Is That A Wisp?

by Srtyi

What if a wisp, with zero EQ about human culture and habits, gains the opportunity to cultivate and finally achieve human form? Now he can enter cities, experience technology, and fight his way to the top, right? In this universe where wisps are seen as nothing more than cultivation resources, a wisp stands up to challenge the wisps destiny! Not without causing a lot of misundersta

2. 21

Read Is that a Wisp? Chapter 21 Now I'm a Real Clown online for free - AllNovelFull

'But before that...'

Krune remembered the main reason why he needed to reach Foundation Establishment. That was because he needed his human form to be able to leave this forest without being hunted.

"Ruik, do you know how the human form thing works?"

Ruik, who was sleeping soundly, suddenly opened his eyes.

"Human form? Oh, that's right! The weaker the races, the earlier they can turn into their human form. Since you are a wisp, then you probably can already transform straight away after Foundation Establishment."

"Although I will only be able to do that after I get to the late stages or maybe even Core Formation, I still know a little about it. It seems like it's something that comes from your desire. As long as you wish for it, it should come as a matter of course, just try it out."

Krune didn't expect to be that easy. Still, since that was the case, he might as well try it out now. Krune willed it, and sure enough, his body started to transform straight away. His energy body suddenly started to get corporeal, and the form of a head and four limbs quickly appeared. It was nothing special. Krune's body seems to be of a very ordinary human. The impressive thing is that he has even blood now that he has a human body.

The other parts soon came forward, and as expected, due to Krune's personality, he turned out to be a man. It was easy to identify due to his little friend in between his legs. The last part that took form was the hair. It was short, which was good for him. If he had got long hair, he would definitely cut it off for it to not get in the way.

Krune was now standing up in front of Ruik, Lakin, and the rest. Krune then opened his eyes, but he couldn't help but feel surprised.

"It's so different! My vision as a wisp allows me to see everything in a 360 degree, but my vision as a human can only see what is in front of my face."

Ruik didn't feel that it was strange.

"That is how almost all races see the world, there are very few races capable of seeing more than what is in from of their eyes. Basically, they would not feel anything strange about that after taking the human form."

Krune agreed with that statement, but it was really inconvenient for him to be able to see so 'little.' Still, he soon got an idea. Krune concentrated for a bit and let his wisp core release some of its energy around it. Sure enough, as soon as it took form, Krune's vision got back to what it was. He even wondered if he should walk with his eyes closed from now on. Still, he quickly discarded this idea, he would only look like a weird that way. It is good enough that he can keep the human form but still retain his full range of vision. He should avoid attracting attention. Unfortunately for him, it will be impossible.

"It worked! As long as I release some of my energy out of my core, I can see everything around me again and still keep the human form."

Ruik was a little surprised, he is a double-headed snake, but still, he can only see what is in front of his eyes. But now that Krune took the human form, he can still see everything in the surroundings.

"That's quite useful, you don't need to keep your Divine Sense active all the time to be able to see around you, and I envy this ability of yours."

"By the way, why are you just standing there? Try to use your body more and see the differences while moving."

Krune agreed with the idea, but as soon as he tried to take one step, he tripped and fell with his face on the ground. It even hurt quite a little.

"Fuc*! How do I move this thing?!"

Ruik and Lakin burst in laugh. That was very comical. Krune tried to get up be he simply didn't know how to control his body, his arms and legs looked like worms, moving everywhere without any logic.

It only made Ruik and Lakin laugh even harder. Krune was feeling gloomy, but this is to be expected. Krune is basically a spiritual energy ball, and now he suddenly got a body with limbs. It would be a miracle if he could use it straight away.

Around ten minutes later, Krune finally got up. He was trembling while trying to keep his balance, though. Ruik and Lakin were still laughing at the side to the point where Krune pondered if he should give them a beating later.

With great effort and after several hours, Krune could finally at least walk normally. Still, he couldn't do any hard movements yet. It was then that he heard Ruik commenting.

"By the way, why is your hair so... colorful?"

Krune was stunned for a bit, colorful? He went beside the spiritual vein lake and took a look at his reflection. Sure enough, his hair was very colorful, just like a... rainbow! The weirdest thing is how the colors moved around in his hair, it even shined a bit.

Krune felt despair! He had decided to walk with his eyes open to not catch much attention, but now it turned out that no one can get more attention than himself.

"Oh, great! I already have the rainbow candy core, now I look like a real clown too. I just need a few Kids to entertain, and I might make a living in the city doing birthday parties."

Ruik and Lakin heard that and burst in laugh again. Unfortunately for them, they didn't laugh for long. That's because Krune finally snapped out! He turned back to his wisp form and gave a through beating on both of them. Ruik was left with a lot of bruises all around his body, and Lakin's energy body became very dim. They didn't dare to laugh anymore, after that. They found out for the first time that Krune is very scary when he is angry.

Krune turned back to his human form and kept practicing. Practice makes perfect. It had only been eight hours since he first took the human form, but he can finally run a little. He is still tripping here and there, but it's already a lot better than not being able even to stand up properly.

There was one thing that no one here took note, though. During all this time, Krune has been... naked! If someone from outside could see it, they would wonder whether Krune is some kind of exhibitionist. A grown-up man with rainbow hair kept running around with his third leg dancing with the winds all the time. Truly a sight to behold... maybe not.

It was not that no one noticed, be it Ruik, Lakin, or Krune, they know very well that he is naked. But two of them are wisps while the former is a demon snake. None of them have ever used clothes to start with. For them, it was merely natural to not have clothes on.

Suddenly, Krune heard a weird sound coming from his belly. Not only that, but he felt like he needs more energy. But even after absorbing spiritual energy to feed his wisp core, he still felt like he was getting weak. He then asked Ruik if he had any idea. After hearing that, Ruik didn't know if he should laugh or cry.

"Are you an idiot? Haven't you fed those Lizard Dragons for a long time? Let me ask you, why do they need to be fed?"

Krune immediately understood, he is... hungry! Such a weird feeling. Wisps only need spiritual energy to survive, he didn't know that his human form would require food. Unfortunately for Krune, there are only some carcasses outside the cave room. When he looked at the Lizard Dragons eating, he felt it was horrible to even look at. Krune then remembered the time that he looked around the villages close to the forest. The people there would burn the meat and eat fruits. Krune tried to do the same. After taking a few slices of the prey, he put on some fire and... turned that meat into crisp in a second!

Of course, it was a failure. Krune had never cooked before, and he doesn't even know the world 'cook' to start with. But then again, practice makes perfect! Several tries later, he finally cooked some meat. The taste wasn't good, though. But it looked much better to the eyes than the raw meat, and tastier too. He also went out and collected some fruits, this time, he finally understood what the word tasty means. The fruits were delicious, he felt like he could get addicted to eating if he doesn't control himself.

"The feeling of eating something is great! Ruik, you should have told me how good it is before!"

Ruik looked at him as someone looking at an idiot. He has always eaten ever since he can remember himself, and it was just normal for him. Sure, eating when you are hungry felt good, but is it necessary to be this hyped out? He just ignored Krune and went back to sleep.

It had been two days since he started to practice with his human body. By now, he wasn't entirely naked anymore. Still, the reason for that has nothing to do with being embarrassed. It's just that every time he moved, his third leg would be jumping around. That really bothered him, so he made something to hold it, that was all.

'I should be able to do battle now even though I'm in my human form. Although it is inconvenient with my original fighting style, it shouldn't be a problem as long as I get used to my wind element movement in this form.'

Krune told Lakin that he would go out to practice for a while and then left. He decided that there is no point in looking for Qi Condensation demon beasts anymore, so he went further into the forest.

He spread his Divine Sense to the max range. Krune was curious to know how far it would reach after his soul had been tempered even further by the tribulation lightning. It turns out that now he can see everything in a 5300 meters radius. This is just inconceivable. Such range could only be done by late stages Foundation Establishment cultivators!

Krune decided to use it every few minutes, he can't keep it activated all the time since it spends a lot of spiritual energy. Sometime later, he finally found a Foundation Establishment demon beast. A Three Horned Buffalo at the 2nd stage.

"This is perfect, let's see if he can feel my Divine Sense."

Krune kept using it, scanning through the buffalo several times. But the buffalo had no reaction, it couldn't feel Krune's Divine Sense at all!

"As I thought, my Divine Sense is several times stronger than any other beast around my level, so they really can't feel it. I guess only a demon beast of the 4th or maybe 5th stage of the Foundation Establishment would be able to feel my Divine Sense. Still, even if they do, they will not be able to tell where I am. The range of my Divine Sense is much bigger than them, this will help me to keep my safety. Now, let's try to challenge this Demon Buffalo."

Although Krune's divine sense is as powerful as late-stage cultivators, his battle prowess is definitely not that great. But with his universe foundation, he is definitely stronger than ordinary 3rd stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. He should have no problem to put a head-on fight against 4th stage ones.

The reason he decided to challenge this demon buffalo is that he is in his human form. Krune needs the practice to get used to it, so, to be safe, he won't try to be cocky.

Krune then got close to the spiritual vein that the buffalo was overseeing. He purposely lessened the power of his Divine Sense so that the buffalo could perceive him too. Sure enough, when the buffalo noticed that Divine Sense, it spread out his own and soon found Krune outside his lair, it went outside to check.

"What do you want? This is my Spiritual Vein, if you want to take it, you won't have a good time."

The buffalo looked at Krune. Although Krune was using his human form, the buffalo could tell that he isn't a human because of his aura. Real humans have a different type of aura around them, and this buffalo obviously know that.

Krune just looked at him and smiled.

"I don't need your spiritual vein, but I want all the spirit stones in it."

The buffalo immediately got angry. A puny 1st stage Foundation Establishment demon beast wants to take his spirit stones away. If he let that guy do as he wishes, he might as well leave this place forever.

"I will only say this once, get the fu*k out right now before I lose my patience."

Krune just kept smiling, though.

"Then I think I have no other choice, I will have to take your spirit stones by force."

The demon buffalo didn't say anything anymore, and it immediately charged at krune at full speed.

Krune was already expecting it, he activated his wind element movement and got out of the way. At the same time, he was about to use ten wind blades. Unfortunately, he tripped again and rolled quite a few times. The buffalo was surprised at first when he saw Krune dodging his charge. His charge isn't something like simply running ahead. With the use of his Divine Sense, he could lock into Krune and make adjustments if Krune tried to move away. But in the end, Krune still dodged.

Still, it never thought that after such a fantastic speed, the guy would trip and roll away. When he saw krune getting up, he could see quite a few bruises on his body.

Krune gave a bitter smile. When he prepared to use his wind blades, he didn't pay attention to where he was walking on anymore. That was to be expected, though. Krune is a wisp, he was supposed to be floating, so there wasn't supposed to be anything that could make him trip. But now he has legs, and he doesn't float either. So it went without saying that he would definitely have some difficulties.

'Good thing I challenged a low-level demon beast. If it was someone at my combat power level, I might have got into trouble.'

The buffalo was only surprised a little, and it immediately charged again. This time, while it was charging, it used an earth element skill to try to bind Krune's legs. Krune wasn't slow, though. Even if he is in his human body now, he still has his 360-degree vision and his Divine Sense. He noticed the changes on the ground and jumped away again. This time, he paid attention to where he was stepping and readied ten wind blades once more. As soon as the buffalo came at him, he shot the blades. Krunes spiritual energy is much stronger now. Even if he doesn't use his blazing wind blades, the normal wind blades are powerful enough already.

The wind blades hit the buffalo, leaving behind quite a few cuts. Still, the buffalo is a strength type beast, and it has high defense levels. It ignored the pain and kept charging at Krune. Now and then, it would use its earth element attacks to try to bind, block, or attack Krune. It is a Foundation Establishment demon beast, after all. It has a lot more spiritual energy than Qi Condensation ones.

But Krune was too fast. The buffalo couldn't understand how a 1st stage Foundation Establishment could be so much faster than him. Not to mention, those wind blades are really annoying, and some times that guy would also use earth element attacks just like him. Now and then, an earth wall would block his way, or some earth spike would shot from his side. Fortunately, the buffalo is an earth element user too, so it was very sensitive to the changes of the earth around. It allowed it to defend or dodge the attacks.

Time passed by, after twenty minutes of the fight, the buffalo was finally out of spiritual energy. Not to mention the hundreds of cuts, big and small, all over its body.

It finally gave up and shouted back through his Divine Sense.

"Alright! Alright! You can take the spirit stones! I can't beat you, it's your win!"

Krune smiled at him again.

"That's very sensitive of you, then I won't be polite."

Krune took all the spirit stones in the spiritual vein and left, he didn't come here to kill anyone to start with. Although he doesn't mind to kill when necessary, the fact is that he doesn't like it. So as long as there isn't a need for that, he won't be taking lives. Things like provocation and benefits are far from being enough to force his hand.

After Krune got far away from the buffalo's lair, he sat down and cultivated to recover. Through the use of his spiritual energy, the injuries on his body started to heal at a fast pace. Krune might have a human body now, but it had taken form using his spiritual energy as base after all. While he was recovering, Krune started to ponder about his battle with the Three Horned Buffalo.

'As expected, the human body is too inconvenient. Although it has a higher level of defense compared with my wisp body, I can't move freely at all. I tripped quite a few times too, and I also have to pay attention to the movements of my own limbs while using my skills. Still, I have no choice. Unless I get in a life or death situation, I can not show my true form as a wisp to anyone outside, so I need to get used to it.'

Time passed by, and Krune had been out for a week already.

Report chapter

Krune came back a week later. During his time battling outside against the Foundation Establishment beasts, he got a lot of experience, and he can finally control his human body to an acceptable degree. Although it isn't as good as using his wisp body for battle, it is not without advantages. Later on, he might use weapons with his hands without the need to control the spiritual energy to grab things. His spatial ring is already on his finger, for example.

His human body can also be considered as a defense for his wisp core. His wisp spiritual energy body definitely isn't as strong as his blood and flesh human body. So in a situation where he can't avoid an attack, it would be good to have this body.

Of course, the disadvantages are also very obvious. Krune's mind now also needs to pay attention to where his body is moving and how it is moving. His control over the spiritual energy isn't as smooth either. He has to circulate the spiritual energy through his human body before being able to release it outside to use his skills.

Lakin noticed that his master was back and went out to receive him.

"Master, how was it? How much stronger did you become?"

Krune laughed out. Lakin is still much younger than him, and he has barely surpassed his first year of life, so he is very enthusiastic.

"It's not bad I say, any ordinary demon beast at the 3rd stage of Foundation Establishment or lower is not my match. I can even fight the 4th stage ones head-on. If I go back to my wisp form, I should be able to more or less fight even 5th stage ones too, but I haven't tried it though."

Lakin was amazed, his master is so powerful! He totally wanted to follow his steps, but he had long noticed that his talent with the Myriad Energies Technique is a far cry from his master. Krune took around half a year to get to the peak of the 9th stage of the Qi Condensation. Still, Lakin is already practicing it for a year and is only in the middle of the 8th stage.

If others heard what Lakin was thinking, they would smash their heads against the wall! Bro, it takes us over a decade to reach the 9th stage, maybe even two decades! What the hell are you complaining about?

"Master, do you think I should go for the universe foundation when I try to breakthrough into the Foundation Establishment?"

After hearing the question, Krune looked at him with concern. His universe foundation almost killed himself, and he doesn't want his disciple to pass through the Heavenly Tribulation too. But then again, it was directly linked to his disciple's future achievements, so he couldn't reach a decision. In the end, he decided to leave it for Lakin to choose, whatever foundation he decided to build, he would support him.

"I don't know, this is a very personal question. Remember that Ruik said that everyone can build a foundation the way they like. Still, you must remember that I was able to build the universe foundation because I witnessed your birth. I told you before, my way of operating the spiritual energy in my universe foundation follows the same path as the spiritual energies that gave birth to you. The problem is that you didn't see it, so you don't have a base of how it works, I also don't know any wisp who could remember how they were born."

Lakin looked a bit sad after hearing it. His master is right, he has no idea how he was born. All he knows is what his master told him about the process, but the feeling of that time isn't something that can be explained with words, he will need to see it by himself.

But where will he find a place where a wisp is about to be born? His master had already commented that the number of wisps has been continuously declining, so his chances of witnessing such an event are really low.

Krune noticed what he was thinking.

"Don't overthink it. When you reach the peak of the Qi Condensation realm, you should be able to put a fight against ordinary 1st stage Foundation Establishment demon beasts. You will probably be even stronger than them, so you won't have any issues defending yourself."

"Also, just because you got to the 9th stage, it doesn't mean that you must go through your breakthrough straight away. You can take your time to think over it. Who knows, a wisp can be born anywhere, you might have the chance to see it too."

"I only ask you to keep thinking about an alternative. If by the time that you are three years old, you haven't found a wisp being born, you should consider using your second alternative. We wisps have very limited life spans, and we can't afford to wait much longer. Try to think about something better than the island in the lake foundation. Remember that the more complicated the foundation is, the stronger you will get when you reach the Foundation Establishment. It's not because my universe foundation is powerful that other types of foundation aren't too."

Lakin agreed with his master that it is definitely the best course. It's not that he can't try to build the universe foundation without having witnessed the birth of a wisp like himself. But the chances of success will be too low, it's not worth the risk.

After that, Krune entered the cave.

"Let's go. I have some things to talk with you, Ruik, and those little guys."

When Krune came back inside, Ruik was sleeping as always. Krune then woke him up and brought the lizard Dragons near too. Although the Lizard Dragons are only at the Qi Condensation stage, their big brother has finally broken through the 9th stage of Qi Condensation. He now has sentience, and with Lakin's help, it could already understand words and convene his thoughts through his Divine Sense. With the big brother Lizard Dragon as an intermediary, the other Lizard Dragons could understand the situation too.

"Alright guys, I have always told you that so I will be short, I'll be leaving here tomorrow to go to the city."

Lakin and Ruik already expected that, and the Lizard Dragons were the only ones who didn't know. Not that Krune didn't want to tell them, but because before there wasn't a Lizard Dragon capable of understanding Krune. As expected, as soon as the Lizard Dragons found out about it, they roared in protest. They don't want Krune to go at all, he should stay with them, their big brother even said that he is strong now and will protect him.

Krune felt warm inside. To think that not only Lakin but even the Lizard Dragons also treated him like family. It even made him feel a little regret about the time he killed their parents, but what is done is done. The Lizard Dragons didn't mind it, though. They are demon beasts, and as demon beasts, they worship the strong. It's not like they haven't killed other demon beasts too. They are carnivores, they have to eat after all.

"I know you guys don't want it, but I need to go. I have made a promise over a year ago, and I have to keep my word or die trying. The Katiu forest can only bring me so far. Sure, I can still cultivate here for a while longer, maybe even reach the Core Formation realm here. Still, I can't find any information here. The world outside is modern, several times more developed than our forest. Although it will be more dangerous for a wisp like me to go outside by himself, I already have my human form. Unless I'm willing to show my true appearance, I will be safe."

The Lizard Dragons still didn't like it. But Krune was their leader, and they had to obey. As for Lakin, he looked at his master, and he was determined.

"Master, I will definitely reach the Foundation Establishment in the future, after that I will definitely find you again."

Krune just laughed

"Sure, I will be waiting for you. By the way, it's not like I will not come back to visit you guys. I do intend to leave the planet one day, but before that, I will still look out for you guys."

Ruik, on the other hand, was pretending to be as calm as ever, even though he also didn't want to part with such a good friend.

"So much bullshit, a male has to adventure! Its better die trying than regret never trying in the first place. All Foundation Establishment beasts and above who achieved the human form have paid a visit to the human cities at least once. Although the majority comes back after a time, there is still a good amount who decided to live with humans. There is nothing strange about that. I haven't gone yet because I can't transform. Otherwise, I would go with you too."

Krune was happy to see Ruik's instance.

"Ruik is right, I hope that before I get strong enough to one day leave the planet, all of you have already grown strong enough to take your humans' form. Who knows? I might even bring you with me when the time comes!"

After hearing that, a look of determination appeared on Ruik's eyes too. Leave the planet! He never thought about such a possibility, but with this heaven-defying wisp, maybe, just maybe, he might be able to.

Lakin was also shining brilliantly. He was obviously hyped out! He will absolutely breakthrough the Foundation Establishment no matter what!

As for the Lizard Dragons, even their big brother didn't understand the 'leaving the planet' thing. Still, by looking at the situation, it seems like something very good. So he told his siblings that they should try very hard too, he will ask Lakin about what leaving the planet means later.

Krune decided that he would give Lakin the authority to pass the Myriad Energies technique forward. Still, before doing that, the other party must sign a blood contract stating that if he or she tried to spread this technique, they would die. Also, he must trust them first before doing that. Lakin is also a wisp, and wisps are very intelligent by nature. With Krune's guidance, there aren't many people or demon beasts out there who can fool him.

Fortunately, Krune had quite a few blood contracts with him, he came to understand that blood contracts are very common outside.

"Ruik, I will pass you my Myriad Energies Technique too. But I will be honest, I don't know how effective it is for demon beasts. Anyway, if you can create my Spiritual Energy Meridians, it should boost both your cultivation speed and your battle prowess tremendously. Just make sure not to spread it outside, it might bring you a calamity."

"Also, although I know that any race can cultivate my technique, they can't learn it as easy as a wisp. The wisps sensitivity for spiritual energy is at a level that very few races might compare, so do not rush it. You are different from us, you have a very long life span ahead, so you can take your time understanding it. If you have any doubts, you can ask Lakin. I passed all my experiences to him. He will be able to answer your questions as long as it is something that he or I have gone through before."

Ruik looked puzzled at Krune. He knows that 'Myriad Energies technique,' and he had heard before that this is the most ordinary cultivation technique outside. He even knows a few beasts that have a copy of it right here in the Katiu forest, so what is good about it? Krune explained to him that he found out that the cultivation technique was not complete. Its real use wasn't supposed to be able to form just nine Pseudo Energy Meridians but to form real Spiritual Energy Meridians instead.

He explained to him how marvelous the Spiritual Energy Meridians are. By the end, Ruik was astonished! Is there such a heaven-defying cultivation technique? Ruik looked ecstatic, and Krune wasn't going to make him sign the blood contract. After all, he trusts Ruik. But to his surprise, Ruik demanded a blood contract. It's not that he will slip his tongue, but that the blood contract would also prevent other forms of forcefully taking the information from him.

Krune then passed Ruik a blood contract for him to write the terms himself. Ruik was indeed a demon beast, he was very ruthless in terms of the contract about spreading the cultivation technique without permission.

"Wasn't it a little bit exaggerated? I trust you, you know?"

Ruik simply snorted

"A male has indeed to keep his words, this is just a security measure."

He then took a copy of the Myriad Energies Technique and went back to his nest to start to comprehend it.

Krune turned to Lakin and asked him to follow, when they reached outside, looked back at him tenderly.

"Lakin, you are young, but you can already defend yourself. You are also a wisp, the other races look down on us all the time. But this is not bad, it is because I have always been looked down upon that I achieved what I did. This is not your defect, this is yours, no, this is our, the wisps, strength! Never forget that."

Lakin answered dutifully.

"Yes, master!"

Krune continued

"As a wisp, you have high intelligence, so you will help the Lizard Dragons to protect themselves. As for Ruik, he will help you if there is a need for it. Behind that prideful look of him, there is a soft heart. Just don't let him know that I told you that since he will never admit it."

Krune and Lakin laughed at the comment.

"Be at ease, master. I won't let him find out about that."

Krune nodded, he then turned back to his wisp form, he then approached Lakin until their cores touched each other. It was quite a beautiful scene when the energies of those spiritual energy bodies touched. They gave off a very warm feeling, Lakin felt puzzled though.

"Master?"

Krune simply said

"You are my disciple. Also, I don't have parents, just like you. But I do consider you as my son as well. As long as I'm alive, master will always support you."

Lakin felt like he wanted to cry, but since he is a wisp, he doesn't have eyes or tears to speak of. He only felt extremely touched. He could only think that he will absolutely not disappoint his master, no, his father!

Krune looked back at him and went back to his human form, he is trying to stay as long as possible in this form to get used to it.

"Let's go back, I will use this night to tell you everything I understand about my Myriad Energies Technique and my experiences with it. Later, if Ruik asks, try to help him too."

Lakin agreed, and they came back to the Spiritual Vein Lake. This will be the last night with his master for a very long time, so he has to cherish it.

The next morning, Krune left.

Destination: Kaley City!

Krune made his way out of the inner parts of the Katiu Forest. With his cultivation, what had taken him weeks before to arrive, now only took three days to go back. First, because there wasn't any demon beast on the way that could possibly be his match. And second, he knew the way back so he could simply go directly without any detours.

After arriving at the outer parts, Krune started to find demon beasts and wisp hunter groups now and then. He pondered if he should get rid of them on his way out, but after thinking for a while, he gave up the idea.

He is just one wisp. It doesn't matter how strong he has got, he can't possibly wipe out every single group. His life span will be long finished by the time eliminated half of them. There are way too many people! Not to mention, the majority of the cultivators aren't here to look for wisps but to train or hunt other beasts. It's just that if they find a wisp, they won't let it go. Still, they won't go out of their way just to capture them.

Of course, there were two times where Krune found groups of cultivators with captured wisps. This time, he didn't let go. He can't simply ignore his race when it is suffering right before his eyes. Krune wiped out the two groups. They didn't have a single Foundation Establishment cultivator, so it was quite easy. He might not like killing, but since they dared to touch his race, he won't show mercy.

The further out Krune went, the more groups he found on the way. Krune hasn't noticed yet, but every single group was looking at him with weird eyes. There is no helping in that, one guy with a rainbow hair running almost naked. If this is not a pervert, then what is it?

After another day, there was finally someone that stopped Krune in his journey. It was a couple who came here just to procure some demon beetles carapaces. Demon beetles aren't that strong to start with, so they had got quite a few already. Just when the man had called out Krune, the woman by his side tried to stop him. This rainbow hair guy is obviously a pervert, why is her husband calling him out?

Krune looked at him puzzled, but stopped anyway. It's extremely rare for someone to call him out, so he was on guard at the same time. The man then looked at Krune and couldn't help but ask.

"Sorry for stopping you, brother. If I'm not wrong, you aren't human, right?"

Krune simply nodded, he knows very well that although people can't tell which race he is from, it's very easy to see that he isn't really a human. Their aura is very different, after all.

"Would you mind to tell me if you have just acquired your human form?"

Krune pondered a bit, but after checking the couple's cultivation, he thought there was no danger.

"Indeed, I have just broken through a few days ago, so I got my human form at the same time."

The man nodded, and It was as he thought. His wife, by his side, didn't understand why he was even talking with this demon beast. Still, after learning that Krune isn't a real human, she kept quiet. No demon beast bellow the Foundation Establishment can possibly turn into their human form. So Krune's cultivation is bound to be much higher than theirs, he can squish them with a finger.

"As I thought. Brother, you might not know about this, but the way you look at the moment is too bad. Anyone out there will simply think about you as a pervert, so you should put on some clothes. If you are going to the city, the guards absolutely won't let you enter wearing just that."

It finally dawned to Krune that he forgot this critical point, all humans he has seen so far used clothes, there was no exception, but what about him? Now that he noticed, Krune also thought that he wasn't supposed to look like that. At first, he thought that as long as he had his human form, it would be okay. But it seems like humans put a lot of importance in their clothes, so Krune looked at the man and asked.

"I didn't know that, and I'm very grateful for your advice. If this cultivator here doesn't mind, would you tell me why exactly humans put so much importance on clothes? We demon beasts have never put them on while in our true form, it just gets in the way."

The man and woman were taken aback.

"Well, brother, we don't have fur, scales, or carapaces. If we don't wear clothes, we will feel cold in the winter, for example. Clothes could also be used as a means of defense."

Krune noticed that he had expressed himself wrongly, he already knows about what the guy said, but that wasn't what he was talking about.

"Oh, sorry. I should have elaborated on my question better. I know that clothes help to protect and can guard one against the weather. But what I wanted to ask is why someone without clothes is not accepted. In the city, for example, if it's not winter, you won't feel cold. With the protection in the city, there is no need to overthink about defense either, so why is it that humans use clothes regardless?"

This time the man was tongue-tied, is it because people will think that they are perverts if they don't use it? But such knowledge has no use for demon beasts to start with.

"Well, I guess that we will feel embarrassed if we do that, it has always been like that since we can remember."

Krune felt even more puzzled. He is part of the wisp race, an innately intelligent race to the boot, the word 'curiosity' can almost be considered their second name.

