The Geared Immortal

Chapter 104

The dense atmosphere of the Dark Forest began to exude a bloody smell. It has already begun to attract a lot of demon beasts in a particular place. It didn't take long before a bunch of hungry demon beasts to appear and fight against each other. Those who are powerful enough was able to devour the carcasses which were left littered on the ground. But there is a demon beast not far from this particular place which lifelessly slumps on the ground. Both of its eyes are a mess of blood and gore and at the back of its head is a gaping hole.

But the most curious about this scene is that no demon beast dared to approach this area. This is probably due to the carcass being a level 4 demon beast.

At that time when Shin Jiao slaughtered the group of demon beasts in the area, he only encountered 30 low-level demon beasts. But then this level 4 Dark Golden Ape suddenly appears and made the fight a little taxing. When he faced against the demon beast he was forced to use his full absolute sense for him to be able to defeat the Dark Golden Ape.

With that arduous fight, Shin Jiao finally reached his mental limits.

So, now he is currently running as fast as he could to escape the place and is frantically looking for a cave to hide. Unknown to him, a group of young cultivators is already actually on his tail.

Hong Nian was able to see the footsteps and blood traces from Shin Jiao. He is currently using a spiritual technique on his eyes to be able to see the traces left by Shin Jiao. As their group carefully but excitedly follows the path, they noticed upon entering an area the thick smell of blood which permeated through the air. Not only the smell of blood but, there is also the sulfuric and burnt stench which is not common but well known through all the cultivators who enters the Dark Forest. Because each person who grows up near the Dark Forest knows the story of the Flame Sky Snake.

The Flame Sky Snake is known for the sulfuric stench is emits which it uses to mark its territory. The stench is from its skin which is also present from its blazing hot cave. The Flame Sky Snake's habit is to burn the ground of its nest until it would look like molten lava, and then it would lay on top of it. Though it prefers to spend its time near a volcanic area, still some prefer to be where many other demon beasts stay, as this would make it easy for them to hunt their prey.

Although Flame Sky Snake is a very dangerous demon beast, still many cultivators would hunt it down as its skin and scales are used as a fire prof material in making armors. Many have been tempted to hunt a Flame Sky Snake for its core and carcass, yet a lot of cultivators have lost their lives because of it. The demon beast's flame breath alone is no ordinary fire breath as it produces thousands of degrees of heat that can instantly melt even a cultivator in the golden core realm. So because of that, no one dares to just venture out and hunt these creatures without much preparation.

Right now the group of young cultivators leads by Hong Nian has stopped their tracks upon entering an area where the sulfuric stench can be strongly detected.

"Hong Nian, this is a dangerous area. Are you sure that the mortal servant went this way?" one of the young masters of the clan beside Hong Nian asked.

Hong Nian didn't reply but suddenly shows a frown as he ponders on the situation. From the traces of the blood on the ground, it seems that there was a fight that broke through in this place not too long ago. He could even see traces of blood from both human and demon beast. As his gaze turns towards the devastated area up ahead his mouth can't help but twitch a little.

"How can this be? How can this strength be coming from a mere mortal? If he can even fight against a Flame Sky Snake, then why is he escaping from us? If he really wanted to, he can illuminate all of us in a fight with ease… Hmmm… What is going on here?" Hong Nian thought as he ponders deeply.

With his sharp observation and intuition, he can see the minute changes of his surroundings and can deduce what may have happened in this area in his mind. Like a 3D hologram inside his head, images of a small mortal fighting a huge demon beast appears. Then with a frown, he felt a little unresolved of the situation.

As he analyzes thing his desire to obtain the glove on Shin Jiao's hands grew. He truly wanted to have his hands on Shin Jiao's artifacts, but because they were too late he can now see that the mortal has already fallen into the jaws of a very vicious demon beast. But of course, he wouldn't give up so easily, and so he decided to set up a small marking formation in the area. After the clan trials, he would return to this place with some backup.

"Hong Nian, we should continue and find that bastard or else the artifacts on his hands would be lost." Wei Qi Nian is standing on Hong Nian's side blurted out in panic.

