the purification process.


    With the amount he had made, Ju thought of going to the library''s second floor. The first three floors of the library were open to anyone with enough money, but the third and fourth floors required special requirements.


    "But the most important thing right now was to open another spirit node." The young boy reasoned.


    The group agreed to disperse and meet later, and Ju swiftly went on his way. Aron had an odd look on his face as he watched Ju¡¯s back slowly fade.


    ¡°What do you think of him?¡±


    ¡°Definitely the most talented individual I have seen; I didn¡¯t even know what a fight was at that age. Yet he has such a warrior instinct. But then, in this environment, potential means nothing without backing.¡± Oberon crossed his arms and calmly stated.


    ¡°Meanwhile, his nature¡­ I can''t place a finger on it. On the outside, he seems like a typical teenager, but he never acts on impulses and makes sure not to talk so much. One never really tell what he is thinking. Zabel added.


    ¡°Either way, he is a good addition to our team. For now, let''s see how things go, " Tylen concluded.

 Chapter 20

    As Ju returned to the room, Moon-Flower was enjoying another bottle of Flame Spirit wine.


    ¡°I hope this does not go on for a long time.¡±


    The teenager felt a headache coming on. Since that day at the restaurant, Moon-Flower had begun requesting more of the drink. It was odd that no matter how much she drank, she never got tipsy or drunk.


    Ju, of course, knew that it was not a logical thing to give someone of her age alcohol, but the young boy could not bring himself to reject her.


    ¡°You can not take anymore.¡± Ju approached her and said gently.


    Moonflower immediately had a sunken expression, but she didn¡¯t object. Ju then brought some pastries and gave them to her before returning to the Tempering Formula.


    Ju closed his eyes and imagined the tides once again; after a bit of difficulty, he raised three tides and spotted that same node he had desperately sought to open the last time. The young boy sent the tides towards the node direction, repeated crashes as the tides converged around the spirit node.


    Beads of sweat had already begun to form on Ju¡¯s temple. It was really painful. Ju thought he would have gotten used to the pain a bit, but the feeling of the tides crashing was like a mallet repeatedly hitting his back. The teenager slowly started to tremble.


    ¡°Almost there.¡±


    Ju could feel it; he just had to hold on. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Ten extra minutes passed before a star lit up in his body. The spirit node had finally been opened. Due to Ju''s actions, Essence rapidly converged towards him, struggling to fill his node. Moon Flower, who was busy with snacks, suddenly looked at Ju. She had a very confused and sad expression, like someone trying to remember an incident.


    ¡°This feeling seems familiar.¡±


    However, she could not determine its origin. Eventually, she stopped thinking about it and focused on her food.


    Meanwhile, Ju was filled with excitement and pain, but excitement mostly now. He had finally done it. Out of the nine nodes, he had three opened. Although it was not momentous, he was a bit closer to the level of an Essence Artist.


    Struggling to get up, Ju clenched his hand as he could feel the ripples of purer Essence. The new-found feeling of strength was quite addictive. But then his eyes twitched as an overwhelming tiredness overcame him.


    ¡°I need to rest tomorrow. I will check the effects of my improvement.:


    While yawing a bit, the young boy fell asleep on the bed next to Moonflower.


    It was already dusk by the time Ju managed to wake,


    ¡°I am late again.¡± The teenager thought as he quickly left to meet the group of hunters.


    Just as Ju was thinking to himself, the young boy realized that the streets were quite lively. After eavesdropping on passersby, Ju learned that Pike had returned.


    Ju had previously heard rumors about this so-called Pike. He was the strongest person in Ender Town, even amongst those who came together with forces outside the Wastelands and other vagrant Essence Artists. He built Ender Town from the foundations. Although other factions still influenced decisions in Ender Town, Pike was known as the number one person in this area.


    Ju gradually ignored the chatter. The affairs of someone like Pike did not concern him. The major thing that affected him right now was getting enough money to access the library''s second floor. Very soon, Ju reached the restaurant. The other group members were already seated, all except for Aron.

 Chapter 21

    Ju took his seat and gave them polite greetings. Tylen didn¡¯t waste any time and placed the coin pouch before Ju. It included six hundred gold coins and seven hundred coins from the other parts of the foxes that Ju killed alone.


    ¡°I think we should meet in the dark forest a week from now; we should take a break for some personal matters. Before going back again, What do you guys think? ¡°


    Tylen sounded as sincere as possible.


    ¡°He wants to attempt a breakthrough.¡±


    Ju was sure Tylen wanted to train with the half-core. Momentarily, an envious expression appeared on his face as the teenager fantasized about how many nodes he could open with the half-formed core.


    ¡°There is a group of sliver-back apes not too far away from that nest of those falcons, although the apes don¡¯t have a leader as strong as the Falcon leader we fought. Their strength is not to be underestimated; we need extensive preparation to tackle those spiritual beasts. But we don¡¯t need to worry about that now.¡± Tylen laughed.


    ¡°So tell Tylen what is happening with those crimson fur wolves.¡±The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    As the two engaged in a conversation. Aron arrived.


    ¡°He seems agitated.¡±


    Unlike his indifferent expression most of the time, Ju noticed that Aron seemed a bit tense and wary.


    After greeting the group hastily, Aron quickly collected the coin pouch from Tylen and seemed to be on his way.


    ¡°What is the matter, Aron? You don¡¯t want to stay for a meal?¡± Oberon frowned as he spoke out.


    Aron shook his head.


    ¡°Not today. Something important came up.¡± As he said this, he looked at Zabel as if indicating something.


    Zabel''s face seemed clueless for a moment before it turned ugly. The young woman hesitated momentarily before getting up from her seat.


    ¡°I am sorry, but I have a matter to discuss with Aron.¡± Zabel politely bowed as the two left the restaurant under the curious gazes of Ju, Tylen, and Oberon.


    ¡°Well, that is odd,¡± Tylen muttered under his breath.


    ¡°I guess we also have to part for now. Maybe it¡¯s the work that is getting to us. After all, a few days'' break might not be a bad idea.¡± Oberon rubbed the back of his head as he stated.


    ¡°Maybe so.¡± Tylen sighed.


    This was how the meeting was cut short, as Ju was not entirely the social type. He made no objections and also left. As he was about to leave the entrance, the young boy remembered something and reluctantly bought a bottle of wine for Moon-Flower.


    ¡°Tomorrow, I will go to the library to gather more information and maybe look for my own technique.¡±

 Chapter 22

    Ju arrived at the library entrance much faster than the first time. He noticed that the guards that were present previously were no longer there, and the number of new guards had increased from three to five.


    There also seemed to be a more solemn atmosphere than before. But Ju didn¡¯t think much of this; he was eager to find what he sought.


    ¡°I hope I get lucky.¡±


    Some rudimentary combat techniques and spells were available from the second floor. Although their overall power was still relatively weak, this was in reference to specific criteria.


    Essence artists.


    In other words, they were techniques that no Essence artist would normally use; for someone like Ju, however, they could significantly impact his future battles.


    Ju quickly began looking at the shelves. He saw different books on combat stances and weapon usage, but they didn¡¯t interest him.


    ¡°At this rate, my time would be exhausted.¡±  He thought grimly.


    Ju spent close to two hours searching until he came across one technique.


    ¡°Hunter¡¯s thorn.¡±


    The teenager¡¯s single eye seemed moved. The technique''s name looked tyrannical and powerful, so he checked it.


    Ju spent some minutes reading the method''s description. After some time, he looked at the book with a hint of indecisiveness.


    The technique involved concentrating a great deal of Essence into the palm and fingers, then moving this essence to the index finger and expelling it as an attack. The more essence you could concentrate, the more powerful the move would be; the drawbacks of such a move were obvious; one was that it needed fine muscle control. Ju guessed that the significant aspect lay in


    the patience and concentration holding the fingers together. But those two aspects could be a problem in a tough fight. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    ¡°Overall, it does not look like a bad move; it fits my style somewhat.¡±


    Although  Ju doubted the technique would aid him anytime soon, he decided not to waste any more time and purchased it.


    ¡°At least I could see how well I can go with it.¡±


    The technique cost 500 gold coins, not a cheap price at all. But Ju was somewhat satisfied.


    And like that, the young boy had the first combat technique in his Essence Arts Journey. Ju still checked for other moves, but no one again interested him. After signing an oath not to distribute the method, Ju left the library.


    The teenager went back to the inn to study the move properly. Later, he planned to hunt to test its might and see if he could understand its intricacies quickly.


    When he got to the room, Moon-Flower seemed in an awful mood. Ju sighed deeply when he saw this.


    ¡°Is it because I didn¡¯t get you more wine?¡± He asked softly.


    Moon-Flower shook her head.


    ¡°No, you always leave me and go out on your own, back then in the mines, and now even here. I want to follow you every time, " she muttered.


    Ju had a helpless expression when he heard this. It was not that he didn¡¯t want to come outside with Moon Flower, but Ender Town was just too dangerous. What if a random Essence Artist suddenly took an interest in her? What would he do then? Although the city rules forbade things like that, Ju didn¡¯t want to take any chances. He still remembered the warnings of Old Kai.


    For now, he was not strong enough to do whatever he wanted. At least if he managed to become an Essence Artist, they might have enough to roam the world freely. The young boy carefully explained all these to his sibling, citing the possible dangers.


    Eventually, Moon-Flower was convinced.


    ¡°Okay, then. I would listen to Big Brother Ju, but hurry up and become an Essence Artist so we can go anywhere together, " she said as the little girl rested her head on his lap.


    ¡° Don¡¯t worry, I will,¡± Ju swore.


    After the discussion with Moon-Flower, Ju studied Hunter¡¯s Thorn. The stances were quite easy to understand, but as Ju imagined, the key aspect was focusing Essence adequately. Closing his eyes, Ju slowly moved his Essence. Due to his time with the Tempering Formula, Ju became more conversant with his spirit nodes and body''s inner workings.


    The young boy stretched out his right palm as the Essence slowly converged. The difficult part was moving a significant amount of Essence in a streamlined flow to his index finger.


    Ju clenched his fist and pointed out his finger. The Essence slowly moved upward, but Ju was already losing concentration. Soon after, all of the Essence dissipated. The young boy took deep breaths and closed his eyes as he slowly analyzed his attempt.


    ¡°I think I rushed the flow. I should spend more time gathering the essence in my fingers.¡±


    Some minutes passed, and Ju''s eye lit up as he made another effort.

 Chapter 23

    A few days later, on the outskirts of the forest, Tylen was discussing the next hunt with Ju, Oberon, Aron, and Zabel. However, he was much calmer than the other day at the restaurant.


    ¡°He is acting suspicious.¡±


    Ju still noticed that Aronstill looked extremely bothered, his eyes shifting as if looking for something. Even Zabel seemed tense all of a sudden. Ju narrowed his right eye.


    ¡°I have a bit of bad news,¡± Tylen said solemnly.


    ¡°The other small teams already have word of our recent success, so it would not be so easy to find a safe area without a third party interfering from now; the only place that would have an abundance of spiritual beasts would be the interior of Dark Forest. However, I managed to talk to a powerful group of people; there is even an Essence Artist amongst them; they plan on raiding the Crimson Wolf Den soon; it would not be terrible if we link up with them; at least, we should have decent returns. But first, we should go and confront those silverback apes.¡±


    Tylen said as a power wave of spiritual pressure was excluded from his body, it was evident that he had recently had a breakthrough.


    The other members agreed in unison. Even though Ju still had some misgivings, he felt he needed to see an Essence Artist.


    ¡°Maybe I would be able to gain something.¡± Ju thought to himself.


    ¡°You have already opened six nodes?¡± Oberon suddenly asked with an envious tone.


    ¡°I was lucky...¡±


    Tylen was about to explain further when suddenly, a massive pressure enveloped Ju and the group. It was so overwhelming that Ju almost fell to his knees, but the young boy''s eye showed a stubborn light as he resisted reflexively.


    As Essence rumbled in his body, cracks appeared underneath his feet. Finally, after a few seconds that seemed like a lifetime, the pressure disappeared, and a single man appeared before them.


    He had a long golden robe with a muscular figure. His facial features were average, but he had a well-defined jaw and a straight nose like a hawk. Ju could not feel any depth of essence from him, but his instincts were screaming danger like never before.


    Tylen and Oberon also trembled, but Zabel and Aron seemed even sorrier.


    Tylen had a look of recognition.


    ¡°Master Pike..¡±


    Ju''s heart shook. The man heard Tylen and raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°Oh, you know me, well, that is normal. Aron, my boy, you seem to be doing well for yourself; you could even afford to give a lass that inscription tool.¡± Master Pike carelessly said as he looked at Zabel as if he were exerting pressure again.


    Aron and Zabel stood silent. The pressure emitted by the Pike was enormous. Even Ju, who was far away, felt all the essence in his body shake and become uncontrollable.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°He is the strongest person I have ever met.¡±


    Even the Old Kai paled in comparison.


    ¡°As expected of the person that runs Ender Town.¡±


    Ju thought to himself grimly.


    Fortunately, Ju felt Pike didn¡¯t seem to have any killing intent towards them.


    The Essence artist let out a small smile.


    Aron¡¯s face changed, but he remained calm. Zabel wanted to speak out but didn¡¯t say anything in the end.


    ¡°I know I have offended you, but my group and I planned to scout the silver-horned snake nest. We promise to help get you all those eggs anytime you are ready.


    Ju¡¯s face turned ugly. Even Oberon and Tylen wanted to protest, but the group didn''t say anything out of fear of provoking Pike.


    Pike''s smile widened when he heard this.


    ¡°Aron, you have a special talent for taming snakes. I plan to raid that snake nest again with a few friends. During the fight, if you and your party can get me at least five eggs, I can overlook everything you have done and never bother you again. But if you are unable to get me what I want...¡±


    Pike''s face became expressionless.


    The atmosphere soon became incredibly tense.


    Aron gritted his teeth.


    ¡°I swear we would bring you the eggs.¡±


    Pike didn¡¯t say anything further. He just nodded indifferently just as the Essence Artist was about to leave. He remembered something and looked straight at the Ju.


    ¡°Young lad, you remind me of an old friend... Have you worked at the mines before?¡±


    Ju''s eye shrank.


    ¡°Yes. A little bit east from here, I worked at a medium-sized mine before I came here.¡±


    ¡°So you met him?¡±


    Ju hesitated a bit when he heard this; he was certain that Pike was referring to Old Kai.


    Ultimately, the youth felt it was too risky to lie to Pike.


    ¡°Senior, if you mean Old Kai, yes. He was still in charge when I was working there.¡±


    Pike had a look of reminiscence.