"Embarrassed? It's really a weird way to put it. The p*nis and the vag*na are part of the organs that ensure the continuation of your species. From my point of view, this is something you should be proud to show to the others, or at least not hide them on purpose, just like us demon beasts. Why is it that your race feels embarrassed to show them? Could it be that your race doesn't wish to continue existing?"

The man couldn't find an answer, the woman by his side was as red as tomato hearing this type of conversation, but she too couldn't find a solution either.

Are the humans proud of their reproductive organs? Well, if they were to choose an option, they would surely say yes. So why is it that they feel it is wrong to show them around? After pondering a bit, they just gave up thinking. If it continued like that, they might develop some weird habit of walking naked in the future.

"Well, brother, I can't give you a satisfactory answer. It simply has been like that ever since, so I don't know how it turned out like that. You just need to keep in mind that if you don't wear clothes, let alone someone putting importance to anything you say, you won't even be able to approach people to start with."

Although Krune was still puzzled, he could only accept the answer. Since this couple didn't know the reason, then there was no meaning in keeping asking. He was just curious, that's all. Krune then looked back at the man to ask.

"In that case, does this friend cultivator have a set of clothes he could part with? I'm willing to pay for it."

The man just laughed.

"No problem, no problem! No one will venture into the danger zones without a few sets of clothes in their spatial rings. It's common sense. There is no need for this brother to pay for it."

He then took out a set of clothes. If not because of his rainbow hair with colors changing all over, Krune would be considered to have a very ordinary appearance. Not handsome nor ugly, simply common, and that is also true for his height. Krune accepted the set of clothes, and there were even an underpants with it. What Krune was using so far was something he made with leaves, and it wasn't even attached to him either. He was simply using a little bit of spiritual energy to hold it together.

The couple was surprised to see that Krune started to change right there and then. He didn't try to hide anything, the woman immediately turned around with a scream, and the man gave a bitter smile. Krune thought that since he isn't inside the city, then there was no need to care about such things. The couple even noticed that not only the hair on Krune's head is rainbow-colored, even the hair down there around his little friend is rainbow too. The man just pretended he didn't see anything and advised Krune.

"Cough, cough. Brother, when you change clothes in the future, make sure not to do that in front of others unless you are with your wife. This is considered disrespectful between humans."

Krune felt puzzled.

"You humans have bizarre costumes, as long as your wife is with you, there is no problem in changing clothes in front of others. From my point of view, it makes no sense."

The man noticed that Krune misunderstood him, and he even sweated a little.

"Oh! When I say that you can change clothes when you are with your wife, I don't mean that you can do it everywhere. What I mean is that it is not wrong for your wife to see you doing that, but it will still be considered disrespectful if you do it in front of others even if your wife is beside you."

Krune finally understood.

"I see, thanks for the advice."

Krune then took out a hundred Rank one spirit stones of low quality and gave it to the man. Both the man and the woman were stunned, let alone one set of clothes, they would be able to buy thousands with this amount. Although spirit stones are considered the main currency for cultivators, people would usually use gold, silver, and copper to do transactions not related to cultivation. Ordinary clothes just so happen to be part of it. As you can imagine, spirit stones are worth several times more than gold even.

"Bother, this is too much, my set of clothes aren't worth even a thousandth of this amount."

The man was afraid that Krune will find out about the real value of his clothes and think that they tricked him. It would do no good to have a Foundation Establishment demon beast who has acquired his human form as an enemy.

But Krune simply brushed it back.

"This is not the payment for the clothes, but for the information. You even went out of your way just to advise me about that. This price is totally fair, so I won't be taking it back."

The more they talked with this demon beast, the more stunned they got. Since when are demon beasts so generous and polite like this? They aren't wrong, though. If it was any other demon beast, they wouldn't care the least bit about this couple, let alone pay them in spirit stones. The man was just trying to build a small relationship that might help him in the future. There is nothing wrong with having some ties with a Foundation Establishment after all.

"In that case, I'm going to accept it. By the way, brother. Why is your hair rainbow? It catches a lot of attention, you know?"

Krune felt gloomy at the comment.

"It's not that I want it to be like that, I had some troubles with my cultivation in the past, and it turned out like that. I'm also suffering here, you know?"

Seeing the helpless face that Krune was showing together with the reason he said, the woman couldn't help but laugh a little. Still, she felt alarmed right after, she was laughing in the face of a Foundation Establishment beast. It's not that she didn't know about that, it's just that after knowing that Krune wasn't really a pervert and with the warm air around him, she let down her guard. She immediately bowed and apologized.

"So- sorry, senior, I didn't mean to be disrespectful."

Krune didn't mind though, after being laughed at by Lakin and Ruik for several days, he already got numb to it, so he simply laughed back.

"Don't worry, I know very well how weird it looks like."

At first, the man just wanted to get some ties with the Foundation Establishment beast, but after knowing Krune better, he really felt that they could be friends.

"Brother, if that's the case, take this robe with you instead."

He took another robe from his spatial ring, the difference about this one is that it has a hood attached.

"Just put the hood up, and it should conceal your hair quite well. Although it will still be possible to see a little through the front, at least it won't catch much attention."

Krune got ecstatic, to think that there are such nice humans out there too. It seems like it's not only Feifei, after all. This time Krune remembered not to change clothes in front of them, and he moved behind a tree and replaced straight away. He then put his hood up, and sure enough, you would have to pay attention to notice the rainbow hair at the front. He couldn't help but nod in satisfaction. The man looked back at him and commented.

"Now it's much better, brother. Oh, right! Let me introduce myself and my wife, my name is Jolk, and this is Kala."

Krune was happy at the moment, so he complimented them enthusiastically. As someone who had seen the dark side of humans so many times, Krune already could more or less tell if someone is trying to bring him harm. This couple obviously wasn't trying to do him any ill.

"My name is Krune. Alright, you two. If you get in trouble in the future, come look for me. I'm going to Kaley City, I have to make an ID when I get there, so it shouldn't be hard for you to find about a rainbow-colored hair guy who registered there."

The couple told a few more things for Krune to pay attention to and said their goodbyes.

While Krune was moving away, he commented from a distance.

"You humans are really strange. To think that instead of cursing, you prefer to change clothes to show disrespect to your enemies, it's really weird."

The couple was alarmed!

The hell? When did we say that? That wasn't what we meant at all!

"Brother, wait! That wasn't wh-"

Too late, Krune was gone already.

Poor Krune, it seems like he isn't fated with the words 'low profile' as he wished.

Report chapter

Krune was in a good mood to the point that he even saved a group of cultivators that was being chased by a demon python. He didn't kill the python, though. After receiving their thanks, he just said if they want to thank him, just be sure to let the wisps go in the future. He is almost 100% sure that they would still try to capture a wisp if they saw one in the future. But if at least one of them decides to keep their word, that would have been worth already.

Three days later, Krune finally left Katiu Forest. He already got a map from the cultivators he saved earlier and asked them to teach him how to read it. Wisps are indeed intelligent, after all. Krune had only to hear once to understand how to do it, now he is bound never to forget again.

His first task was to find the road to Kaley City, and thanks to the map, it didn't take long. There was a village beside the road to Kaley City. After arriving there, he found out that he didn't necessarily need to go on foot. Some carriages could be rented, and he could even join groups of cultivators that formed to go together.

Although the order in the country is relatively high, that was after one leaves the danger zones. Before passing through the immigration checkpoint, anything that happens inside the danger zones is not the country's concern. Otherwise, no one would need to sign the agreement when entering it.

To Krune's surprise, there was quite a few Foundation Establishment cultivator here. But after pondering a bit, he thought that it was to be expected. The reason that he rarely saw a Foundation Establishment cultivator inside the Katiu Forest is that the forest itself is enormous! One could see that by the fact that Krune, who had a speed comparable with the 5th stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, took over a week to leave the borders of the inner forest to the outside. Simply put, the foundation establishment cultivators inside Katiu Forest are spread through its range.

As a wisp, Krune knows that information is of vital importance, so he asked around where he could find it easily. It turns out that the mercenary guild branch was the best option. A lot of cultivators gather there to hire or to be hired as a mercenary. After walking a little, Krune spotted one five stores building on distance. One could see the enormous board above the entrance with a crossed bow and sword mark, the mercenary guild emblem.

Krune entered and went to the counter, there was a small queue there, so he had to wait quite a few minutes. While waiting, he paid attention to the people around him and especially their auras. Krune then could see that between every ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, at least one or two were demon beasts in their human forms.

'It seems like Gony and Casfer weren't lying, after all. It's very normal to see human form demon beasts around, as long as you can achieve your human form, you can walk between the humans.'

It didn't take long for his time to come. The receptionist was surprisingly a female demon best in her human form. He looked at her for a bit to see if he wasn't seeing things wrong, though. The girl noticed his absent mind while looking at her, and she had received this kind of look before. Although she is beautiful, she had seen quite a lot while working here, she knew that Krune wasn't looking at her because of her appearance. But because she was a demon beast just like him, she then gave him a smile and spoke.

"Little guy, it is still too early to flirt at the moment, you have a long queue behind you, leave it for night time."

She simply blinked at him after that.

Krune almost jumped. He noticed that he was paying way too much attention to the female in front of him. The people behind Krune heard that and laughed hard.

"Hey brother, sister Rany already has an owner. You better stopping having ideas about her."

"Aren't you cocky? To make us wait longer while you admire the beaut, can't you see we want to take a look too?"

Several other people also joked with him.

Today, Krune learned a feeling he had never felt before, he learned how to feel embarrassed. Although he knows what it is to be embarrassed, this is his first time feeling it himself. The more aware he got about his situation, the redder his face got.

'Holy shit, let me die, please!'

The sister Rany behind the counter just kept smiling, and she could totally tell, this is the first time this guy left the Katiu Forest. She loved to prank those guys, and today was no different. Unfortunately for Krune, he just got to be the target this time. Quite a few of those who were laughing knew about this too. Some of them even fell for that prank themselves. It really feels good to see others suffering what you suffered.

"Alright, everyone, you are scaring the rookie away. Sorry little guy, consider this your first leave baptism. I got a lot of first-timers like you before. Look behind you, that demon beast in human form five positions behind was just like you before. Am I right, Douly?"

She turned to a burly guy a few meters behind Krune. He was quite big and full of muscles. Judging by the spiritual energy around him, he is definitely a demon beast too, she then gave him a blink of an eye as well.

"Sister Rany, can we forget about that? It was years ago, it's time for you to leave me of the hook, don't you think?"

He felt quite helpless, why did he have to be the closest old victim from the past. He has now been dragged into the situation together. Rany just laughed a little more and turned back to Krune.

"Okay, what are you looking for here?"

Krune was feeling even more hopeless than the Douly guy. Still, he composed himself quickly. Krune is a wisp, and he will not lose his temper because of that. He will simply follow the flow, although he was still feeling quite awkward.

"Cough, cough. I would like to know the best way to go to Kaley City, the conditions on the way, and if I should go with a group of cultivators and demons beasts or alone."

Rany just nodded, she receives quite a feel people and demon beasts in the human form requiring the same information every week.

"The safest way to leave the danger zones is indeed to go together with a group. But you better pay attention to the groups that form at the exit of the village. Some of them are not really going to Kaley City, they just want to rob those who join them on the way."

Krune wasn't surprised about that since he had already thought about this possibility. He even spotted two or three who looked quite suspicious.

"In that case, how should I chose?"

She replied, straight away.

"That's quite simple, can you see that not much people here are wearing a badge with the same emblem as the one outside above the entrance? Those are the mercenary guild badges. Although it isn't foolproof, it's hard to find a group of robbers with a mercenary in the middle.

She pointed to one of the corners of the building.

"Those there are all real mercenary guild members. See if you can find a group that is going to Kaley City, join them, and you should be pretty much safe on your way. Of course, robbers don't mind about others' status. Still, in general, mercenaries that have received their badges are stronger than those at the same cultivation level. So the bandits on the way usually wouldn't target them unless they are very confident."

Krune nodded since it made sense. If anyone could join the mercenary guild, then it would lose its prestige.

"Of course, whether they will let you join their group or not will depend on your ability, but I advise you not to go alone. Even if you don't find a group of mercenaries, try to at least go with a normal group. There is strength in numbers, after all. As for the conditions on the way, well, basically it depends if there is a lot of bandits acting in that area or not. But anyone going alone would most likely be targeted."

Krune agreed. Although he can fight those at the 4th stage of Foundation Establishment in his human form, nothing can guarantee that he won't find even stronger ones. Even If he doesn't, it's unlikely that the bandits will act alone against him, and chances are that they will attack in groups.

"Thank you. Can you let me know how do I join the mercenary guild? I believe that's the best way to prove my abilities when joining a group."

Rany wasn't surprised with that question, but Krune in front of her seems pretty common. It's just that the little bit of hair that is appearing outside of his hood is colored. But she has seen a lot of eccentric people and demon beasts before. In the end, she simply believes that Krune probably won't pass the mercenary test.

"You can apply for the test here, and we have a mercenary test once a week. The last one was five days ago, so the next one is after tomorrow. The admission fee in thirty Rank One low-quality spirit stones for Qi Condensation contestants and 50 Rank One middle-quality for Foundation Establishment ones. But let me give you a piece of advice, the test is very hard, and you might get seriously injured. Also, if you fail, you won't receive your spirit stones back, so think well."

Although she thinks he doesn't have the power to pass the test, she can't stop him from taking the test either. The mercenary guild needs spirit stones to keep running after all.

Krune didn't even think for a second. Fifty middle-quality Rank One spirit stones are nothing for him who 'paid a visit out of courtesy' to several spiritual vein lakes. He passed the spirit stone and received a token in return. After that, Rany explained to him.

"This is your token with your trier number. After tomorrow, at 10 o'clock in the morning, the test will start. We have a few puppets that can adjust to one's cultivation level. Your objective is to fight all three at the same time. There is no need to destroy them, though. As long as you can resist until their energy runs out, it will be considered your win. Make sure you are at your peak condition. If you see you can't resist anymore, you just need to say that you surrender. The puppets will stop attacking immediately."

Krune nodded and then left the mercenary guild. He asked around where he could pass the night and found out that people usually stay in places called a hotel. After arriving there, he asked how much it is to rent a room for two days to the attendant.

"It is 50 silver coins per day, 100 total, meals not included. If you want your meals together, it's 70 silver coins per day."

Krune felt a little helpless since he only has spirit stones and no other currency. But he won't pay with spirit stones. Krune understands very well that spirit stones are worth much more. He then asked where he could exchange spirit stones for copper, silver, and gold.

"Do you know the mercenary guild? Right in front of it, there is another build managed by the country. You can exchange spirit stones there."

Krune thanked the attendant and went back to change his spirit stones. Around 20 minutes later, he came back. The exchange rate is one low-quality Rank One spirit stone for 10 gold coins. One gold coin is worth ten silver coins, and just like that, one silver coin is worth 10 copper coins. Krune exchanged 10 spirit stones, so the amount of money he has now should be enough to keep his daily necessities for quite a while.

After renting a room, he went upstairs and locked himself inside. It has been over a week since the last time he cultivated, so he will take his time to do it during the next two days. He took out 100 Rank two low-quality spirit stones and simply started.

Krune is really not fated with the words 'low profile'. He had no idea that his six Spiritual Energy Meridians are simply too powerful! There is a limit to how much spiritual energy you can take out of the spirit stones at once. Because of that, the rest of the spiritual energy was being absorbed from the air. In an instant, all the spiritual energy in a hundred meters radius disappeared! Such a thing alarmed the hotel's owner and all the cultivators that were cultivating in the rooms. No one could cultivate anymore.

Everyone started to gather in the lounge. After discussing, they found out that all the spiritual energy from around a hundred meters radius was converging in the hostel. They then complained to the hotel owner. Someone is absorbing everything. They wanted to talk with the guy who was doing it. But anyone capable of absorbing so much spiritual energy must be a late-stage Foundation Establishment at the very least. So they are afraid of irritating that cultivator.

The reason they asked the owner to help is that he is a late foundation stage himself. To convince this greed guy to leave some spiritual energy for everyone, the hotel owner brought the people together with him. When they arrived at Krune's room, the owner knocked on the door.

"Sir, please open the door, we need to talk."

He kept knocking the door, but there was no answer. It's not that Krune was ignoring him, it's because every time Krune cultivates, he immerses himself in his own world. Unless he feels the sense of danger, he won't move at all.

The owner kept knocking, but no one answered. He finally lost his patience and used his own key to open the door.

When everyone entered and noticed Krune in the middle of the room, they were alarmed!

They noticed that Krune is obviously only a 1st stage Foundation Establishment. Still, not only is he absorbing all the energy in a hundred meters radius, but he is also absorbing the spirit energy of those Rank Two spirit stones at the max rate! How is he doing that? This kind of absorption power is unprecedented!

Krune finally noticed something strange, when he opened his eyes, he almost jumped back. But then he remembered that the attendant of the hotel said they would come to inform him about that.

'Is there a need to use so many people just to tell me that?'

But then again, he remembered the weird customs of the humans and decided to ignore it. Krune chose to look outside, but it was still bright. He then looked back at those people and asked.

"I know your hotel was going to inform me. Still, isn't it a little too early for dinner time?"

Report chapter

The hotel owner was taken aback.

"Dinner time? What do you mean?"

It couldn't be that he plans to eat us now that we found about his incredible ability, right?

Krune was puzzled.

"The attendant at the entrance said that she would send someone to tell me when dinner is ready, aren't you here to inform me about that?"

The hotel owner's mouth twitched a little.

'Come to inform you about dinner? Where have you ever seen a hotel sending an entire group of Foundation Establishment cultivators to inform someone about dinner?'

But he quickly composed himself. This guy in front of him is obviously a demon beast in human form, and this is probably his first time moving around humans.

"Cough, cough. You are mistaken, brother. The reason we came here is that while you were cultivating, you absorbed all the spiritual energy in a 100 meters radius around you. Because of that, no one else around here can cultivate anymore. So those customers here asked me to come to ask you to leave some spiritual energy for everyone else too."

Krune finally understood.

'Seems like my Spiritual Energies Meridians are quite strong, it even affects the surrounding cultivators.'

Krune then looked back at them.

"I apologize. I didn't notice that I was disturbing the flow of spiritual energy for everyone, I will take care in the future."

Krune didn't think much about that. His absorption power is just a little too strong. As long as he pays attention, he should be able to control his Spiritual Energy Meridians to use only the spirit stones. After apologizing, he wanted to send everyone out to continue his cultivation, but no one wanted to leave.

"Is there something else?"

The hotel owner looked at everyone around him, there is no way that he doesn't know what they were thinking. Not to mention that he was extremely curious too.

"Well, you see, your absorption capability is several times more powerful than anyone at the 1ts stage of Foundation Establishment. Even I, with my 8th stage cultivation, can't compare with you. Would this brother mind tell us how to do that?"

Krune looked at everyone, and he recognized that look. It was greed! But he didn't care, at least it is not because he is a wisp. He then just came up with an excuse.

"Too powerful?"

Krune made a puzzled look.

"Isn't that obvious? My foundation is extremely complicated, it's not something foundations like the 'Island in the Lake' can ever compare to."

Everyone was taken aback. An extremely complicated foundation? Can just the foundation alone allow one to cultivate at such breakneck speed? The hotel owner wasn't totally convinced, so he asked.

"Actually, my foundation isn't as simple as the standard 'Island in the Lake.' In my case, I used a mountain range as a base, and I consider it quite good already. But it's not the least bit close to what you can do. If this brother doesn't mind, could you tell us and, if possible, show us what type of foundation you have?"

Krune smiled inside. That's because he doesn't plan in concealing his 'universe' foundation to start with. Later on, if he wants to join a sect or a great clan, he will definitely need to show what he got. There is another simple reason too, this is not something that can be copied. It is also impossible to be totally explained with words. Krune was only able to succeed because of Lakin, and he had tried to explain everything that could be explained through words to his disciple before. But in the end, it only consisted of less than 50% of the total. The rest could only be achieved through Lakin's own comprehension ability. Also, he definitely wasn't the first one to think about building a universe as a foundation, it's just that the number of people who succeed is probably pitifully low.

"No problem."

There was no danger either, someone's foundation is theirs and theirs alone. Even if you show it to the others, there is absolutely nothing they can do about that. But that's all that Krune knows. What he doesn't know is that there were people and demon beasts in the past who tried to develop ways to steal others' foundations. But how could something that had been acknowledged by the heavens be stolen that easy? All tries of stealing someone's foundation turned out in failure. The mild consequences were those people being crippled, the worst was dying because of the backlash. With time, people gave up the idea.

For one to be able to see someone else foundation, they can't simply use their eyes. First of all, there is no way someone will remove their cores or dantians out of their bodies just to show it around since that would be suicide! To take a look, the foundation owner simply has to will it, and the others can use their Divine Senses to see inside. Of course, Krune concealed what should be hidden. Otherwise, people might be able to guess that he is a wisp when they saw his souls inside the interior of the foundation. There is almost no other race that keeps their souls inside their cores, after all.

In the end, what everyone could see was just the outline, enough to understand what it is but not enough to find any secret. That's what people do when they want to exchange experience for the sake of their offsprings too. Although a foundation can't be copied, it can still provide inspiration to the other part.

"This is my 'universe foundation,' ever since I built it, my ability to absorb spiritual energy improved tremendously. In the end, one's own foundation dictates their future achievements."

It wasn't a lie. Without the universe foundation, his core wouldn't be able to sustain the extremely high rate of spiritual energy absorption provided by his Spiritual Energy Meridians. It's just that he hadn't mentioned his meridians at all, nor would he ever do it.

Everyone probed Krunes foundation and were amazed, there is really someone capable of building a universe as a foundation. How difficult is that? No one in this room has the confidence to do the same. First of all, they are all Foundation Establishment cultivators, and they have their own foundations already. If they want to try, they will need to break their cores and start cultivating from zero, they definitely wouldn't do such idiot thing.

The hotel owner was really surprised.

"To think I would be able to see such a beautiful foundation in my life. No wonder this brother's ability to cultivate is so incredible, this Voule admits defeat."

After that, everyone's faces showed several types of emotions. Gloominess, disappointment, envy, jealousy, but in the end, there is nothing they can do. No one here will destroy their cultivation to try to build something like that. The chances of success are close to zero, after all.

On the other hand, Krune was ecstatic! He couldn't help but think.

'This is great! I didn't think about this before, but now I have an excellent excuse to hide my Spiritual Energy Meridians' abilities. As long as I use this reason, everyone can only accept it. I refuse to believe I can find someone else with a universe foundation so easily.'

Krune kept smiling

"Well, I hope I have helped everyone with some inspirations. The universe foundation I built is very good. If you all break your foundations and build a universe foundation in the future, you can definitely achieve the same cultivation speed as me. Who knows? You might even build an even better universe foundation than mine."

Voule, the hotel owner, smiled bitterly.

"This brother must be joking, everyone foundations was built through much effort. Some of us are even over 100 years old, and there is no hope for us to accomplish something like that. I thank you on behalf of everyone else. Since you were generous enough to show your foundation to us, I will not charge anything for the time you stay in our hotel. Just be sure to leave some spiritual energy for your fellow customers."

Krune nodded. Although he found the perfect excuse, it's better not to keep showing his Spiritual Energy Meridians' capabilities so easily in the future.

After everyone left, Krune went back to his cultivation. When the sky turned dark, he heard someone knocking his door again. This time was really someone telling him that the dinner is served downstairs.

Krune thanked the employee and went down, this is the first time he will try the human world food, so he wanted to know how good it is.

After arriving downstairs, a waiter came to bring him to his table. Usually, such treatment wasn't given in the hotel. Still, Voule made sure to give Krune some face. He was sure that this demon beast in human form is bound to achieve greatness in the future, as long as he doesn't die in the middle of the way, of course.

Krune noticed that all the Foundation Establishment cultivators were looking at him, and he felt awkward. The looks of greed had disappeared. It doesn't matter how much they wished to have his universe foundation, there is simply no way to steal it. So now everyone only looked at him with jealousy. Why weren't they the ones who had built the universe foundation? If just they had the inspiration to accomplish such a thing... Quite a few just sighed after thinking about that.

On the other hand, the Qi Condensation cultivators looked at him like he was a god! They still haven't built their foundation yet. Although they can't copy it, as long as Krune explained his process, they might get the inspiration to do the same. Even if not, they would still have a better chance of thinking of something good to use as a foundation.

Krune ignored everyone, though. His mind, or better, his nose, was totally attracted to the food on the table. He didn't even notice that he was drooling. The moment Krune put the first piece of seasoned beef in his mouth, he felt like his life hasn't been in vain after all! Tears running down from his eyes, everyone looked at him strangely when they saw that, they couldn't help but think.

'How did someone like him build a universe as a foundation?'

Krune didn't know what they were thinking, and even if he did, he wouldn't care anyway. He ate everything on the table, not even a grain of rice was left behind. In the end, he screamed in his heart.

'This is heaven!'

He called the waiter and asked him if they could teach him how to cook those delicious things. The waiter wasn't expecting such a request, he then asked the manager and soon received the agreement. The hotel owner had already said to treat Krune to the best of their abilities.

After arriving in the kitchen, Krune saw several chefs busily at work, the waiter talked to the head chef and came back.

"This brother, the head chef said that you can come later after dinner time is over if it's not a problem."

Krune nodded, he isn't an unreasonable wisp, and he could see that everyone is busy.

"Then I come later, tell the hotel owner that I owe him one."

The waiter was surprised, they are just showing him how to cook, is there a need to be so serious about that?

Later at night, after the restaurant was closed for customers, the head chef started teaching Krune how to cook. At first, he felt that Krune was just some eccentric guy trying something new, especially because Krune isn't using his hood at the moment. So his rainbow hair was at full view. But as the time passed, he noticed that Krune was really enjoying the feeling of being able to cook delicacies.

"Boy, you really have a talent for cooking. If you weren't a cultivator, I would totally take you in. There aren't many people out there who understand the joy of cooking."

Krune smiled, he had never eaten such delicious things before, so he wants to be able to do such things by himself from now on.

"Thanks, since you aren't a cultivator, you can't see that I'm, in fact, a demon beast in human form. Ever since I can remember myself, I've never tried something so good, so I intend to learn to the best of my ability so that I can eat well from now on."

The head chef wasn't expecting that Krune was a demon beast. It's already hard to find humans who like to cook, let alone other races. Still, he doesn't care. As long as Krune keeps showing interest in cooking, he will teach him to the best of his abilities.

Just like that, they spent all night in the kitchen, after teaching Krune all the basics, he gave him a recipe book.

"Alright, with what you learned, you shouldn't have a problem cooking anymore. This is a recipe book I made, you can take it with you, just make sure to keep your love for cooking."

Krune was surprised.

"Is it okay? Those are things that you created yourself."

The head chef just laughed.

"Compared with cultivators arts, what can it be accounted for? Just take it, it's just a copy, I have my own with me anyway."

Krune accepted the book, it might not be worth much in the eyes of the cultivators. Still, in his eyes, it's worth thousands of times more than all his possessions together! Krune is quite a sentimental wisp, the head chef had obviously put a lot of effort and passion on this recipe book, for him, that's what matters most!

"Thank you. If there is something I can help with, you can tell me now."

The head chef nodded satisfied, there was indeed something he wanted to ask Krune.

"In that case, I won't be polite. I'm not a cultivator, but my son is. He is already at the 9th stage of Qi Condensation. Still, he is having trouble thinking about his foundation, and I heard others commenting that you built an amazing one. I'm not asking to make him build something as good as yours, I just want you to help him have some inspiration."

Krune accepted the request. Basically, he just needs to tell the head chef's son about his experiences. A foundation is a personal thing, even if you decide to build the 'Island in the Lake' foundation, it is bound to be different from everyone else.

After receiving the head chef's directions, he arrived at a house at the borders of the village. He knocked on the door, and soon a young man came to open it. He looked at Krune puzzled, he had never seen him before, and that bit of rainbow hair appearing at the front was definitely a first too. He didn't dare act impolite, though. With the spiritual energy coming from Krune, he could totally tell that Krune is a demon beast in human form. That means that he is at the Foundation Establishment, at the very least.

"Can I help you?"

Krune checked if he looked like the outline described by the head chef and sure enough, this oath to be the person.

"Hello! I'm a friend of your father, you are Darten, right?"

The man nodded absently mind. Krune then explained the situation to him. He decided to spend this day to give him some pointers before going back to the hotel to rest.

Darten was a little taken aback by the situation. A Foundation Establishment beast learned how to cook from his father and decided to pay the favor by giving pointers to his child about the Foundation Establishment breakthrough? It's way too hard to believe, but since Krune is much stronger than him, he still invited him in.

In the living room.

"Senior, I know you have good intentions, but I don't plan on building a standard foundation. I want something of better quality, if you have built one, then I will be grateful for your feelings only."