"Young master Nian, it's already too late. You know what demon beast is currently in this place right? If you are strong enough then, be my guess. These markings and stench are from a Flame Sky Snake, its fire breath could disintegrate each of us before the runes in our robes could activate." Hong Nian said while shaking his head.

He too was indignant to give up, but he still loves his life and wanted to live for a long time.

But the people around him all have a look of suspicion. They could not believe what Hong Nian is saying. As the area, they are in is not in the middle part of the Dark Forest. If there is a really terrifying beast in this place, the elders would not have sent them here.

As the people wanted to move forward a loud roar suddenly echoed through the Dark Forest. This roar seems to be coming from a cave nearby, and so upon hearing this everyone's face turn pale. Then all of a sudden the first one to run away was Wei Qi Nian followed by the rest of the young masters. Meanwhile, Hong Nian looks a direction with squinted eyes.

"Hmm… there is something in here but I just can't put my mind into it. Sigh… oh well, I'll just come back here and retrieve the hide of the beast that dares interrupt my hunt, plus the spoils with it. Keke…" He muttered as he too turns around and left the place.

…

As time goes by, the clan trials are coming to an end and the participants are now waiting to be teleported out of the Dark Forest. Everyone is just waiting in a place that is hidden from demon beasts while spending their time doing nothing.

Many have already collected a lot of demon beast cores and can't help but feel excited at the outcome of the clan trials. They can't wait to see the result and the next stage, which is the sparring matches.

This time many have prepared to show their prowess and abilities because those who could grab the attention of the clan head would have a chance to enter the Heavenly Crow sect. Though the clan head Jin Nian is a grand elder of Heavenly Crow sect, he is a reasonable person. He would not just recommend an outer disciple for the sect from within the clan without proper process and test. Hence, because of his attitude the respect of the people in the clan for him is very high.

Although the only thing that causes his name to be stained was his youngest son, Zen Nian. Still, he didn't care and treats Zen Nian like the rest of his children. This has gained the ire of the clan elders and thus after a long time of holding in their resentments, they could not hold it anymore and decided to act out an accident to get rid of the shame of the clan.

While the young cultivators waited to be teleported out of the Dark Forest, three figures are leisurely sitting inside a cave, it was Shin Jiao, Rat Ling and Zen Nian.

"Brother Shin, how come those people didn't follow you in this cave? When I saw you I was really angered and wanted to run out and kill those bastards." Rat Ling muttered while his grip on the stick tightens.

Then the stick suddenly broke apart and the part where Rat Ling's hand is holding was actually turned into dust.

"Yeah, we would have gone out there upon seeing your weakened state. You didn't explain what happened and just said to never go out… And after that, you fell unconscious." Zen Nian added with a confused look.

Upon hearing the two, Shin Jiao showed a sheepish look on his face. Then he heaves a deep sigh.

"Actually I'm planning to leave the clan. I am just truly grateful at both of you for saving my life, what I can only give you at this time is a way to survive in this world. It is up to you on how you utilize it… As for me, I have somewhere to return to." Shin Jiao explained.

"This area is under a formation, the people thought that I have died from a very powerful demon beast. After we leave this place, the formation will change which could warrant my freedom. I hope that young master would grant me this." Shin Jiao added.

With those words, Rat Ling and Zen Nian suddenly became silent. They already have an idea that Shin Jiao is no ordinary mortal. With his ability and crafting techniques, it is impossible for him to be a nobody. So they can somewhat understand his circumstances.

"Actually, I have my own… family. Yeah… they are my family…. In the town of Dis at the outskirts of the town located inside the Daemon Forest lays a huge village. If you have a chance to visit the town, you can find me there." Shin Jiao suddenly said as if reminiscing on something.

He told them where he is going because he treated the two as his friends.

"Wow, it's a little far from here… Then... Shin, how did you get here?" Zen Nian curiously asked.

Since they found Shin Jiao, they have not asked his origin and just trusted him. But now, curiosity has overcome the two and can't help but ask.