    ¡°I also worked at the mines once, though not as a worker but directly under him. ¡°


    Ju thought of the five Essence artists who seemed to be Old Kai''s bodyguards.


    ¡°Young friend, you have a sort of presence I like; perhaps, after you get me those eggs, we can chat.¡±


    Quick looks of envy appeared on the faces of Tylen and the others


    But Ju didn¡¯t feel happy or entitled at all after he remembered Old Kai once talking about a ¡°Scumbag¡± who was still in Ender Town.


    An uneasy feeling could not help but appear in his mind; however, his expression was still calm.


    ¡°I would keep it in mind, senior.¡±


    But Pike had already vanished by the time Ju was still speaking.


    The atmosphere was somewhat stifling for a few moments.


    Aron purposely put the entire Group in danger to make his task easier. Even Zabel was an accomplice.


    However, it seemed like a waste of time to start complaining about the current situation. If the Essence Artist was offended, all five could lose their lives.


    Ju didn¡¯t know anything about the silver-horned snake, but the fact that a powerful essence artist like Pike treated the matter delicately showed how dangerous the task might be.


    Ju doubted Pike would be interested in the eggs of a beast that had not formed a complete core.


    But since Aron seemed confident, Ju remained relatively calm.


    Tylen¡¯s voice was cold as ice.


    ¡°Aron, perhaps you have something to say to us?.¡±


    Ju, Oberon, and Tylen now gathered as a unit, facing Zabel and Aron.


    Aron took a deep breath as he began explaining.

 Chapter 24

    ¡°I arrived in Ender Town about 5 years ago. Back then, I had not even opened any Spirit node. As a mortal,l I did have the ability to tame small animals relatively well.  So, I mainly did odd jobs that involved animal rearing. Slowly, I gathered enough money and improved my training with Essence¡ªone day, when I was touring the outskirts of this forest. I came across a fairly powerful snake; these species of snakes grow a silver horn whenever they form a core, and although this one had not formed a core, it was still way beyond my level. However, to my surprise, it was not as hostile; it seemed my innate ability had some effect on spiritual animals that could use Essence also. So I began to devise strategies; although previously I didn¡¯t work with spiritual snakes, I realized it was these snakes my innate ability affected the most. As time passed, I began luring and killing less powerful snakes and selling their parts. It was a good run. But then, one day, something terrible happened. ¡°


    Aron had a look of fear.


    ¡°I was busy scouting around when an enormous pressure descended from the sky just like now, but it was much worse. I had seen Essence Artists before then, but this pressure was nothing like I had ever felt. Even Master Pike just now still pales in comparison! 5 people suddenly appeared and seemed to be running from something by the time they reached me. I realized they were all Essence Artists, albeit quite injured. One of them was Master Pike. Maybe because of their opponent, they didn¡¯t have time to notice me. As I tried to run, the beast appeared, and my entire body couldn¡¯t move as I lay flat on the ground, thinking it was the end. The Silver horned snake then examined me momentarily and moved away.¡±


    Aron pondered for a moment before he continued.


    ¡®I have sufficient reason to believe no rank 1  Essence Artist could make me unable to move by just spiritual pressure alone, even those at the stronger stages like Master Pike,  same as an ordinary beast that has formed a core, which means that the Silver horned Snake was actually at a much higher stage. Just as I thought I had escaped the danger, one of the Essence Artists had escaped for the first time, noticed what happened, and captured me. His other companions, including Pike, also learned about the situation. My captor seemed to think there was something special about me, though the others dismissed it, thinking that maybe because I was too weak for the Snake to have any interest. But they still did a little experiment. This group had captured a spiritual Snake, not just any ordinary one. This Snake also had a silver horn, meaning it had formed a core. Perhaps that was why the larger snake was so agitated. Through their little experiment and my confessions, they learned about my innate ability. The days that followed this were not so peaceful...¡±The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°I was now more or less a slave to  Pike and his associates. Although the rewards were not so bad, it was not an arrangement I was comfortable with. And I also realized that they would never allow me to become an Essence Artist since that would make me harder to control. That¡¯s when I hatched a plan.¡±


    ¡°There was a nest of those spiritual snakes in the forest. Through my investigations, it turned out that the giant silver-horned snake that Master Pike and the other Essence Artists were running from was very close to advancing to the next stage. The stage was the same as a Rank 2 Essence Artist. I have never heard of such a person in the Wastelands. However, although it was powerful,  it had just laid a batch of eggs, so it became relatively weak.


    This gave them the confidence to attack it head-on; still, the snake proved too much for them. Usually, I could approach the snake nest much more easily than the essence artist. One day, I managed to get a glimpse of the eggs that the mother snake had personally delivered; they were vastly different from the usual ones. I knew that when I told Master Pike and the others about what I saw, their greed would be aroused.


    The Mother Snake had already recovered from most of her injuries from my investigations. I waited months before telling them about this, hoping the Mother snake had already recovered from most of her injuries.


    Master Pike and the two others then set out again. At first, the Silver Horned Snake seemed injured, and the Essence artists had the upper hand. My job was to try to grab the eggs while they were busy with the Snake. However, amid the fight, something terrible happened. Out of nowhere, a powerful Silver-horned Snake, most likely a male, appeared. Although it was less powerful than the Mother Snake, it was still much more troublesome than the normal Stage 1 spiritual beast. The tides slowly turned, and eventually, one of Master Pike''s companions died, and the remaining two had to retreat. I managed to grab just one golden egg before I fled when I noticed the other Snake.¡± Aron let out a deep sigh.


    ¡°When I later met Master Pike and other Essence Artists, they were almost on the verge of death. I won¡¯t lie; I had the urge to try to kill them. That was how bad their injuries were, but I didn¡¯t have the courage; no matter what, an Essence Artist was still an Essence Artist. And I was right. When I showed them that single egg, the two began to argue about who would take possession of it; at first, I thought it would just be harmless bargaining, but Master Pike suddenly erupted with power and killed his partners.


    Aron had a despondent expression; clearly, these moments were painful memories.

 Chapter 25

    ¡®It turns out that Master Pike had already reached the mid-stage of Rank 1. He was hiding his power to make sure those two Essence Artists died. Master Pike was also interested in their possessions; as you might have expected, he had already sniffed out my little scheme. However, he decided to spare me, provided I continued to work for him. He planned on traveling to places to find a way to reach rank 2. So, for a time, I was free. But now he is back, his journey was likely not so successful, and he probably feels his chances lie in that Silver Horned Snake and its eggs. And so... here we are.¡±


    It took moments for the others to digest the information that Aron disclosed completely.


    ¡°But you and Zabel were tense yesterday, so you probably knew that he would come looking for you, yet you still met with us today; you two wanted to include us from the start,¡± Ju said coldly.


    Zabel had an uneasy expression before speaking out again.


    ¡°It is not entirely like that. We truly need your help, and we promise you three will be duly compensated.¡±


    When Aron saw that, Tylen and the rest didn¡¯t seem to be convinced, he gritted his teeth and said,


    ¡°Inscriptions tool. If we can get those eggs, I can guarantee that you all will get inscription tools like the ones Zabel and I are using; although they might be somewhat defective, they are still This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    better than any weapon you would encounter. Aron said solemnly; meanwhile, he thought to himself.


    ¡°After this, I am sure Pike would not bother me again. Even if he did, I would leave Ender Town with the Anli Family envoy to Wulan City. I have saved enough, but then¡­Zabel.¡± Aron looked at her with doubt in his eyes. Ultimately, his eyes seemed to harden, and he decided in his heart.


    After the incident with Master Pike, the group did not want to discuss another hunting session. Aron said they should meet at the restaurant later in the evening to decide when to accompany Master Pike.


    Ju had a gloomy look as he returned to the inn. The old woman at the counter was busy attending to customers, and Ju was clearly troubled, so he didn¡¯t even look at her before he went upstairs. However, the Old Woman shot him a glance; a glimmer of surprise appeared in her eye for an instant before it faded.


    As he entered the room, Ju began pondering. Although he anticipated that partnering with people carried some risks, he never expected it to come this fast or be dangerous.


    ¡°Pike¡­huh ¡±


    Ju sighed internally, thinking of all the Essence Artists to have an issue with, and Aron picked the most powerful of them all in Ender Town.


    Eventually, Ju thought of possible case scenarios. Ultimately, the best thing he could do to preserve his life was to grow stronger, although it might not matter much.


    ¡°I should practice a bit.¡±


    His mind went to the tempering formula. He could try opening another node, but first, he had to do something.


    Ju brought out his wooden Jade slip and entered the names of Aron and Zabel, with a question mark on both.


    ¡°For now, although they were not complete enemies, I must be extra wary of any potential backstab and sabotage.¡±

 Chapter 26

    Ju then sat down cross-legged and began channeling the tempering formula. The tides slowly began to form, consuming the Essence that Ju¡¯s body drew from the surroundings. Ju formed three tides as usual, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not create a fourth tide.


    ¡°It seems like the Essence around the inn is just too sparse.¡± The teenager thought.


    Ju began using the tides to grind his fourth node in his glabella. The young boy frowned as he constantly shook the node with the tides, yet there was not even a glimmer of reaction. The node was completely unresponsive; after about 20 minutes, Ju sighed and stopped meditating.


    In the end, three tides were not enough to open that node, making it difficult for him to go at it. The pain was still annoying to deal with, although he was able to endure it much more easily now. Ju was starting to feel a bit lost at the moment. Right now, the tempering formula was more or less useless to him, yet his situation was precarious, requiring him to take extra steps.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    The young boy then looked at Moonflower, who was asleep.


    She had been sleeping a lot more recently. First, Ju was bothered that it might be because of the drinks, but Moon-Flower quickly assured him that she was fine, stating that she might soon be able to use Essence, which made Ju very happy. The young boy''s eyes hardened as he looked at Moon-Flower''s peaceful figure. After thinking a bit and calculating the amount of money he had left, Ju quickly decided.


    ¡°If I can not strengthen myself with Essence right now, I should look for other ways to boost my survival chances.¡±


    The young boy donned a large cloak and his eye and set out again; as he left, Moon-Flower''s eyebrows trembled slightly, but her eyes did not open.


    ¡°Brother Ju.¡± She muttered softly.

 Chapter 27

    Ju walked across the streets of Ender Town; the pathways seemed to be clustered even more than usual as buyers and sellers discussed prices. The main things the young boy was looking for were pills and a new weapon, preferably a dagger. Ju decided to stop by one seller¡¯s stall; he was tall and slim with an indifferent expression; the young boy noticed that anytime someone wanted to buy something from him, he would name a price, and the seller would be discouraged and leave.


    Ju suddenly felt interested. According to Old Kai, when sellers did this, they had the utmost confidence in their wares to charge a much higher price without compromise.


    ¡°Do you have pills that could be used for healing?¡± Ju calmly asked.


    Ju¡¯s small stature and weird appearance caused the man''s expression to show a hint of annoyance, but he still replied.


    ¡°White pills are available, and I also have some stardust pills that are useful for internal injuries, morning dew pills can quickly aid recovery of cuts and mild external injuries, and finally, pseudo-spiritual pills that can give instant essence supply, although fairly small, however in a dangerous battle it can be game-changing.¡±


    Ju slowly pondered. He already had the tempering formula, although it didn¡¯t completely clear his body of impurities; the white pill was no longer important to him. The stardust pills could be useful, together with Morning Drew pills, but what Ju wanted the most were the pseudo-spiritual pills; when alchemists try to produce spiritual pills, sometimes they fail, and the results become pseudo-spiritual pills.


    Spiritual pills are vital medication for Essence artists. They provide instant access to essence, although this comes with many drawbacks. One is that the quality of one¡¯s natural essence slowly drops with every use, and the chances of impurities piling up drastically increase.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Despite that, spiritual pills were still highly sort after.


    ¡°How much are the Stardust and Morning drew pills?


    ¡°Both are 40 gold coins each.¡±


    ¡°Can the stardust pills work for  a spiritual  snake venom?¡± Ju calmly asked.


    The shopkeeper hesitated a bit before replying.


    ¡°If it is the venom of a snake that has not formed a core, the pill should have some effect, although it might not be life-saving. However, a snake has formed a core; nothing much can be done.¡±


    ¡°How much is the pseudo-spiritual pill?¡±


    ¡° 150 gold coins each.¡±


    ¡°Non-negotiable?¡± Ju frowned.


    ¡°Non-negotiable.¡± The shopkeeper said with a tone of finality.


    ¡°Let me have stardust and morning drew  pills, three each, and four pseudo-spiritual pills.¡± Ju did a bit of calculation and said.


    The shopkeeper briefly looked surprised, but he said nothing. Instead, he selected some multicoloured pills and wrapped them before placing them on the stand.


    Ju then brought out 840 gold coins and gave them to the shopkeeper. His heart was almost on the verge of bleeding, and he was penniless once again.


    ¡°I have less than two hundred gold coins left. Hopefully, the issue with Master Pike will go over smoothly so I can hunt."


    After this incident, Ju decided to go solo. He already knew the general outline of the forest and some of the vendors he could contact.


    After the transaction, Ju did not want to waste any more time in the marketplace. Instead, he decided to go to a secluded forest area and practice the Hunter¡¯s thorn.

 Chapter 28

    The combat art was still challenging, but after trying a few times, Ju made some progress.


    ¡°The key was to gather and release as soon as possible, but it required proper control.¡±


    Previously, Ju didn¡¯t have to control the essence he released expertly; in other words, his usage of essence was crude, to say the least. Ju relied more on melee techniques and close combat than long-range skills like Zabel and Tylen.


    It was not as if he had a choice either; before Ju could use essence, years in the wasteland forced him to fight in a certain way and find moves that were the fastest and most efficient way to kill your enemy, as simple as that.


    Flowery and grandiose techniques, in Ju¡¯s opinion, only got you to be slower and easier to counter.


    ¡°However, the more I interact with other Essence users, the more I see the need to know other ways to utilise Essence; I doubt that I could become an Essence artist or perform Essence arts just by hacking and slashing.¡± The teenager sighed. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    A loud blast sounded as the leaves of a tree shook. Right at the centre was a medium-sized hole that destroyed some tree bark. Ju breathed slowly. His Hunter¡¯s thorn was still too weak. This sort of impact still needed work.


    Ju then sat cross-legged and meditated to recover his essence. An hour later, his nodes were refilled again. Ju pushed forth his palm and started channelling. The essence slowly gathered. Ju then clenched with only his index finger pointing forth. Unlike the previous attempts, he held it a bit longer. His index finger started to tremble. The longer the essence gathered on the finger, the more strain it would be.