He thought that even if his father found someone to give him pointers, it would be someone with a standard foundation. That's not what he wants. His father is just a head chef, after all. He couldn't possibly find someone great. Darten was happy, though. It showed how much his father cared for him to be able to invite a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Krune was expecting it already and then just laughed.

"Use your Divine Sense to check my foundation then. After that, you can decide whether you want me to share my experiences or not."

After Krune opened his foundation for view, Darten checked it with his Divine Sense. In the end, he couldn't help but exclaim.

"Holy Fu*king shit!"

Krune laughed out loud.

"I guess this foundation of mine caught your eyes after all, or could it be this is not enough? Well, if that's that case, then I'm leaving."

Darten was alarmed!

"Senior, wait! This little one had eyes but couldn't see the Mountain Tai. Please excuse my previous words, I really didn't mean to offend you."

Krune wasn't the least bit angry to start with. In his eyes, to aim for a better foundation is to fight for a better future, so he liked Darten's thoughts very much.

"Don't worry, I'm just joking. Why the serious face and all? Just treat me as you would a friend, I own your father a favor, and I intend to pay it."

Darten was relived, Krune was a lot more friendly than he expected. In general, higher-level cultivators act more arrogantly in front of those with a lower realm.

"Then, I thank you in advance, senior."

Krune nodded, and they went back to the living room. After Darten closed the windows, Krune reopened his universe foundation for view again and started to explain how he reached that conclusion. Of course, he left outside the fact that he gained inspiration from a wisp's birth and the fact that he went through a heavenly tribulation. Those were too much chocking and might bring trouble if others find out in the future.

The sky was turning dark by the time Krune finished explaining. When he was about to leave, he just left a piece of advice.

"Although I told you my experiences, you shouldn't try something like the 'universe' foundation. Without enlightenment, you won't be able to understand the process of how a world works. This is not something that can be explained through words."

Darten took Krune's words to heart, he knows this point very well. To build something that you can't fully understand will only spell failure. Still, he definitely wasn't sad, thanks to Krune's experiences, he can now see what his foundation path is.

"Thank you, Senior! I will make sure to remember those words. If I have a chance in the future, I will definitely pay back this favor."

Krune shook his head.

"There is no need for payment, what your father gave me is hundreds of times more valuable. It might not be in the eyes of other cultivators, but it definitely is on mine."

With those last words, he left. Behind him, Darten had a look of reverence. He hoped to become someone as kind as Krune.

After getting back to the Hotel, Krune was stopped by a bunch of people that were all in front of his room waiting. When they saw Krune arrive, they were ecstatic! They were afraid that he might have left already. One of those cultivators took the initiative to step forward.

"Hello, senior. My name is Arlin, we have been waiting for you."

Krune was puzzled at first, but after checking those people's cultivation levels, he understood what was happening. They were all at the 8th or 9th stage of the Qi Condensation realm, and they must have come to ask for pointers about breaking through the Foundation Establishment Realm.

"I don't have too much time, and I have to take the mercenary guild examination tomorrow, so I won't be able to entertain you."

The Qi Condensation cultivators were already expecting a refusal. They know how valuable the knowledge of those with extremely complicated foundations is, but they came prepared.

"We know you won't teach us easily. That's why we are all willing to pay for your services."

Krune was taken aback, pay for pointers? Now that he thinks about it, it really makes sense. Since that's the case, he might as well make some money.

"How much are you willing to pay?"

The cultivators were happy to hear that question, as long as Krune is interested in selling his experiences, they can find a way. They were afraid that Krune would have no demands instead.

"Senior, we gathered all our spirit stones and exchanged everything for Rank two low-quality spirit stones. We have a total of 537 Rank two low-quality spirit stones here. We know that Senior's knowledge is worth much more than that, but we hope you can make an exception for us today."

Krune was surprised. Over 500 rank two spirit stones! But that makes sense. There are over thirty people gathered in front of his room. By amassing all their savings, they gathered quite a good amount. Krune pondered a bit and decided to accept, it's just that he will be a lot vaguer than when he was with Darten. Still, he isn't being unfair. He can already predict that his experiences creating the 'Universe Foundation' are probably worth much more. The reason he even decided to accept their offer is that they gave him the idea to sell his experiences, so he will teach them a little of what he knows in exchange.

"Very well, but each one of you will have to sign a blood contract stating that if you try to spread this information, you will die. If you can't bring yourselves to accept my terms, then you can leave."

All the Qi Condensation cultivators jumped in joy! Blood contract to not spread the information? As long as they don't say a word about it outside, they will be totally fine. Compared to obtaining Krunes knowledge, a blood contract is nothing.

Krune pushed out a blood contract and wrote on it, and the cultivators paid attention to see if anything other than the agreed terms were written down. The contract simply stated that anything related to Krunes experiences about the universe foundation should not be leaked using any type possible of communication. By stating the agreement like this, it would cover all possible ways of finding a loophole.

Krune also stated that no one who signs this contract shall ever hurt, capture, or sell a wisp on purpose during their lives. The cultivators didn't understand this part, but they didn't mind anyway. Wisps are very rare nowadays, ordinary cultivators like them can't afford it to start with. The last term was that they should not divulge the terms of the contract, Krune was afraid that people might use those terms to suspect that he is a wisp himself.

As for the penalty, Krune stated that death would be the only outcome. Some of the people around sucked in cold air, but they gritted their teeth and accepted anyway.

Krune then brought those cultivators to a bigger place in the hotel and started his lecture. He again opened his universe foundation for view and spent the next three hours talking and answering questions.

When they were finished, everyone had shining eyes. No one would probably try the universe foundation, but they all had new ideas to ponder about, and the future seemed bright for them.

Krune went back to his room and could finally get some rest. Tomorrow would be the mercenary guild test, and he needs to be in peak condition for that.

It was almost 10 o'clock in the morning when Krune arrived at the mercenary guild branch. He then went to the counter to ask where he should go. Rany was there attending the people, she noticed Krune coming and just smiled while pointing in another direction. Krune looked at the direction she was pointing at, and sure enough, he could see a few people with their tokens attached to their robes waiting in a line in front of a big window.

When Krune got close, he noticed that inside that window, there was a training ground. Three men were working on some puppets inside. Those were the battle puppets, the mercenary guild acquired them exclusively for the mercenary guild test.

When the time arrived at 10 o'clock, an old man with a big beard came out of the room. He looked at the contestants for a while before start talking.

"For those who don't know, my name is Darius Dule."

"The mercenary guild test is starting now. Although I think all of you know the rules already, I will have to repeat just in case. The mercenary guild only accepts strong cultivators, so everyone here will have to battle three metal puppets at once. They will be one stage higher than your realms, so don't take it lightly. The conditions are as follows."

"Low-grade conclusion: Battle the puppets until their energy runs out, those who accomplish the test this way will become One Star Mercenaries."

"Middle-grade conclusion: Defeat one or two puppets before their energy runs out, those who accomplish the test this way will become Two Stars Mercenaries."

"High-grade conclusion: Defeat all three puppets before their energy runs out, finishing the test this way will turn you into a Three Stars mercenary."

"This is the highest mercenary certification that can be obtained when trying to join the guild for the first time. Of course, forget about defeating all three puppets, there is rarely anyone capable of defeat a single one of them, let alone three. So don't try to be greedy since the puppets will show no mercy. The mercenary guild will not take responsibility for any injuries you might suffer during the test. So make sure you really wish to go through this test before entering the room."

"Those who are defeated will fail and will not receive their spirit stones back. I advise you that if you notice that you can't hold anymore, make sure to shout 'I surrender.' The puppets will immediately stop attacking after hearing that. Of course, you will also fail too. I will repeat once more, don't be greedy. There have been cases in the past where the contestants died because they didn't surrender in time."

"Another thing, don't worry about the damage. The room is equipped with formations that will adjust according to your cultivation levels, so you can go all out. There is no need to worry about involving other people."

"Alright, that's all."

Darius then looked at one of the cultivators in front and said.

"Token number one, Durin Vola, you can enter."

A 3rd stage Foundation Establishment entered the room, and he was quite small and slim, probably an agility type cultivator.

The old man Darius looked inside and said.

"Start!"

The puppets immediately came to life and shot straight to Durin. Sure enough, Durin is an agility type cultivator. He totally gave up the idea of defeating any of the puppets, and he put all his focus on dodging and running. Krune could hear some people commenting on his side.

"It's the third time Durin is trying the test, I heard that he had a breakthrough in his wind movement technique. He has a big chance of passing this time."

"I see, I was here last time he tried the test, and he was very close to pass, but then his spiritual energy ran out. In the end, he could only surrender. Now that he has got better with his wind movement, he should be able to finish."

Krune then looked back at Durin that was running away from the three 4th stage equivalent Foundation Establishment puppets. He could feel the wind element around him. Krune couldn't help but shook his head and comment.

"Such a poor way to control the wind element."

Everyone looked at him strangely, poor way? No one in the room could control the wind element technique as good as Durin Vola. Is he looking for a beating?

"A 1st stage Foundation Establishment wants to pretend in front of us? Know your place, rookie."

"Nowadays, every type of clown thinks that they are great, now we even have one here."

Krune heard they commenting but paid no attention. This level of provocation is far from making him spare even a glance.

Noticing that Krune totally ignored them, the cultivators snorted. When his time comes, he will understand how hard it really is.

Ten minutes later, the puppets finally run out of spiritual energy. Sure enough, Durin Vola managed to pass the test. It wasn't without a price, though. He was covered in cuts and bruises all over. Still, such injuries aren't much for a cultivator. Durin Vola came out of the test room, clearly thrilled. He had finally done it!

Darius came forward after that.

"Congratulations, you are now a One Star mercenary. You can wait here or go directing into the guild office to prepare your badge and guild ID."

Durin nodded, but he decided to wait. He wants to see how the others will do in the test.

While the second contestant was preparing to enter the test room, one of his friends came forward and told him what Krune said while he was in the middle of his test.

Durin then looked at Krune, and he looked very ordinary. Not strong but not weak, either, just average.

"Is it you that said that my control over the wind element technique is poor? Why don't you show me how good yours is?"

He didn't even wait for Krune to answer and dashed straight at him. Krune then looked at that and could only think while sighing.

'So slow...'

He was about to make a move to dodge when suddenly, Darius appeared in front of him and blocked Durin's attack.

"Those who start fights in the mercenary guild will be stripped of their IDs as guild members, you better think twice before being the one to make the first move."

Durin looked at Krune and just snorted. He then went back to look at those who are in the middle of their tests.

Krune also didn't pay attention to Durin. He was more interested in the contestants in the testing room.

One by one, the contestants entered and left. So far, eleven had tried, but only two passed. One was Durin Vola, while the other was a woman called Yusa Shen. Durin had an ugly face when the woman completed the test. Not only she passed, but she was also even able to defeat one of the puppets before their energy ran out. Being at the same 3rd stage of Foundation Establishment made Durin feel humiliated. Yusa didn't pay any attention to him, though.

Darius stepped forward and called the next one.

"Number Twelve, Krune... err... where is the last name?"

Krune stepped forward.

"There is no last name. I'm only Krune, nothing more."

He then moved inside the test room and waited for the staff to finish preparing the puppets.

Outside, Durin was laughing.

"This punk will understand now how hard it is to deal with those puppets."

Yusa also stayed behind to check on every one out of curiosity. There was only one mercenary test every week, so it is quite entertaining.

After Darius received the confirmation from the staff, he went forward and proclaimed.

"Start!"

The three puppets were one stage above Krunes cultivation level, 2nd stage equivalent Foundation Establishment.

They went straight for Krune. Unfortunately for them, Krune felt like they might as well not move at all. By using his own wind element movement that he learned by himself, Krune disappeared just as the puppets were about to reach him.

Everyone outside was alarmed.

Fast! Too Fast! Even faster than Durin!

Durin's smiling face immediately became dark.

Krune suddenly appeared above the three puppets. Because of the high speed that he moved, his hood went down, showing his completely rainbow-like hair to everyone. Still, no one had time to pay attention to that. Before the puppets could even react, Krune extended his arms with his hands open. Immediately, ten fiery red blades appeared around him.

"Skill Merge! Blazing Wind Blades!"

Krune could, in fact, cast over thirty Blazing Winds Blades when he was still at the 9th stage Qi Condensation Realm. Now that he had advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm, not only are his Blazing Wind Blades stronger, he can even cast over 50 at once. Of course, the amount of spiritual energy necessary to cast so many is huge! Obviously, Krune had no intention of showing his real power. He didn't want people to pay attention to him, or at least, that was the plan. He even thought to himself.

'Low key is the way to go, 10 blades should be enough just to pass the test.'

He moved his arms forward as if commanding the Blazing Wind Blade to go, and the blades moved even faster than he did. The puppets had no chance even to react, and the three of them were cut to pieces! But that was not all! The blades didn't stop, they penetrated the floor and hit the array formation. The formation only resisted for a second before being cut to pieces too. The training room was directly connected to the array formation. After destroying the formation, the entire training room collapsed!

As mentioned before by Darius Dule, the formation in the room is adjusted according to the contestant's cultivation. It was built to hold the strikes of two stages above the contestant cultivation. That means that the formation automatically adjusted to hold attacks of the 3rd stage of Foundation Establishment. For Krune, ordinary 3rd stage Foundation Establishment cultivators are as weak as cabbages, let alone a formation.

There was rubble everywhere, and one could barely see anything. Fortunately, the testing room was separated from the main building. Otherwise, the entire mercenary guild branch would have been destroyed.

After the dust settled down, the people outside looked at the apocalyptic scene that was the testing room. Not long after, they could see some of the rubble moving, and from under it, Krune appeared. Everyone looked at him as if he was an aberration. Krune took a look around, and then he noticed Darius Dule outside looking at him with his mouth twitching. Krune's face started to get redder and redder, this is the second time he felt so embarrassed, it's just that this time is much worse than the first.

He wanted to say, 'I held myself back, please trust me!'

But the words couldn't leave his mouth. In the end, he blurted out.

"Cough, cough. I think the formation was broken!"

Report chapter

Darius almost vomited blood, your head is broken!

Krune came out stressed. It's a fact that he destroyed the training room, but it's also true that Darius said that they could go all out. This is also the reason that although fuming, Darius can't do anything to Krune. He was the one who told not to hold anything back after all.

When Krune left the room, everyone opened space for him, and those who had criticized him before pretended that they couldn't even see him at all. As for Durin Vola, he had long disappeared, who knows where he went.

One of the contestants came forward to talk with Krune. He had quite high-level cultivation, at the 6th stage of the Foundation Establishment, and he was extremely curious.

"Brother, you are amazing! I'm called Reiner. Please tell me, is that what you used a skill merge?"

As soon as he asked that, everyone's eyes almost popped out of their eyes. Skill Merge? That was supposed to only be possible at the late stages of the Foundation Establishment. Not to mention that very few could do that, but Krune was obviously at the 1st stage, really far from that.

Krune felt puzzled with that question, he had seen even Qi Condensation cultivators using it before, why does he look so impressed by that? He thought that he didn't do anything amazing, so he just nodded his head. Now everyone felt like they are seeing a ghost, the guy who asked him that question couldn't help but exclaim.

"Unbelievable! Brother, how did you do that? Only those who reach the late stages of the Foundation Establishment would be able to use Skill Merge. However, you are obviously at the 1st stage still. If it's not a secret, can you tell how did you do that?"

Everyone's eyes lit up, and even Darius couldn't help but pay attention. Darius is also at the 6th stage of the Foundation Establishment. Still, he is far from being able to use Skill Merge.

Krune now felt even more puzzled. If they are this surprised, then what was that when he saw two Qi Condensation Cultivators merging their skills? Krune looked back at him and asked.

"Isn't it a little exaggerated? I remember when I was back at Katiu Forest that a few Qi Condensation Cultivators also used Skill Merge. It's just that they needed two people to work together to achieve the merged effect. I'm already at the Foundation Establishment, shouldn't it be obvious that I can use it?"

After hearing that, everyone looked at him strangely, Reiner could only explain the situation to him.

"Well, brother, you see, when two people use skill merge, they need to only concentrate on their own part of the skill. This means that even Qi Concentration cultivators can do so as long as they are in sync. The thing is, those at Qi condensation and above only have to control a single element. The ones that you saw before, one was focusing at the wind element, while the other at the fire element, correct?"

Krune nodded, that was indeed the case. Reiner then continued.

"That is the key to the issue! Before our control over the elements gets high enough, we can't merge two skills together. At most, we can cast two skills of different elements, one after another. Let me show you what happens when I try to use two different elements at the same time."

Reiner then used one hand to converge some wind element while he started to focus on the other hand. He was trying to converge the fire element while keeping the wind element going out. Soon, his face started to sweat, and then one could hear a small 'boom' coming from the hand with the wind element. The wind element on his hand dissipated right after. Reiner looked very tired after that, he then looked back at Krune.

"You see it, brother? When we try to use both fire and wind elements at the same time, our spiritual energy goes berserk, and we lose control over both elements. Still, you can obviously use them, and not only can you use it, but you can also use several at the same time! Before, you used ten wind blades of fire, and you didn't even sweat to do that."

Krune was surprised with this finding, that's because back then, although he couldn't use skill merge straight away, he could still use two elements at the same time. Now only he could do that, he didn't feel the least bit uncomfortable. Only when he tried to merge the skills that he had a hard time practicing. Krune pondered a bit, and he thought that it could only be because of his Myriad Energies Technique. He couldn't think about anything else. But the problem now was how to explain this fact to everyone.

"Even if you tell me that, I can't explain myself. Today was the very first time that I heard about the fact that only the late stages Foundation Establishment should be able to do that. As far as I remember, I was already able to do so when I broke through and got my human form back then."

He couldn't mention that he was able to do that even before being at the Foundation Establishment. Let alone tell everyone about his Myriad Energies Technique true form.

Reiner shook his head. He didn't believe that Krune was telling the truth, nor did anyone else. They have never heard about someone able to use two elements at the same time at Krune's level. At most, some race with a high level of soul power like the spiritas, should be able to do it a little bit earlier. Still, even so, it would be at the 6th or 5th stages of the Foundation Establishment, and those are even rarer.

Of course, this is also because they don't know much about the geniuses of the universe. Otherwise, they would think like that.

Suddenly, another cultivator pointed at Krune and exclaimed.

"Ah! I know who you are, you are the guy who built a universe as the foundation!"

Immediately, all eyes gathered around Krune again. A universe as the foundation? Is that even possible? The cultivator then explained what happened two days ago at the hotel.

Reiner showed a look of understanding.

"I see, if you really built a universe foundation, then it's a no wonder that you can do what you do. Brother, I admire you!"

Krune's eyes suddenly lit up, he couldn't help but think.

'That's right! I have my universe foundation! I can just use it as an excuse again. Why did I even forget about at that?'

He then looked at the people.

"Indeed, I have built a universe as a foundation. Now that I think about it, it was after I completed the foundation that I found out that I could use two elements at the same time without problems. I always thought that using two elements was something that any Foundation Establishment could do. However, now it seems that the reason has something to do with the level of my foundation."

He then opened his foundation for view again. Even if he has to attract more attention, he has to bring their attention away from his Myriad Energies Technique. At the moment, this is the best choice.

When the people used their Divine Sense to see his foundation, they were amazed. It was true! Someone really built a little universe as the foundation!

Everyone started to get close to Krune to befriend him. Since his ability to control more than one element at the same time came from his foundation, then there is no way they will be able to steal it from him. It's better to form some ties instead! As long as he doesn't die in the middle of the way, Krune is bound to become famous in the future.

Seeing that things were getting out of control already, Darius stepped forward and said.

"Alright, leave the rookie alone, he is not an attraction. You guys can look for him another time, and we have procedures to go through now."

Darius' anger had dissipated like smoke after finding out that Krune can, in fact, use two or maybe even more elements at the same time. Let alone his universe foundation and ability to Skill Merge. He already considers Krune as a treasure of the mercenary guild. When the headquarters receive their call about what happened here today, he might even get a promotion.

"From now on, you are a Three Stars mercenary, go to guild office to take your badge and make your ID."

Krune was relived.

'Fortunately, I won't need to pay for the formation and the training room.'

On the side, Yusa's eyes were shining! It seemed like she was thinking about something.

Darius came forward to continue with the mercenary exam.

"Alright, for those who still have to go through the examination, follow me. We are going to the other training room to continue the test."

Krune decided that there would be no reason to stick around. Not only his 'low profile' plan failed miserably, but every single person or demon beast inside the mercenary guild was also now looking at him. Not to mention that he didn't notice that his hood feel down, so everyone could see his rainbow hair. Krune went inside the office to register as mercenary, and only when the door closed behind him did he feel better. At least everyone can't see him inside the office.

He wasn't the first inside though, Durin Vola there as well. When he looked back at Krune, the disdain in his eyes had totally disappeared. But because his pride was too high, he simply snorted and looked away. Yusa was there too, she looked at him as if he was some jewel, and it made him feel uncomfortable. Cultivators and demon beasts looked at him like that while he was back at the Katiu Forest as a wisp. Still, it felt somewhat different. Yusa then came forward to compliment him.

"Hello, friend. I'm called Yusa Shen, nice to meet you."

She then shacked hands with him. Since she was being polite, Krune would also be the same.

"Nice to meet you too, I'm Krune."

She smiled back.

"Very well, Krune. I have witnessed your prowess in the testing room, to think that you can Skill Merge and even have a universe as a foundation, that's impressive!"

Krune just pretended that it wasn't anything to pay attention to, but Yusa then continued.

"Krune, I have something to ask you. Can you keep me company for a bit after the registering process is over?"

Krune felt a little puzzled but agreed anyway, it won't hurt just to hear what she has to say.

Durin went forward to do the procedures. He was the first to arrive at the office, so it was only right that he went to register ahead. After that, it was Yusa's time. The process was quite fast, though. Before she left, Yusa told him that she would wait at the hotel restaurant where Krune is staying.

After Krune entered the next room, he was greeted by the attendant. It was a middle-aged woman with a Two Stars Mercenary Badge pinned on her clothes.

"Hello there, so you the famous elements user everyone outside is commenting, right?"

Krune just scratched the back of his head while looking away. He didn't want to comment about it anymore. Noticing that Krune didn't want to talk, the attendant continued.

"Alright, let's get done with it. Your registration process will take some time. It has been a long time since someone passed the test with the highest level of accomplishment. To give you your Three Stars badge and ID, we will first have to call the Head Quarters of our Yule Continent and apply for it. Those who get a Three Stars badge have much more advantages, after all. So we can't simply give those that easily. We already sent the information over, so it shouldn't take too long, though. I reckon that the process will take at most an hour."

She caught Krune's attention.

"What other benefits are there?"

She then explained the extra benefits that only come to mercenaries who are at least Three Stars.

"To start, you can get a 20% discount on all techniques, arts, and items provided by the mercenary guild. When you go outside, just pass at the counter, and they will show you everything that can be bought."

"Another thing is that you can apply for higher-level missions. Although they are more dangerous, the rewards are also much better."

"There is also the fact that people can come and look for you directly. In that case, the payment offered to you will be higher than those with lower-level badges."

"To enter new countries or continents, you will probably have to use teleportation formations. Mercenaries with Three Stars badges and above get priority to use them. Not to mention that they only have to pay the number of spirit stones necessary to activate the formation."

She kept explaining all the benefits. Krune was very happy, it looked like that failing in his low profile plan wasn't a complete disaster, after all.

At the same time, in the Headquarters of the Mercenary Guild at the applications review office. The employee received the request for a Three Stars Mercenary Badge and ID, which made him a little surprised. Even considering the entire Yule Continent, they only receive the Three Star badges application for first-time testers a few times every week. Because of that, they had to verify the information first. Together with the request, there was also the recording of the examination process that Krune went through. At first, he was expecting that Krune would just barely be able to pass the exam and be injured all over. However, when he saw Krune destroying the three puppets in a single attack, he was taken aback.

'Isn't that a skill merge? How is that possible? They said that the contestant was only at the 1st stage of Foundation Establishment!"

But strangely enough, as soon he saw Krune cut the puppets to pieces, the video was cut too. He felt puzzled and then immediately called that branch.

Back at the Mercenary Guild branch, Marcin, the supervisor of this branch, was pacing back and forward. He knows that they found a treasure, and the Headquarters will definitely contact them back. Sure enough, he received the call.

"Hello. Can I talk with Marcin, the supervisor?"

Marcin took a deep breath, he can't even remember the last time they received a call from the Headquarters. They usually received orders from the Main Branch at Kaley City.

"It's him, and I suppose you are calling regarding the new Three Stars Mercenary that we found."

The person on the other side of the line, then spoke.

"Oh, it's good that you know. My name is Fulie, and I'm part of the review office in the Headquarters. While looking at the video of the contestant Krune, right after he destroyed the three puppets, the video was cut. We can't give the permission for a Three Stars badge and ID before confirming why was that."

Marcin knew that it was coming. He then started explaining what happened after Krune cut down the puppets.

"You are telling me that not only was he able to use two elements at the same time while still in the 1st stage of the Foundation Establishment. His Skill Merge destroyed the puppets, and it even had the power to cut down the protection formation of the room? That formation was supposed to be able to hold back attacks with power two stages higher than the contestant, you know?"

Marcin then explained that it was really what happened. Because the entire training room was reduced to rubble, the video recording was cut middle way too. He also revealed that they found out that Krune had built a little universe as a foundation. That is probably the reason why he can use two elements at the same time so early.

"I understand, I will have to report it to the higher-ups first. I call you back in a few minutes."

Back at the Headquarters, Fulie rushed into his supervisor's office. The man behind the desk looked around his forties, short black hair, and no beard. He was Kassius Ruli, the supervisor of the applications review office. Of course, he only 'looked' to be that age. Kassius then looked at the Fulie with a cold face, this guy dared to enter his office without even knocking. Still, before he could even complain, Fulie was already telling him about his findings at the outer branch beside Katiu Forest. After hearing the whole story, Kassius immediately got up!

"Are you 100% sure about that? Is there really someone who built a universe as a foundation? And it can even allow him to already control more than one element at once?"

Fulie nodded. He also finds it unbelievable! Kassius took a deep breath and immediately made his decision.

"Pass ahead my order, Krune is now a Four Stars Mercenary. Register him as a special member of the Yule Continent Headquarters and allow the ID to be processed immediately. Also, spread the news. Otherwise, the Headquarters of the other continents might try to steal him from us. I will definitely not allow that to happen, we have to proclaim that he is our member as soon as possible!"

Fulie was astonished, this is because to apply for a Four Stars ID and Badge, one has to at least be at the Core Formation Realm!

Back at the office that Krune was staying at, he was thinking to himself.

'If I keep going on like this, someone might find out about my real identity. I will try to keep myself out of sight for a while. Low key, low key...'

Poor Krune, little did he know about the consequences of his actions.

Report chapter

Back at the outer branch beside Katiu Forest, Krune was waiting for his ID to be processed. He was left alone after the attendant finished telling him the benefits of being a Three Stars Mercenary. The problem is, he was told that the process would only take at most one hour, but it has already passed more than two. Krune has a good temper, so he didn't really mind having to wait longer, but they could at least have told him that something happened.

Krune was pondering if he should go out to ask what is happening when the door of the office opened again. He was relieved, seems like they finally finished. He looked at the person who entered, but to his surprise, it wasn't the middle-aged woman from before, but someone he had never seen. It was Marcin, the outer branch supervisor.

"Hello, Krune. I'm Marcin, this branch's supervisor. I came to congratulate you personally."

Krune didn't think much, but since the guy came just to congratulate him, he will accept those words. He heard the middle-aged woman tell before that it had been a very long time since a Three Stars Mercenary appeared in this branch. So he could understand the reason why the supervisor came.

"It wasn't much, I should be apologizing instead for the training room, it was me who broke it down after all."

Marcin was all smiles, it seemed like he didn't care the least bit.

"That's of course, not a problem, we had told before that everyone could go all out during the test, the fact that the formation couldn't hold was our fault in the end."

Marcin then put a serious face and spoke.

"Krune, usually the process to register a Three Stars Mercenary would take at most one hour. Still, the Head Quarters have made an exception due to your amazing performance during the test. So they decided to reward you with a Four Stars Mercenary Badge and ID, that's why it took so long for the process to be finished."

Krune felt puzzled for a bit, but then his eyes lit up! He had thought about something and asked.

"Does it mean that I will receive a better discount when buying something from the guild?"

After hearing that comment, Marcin almost fainted! It was evident that this guy had no idea what it meant to receive a Four Stars Badge at his cultivation level at all!

