/*unedited*/

The darkness has engulfed the whole forest as the sound of the roaring beasts can be heard from afar. Nighttime is the most dangerous time within the Daemon Forest as this is the time that the most dangerous beasts would hunt.

Each creature roaming around at night is an expert in their own right when it comes to stalking their prey. This is the reason why those who wanted to hunt beast within the forest would try to find a tree hole or make a small cave to hide from the sharp sense of the beast. In the past, a lot of mercenaries and adventurers would be caught unaware of this fact and lost their lives in the process.

But with the help of a dome talisman, their safety is now guaranteed. However, this is not an a.s.surance that they can just camp outside the clearing. This is because the talisman would just erase their traces and scent and would provide minimal protection.

And this particular talisman is currently being used as 8 people are currently inside a small man-made cave. s.h.i.+n Jiao joined the group of strangers after saving them. The elves have now recovered a little and have regained their consciousness except for the heavily wounded young elf that Gindal Io heal.

"Master, here you can have this first… as my thanks…" a young elf said as he offers a food wrapped in leaves towards s.h.i.+n Jiao.

s.h.i.+n Jiao can see that the food inside is a bread mixed with herbs and spices. He can feel the mana inside the bread which is abundant and pure.

"Is this what the elves usually eat?" he thought as he nods his head in appreciation at the gesture of the young elf.

"Master… thank you for the help. We would not have survived if not for you. Again, I wanted to say, thank you." This time a handsome young elf said with a vow.

s.h.i.+n Jiao has received these thanks just after they regained consciousness and now this is the second one. So he just waves his hand as a gestured that it was no problem.

While the group is having their dinner the two young men, Gindal Io, and the feline beastman named Zhi Tong was quiet and just ate their ration on the side. s.h.i.+n Jiao turns his head and looks at them.

Feeling his gaze, Gindal Io lifted his head. When he discovers s.h.i.+n Jiao's inquisitive gaze, he felt a tingling sensation in his spine. He knew how powerful the person is and that he is of no match to him. So he just showed a hesitant smile on his face.

Deep within his mind, he can see the fight between his seemingly powerful teacher and the man name Sin Ji. However, what baffles him is the way Sin Ji looks. Short hair, weird clothing, he looks like those barbarians from the Si Kingdom. But the Si Kingdom is too far from the San Kingdom, and the barbarians in that place would not even leave their green and rich pastures. So how come one of them is in this place?

That is the thing that bothers him.

Suddenly his heart thumps as he saw s.h.i.+n Jiao standing and walking towards their direction. In a panic he almost stood up and run, however, he finds out that his legs wouldn't move. Beads of sweat are already covering the two young man's bodies as they instinctively s.h.i.+ver in fear.

When s.h.i.+n Jiao sits in front of them and smiles, the two almost fainted. However, his next words made the two dumbfounded.

"Are you guys alright?" he asked using the continent's common language that is the Xi empire language system.

Although there are many languages on the planet, Gaeus Ro, from different races and areas, there is one language that can be used by all, of course, they call it the Common Language. This language is widely used in the cultivation world and was embedded in s.h.i.+n Jiao's mind when he opened Gubu's ring for the first time.

The two nodded their head unconsciously while looking at s.h.i.+n Jiao. He could not help but smile at the two's reaction. This is because they acted like they are currently looking at a monster. But s.h.i.+n Jiao waves it off and decided to ask Gindal Io of the skill he just used.

"You seem to know how to cast a healing spell? And the casting type is really unique… may I asked is you can teach me?" he asked.

"…"

The two are still in a daze, hence s.h.i.+n Jiao asked again.

"Is it okay to teach me? I will not let you teach me in vain… What do you want in return?"

"…"

This time Gindal Io has already recovered and is somewhat a bit baffled. This is because the healing ability he just used is really a bit unique. This is because it would not consume just the mana of the person but also stamina.

It is an equivalent exchange of this skill because he is a demon and should not be using healing skills. Hence his stamina is used to compensate for the rejection of the dark mana within him.

However, he has become really proficient in this type of spell, but this is his secret. He would only use this to save his life.

Looking at s.h.i.+n Jiao, Gindal hesitated but he knew that if he teaches this man something, then he might obtain something precious which this strong man doesn't care. So he felt a bit excited and nervous at the same time.

"Umm… senior… you wanted to learn my healing skill?" he reconfirmed.

s.h.i.+n Jiao nodded his head.

"Actually it is not that unique. But this rune spell was taught to me by a drifter. It's not actually a healing spell, but an equivalent exchange spell."

When s.h.i.+n Jiao heard this, he became a bit interested. Equivalent exchange is also part of his practice and cultivation. However, he didn't know that it can be used to heal just like what the young man did. So he became interested.

When Gindal Io saw this he felt a bit excited and the fear he felt previously is already gone.

…

The next day

A group of people is now walking out of the middle part of the forest and has now reached a fairly safe area for their level. Gindal Io and Zhi Tong waves their goodbye and began walking towards the location of their cla.s.s rendezvous point.

While walking away both have big smiles on their faces for the exchange that had happened last night. By teaching someone a simple skill the two received more than 30 3rd level beast cores each. s.h.i.+n Jiao thought that the skill was really valuable for him hence he was happy enough to give them both rewards.

As the two happily walks away, s.h.i.+n Jiao decided to guide the elves as they are still weak, plus they are carrying 5 precious eggs. He can use this chance to have a connection with the so-called nomad forest elves this way.

As the group walked, the happy and excited group began talking about their village and the reason why they came to the forest. s.h.i.+n Jiao was a bit amazed upon learning about the nomad forest elves. Plus he also became curious about the other races on the other side of the continent.

The group faces a lot of monsters on the way, but s.h.i.+n Jiao easily killed those and the group safely reached their destination only after 4 days has pa.s.sed, since they are just walking.

s.h.i.+n Jiao saw a prosperous village protected by thick vines surrounding the whole place. Upon seeing this area, he decided to record the place and would upload this to central to update the virtual world.

As they reached the gate two elven guards stopped them.

However, when they saw that it was the group of young elven warriors who were announced to be missing just a few days ago, the guards were excited. One of them immediately ran inside and reported it to the village chief.

The other guard inspected the group, however, when he discovered that there is another one among them, and a human at that, he prevents the group from entering.

"I would ask all of you to wait here. I will not permit your entry until the chief arrives." The guard said with a loud voice and pointed his spear at the group.

Upon hearing the guard and his action, Tiiki's group felt a little afraid. Their complexion suddenly turned white and fears that the powerful person following them would suddenly lose his composure and destroy their small village.

"Senior, please forgive him… He didn't know what he is saying." Tiiki immediately said while bowing his head towards s.h.i.+n Jiao.

His other teammates immediately scolded the guard.

"Are you stupid? Are you blind, do you know who this senior is?"

"We are here to report to the village elder and introduce senior to him, don't block our way."

Meanwhile, the young elven woman who woke up last slowly approached the guard.

"Can you just let us in?" she said shyly.

When the guard saw her face, he immediately showed hesitation in his eyes.

"Why are you young people so rowdy? You escape from the village to do something this outrageous, and now you bring a stranger…" a loud voice stopped their banter.

Then from their sight, they saw a tall slim figure wearing long green robes with a stately air around him.

When those young elves saw the man, they all smiled and bowed before him.

"Village chief! We greet you…" they said in unison.