    ''If I am not careful, an injury might even occur."


    Ju''s right eye lit up as he shot Hunter¡¯s thorn; this time, the tree shook more violently than before. He then went forward to inspect and saw a small size hole right at the centre; a look of joy showed on his face; according to the book, when the hunter¡¯s thorn was properly mastered, it would have a penetrative ability that easily went through flesh, in close combat, such an attack on vital area on the human body would be fatal.


    ¡° If it could pierce through tree bark, then it should deal some skin damage¡­ and maybe scales."


    Ju thought to himself.


    "The major aspect is that I still needed to shorten the time it took to gather and release essence."


    Ju''s eye shone as he extended his right hand once more.

 Chapter 29

    When Ju returned to Ender Town, it was already dusk. It was time to meet with Aron and the others.


    ¡° In the end, I was unable to acquire another dagger. But I could still manage the one that I have.¡±


    After comparing the prices, the shopkeeper''s pills were a bit more expensive than other stores. However, Ju still purchased the man¡¯s wares because the shopkeeper had a particular aura around him. This same aura seemed present in the alchemist workshops when Ju went to deliver materials back to the mines. Ju suspected the shopkeeper was probably an alchemist''s apprentice who came to Ender town to sell some of his master¡¯s wares.


    ¡°Better to buy pills directly from the source.¡±


    Ju muttered under his breath as he entered the restaurant. Ju saw that only Aron and Zabel were present. The teenager¡¯s eyebrows knitted together when he saw this, but his face had no expression as he sat down. Aron had an uneasy smile as he welcomed Ju, while Zabel looked quite pale, although she nodded her head as a form of greeting.


    Ju closed his eyes and waited as time passed slowly. When it reached the hour mark, Ju could not help but wonder if  Tylen and Oberon had run away.


    ¡°But that seemed quite foolish; after all, there was nowhere they could outrun an Essence Artist if he was hell-bent on finding them. But then, what was keeping them?¡± Ju wondered.


    The duo had arrived. Tylen had an impassive expression, while Oberon chuckled nervously as they sat down.


    ¡°We had some issues to sort out on the way; after all, this might be our most dangerous outing yet,¡± Oberon said casually.


    But Aron was quick to refute him.


    ¡°I assure you, it would not be as dangerous as you think; Master Pike and his Partners would be at the frontline of the battle; all we have to do is take care of the less powerful spiritual snakes and snatch those eggs, and that¡¯s it.¡±


    ¡°If only it would be that simple.¡± Ju thought to himself. Aron would do all he could to boost their morale towards the mission.


    Oberon said nothing further; he just smiled and shook his head.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Tylen remained silent throughout, although Ju noticed his sad expression whenever he looked at Zabel. But the girl seemed too bothered even to notice.


    ¡°Perhaps Tylen had feelings for her, so it was understandable that he felt shocked at this incident,  perhaps thinking of it as some sort of betrayal.¡±


    Ju thought with a hint of cynicism.


    ¡°We are meeting tomorrow and will escort Master Pike throughout the trip. It''s best that only I do the talking when we are about to start, and before you know it, we are done.¡±


    Aron then brought out a large bag and placed it on the table. Ju''s right eye lit up when he saw this. The bag had a familiar scent.


    ¡°Here are some pills for injuries. I bought it as it should provide some assistance. When we complete the mission, it would be easy for me to ask Master Pike for some Inscription tools. Although he is unpredictable sometimes, Master Pike is quite generous when he is in a good mood that I can vouch for.¡±


    Oberon let out a low whistle as he studied the bag''s contents.


    Just as he was pondering, Ju heard Aron sigh of relief.


    ¡°You did not spare any expense; even a pseudo-spiritual pill is here.¡±


    Aron let out a weak smile.


    ¡°Are you sure that he will never bother us again after this? It would be uncomfortable to always have an Essence Artist''s attention.¡± Tylen spoke out in a low voice for the first time since he came.


    Aron thought for a few seconds before replying.


    ¡°I can¡¯t think of why he should lie to us. Master Pike is trying everything he can to become a Rank 2 Essence Artist; however, that step is just as difficult here in the Wastelands. I heard from rumours that those powerful forces in Wulan City held concrete methods to reach Rank 2 and Above, so without pledging allegiance, one is unlikely to get them; even if one is willing to submit, only those with adequate potential are accepted. This silver-horned snake is Master Pike''s last-ditch chance to break that barrier. If he does become a Rank 2 Essence, I highly doubt he would ever bother about small fires like us again.¡±


    Ju nodded slightly. This reasoning was quite logical.


    ¡°But he is still definitely hiding something.¡±


    Even though he had some doubt in his eyes, Tylen didn¡¯t make any further argument, and they went ahead to share the pills.


    Ju was quite satisfied after the exchange. With the addition of these new pills and the ones he had before, Ju started to feel better about the trip.


    Tylen was the first to get up from the table, and Oberon followed suit as the group gradually dispersed out of the restaurant. Suddenly, the friendly atmosphere that used to exist between the five of them had faded.


    ¡°All that remains is suspicion and awkwardness.¡±


    Ju mentally shook his head as he thought about this.

 Chapter 30

    As he returned to the inn, Ju didn¡¯t see the old woman at the counter for the third time in a row; although it seemed strange, the young boy decided not to think too much about it.


    In the room, Moon-Flower was on the meditation mat.


    Ju''s expression was odd as he silently observed Moon-Flower. Her eyes were closed, and her eyebrows trembled constantly.


    As she sat cross-legged, it was evident that the little girl was struggling hard to accomplish something.


    ¡°I just can not sense anything; it seems so close, yet at the same time, it is very far away.¡± The girl lamented.


    Ju removed his eye patch and cloak, crouched before her and smiled.


    ¡°Do not worry, you would get it eventually, that I am sure of; I was still a bit older than you when I discovered I could use Essence. Eventually, it would soon answer your beck and call.¡± He encouraged.


    ¡°But I want it now, to be able to help you for once.¡±


    ¡°And you would, very soon. All I need you to do for now is stay safe inside and wait for me. I have a critical outing tomorrow...¡±


    Ju did not discuss the details of the issue with Master Pike or its potential danger. The young boy felt it was unnecessary and would cause her to panic.


    What if I lose my life?


    Ju wondered to himself grimly, although it was an uncomfortable thing to think off, he had to prepare for the worst for his child¡¯s sake.


    ¡°Moon-Flower, listen carefully. I will place this on the desk with the rest of our money. If I don¡¯t return in 2 days, the mission will take longer than expected. So you take this letter and give it to the old woman downstairs, and she will know what to do. Don¡¯t open this letter; its contents are not for you.¡±


    Ju brought out a waxed piece of paper; Moonflower had an uneasy look in her eyes. It seemed she wanted to say something, but in the end, she didn¡¯t.


    Ju sighed when he saw her reaction; she sensed something was off.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother about anything; it is just a safety precaution. ¡±


    ¡°But you will come back tomorrow, right?¡± Moon-Flower said in a soft voice while looking down


    ¡°Yes, yes, I would. ¡° Ju smiled slightly and placed the letter on the table.


    Ju didn¡¯t worry about whether Moon-Flower would look at the letter''s contents when he was not there; somehow, he knew she would do exactly what he asked.


    Moon-Flower was put to bed soon after. Ju sat down cross-legged and began meditating. The tides again formed, but then Ju knitted his eyebrows, and he wanted to create a fourth tide. Just like the last time, it didn¡¯t occur. Eventually, the pain was too much to bear, so Ju stopped.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    The young boy stood up and stretched while deep in thought.


    ¡°There is no way I can form four tides; with this sort of Essence Concentration, it is too sparse, but if I use three tides to open the spiritual node, the process would be too slow; I don¡¯t have that sort of time. The only method I can think of now is that the guard at the entrance talked about the Meditation Room, but he spoke of how difficult it was to have a slot; it is unlikely I can have a chance to use that place unless.¡±


    Ju¡¯s eyes lit up as he remembered his conversation with Master Pike.


    ¡°If I can¡­¡± Ju¡¯s expression grew uncertain.


    The next day, the young boy placed a couple of bottles of drinks, meat pieces, and pastries, taking a long look at the still-sleeping Moonflower. Ju was out on his cloak and set out.


    ¡°Aron had suggested that everyone set out as soon as possible to avoid keeping Master Pike waiting.¡±


    Ju arrived at the outskirts of the forest about 15 minutes later, just as he suspected there were not many people present this early. Ju found a small rock and sat as he waited; it seemed he was the first to come; the young boy slowly played with his dagger as he concentrated on the Essence around the area,


    ¡°As I suspected, although the essence in this natural area was a little bit denser, it contained more impurities than Ender Town. With the tempering formula, I only need a small amount of pure Essence to form the tides; if it were too impure, the duration would be longer and much more painful.¡±


    Although he was more or less stuck in a quagmire, Ju could see the benefits of the Tempering formula in just a week of usage. Hopefully, he would get a chance to improve and raise more tides.


    ¡°I wondered just how pure my Essence might be if I could raise 10 tides or more, ¡°


    But then Ju smiled bitterly to himself.


    I am daydreaming.


    The pain and strain from just three tides was already bad enough; if he raised ten tides, maybe his entire body might even collapse and never recover.


    ¡°Someone is here.¡±


    Ju raised his face as he felt a familiar presence. It was Aron and Zabel, and the two seemed quite equipped. Zabel wore a black blouse with blue trousers that offered freedom of movement. Her storage pouch was strapped at the front, and her longbow was behind her. Her hair, which used to be free, was now tied with a ribbon.


    Aron''s plain green robe covered most of his outer body; however, Ju could see the gleam of those two knives underneath a small opening at his sides.


    ¡°Brother Ju, I see you came here first,¡± Aron said softly as he approached.


    Ju nodded.


    ¡°It''s best we complete the task as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°Exactly.y I already have word from Master Pike about where we should head into the forest. All that is keeping us now is Tylen and Oberon.¡± Aron said with a hint of annoyance.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we are here already.¡± Oberon''s lazy voice sounded behind them.


    Seeing Tylen and Oberon move together, Ju''s right eye flashed before becoming normal.


    These two had formed a sort of alliance. He thought to himself, and then there was also Zabel and Aron, which means he was more or less the odd one in the group, a lone wolf, just like how he always


    ¡°Oberon would not be a difficult opponent, and neither would Zabel if I managed to get close to her on time. Although Tylen and Aron are strong, I should still be fine even against them; the major thing is to stop any two of them from working together against me.¡±


    Ju¡¯s expression was unreadable as he thought of several possibilities.


    ¡°Okay, then let''s go.¡± Aron didn¡¯t ask anything further and began walking deep into the forest with four other figures behind him.

 Chapter 31

    ¡°This is getting troublesome.¡±


    Ju frowned lightly.


    It was the first time he had been this deep into the forest, and his fear grew. The path ahead was filled with strange plants Ju had never seen before, especially a set of red flowers that released a blood-coloured mist; although Aron had assured them it brought no harm, Ju was still cautious.


    Eventually, Aron stopped at a spot and brought out a green-colored disk. He activated the tool using Essence and launched the disk into the air. The disk spun at incredible speed before shooting towards the north in a flash of emerald light.


    Looks of surprise appeared on the group members'' faces, but no one said anything.


    ¡°It is just a method of identification I was given. Master Pike should be here shortly,¡± Aron said in a low voice.


    Some minutes later, a pressure appeared, and three figures flashed right in front of Ju and the rest. Ju¡¯s body stiffened as he saw these figures. Master Pike was familiar, but so were the other two; one was Mason, who Ju had seen in the library previously, and the last person was the Old Woman at the Inn!


    The Essence Fluctuations in the area suddenly became tumultuous, displaying the trio''s power as Essence Artists.


    It was obvious that Mason didn¡¯t have any impression of Ju, but the Old Woman at the Inn had a brief look of surprise when she saw Ju.


    ¡°Madam Pang, it seems you know the little fellow.¡± Master Pike immediately noticed the old woman''s unnatural reaction.


    ¡°Well, not particularly. He booked a room at my little place about two weeks ago, to think he would go on so many adventures that he eventually got involved with you.¡± She chuckled.


    Master Pike shrugged his shoulders and didn¡¯t say anything afterwards.


    ¡°We should get going now; we are already wasting time,¡± Mason said impatiently.


    Madam Pang also nodded in approval. Master Pike, meanwhile, regarded Ju and the group members with an indifferent expression.


    ¡°As you already know, we are about to hunt a beast close to Rank 2. While we are busy with the Snake, you five will tangle with the young ones and snatch those eggs. The last time I checked, they had not hatched even after years, showing their intrinsic value. If I am not mistaken, it could be a rare variant of a golden horn snake.¡±


    Master Pike''s eyes showed intense greed as he spoke those words: if one could tame such a beast while young, its value would be no less than that of an Essence Artist slave.


    ¡°We had already captured the other Snake that formed a core the last time I tangled with this Mother, so you would not be in excessive danger provided you stay away from our fight. Aron would calm most of the spiritual Snakes, and as he does that.


    ¡°We will do our best to draw the snake out of its nest. Hopefully, we can kill the spiritual beast, but if we are not victorious by the time the fight ends and the snake returns to the nest, all of you should have already left with the eggs.¡±


    Pike gave clear instructions.


    ¡°Okay then, move your legs!¡± Mason commanded in a low voice as he dashed forward with Master Pike and Madam Pang, who leisurely followed.


    Ju and the group of Essence gatherers cautiously moved behind the Essence Artists. As they got deeper into the forest, Ju felt different auras, some outright threatening. However, it seemed as if Master Pike and the other Essence artists knew exactly which way to pass to avoid other beasts. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    After many twists and turns, Ju noticed the landscape started to change slightly, the vegetation faded, and the land began to slope. Gradually, Ju spotted a ravine surrounded by rocks; the area seemed cooler than other places. A sense of danger steadily grew in Ju¡¯s mind, and he could hear faint hissing.


    ¡°We did not see any other spiritual beast because of the Snake¡¯s strength. Most of the time, it hibernates, trying to accumulate enough strength to reach the second rank, but if it should be disturbed, its rampage is quite catastrophic. More than one spiritual beast¡¯s core has ended in its belly.¡±


    Master Pike muttered with a hint of respect.


    ¡°All the more reason we must strike first and seize the initiative,¡± Mason said as his eye glowed.


    Some minutes later, Ju felt his breath stop for a moment. The slope already ended in a jagged cliff, and beneath it was the Rank 1 Spiritual beast. The serpentine body was large, about twenty-six feet, and its scales were a healthy shade of brown that contrasted greatly with the grey-coloured rocks around it,


    Ju could make out its soft white belly. The snake had its eyes closed, a long gleaming silver horn extended from its head and its body was wrapped in a wheel. In between the snake, Ju spotted a hint of gold.