"Well, at that time there was actually a beast tide. A very powerful beast wanted to attack the town of Dis so that it could harvest the souls of the cultivators there…"

Shin Jiao told them about the huge war between the gigantic beast and the cultivators. He also told them what happened at that time and how it ended. He just skipped the part where he was the one to kill the leader of the beasts. He also explained to them about the mortal settlement where he lives in the town of Dis but didn't expose the technology that the small settlement wields.

"Wait a minute… there is actually a clan in this kingdom that's like that… A clan where mortals and cultivators live together. I think it was the Jung clan." Zen Nian said while in deep thought.

"Jung clan… wait a minute… Ah, I remember now. Xi Jung!" Shin Jiao muttered.

"Oh, you know Xi Jung? He is the genius of the clan. It is said that he was the youngest gold core realm cultivator and a genius swordsman. Sigh… I still remember how he defeated the core disciple of my father at the Wu kingdom's cultivator's tournament. His swordsmanship is truly superb." Zen Nian said while his eyes are sparkling like a fanboy.

Shin Jiao didn't reply but just nods in agreement. As he remembers the way Xi Jung fights, though Shin Jiao was able to help the later refine his sword skills further. But Xi Jung's talent when it comes to swords is truly terrifying.

"Anyway, since I feel fine now, I will fix the runes on our robes tomorrow. Let's just stay in here so that the people will truly think that we have been left behind." Shin Jiao suggested.

"Haha, I can't wait for their reaction after they see us." Rat Ling said with a chuckle as he started to imagine the situation.

"Don't hope too much. I suggest you keep a low profile until the tournament. That's the time to show them what you can do… before that, you have to hide." Shin Jiao said.

"Okay, but how about you?" Zen Nian suddenly asked.

"Well, for me… I will just follow where my path would lead me until I can return to my home." Shin Jiao said with a smile.

...

As time went by, the young cultivators began to be teleported out of the Dark Forest. Then one by one they suddenly appear at the Safe Zone. When Wei Qi Nian and his group was teleported, they all wore long faces. The group feels dejected for failing in capturing Shin Jiao.

But when Wei Qi Nian saw that his two siblings didn't return his long face was suddenly turned into a sinister smile.

"Keke… Now that the two of you are gone, Father will only have me to be his successor as the clan head. Everything will be mine." Wei Qi Nian thought, as though he failed to get the artifact at least he still got what he wanted.

When Hong Nian saw the sinister smile on Wei Qi Nian, he can't help but shake his head. Right now he actually feels pity for Ya and Zen Nian.

Meanwhile, a sudden commotion suddenly occurs when a group appears on the safe zone. Two young maids were crying as they tell the situation to one of the elders in the area. When that elder heard this he suddenly shouted in anger.

"Wei Qi Nian! Get over here!" the elder bellowed in a loud voice.

When everyone heard this, they were shocked, especially when a powerful aura suddenly envelops the surroundings. The low-level cultivators could not help themselves but to take a step back and clear the area.

"Second elder, what is the meaning of this?" a cold indifference voice broke the atmosphere.

Then the tall figure of the First Elder enters the Safe Zone followed by Jin Nian the current clan head.

"Ha! I'm glad that you are here. Tell me, how come that this child Wei Qi Nian knew how to erase the rune on the robes. Who do you think taught him this?" the second elder of the clan sarcastically said as he looks at the First elder.

With a smirk on his face, the first elder just shook his head.

"What are you talking about?" this time Jin Nian asked.

"Clan head, your son deliberately erased the rune on the robe of his sister… Come... Come here and tell them what you told me." the Second Elder beckoned the two crying servants of Ya Nian.

The two young servants slowly approached the elders of the clan. When their eyes met the first elder, the two felt a strong killing intent pervade their whole body. With the strong mental pressure from the first elder, the two suddenly slump on the floor and became unconscious. Upon seeing this, the second elder was dumbstruck as he didn't expect this to happen. And no one in the clan knows why the two fell unconscious.

"Sigh… help these two up and send them to the quarters, they must have been tired from the clan trials." the First Elder suddenly commanded.

"You! What have you done?" the Second Elder asked with suspicion.

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