"Cough, Cough. Well, you see, you are not wrong to think that. There is indeed a better discount for Four Stars Mercenaries."

He felt like crying while saying those words, but then he continued.

"But that's not what is important about it. The thing is, only cultivators at the Core Formation Realm can apply for a test to acquire a Four Star badge and ID. Still, the Headquarters made a special exception for you. You must understand that by becoming a Four Stars Mercenary, you also became a symbol of the mercenary guild. You will have the right to represent the guild when necessary too. Four Stars Badges are hard to get even for Core Formation Cultivators. This is to show how highly the guild thinks about you."

Krune was quite surprised.

"It's a little exaggerated, isn't it?"

Marcin replied.

"Not at all! You will receive special treatment at all cities with mercenary guilds in it, and you must understand that this level of membership represents one's status in our continent. Countless sects and clans will be willing to pay high prices for you to join then! Be happy, young man! You will be famous now!

Krune's mouth twitched when he heard the word 'famous,' he then asked.

"Err... What do you mean with famous?"

He doesn't want to be famous, he doesn't want anyone to pay attention to him at all!

On the other hand, Marcin heard him asking about being famous and thought that Krune was more interested in prestige instead of benefits. Poor Krune would be crying if he could read Marcin's thoughts.

Thinking like that, Marcin then continued.

"That's right, your picture has already been sent to all mercenary guild branches in our continent. The guild has also announced the fact that a Foundation Establishment cultivator performed amazingly during the mercenary guild test! The news being spread now stated that that Katiu Forest outer branch had given birth to a 1st stage Foundation Establishment cultivator capable of using two or more elements at once and even Skill Merge! It also says that you were successful in building a 'Universe Foundation'! And it's exactly because of your universe foundation which is extremely rare in our Yule Continent that you can use more elements at once while being at your level."

Marcin got more excited the more he spoke.

"You can already jump in joy, young man! In at most a few weeks, there won't be a single cultivator in our continent that doesn't know about you. Especially because of your eccentric hair, it will be your trademark! Impressive, right? Right?! As for our outer branch guild of the Katiu Forest, we will be able to bask in the limelight too."

Marcin then laughed out loud, really loud!

As for Krune? He had already fallen on his knees, this time he is in his human form, so he does have tears, which are running down from his eyes now. Marcin looked at that and thought that Krune was so happy that he was crying.

"Haha! No need to cry, Krune. This is what you deserve, you can take your time to enjoy this moment."

Krune looked at him as if Marcin was a demon! But then again, who asked him to act so overpowered during the Mercenary Exam? He could only blame himself for that!

Krune then received his Four Stars Mercenary Badge and ID. After that, he left the office with a gloomy face. The world seemed to be crumbling down around him, it was not time for him to show his prowess yet, he isn't strong enough to protect himself from prying eyes.

As soon as he reached the entrance hall, everyone immediately spotted him. As the place that gave birth to the Four Stars Mercenary at the Foundation Establishment, it was the very first to spread the news to everyone. The entire village already knows about him now.

After feeling sad for a little while, Krune finally came back to terms with himself. Since it was already like this, there is no meaning in keeping cursing his luck.

'So be it! Even if I'm famous now, as long as I keep myself in check, the news will get old, and people will eventually forget about me. I just need to stay low for a while, and everything should be okay.'

His mood improved a bit after thinking about that, he then remembered that Yusa was waiting for him in the hotel restaurant and proceeded there.

After arriving at the restaurant, he soon noticed Yusa in a table at the corner. He was just about to go there when a crowd of people and demon beasts in human form barred his way. They all wanted to see this new rising star, Krune had to squeeze quite a lot to arrive at the table.

Yusa was laughing at that scene, when he finally arrived she welcomed him in a friendly way.

"Yo! Mister Rising Star! One of the extremely rare special early stages Foundation Establishment with a Four Stars Mercenary Badge and ID, the one with a universe foundation. I'm happy that you could take a little of your time to talk with someone as unimportant as me."

She said all that while laughing, she could totally see that Krune wasn't happy with this situation at all.

Krune smiled bitterly, every word was a knife going through his heart, the total damage was almost an overkill.

"Please, miss Yusa, let me go, okay? I didn't want anything like this to happen, not at all! I'm suffering here at the moment."

Yusa was smiling from ear to ear. She had already known back then before the mercenary test started, that Krune is a first-timer 'leaving the forest demon beast.' It felt really good to tease him, after laughing a little more, she finally entered the topic at hand.

"Alright, the thing I wanted to talk with you is related to the ranked mercenary teams, are you interested in forming one?"

Krune was puzzled. Ranked mercenary teams? What is that?

"Could you explain what is this ranked mercenary team is about?"

Yusa was already expecting that he didn't know, so she was prepared to explain.

"It goes like this, the mercenary guilds of the entire world have a team rank for accomplished teams. There are three ranks according to the cultivation level.

The Earth Rank is for Qi Condensation mercenary teams. Although not many people pay attention to this Rank, it still exists as a form of making the new recruits who joined the guild as Qi Condensation to put more effort."

"The second is the Sky Rank, as you can probably imagine already, this is the Rank for those teams with members at the Foundation Establishment Realm. In this Rank, your team can also have Qi Condensation cultivators. Still, because there are Foundation Establishment cultivators in the team, it is part of the Sky Rank. Of course, teams of the sky rank would usually only accept Qi Condensation cultivators that have peculiar or amazing abilities."

"The last is the Heaven Rank. This is a rank where the group has to have at least one Core Formation Realm cultivator. Of course, this Rank means little for us at the moment. It doesn't matter how famous you or I am, a Core Formation Realm cultivator wouldn't join us anyway. The missions available for the Sky Rank aren't things that Core Formation cultivators are interested in either, especially early stages like the both of us."

Krune understood how the rank system worked, he then asked.

"Why you want to enter the rank system? Is there anything that makes it worth?"

Yusa nodded.

"Yes, for those on the path of cultivation, cultivation resources are of paramount importance! It's not simply spirit stones. There are also alchemist pills, rare materials, spirit pastes, etc. But they are hard to get, even if you have the money, there are things that you can't simply buy. You need connections! And that's where the team rank system comes about."

"If you go to the mercenary guild now and check the list of items for sale, you will find out that the best quality ones are only available for those in the rank system. It's a way of ensuring that everyone will put the necessary effort to uphold the mercenary guild's name."

Krune understood. It's indeed an excellent strategy to use cultivation resources to force the mercenaries to put their best efforts into the tasks. No wonder that the mercenary guild is regarded so well in the field of missions.

"It looks good and all, but why me?"

Yusa then gave a bright smile, she pointed at his Four Stars Mercenary Badge.

"What else could be? 25% Discount! Your Four Stars Mercenary allows you to have a 25% discount on all products available for sell. With that, we can also enter any country free of charge. Not to mention the ability to use teleport formations by paying only the cost to activate it. Tell me, is there anything better in this world than saving money?"

Yusa showed her true face! She is a money-grubber through and through, and she has no intention of hiding that!

Krune was taken aback. He thought she would say something to do with his strength, or because of his universe foundation, or because he could use two elements at the same time. But in the end, it was money! And it didn't seem like she was lying at all.

Krune started to wonder if it would be a good idea to create a rank team or not. On one side, if he goes up in the Rank, he will catch more attention, but on the other, there is bound to have a lot of cultivation resources that will help him greatly in the future.

Noticing Krune's dilemma, Yusa smiled and struck while the iron was hot, she knows very well what he is concerned about.

"Oh, I also forgot to tell that the teams can opt for having their members' names hidden. Only the team name appears, and any other information can be kept a secret by the guild until they decide the opposite. Or when you enter the Heaven Rank, only the Heaven Rank can not hide their information."

Krune's eyes immediately lit up!

'Low key! There is finally a low key event happening in my life!'

He looked at Yusa.

"Alright, I accept. I also remember that they said that there is a very small number of contestants that can pass the mercenary guild test even with the lowest grade. Still, you were able to pass it directly with a Two Stars Badge and ID, so I believe you are quite strong too, it would do no good if only I put effort after all."

Yusa was amazed by his answer. Could it be that he thought she would slack off if she had passed the exam with the lowest grade? But in the end, it didn't matter, what matters is that she got Krune, the one who could get several benefits and mainly, a 25% discount on everything!

"Great, then we need to find at least one more cultivator or demon beast. The rank system doesn't allow teams with less than three members."

Krune nodded, and then he asked.

"Should we go back to the guild to register first?"

Yusa shook her head.

"The outer branches can't register a team, only main branches or the headquarters. We will need to go to Kaley City main branch to have our team registered. Let's do like this, I don't have anything else to do here anymore, so if you are free too, we can depart tomorrow."

Krune agreed. The main reason he wanted to apply for the mercenary guild was to get a badge, which would help him in finding a mercenary group going to Kaley City.

"Very well, let's do like you said."

They conversed a little more about other details and decided to leave. But just as Krune started moving, another crowd that has been waiting for him appeared again. This time, Krune snapped, and then, he began changing his clothes...

Yusa was almost frightened to death, her face as red as a tomato! Just as Krune was about to remove his underpants, she stopped him.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Krune was puzzled, but then he explained.

"I heard that you humans find it disrespectful to change clothes in front of others, so I'm doing it to show how angry I am. Look, a lot of people immediately left. As expected, this is very effective, after all!"

Yusa wanted to die!

After spending a long time trying to convince Krune never to do that again, Yusa went back to her room. Although she was successful in stopping Krune right when he was about to take his underpants, for a second, she still got a glimpse of that rainbow-colored hidden dragon inside. That image would follow her for life.

Back at Krune's room, he was considering his next step. The Mercenary Rank Team seemed very good, it would bring him combat experience and resources. Another thing he was thinking was if he should join a sect, a clan, or some other organization. The Mercenary Guild is very broad in this aspect. It isn't a sect, a clan, much less a government attached organization. The mercenaries are together for one sole purpose, mutual benefits! Because of this, the guild doesn't care if you join any other organization, sect, or clan, as long as you don't forget that you are a mercenary, of course.

But then Krune decided that there was no point in thinking about it now. He is still at the village beside Katiu forest, before leaving the danger zone, he won't be able to acquire much information. Even if he asks for it at the mercenary guild, it would be better to see it by himself when he arrives at Kaley City. Not to mention that his two 'good friends' are there too.

He decided to simply spend the rest of the day cultivating. Krune has to reinforce his planet foundation for the breakthrough, and time is limited, so the faster, the better.

The next day, Krune left his room with his hood up. He tried to hide from others while waiting for Yusa to come, too bad though, everyone had already taken notice of his robe with a hood, and it's color. Not to mention that the hood can't completely hide his hair, so it didn't take long for a bunch of people to come at him. Krune then used his wind movement to get away as fast as possible, and he went straight to the mercenary guild. Although everyone knows him there too, it's forbidden to cause ruckus inside.

Sometime later, Yusa also arrived, and she spotted Krune easily. She just had to look in the direction that the majority was watching too. She couldn't help but laugh, Krune had an ugly face while looked around. It was evident that he wanted people to look somewhere else. She then approached him.

"Well, well, it seems like you are really famous. I'm sorry to stop your joyous time in the limelight, but we need to go."

Krune heard that and felt even more helpless. He can see already that this Yusa girl loves to put salt on one's injuries, so he simply decided that he will ignore those comments from now on.

"So, should we join a group here in the mercenary guild and leave? I don't think it will be very difficult considering our fighting power."

Yusa then shook her head.

"On the opposite, it will be hard to find a group to join here. You are too famous, and you will definitely become a target as soon as you leave the village. I was thinking, and I believe it will be better for us to go alone. That way, we can leave the city without anyone notice and then join a group on the way. As long as everyone doesn't know that we left, we shouldn't have a problem."

Krune looked around and couldn't help but ask.

"How exactly do you expect me to leave without anyone noticing? Look around..."

Yusa just giggled a little and brought him to the salesroom. The building has quite a few of those rooms, this way, people and demon beasts could buy and sell things without anyone noticing. She then accessed the list of items and pointed at one of the items on the list. The item she pointed at cost 150 Rank Two low-quality spirit stones.

"Buy this one, its a Runestone inscribed with a very simple teleportation formation. Its quality is very bad, but it's just what we need at the moment, and make sure to don't let people see that you bought it."

Krune was impressed! To think that things that allow one to teleport are sold this easily. Isn't this minor teleportation formation as good as a second life? Yusa knew what he was thinking and crushed his fantasies straight away.

"Don't think to use it as a way to escape from others, this runestone needs a long time to charge, and it has nothing to do with your cultivation level. It's just that the amount of spiritual energy that it can receive at once is very small. If you try to infuse more than what it can take at once, it will break apart. Also, you need at least thirty minutes to charge it for use, and during that time, you can't move either. That's because the formation needs a starting point from where to initiate the teleportation from. If you keep moving around, it won't be able to fix a place."

"Simply put, if you are thinking about using it to flee, then you might as well run faster."

Krune's dreams were destroyed just like that. He then asked if there wasn't any better one that would allow one to teleport away earlier or maybe even instantly.

Yusa then nodded.

"There is, but it will need a higher level runestone. The problem is that the higher the level of the rune, the harder it is to inscribe a formation inside, which means the price skyrockets with each level. This teleportation rune is nothing but the lowest grade, a One-Star teleportation formation runestone. You can already guess how expensive the higher levels are. Just this one already costs 150 Rank Two spirit stone of low quality, it's very expensive."

She then moved the list of items for sale and pointed at the Rank Two teleportation formation runestone. This rune could be charged 10 minutes earlier than the previous one and could teleport a little further away. Still, not very suitable for fleeing, though. Not to mention that it costs 1150 Rank Three High-Quality spirit stones. Krune saw that and his jaw dropped!

"This is daylight robbery!"

Yusa laughed but disagreed.

"That's because you have no idea how hard it is to inscribe those runes. The quality of the formation inside is also higher, I would show you the higher rank ones. Unfortunately, this outer branch doesn't have them. People and demon beasts that stay here wouldn't have the necessary spirit stones to buy those anyway."

Krune nodded, maybe in the future he could try to make those runes for sale, who knows?

After getting a 25% discount from the guild, Krune acquired the teleportation runestone. He couldn't help but think that being famous really wasn't good at all, low key is the way to go.

"Wouldn't it work if I had put on a mask or painted my hair black or something?"

Yusa shook her head.

"Everyone has already marked your presence. You should know already that every person or demon beast has a very distinctive aura that belongs only to them. They just need to pay attention to that."

Krune only sighed after that. Yusa then said.

"When we go out of the room, just pretend that you helped me buying something. Otherwise, people might guess that we are together."

Krune just nodded.

Laving the room, Yusa grabbed Krune's arm and looked at him as if he was her lover.

"Brother Krune, thank you very much for helping me buying it, my rank wasn't big enough to have access to this item."

Krune wasn't expecting her to act like 'that,' he immediately turned as red as totato and kept nodding his head. Fortunately, it made the act even more realistic, some people around even commented.

"Seems like he has already fallen for the old trick."

"Obvious. Did you forget that this is Krune's first time leaving the forest? He still doesn't know how big the world is, that Four Stars Badge... sigh."

Yusa heard the comments around and was very satisfied. After acting a little more, she parted ways with him. Krune then went to take breakfast in the hotel's restaurant and then went back to his room. Yusa was the one who asked him to go take breakfast in the hotel restaurant first for people to see that he was back. Krune, of course, was very happy to do that, he didn't even need to act when food was involved.

Back in his room, Krune waited one hour. They had decided to leave during the day instead of the night because no one would think that they would do that. They agreed to a meeting point too, the runestone can at most teleport 20 kilometers of distance. But the further one teleported, the less accurate it would be, so they decided to meet 10 kilometers away from the village to be safe.

Sure enough, one hour passed, and he teleported close to the meeting point. A minute later, Yusa also appeared nearby. Their teleportation runestones broke after that.

"Let's not follow the road for now. It's better to get far away from the village first. Katiu Forest's danger zone is enormous, and it will take us a long time to arrive at Kaley City. When night time comes, we can go back to the main road. If everything goes okay, we should arrive in Kaley City in a week."

Krune nodded. He had already got a map of the region, so he knew that it wouldn't be a simple one or two days travel.

Nighttime came, and Yusa was getting a little tired. Although all cultivators can use all five elements, they usually specialize in one. Yusa was a water type, not very suited for speed, so she has a hard time to keep up with Krune. As for Krune? He didn't think he had any specialty, Krune simply used what he thought that was convenient, and it could be said that he is good at all elements.

Krune stopped and opted for them to rest. Not that he is a gentleman, hell no, he is a very realistic wisp! He simply thought that if they continued like that and got into a fight in the middle of the way, Yusa would drag him down if she wasn't in her best condition.

Yusa accepted the offer since she was exhausted.

They found an inconspicuous place and decided to stay there for the night, Yusa then took out a runestone and activated it.

"This is a simple concealing runestone formation, it will hide us for the time being. Different from the teleportation formation, low-level concealing formation is very easy to scribe. I believe even I would be able to make some of the lowest quality, so they are quite cheap and convenient."

She put it down, and then it looked like they disappeared from the surroundings. This low-level formation would only work for five to six hours, but it was enough sleeping time for her. She then took a few blankets and put on the ground, just when she was about to go sleep, she noticed that Krune was as awake as ever.

"Aren't you going to sleep too? You don't need to worry, this formation might be low level, but unless it is someone at the late stages of the Foundation Establishment or higher, they will not be able to see through it."

She then laughed a little

"Or could it be that you think I would do something to you during the night?"

Krune heard that but just shook his head, although they have met for a very little time, he doesn't think that Yusa is this type of person.

"That's not it, I simply can't sleep, and I have never slept in my life to start with."

That was to be expected, Krune is, after all, a wisp. Even though he has got a human body, the body itself was created through his spiritual energy. He can now feel the feelings of a human body, even having a child is possible too, but some other things never change. The fact the he doesn't need to sleep is one of them. Yusa looked surprised at him, how many races are out there that never sleep? Not many for sure. But she didn't pry into the issue, to ask a demon beast which race they are from is a taboo. No demon beast would show their real appearance in case some people have some ideas about their bloodlines or the materials that can be made from their bodies.

She then turned around and went to sleep, but before she could even close her eyes Krune asked her.

"Aren't you afraid that I could make something to you during the night instead?"

She then laughed.

"Nope! I have seen you battle at the Mercenary Exam, and I have an intuition that that wasn't your real power. Simply put, I think I would have no chance against you in a one vs. one battle. So if you really wanted, you could have done anything to me on our way out."

Krune was amazed by her answer, he then just laughed but declined to comment if her intuition was right or wrong.

As for Yusa, although she didn't lie, she wasn't 100% sure either. So without Krune noticing, she also used a perception technique that would alarm her if he got close while she was sleeping. It was useless though, Krune isn't this type of wisp to start with. For him, all types of relationships are to be cherished, except enmity ones, of course.

The night passed, and Krune used this time to cultivate. He took out quite a few Rank One or Two spirit stones and put them around him. He also made sure to keep his spiritual energy absorption inside the area that the spirit stones covered not to disrupt the outside or the concealing formation. The night passed without any mishaps, when Yusa woke up and saw Krune sit on the other side cultivating, she let out a sigh of relief. At least it doesn't seem like she was wrong about Krune.

Krune noticed that she woke up and then put the spirit stone that could still be used away.

"Ready?"

Yusa nodded, but she didn't take the concealing formation back. Every time a formation runestone is used, it will break apart after. There was no use to bring it back with her since she had quite a few more anyway, not to mention that they are quite cheap.

"We should go back to the road. Even if people notice now that we left, it is already too late."

She then took a hat from her spatial ring.

"Here, instead of using the hood, use this hat. Just put your hair back and cover with it, it should completely conceal the hair."

Krune nodded and did as he was told, sure enough, his hair wasn't appearing anymore.

"We should go and join a group. We moved really fast yesterday, so we definitely have caught up with the groups that don't know about what happened in the Mercenary Guild. As long as we show our mercenary badges, they would gladly take us in."

Krune agreed with this point of view and then they set off.

One hour later, they finally found a group with three Foundation Establishment and quite a few Qi Condensation cultivators. After showing their badges, the leader of the group also took his own Mercenary badge out. He was happy to bring those two together, there is safety in numbers after all.

Back at the village beside Katiu Forest, two-man were discussing in the hotel restaurant that Krune was before. One of them asked.

"Have you checked already?"

The other one nodded.

"Yes, I went there and knocked several times, but he simply didn't answer. I couldn't use my Divine Sense to pry inside because of the formations blocking it. Still, I found a way in, and there was no one inside the room, no one saw him either, so he probably used a teleportation rune to leave the village."

His partner then nodded.

"Send the signal, this Four Stars guy with a Universe Foundation is a mine of gold. We have to bring him back to the clan, as long as we convince him to sign a blood contract, everything will be fine. It has to be before they arrive at Kaley City, though."

The other man accepted the order and went out.

Report chapter

Somewhere three days away from the village, a group of ten people was stationed waiting for something. They were using clothes that made them look like bandits, and all had cultivation that varies between the 3rd and 6th stage of Foundation Establishment. Their leader was holding a picture of Krune. He had received an order from the clan to capture this demon beast in human form, and they should also eliminate all witnesses while at it. It is necessary since the Mercenary Guild can't be trifled with.

They received this order three days ago and set out from Kaley City. The leader also received information about how to recognize Krune's aura. He isn't putting much thought on it, though. The target is only at the 1st stage of Foundation Establishment, he thinks that it will be way too easy to capture him. So what if he beat three 2nd stage puppets at once? With his 6th stage cultivation, he could do that too, even if there were more of them!

"Alright, we rested enough, so let's set out. Considering the period, we should be able to find Krune by tomorrow at most, so we should hurry."

Krune was traveling with the group, in the last three days, they fought two bandit groups. Too bad for the bandits, though. They underestimated this team, and it wasn't long before when they were wiped out. The other three Foundation Establishment cultivators were amazed by Krune, to think that a 1st stage Foundation Establishment guy could be this strong.

The bandits were really unlucky, Krunes divine sense can be extended to over five kilometers. Although it spends a lot of spiritual energy to keep it on, it doesn't mean that Krune needs to do so without stop. He simply used it every 15 minutes or so for a second or two. With that, he could find out about the bandits ambushes long before they did something.

Yusa wasn't much different either, she might not have Krune strength, but she still got a Two Stars Mercenary Badge, so she is quite strong herself.

Krune saw her using a skill called water prison, which the enemy couldn't leave doesn't matter what they did. Inside that prison, he could see water blades running around and attacking the bandit from all sides, and it didn't take long before the ones trapped inside were dead. She also had something that looked like water dragons dancing around her body, but they didn't do anything. In the end, she told him that they were for defense, they would be used to block any attacks coming in her direction.

Seeing that, Krune tried to make a water prison himself since it looked a very good imprisonment skill. But he failed in the first tries, which made Yusa laugh at first. Did Krune even know how long it took for her to learn that? But the smile on her face didn't last long. An hour later, Krune had already formed a water prison, it was just that his one wasn't as good as hers. Still, to learn how to use the water prison by simply looking and only taking an hour to get a basic understand of it. That made her think about Krune as a monster! Krune also tried the water dragons since this one was easier to learn. After realizing how to form the water prison, his understanding of the water element improved several times, so it wasn't difficult to grasp it.

Yusa didn't even want to look at it anymore. Otherwise, her self confidence will crumble completely.

Practice makes perfect, in those three days, Krune's water prison and water dragons were already as good as Yusa's. Maybe even better! In fact, Krune was holding back since he was only practicing, there was no need to go all out with it. Krune then thought about something.

'The Myriad Energies Technique is really marvelous. Now I'm even more sure that this technique has this name because of its ability to improve one's control over the elements. I have been feeling that the higher my cultivation gets, the higher my control becomes.'

It was the night of the third day when the group stopped to rest. They didn't set up a concealing formation because there are too many people, their concealing runes would not be able to cover them all. There is also no need for that anyway, very few bandit groups would pose a threat to them to start with. Almost everyone was sleeping, with just three Qi Condensation cultivators awake to watch for them.

Krune was nearby cultivating. He finally reinforced his planet foundation enough to breakthrough.

'It really takes a lot of time, and every stage higher I get, the longer it will take. I will need higher-level spirit stones in the future or better cultivation resources too.'

He put those thoughts behind his mind and went forward to breakthrough the next stage. The cultivators who were sleeping when suddenly, the spiritual energy of the surroundings started to move crazily in Krune's direction. Yusa then looked at him.

"He is breaking through, so he will get to the 2nd stage now. Krune was already this strong with a 1st stage cultivation, now that he is becoming a 2nd stage one, he will be even stronger. I already wasn't his match before, let alone now. This Universe Foundation of his is really marvelous!"

She couldn't help but sigh.

It didn't take long for an explosion of spiritual energy comes from Krunes Universe Foundation, which sent dust everywhere. They knew that he had succeeded. The leader of the then group came forward to congratulate him.

"Very good, brother. Now we are going to be even safer during our travel."

His name was Ao Sulian, a sword practitioner. Krune smiled and accepted the compliment. This guy was quite an easygoing cultivator, he didn't have that aura of pride around him when he talked with the Qi Condensation ones of the group. That made Krune have quite a good impression of him.

"It was just lucky, and I've have been accumulating spiritual energy for a long time already. So now I simply took the chance that my foundation got sturdy enough to go through it."

Yusa then came forward to ask him.

"How long has it been since you broke through into the Foundation Establishment Realm?"

Krune showed an embarrassed face while scratching the back of his head.

"It has already been almost an entire month. I've been really busy lately with my leaving of the Katiu forest, Mercenary Exam, and all that, so it's nothing worth to mention."

Yusa and Ao almost vomited blood. Nothing worth mention? Nothing worth to mention your head! Then what about us? Should we just dig a grave and die then?

"Cough, cough. There is no need for you to hurry so much anyway. In fact, you are progressing very fast already. Be careful, or your foundation might get unstable. A strong foundation can get you much further even if it takes longer."

Krune then nodded, he then thought to himself.

'Seems like that my cultivation speed is much higher than cultivators and demon beasts at my level, I better not mention about it in the future.'

They didn't know that Krune's foundation was already as sturdy as it could be. It was because he was afraid that he hadn't reinforced his planet foundation enough that he didn't break through earlier. He is making sure that everything is perfect before advancing any extra level.

Finishing talking with them, Krune went back to cultivate again. There are still a few hours before they set off the next morning. Also, his future 'rainbow' core can now absorb more spiritual energy again. Krune then took even more spiritual stones from his spatial ring and started to send spiritual energy into it.

'As expected! Now that I have broken through, the rate of absorption of spiritual energy from the rainbow core has increased too. Probably, it will need more spiritual energy as well.

Before Krune had used around 200 Rank One middle and high-quality spirit stones to fulfill his rainbow core, now he needs to see how many his 2nd stage rainbow core will use.

Krune kept at it until the next day, and he noticed that his spiritual stones are disappearing at a very fast pace. If this continued like this, he would only have enough for another two days. His rainbow core looked like a bottomless hole too, and that made him feel quite depressed. Not at his rainbow core or his universe foundation, but at his own wealthy.

"Alright, everyone, let's go. We are just three days away from Kaley City. From here onward, the number of bandits should decrease too."

They set forth, and everyone was in a quite good mood. This travel had been easier thanks to Krune and Shinja joining them later.

It was already getting dark again when Krune suddenly felt a Divine Sense pass over him. He then used his own Divine Sense, which was now capable of reaching over six kilometers to check things out. Sure enough, he found a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators moving in their direction at full speed, and it was obviously not a friendly encounter.

"Ao, prepare everyone for battle, ten Foundation Establishment cultivators are moving in our direction, and they look like bandits!"

Ao Sulian was alarmed, but he came to know during their travel that Krune's Divine Sense was out of the charts, so he didn't doubt him.

"Everyone, battle formation! Ten Foundation Establishments are coming, but we have quite a lot of Qi Condensation ones. Use three or four of you to form a small formation to deal with one of them. Hurry! They are almost here."

Krune was already using his Divine Sense to track them. He used it to inform the group from where and when they would appear, and as expected, those guys appeared just like he said.

Those ten Foundation Establishment bandits didn't say anything and attacked the group straight away, their orders were for them to eliminate all witnesses and bring Krune back.

Immediately, chaos descended in the group. Their opponents were much stronger than them, after all. Ao Sulian and Yusa Shen have the strongest cultivations at the 3rd stage of the Foundation Establishment each. Still, the weakest member of the other group had the same strength.

Yusa was dealing with two at the same time. At first, there was only one at her. Still, that bandit noticed that he wasn't her match on a one vs. one and immediately called for reinforcements. Ao Sulian was fighting one at the 4th stage. As a mercenary himself, he also could fight those at higher levels. His two Foundation Establishment friends were fighting one each. Still, they were clearly at a disadvantage. Their cultivation is lower, and they are ordinary cultivators too, after all.