    Those must be the eggs.


    Only after Ju examined the Mother snake did he have time to look at the other smaller snakes, compared to the Rank 1 Spiritual beast; these were less impressive but still quite dangerous. They numbered close to 20 and occasionally moved around the mother snake leisurely. Overall, it was obvious that these spiritual beasts didn¡¯t seem as active as the other beasts Ju was used to.


    Madam Pang''s eyes revealed an expression of greed as she stated.


    ¡°I want this Snake¡¯s soul!¡±


    Mason lightly said, ¡°I will take the body.¡±


    Master Pike laughed. ¡°Then its core is mine.¡±


    After they finished speaking, their gazes fell on Ju and the others. Being stared at by three Essence Artists was not a comfortable feeling at all. But Ju managed to keep his calm a bit as he prepared himself.


    ¡°You three should back off while we deal with the snake. You know what to do. Do not disappoint.¡±


    Master Pike said in a low voice, and then he faced forward as a cold light flashed in his eyes. Master Pike''s hands moved quickly, and his aura built up like a tidal torrent. He let out a low roar, and his left hand pointed to the Snake. A large seal appeared up in the air in the form of a sea above the head of the Snake.


    By this time, the Silver Horned Snake already had its eyes open. Ju spotted the narrow slits that brimmed with power, and a cold feeling washed over him as he hurriedly moved backwards.


    Ju¡¯s body trembled as he was about to witness a fight like never before. Tylen also had an expression of awe and longing. Zabel clenched his fist, while Oberon had a bitter smile; only Aron seemed composed. Perhaps he had witnessed Master Pike in action before.


    Master Pike''s eyes shone brightly when he saw that the silver-horned Snake was already stirred up. He moved his fingers rapidly, and the seal started to move like a vortex. Besides him, Madam Pang and Mason were completely calm. The vortex immediately crashed down with incredible speed. The silver-horned Snake rose and charged directly into the vortex to protect the golden eggs.


    A loud boom echoed as the entire area fell into disarray.


    As the dust cleared, the creature¡¯s figure was again visible; its body was completely unharmed. Master Pike didn¡¯t seem too surprised, and Madam Pang and Mason began to move.


    The silver-horned Snake let out a loud hiss as if giving out a command; the smaller spiritual snakes became riled up and bared their fangs towards the Essence Artists. Amid the commotion, Ju and the team were unnoticed as they snuck toward the nest.


    Mason¡¯s figure seemed to grow larger as Essence rapidly mobilised around him. The burly man pressed his arms together, and a streak of grey appeared on his chest. Then, rapidly, the grey light enveloped his body as he muttered.


    ¡°Earth Breaker!¡±


    Mason then jumped down and collided with the Mother Snake head-on; he was obviously more of a close-quarters expert. However, Mason did not clash directly with the Snake. Instead, he harassed the spiritual beast in certain areas, trying to draw it away.


    Meanwhile, Madam Pang¡¯s move made Ju¡¯s heart tremble the most from afar. She formed a hand seal with her right hand and pointed her left towards her eyebrow. A black fog surrounded her; the temperature seemed to drop as she chuckled lightly and shot the mist at the Mother Snake.


    The mother snake displayed a hint of dread for the first time as it stared at the black fog. The silver-horned snake opened its mouth, its long fangs dripping with blue venom, and spat a massive blue mist that collided with the black fog.

 Chapter 32

    The air shimmered with tension as the Silver Horned Snake unfurled its serpentine body. The creature¡¯s silver horn pulsated with an eerie black light for the first time, unleashing a shaft of darkness that shot towards Mason.


    Without hesitation, Mason bolted forward, muscles coiling with determination. He raised a grey-coloured fist, the size of a boulder, about to unleash a thunderous blow¡ªonly to be met with a cloud of poisonous mist that enveloped him, suffocating and blurring his senses.


    Seeing that Mason had been caught, Master Pike sprang into action, wielding the Ocean Wheel arts to bend the mist, transforming it into tendrils of essence that lashed out at the snake.


    The tendrils whipped and twirled with a life of their own, forming blades that sliced through the poisonous haze like it was nothing.


    The silver-horned snake hissed, a chilling sound that reverberated through the air. In retaliation, it aimed its horn at Master Pike, releasing bolts of black light that shot forth with deadly intent.


    With reflexes honed from years of training, Pike redirected the flowing essence to absorb and disperse the black light, steam rising in thick plumes as essence clashed against essence. Yet the fight crescendoed into chaos when Madam Pang began casting another spell.


    Sinister symbols danced in the air, swirling like shadows, aiming to bind the Silver Horned Snake in a web.


    The Snake recoiled, angered by the intrusion upon its lethal domain, and lunged at Madam Pang, its massive form coiling and striking like a thunderbolt. Mason seized his opportunity at that moment, rallying through the poisoned miasma that sought to weaken him. He charged at the serpent with the ferocity of a primal storm, one fist connecting with the side of the creature¡¯s head, causing it to twist violently.


    In the ensuing chaos, the ground shook; powers clashed, reverberating across the landscape.


    This¡­this is Essence Arts!


    Ju whispered in awe as he quickly followed Aron and others into the nest.


    ¡°I guess I have to change tactics.¡±


    Master Pike''s hands moved rapidly as his fingers glowed, pressing all five together like a triangle.


    An essence fluctuation rang through the air as the space between Master Pike''s fingers grew solid and expanded into another massive ocean wheel; this one was much larger than the previous attack he had made and much more realistic. The ground underneath the Snake caved in, as the Ocean wheel closed in on the beast as if to completely bind it.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    The Mother Snake did not seem afraid as three opponents besieged her. The Snake¡¯s head immediately puffed up as the beast spat out a larger blue mist to counter Master Pike¡¯s attack. Meanwhile, its tail moved incredibly fast as it made contact with Mason''s lower body. An expression of pain appeared on the Essence Artist''s face as he flew backwards.


    Madam Pang looked vicious as she waved her hand. A large black palm that seemed to equal the Snake¡¯s size appeared in the air, hitting the snake in its white underbelly. For the first time during the fight, the spiritual beast expressed pain as it thrashed its body all over the place.


    Master Pike''s eyes lit up as he quickly pulled out five rotating beads. Placing them right in front of him, the beads floated high in the air and transformed into five large swords.


    ¡°Sword Pellets!¡±


    Madam Pang had an odd expression when she saw this. Master Pike didn¡¯t reply, as he immediately clenched his fists, and the swords shot towards the Snake¡¯s underbelly, but this time the beast was ready. It immediately placed itself flat on the ground and opened


    its large mouth. A massive blue mist came out and collided with the five swords. Master Pike frowned when he saw this, he rapidly made hand seals and the five swords moved upward and rained in front above, targeting its head. This quick change in trajectory did not give the Snake enough time to react as the sword collided point blank on the Snake¡¯s head, a loud hiss full of pain rang through the air, as blue blood flowed on the ground.


    One of the Mother Snake¡¯s eyes was missing as the beast glided on the ground in Master Pike''s direction. Its large fangs were pointed out as if the Snake wanted to swallow the Essence Artist in one gulp. But Master Pike sneered when he was this, he quickly moved his fingers and another ocean wheel formed, while he called out with a harsh voice.


    ¡°Madam Pang, Mason. You better stop holding back now. The real fight is about to begin!¡±


    Madam Pang chuckled lightly as she extended her hands and chanted in an obscure voice. The black fog soon became much larger, and at the same time, it turned grey and spread on the ground where the Mother Snake was. As the grey fog came into contact with the snake''s scales, the scales slowly began to lose their lustre.


    The spiritual beast noticed its loss in vitality; however, its movement was severely limited due to Master Pike''s restraining attacks and entanglement with Mason.


    However, the beast was not completely helpless. A massive burst of essence covered the Mother Snake¡¯s entire body as it broke free from the Master Pike ocean wheel and shot up into the air, still looking to crush the Essence Artist with its mouth.


    But Mason was already ready. His body seemed to puff up, and he grabbed the snake¡¯s tail. In an astonishing display, Mason lifted the snake''s entire body off the ground for a moment and turned around.


    ¡°Come down for me!¡± He shouted in a grim voice and smashed the Spiritual Snake¡¯s body, clearing all the vegetation and trees within thirty meters.


    The beast trembled as its aura began to plummet. Individually, the Mother Snake was much more powerful than either trio. Still, working together, the coordinated attacks of Master Pike, Mason, and Madam Pang placed the fierce beast completely passive. However, this creature was one step away from being a Rank 2 spiritual beast. Without laying those eggs, the Mother Snake might have broken through already.


    A blood-red glow shone from the Mother Snake''s eyes as its entire figure radiated immersed pressure. Unlike previous times when its actions were filled with rough violence, this was more silent and insidious. The snake''s brown scales trembled for a moment and extended forward. While trying to put down the snake once and for all, Madam Pang and Mason did not notice this action. It was Master Pike who was still alert.


    ¡°Shit, Mason, move away quick!¡±


    But his warning came late. The brown scales of the snake gleamed with light and shot out of the Creature''s body as sharp projectiles with astonishing speed.

 Chapter 33

    Meanwhile, Ju and the group members had left the chaos of Master Pike fighting the Mother Snake. Ju estimated they were about five hundred meters away from the battle, a distance the Mother Snake could reach instantly if she knew their existence in her nest.


    Although Ju knew the Essence Artists would do what they could to keep the Snake from leaving, he did not want to bet his hopes on them.


    "I have to act cautiously. Any mistake can be fatal."


    While they moved, the bodies of smaller mutated snakes littered on the ground. Ju had witnessed Aron''s strange skill firsthand, and the man used a flute that played low tones, yet for some reason, the Spiritual Snakes seemed soothed by it, even in the heat of the battle. Ju¡¯s swift movements and Zabel''s arrows did the remaining work, but the real problem lay ahead.


    In the distance were the golden eggs, but they were guarded by ten Snakes that were a bit larger than the ones Ju and his Companions had killed at the entrance of the nest. These were much stronger, and even Aron already put his flute away; no doubt he knew the instrument would hardly affect Snakes that had so much Essence in them. The key was to defeat the Snakes and quickly snatch the eggs before the Mother Snake was alerted. Although the Essence Artists seemed like they could take the Snake''s life, there was a feeling that Master Pike was not so confident; at least, that was what Ju¡¯s instincts told him, and they had saved his life numerous times.


    Tylen¡¯s eyes glittered as he nervously licked his lips. This task relied heavily on speed. His gaze landed on Oberon, who lightly nodded his head.


    Aron had already brought out his two small knives, which shone brightly with the inscriptions. Zabel¡¯s bow also found a target. Ju¡¯s face was completely calm as he watched and waited. Then, suddenly, Zabel let loose an arrow straight at the head of one of the Snakes. Tylen immediately followed up with an attack, as his hands were covered with Essence. The area was immediately lit up with blue light. Oberon rushed directly to the snakes with his axe, looking to engage in his usual melee.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Multiple Spiritual Snakes immediately rushed towards the group, their scales flashing with Essence; one by one, they all spat out a venomous attack that seemed to cover the entire area. Ju did not change his expression as he held his dagger and joined the fight. However, he did move sideways at an incredible speed, staying clear of the Snake¡¯s attack. The teenager nimbly landed next to one Snake and slashed his dagger in a wide arc, looking to decapitate the snake in one move.


    The spiritual beast coiled backward in response to this attack, dodging Ju¡¯s dagger. It quickly targeted the youth''s right ankle, aiming to take a bite. With Essence surging across its teeth, Ju¡¯s right eye grew cold as he brought the dagger downward, hitting the snake right between its mouth.


    A metallic sound could be heard as the Dagger and the Snake¡¯s fang clashed. Clenching his right hand into a fist, Ju punched the spiritual beast in the midsection. The snake let out a painful hiss and became restless. Ju did not let this opportunity pass him by. He moved his dagger with expert dexterity, cutting the Snake¡¯s soft underside numerous times, and finally, he stabbed directly into the center of its head.


    Ju had advanced in purifying his Essence, and his strength and agility had increased slightly. If it were to be before, it would have taken him more than double the time to kill this beast as the last rays of life left the Snake. Ju paid attention to the other beasts. The Snakes were defending more than attacking, trying to protect the golden eggs. Because of this, no other snake tried to attack him while he was fighting earlier.


    If any team member decided to pursue those eggs directly, they would face the full brunt of the creature''s attack, which would not be pleasant.


    Ju''s partly covered face was unreadable as he watched Tylen and Aron fight their battles. Oberon moved cautiously as three snakes attacked him, waving his axe. The big man could hold them off for a while, but it was obvious that he was struggling. Zabel had already retreated to a safe distance. Some parts of her outfit were already torn, and various areas of her exposed skin were filled with cuts and bite marks.


    The young woman''s face was very pale as she hurriedly consumed a pill.


    A grim feeling rose amongst all of them.


    They were losing.

 Chapter 34

    Essence flowed more than ever in Ju¡¯s body as he went towards Oberon¡¯s direction; it was not that the young boy wanted to help that much; instead, he had noticed the flanking that Tylen and Aron wanted to use. Oberon was right at the center. The two of them waited for Oberon to draw out more Snakes while they grabbed the eggs.


    Ju also wanted to act as bait, but not because he felt generous or kind. His instincts screamed danger the more he delayed.


    "I can not act passive any longer."


    As he saw Ju join in the fight, a grateful look appeared in Oberon¡¯s eyes as the large man grew more confident; with the two working together, they managed to kill two more snakes while gravely injuring the third beast.


    Tylen and Aron saw their chance now.


    Aron let out a low shout that echoed around the cave, and an intense aura filled the nest. He brought his knives together, and a wave of power spread out, far stronger than Ju had felt from him previously.


    Aron rushed to the egg''s location, and as expected, snakes rapidly surrounded him. One of the beasts used its upper body as a whip to knock Aron off course. Aron did not show any fear, and the inscriptions shone from the knives as he gently slashed forward three times.


    The extremely sturdy body of the Spiritual Snake seemed to be so weak in front of Aron, as it immediately divided into several pieces and fell to the ground. When he saw this, Ju''s face showed a bit of surprise, but then he sneered internally.


    Aron wanted to take the eggs for himself, but how could the others allow him? Tylen also rushed in next to Aron. As he quickly made hand seals; streams of white and blue light appeared in the air and intertwined,, looking to restrain the remaining Snakes. Tylen''s binding was powerful, and for a moment, the beasts could only watch helplessly as the two approached. It seemed like they were finally about to snatch the eggs.


    However, Ju¡¯s mind sensed the arrival of another entity, and it moved so fast that it pierced Aron instantly. Aron¡¯s eyes widened during this life-or-death situation as he yelled.


    ¡°Explode!¡±


    One of the inscription''s knives vibrated intensely and scattered in a flash of bright light. The new foe hissed with pain as it moved backward slightly. Aron quickly used this opportunity to retreat; however, drops of blood appeared where he stood as he held his midsection. Although it was not completely fatal, Aron had been seriously wounded in a single exchange; seeing another variable appear, Tylen had no choice but to cancel his technique, and the snakes immediately swarmed the group leader.


    "There was another snake as powerful as this?"


    Ju didn¡¯t have time to worry about Tylen and Aron as he observed this new arrival. It was larger than the others, although not as big as the Mother Snake. Also, unlike the smaller snakes, this newcomer had a small horn on its head, and its spiritual pressure was higher. Although this snake did not form a core, it was as close as the Falcon leader had been during their last hunt.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Although against the falcon leader, they had used a formation to defeat the beast, this time it was different. Right now, they all were somewhat exhausted because of the previous fights, and now a stronger opponent had appeared. It was not like all the smaller snakes had been killed. About half remained of them. So not only were they short of power, the group was grossly outnumbered.


    ¡°This is not looking good.¡±


    Ju''s expression gradually turned grim.


    One of Mason¡¯s arms was missing as he took deep breaths. The Mother Snake¡¯s counterattack had been extremely vicious,


    ¡°I am quite lucky to lose just an arm in that exchange.¡± Mason thought


    As the battle heated, the snake slithered with otherworldly grace, performing a lightning-quick rhythm that bewildered the Essence Artists. With a swift motion, it initiated a skin-shedding process that was both mesmerizing and horrifying. Thick layers of its scales began to peel away, revealing a fresh, iridescent underlayer that seemed almost alive with power. This rapid molting allowed it to evade injuries and fortify its defenses by providing a new set of scales glistening with enhanced properties.


    However, the beast seemed smaller than before. As she softly said, Madam Pang looked at her in disbelief.


    ¡°Pike, what is going on?


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­This is an innate ability.¡±


    Master Pike replied with a grim expression. The Mother Snake¡¯s reptilian eye had also recovered; however, its aura was a little weaker. It seemed that in exchange for rapid healing, the Mother Snake had lost a portion of its power.


    This was bad because all the work the three had done from the start was for nothing, but that was not the worst. The Mother Snake seemed to have sensed something; a furious hiss escaped from its mouth as it turned back and quickly moved back to its nest.


    Master Pike and his associates could not stop the spiritual beast; rather, they chose not to. Not only were the Essence Artists already spent, but if the Mother Snake insisted on retreating without fighting, they could do nothing to stop it. It was just logic.


    Madam Pang¡¯s expression was gloomy as she muttered.


    ¡°Would it be sort of a waste for those kids to die?¡±


    ¡°We already bought them enough time; if they were still unable to get the eggs and leave the nest, they deserved to die, but you are right; maybe we can lend a hand.¡±


    Master Pike shrugged his shoulders.


    ¡°Did you anticipate from the start that we would be unable to defeat the Snake?¡± Mason spoke out with a harsh tone, and the loss of an arm troubled the Essence artist a lot. The missing limb was already wrapped with cloth and carefully preserved. Essence Artists were supernatural beings; it was fairly easy to reattach a missing arm or leg; however, it permanently weakened the person and would not function as well as before. He had lost an arm with nothing to show for it; it was understandable why Mason was unhappy.


    Master Pike''s expression was unreadable as he said it in a low tone.


    ¡°Oh no, I believed we had a fairly good chance, given that the SnaSnakeuld be a bit weaker after laying another batch of eggs. But it seems like I still underestimated the beast a bit. However, we managed to deal significant damage to it, and it would be much more difficult for it to break through after today. Do not worry, Mason, I would spare no expense for you to recover to your original condition.¡± Pike concluded solemnly.


    Mason¡¯s expression eased a bit, but he said nothing.


    The trio took some time to heal to gain Essence, and then they rushed towards the silver-horned Snake nest.

 Chapter 35

    Ju¡¯s right eye was bright like a touch as he brought out a pseudo-spiritual pill and quickly consumed it.


    ¡°This is the second one now.¡±


    Ju had also already finished his batch of morning drew and stardust pills to manage his injuries. The large snake was motionless, with its horn in Oberon¡¯s hand as the body lay in a pool of blood. Oberon¡¯s Axe had already shattered and his aura was extremely weak, it was not only him, even Aron and Tylen too quite a lot of damage to neutralize the newcomer as quickly as possible.


    Only Zabel was relatively unharmed, as her pretty eyes were filled with fear.


    ¡°These items.¡±


    Tylen¡¯s expression was filled with excitement as he sensed the aura of those eggs; every fibre of his being radiated intense hunger for them. They seemed less like eggs but more like rank one core; if he could use their energy to meditate, an essence artist''s realm would not be so far away. Aron gradually approached him by the side and said quickly.


    ¡°Since I am more familiar with Master Pike, let me keep the eggs.¡±


    Tylen didn¡¯t say anything; he just kept staring at those eggs. Aron''s expression soon became cold, but it quickly became normal as he spoke again.


    ¡°Tylen, or do you have anything contradictory to suggest?¡±


    ¡°Since Tylen is the leader, why don¡¯t you let him take the eggs instead? After all, we three can not be sure of what you and Zabel have done in secret again.¡±


    Oberon chuckled as he spoke, clearly hinting that he preferred Tylen to claim the price while simultaneously drawing Ju into his decision.


    "Sly..."


    Ju silently cursed the brute in his mind, but he did not say anything. He did not want Aron to have all the eggs when they later met up with Master Pike.


    The value the entire group had was those golden eggs; if Master Pike got what he wanted, their fates would not bother him in the slightest. The Essence artist might even kill all five to cover up what happened today. The eggs were their only countermeasure against the whims of the Master Pike and his associates.


    A dangerous aura emanated from Aron¡¯s figure when he heard Oberon¡¯s words.


    ¡°Be careful of what you say, oaf. We would not have overcome this situation if it were not for me.¡±


    ¡°If it were not for you, we would not be in this situation.¡±


    Tylen replied, finally saying something.


    Aron looked stunned, but he did not back down.


    ¡°I admit my fault but promised to compensate you all when I have settled things with Master Pike.¡±


    ¡°I would be the one keeping the eggs, Aron. That is final.¡± Tylen waved his hand, his body filled with battle intent should Aron decide to attack. Although Oberon was still injured, he didn¡¯t hesitate to clench his fists in preparation if things got hostile.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    The standoff lasted a few seconds, which seemed to last hours, before Aron sighed sorrowfully.


    ¡°I did not want things to reach this, but you left me no choice. ¡°


    Ju immediately felt a threatening sensation overwhelm the area, all of his instincts honed through out the years in the wilderness kicked in as he felt a fast moving object coming towards him, aiming right at his temple.


    ¡°I would not be able to dodge it.¡±


    Ju realized this instantly, but that didn¡¯t mean he would resign himself to death. Ju did not hold back as he mustered all of his Essence. Before this meeting, he had usually practised how to concentrate essence into one region in his entire body, although he was not able to do it efficiently,


    Ju did not have much of a problem moving Essence from his nodes to cover his head just in time. However it was barely enough, the young boy¡¯s body was thrown backward several meters because of the impact of the arrow.


    As he landed on the ground, Ju remained motionless, with a slight stream of blood flowing beneath him. Oberon faced a similar attack; however, his reaction speed was even worse than Ju''s. The arrow had reached him with so much force that the burly man¡¯s head exploded in a burst of blood and brain bits.


    "Ju! Oberon!"


    Tylen could not believe what he was seeing. In just a short moment, Ju and Oberon were killed without much resistance. The young man looked to his right. Zabel¡¯s aura had strengthened, but her usually innocent eyes were now malevolent. Essence surrounded her like a tempest, showing a much higher level than she had previously indicated. Zabel had opened the same number of spirit nodes as Tylen!


    A long chain linked with a cross was shining under her wrists; the inscriptions on her bow had changed from blue to bright red. Another arrow started to manifest, this time aiming at Tylen.


    Sensing the attack, Tylen did not hesitate to take defensive manoeuvres. However, he was not just worried about Zabel. He quickly moved backwards away from Aron, but the latter just chuckled. His knives seemed to be ready. Tylen chanted, and a large seal similar to the one he used against the falcons materialized in the air.


    Zabel arrow arrived in an instant, the seal that once held out in front of the relentless attacks of the falcons seemed to so weak at the moment.


    However Tylen was already prepared, he bit his tongue and spat out a reddish mist, that brimmed with deadly intent. When Aron saw this, he narrowed his eyes.


    ¡°As expected, he still held other cards.¡±


    However, Aron did not seem bothered. He quickly took the eggs and stored them in his storage bag. When Tylen saw this, a look of anger appeared on his face, but he was completely helpless. Zabel showed a level of power that Tylen would have never imagined. He had to spend a bit of blood essence to hold on barely.


    As he thought of countermeasures, a massive feeling of danger overwhelmed him. Tylen saw Aron throw his knives high up in the air towards him and made a gesture. The knives immediately shattered in a flash of light, the expansion surged towards Tylen, to kill him as fast as possible, Aron had detonated a precious weapon.


    Coupled with the relentless attacks of Zabel, Tylen did not stand a chance in front of Aron¡¯s drastic attack. A low explosion sounded in the area as Tylen¡¯s body was consumed in a flash of light.


    Aron did not have any reaction on his face, as the remains of the man he had so many adventures with were reduced to bits of bones and burnt flesh. All of Tylen¡¯s possessions also did not survive the attack. Seeing that Tylen was finally dead, Zabel¡¯s countenance relaxed.


    ¡°Let us leave quickly before Master Pike comes. You could just use that item to get us out of here, right? ¡° she hurriedly said as she passed Ju¡¯s motionless body, not even looking at him once.


    Aron nodded as the two turned their backs to the dead bodies of the snakes and their former companions. But then, Ju¡¯s body vanished in a burst of air. In an instant, he was already upon Zabel.


    Aron''s body stiffened before he shouted.


    ¡°Watch out.¡±


    ¡°What¡­¡± She tried to speak, but Ju did not give her a chance.


    The young boy pushed his finger forward.


    While he played dead, Ju quietly consumed his last pseudo essence pill, making him able to perform the Hunter¡¯s thorn. The attack met no resistance as it pierced the young woman¡¯s abdomen. Ju was not done yet; with a calm expression, he brought his dagger and, in one smooth stroke, stabbed her upper back, sending while sending bursts of violent Essence inside her thoracic cavity, exploding her heart in one move.

 Chapter 36

    Ju jumped backwards and stared at Aron with movement as nimble as a monkey. Zabel¡¯s body fell to the ground, maimed and unrecognizable.


    ¡°A few more inches, and I would have already died.¡±


    His mind grew cold at the thought; just one mistake was all it took, the boy thought as he tasted the blood running down to his lips; the attack by Zabel left a small dent right at his temple.


    Because of the nature of the battles he had fought back then, even before he used Essence, Ju knew the advantage of instant attacks; the young boy¡¯s every move aimed to kill or permanently maim. Zabel and Aron had let their guard down for an instant, and Ju did not let go of that chance.


    It all happened so fast that even Aron with his combat expertise was not able to do anything, Aron looked at Zabel mutilated body and muttered with grief.


    ¡°What have you done?¡±


    Aron¡¯s aura was gradually growing berserk, showing the immense pain the man was experiencing. He had Zabel had planned for so long, and right when they were about to enjoy the benefits together, she had been killed with such brutality.


    Ju did not care about the turbulent emotions Aron might have been feeling at that moment; he felt zero regret for what he had done. Zabel had tried to kill him, that was debt he had to pay back. Nothing more, nothing less.


    ¡°She did not have any mercy when she killed both Oberon and Tylen.¡±


    However, that was not why Ju targeted her for his ambush. Due to the nature of her fighting style, the young woman was helpless in physical combat and did not have the instincts of a seasoned warrior. Ju was sure he would not have succeeded if he had gone after Aron instead.


    Ju remained indifferent, his gaze steady, unfazed by Aron¡¯s emotional breakdown. ¡°I want half of those eggs.¡±


    His voice was cold and pragmatic, mirroring the harsh reality of their situation. The eggs were a prize too valuable to ignore.


    ¡°Only those eggs are a guarantee that I might leave here alive.¡± Ju¡¯s mind was racing at the situation''s urgency.


    ¡°I refuse!¡± Aron spoke sharply¡ªhis pride battled against the despair flooding through him. The thought of bargaining with Ju, who had robbed him of Zabel, twisted his insides. There was a simmering tension and electricity in the air as both faced each other in that dark, dangerous nest.


    But Ju was unyielding. ¡°If you don¡¯t comply,¡± he threatened, stepping closer, ¡°I will delay you long enough for the Mother Snake to show up, and then we¡¯ll both be dead.¡± His threat hung heavy in the air, stark against their grim reality.


    Aron¡¯s heart raced as beads of sweat trickled down his brow. The truth of Ju¡¯s assertion gripped him.


    ¡°Give me half the eggs, and we will go our separate ways; if you refuse, I will fight you to the death right here, right now,¡± Ju said again.


    Aron looked at Ju silently with hate-filled eyes and laughed evilly.


    ¡°Good¡­good. Very Good! I admit I underestimated you.¡± Although he was somewhat surprised about Ju¡¯s strength, Aron did not think much of it back then. Instead,d he saw Tylen as a much bigger threat.


    Who would have known that young teenager Ju was this cunning and vicious?


    Aron took a deep breath and, with a resigned grimace, dropped the eggs onto the ground, the thud resonating in the stillness like a funeral drum. Each egg shone with potential, glimmering under the nest¡¯s twilight,


    However, he understood Ju¡¯s reasoning. If Ju remained alive and Aron escaped with the eggs, Master Pike would kill Ju in his rage before looking for Aron.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    As he saw Aron drop the eggs, Ju did not move; instead, he watched his opponent cautiously. Although the young boy seemed calm, his mind worked at maximum speed. Ju was unsure if Aron still had a trump card to leave, but time was running out fast.


    A flow of sweat mixed with blood streamed down Ju¡¯s face as he took one step closer. Aron¡¯s face was passive and unreadable, except for the occasional flashes of hatred in his eyes.


    ¡°What? Are you scared?¡± Aron taunted with a sneer.