The Qi Condensation groups were fighting three enemies using their advantage in numbers. Unfortunately, they also seemed at the losing side.

Krune himself was fighting only one. It's just that the guy he was against had a cultivation at the 5th stage, much stronger than the others. Krune didn't mind, though. With his last breakthrough into the 2nd stage, he could defeat this enemy easily. The problem was that there was one Foundation Establishment cultivator that hadn't joined the fray. He just kept looking at how things were going, and Krune thought that he was there to prevent anyone from escaping.

'I can't show my real strength yet. I have to ensure that I can get rid of at least three or more of the enemies so that I won't need to take care of the others while dealing with that guy. He is clearly stronger than any of the others.'

Krune pondered for a bit and suddenly, his eyes lit up! He then sent a Divine Sense message to Yusa and Ao.

'Let's get together! Try to guide your enemies to me, and I will do the same, trust me.'

Ao and Yusa were taken aback, but their situation is dire, and they don't have any other options to start with, so they slowly moved in Krune's direction. The enemy noticed it but didn't care, they didn't think that Krune's group would be able to do anything in this situation.

As soon as the enemy got close enough, Krune smiled.

'Let's see if the water prison that I got from Yusa is really as good as I think.'

He then jumped in the air, focused all his spiritual energy in the water element, and attacked!

"Water Prison!"

Yusa was alarmed! Why is he using a water prison? This skill takes two to three seconds to be fully formed. With their enemies' cultivation, they will be long gone before the prison can be even formed. But what Yusa saw after that made her think whether she had ever really used water prison in her life before. That's because Krune's water prison was huge! Not only was it enormous, he only took one second to create that gigantic water sphere! She immediately thought.

"This is nor FAIR!"

But before she could even think further, she noticed that both her and Ao Sulian were also inside the water prison. Yusa had used water prison thousands of times, and she knows that the next part would be to use water blades to crush the enemies. The problem is, she had never been able to control the direction of the water blades! Doesn't it mean that both her and Ao will also be crushed by it?

But her worries only lasted for another second. That's because there were water blades everywhere, but not a single one hit her or Ao. What kind of monstrous control is that?

One must remember that Krune's main attack skill has always been his wind and blazing wind blades, so his control with this type of skill had long since surpassed common knowledge.

All the enemies got alarmed, and even the leader outside immediately rushed forward. They know that the situation turned around. If they don't stop break the water prison straight away, their four companions inside will die. Not to mention that their group will lose its Foundation Establishment numbers advantage. But how could Krune's group outside let them do as they please? They understood that this was the turning point, and they must stop the enemy from interfering at all costs!

In the end, the only one who made it to the water prison was the leader, and he was a water element expert too. He was confident that with his cultivation, he could totally break that water prison apart, so he used his strongest skill at the prison straight away!

"Myriad Water Dragons!"

Tens of water dragons formed around him, each with the size of a grown man, and they all hit the water prison at the same time!

Too bad, though. Who is Krune? He is the first wisp to ever create a universe as a foundation and the proud user of the real Myriad Energies technique! Not to mention that with the breakthrough from last night, he prowess got even higher! His water prison couldn't be broken so easily! But he still had a hard time controlling the prison and making sure that the water blades weren't hitting Ao and Yusa. The enemy leader's face got cold. His strongest attack made the water prison tremble, and it was on the verge of breaking apart. However, it still resisted, the leader was just about to use the same attack again when he suddenly heard four cries coming from the water prison. He looked inside, and his face got gloomy.

Ao and Yusa noticed that Krune had to ability to control the water blades inside the water prison, so the enemies inside were having a hard time defending against them. Since that's the case, why should Yusa and Ao stay put doing nothing? They immediately attacked when they noticed that. The water blades were already taking the enemies' entire attention, so they didn't have time to pay attention to Yusa or Ao. The result was a fatal attack directed at them from those two, and the four of them died just like that.

The leader outside didn't even have the time to finish forming his second Myriad Water Dragons before it was already over.

The water prison collapsed right after. Since there are no enemies inside anymore, there is no reason to keep it running. Water spread everywhere, but Krune's Divine Sense didn't leave the enemy's leader for even a second. The battle reached a stalemate, and both sides separated, they were waiting to see who would make the first move.

Report chapter

---

Read Is that a Wisp? Chapter 31 End of the Crisis online for free - AllNovelFull

But before Krune or the enemy leader could attack, Yusa came forward to talk.

"Shouldn't you give up by now? I don't know who you are, but you are definitely not bandits since they can't possibly have such refined skills, which means that you were sent here by someone. You should know that with my, Ao, and Krune's power, you can't kill everyone now, and that is considering that you will win in the end. Are you sure you want the Mercenary Guild to investigate this incident where there are survivors?"

The leader felt helpless. He knows that Yusa is telling the truth, not to mention that he can't see through this Krune fella. He received information that he could use wind and fire element to summon some kind of fire type wind blades, which as really powerful. The reason that he was assigned as the group leader is that he is a water element user. He was supposed to be Krune's nemesis. Still, after seeing that Krune can also use water element attacks that are by no means any weaker than his own, his confidence is now gone. Not to mention that it would be bad if he could use lightning-based abilities too.

"Very well, but I want their corpses."

He then pointed at the corpse pieces of his companions. Yusa agreed with that, if they can leave without any losses, that would be for the best.

Krunes group retreated while those men stayed behind to recover the corpses of their companions. They still had one chance. If they are capable of reaching Kaley City fast enough and ask their clan to send reinforcements, they might be able to salvage the situation.

After walking for over two hours, the group finally stopped to rest. Everyone had used everything they had in the last battle, and Krune wasn't much better either. To create such a gigantic water prison, control the water blades, and still keep his Divine Sense active all the time, it took a great toll on him. He took a few spirit stones from his spatial ring and started to recover. While everyone was meditating, Yusa, Krune, and Ao went to the side to discuss what happened. Ao Sulian was then the first one to talk.

"You said that they were not bandits, that they were sent by someone, mind to explain?"

Yusa nodded

"In fact, I'm not sure either, but a bandit group shouldn't have such coordination. It was good that my guess was right, and their leader agreed to give up. You don't know it, but Krune has a Four Stars Mercenary Badge, and I think it might have been because of this that we were attacked by them."

Ao was surprised!

"Four Stars? You are joking, right? Only those at the Core Formation Realm can apply for those, why would he have a Four Stars Badge?"

Krune looked a little embarrassed.

"I think I used a little bit too much strength during the test. For some reason, they decided to give me this badge."

Yusa's mouth twitched.

"A little bit your head! Then what if you had used your full power? Would you bring the entire guild down?"

Krune looked away and pretended that he didn't hear anything.

Yusa then explained what happened during the mercenary exam. Ao looked at Krune strangely. He was shocked by his battle strength since he was even able to imprison four Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. Still, in the end, he was using Water Element only. He didn't use two elements at the same time. But now he knows that Krune can do that and even use Skill Merge!

"I understand now, they were probably after him! But who would dare to buy a fight with the mercenary guild? To kill a genius like him under the guild's nose is almost the same as bringing destruction to one's clan or sect."

Krune was the one to talk this time.

"I don't think they wanted to kill me. That 5th stage Foundation Establishment cultivator that was fighting me at first wasn't using any lethal attacks, it was as if he didn't want me to die."

Yusa eyes then lit up.

"Blood contract! They probably wanted to capture and convince you to sign a blood contract! With your talent, you are definitely becoming a great figure in the future, they wanted to have you for themselves."

She then laughed a little

"Why do you have to be so famous?!"

Another blade passed through Krune's heart, it's very effective! He couldn't help but think again while crying inside.

'Low key is really the sage's path...'

Ao felt awkward at their weird relationship, but then he came back to the main topic.

"Which means that they will probably try again. After we arrive at Kaley City, they won't be able to do anything anymore. Even if we leave the city later, the mercenary guild will be on guard waiting for someone to eat the bait that is Krune. Not to mention that I don't think they will escape the mercenary's guild intelligence network to start with. The guild will probably root them out even before they need to use a baiting plan."

Krune didn't understand much, but Yusa did. The mercenary guild is a behemoth around the world, and very few would oppose it.

"It won't be a problem. It has only been two hours since we left, not to mention that their companions also have to stop to rest. We already left the most dangerous area on the way here, if Krune and I press forward, there is no way they will have time to get there and assemble another team."

Ao then said.

"They could simply communicate with their clan or sect. No, wait! They can't, the signal won't be able to arrive here."

Yusa nodded.

"Exactly, danger zones don't have signal towers since bandits would most likely take the equipment down to sell. It's a wasted effort. We all know that danger zones are left like that not only because it would be too troublesome to keep watch, but also because they are good places to refine one's skills. So they will have to get closer to Kaley City to be able to communicate with their superiors. Then to summon the necessary personal and leave the city again will take time too. Of course, if we want to prevent that, we need to leave immediately."

Krune nodded. He had already restored his spiritual energy and could go at any moment.

"Then we should be going, Yusa. If I'm not wrong, their leader, that 6th stage Foundation Establishment, will probably separate from their group and rush forward alone. So we can't wait anymore."

Ao Sulian then said.

"In that case, let me tell the others that I'm leaving too. I'm a Wind Element specialized cultivator, so I won't hold you back. With the three of us, it will be easier to deal with any bandits on the way, not to mention that it will be safer to the others too."

Krune and Yusa agreed with his proposal.

Ao talked a little with his two friends and with the Qi Condensation cultivators. After that, the three of them left, and they rushed all the way until the night of the next day. Ao and Krune were fine since both can use wind element, specially Krune. Still, Yusa is a water element specialized cultivator, so she couldn't keep going anymore. Ao then came forward to carry her. She was about to refuse when Krune reminded.

"You won't be able to do anything if you don't rest. Both of us can use Wind Element so we can continue without stop. But you can't, and remember that we are running against time."

She then left a helpless sigh. Ao then carried her on his back, Krune isn't very strong when you consider his physical strength, so Ao was a much better option for the job.

Two days later, they finally could see the city walls in the distance. Fortunately for them, they just arrived when the enemy was about to send reinforcements to stop them on the way. Krune was right in the end, the enemy leader had rushed forward alone to pass over the information. But he was a water element user just like Yusa. Even with his higher cultivation level, he couldn't compare in endurance against wind element cultivators. They could use the wind to make their bodies lighter, helping them to press forward much easier.

Krune, Yusa, and Ao went straight to the Mercenary Guild's main branch to report what happened. When the branch supervisor heard what they said, he exploded in rage. Their Yule Continent Mercenary Guild hasn't given birth to such a talent for a long time already! Now some piece of shit clan or sect wanted to bring him under a blood contract? That is ridiculous!

The entire branch intelligence network moved that day. They looked for information regarding ten Foundation Establishment cultivators leaving the city in the past week, and paired with their cultivation level with what was reported by Krune. Sure enough, there was a match!

At the same time, on the southwest side of Kaley City, the clan head of the Solie Clan was passing right and left inside the meeting room. His name is Zu Solie, a 2nd stage Core Formation Realm cultivator. The elders in the room were all quiet, around a week ago, they had received the information from one of their clan members that a human form demon beast passed the mercenary examination and got a Four Stars Badge and ID. They knew that they were one of the very first ones to receive the information. As long as they could bring Krune to their turf, convince him to sign a blood contract, and let him go as if not had happened, their clan was sure to grow in the future while being carried by Krune.

Unfortunately, the plan failed. They lost four Foundation Establishment cultivators, and the mercenary guild is already investigating the issue. It would be fine if there were no witnesses, but the target itself proved to be much stronger than they had predicted. He was already back at the mercenary guild, so there was nothing they could do with him from now on, the question now is if they can avoid disaster.

It was then that a subordinate knocked on the door and then came in.

"Clan head, we received a call from the mercenary guild, they are inviting you to come to the guild to have a conversation."

The clan head started to sweat all over, it was finally here!

"Very well, call them back and tell that I'm heading there as soon as possible."

The subordinate then left and closed the door behind.

"Clan head, this can not continue. By following the leaving registers of the city, it will be easy for them to find out that it was us who sent the attackers. Not to mention that we still have five of our Foundation Establishment members making their way back to the clan. They will definitely be captured before arriving here."

The clan head got upset.

"Shut up! Do you think I don't know that? I don't want to hear what will happen, I want to hear a solution! Did you get any other information from that Krune that we can use?"

The elders shook their heads, but there was one who remembered one thing.

"In the report from our members back at the village, when this Krune cultivates, he absorbs the spiritual energy of over a hundred meters radius. That's already considering that he had spirit stones all around him, would it be possible to pay him to let it go?"

The clan head eyes lit up. Finally, there was an idea. In fact, it was a straightforward one, it's just that since they heard that Krune was a Four Stars Mercenary, they thought that he wouldn't care about spirit stones at all! But if his universe foundation needs so much spiritual energy like it's said in the report, then maybe, just maybe, it might be enough to save their clan that way.

"Alright, let's go with what you said, prepare to leave, I'm heading over there."

Core Formation Cultivators could use their spiritual energy to fly. Still, flying is restricted in Kaley City. Only Divine Soul cultivators are allowed to in the city. It's just that there aren't many of them to start with. The Solie clan obviously wasn't one of the powers with a Divine Soul Realm ancestor.

Back at the mercenary guild, Krune, Ao and Yusa were waiting for the results of the search in one of the rooms provided by the mercenary guild for them to rest. They heard the sound of a door opening when the guild supervisor of the branch came in.

"We got the five Foundation Establishment you had talked about. They are all part of the Solie Clan, and their clan head is coming to the guild to give an explanation. Do you want to take part in the meeting?"

All three of them nodded their heads.

In the meeting room, Zu Solie was waiting. Then, Krune, Ao, and Yusa came in together with the supervisor of the branch.

Zu Solie came forward to greet them first.

"Supervisor Lu, those three should be Krune, Ao, and Yusa, right?"

The three of them didn't look the least bit happy with his greetings, two were supposed to die while one was supposed to become a slave, how could they?

"Clan head Zu Solie, let's cut the bullshit. We already got those five members of your clan. However, I haven't done anything to them yet, and they haven't said anything. Still, they are registered as part of your clan, and we both know that there is no way that they would have moved without your permission."

Zu Solie smiled bitterly, it was here.

"Yes, I was the one who asked them to bring Krune over, and even if I said that it wouldn't be to force him to sign a blood contract, no one would believe me anyway, so I came to make amends."

Supervisor Lu then said

"I wonder what kind of amends you are willing to make for us to let it go? Is there something you can offer Krune and his friends that we can't?"

Zu Solie shook his head.

"We obviously can't offer anything that the mercenary guild can't. But we are willing to pay any price as long as our clan can be left out of the hook, this Clan head's life is also on the table."

They were surprised, Zu Solie was even willing to give his life away to save his clan. He might have tried to kill and slave them, but at least he knows how to protect his own.

Zu Solie continued.

"We heard the little friend Krune needs a lot of spirit stones for his cultivation. If the matter can be resolved with this, we are willing to offer ten thousand Rank Three low-quality spirit stones."

Don't look down on this number. Even after Krune 'paid a visit' to several spiritual vein lakes back in Katiu Forest, he wasn't able to find a single Rank Three spirit stone. The best ones he found were only Rank Two middle grade, and they weren't much.

Not only Krune and Ao were surprised with this amount, Yusa eyes were on fire! She grabbed Krunes arms and started shaking it without stop, this money grubber has already lost her sanity!

Krune also needs spirit stones urgently, not only for his cultivation but also for his Spiritual Energy Meridians. They then looked at supervisor Lu.

Lu Ganan is his full name, and he understood the meaning of their looks.

"I won't lie, this is a considerable fortune in a place like Kaley City. We might be a city, but we are a small one, so this price can indeed help you a lot while you are here. The question is, do you want to spare the Solie Clan?"

Krune then got an idea. They will need support while they are here, the Solie Clan might have tried to do what they did, but they still have some influence in the city.

"If the Solie clan head is willing to sign a blood contract promising that the clan won't try to do anything to my friends or me and also give its full support during the time we are in Kaley City, then I think we can let this matter go. What you two think about it?"

Ao Sulian and Yusa Shen understood what Krune wanted to do. Support would indeed make things much easier in the city and open several doors for them, so they nodded.

Zu Solie also was ecstatic! The Solie clan might have lost almost all of its treasure. Still, they adverted disaster, the money will come in again sooner or later anyway. But if they use this chance to build a good relationship with Krune, this disaster might turn out to be their fortune instead. He then gladly signed the contract, which put a restriction on his soul.

Report chapter

With the situation dealt with, they shared the spirit stones, even though Yusa looked like crying, Krune still got the most of it. A total of Five Thousand Rank Three low-quality spirit stones. Without him, they would probably be dead after all. The fact that the Solie Clan came for him isn't his fault too. Ao then got the second-highest amount, three thousand, and finally, Yusa got two thousand.

The reason that Ao got more was so that he could share his spirit stones with his group. They also helped, so they deserve it. In the end, Ao would be the one with less because of this.

Right after the share was done, Yusa disappeared like smoke. As to where she went, no one knows. Ao went back in the direction of Katiu Forest. He wanted to meet with his group on the way and help then arrive safely at Kaley City.

As for Krune, he was invited by supervisor Lu to go through the procedures to make an ID. After taking his name and a bunch of other information, his ID was made in the place. He couldn't help but feel depressed when he looked at his picture on the monitor. He can't use anything to cover his face or head during that time, so his rainbow hair was appearing for all to see.

He then went out to take a look at the city since this is the first time he enters one after all. The more he knows, the better it is.

The City of Kaley could be said to be small compared with other cities on the continent. Still, as the last stop before the Katiu Forest, it received cultivators of the Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment all year long. It wasn't very modern, but it still had the technology, and Krune had paid attention to the various gadgets when he first entered. But because they were in a hurry, he didn't have time to look at them.

Yusa told him that he should buy a communicator, which will make things easier for them later when they need to talk. Krune had seen wisp hunters using them before, but it was his first time acquiring one. He then found a shop that seemed to be specialized in those things and entered.

An hour later, he left with the communicator... and a bunch of other products.

'Why do I feel like I bought a lot of things I don't need?'

He couldn't be blamed, it was as if his forehead had the worlds 'country bumpkin' written on it. The attendants looked at him like wolves looking at prey. In the end, poor Krune was forced to buy a lot of stuff he didn't have use for. Fortunately, those were non-cultivator items, so he only used gold and silver to pay for them.

The more Krune walked into shops, the bigger the number of useless things he got. Poor Krune was even dragged into a sex shop, and he found a lot of 'tools' with weird names. The attendant kept using 'keywords' while describing their utilities for him. Krune wasn't dumb, he could understand the real use of several of those items. Still, he didn't care much about that, he had long noticed that humans have weird habits, and perhaps this was one of them. He then left the shop with another bunch of items in his spatial ring, the attendant told him that those items can help with the 'relationship' between 'partners.' Hence, Krune bought a few that he thinks Yusa and Ao would like.

'I'm really a very considerate wisp with my friends.'

He also received several 'advice' from the attendant that said they could stimulate the relationship. Krune is a wisp who puts a lot of importance to those close to him, so he mentally noted down all of them.

It was past midday when he started to feel hungry, he then entered a random restaurant and ate to his heart content. The waiters were delighted with such a customer.

Finally, after killing his curiosity. Krune decided to look at the guilds, sects, organizations, and clans information. There were a lot of them, even for a small city like Kaley. He then thought a little and got a conclusion.

'In a certain way, I could be said to be part of the Solei Clan now, so there is no need to look for other clans, sects, or whatever, so I better look for a side profession that could help me make money.'

Krune looked through the list, there were guilds for alchemists, blacksmiths, formations, rune inscribers, puppets, so on and so forth. Krune pondered a bit and decided to check the alchemist guild first. From what he had read in the information, alchemists must have high control over the elements, especially fire and wood. Krune hadn't tried to use wood element before. Still, he is pretty confident in his Myriad Energies Technique, not to mention that his 'friend,' Casfer, is there too.

The alchemist guild was one of the biggest guilds, just like the mercenary one, and it expanded through the entire world. But that was to be expected, alchemist pills have great use during the cultivation path, they can open ports for those who would not be able to pass through. The alchemists are also harder to find than mercenaries. Although members of the mercenary guild must have a combat power higher than their realm, it is still possible to find quite a few of them. Still, alchemists are different. It doesn't only need high control over elements, talent, and intelligence for the profession are also significant factors, so their members' number is much smaller.

Arriving at the Alchemist guild, Krune noticed that crowds were entering and leaving all the time. With just that, he understood how procured the alchemists are. It might be what he needs when talking about making spirit stones.

Inside there were several small rooms used to receive the order requests and the necessary items, and each room had an attendant. Of course, they aren't alchemists, just employees of the guild. They are responsible for taking down the orders of the customers according to which pill they want to be made and their grades. Although there is a lot of people putting down orders, very few of them will get their pills in the end. An alchemist must accept their order and the price they are willing to pay beforehand, but there are very few alchemists and way too many customers. So usually alchemists wouldn't accept orders that aren't worth their time, it is also because of that that alchemists are often filth rich.

Krune didn't go to one of the request rooms, though. He went to the information counter instead. There, he asked the attendant.

"Hello, I'm looking for a friend of mine, he is a one Star Alchemist here in the guild, and his name is Casfer. Can you tell him that Krune has arrived."

The attendant looked at him. Krune was using his hat to cover his hair, so he looked pretty common. He is now famous because of the mercenary guild, but his trademark, the rainbow hair, is being covered now. So not only the attendant but no else had recognized Krune so far. The attendant then shook his head. He had seen a lot of people pretending to know the alchemists to get to talk with them just to beg for a pill to be made, part of his job was to stop such people.

"Brother, this is not the place to joke around. If you want a pill made, go to one of the request rooms and leave your order."

Krune felt puzzled with that answer.

"But I don't need any pill, I'm only here to see him. If you don't believe me, just pass the message that Krune has come, and I'm sure he will come out."

The attendant was annoyed but decided to call over just to check. If it was just to ask Casfer if he knows someone called Krune, then it should be okay. After making the call, he just waited. Not even a minute later, Casfer came rushing from the inside the guild.

"Krune, my friend! You had come!"

The attendant was surprised with such a scene, even though Casfer is only a One Star alchemist, any alchemist of the guild has a high status in the city. For him to treat Krune like that, just who the hell is this Krune guy?

But then he remembered the news about a new rising star of the Mercenary Guild who had the same name. At the foundation establishment, he was specially accepted as a Four Stars Mercenary. He then looked into the information, and sure enough, there was a picture there. He compared the image with Krune, who was using a hat at the moment.

'They are the same!'

He was amazed!

"You are th-"

Before he could even continue, Casfer shouted.

"Shut up! Don't you see he doesn't want to attract attention? Pretend that you didn't see anything, am I clear?"

The attendant swallowed the words he was going to say and just nodded. He almost made a fatal mistake, and he could have totally lost his job. Casfer then looked smiling at Krune.

"Come inside, there are too many people here at the moment, we can have a talk there."

He obviously knows about Krune. Ever since that event with the Lizard Dragons, he has been paying attention to any news regarding any cultivator capable of using several elements. He is one of the very few out there that knows that Krune could use skill merge even before he became a Foundation Establishment. Still, because of the blood contract, he can't tell anyone about that.

Krune was surprised by such a reaction. Since when have they been that close?

Inside of Casfer's alchemist room, Krune was looking around while Casfer was sweating all over.

'He really broke through into the Foundation Establishment! A Foundation Establishment wisp at that! And even created the legendary universe foundation, how is that even possible?'

Krune then looked at Casfer, who looked nervous.

"I'm not that scary, right? I don't intend to do or force you to do anything, I just need your help. I read that to become an alchemist, you need a very high control over elements, so I was thinking about trying to become one. In the end, I thought it would be better to look for you first."

Casfer left a sigh of relief after hearing that, so he only wanted to try to become an alchemist. Casfer didn't think that Krune was wrong about his decision. He could already control elements to such an extent before breaking through the foundation establishment. At least he definitely had the necessary talent.

"If it's just that, then it's easy. Actually, you didn't even need to come to me for that. Outside, there is another room for recruiters. Alchemists are rare, so the guild is always looking for talents, as long as you apply and pay the fee, you would be able to try the comprehensive exam."

Krune was puzzled.

"What is this comprehensive exam about?"

Casfer then explained.

"The guild is willing to take anyone as long as they have the aptitude for alchemy. But how many people out there can even afford the necessary material to start learning? That's where the comprehensive exam takes place! It will not test your alchemy skills but your control over the various elements, especially wood and fire. As long as your results satisfy the criteria, you will be able to start learning alchemy in the guild. They will give the necessary material for study, and you will then have one month to memorize the content in the files. Of course, if you think you don't need an entire month to do that, you can come back earlier for the practical exam since it happens once a week."

"At the practical exam, there will be a few alchemists helping the new recruiters. They will teach how to concoct some simple pills. Still, even if those pills are the easiest ones, they are tough to make for those who are trying it for the first time. Here is where we separate those who can become alchemists from those who can't."

Krune nodded. It seemed very practical.

"How many people pass the exam every time?"

Casfer just laughed at that question.

"To find people with a good talent for elements control isn't very hard, although there are only a few, the number is quite high when they are put together. But the talent for alchemy is something totally different. Usually, we would only find two or three people worth teaching every month."

Krune was surprised that there was so little, no wonder alchemist are so procured.

"Then I will apply for it, do you have anything else to help with it?"

Casfer is under the blood contract, so he has to help if he can.

"Not really, not that I don't want to help but because any information I can give you will be provided by the guild from the start. If it was a few millennia ago, where alchemists tried to keep all their techniques secret, then it would be complicated.

But as time passed, the number of alchemist talents started to decline. The alchemists noticed that it couldn't keep going like that, so that was when the alchemist guild was created. The alchemists who were willing to share their knowledge passed down everything they knew to those who could become alchemists. Since then, all the information about pill making is available in the alchemist guild for study."

Krune then asked.

"What if I try to concoct pills to train before the practical exam?"

Casfer shook his head.

"I wouldn't recommend that. Sure, you will get more proficient at the basic alchemist skills when the exam comes, you might even pass because of that. But in the end, it's all a smoke screen. Sooner or later, your real talent will appear, so it's better to follow the procedures. Those without talent for alchemy not only will not make anything out of it, but they will also lose money since they will keep failing the concocting process."

Krune agreed to that point of view. The exam was made like this so that they could find real alchemists, not medicinal herb wasters. The words 'you will lose money instead' was especially effective on Krune.

Krune left Casfer's private alchemy room and went to apply for the exam. The process was very easy, and the fee wasn't high, just enough to pay for the material used during the practical exam. It shows how much effort the alchemist guild is putting into finding talents. Other than time, the entire process of the intellectual and practical exam is almost free since the guild provides everything.

After that, Krune went back to the mercenary guild. It was quite late, so he decided to go through the comprehensive exam the next day morning. He then stayed in one of the rooms provided by the guild temporarily until he finds a place to move.

After a night of cultivation, Krune had finished feeding his rainbow core. This time, it took him almost 300 Rank Two middle-grade spirit stones until it finally stopped absorbing spiritual energy. Now comes the hard part, which is to reinforce his foundation so that it can resist the breakthrough into the 3rd stage.

Krune then left his room the next morning. He was using some of the clothes he had bought the day prior. Although Krune was 'forced' to buy those clothes from the cloth shops, the attendants still had experience in the area, after all. Krune didn't look too bad in them, as long as he covers his rainbow hair, everything seems fine.

At the meeting room, Yusa was talking with Ao, who had just come back. Supervisor Lu was also there with a few assistants, and they were discussing the Team Ranking System. Due to Ao Sulian friendship with them, Yusa thought that it would be good if he joined the team as the third member.

It was then that they noticed Krune coming into the room, and Yusa was the first to talk.

"So, what you think? Ao Sulian isn't a Two Stars mercenary, but he is someone we can trust. We still need one more member, not to mention that we three got a better understanding of each other during this time."

Krune nodded.

"Indeed. In fact, I was also thinking the same, it all depends on him now."

Krune and Yusa looked at him, which made Ao laugh.

"No problem for me, we did get quite close together, and I also think this is a good opportunity for a One Star Mercenary like me."

They then discussed with supervisor Lu about the procedures to enter the ranking system. An hour later, they were finished.

Supervisor Lu and the others then just waited to see if Krune's group needed something else.

Yusa then looked at Krune and asked.

"So, how was it? This was your first time in the city, is there anything you need?"