    Ju did not say anything; instead, he looked at Aron calmly. Some time passed, and Aron got impatient; he did not want to waste time here any longer, but he did not just want to leave the eggs for Ju.


    It was obvious that the young boy was stalling him, testing his bottom line. There were two roads to life and death; however, the road to life was much narrower. A slight misstep could cost the two remaining party members dearly.


    Aron made a decision, as he said harshly.


    ¡°Humph, I know what you are doing, Brat. I would leave you here, and I hope you die a violent death!¡± he cursed as he began to walk away.


    Suddenly, the entire nest began to shake; Ju and Aron knew what was coming.


    ¡°Oh no,¡± Aron muttered. Ju remained silent, but he clenched his left hand tightly.


    The spiritual pressure outline of the creature was already surrounding them. Ju did not waste any time again. He quickly grabbed the eggs and dashed past Aron. He pointed his index finger to a stone wall with his free hand and blasted it apart to reveal the other side.


    While he was in a standoff with Aron, Ju also channelled Essence from his spirit source and immediately used Dark Assault without hesitation. Instinctually, Ju reached for the essence surrounding him, activating the power he had harnessed¡ªan energy he hadn''t accessed since the mining area. Black tendrils coiled around his body, surging forward with lethal intent as he prepared to retreat.


    The young boy willed all his essence into his legs and moved with the fastest speed he could muster. Aron was a bit slow to react, and his proximity to the snake was a disadvantage. But Aron made a vicious roar as he quickly performed a hand seal; tendrils of essence extended from his back and shot towards Ju.


    A cold feeling surrounded the cave as the Mother Snake¡¯s hiss rang out. Ju felt the attack on his back, but the young boy did not make an effort to dodge; instead, he used dark assault even further; a black coloured aura surrounded him as it managed to defend against Aron¡¯s attack, albeit with difficulty, as a stream of blood ran down from Ju¡¯s mouth.


    The Mother Snake was already inside the cave, her spiritual pressure was so heavy it felt like she wanted to pull down the entire place, the beast had set its eyes on Aron first, but it was not about to let Ju go either. The Mother Snake slammed its body heavily on the ground, creating craters on the ground, aiming to slow down Ju, because of the innate technique it had used earlier, the Mother snake was much smaller than before, but that didn¡¯t mean its power had weakened by much.


    Aron was in dire straits; he did not think that the Mother Snake would arrive so fast, coupled with the delay that Ju caused. Never had Aron hated anyone so much in his life.


    ¡°Ju, I would never let you go!¡±


    Aron thought viciously while clutching two eggs. He quickly brought out a parchment of paper glowing with yellow light. Another vast aura soon appeared, and there was no doubt it was Master Pike. Aron¡¯s face showed urgency as he muttered some strange words. Then suddenly, his entire figure glowed yellow. This was when the Mother Snake directed her full attention to him, but it was too late.


    Master Pike was just in time to catch Aron''s mock expression before he disappeared in a flash of light.


    ¡°Teleportation talisman.¡± Master Pike thought grimly, with his heart full of murderous intent.


    Seeing one of the culprits who had taken her eggs suddenly vanish, the Mother Snake had completely gone berserk. She immediately locked onto Ju and rushed towards him.


    ¡°Master Pike, help me. I have two of the eggs!¡±


    The young boy yelled so much for the first time in his life that his voice echoed throughout the nest, even amidst all the chaos. Ju once again pushed the dark assault to its limits as he sought to buy more time for his life.


    Master Pike''se eyes shone, and he gave a light chuckle.


    ¡°Of course, my dear boy. There¡¯s no way I would leave you to die.¡±


    Master Pike''s right hand glowed as he used his technique. Once again, a large ocean seal appeared on the Mother Snake. However, the snake was much faster than before, evading the move before it could be restrained.


    The Mother Snake was now just a few meters away from Ju, so close that the boy could smell the scent of plants and blood surrounding it. The snake didn¡¯t use any of its lethal moves from the start because it was trying to protect the eggs from harm.


    Unlike anything Ju had felt, a massive spiritual pressure descended upon him so much that he could feel his bones cracking. The mother snake also let out a loud hiss, aiming to destabilize Ju so that he could drop the eggs.

 Chapter 37

    Blood flowed from all of Ju''s orifices as he stumbled. The impurities in his body were already reaching the limit, but Ju had no choice but to use dark assault again. The young boy felt a surge of energy once again as he leaped over a crack in the ground.


    Seeing how the Mother Snake was adamant about chasing Ju. Master Pike''s expression grew grim as essence surrounded his body. He made another move. Beneath the spiritual beast, a large blue seal manifested and managed to slow the Mother Snake down. The beast was enraged seeing this interference as it struggled to break free. However, this delay was enough for Master Pike to catch up to the silver-horned Snake and face it head-on.


    "Ju, move far away from here. I would restrain this monster!" Master Pike yelled.


    At this point, Ju could hardly hear a single word. However, his survival instincts urged him to keep up the running, which he did. A few minutes later, the boy was already out of sight as massive explosions rang out from the cave.


    Sometime later, Pike and Mason were carefully searching the forest. The faces of the two Essence artists were quite pale. After Ju had escaped, the Mother Snake directed all of her rage on Master Pike, so much so that he considered abandoning Ju and retreating for his life; luckily, Mason and Madam Pang arrived, and another vicious fight occurred.


    Ultimately, there were no victors, and the Mother Snake eventually backed away. Although the Essence artists wanted to kill it, they realized that at least one person would lose his life in the process, which did not sit well with any of them. No one was ready to risk his life for the sake of others.


    All in all, the trip could be said to have been a massive failure. It took a lot of haggling and resources before Master Pike could claim the two eggs Ju had snatched. Madam Pang had already returned to Ender town while Mason lingered in the dark forest.Stolen novel; please report.


    "Could it be that brat has already run away with the eggs? Just like that Aron you spoke about?" Mason muttered impatiently and used his spiritual awareness to survey the area.


    "Impossible, according to Madam Pang, his sibling is still in her inn. She said there was no way he would abandon the little girl over there. Also, he is too injured to make it that far; after all, he is just a brat who has opened a few nodes; how far could he get after that encounter." Master Pike waved his hand dismissively.


    Mason was about to reply, when his face changed, and he looked straight ahead up on a tree, Master pike had already moved past him and brought down a small figure that was not moving.


    Master Pike had an odd feeling as he looked at the young boy, clearly in his early teens, sleeping peacefully in his arms. Ju had already fainted, and although he managed to climb a tree before passing out, the teenager could only hope that Master Pike found him before anything else did.


    The two eggs were safely in Ju''s embrace; despite everything, they remained unharmed.


    But Pike''s eyes only focused on one.


    "This has a greater spiritual nature."


    ''There is an uncomfortable aura around him, and it looks like the brat knows some tricks." Mason commented as he observed Ju, who was badly injured and comatose.


    "Of course he does, how else could he be the only one that survived in that group apart from that sly fox Aron. What was most shocking is that the brat could still manage to remain alive despite the pressure from that bitch Snake." Master Pike laughed as he took the eggs and studied them fondly


    "Interesting. He can tank so many wounds without succumbing; it''s really weird," Mason added after seeing the extent of Ju''s wounds.


    "Anyway let us get going, I doubt he could hold out much longer."


    Master Pike said as he held Ju''s small frame with one hand and moved through the forest towards an exit, with Mason following him.

 Chapter 38

    Ju slowly opened his eyes in an unfamiliar room. Although it was not large, it was elegantly designed. Oak-paneled walls loomed around him, and a thick, heavy plaster ceiling rose above, its intricate carvings shining under the sunlight from the windows.


    A rich, crimson blanket lay beneath Ju''s inert body. It was expertly made, and the teenager felt so much comfort as he snuggled in deeper on the small bed, looking around.


    Two tapestries hung on the walls like shrouds, depicting battle scenes between ancient essence artists and sacred beasts. A slight fruity scent lingered in the room. Any time Ju took in the smell, he felt his spirit uplifted, and the essence in his body stirred up a bit.


    Ju struggled to get up as he examined his body. He was without cloth except for a piece of linen that wrapped his loin. But that was the least of his troubles as he quickly checked his spirit nodes.


    ¡°Hopefully, the damage was not so much.¡±


    Thankfully, his Spirit nodes were relatively fine and stable, but the impurities had increased significantly. The pure essence he once had from the tempering formula was now almost completely tainted with black.


    ¡°But the fourth node. This is great.¡±


    However, to his surprise, Ju discovered that his fourth node was already loosening.


    Just as Ju observed his body further, he sensed another presence in the room. Master Pike came in, wearing his usual long robe. He did not look as ruffled as before the confrontation with the silver-horned snake.


    Instead, Master Pike had the calm, assured aura of a powerhouse. The Essence artist has a small smile as he stared at Ju.


    ¡°You had quite an adventure, young lad. You were unconscious for three whole days. I even thought you would pass away at some point.¡±


    Ju remained silent, but Master Pike did not seem to mind as he was already getting used to Ju''s temperament.


    ¡°Before we start talking about major matters. I want you to recap what happened when you and your group entered the cave.¡±


    Ju pondered and briefly explained what transpired in the snake lair. He explained how Aron and Zabel turned on them, murdering Oberon and Tylen, and how he could ambush Zabel and blackmail Aron into releasing some of the eggs.


    ¡°Humph! That sly wreath, Aron. I should have killed him the first time I saw his sorry figure. Heaven knows where he was able to find a teleportation talisman.¡±


    ¡°May I ask what that is?¡± Ju was always eager for knowledge.


    Ju was confused. Since he was in a good mood, Master Pike cleared his doubts.


    ¡°A teleportation talisman is a powerful item usually said to be created by behemoths at the fifth rank and above. This talisman has a spell infused within it; by setting a marker on location, someone in a faraway place can immediately be transported to that location, provided the array has not been tampered with. Even though I have not encountered a teleportation talisman, it''s interesting how Aron got one; I guess his origins go far deeper than I expected.¡± Master Pike said in a strange tone,e a bit envious that Aron could get such an item.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    However, Ju¡¯s mind was preoccupied with something else.


    ¡°Aron had escaped.¡±


    This meant that Ju had an irreconcilable enemy out there in the world. Aron had also seen Moonflower, another fact that distressed Ju greatly. But for now, there was nothing he could do, the young boy thought bitterly to himself.


    ¡°One of the eggs you managed to salvage turned out to be that rare variant, the one that cost the Mother Snake so much time to be able to lay. Who knows, if I managed to nurture it well enough, I might have a companion as powerful as its parent.¡± Master Pike said excitedly.


    Even with his mental fortitude, Ju was stunned. But that was not all.


    ¡°With my permission. You would be able to enter the meditation room once.¡±


    If the first reward made Ju, the second practically sent his heart soaring.


    Countless times, he had thought about the meditation room and its benefits, thinking that he would finally be able to get there with little effort. Although he almost died, for the young boy who had once risked his life for a bowl of water, being in a dangerous life-and-death situation was not that much of a price to pay.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± He told Master Pike


    ¡°Also¡­ your face and skin is quite something. When I decided to clean you up, my mind was puzzled. To think someone could have this sort of body in the wastelands of all places. The more I know about you, the more surprises there are.¡± Master Pike said with a strange look in his eyes.


    Ju felt a bit uncomfortable under Master Pike''s scrutinizing gaze. That sort of gaze made him want to cover his appearance at all costs. The young boy looked around but did not see his cloak.


    As if reading his mind. Master Pike.


    ¡°I already got rid of that awful clothing; a maid would bring you food, a fresh pair of clothes and your reward, and then you can be on your way. Go to the meditation room anytime you like and give them this.¡±


    ¡°I would give you four spirit stones for all your troubles.¡± Master Pike continued calmly.


    Even with his mental fortitude, Ju was stunned. But that was not all.


    ¡°With my permission. You would be able to enter the meditation room once.¡±


    If the first reward made Ju, the second practically sent his heart soaring.


    He had thought about the meditation room and its benefits countless times, and now he was offered the opportunity on a platter. Although Ju almost died, for the young boy who had once risked his life for a bowl of water, being in a dangerous life-and-death situation was not that much of a price to pay for an increase in strength.


    ¡°Thank you. ¡± The teenager always made sure to show his appreciation when it was due.


    Master Pike nodded.


    ¡°Also¡­ your face and skin is quite something. When I decided to clean you up, my mind was puzzled. To think someone could have this sort of body in the wastelands of all places. The more I know about you, the more surprises there are.¡± Master Pike said with a strange look in his eyes.


    Ju felt a bit uncomfortable under Master Pike''s scrutinizing gaze. That sort of gaze made him want to cover his appearance in the mining area at all costs. The young boy instinctively looked around but did not see his cloak.


    As if reading his mind. Master Pike.


    ¡°I already got rid of that awful clothing. A maid would bring you food, a fresh pair of clothes and your reward, and then you could be on your way. Go to the meditation room anytime you like and give them this.¡±


    The Essence artist tossed a blue-green token; Ju caught it and noticed its unusual marking and how cool it was to touch.


    ¡°You are a good kid. Keep working hard, and maybe you will have a chance to form a spirit source.¡±


    After saying this, Master Pike did not wait for Ju to reply before he left.

 Chapter 39

    Ju slowly got up and sat cross-legged in contemplation. The rewards he got from the encounter were generous enough for him to train and cater to Moon Flower for a significant amount of time.


    Ju had only opened three out of nine nodes, which was still a small number. The fourth node proved to be immensely difficult to open, but with the meditation room, maybe things would change. Ju thought about Master Pike''s talking about forming a core, but Ju could not see that happening anytime soon.


    ¡°But that tournament might be of help.¡±


    However ,would Ju be strong enough to partake when it was time?


    ¡°The chances are quite low.¡±


    Ju heard a light knock on the door, snapping him from his thoughts. A young woman with an ordinary face entered carrying a large tray. Just behind her, another woman dropped three sets of clothing.


    Both of the maids looked amazed when they saw Ju. His skin was so white, so pure it looked unreal, and his face, although very child-like, was perfect in all dimensions. His eyes, like purple gemstones, displayed anger, but they quickly went away as he stood up to cover himself, at least.


    ¡°I must never be in this sort of situation again!¡±


    Even though they seemed fascinated, the maids did not linger in the room and immediately left. It seemed like they had been given strict orders. The clothes set consisted of an Inner small shirt, an intricate chest piece of dark leather stained deep mahogany, marked with a silver design and a long flowing gray cloak, similar to the one he had previously, but this one was of better quality. But Ju did not look at them first.