Yusa knows that this is Krune's first time in a city, so he certainly had checked it out.

"It was pretty good, this technology thing is very convenient, and I even bought that communicator you asked me to."

He then remembered something.

"Right, I bought you a few gifts, the attendant said that they can boost our relationship."

He then took out some very nice 'relationship-related' items and gave her. There were quite a few different ones, the most eye-catching were the hardcore items like the whip and the cuffs.

Yusa almost fainted with her face as red as a tomato!

Ao Sulian, Lu Ganan, and his assistants opened their mouths wide! Supervisor Lu couldn't help but comment.

"Cough, cough. Well, those are quite some interesting plays you two like to have."

Before Yusa could even reply, Krune took out a few more and gave them to Ao Sulian.

"They said that if you use them right, our ties will get stronger, so you can use them when you have time."

Ao Sulian almost vomited blood.

Supervisor Lu and his assistants' eyes almost popped out of their sockets. Lu Ganan looked at Krune and Ao Sulian first, and then at Yusa last, and he could only ask.

"Is this the legendary threesome?"

Krune was as indifferent as ever, if anything, he looked a little excited to be able to give some gifts for his friends.

"No need to thank me, it's all in order to improve our relationship!"

Yusa fainted right there and then, and Ao finally vomited blood too. They passed out just like that.

Report chapter

The next day morning, Krune's body was aching all over. He received a through and through beating from Yusa yesterday. At first, he dodged her attacks since he couldn't understand why she attacked him out of no where. But then she looked at Supervisor Lu hatefully, Lu Ganan felt a shill on his back, and he understood what she wanted. In the end, he could only think.

'Krune, don't blame me, it was all your fault.'

He then released his spiritual energy and locked Krune in place. Lu Ganan is a 5th stage Core Formation Realm cultivator, so Krune had no way to fight against him, and he then became the target of Yusa's fury.

Krune was feeling wronged, he had bought them gifts, and in return, he got a beating instead. He was pretty sure that humans like to give gifts to each other. Could it be that he was wrong?

It was only after Yusa vented her anger and left that Lu Ganan released Krune. Ao Sulian then could see that Krune was lost in a daze. He came forward and started to explain why she got angry like that. It was only after an entire hour of discussion that Krune finally understood a little more about the humans' habits, and he couldn't help but sigh.

"You humans are too complicated."

Ao Sulian sighed helplessly. Those are all common knowledge. It's just that this guy has never been out of the Katiu Forest before. But he couldn't get angry at Krune after all. He understood that Krune really had the best intentions. It's just that his common sense needs a little more polishing.

In fact, if it was a normal demon beast who had a gender before acquiring a human form, they would more or less understand those delicate topics. However, wisps have no gender before acquiring human form, so they have no knowledge what so ever about such situations. As mentioned before, a wisp's gender is decided by their personality, so Krune only got to become a man after he broke through the Foundation Establishment and got his human form.

Don't misunderstand Krune's knowledge. Even before he got his human form, he knew about the reproductive acts of the other races and their gender differentiation. He lived in the Katiu Forest for four years, after all. The forest doesn't have only demon beasts, it also has common animals that haven't cultivated yet. He had seen quite a few during their 'offspring creation' acts, it's just that he had never given a damn to them.

'I will have just to apologize next time I see Yusa.'

Krune started to think about the time he promised that he would marry Feifei, he always thought that marriage was basically about getting permission to have children. Still, it seemed like to have more to that.

Krune shook his head and put those thoughts on the back of his mind, he then decided to leave.

Krune went to the alchemist guild to take the Comprehensive Test. After arriving there, he could see Casfer waiting for him.

"Is there anything?"

Casfer then said through Divine Sense.

"Not really, I just wanted to see how you will perform. You were able to control more than one element at the same time before you even became a Foundation Establishment, so I'm just curious about the results now that you had become one."

Krune then nodded. He was also curious about how good it would be.

Inside the test room, there were quite a few people or demon beasts in human form, and they were waiting for the tests to start. It's not that if you failed once that you can't try again since the higher your realm, the better your control. Of course, each one of the cultivation realms had a specified level of control required for it. If not, some foundation establishment cultivators would easily pass because of their cultivation realm, and that's not considered talent at all.

The exam started, and the contestants entered one by one. The test itself was very fast, though. There was a sensor machine that was capable of measuring the control exerted over the elements by the cultivators. They just need to put their hand in the sensor and use their spiritual energy to manipulate the elements. As to how they should do it? That depends on each one! Every person had their own way of how to manipulate the elements the way they felt it to be better, and the equipment only calculated how good it was.

On a big monitor at the front, the test results appeared one after another. The highest number possible was 3000, while the clearance mark was 1250. So far, over twenty cultivators had tried the test, but only two passed the element control test.

Krune's time arrived, and when he was in front of the machine, he pondered how he should manipulate the elements. It was a hard question for him, that's because he simply used his spiritual energy to manipulate the elements however he wished. He had never thought about a better way to do that, he just willed, and that was it. As long as he practiced, he could pretty much do anything with the elements in his control.

The examiner that was overseeing the test looked at Krune puzzled.

"Why are you taking so long to start? Just go ahead and try in any way you like. The sensor will be able to analyze it doesn't matter what you do."

Krune then sighed. Since he doesn't know, then he won't think about it.

'The machine was going to calculate how good I am at manipulating elements. Does it mean that I will be tested on every single one? No, that's not possible. If we go deep into this thought, there are some elements that people aren't good at, and they wouldn't use it during the test. Since that's the case, I will go with fire, wind, and water, these are the ones that I'm most familiar with after all.'

He put his hands in the sensor and manipulated the elements to form different figures with each element. He then kept changing their forms, it made him remember the time he did something similar in front of Feifei. Still, he forgot one thing, he is manipulating all three elements at the same time! When the examiner saw that, he almost fainted.

'Three elements! Three elements at once! This guy is clearly a 2nd stage Foundation Establishment, how is he doing that?'

Of course, even if Krune is manipulating three elements at the same time, the sensor only calculates how good he is at controlling them. It doesn't care whether he can control one or ten thousand at once, so it worked as it should, it's just that the test results...

People were looking at the results on the display when suddenly, someone called Krune jumped to the top of the list. Not only did he jump straight into the first place, but his results were also outrageous! 2796 points! The max result possible is 3000, and Krune almost got it! They can't even compare with the results of the two who passed before since they only had 1317 and 1479 points each, it's even more than the double of the passing mark!

Casfer was looking at it from a distance, and he couldn't help but feel sad. How good would it be if it was him who had such control over the elements? He then sighed and just left.

Krune looked at his results and left a sigh of relief, he then looked at the examiner and asked.

"It means that I passed the first test, doesn't it?"

The examiner nodded his head absently minded. Krune then went out to take his studies materials, and they were transferred into his communicator so that he can access them any time he wants. Krune couldn't help but praise this thing, this communicator is really convenient! As someone who lived in the middle of the forest for so long, this technological world is a sight to behold.

While Krune was going back to his room in the Mercenary Guild to study, the Alchemist guild was in the middle of chaos. Someone achieved 2796 points during the element control test, and not only that, he did it while controlling three elements at the same time! But when the guild administrators came out to check this new recruit, they found out that he had left already.

The guild supervisor, Go Gao, and the Four Stars alchemist, Julies Rof, were discussing this issue in the main hall. Julies then looked at Go Gao and said.

"How could he have left? This result is unprecedented bellow the Core Formation Realm, he should have waited!"

Go Gao replied indignantly.

"I don't know, but we have the ID details the was used to apply for the exam, go take a look, and let's pay him a visit."

Julies nodded.

"That's the best we can do at the moment."

Julies then left to retrieve the information, and a few minutes later, she was back. She had a weird look on her face, though. Go Gao noticed that something was wrong and asked.

"Is his identity sensitive?"

Julies nodded.

"I found out who he is. Do you remember the new rising star that appeared a week ago in the mercenary guild?"

Supervisor Go pondered a bit before answering.

"You mean that guy with a rainbow hair who got a Four Stars Badge while still at the Foundation Establishment? Wait, you couldn't be saying-"

Julies then let out a sigh.

"Correct, this is him. It's just that when he came to take the exam, he was using a hat to cover his hair, it seems like he didn't want to attract attention."

Supervisor Go then felt gloomy, the mercenary guild isn't the least bit weaker than the alchemist guild. Not to mention that they made an exception and gave Krune a Four Stars Mercenary badge, it goes to show how much importance they put on him. But then he said.

"Let's wait a month. Since Krune came for the comprehensive exam, it means that he intends to become an alchemist as well. Did he retrieve the studies material?"

Julies nodded, then Go Gao continued.

"It means that he should be back in at most a month for the practical exam. Make sure to pay attention to when he comes, and it's not because he has a month to study that it will take him that long to come back. After he undergoes the practical examination, we can make a decision about this issue. If it turns out that all he has is good control of the elements but no talent for alchemy, then we will simply ignore those results. The alchemist guild needs alchemists, not element manipulators."

Julies agreed with Go Gao, they had seen people with great control over the elements before, after all. In the end, most of them didn't have the talent necessary for alchemy itself. It is better for them to wait and see what happens.

Julies then commented.

"It seems that a One Star alchemist of our guild is his friend, should we call him over?"

Supervisor Go shook his head.

"No, let it go. Since Krune left straight away, then it means that he doesn't want to be bothered, so we shouldn't scare him away."

Julies didn't say anything else and just left.

Krune was back at the mercenary guild where he bumped at Yusa, and she was clearly holding a grudge at him still.

"Ao Sulian already explained to me that those are not good gifts to give to the others, so I would like to apologize, I won't buy them again."

Yusa was still looking cold at him, though.

Krune then pondered a bit and remembered something. He then took out 50 Rank Three low-quality spirit stones.

"These are yours if you let it go."

Yusa's eyes moved a little, but she still didn't relent. Krune took out an extra 50 spirit stones.

Yusa looked happier, but at the same time, she once more didn't say anything.

Krune then gritted his teeth and took another 100 spirit stones, and he now had 200 Rank Three low-quality spirit stone in front of him.

"200 hundred! That's my limit, if you don't let it go, then forget it!"

Yusa finally showed a bright smile.

"Oh brother, look at you, there was no need for that! I know you had the best intentions when you bought those gifts for me! Your sister here will accept them as a token of your sincerity then, let's look after each one in the future."

She then put the spirit stones in her spatial ring and left, while Krune was left behind, feeling like crying again.

'Forget it, it was my fault for not having done better research on it. I will just consider it another unlucky day. Fortunately, I didn't use the sex shop guy advice.'

Krune then went back to his room, and there were things thrown everywhere. He had spent quite some time over the equipment of the human world, trying to understand how they work. All for the sake of knowledge! Although he obviously can't make the electronics himself, he at least now understands how and why they worked. But he wasn't planning to delve further in these things. He just wanted to be able to use them efficiently.

He sat down on his bed and opened the studies file from the alchemist guild. He had to memorize all the data, and they basically showed all the medicinal herbs available for new alchemists and their properties. Although these are only the herbs for One Star alchemists, the list was enormous! Fortunately, Krune is a wisp! Wisps are innately intelligent, let alone him who had his soul tempered several times and is already at the Foundation Establishment Realm. It was way too easy! Krune only had to read it once, and if he wanted, he wouldn't forget them anymore.

Night came, and Krune stopped his studies. He had already memorized over half of the herbs. Still, nighttime was for cultivation, he won't forget who he is, time is what Krune needs most, so he can't stop cultivating no matter what.

The day came, and Krune finished his cultivation. At least he doesn't have the need to sleep, so it saves a lot of time for him.

'The way it is going, it will take me around three months to reinforce my planet foundation enough for me to attack the 3rd stage. I need to find a way to make it faster.'

He then remembered that the mercenary guild has a lot of items available for sale. After he arrived at the salesroom and opened the list of items available, he found what he was looking for.

'Five Elements Liquid, capable of help with the foundation progress. By consuming it, the speed that one's foundation reinforcement is accelerated by 20% to 30% for around 8 days.'

'Price: 900 Rank Two middle-quality spirit stones.'

Krune was ecstatic, that was exactly the type of item he needed. He then took his Mercenary Badge out and tried to buy it, but then a message appeared on the screen.

'User doesn't have the necessary ranking points for the purchase, please put more effort during your missions and come back to try again.'

Krune was taken aback, then he looked at the bottom, and sure enough, there was a specific number of ranking points necessary to unlock the item for sale.

Earth Rank Points Necessary: Not available

Sky Rank Points Necessary: 1200

Heaven Rank Points Necessary: 190

Krune was sad.

'Seems like that just lazily cultivating won't work.'

He then video called Yusa and Ao through the communicator.

"I want to buy an item from the mercenary store, but I don't have the necessary ranking points. Are you interested in starting a mission to make some points?"

Ao was the first to reply.

"It's good that you mentioned it! I'm at the peak of the 3rd stage, and I want to buy a Three Stars Spiritual Explosion pill from the mercenary guild to help in my breakthrough. I went to the alchemist guild, but the price they are asking is too high. It's cheaper to get it from the mercenary guild since they also have alchemists that are part of the guild. So I will need 650 Ranking points."

Yusa then commented.

"I don't have anything I need at the moment, but those points will definitely come in hand in the future. It will also put us on the ranking system, which might bring good jobs for us later. If we don't complete at least one mission, our team name won't appear on the list."

Krune nodded, he doesn't want to catch more attention, fortunately, the rank system allows for the team members names to be hidden. He then thought about something and asked.

"By the way, what is our team name on the ranking system?"

Krune saw Yusa giving a bright smile on the other side of the video call, and he immediately had a foreboding feeling. Yusa then said.

"You will love it! Since you are the strongest member of our group, I decided to register it as..."

"The Rainbow Team."

Krune, for an instant, seriously considered if he should just leave this team and look for another one himself. It couldn't be that hard to find one with his Four Stars Badge, right?

"You did that on purpose, right?"

Yusa replied

"Of course, this is the best name we could have, it will help us to be recognized after all."

Krune looked even more depressed.

"But you know I hate to attract attention!"

Yusa kept smiling.

"Yeap, this is my revenge for the sex shop event."

She then laughed hard. Krune, on the other hand, got angry on the other side.

"You said that you would let it go!"

Yusa didn't care, though.

"And I did, but I didn't say that there would be no return. Anyway, this is not a bad thing to start with. If people can recognize that you are in this team, maybe we can get better opportunities! Even if our position isn't that high, we need more ranking points in the future, right? This is the way to go if you want that."

Krune begrudgingly accepted that reason. Since that's already done, then let it be, no point in keep thinking about that. Ao Sulian then tried to smooth the mood.

"Alright then, since it's already decided, let's go with it. Let's meet at the mission hall in an hour. We can choose a mission there or more than one to get the points we need."

Krune and Yusa nodded, but before Krune finished the call, he asked Yusa.

"If we are entering the ranking system only now, wouldn't it be too late? Those who have been there for a long time should already have an outrageous amount of points, no?"

Yusa then replied straight away.

"There is no need to worry. The ranking system is reset every six months, and the last reset just so happens to have been three weeks ago. So everyone in the rank now doesn't have that many points. Besides, what we need are the points, not the position in the rank itself. So even if we were at the end of the six months cycle, we could still make the points to buy what we need."

Krune understood, humans really have very practical systems.

Krune, Yusa, and Ao met in the mission hall an hour later. Yusa then opened the channel with the missions available for them.

"There are quite a few. Ao needs 650 points, so how many points you need, Krune?"

Krune replied

"I need 1200 points."

Yusa nodded.

"That's quite a lot. Fortunately, the points received are the same for everyone. As long as we get 1200 points, it will be enough. As I can see here, the missions capable of giving us that amount and are safe at the same time will take too long to complete. However, if we go for something more challenging, then we should be able to get enough points in three to five days."

They looked at each other, and the answer was obvious. Since they entered the ranking system, they might as well put the effort.

"The challenging ones it is then! Te point system rewards according to the mission level and the difference in cultivation between the recommended cultivation realm and the cultivation of the highest realm member in the group. Our highest cultivation level is the 3rd stage of Foundation Establishment. So if we get a mission for one realm stage higher and complete it, we will get a 15% bonus, 30% for two stages, and 50% for three stages. This is the limit. The guild won't allow mercenaries to take missions that are too out of their scope."

They then went through the list.

"The majority of missions are inside danger zones. That is to be expected, outside danger zones are pretty safe, so there isn't much that needs mercenaries.

Oh! I found one here, it's in the Kaliu Zone, and the employer is an alchemist of the alchemist guild of Rore City, which is the closest one to Kaliu. He needs the blood of a 5th stage or higher Foundation Establishment blazing alligator, the guild is offering 900 ranking points for the mission."

Ao found something wrong.

"That doesn't make sense, this mission shouldn't be able to give this many points, try to see if there is something wrong about blazing alligators."

Yusa then did a quick research in the guild system.

"Found it! The reason they are offering this much is that blazing alligators live very deep into the zone. Still, because they live close to the lava and have big groups, other higher-level beasts don't bother them. The problem is to enter and leave the place in one piece. If we accept this one, we will need to reach the alligators without catching the attention of the other higher-level beasts in the area."

Krune doesn't have experience about those issues, so he asked.

"All foundation establishment demon beast already have a conscience, isn't it possible to talk through in case we stumble on some?"

Yusa shook her head.

"You are mistaken here. A demon beast that can take their human form can indeed leave the danger zones and even live a normal life in the cities too. But they are, after all, demon beasts, and the danger zones are their habitat. Even if some race is at odds with another, when it comes to hunting of demon beasts materials, all demon beast of the Foundation establishment and higher are pretty much of the same mind. Kill all those who try."

Yusa continued.

"Think about it. If you could just talk to them to let you pass, soon, thousands of mercenaries, even those who are demon beasts too, will find all kinds of excuses to achieve their objectives. Like this, the demon beasts in the danger zones will be wiped out sooner or later."

Yusa then concluded.

"Not to mention, the government also doesn't want it to happen. Although it's not written on paper, danger zones are considered the places where talents can be tempered. If the danger zones disappear, soon there will be no more places to train the rookies in life and death situations. The country will then lose power and suffer the risk of being attacked by other countries, that's not what they want."

Krune understood, but then he thought about something.

"But what happens if, for example, a team made of only demon beasts is made to go after the other demon beasts necessary for a mission?"

Yusa then laughed out loud.

"If a team like that really tries, then they would be courting death. Do you really think that the areas where demon beasts can be hunted have no one overseeing? Too naive! The high-level demon beasts like the Divine Soul ones will always keep an eye open for this kind of team trying to take advantage of the fact that they are not humans. They will not intervene if normal groups are to try to attack even if those groups have demon beasts in the middle. That's because they can't conceal the fact that they are together. But let's say if a group of demon beasts never seen before appears in their zones and suddenly attacks another group of demon beasts taking away their blood or other materials. Only an idiot wouldn't understand what is happening. Such a group is fated to be wiped out unless they are extremely lucky."

Krune then asked.

"In that case, couldn't those high-level demon beasts wipe out any group that enters deep into the danger zones straight away? Wouldn't it prevent them from causing any damage to the beasts who live there?"

This time, it was Ao who shook his head.

"No! If they really do that, then they will have problems in nurturing their own races. It's not only humans who seek demon beasts materials. The demon beasts also can kill the humans instead and take away their dantians or the items in their spatial rings, for example. Do you think that only demon cores can be used for cultivation? The only difference between a demon core and a dantian is the properties of their spiritual energy. As for the rest, they are pretty much the same, and both are full of spiritual energy! Since humans can use demon cores for cultivation, why wouldn't demon beasts use dantians for the same purpose?"

Krune nodded, it indeed made a lot of sense. Ao then continued.

"So in the eyes of the high-level cultivators, be it humans or demon beasts, danger zones are the best place to train their forces and nurture their talents. I've heard that the Divine Soul Realm humans and demon beasts even have some dealings regarding this issue."

Krune had been a wisp at the Qi Condensation realm for the most part of his life, so he had never been told about those agreements. But after thinking a little, it indeed was the best solution for both sides. Today, his eyes have been opened. The relationship between humans and demon beasts isn't as simple as he always thought. Yusa then said.

"Alright, let's go back to the main issue. How should we approach the blazing alligators without alarming the other demon beasts?"

Krune then raised his hand.

"Although my cultivation realm is still at the 2nd stage, my Divine Sense is different. I can spread it over 6 kilometers, so unless a demon beast with a Divine Sense as powerful as mine appears, we should be fine. Because of the power of my Divine Sense, I don't believe any demon beast of the 7th stage or below can even notice it. Those above 7th stages might notice my Divine Sense. Still, the range of their own Divine Sense shouldn't be as big as mine, so they won't be able to tell from where it came. Demon beasts have smaller Divine Sense coverage in general, after all."

Yusa and Ao were surprised. Ao then commented.

"I knew that your Divine Sense was strong, but I didn't think it was this outrageous! How did you do that? My own Divine Sense can barely surpass 1700 meters."

Yusa also nodded.

"I'm a little better, I put some effort into the soul while cultivating, so my Divine Sense can reach 2000 meters, but it is still a far cry from yours."

Krune then smiled and let out his sure-kill excuse.

"It became like this after I built my universe foundation."

That answer made Ao and Yusa depressed, this fuc*ing universe foundation again! They even cogitated the idea of cripple their cultivation and start again so that they could try to build one themselves, but they soon gave up the idea. Let alone have to cultivate from zero, can they even succeed in creating a universe foundation? Yusa and Ao stopped the simply stopped thinking about that.

"Then it's decided, blazing alligator blood it is!"

The three nodded and applied for the job. The time limit was two weeks. Although the mission itself would only take a few days, the travel from Rore City to the danger zone inner parts, and it's way back would take a lot longer.

Yusa the commented.

"Usually, we would need to use the teleportation formation of the mercenary guild. But since we now have the Solie clan, we might as well use theirs. Best of all, it will be free!"

Krune and Ao looked at each other, even Ao came to understand what type of woman Yusa is by now. They simply shook their heads and didn't say anything else, they could only pit Zu Solie at this moment.

Back at the Solie clan, Zu Solie sneezed.

"Is someone thinking about me?"

After teleporting to Rore City, they went to the Alchemist guild to talk with their employer. His name was Zuve Lie, a Two Stars Alchemist. When he saw Krune and his group, he couldn't help but shook his head. He thought that their cultivation level is too low. Still, since they accepted the mission, he gave them the necessary information regardless.

The Mercenary Guild doesn't stop several teams from taking the same job. It will only give a notice to the next team that a group is already in the middle of the task. If they don't mind, they can take the job too, but the reward will only be given to those who finish the mission first. Zuve only has to wait for the next one to come, and he doesn't care if they are courting death or not. Besides, if they can really get what he wants, then it will be even better.

After signing the agreement at the city gate, the three of them pressed forward. They have two weeks to finish the job, or they will get their reward points reduced.

It would take some time before Krune's group arrived at the deep parts of the danger zone, so Krune doesn't need to use his Divine Sense at the moment. He spent his days training a new water skill, and it was none other than the Solie Clan's Myriad Water Dragons. Yusa, who also practiced water element as main, couldn't help but envy Krune's talent. On the third day, Krune could already perform that attack at the same level as the Solie Clan guy from before, and his proficiency is only increasing! By the time they arrive at the blazing alligators' nest, Krune will have a powerful card against fire-type demon beasts like them.

Ao was also impressed with Krune, but that wasn't because of his Myriad Water Dragon, but because of his Wind Movement. Ao is a wind element user, after all. Although Ao could keep up with Krune, that was because Krune was holding himself back so that Yusa can keep up the pace. Ao isn't a prideful person, so on the very first day, he started to discuss with Krune how to use his wind element better. He was impressed with Krune's view of the wind element, and it helped his own control over the wind element to improve by leaps and bounds. Ao is confident that when they come back to Kaley City, he will definitely be able to become a Two Stars Mercenary!

Yusa was even more straight forward, and she is quite a shameless woman to start with. She directly asked Krune how she could improve her water element, and Krune, of course, did his best to help both parties. The stronger they are, the safer his group will be.

It was then that he noticed something.

'Their control over the water and wind element got a lot better after I gave them pointers. It seems like the Myriad Energies Technique isn't good only to help me control elements, it's just as good to help me comprehend their properties. It makes it quite easy for me to see the flaws in their element control. I believe I can use my own comprehension to teach others about their short comes in element manipulation now.'

Krune was right. His technique helped him to understand the elements much better than others. As long as he wants, he can teach them to improve their skills much faster.

Just like that, four days passed. With their cultivation level and speed, they were already inside the inner parts Kaliu Zone. Noticing that, Yusa turned to Krune and Ao and said.

"Alright, we now are counting on you to guide the way, and I will check the map while we move. Ao will scout around more or less 500 meters ahead since Krune can't keep his Divine Sense active 100% of the time. He will need to use it once every few minutes so that he can keep his spiritual energy at peak state in case of emergencies. So you keep an eye in case some demon beast comes close during the times he isn't using it."

Krune and Ao nodded, the danger zones might not have the signal for long-distance communication. Still, if they are close by, then they can reach each other through their communicators.

"Let's go!"

They moved forward quite fast, with Krune's gigantic Divine Sense, it was quite easy to avoid meaningless battles. It wasn't perfect though, two demon beasts had slipped in during the few minutes that Krune wasn't using it. But with his group strength, unless a 7th stage appears, they will pretty much be able to deal with it.

Another reason to avoid battles was so that they wouldn't alarm the stronger beasts. This deep into the danger zone will not have Core Formation Realm beasts. Still, there is a chance of an 8th or even a 9th stage Foundation Establishment beast appearing if they make too much noise.

By the time they were getting close to their target, the strength of the beasts entering Krune's Divine Sense had got higher too and he even found two 7th stage ones. Still, just as he expected, unless it's a demon beast specialized in the soul, they couldn't notice his Divine Sense.

Yusa looked on the map and then commented.

"We are more or less 500 kilometers away from the blazing alligators' lair, it should only take two hours before we arrive."

Ao replied through the communicator.

"That's good, thanks to Krune's pointers, my wind element manipulation got much better during this trip. I'm very confident that I can hold my own against a 5th stage ordinary beast if all I need to do it buy time too. I should even be able to defeat one 4th stage if I put some effort too."

Yusa agreed, Krune's views about element manipulation had opened her eyes too.

"Our target is the blazing alligators, as a water element user and Krune's previous help, I think I should be able to defeat a 5th stage one. Of course, that's because I counter their main element."

Krune looked a little embarrassed since he wasn't used to people praising him.

"You can stop already, this is making me uncomfortable. All I did is point out where you were doing wrong, the rest was all up to you two to figure out, so I had nothing to do with that. Each person's view of the elements isn't exactly the same after all."

Yusa and Ao laughed at that, he then noticed something.

"You were doing it on purpose too!"

They confessed that he was right. Krune is very easy to tease, and it feels very good too.

Krune then sighed helplessly, but he quite liked this atmosphere. Until a few months ago, it wasn't something common for him.

Suddenly, Krunes face changed.

"Not good! Ao, retreat now!"

Ao Sulian noticed that something was wrong, he didn't delay even for a split of a second and rushed back at full speed.

Boom!

Just a second later, after leaving his standing place, the ground caved in! Inside, one could see two red eyes coming out. Krune's Divine Sense can reach over six kilometers above the ground. However, it couldn't do the same underground. It was only when that demon beast was a hundred meters away from Ao that Krune finally saw it. Fortunately, Divine Sense communication is faster than any gadget, and one can send their thoughts into their companions' minds straight away.

The three of them looked at the demon beast in front of them, and it was an Earth-Dragon. Although it has a dragon on its name, it isn't a real dragon. He is just like the Lizard Dragons. The difference is that the concentration of Dragon Blood in his body is much higher than the former, making him much stronger than ordinary 7th stage beasts. Of course, because of that, it wouldn't be able to take the human form before it achieves the late Core Formation Realm. In the end, Divine beasts bloodline has its own disadvantages too.

"You are quite fast to be able to dodge that, and I was pretty sure no one had noticed me coming. But that's that, to think that two 3rd stage and one 2nd stage Foundation Establishment cultivators would come this far into the Kaliu Danger Zone. It would have been faster if you had simply suicided, don't you think?"

Yusa then smiled.

"Since we are going to die anyway, why don't you let us go? It won't make difference to you anyway, right?"

The Earth Dragon shook his head.

"Even a mosquito's meat is still meat, why should I let it go?"

The Earth Dragon didn't even wait for them to answer and attacked straight away! He even targeted Krune because he had the smallest cultivation.

The three of them spread their Divine Sense out to be able to communicate and immediately dodged. Still, just because this Earth Dragon is a defense type demon beast, it didn't mean that it was slow. One has to pay attention to the difference in their cultivation levels too.