    The spirit stones glowed well enough, even in the dimly lit room. Ju took one and observed it. He had seen spirit stones numerous times, the finished product of the mines. But he had never been able to call one his own, and now he had four. Even the normally calm Ju felt a bit emotional.


    Some time passed before Ju left the place, and Master Pike did not see him again. Looking back at the large residence, There were hardly any people around. It seemed like the Essence artist valued his privacy. Apart from the two maids who came earlier, Ju did not see anyone else.


    ¡°I would exchange one spirit stone for gold coins; then tomorrow, I would go to the meditation room. I should not delay it; anything could happen. But first of all, I have to see Moonflower. She must be so worried.¡±The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    It was the longest he had ever gone without her presence.


    As he approached the inn, Ju had an odd feeling, especially when he saw Madam Pang at the counter donning the appearance of a comely, unassuming old woman, not the powerful Essence Artist that Ju had witnessed a few days before.


    When Madam Pang saw Ju, she gave her usual small smile. Back then, Ju thought it was a bit weird, but right now, the young boy could not help but feel fear. However, his expression was still calm.


    ¡°You seem well enough, little one; Pike said that your injuries were quite grievous, but it looks like he was exaggerating. ¡° she softly said.


    ¡°Come, let me examine you.¡± Madam Pang continued.


    Ju felt cold, but he knew he had no choice. As he approached, Madam Pang placed her hand on his. It didn¡¯t seem like she had that much strength. In fact, Ju felt a soothing feeling, which only made him more cautious.


    After a few seconds, Madam Pang withdrew her hand.


    ¡°You seem well enough, though your Essence flow seems a bit¡­turbulent. Impurities, perhaps?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it had accumulated through my regular battles.¡±


    ¡°Do you have a meditation technique?¡±


    ¡°Tempering Formula.¡±


    ¡°I suspected as much, certainly not the ideal technique, but then¡­ that¡¯s the best a lone Essence user could use. My Meditation technique is unsuitable for your constitution, even if I wanted to help you.¡± Madam Pang frowned.


    She then reached for underneath her table and placed a few white pills in front of Ju.


    ¡°You can use this to offset a bit of the damage.¡±


    Ju had a faint look of surprise, but he softly gave his thanks.


    Although white pills such as these had less effect on an Essence Artist, they were still valuable.


    ¡°Your sister has been restless but still calm. It seems like she had absolute faith that you would come back. If you think about it, it is nice to have someone to always return to.¡± Madam Pang muttered wistfully, but Ju was already up the stairs and hadn¡¯t heard her last statement.


    As he knocked on the door in the usual coded way, Ju could not help but feel guilty. Although the task was impossible to avoid, the young boy decided firmly that he would make it up to her.


    The door opened slowly, and  Ju¡¯s breath quickened when he finally saw the girl he had adopted as his sibling. She looked pale, so pale that Ju wondered if she was eating while he was away. He had made sufficient provisions.


    ¡°You are back.¡± She said lightly.


    ¡°Yes¡­yes, I am.¡±


    She then went to embrace him, and the room was silent. Before he came in, Ju thought he would have to explain and pacify him a lot. However, the young boy now realizes that all of that is unnecessary with Moon Flower. He was finally here, and that was all that mattered.

 Chapter 40

    It took three days for Ju to go out on his own again. He decided not to visit the meditation room immediately, so he spent some days with Moon-Flower.


    They both visited different restaurants and pubs, but Moonflower consumed so much alcohol that Ju decided not to return to those places again. The two also visited the library and read books together, especially those about the world''s history and geography.


    Moonflower made rapid progress in her reading, so Ju had to purchase her books; at least that way, she would not be too bored when he left.


    Meanwhile, Ju tried to see if she could use Essence, but she did not react. This bothered the teenager, but he decided to wait it out since she was still young.


    ¡°Maybe in a few months or a year.¡± He thought hopefully.


    Ju felt that the faster she could sense and use Essnece, the easier it would be for her to learn how to defend herself should the need arise. In the wastelands, age was just a number, not an excuse. No one would ever show remorse just because their opponent or target was a child.


    Right now, Ju was silently walking towards the central part of Ender Town, deep in the settlement. As he went further, the spiritual pressure of each passerby or random person grew so much that Ju was sure he sensed perhaps an Essence artist or two.


    The time he spent with Master Pike and the others made Ju''s spiritual awareness much more sensitive, an improvement that the boy could not quite explain as there was no information relating to a sudden boost in spiritual awareness without a significant breakthrough.


    ¡°I seem to have a bit of talent regarding the perception of spiritual pressure.¡±This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    However, Ju could not be too sure and grew complacent. This is why he desperately wanted to raise the number of tides in the tempering formula to four and above. If he could somehow get used to that pain and persevere, Ju felt that it could have massive benefits in the future.


    Ju already reached the entrance of the Meditation room. Contrary to its massive reputation, the building did not have a truly magnificent design; Ju saw a monolith of rustic elegance looming against the desolate landscape. The building¡¯s exterior is crafted from angular stones that seem to glisten under the sun''s bright light. The structure is vast yet devoid of excessive ornamentation; it is large and simple, embodying a certain austere beauty. Tall arched windows puncture the fa?ade, their frames dark as obsidian. Each tile of the roof, crafted from glazed ceramics, carries a faint iridescence, glowing, creating an illusory cascade of shimmering scales across the area.


    The place was heavily guarded, even more so than the library. Only a small number of people entered and left, demonstrating its exclusivity. Ju was immediately spotted as an odd one among the others. Although his dressing was quite new and personally given by Master Pike, it still seemed a bit inferior to regular visitors to the Meditation rooms.


    ¡°Do you wish to buy time at the meditation room or have a permit?¡± The guard at the entrance asked curtly


    ¡°I have a permit. ¡± Ju brought out the token and handed it over.


    When he saw the logo on the token, the guard looked surprised and somewhat disbelieving.


    ¡°Come with me. I can not verify this. We should see the manager, " the guard said with a hint of respect as he stepped back for Ju to pass. Of course, this cautiousness was not directed at Ju but at the person the token represented.


    Ju noticed that the other guards did not even pay attention to them. Instead, they focused completely on their posts, excluding strong spiritual pressure. Ju doubted he could defeat even one of them in a fair fight.


    ¡°They seem stronger than Tylen and Aron and well-disciplined. As expected of a place like this."


    The teenager thought to himself as he entered the building.

 Chapter 41

    Upon entering the meditation room, Ju feels an immediate shift in the air, thick with the weight of silence, as if the walls themselves are steeped in the Essence of countless meditations within. The free space was minimized yet profound, a wide expanse where the floor is hewn from smooth, polished granite that glows faintly, reflecting the dim golden light emitted by sconces fashioned from twisted iron. The lighting was soft and eerie; the architecture flowed seamlessly from the outside in Every facet of the design, from the vaulted ceiling that beckons like the sky to the elegant stone benches hugging the room''s periphery up ahead.


    The building was darker than Ju expected, but that did not bother the teenager the most.


    ¡°It¡¯s cold.¡±


    Ju remembered how cold it used to get on the outskirts of the wilderness. The cold had attempted to kill him more times than humans or beasts, Ju concluded darkly. As they walked through the hallways, Ju did not see anyone.


    ¡°Maybe no one lingers at the reception before entering the rooms.¡±


    Eventually, Ju could hear the chatter and laughter of people up ahead. The narrow entrance opened up a wider space brighter than the rest. Comfortable-looking chairs surrounded a large central table. A man and two women were enjoying their conversation in one of those chairs. They did not notice Ju and the guard approach, or perhaps the trio did not notice them. Ju felt the latter was more likely.


    Obviously, the guard was wary of interrupting this group of people, and Ju was never the impatient one, so he also stood there observing.


    The woman was quite attractive, the most beautiful Ju had seen in a long time. However, the boy was either too young or too numb to appreciate beauty. Most of the time, in his eyes, everyone was flesh and bones; the only distinction that separated people in Ju¡¯s heart was those who were a threat to him and those who were not.


    The first woman, the older of the two, had greyish-looking hair and fair skin, though not as white as Ju or Moonflower. Her eyebrows were long, and she had a plump figure, all of which gave off the vibe of a mature woman.


    The second female was much slimmer, with black hair and olive skin. Her cute face hinted that she was probably still in her teens. She laughed the most and talked the loudest.


    But as mentioned earlier, it was not their appearance that Ju was particularly interested in; the spiritual pressure given off by the older woman did not seem that impressive; it was the younger-looking girl that inspired a bit of dread in Ju, and for her to be able to achieve this means that this young-looking girl must have opened more than six nodes.


    Ju then turned his attention to the male participant, dressed in bright green clothes, and the young boy¡¯s breath quickened.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    The man was most certainly much more powerful than the two ladies.


    ¡°Maybe he was even an Essence artist.¡±


    However, while relaxing in that chair, he did not seem to exert as much pressure as Master Pike, Mason and some of the other Essence artists Ju had come in close contact with, but he still could not be sure.


    Finally, the man in bright green clothes looked sideways at the guard and spoke nonchalantly.


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡° Sir Ben, it¡¯s about the boy, sir. He brought a token from Master Pike to use one of the meditation rooms. I could not be sure about the token''s authenticity, so I wanted to confirm with you, " the guard replied humbly.


    When Master Pike''s name was mentioned, the man named Ben''s eye flickered a bit as he thought.


    ¡°That guy has not sent anyone here personally in a while.¡±


    Even the two women now looked at Ju with a bit of interest. But their gazes soon turnednon-nonchalantt; the boy seemed utterly unremarkable, and his essence power was merged, to say the least. Only three nodes had been opened.


    ¡°You must have done a great deal for Master Pike to see you here,¡± Ben said, intending to probe Ju a bit.


    ¡°It was nothing; I just got lucky,¡± Ju said softly. Before he had come here, Master Pike had given him strict instructions not to discuss the events that occurred in the forest.


    Seeing that Ju did not want to speak out, Ben didn¡¯t make things difficult for him, perhaps because Master Pike was the one who sent the boy here.


    ¡°You can take him to the lowest ranked room, and he should not use more than his allocated time.¡± Ben waved his hand in dismissal.


    Ju and the guard gave a low bow and left.


    ¡°Master Pike is as enigmatic as always. I heard that a single room uses about ten thousand gold coins per hour, yet he gives such a privilege to a pup.¡± The older-looking woman laughed.


    Ben shook his head wryly,


    ¡°One can never tell what that guy is thinking, and there is no way I can question his decisions, even though I own a part of the establishment.¡±


    ¡° But he should have notified you beforehand; it''s just basic courtesy.¡± The younger girl seemed to get angry, pouting for Ben''s sake.


    ¡°That is not surprising¡­after all, I am not yet an Essence artist,¡± Ben said in a slightly sad tone.


    ¡°But you are already at the last bottleneck. A little longer, and you will surely breakthrough; it''s only a matter of time, " the older woman encouraged.


    ¡°It''s not as easy as it may seem. After all, many others have also been at my level and unable to break through. I do not want to rely on those forces completely. The only thing that can guarantee my breakthrough is the blue mist flower.¡±


    The two women''s eyes grew wide.


    ¡°You don¡¯t mean¡­¡±


    ¡°Ben! Why do you want to risk your life in that competition? Just because you have influence does not mean anyone would hold back.¡±


    ¡°So what if they don¡¯t hold?¡± Ben let out an arrogant smirk.


    ¡°As long as the opponent is not an Essence artist, then I can''t lose.¡± Ben seemed so confident that the women did not push the matter. Instead, the three began to discuss other matters.


    ¡°Is Ben an Essence artist?¡± Ju could not resist his curiosity and asked the guard. Ben''s spiritual pressure was obscure, sometimes normal, and sometimes strong.

 Chapter 42

    ¡°No. But he is widely regarded as the strongest person below the level of an Essence artist in Ender town. Do you think Essence artists in the wastelands are common? Less than three Essence artists come to Ender Town in a normal year despite its affluence.¡± The guard shook his head.


    ¡°Essence artists are truly rare.¡±


    Ju then considered the mines and the various Essence artists who listened to Old Kai''s orders. The organization the elderly man came from seemed much more powerful than he initially thought.


    As they descended, Ju could already feel a slight increase in the intensity of Essence in the area; however, what he noticed most was the ease with which his body resonated with it.


    Finally, the guard stopped and placed his hands on a large black door.


    The door shook and gradually opened, and Ju was immediately taken away. The boy had never felt anything like this before. All his life, Ju had practiced with the scanty, impure essence unique to the wastelands; it was similar to labored breathing, something that must be done despite the difficulty. But right now, Ju was breathing freely.


    The guard was not surprised by Ju¡¯s reaction. Most people, including the guard himself, acted the same way after visiting these rooms for the first time.


    ¡°You have an hour¡­ use it wisely.¡±


    Ju said nothing as he walked into the room and sat cross-legged.


    The teenager did not waste any time at all.


    Ju could feel the Essence like raindrops as it slowly dripped and surrounded his body. It was very different from the Essence gathered outside.


    ¡°The room lived up to its reputation.¡±


    Ju thought again excitedly. Although the Essence was a tad purer, he still felt pressure as he assaulted the fourth node.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Following the instructions in the Tempering Formula, Ju imagined the Essence gathering like a lake. Slowly, he tried to gather waves. The tides were slowly rising. Ju knew he had completed a cycle when he saw the first tide. Ju willed the Essence flow to the Node on his chest.


    Bang.


    A light crash sounded in his mind, and sensations of pain were transmitted all over his body. Ju could still observe that the impurities were still very much present. He then tried to raise another tide, then another, and another.


    ¡°Because I had to use Dark assault during his skirmish with Aron and the Snake, I must invest more effort if I truly want to open the fourth node.¡±


    But the boy was confident in maintaining the tides, with this level of Essence purity, and soon after, for the first time, Ju felt four separate tides. Clearly, the pain was so intense that Ju could not stop trembling; tiny streaks of blood came out of his orifices.


    ¡°I must continue.¡±


    As his body was on the verge of collapse, however, Ju still held on, remembering the manual once again. The more numerous the tides are, the purer the essence would be, and the simpler it would be to awaken a Spirit node.


    The room was the perfect opportunity that Ju couldn¡¯t waste. Using his sheer will, the teenager bit his tongue and directed the Essence again to his chest node.


    This time, the sound was much larger, and Ju could feel the resistance loosening; the fourth Spirit node was gaining a bit of light.


    He continuously stimulated his fourth node.


    Coupled with the intense pain. Ju kept using the tides to grind the Essence and directed it at his Spirit node; any Essence that flowed towards the node, Ju could already see that the black spots gradually reduced.


    Overall, some of the impurities had gone.


    ¡°I can not go past four tides of the Tempering Formula, at least for now. A backlash is certain, so I must keep trying with this number of tides.¡±


    Out of the 1 hour allocated to him, Ju had spent 30 minutes before an overwhelming feeling finally assaulted his senses.


    This was vastly different from the first few nodes Ju opened previously; back then, he only had a vague feeling he could use more Essence when those two nodes opened. But now Essence rushed into his chest node fiercely, and a connection that was never visible before also began to form between Ju¡¯s other nodes that he opened; much purer and more powerful Essence rapidly accumulated in Ju¡¯s spirit nodes as a result.


    ¡°At last.A small step further.¡±


    The teenager let out a deep breath as he basked in the feeling.


    Ju didn¡¯t take a rest, though. The breakthrough gave the boy even more momentum to keep the tides flowing. Ju turned his attention to another node in his arm.

 Chapter 43

    The security guard remained at the entrance of Ju''s room. Deep down, he felt a tinge of envy that a weak child who had only opened three nodes was utilizing something he could never experience. The security guard could not help but wonder what Ju must have done to gain such a privilege.


    ¡°A full hour in the Meditation Room, what a waste.¡± The guard shook his head and closed his eyes; although the Essence concentration can never be as good as inside the rooms, it was still quite dense in this building, so it was not a bad idea to meditate occasionally.


    Time slowly passed, and the entire area was silent.


    The security guard opened his eyes moments after a while.


    ¡°It is already time.¡±


    The guard thought as he got up, but his eyes narrowed when he saw the room door open. The teenager was punctual to the second.


    Ju''s demeanour did not seem to have significantly changed, except for his hurried breathing and the tinge of blood on his scarf.


    A look of ridicule briefly passed through the guard¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Did he seriously have a backlash? In the essence room of all places, he must have been unable to control himself. Hardly surprising. A kid, after all.¡±


    The man felt even more regret about the wasted opportunity, but he did not express any of these feelings on his face.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s go; there is no need to see Master Ben again; I will take you directly outside.¡±


    Ju was silent but nodded curtly as he followed the security guard.


    As he finally exited the building and moved through the gate, Ju¡¯s face was calm but trembling inside. The guard analysis was spot on. Ju had almost gotten a backlash!


    After Ju opened the fourth node, he was eager to try to open the others; after all, Ju did not think he would ever be able to visit the Essence Rooms again. The teenager attempted to raise another tide, but it backfired. If it hadn¡¯t been for Ju to act on time and luck was on his side, his spirit nodes would have exploded immediately.


    Ju sighed.


    ¡°Meditation Techniques and Essence gathering really can not be rushed, and no matter what happens, until I become an Essence artist, I can not exceed five tides at the maximum.¡±


    However, despite the danger, the teenager had greatly benefited from the room; not only had Ju awakened that troublesome fourth node, but he also cleared a good chunk of the impurities present in his body. The fifth node in his other leg was already flickering with light. After many trials and errors, Ju had opened nearly half of the nodes in his body.


    But then his eyes turned a bit gloomy. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°Another bottleneck would soon be here.¡±


    Which was the sixth spirit node located in his temporal region. The fourth and fifth nodes were already hard enough, and Ju dreaded the challenge the sixth node would entail.


    Nevertheless, Ju was satisfied with the overall improvement. He could not wait to return to the forest and hone his skills further. Although the rewards that Master Pike gave him were generous, Ju needed to gather more resources to help with his meditation and training.


    After witnessing the horror of beings at Master Pike and the great snake level, Ju desperately sought that power even more.


    ¡°I need to become an Essence Artist as fast as possible.¡±


    Ju¡¯s eyes lit up as he thought of that upcoming Blue Mist Flower competition.


    "I have about six months."


    He knew he still did not have the qualifications to participate. Still, the teenager was somewhat positive that if he could open his sixth or seventh node, he would be able to hold his own even against foes that were close to the level of an Essence Artist.


    Although there was no direct way to prove this, Ju trusted his judgement regarding battle. He had opened almost five nodes, one less than Zabel, Oberon and Aron. But if he were to battle Aron again, Ju was confident he could overwhelm him with pure strength alone without resorting to tricks.


    "Right now, all that matters is for me to polish my techniques and find other opportunities to grow."


    Ju soon arrived at the inn. As usual, Madam Pang was at the counter, attending to the customers with a harmless demeanour. Looking so frail and gentle, no one could ever suspect that this was an exceptionally powerful Essence Artist in disguise.


    Ju did not look at her as he went upstairs. However, the old woman''s eyes still followed him for a brief moment before shifting back; she did not have any change in expression.


    Moon Flower was asleep when Ju came in.


    "Sleeping Again."


    Ju furrowed his brow while looking at her still figure on the bed; he furrowed his brow a bit; she had been like this for some time now, spending very long periods sleeping.


    "Although it seems harmless, it was not usually like this." Ju thought but decided not to overthink it for now


    The young boy sat across from the bed and slowly collected his thoughts. Right now, he considered exploring the outskirts of the forest on his own, but he was wary of ambushes from other groups. Also, the encounter with the Great Snake made Ju unwilling to enter the dark forest anytime soon.


    After all, it was not a stretch to think that the Silver Horned Snake remembered his aura and was scouting for him. There was also Aron. After Ju killed Zabel and still took an egg from under his eyes, Aron must hate him to the bones. Although it seemed like the man had escaped fully and never returned, Ju kept his guard up.


    The teenager then got up and opened one of the cabinets to take out the four spirits stones Master Pike had given him; he had decided to exchange one for gold coins, which would be used for Moon Flower upkeep and other miscellaneous activities.


    The remaining spirit stones had to be used to increase his combat power. He had been in Ender Town now for little less than a month, but he had faced numerous dangerous situations, being in close contact with entities that were much more powerful than he was.


    After the battle in the forest, Ju realised that tools, although extremely useful, like those of Zabel and Aron, did not matter as much as the spells and techniques one had in his arsenal.


    "Master Pike used only one major Essence Technique, yet he could restrain the Great Snake, who was fundamentally at a higher level than he was. This is the major difference between man and beast. Beasts were blessed with robust essence reserves, yet humans had more clever ways to utilize Essence, making it possible for Essence Artists to overwhelm the spiritual beasts and dominate the world."


    But in the end, Ju did not want to go looking for a new Essence Technique; he preferred a decent weapon with inscriptions, and he was going to find it.

 Chapter 44

    Ju stopped at the Inn reception. He saw that Madam Pang was attending to a couple. The man and woman''s voices were relatively low, and Ju could not understand what they were saying. Not that the boy was interested in other people''s affairs.


    After a few minutes, Madam Pang gave them a room key, and the couple quickly hurried upstairs. The Inn only had about ten rooms, and people who usually used the Inn did not stay more than a day most of the time. Ju and MoonFlower were anomalies. But the young boy was grateful for this sort of scenario; it felt safer.


    He approached Madam Pang and asked softly.


    "I want to craft a new dagger that can withstand much tougher foes. I am unsure if these regular weapon-smiths can do the job for me. Do you have any suggestions?"


    Madam Pang arched her left brow a bit as she heard him.


    "Hmm, the young wolf wants to sharpen his fangs¡­ Well, I know someone here in Ender Town who might help. Though he is a bit of an oddball, I am unsure if he would help you. But you could give it a try. Let me tell you how to find him."


    Ju moved closer as Madam Pang whispered next to him.


    In Ender Town, several shops sold Inscription or Magic weapons activated with Essence. However, these pieces of equipment gradually became weaker with each use. This was expected, as the materials used to construct them were not high-quality, and Essence was a powerful force.


    Inscriptions placed on weapons allow users to channel Essence for a boosted effect. Still, one can also decide to refrain from activating the inscription every time to preserve the life span of the Magic weapon.


    This was basically how all Magic tools in the world were used. Ju had never used a magic weapon before, but he had seen their wondrous effect many times, especially Zabel''s bow. Zabel was generally a weak Essence gatherer, but she could stand on equal footing with Tylen and Aron with that bow.


    Madam Pang had given him directions about an inscription master named Harkimo. Ju decided to try his luck.


    The shop was located in the farther reaches of Ender Town, very close to the dark forest. It was deeply embedded in various alleyways, so much so that Ju was bothered that he might have gotten lost. As one might expect, the people here were relatively scanty, but their auras were not weak, as Ju observed.


    After about an hour of back-and-forth, Ju finally arrived at the entrance described by Madam Pang.


    "The shop entrance looks desolate, and it seems people passing are deliberately trying to avoid it."


    Ju noticed as he entered. Immediately, he was assaulted by loud and rough voices.


    "You fraud! The set of Inscription explosives you made for me was fake! They did not have any effect at all. I might have lost my life if it was not for one of my trump cards!"The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "You idiot! Why would you battle against an Essence Artist from the Anli Family? Have you not heard that they are the best at manipulating spiritual pressure and Essence control?! All of them can easily dismantle basic inscriptions used on magic weapons."


    "Are you not just admitting that you are a fraud? Your inscriptions are not profound at all."


    The two men were arguing when they noticed a third party. It was a young-looking figure with white bandages across his face and arms. He also had an eyepatch across his left eye, while the right eye shone purple like a rare gem.


    "I want to inquire about Armament Master Harkimo."


    The older of the two men rolled his eyes.


    "Kid, I don''t know what got into you, but you have no business in a place like this."


    Ju assumed that this was the man he was looking for.


    "I want to make a dagger with the simplest inscription. My requirements are not much at all. I don''t think I would take much of your time."


    "Oddly enough, I like his tone."


    The man who had been arguing with Harkimo previously chuckled when he heard Ju say something.


    Harkimo ignored the man''s statement and said in an impassive voice.


    "You are new to Ender Town, aren''t you? Well, whatever, it''s not so bad if I  let some things slide. Yet even if I lend you an ear, can you afford my services, little one? I don''t accept gold coins."


    Ju''s continence was calm as he brought out three spirit stones.


    "This is all I have."


    "Oh! Three spirit stones. That''s quite a lot for someone as weak as you."


    Harkimo said with a brief look of surprise on his face; he paused a bit before continuing.


    "Okay, boy. As you know, no money is too small in these parts. Come back in two weeks. I should be able to put together something that suits you."


    The weaponsmith waved his hand, and the spirit stones vanished.


    "You are a shameless old man. The weapon you crafted for me was so deficient,t yet you have the guts to take the poor kid''s money still. I am getting a refund today or pulling this place down."


    "I''d like to see you try! You..."


    The two men continued arguing, not sparing Ju another glance. Ju stood there for some time before turning to leave.


    As he exited the small shop, Ju felt cold inside.


    "They are both Essence artists. No wonder he said I was new in Ender Town; only Essence artists would dare go directly to him to request weapons."


    No wonder there were not a lot of people lingering around. The fear of angering an Essence artist ran deep.


    When he first entered the shop, Ju wanted to leave immediately after sensing their aura. However, a faint spiritual pressure prevented him from doing so. Ju was unsure whether the angry customer or Harkimo was responsible, but he had no choice but to speak out loud and drop all his money.


    The young boy sighed lightly, hoping that an Essence artist like Harkimo would not be shameless and scam him of his money.


    Ju soon put the matter at the back of his mind.


    "I guess I should use the period to stay with Moonflower," Ju muttered.


    Meanwhile, back at the small shop, Harkimo and the customer have stopped arguing.


    "You picked the worst opponent to use a magic weapon against. I can not recreate that set for you at no cost, but if you can find the core of a rank one spiritual beast, I can infuse it and make a much stronger inscription, but it would cost you 30 spirit stones." Harkimo sighed


    The angry customer rolled his eyes.

 Chapter 45

    ¡°Do you think spiritual beasts that have formed a core are that easy to kill? But whatever¡ªonce I bring you the core, you¡¯d better craft something worthy of it, or else¡­¡± The angry customer spat his challenge, his voice dripping with disdain. Oddly enough, Harkimo¡ªhis expression unperturbed by the prospect of facing a rank one spiritual beast alone¡ªsmirked. ¡°Heh, with your strength, a rank one spiritual beast shouldn¡¯t be much of a problem. Still, be careful not to get ambushed; your baleful aura is growing stronger. These beasts would be able to smell you from miles away.¡±


    The customer¡¯s tone shifted to one of surprised amusement. ¡°Oh, I thought I was getting clever at hiding it.¡± Though he was a tall man with average looks, Harkimo knew all too well that beneath that unremarkable exterior lurked a deadly force. ¡°Elias is probably the only person in Ender Town who has a real chance of defeating Pike,¡± Harkimo observed, his voice laced with a mix of grudging respect and quiet amusement as he watched the angry customer storm out.


    Once the visitor had left, Harkimo turned his attention to the three spirit stones he¡¯d taken from Ju. He examined them closely, his gaze lingering thoughtfully on their radiant surfaces before a mischievous smile crept over his features.


    Meanwhile, Ju spent an entire week confined indoors. He had purchased a modest collection of books¡ªcheap, mundane volumes that bore little relation to Essence Arts¡ªand pored over them in solitude. His mind absorbed every word, though his true passion lay elsewhere. Across from him, Moonflower¡¯s progress was nothing short of astonishing. She devoured the texts with an ease that often left Ju feeling, in a way, both proud and insecure. In literature, she seemed to outpace him by far, a bright spark in the dim confines of his self-imposed isolation.


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    ¡°Although the Essence density in this inn is subpar, anyone with even a single node can sense and absorb a trickle of it,¡± Ju observed silently, watching Moonflower as she carefully adjusted her brilliant black hair while engrossed in her reading. There was something extraordinary about her¡ªshe hadn¡¯t aged a day in the five years they¡¯d spent together. Ju suspected that her eternal youth was linked to her inability to use Essence. In truth, he wasn¡¯t even sure if she had any nodes at all. Even seasoned Essence Artists struggled to determine that in a child, the subtle signs only appeared once a node had been awakened, revealing its level with unerring clarity.


    He recalled whispered legends of natural items that could stimulate a person¡¯s nodes, awakening latent potential earlier than fate would normally allow. Yet, he doubted that such a precious artifact could ever be found in the perilous depths of the dark forest. ¡°Even if such items exist,¡± he mused bitterly, ¡°I can¡¯t acquire them. So, for now, all I can do is wait.¡±


    With a determined sigh, Ju made up his mind as he continued reading alongside Moonflower. Despite the mundane nature of the books before him, his thoughts were heavy with ambition. Every page turned was a quiet reminder that his journey was far from over. The challenges ahead¡ªopening more nodes, refining his Essence, and gathering the resources necessary for his training¡ªwould require both patience and relentless perseverance.