To the Earth Dragon's surprise, Krune was able to avoid his attack and, he was faster than Ao Sulian earlier. But this earth dragon had a vast experience in battle, and it immediately used his earth element attacks to bind Krune in place. However, just as it hit the target, Krune's figure turned into water! It wasn't Krune who did that, but Yusa instead!

Water Frame!

During the days they were moving into the deeper parts of the danger zone, the group discussed about their own abilities as to better coordinate during times of peril.

The Earth Dragon Divine Sense caught Krune's silhouette appearing close to Yusa. That type of water skill was tough to see through, even for it.

Ao wasn't doing nothing either, he was using his own wind piercing and wind blade attacks to target the Earth Dragons eyes. Ao is, in fact, a sword user. Still, he knows he doesn't have the attack power to breach the defense of the Earth Dragon, so he can only use such methods to distract the Earth-Dragon. At the same time, Krune prepared an attack strong enough to kill or at least force it into retreating.

Sure enough, the Earth Dragon got annoyed with Ao's barrage of attacks. Although it could use its divine sense to see the battlefield, it felt really uncomfortable to not being able to keep its eyes open. But it didn't fall for Ao's provocation because it was angry, it just thought that Krune and Yusa had no way of doing anything to it. Krune was faster than Ao, but the Earth Dragon thought that because of it, Krune's attack power wasn't anything worth looking at. As for Yusa, she is obviously a water element user, so her attacks have minimal effect on him.

Krune's eyes lit up, and he immediately focused his power to create 62 blazing wind blades! He can't use his stone or water prison on that Earth Dragon, though. The first doesn't have the power to hold a demon beast with cultivation much higher than his own, and the second didn't have enough power to breach the Dragon's defense.

With Ao's Wind Movement and Yusa's Water Frame skills, they were able to hold the Dragon for a few seconds, enough to bring it's attention away from Krune. Still, there is one thing puzzling Ao and Yusa. Demon beasts are usually stronger in their real forms. However, Krune is still using his human form even in a dangerous moment like this. Could it be that he doesn't trust the two of them enough to show his real form? But then, they discarded such an idea. If it was really the case, they could have simply signed a blood contract stating that they shouldn't reveal Krune's real form to anyone, the problem would have been resolved as easy as that.

Krune was in a dilemma, and it's not that he doesn't trust both of them. It's just that after he heard that even Divine Soul Demon Beast Cultivators keep an eye open for the situation in the danger zones, he is afraid of catching their attention. For now, he could only try to do what he can in his human form.

The chance finally appeared.

"Skill merge! Blazing Wind Blades!"

All 62 Blazing Wind Blades were aimed at the same point! The Earth Dragon, who wasn't paying any attention to Krune a second ago, felt danger approaching. When it used its Divine Sense to check, it could see a sea of fiery red blades coming at it. Fast! Really Fast! It was already too late to dodge too! The Earth Dragon then focused all of its spiritual energy on his scales, using the earth element to strengthen them!

Blood spurted out and was burnt away as soon as it left its body. The Earth Dragon couldn't help but roar in pain. Krune had left a gruesome injury close to his neck. If the Earth Dragon hadn't noticed the Blazing Wind Blades in time, it wouldn't have reinforced its scales with the earth element, and death would be the only outcome.

Krune started to sweat a little. To use so many Blazing Wind Blades at the same time is quite hard, even for himself. Not to mention that because he is in his human body, he has to circulate spiritual energy through his body before he can use any skill. That's the main reason for him to be weaker in human form.

The Earth Dragon got up, and it looked at Krune in hatred. It almost died just now and then. So it decided to get rid of Krune before dealing with his companions first. The Earth Dragon immediately pounced at Krune while using its Earth Element to stop him from dodge. But Krune still had his friends with him, now that the Earth Dragon is focusing Krune, they had the space to act as they liked. Ao kept doing his best to disturb the Earth-Dragon. At the same time, Yusa kept using her Water Frame to save Krune every time he couldn't dodge.

The Earth Dragon then noticed a problem, the injury on its body was too deep, and its blood kept flowing out. If it continued like this, it would have to flee, but how many battles had it gone through before? It then used Krune to get close to his companions without them noticing. Just when it was about to pounce at Krune another time, a water frame appeared in front of Krune again. Still, the Earth Dragon was waiting for it. It didn't know if Yusa could use two water frames at the same time to deceive its sense, but it felt it was worth a try. At worst, it would just flee since these cultivators won't be able to follow it underground anyway.

The moment the water frame appeared, the Earth Dragon changed direction and pounced at Yusa instead. Krune's group wasn't expecting that at all, and sure enough, Yusa couldn't use two water frames at the same time. She had just used one in front of Krune, so she can't use it again straight away. Krune was too far away, so he wouldn't get there in time. Yusa also doesn't have the necessary speed to dodge, and just as the Earth Dragon was about to kill Yusa, Ao appeared between them. He had a formation runestone in his hand, and it was a protection formation. As long as it is charged with enough spiritual energy, it can be activated at any time. Ao had kept charging it ever since the Earth Dragon appeared. It is another one-time-use runestone, and now was the time to use it!

A barrier then appeared in front of Yusa and Ao, and the Earth Dragon's attack that should have killed Yusa hit the barrier instead. But how could a barrier created with the spiritual energy of a 3rd stage Foundation Establishment cultivator resist the attack? It only lasted a split of a second before breaking apart. After that, Yusa and Ao were sent flying!

Fortunately, the barrier had enough power to reduce the damage, so they didn't die even though they received severe injuries. The Earth Dragon didn't waste time, and those two wouldn't be able to dodge the next attack with those injuries. It also knows that Krune couldn't use that many fiery blades so fast either, so he wouldn't be able to save them. The Dragon then immediately pounced at Yusa and Ao.

It was at this moment that it felt extreme danger coming from behind, which didn't make sense! That 2nd stage Foundation Establishment guy shouldn't be able to use that many fiery blades to attack again so soon. When the Earth Dragon used its Divine Sense to check, the human form beast cultivator was nowhere to be seen. However, right above his dragon head, there was something that shouldn't have been there. It had a spiritual energy body, but the strange part is that that spiritual energy body was completely red! Crimson red! The Dragon couldn't help but think.

'Is that a wisp?'

It was the Earth Dragon's last thought.

Krune was enraged, and his body crimson because of his madness! When he saw that his companions were about to die, he completely threw caution to the wind! He reverted into his true form and used his wind movement. Now that his human body wasn't in the way, his control over the spiritual energy soared. The weight of his body wasn't a hindrance anymore, too, so he immediately appeared above the Earth-Dragon. All around Krune, one could see that over a hundred Blazing Wind Blades had taken form! Not only were there more blades, but they were also even more powerful than any other he had ever used! Krune used all the spiritual energy available to him till almost the last bit.

The blades showered down, and the Earth Dragon didn't even have the time to focus on its defense. Its body was cut into hundreds of pieces to the point that even its demon core was split in half! The energy inside the core then released all the spiritual energy like an explosion! In the end, the Earth Dragon was no more!

Ao and Yusa looked at that amazed! They saw the entire process. They saw the moment Krune reverted to his wisp form till the moment he killed the Earth-Dragon. They thought they would die, but Krune reverted the situation in the last second. Still, they simply couldn't believe that Krune was a wisp! Where have they ever seen a Foundation Establishment wisp before?

Krune's crimson spiritual energy body reverted back to the wisps natural white blue one. Still, his energy body was very dim at the moment. Even his core could totally be seen. As for Krune himself, he had never used so much spiritual energy at once before. In the end, he lost his consciousness. He floated there without moving, just like that.

Yusa was the first to come back to herself. She struggled to get up while looking at Krune and then told Ao.

"Hurry, we need to leave, there will be demon beasts flocking this area very soon. We need to leave and hide, we are in no condition to battle anymore."

Ao nodded, he got up and rushed at Krune, he grabbed Krune's core and left with Yusa. He also helped her on their way out since he was a little better than Yusa after the attack. Thanks to his faster reactions, his condition was the best one at the moment. As expected of a wind element user!

Not long after, they could hear roars coming from where the Earth Dragon died. The body of an Earth Dragon is extremely precious, especially its blood, which has some Dragon Blood in it. It will undoubtedly create chaos among the beast around.

Around 1700 kilometers away, an old man was sitting inside of a sealed cave. He wasn't human, but a beast in human form. He is an early-stage Divine Soul Demon Thunder Lion! He was doing his recognition in the area as he always does with his Divine Sense when he noticed the battle between Krune's group and the Earth-Dragon. He didn't pay attention at first since such scenes happen way too often, after all. He was sure that the Earth Dragon was going to win when suddenly, Krune became a wisp. At that moment, he got shocked! It was a Foundation Establishment wisp, and a very strong one at that! If he were to put his hands on Krune, he might be able to use his spiritual energy to breakthrough into the middle Divine Soul Realm!

The Thunder Lion was ecstatic! It was just about to move when suddenly, he felt a pressure coming from above at him. It was extremely strong, and whoever was doing it to him could totally smash his body to a pulp with just a finger! The lion had to use all his strength just to say a few words.

"Senior, did I do something wrong?"

He was afraid! He never felt so terrified before. After a few seconds, the pressure disappeared, and only a powerful presence remained. The Thunder Lion then heard a voice that it couldn't tell from where it was coming.

"About that wisp, you didn't see anything, and you didn't hear anything either."

"Am, I, Clear?"

The Thunder Lion nodded its head so vigorously that it felt his neck was going to break. The voice then just said one more word.

"Good."

And then, that presence that could destroy a planet was finally gone, just like that.

The Thunder Lion was sweating all over. It decided that it won't touch another wisp for the rest of its life!

Countless galaxies away, the old man who had noticed Krune's success during his first Spiritual Energy Meridians creation closed his eyes. One could just hear him murmuring.

"Little friend, you better get strong fast. I won't be able to protect you for long."

The cave then turned silent once more.

Report chapter

Unbeknownst that their life had just been saved, Yusa and Ao proceeded ahead. Before they say anything, they have to think about staying alive first. Fortunately, it seemed like there wasn't a single beast around. It might be because of the fight over the Earth Dragon pieces, but they wouldn't go back to check, that's for sure.

After finding a place to hide, Yusa took out one of her concealing runestone formations. It was the same cheap one as always, not very effective if a 7th stage demon beast or higher scan with their Divine Sense. But she didn't like to spend, and this was one of the very rare times where she regretted not having bought a better one.

Ao saw that, but there was nothing he could do either. He usually never carry concealing runestone formations, and it has always been 'if things go south, run!' As an wind element user, he was pretty confident in his speed, but now he could barely move.

Yusa came back and sat down. She then looked at Krune, or better, that white blue core with some spiritual energy coming from it floating beside Ao. Yusa then looked at Ao.

"Do you think he is okay?"

She didn't understand much about wisps, just that they are good cultivation resources.

Ao simply shook his head.

"I don't know, he doesn't have a body to speak of, so I can't even say if he is unconscious or just can't talk at the moment."

They have a lot to ask, but no one to answer. They will have to wait for Krune to come back by himself.

An hour later, Krune's energy body flickered a little, Yusa and Ao, who were meditating to recover, noticed the change. Yusa then looked at Krune and asked.

"Are you back?"

This was the first time that Krune lost conscience, he was feeling very dizzy and couldn't make sense of what was happening around him. His body floated right and left as if he was drunk. When he heard Yusa's voice, he simply asked.

"Did you use the whip or the cuffs?"

Yusa's face immediately got dark, Ao, who was paying attention too, couldn't help but burst in laugh. Although Yusa wanted to beat him again, both she and Ao understood that Krune wasn't thinking straight at the moment. It seems like that the first thing he remembered after hearing Yusa's voice was the event about the sex shop.

A little while later, Krunes mind cleared a little, and at least now he could remember what happened. He noticed that he was in his wisp form and got alarmed, he then immediately turned back into his human form.

It's just that... his clothes stayed back there at the Earth Dragon's place, so... This came to be the second time that Yusa saw Krune's 'little friend.' Although his 'little friend' had normal skin color like the rest of his body, the hair around was also rainbow, just like his hair on his head. Yusa turned red as a tomato for the third time and immediately looked away while screaming.

But Yusa's scream alarmed Krune instead!

"Enemy! Where? Where?!"

Ao couldn't resist anymore, and he was rolling on the ground. His injuries that had healed a little opened again. Still, he simply couldn't stop laughing, Krune was jumping all around looking for an enemy that doesn't exist. Ao understood that Krune got the wrong idea when Yusa screamed and was searching for the supposed 'enemy' while naked.

Yusa then shouted at him.

"Put on some fuc*ing clothes!"

Only now Krune noticed that he was naked, he then looked around and found his spatial ring. Although Ao didn't waste time at the Earth Dragon's place, he at least took Krune's spatial ring with him. Krune took a set of clothes out and put them on.

Yusa noticed that Krune had put his clothes, she then looked at Ao rolling in the ground and sent him flying with a kick! Ao injures got worse again, and he vomited blood, but he didn't care, he only thought about one thing.

'Worth it!'

He passed out after that.

Nighttime came, and Ao had already recovered his consciousnesses. He was using his spiritual energy to recover from his injuries slowly. Yusa was doing the same on the side. It's just that her face was still somewhat red. Krune had apologized to her. This time she didn't complain, he had really saved their lives after all. Krune, on the other hand, wasn't injured, it's just that he is totally dry of spiritual energy. He started to recover the memories before he fainted, only then did Krune understand why he lost conscience. That's because he almost killed himself! As a wisp, he needs spiritual energy to survive, but he used more than 99% of it in that last attack, and only a tiny sliver was left.

'So dangerous, I need to learn how to control myself better in the future. A little bit more and I would be done for, and here was I thinking about myself as someone intelligent.'

Krune had already recovered around 70% of his spiritual energy. With his six Spiritual Energy Meridians plus the high amount of Rank Three spirit stones, it goes without saying that he was the first one back into combat state.

He looked at Ao and Yusa and was impressed, after almost dying, he could few that their control over spiritual energy had soared. Looking at Ao, Krune was sure that he could totally breakthrough to the 4th stage without any pills help at the moment. He is probably only waiting to finish healing his injuries. Although Yusa can't breakthrough yet, her spirit energy control is obviously much better. She also will have no problems to breakthrough into the 4th stage once enough energy is accumulated.

'Life and death situations can really temper oneself, even I can feel that my planet foundation got sturdier after what happened.'

With Krune back at combat form, Yusa and Ao were more relaxed. With his Divine Sense helping to check around, they didn't have much to worry about for the time being.

The next day, Yusa and Ao were already back on their feet, and they were looking at Krune as if he was going to be eaten alive. It couldn't be helped, Krune is a wisp, and wisps at the foundation establishment are legends! But that isn't the main issue, the problem is, how come he was so strong like that? Is it really because of the Universe Foundation? Krune felt uncomfortable with their eyes. In the end, he only sighed.

"There is indeed a reason why I can cultivate so fast and have such fine control over elements, that's basically because of my cultivation technique."

Yusa's eyes were shining, she looked at Krune as if he was made out of gold.

"Is it some technique that you got in the inheritance of some supreme cultivator?"

Krune looked weirdy at Yusa.

"Where did you get those ideas? Even if I had found an inheritance, do you think a wisp could even get close to that? Have you ever heard about an inheritance from high-level cultivators without any traps or tests for those who enter?"

Krune poured cold water on Yusa's wishful thoughts, and her happiness disappeared as fast as it came. But then again, how did he get such a technique? Ao was to one to ask this time.

"So, if it isn't some kind of inheritance, then what is it? Could it be that instead of some supreme being inheritance, a supreme being came at you out of their own accord to give you this cultivation technique? To be honest, even if you agree with this theory, I won't believe it. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not looking down on you, but I doubt that such cultivator would select a wisp to pass his legacy."

Krune nodded and looked at Yusa.

"See? That's how you use your head to think, Ao is much better at it than you! Try to forget money a little bit when talking in the future."

Yusa's curious face turned dark.

"Said the wisp who doesn't want to attract attention but have the eyes of the entire world on him."

Yusa used a special move...

A sword went through Krune's heart...

It's very effective!

Ao interfered after seeing that those two are going back into their siblings like bickering.

"So, what is it then?"

Krune took out the Myriad Energies Technique and showed it to them.

Ao was surprised.

"This? Isn't it the Myriad Energies Technique?"

Yusa thought that Krune was joking with them.

"Are you making fun of us? Who in the world doesn't know about this technique, I even know it well because I also used this technique to start my path as a cultivator. After I got enough meridians from my body opened, I discarded it, though. But I still remember the technique, if I want, I can even form the four pseudo energy meridians right now. Of course, I won't be able to use them with my own meridians while doing that."

Krune shook his head.

"Tell me, why is it that you can't use the Myriad Energies Technique?"

Ao pondered a bit and answered.

"That's because the pseudo energy meridians deliver the spiritual energy without any conversion directly inside the dantian while normal meridians do the conversion before the delivery. Because of that, both can't be used at the same time. Since the Myriad Energies Technique can only form nine pseudo energy meridians at most, be it demon beast or human, they have much more normal meridians to open. The Myriad Energies technique is only good at the start to help accumulate spiritual energy to open the normal meridians. After the cultivator opens enough meridians, it becomes much faster to cultivate using them instead of using the pseudo energy meridians."

Krune nodded his head in praise since that was a very short but straight explanation.

"Ao is correct, that is the main issue about the Myriad Energies Technique. I will have to ask the two of you to sign a blood contract before I proceed from here. Do not misunderstand me, it's not that I don't trust you. It's just that with the contract in place, higher-level cultivators won't be able to pray into the information even if they use some soul search techniques."

Both of them understood. If the Myriad Energies Technique is really as good as that, then it makes sense that the secret must be kept. After signing the blood contract, Krune started to explain how it works. After hearing the whole story, both Yusa and Ao were amazed! Yusa then asked straight away.

"Doesn't that mean that we can also use this technique?"

Krune then answered.

"I don't know, I left a copy with Ruik, my friend, for him to try it out. But I reckon that this technique is most suited for races who have outstanding control over spiritual energy. We wisps have a minimal life span and can only try to build our foundation once. Still, I'm sure that we are one of the bests at spiritual energy control since we are beings of energy after all."

He then said.

"I have a disciple who is also a wisp. Although he is much slower than me while using the real technique, you can say that he is already extremely fast if compared with normal Qi Condensation beasts and humans. He is just a few months over a year old, but he is already at the 8th stage of Qi Condensation, maybe even the 9th stage since it has been a while since I left Katiu Forest. This technique is just way too much well suited for wisps."

Krune continued.

"The main issue for you is that you must complete all nine pseudo energy meridians first. From the information I could acquire back at Kaley City, any other race has to spend a long time to finish forming all nine meridians. Still, I don't think it's a coincidence, it probably has something to do with your life span. You might take much longer to achieve the nine pseudo meridians or the Spiritual Energy Meridians themselves. But you have the necessary time to do that, we wisps, don't."

Yusa and Ao pondered about this issue. They probably can cultivate the Spiritual Energy Meridians. Still, it has the risk to not work with other races that aren't wisps, and they would need to test it themselves since no one tried before. They won't cultivate as fast as Krune, that's for sure. Yusa can testify for that since she started her cultivation path by using the pseudo energy meridians.

Krune then got up and looked at Ao.

"Ao, as I can see, you probably have no need for any pill to breakthrough into the 4th stage anymore. Yusa and I will keep guard, and you go finish your breakthrough, it will help in case anything else happens."

Ao agreed with the idea, he then immediately sat down and took a few Rank Three spirit stones out, Krune and Yusa then kept an eye around while they waited. Not long after, an explosion of spiritual energy spread around with Ao as the center, and it's evident that he succeeded. Ao then spent another hour to put the raging spiritual energy in his body under control and the process was finally over.

Krune then said.

"Alright, whether you decide to give the Myriad Energies Technique a try or not, you can think about it later. I don't want to be found by another Earth, Water, or any other annoying element Dragon, so we should finish our mission first."

The two of them agreed with Krune. Since they are already back to normal, it's best to finish it and leave this place first.

By following the map, it didn't take long for them to arrive at the Blazing Alligators lair. Now that Ao was at the 4th stage, coupled with Krunes teaching about Wind Element, he had the confidence of defeating a Blazing Alligator on his on. Still, they decided to instead lure an alligator out of the group. There were too many of them for them to charge in like that. The first three alligators that came out were too weak, they wouldn't be able to complete the mission with their blood. Finally, on the 4th try, Ao lured out a 5th stage Blazing Alligator. Krune left Yusa and Ao to deal with it while he kept an eye out for any issues.

Yusa was the nemesis of this demon beast. They soon beat the alligator down, and as per Krune's request, the only demon beast they killed since they entered the Kaliu Danger Zone was the Earth Dragon itself. Krune's personality won't change, and he doesn't like to kill, so if possible, he won't. The first three Blazing alligators were also lying unconscious by the side. After the fourth one fainted, they took away a lot of blood but didn't kill it either.

After finishing their job, they immediately departed since they have a long way back.

After leaving the area where late Stage Foundation Establishment demon beasts could appear, they fastened their pace. On their way back, Krune kept helping Yusa and Ao to improve their control over the wind and water element. Both of them would them buy a fight with a demon beast on purpose to try their new findings. They were both happy, after that Life and Death battle coupled with Krune's help, they are both confident to even try for a Three Stars Badge when they get back at the Mercenary Guild.

Back at Rore City, Zuve Lie, the two stars alchemist, was talking with another mercenary group. This group had just arrived to take over the mission about the Blazing Alligator's blood. When they applied for the mission, they found out that another group of mercenaries had also taken the mission. Still, although their names were hidden, their cultivation levels could be verified. This mercenary group thought that Krune's group was courting death, so they came to do the mission themselves since it wouldn't be possible for Krune and the others.

This group was led by Shiar Chronus, and it has four members, with Shiar being the strongest among them. He is at the 5th Stage of Foundation Establishment while his companions are all at the 4th stage.

"Don't worry, Alchemist Zuve, we will complete this job as fast as possible. As for the group that came earlier, you can forget about them. They are probably dead or had given up already, they were courting death to try to finish this mission with their strength."

Zuve just smiled. For him, as long as the blood is brought back, he doesn't care which group does it.

"I'm counting on you then."

After discussing and taking the necessary information from Zuve, they were just about to leave when an employee of the Alchemist Guild came in to pass a message.

"Alchemist Zuve, those mercenaries from over a week ago are back, they are asking to talk to you."

Shiar gave a laugh after hearing that.

"So they didn't die, they just gave up instead. Well, let them come in then, I will lecture those guys while I'm at it."

Krune and his group came in when they noticed the other group. Still, when Krune and Yusa saw who was there, their expressions became weird. Beside Shiar, there was someone they knew quite well, it was none other than Durin Vola! He had broken through as well and is now a 4th stage Foundation Establishment.

Durin also noticed them. His expression then immediately turned gloomy, he was just about to stop his team leader, but it was already too late.

Shiar came forward

"Now look at you three, do you understand how dangerous it was now? You shouldn't try to bite more than you can eat, go back to the Mercenary Guild and reflect on your actions, from now on, my group is taking this mission so that this task can be finished."

Durin felt like he wanted to cry but had no tears. His leader probably didn't recognize Krune because he was using his hat to cover his rainbow-like hair. He could only look away and pretend he didn't know anything while thinking.

'Leader, you brought it upon yourself.'

Report chapter

As expected, Yusa didn't save the guy any face.

"Where did this fly come from? Shoo, shoo! The intelligent living beings need to talk."

Shiar's face immediately warped.

"You dare to talk to me like that? A puny 3rd stage Foundation Establishment? Don't blame me for reporting your team for failing the mission only because of your arrogance, people like you put our mercenary guilds name in shame."

He turned around and said.

"Let's go, we have a mission to finish."

Krune completely ignored the guy. He went in front of Zuve Lie and took out the Blazing Alligator's blood.

"Alchemist Zuve, here is the Blazing Alligator blood you required, please confirm this is the blood you need."

Shiar, who was just about to leave, froze in place.

'Did they just say Blazing Alligator's blood?'

Durin, who was by his side, kept his poker face. If he tells the truth now, his leader will blame him for not having told him earlier.

Zuve Lie was ecstatic! He took the Blazing Dragon Blood and used a few tools to check the validity of the blood. He then turned back to Krune, his expression even happier now.

"This is exactly the blood I was looking for! I will make sure to give a call to the Mercenary Guild today, and you will receive every single point agreed."

Krune nodded while Ao and SHinja expressions didn't even change.

On the other hand, Shiar was angry to the point of exploding! He didn't believe that this group was really able to procure the Blazing Alligators Blood.

"Who do you think you are deceiving here? There is no way you guys could succeed in this mission! You obviously got this blood from somewhere else, and the guild has strict rules for this kind of activity. I was being nice at first, but now you can wait for the results later."

Yusa was as relaxed as ever.

"Someone who can't even defeat me is boasting on the side. Durin, you should keep your friends under control."

Shiar got puzzled, and he looked at Durin. Does it mean that he knows about this mercenary group?

Durin felt like he wanted to cry. He totally believes that they got the blood the normal way, so it would have been good if they had not called him out. Durin then sent a Divine Sense message to his leader, and Shiar's face immediately turned gloomy. He looked at Krune, and now that he thinks about it, Krune's face really looks like the one in the news.

"So you are the so-called Four Stars Foundation Establishment Mercenary who thinks to be big sh*t?"

Krune just nodded. With Durin Vola staying there, there is no way he can deny it since they participated in the same Mercenary Exam after all.

"I don't care about the so-called universe foundation. With your cultivation realm, you are nothing in front of me. If you are really that great, do you dare accept a challenge from me?"

Krune looked at this person as if he was an idiot. People of that level can't pose any threat to him anymore. If it wasn't for the fact he doesn't want to attract attention, he wouldn't mind open this person's eyes. This is not because he is angry since Krune can't get angry easily. It's part of his nature! He simply doesn't like it when people look down on him. It makes him remember the time when he was a weak wisp, and everyone disdained him.

Shiar noticed that Krune wasn't saying anything, and he thought that Krune was afraid.

"See, in the end, that's all that your group amounts for."

Yusa and Ao know Krune quite well already, and they could tell that Krune simply wanted to keep his 'low key' life. Well, even if it doesn't have anything low key to it.

Yusa then came forward, and just as she was about to accept, Ao stopped her and sent a Divine Sense message.

"I know you can fight, but you won't be able to defeat him. Don't forget that he is also a Mercenary, which means that he can at least fight those one stage above his realm. Your fight would most likely end in a draw, so let me go. With my last breakthrough, I'm confident of beating him down."

Yusa pondered a bit and simply nodded.

Ao then spoke.

"There is no need for Krune to come forward since that would be not fair. How about me? Do you dare?"

Krune sighed, the only one is his team that would have a problem in defeating this guy is Yusa, and she probably wouldn't lose, most likely no winner would appear. But Ao broke through to the 4th stage, and Krune personally guided him with his Wind Element Manipulation. Unless this Shiar guy is a genius, he simply doesn't stand a chance against Ao.

Shiar thought that the 'fair' that Ao said was about his realm being much higher than Krune, so he decided to accept the challenge.

There are rules in the city, so people can't simply fight anywhere. But there are places where challenges can be taken, as the arena!

In a cultivators' world, it is very common for fights to happen. So to prevent damage from occurring to the cities, every single one has an arena. If the cities are big, there might be even more than one! When fighting, someone's secret might be exposed. So when you decide to fight, you can select whether you want to let people see it or not. Krune had no idea about such a thing, so he simply let Ao do as he wished.

Ao didn't care either, so he didn't apply for their fight to be hidden. People soon gathered to take a look, and when Shiar and Ao came on the stage, there was already over ten thousand people to watch. Rore City has a lot more people than Kaley City, so it was easier to gather eyes in a shorter amount of time.

Krune looked around and curled himself in a corner, trying to stay out of sight as much as possible. Yusa saw that and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Shiar looked at Ao and snorted.

"This is your last chance. Apologize in front of me, and I can let you go."

Ao didn't even pay attention to what he said, he simply activated the arena's protection formation and stood in front of Shiar.

The referee came forward and stayed beside the arena. The law of the country prohibits killing inside the cities, so in case the fight goes out of hand, it would be his job to put a stop to it. Every cities referee must be at least at the Core Formation Realm, so there was no chance that they would be able to kill the other.

He raised his hand and said.

"Ready?"

Both parties nodded.

"Start!"

Poor Shiar. Ao's fighting prowess has already surpassed himself by quite a lot. The moment that Ao took his sword, he disappeared. Shiar could barely keep up with his movement. Krune looked at that and nodded, all the time spent teaching Ao about the Wind Element was not wasted after all.

Shiar noticed that the situation was dire. He is a Fire Element user, so to prevent Ao from getting close, he immediately created a fire tornado around himself. The temperature in the arena quickly soared, but Ao was as calm as ever, and he simply used his sword to throw a wind blade. The blade cut through the fire tornado as if it was paper, and in an instant, Shiar's protection was gone, just like that. Ao sighed, seeing that, if he knew that Shiar was a fire element user, he wouldn't have stopped Yusa. With the element advantage, she would definitely have won this fight.

Shiar, on the other hand, was frightened! How could Ao be this strong? He did his best trying to defend himself and attacking Ao with fireballs, Fire Dragons, Fire Rings, so on and so forth. But Ao's speed was just too high, nothing could hit him.

A flaw soon appeared in Shiar's defense, and Ao didn't let it go. The sword moved like a ghost, and just as Shiar's head was about to fly out of his body, both Shiar and Ao were locked in place. The referee took action when he saw that Shiar was going to die.

He then came forward and announced.

"Ao Sulian Wins!"

Shiar's face was as white as paper, If the referee hadn't stopped that attack in the last second, he would be dead now.

The crowd roared. They love this kind of fight where those with lower cultivation realm beat those who are stronger.

Ao left the arena, and then his group went back to Kaley City. They didn't even pay attention to Shiar back then.

After appearing in the teleportation formation inside the Solie Clan, the group left and went back to the mercenary guild. Still, before that, Yusa left a message.

"We put the fees of the teleportation on your Solie Clans account, thanks for the patronage."

When Zu Solie read that message, and he felt gloomy. Long-distance teleportation costs a lot of spiritual stones, and their treasure is quite empty at the moment. This kind of situation makes his heart hurt quite a bit.

Back at the Kaley City's Mercenary Guild, they just checked in and found out that the ranking points have been added to their ID's. The mission rewarded 900 points, and because the highest cultivation level at the time they applied for the mission was 3rd stage Foundation Establishment, they got a 30% bonus over that. They all had 1170 ranking points now.

They then decided to gather again another time. For now, Krune's group would part ways to do their own things.

Ao told Krune to inform him when he is out. He wants to apply for a Mercenary Test again and would like to have Krune looking at it to see how his Wind Element control is doing.

Yusa took the chance and decided to do the same, she is also quite confident in being able to acquire a Three Stars badge.

Krune nodded, and after exchanging a few more words, they left.

Krune went back to his room after passing by the salesroom. By using his Four Stars Badge, he got a 25% discount when he selected the 'Five Elements Paste,' and he now has 270 points remaining.

'With this 'Five Elements Paste,' the reinforcement speed of my foundation should increase by 20% to 30% for the next few days. The information said that it will work for more or less 8 days. Still, my universe foundation isn't something common, so I believe the effect will be over faster than it should.'

Krune then started to absorb the paste, and just as the description said, the speed that his planet reinforcement increased quite a lot. Krune didn't waste time! He immediately took out several hundred Rank Three spirit stones and started to cultivate.

Time went by, and just like that, six days have passed. Inside Krune's room, there was a lot of spirit stone dust. Every time a spirit stone has it's spiritual energy absorbed, it will turn into that. Krune had used over 500 in during this time.

'I'm just a bit off from finishing reinforcing my planet. The paste effect is over, but if I keep cultivating at this pace, I should be able to breakthrough in a week."

Krune then got up and stretched a bit. He hasn't left his room in the last few days and was starting to feel bored here.

Report chapter

Outside, Krune found Ao, and the later came forward and asked Krune some help.

"I'm going to take my Mercenary test now, come and take a look too."

Ao then went to take the test. As always, there were three puppets with a cultivation level one stage higher than his one. After the battle started, it didn't take long for Ao to cut down the first one. With his Wind Movement, he was much faster than the puppets, after all. The puppets attacked at the same time but couldn't do anything to him. In the end, Ao was able to defeat all the puppets, and just like that, he became a Three Stars Mercenary.

Yusa was the next one, and she took longer to defeat the three puppets. After all, she isn't exactly an attacker type, but nonetheless, she completed the test with the highest grade too.

When the Headquarters got the news that two mercenaries defeated all three puppets during the test at the same place, they thought something was wrong with the report. Still, after checking the testing video, they couldn't deny that they did not cheat on the test. But how could two mercenaries at the same time beat the test with the highest grade, the chances of something like that happen is extremely slim.

When the Mercenary Headquarters checked, they found out that those two were part of Krune's team. Even though Krune's team member names are hidden for the public, as the Headquarters, they obviously had access to the information.

Kassius Ruli was looking at the report given by one of his employees. Two mercenaries called Yusa Shen and Ao Sulian passed the test with the highest grade one after another, and they are part of Krune's team. After investigating Yusa and Ao's past, he didn't find anything wrong. They were pretty common cultivators, nothing to pay much attention to. However, after they got together with Krune, their combat power soared to the point that they could easily pass the test to get a Three Stars badge.

'This is weird, I have no doubt that Krune is the reason for their explosive improvement, but how did he do that? From what I found, these two didn't use any forbidden pill or cheated in the test in any way, which means that it is really their combat power at the moment. If more people from our side could have accomplishments like the two of them, the position of our Headquarters of the Yule Continent would definitely get higher.'

He pondered a bit more, the issue behind this is that it is probably some secret that Krune has. Although Krune is a member of their Guild, Kassius can't simply go there and ask Krune to tell everything. There is no cultivator in this world without their own secrets, after all. But he can't simply let it go either since Krune might be the key to the martial arts gathering two years from now.

There are five continents in the world, and every single one has a mercenary headquarters responsible for that continent. The mercenary Guild as a whole has five slots for the Martial Gathering. If their continent can send at least one for the gathering, it will prove that their continent's mercenary guilds can also breed talents just like the others. It would boost the Yule continent guilds morale as well. In the last ten or so gatherings, their Yule Continent wasn't able to send even a single cultivator.

The mercenary Guild will start a competition of their own between the mercenaries of each continent to decide which five will be sent to the martial gathering. He wanted to send Krune in that qualifiers, but the only problem is that Krune's cultivation is too low! Although the martial arts gathering accepts anyone at the foundation establishment level. The majority of the powers will send their 8th and 9th stage Foundation Establishment members. It doesn't matter how much of a genius Krune is, he can't jump so many realms so fast.

That's where he thought about using Krune's methods to raise the level of their own late stages Foundation Establishment cultivators. Kassius pondered if he should talk to the Head of the Mercenary Guild in the Yule Continent, Bary Kasfiu. However, he decided not to do so. For the time being, it's still too early, and they can't scary Krune away too. If they force the issue and Krune leaves the mercenary Guild, they will only be able to cry.

Kassius then called one of his assistants.

"Keep one eye on that Krune, I want to know if anything happens with him from now on."

The person on the other side agreed with the request.

Kassius then looked a bit more to the files in front of him and put them back in the drawer.

"Let's see what will happen first. Maybe Krune will be able to catch up with the other cultivators and demon beasts. If that happens, I won't need to ask him about how his group members combat power increased so fast."

Back at the Mercenary Guild, Krune was preparing to leave. He already finished memorizing all the content of the Alchemist Exam, and only the practical test is left now. The practical test was 10 o'clock in the morning, just like the mercenary test back then. Krune, as always, arrived just a few minutes before the starting time.

He then went to the testing room. There he could see another twenty or so participants.

'It's just like Casfer said, people with good control over the elements are few but become quite a lot when put together. The problem is to find talents regarding alchemy itself.'

Krune went to his table. When it became 10 o'clock, three alchemists entered the room, and one of them just so happened to be Julies Rof! The contestants were taken aback when they saw her.

"Isn't that the Four Stars Alchemist, Julies Rof? Why is she helping with the practical exam?"

Another alchemist by his side then said.

"A few weeks ago, that guy over there got 2796 points during the comprehension test, she is probably here because of him."

"2796 points? That's too crazy! No wonder that she came to preside over the alchemist test by herself."

Krune noticed that people were looking at him while commenting about his element control, he couldn't help but sigh.

'Why it's so hard to keep a low profile? I just want to be forgotten by everyone.'

Julies Rof, who was above the stage, started to speak.

"The practical exam to enter the alchemist guild is starting now. We will show you how to concoct some simple pills. Still, do not look down on those pills, whether you pass or not will depend on your performance with them."

"I believe that the majority already know this, but I will explain just in case."

"Pills are separated by their quality, and the alchemist guild has formulated nine levels in total. This is the so-called Star Pills, what you will need to concoct here is the most basic level, a One-Star Pill."

She then took out three different pills out of her spatial ring.

"You can choose one of these three pills to go through the exam. The Fasting pill, the Qi Gathering pill, or the Stabilizing pill. Those are the most common pills sold in our Guild and also the easiest ones to make."

"You will pass as long as you can make a low or middle-quality One Star pill, from that moment on, you will be a One Star Alchemist and can join the guild for further studies."

"For those who make a high-quality One Star pill, they will be rewarded one time with 500 Rank Three low-quality spiritual stones. Of course, they will also get their One Star Alchemist Badge."

"If you can concoct a Two Stars pill, you will immediately become a Two Stars alchemist and will receive a one time reward of 1000 middle-quality Rank Three spirit stones."

"But you better forget about that. Let alone be able to concoct a Two Stars pill, I doubt there will be even more than one or two who can barely qualify as a One Star alchemist. So focus on passing first, once you are recognized as a real alchemist, you can start thinking about raising your rank."

"Now pay attention, we will show you how to make each pill once! After that, you are on your own. The material for studies that we gave you after the comprehension exam also explained how to make those pills, so the three of us will follow exactly the same process as described in there."

Krune then paid attention to the alchemists on the stage. He had already memorized all the content of the studies material. Still, it's always better to see the thing personally. He decided to go with the Qi Gathering pill, which was the one being made by Julies. The reason was very simple, it looked much easier to make when it was done by her.

Thirty minutes later, Julies and the other two alchemists finished the process, and they all succeed. However, even with very simple material, Julies was still able to make a Two Stars pill. It goes to show how good her talent for alchemy is.

"Alright, you all saw how it works, so the test will start now. Although we finished our pills in thirty minutes, you will have two hours to try. Each one of you has three batches of medicinal herbs for each pill of your choice. Even if you fail once, you can try again. You can start... now!"

Everyone in the room moved to action. They only have two hours, and they aren't as good as real alchemists, so they will take longer for each try. They have to make their time worth it. Well, everyone except for one, Krune didn't move a single muscle, and he simply closed his eyes.

Outside of the testing room, Go Gao was looking at the practical exam through a monitor. He also noticed that Krune didn't do anything after the start of the test, which puzzled him as much as Julies, who was there on the stage. In the end, he could only call her.

"Do you know what is happening to him? Why is he not moving?"

Julies could only give a guess.

"There are two possibilities. First, Krune didn't understand anything at all, and because of that, he doesn't know what to do. But I think this option to be quite improbable.

The second one is that he is revising what he saw during the time the three of us were concocting the pills. He is probably making sure that he understands each step. This seems to be more likely the case."

Julies was right! Krune can remember everything he sees as long as he wills it, so he is looking at the process in which Julies concocted the pill in his mind. Some of the alchemists around Krune noticed that he wasn't doing anything. Some thought that he had given up, others felt that he was being conceited and was waiting for the last thirty minutes before start concocting his pill. Whatever the case is, they didn't have time to pay attention to him, so they put their attention back to their pills again.

Twenty minutes later, the first caldron exploded. The burnt smell could be felt by all the contestants. It had distracted another two of them, and because of that, they also failed their first try. As for Krune, he still had his eyes closed.

It wasn't after thirty five minutes after the start of the exam that he moved.

'During the process, she heated the cauldron first. She heated it very slowly before putting any medicinal herbs inside too. With her realm, she should totally be able to heat the cauldron several times faster than that. It seems like the gradual rise of the temperature helps in the control of the medicinal effects inside the cauldron.'

Krune then converted his spiritual energy into a fire. He did the same and slowly increased the temperature.

'The temperature showing in the digital thermometer on the side was around 275 degrees. It changed a little now and then, but it never went more than five degrees up or down. If I'm not wrong, a constant temperature is an important key to the process.'

Five minutes later, the cauldron reached the same temperature as it did for Julies.

Krune was totally immersed in his pill concocting, and whatever happened around him didn't matter anymore. Alchemists need high control over elements, and it made Krune feel very good during the process. He could feel that the elements of the medicinal herbs were fusing together. Of course, it wasn't perfect. This was the first time Krune ever tried to concoct a pill, so there were several mistakes here and there. Still, if one compares him with the other contestants, he can already be considered the best of the best.

Julies watched Krune and was amazed, that's exactly what the alchemist Guild is looking for, alchemy talents! She called Go Gao while paying attention to Krune while leaving the task of checking the other contestants to the two alchemists beside her. They didn't even complain. To be able to work with this Four Stars Alchemist is something that wouldn't be possible for them in normal situations, not to mention that she is a beaut herself.

Go Gao answered the call straight away, and he hasn't stopped looking at the monitor even for a second.

"Can you see his control over the temperature? Believe it or not, he is doing that without adding Wood Element in the mix. Usually, those without the capability to use two elements at the same time would stop using Fire Element to add some Wood Element. Like that, when they use Fire Element to create fire again, it will be easier to raise the temperature and to control it, but he doesn't need wood element at all!"

"I believe you are also using your Divine Sense to check the concoction inside too. Krune's control over the elements of the medicinal herbs can't be considered perfect. Still, if this is really his first time trying to concoct a Qi Gathering pill, then he can only be considered a genius!"

Go Gao agreed with Julies view. He, too, is a Four Stars Alchemist, with his Divine Sense, he could see what is happening inside Krune's Cauldron.

"It seems like we will need to have a talk with the Mercenary Guild. A talent like him can't waste his time doing meaningless missions. He definitely has the talent to become a Four Stars alchemist in no time!"

While they were discussing, Krune was getting to the end of his concoction. Just as he was about to gather the medicinal properties and turn them into a pill, he noticed that the elements of the medicinal liquid inside were not in sync, and it puzzled him. Just a second ago. He could feel that the medicinal liquid was good to go, fusing without problems. Krune is sure that he can definitely make a pill the way the things are at the moment, but that out of sync elements inside the medicinal liquid looked odd.

In fact, only Krune could see that at the level of cultivation that he is at the moment. The Myriad Energies Technique control over the elements isn't only for show, after all! Other than him, only those at the Core Formation Realm would be able to notice that issue. That's why only when you become a Core Formation Realm, can you become a Four Stars Alchemist.

First, because you need to be able to feel the elements inside of the medicinal liquid formed with the herbs to a much higher degree than a Foundation Establishment or a Qi Condensation cultivator can do. Second, it's because only when you are at the Core Formation Realm that you can freely control more than a single element at once.

Krune pondered a bit if he should try to bring the elements in the medicinal liquid back in order or if he should just get over with it. In the end, he decided to try it once. He still has another two batches of medicinal herbs to make the Qi Gathering pill, so if this one fails, he will just try again.

When Krune started to control the elements inside the medicinal liquid, Julies and Go Gao noticed that straight away. Soon, Supervisor Go immediately stood up from his chair.

"Impossible!"

He wasn't the only one thinking that. Julies eyes almost popped out of their sockets too.

"This is not a genius, this is a monster!"

Report chapter

Julies and Go Gao were amazed by such sight. Julies then took a deep breath and said.

"So the rumors were true, his control over the elements is out of the charts. I can't imagine how he will become once he steps into the Core Formation Realm. He already has the same ability as one, after all."

Go Gao agreed with her.

"Indeed, this is not something we can ignore anymore. As long as our alchemist guild gets him, any price will be worth it. Even if he fails, make sure that he is accepted as an alchemist. With that talent, it will only be a question of time before he surpasses both of us."

Julies then asked.

"How are you going to deal with the mercenary guild?"

Go Gao shook his head.

"I don't know, they aren't weaker than our alchemist guild, after all. I will have to talk directly with supervisor Lu Ganan of the main branch here in Kaley City to see if we can reach an agreement."

Julies heard that and didn't say anything. She is an Alchemist, after all. Things related to management are not her problem.

At Krune's side, he was having some difficulties in manipulating the elements inside the medicinal liquid made from the herbs.

'It's harder than I thought, if I take too long, the medicinal properties will burn away. I guess I will just try to put them in sync as much as possible until I can't wait anymore.'

It couldn't be said to be Krune's fault, this was his first time concocting a pill, after all. He wasn't even sure if what he is doing is something good for the pill creation or not. Without him knowing, he already spent more than one hour over this problem.

When it finally came the time to form the pill, less than 20% of the medicinal element properties were in sync. Krune could only sigh and go ahead with the pill formation. The pill formation part was quite easy, though. There was only a need to bring the medicinal liquid together and solidify it like a pill. Depending on the number of herbs that were used, you can make one or more pills at once. But to make things simple for the candidates, they were asked to make just a single one.

The pill took form, and the process was finally finished. But now, the practical exam was almost over. The majority had already finished their pills, too. Of course, they weren't sure if they succeed or not. When the two hours were finally over, Krune had made only a single pill. There were three lines around it, but he had no idea what it meant.

The alchemists on the stage came down and started to evaluate the contestants' results.

"Haven't reached the level of a One-Star pill, failed."

"Haven't reached the level of a One-Star pill, failed."

"Haven't reached the level of a One-Star pill, failed."

As one of the last ones to arrive, Krune's table was at the very end of the queue, so he was one of the last to get his pill evaluated.

"Oh, middle-quality One-Star pill, your name?"

A girl in a white robe close to Krune was very happy to hear that.

"My name is Shue Kalan."

The Alchemist then nodded.

"Congratulations, you are now a One Star Alchemist. You can go to the guilds office later to take your badge and register your guild ID."

Shue Kalan was almost jumping in joy, and all the other contestants looked at her with jealousy. Everyone except for a certain wisp, of course. He didn't think much about it. For him, alchemy was just a way to gather spirit stones. If he fails, he will try something else, that's all.

Since her pill wasn't a Qi Gathering pill, the one who evaluated her was one of the two alchemists that came together with Julies. Julies only examined those who had concocted Qi Gathering pills, so other than Shue Kalan, there wasn't any other contestant that passed the practical exam so far.

Julies approached Krune's table, and she was sure he was able to concoct the pill. But she didn't use her Divine Sense to check since she wanted to look at it with her own eyes.

She then took Krune's pill, and it was just as she expected.

'Although he can perceive the elements well enough to put them in sync, it is still far from perfect. Only around 20% of the elemental properties are in sync at the moment. It shows how inexperienced he is, but to do this while still in the foundation establishment could be said to be a miracle already. Only those other monsters from the Headquarters can do it without being at the Core Formation Realm. Still, even so, the smallest realm alchemist who was able to do it is already at the 7th stage of Foundation Establishment. However, Krune is still at the 2nd stage, so he is definitely the monster among the monsters.'

She then looked at Krune and smiled.

"Congratulations, Three Stars middle-quality Qi Gathering pill. From now on, you are a Three Stars alchemist."

Every single eye in the room moved at Krune at that moment, and even Shue Kalan's jaw dropped. Not only the contestants, the two other alchemists that were helping with the exam felt it be unbelievable as well. After all, they are still Two Stars Alchemists!

Krune noticed everyone looking at him and felt gloomy.

'I've done it again, why can't I control my curiosity? I should have left those elements out of sync the way they were.'

Julies didn't know what he was thinking and simply said.

"Go to the guild office to take your ID and Badge, then you can request access to the materials available for Three Stars Alchemists."

Krune just nodded and left. Shue Kalan, who was just behind him, also followed. She might not have made a Three Stars pill, but she also passed the exam nonetheless. She approached Krune and complimented him.

"Hello, I'm Shue Kalan. It seems like we are fellow Alchemists from now on."

Krune looked at her, and he could see that she wanted to befriend him because of his status as Three Stars Alchemist. She tried to act cute in front of him, but Krune didn't notice that part, though. As a wisp, he doesn't care about humans' appearance. Except for Feifei, of course!

Since that's the case, he thought there wasn't a need to care about this Shue something, so he simply nodded and kept walking.

Shue was taken aback for his reaction, she is pretty confident with her looks, but to be disregarded like that was a first. It was then that she noticed the spiritual energy coming from Krune.

'I see, he isn't human but a demon beast in human form. No wonder he had no reaction when I acted a second ago. In his eyes, humans are probably just weirdly shaped.'

Soon, they arrived at the application office. An attendant then came forward to receive them.

"Miss Shue, you can enter that room to finish the process of getting your badge and ID. As for Krune, I will have to ask you to follow me. The process to apply for a Three Stars Badge is much more complicated, so it will take some time."

Krune nodded and followed the man, and then he was asked to wait in an office while they applied for his Badge and ID. He couldn't help but feel it to be quite a familiar experience.

'Last time it happened, I got a Four Stars Mercenary badge, and my low key life was destroyed. It couldn't be the same again, right?'

At the same time, Go Gao was talking with the Headquarters of the Alchemist Guild of the Yule Continent.

On the other side of the line was an old man with a big white beard and short hair. He seemed to be around his seventies too. Of course, with the man's cultivation, chances are that he is already 500 years old or more.

He was Ediu Qixer, the supervisor of the applications office. Just like the mercenary guild, the alchemist guild also has a review office for those who applied for Three Stars badges or higher. It's just that the number of applications made to this office was several times lower than the Mercenary one. One must remember that alchemists are rare, after all. Ediu Qixer heard the whole story and felt like Go Gao was joking with him.

"Are you telling me that a 2nd stage Foundation Establishment can already sync the elements in pill making and that it was his first time? Even here at the headquarters, we don't have such a genius. Are you sure you are not dreaming?"

Go Gao couldn't blame Ediu for that, he too thought that it was impossible when he saw Krune doing that.

"As hard as it is to believe, that's the truth! I can put my position as the supervisor of Kaley City on the line for it."

Ediu understood that it wasn't a joke after hearing that.

"In that case, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and bring him in! I'm giving you the permission to bestow him the Three Stars Badge and ID, so make sure that he stays with the Alchemist Guild. Such a talent can't be left wandering outside."

After saying that, Ediu noticed that Go Gao had a bitter smile on his face.

"What is it?"

Go Gao couldn't hide the truth after all.

"Did you perhaps hear about the new Mercenary Guild Rising Star, the one that got the Four Stars Badge before being a Core Formation Realm cultivator?"

Ediu nodded. After all, the mercenary guild spread the news everywhere to ensure that no one would try to take him away.

"I know, if I'm not wrong, his name was Kru-"

Just as he was about to finish saying the name, he noticed the problem out there. The application for that Three Stars badge was for someone called Krune as well.

"I see, so that's the problem and a very annoying one at that."

Go Gao nodded.

"Exactly, the mercenary guild bestowed him the Four Star Mercenary Badge, and this goes to show how highly they think about him. I don't think it will be easy to convince them that Krune should be left with the Alchemist Guild alone. They don't stop any of their members from being part of another guild, so they definitely won't stop Krune from joining the Alchemist Guild. Still, they probably hope to have Krune taking part in the martial gathering two years from now. Of course, that will only be the case if his cultivation improves sufficiently for that."

Ediu Qixer face changed after hearing that.

"Unacceptable!"

The reason that Ediu got angry is that to ensure that only the strong will emerge victoriously, the martial gathering happens inside of an earlier selected danger zone. That way, every participant will have to sign the contract that no one will be responsible in case they die. Also, all participants can go all out during the gathering, and if someone dies, no one will be charged. How could they let Krune, such a genius alchemist, take part in this dangerous competition?

Go Gao then said.

"What about we give him a Four Stars Badge as the Mercenary Guild did? If we give him a Three Stars Badge, he will obviously think that the Mercenary Guild thoughts about his future are better than ours."

Ediu pondered a bit.

"I will talk to the Head of the guild, a Four Stars Badge can't be given this easy, after all. But I agree that this would be the first step in bringing him over, so wait for my call."

Ediu then went to talk to the Head of the Alchemist Guild Head Quarters, Calier Medgin. After an hour of discussion, they agreed that it would be better if they can bring Krune to their side, so he accepted the request for the Four Stars Badge.

Back at the Alchemist Guild, Krune was waiting for his Three Stars badge to come. He wants to check the alchemist list of requests and learn how to make the necessary pills for selling. After all. his Rank Three spirit stones won't last much longer.

The door of the room opened, and Supervisor Go Gao came in. Krune could see that he had a bright smile on his face.

"Hello, my name is Go Gao, the supervisor of the Kaley City Alchemist branch. Congratulations, Alchemist Krune. The guild decided to make a special exception and bestow you a Four Stars Badge. This is how much we value your talents as an alchemist, please accept it!"

Go Gao then passed the Four Stars badge with Krune's name to him.

Krune had a foreboding feeling after seeing that.

"Supervisor Go, you perhaps haven't told anyone about it yet, right?"

Last time he received a 'special exception,' everyone in the continent came to know about him. Now he is receiving the same thing again, but he doesn't want it, he doesn't want it at all!

Supervisor Go then said.

"Don't worry, we don't like to make things big, the alchemist guilds name itself is more than enough."

Krune then let out a sigh of relief. In that case, he doesn't mind receiving the Four Stars Alchemist Badge. That way, he will have access to more resources and can accept better requests. All in all, he can make more money.

Supervisor Go then asked.

"Krune, wouldn't you leave the mercenary guild and stay with our Alchemist guild? You have great talent, as for resources or whatever the mercenary guild has promised you, we can do the same or even better."

Krune was taken aback with such a question.

"This..."

Supervisor Go then said.

"You can think it over and give me an answer later."

Supervisor Go had already decided to pay a visit to Lu Ganan of the Kaley City mercenary guild. He wants them to know that the alchemist guild wants Krune.

Poor Krune didn't know about the storm that was coming his way.

Report chapter

Krune went to take the necessary information to study first. Since he got a Four Stars Badge, then he doesn't need to make One Star pills to sell anymore. He wants to start with Three Stars Pills since they definitely are worth much more. He also took his 1000 Rank Three middle-quality spirit stones reward. After all, every spirit stone is precious!

He decided to spend the next few days to memorize all the content available up to Three Stars Alchemy before coming back to start learning pill concoction. Although he got the Four Stars Badge, he isn't a Core Formation Realm cultivator. He closed himself in his room after that. Krune will spend the day to study and the night for cultivation. Since his breakthrough is close, too, he can't relax about it now.

On the same day, supervisor Go Gao came to the Mercenary Guild to pay a visit to Lu Ganan, the supervisor there.

"Go Gao, it has been a while. Why did you come here?"

Go Gao had a severe expression.

"Can we talk in private? I have something important to discuss."

Lu Ganan felt puzzled with Go Gao's behavior. Usually, this guy would smile all the time, to see his serious face is something rare.

Inside of Lu Ganan's office, both of them were staring at each other. Supervisor Go then took a deep breath and started to talk.

"Did supervisor Lu know that your member, Krune, came to our alchemist guild to take part in the alchemist test?"

Lu Ganan was taken aback with this question, the Mercenary Headquarters asked to keep an eye out for Krune, so he did know that Krune went to the alchemist guild. But why would Go Gao come to pay a visit to him just to talk about that? The mercenary guild doesn't forbid any of its members to join other guilds, after all.

"I do know, as you probably heard, the Mercenary Guild puts a lot of importance on him. We received orders from the Headquarters to keep an eye on him, but we don't stop our members from joining other guilds. So what is the problem? Could it be that Krune created some problem for your guild?"

Supervisor Go was surprised, the mercenary Headquarters is putting a lot more importance into Krune than he thought they would, and this isn't good news for him.

"Lu Ganan, Krune has passed the alchemist guild exam, not only that, but he was able to create a Three Stars Qi Gathering pill on his very first try. He can feel the sync of the elements inside the cauldron, which is something that only Core Formation Realms should be able to. The only exceptions are the direct disciples at the Alchemist Headquarters. Still, the earliest someone was able to do that was at the 7th Stage Foundation Establishment. Krune, on the other hand, is capable of doing that while still at the 2nd Stage, his future as an alchemist is limitless!"

Go Gao looked directly at Lu Ganan's eyes.

"I will be direct, we want Krune to leave your Mercenary Guild and be part of the Alchemist Guild alone, any price is negotiable."

To his surprise, Lu Ganan answered him straight away.

"Out of the question."

He then said.

"Our Mercenary Guild has great hopes for him, our Yule Continent hasn't had such a Genius for a long time. You might not know this, but it has been over ten martial gatherings since our Yule Continent was able to send someone as a representative of the mercenary guild. The Headquarters has great hopes for him to be able to do that two years from now. So I can't accept your request."

Supervisor Go didn't give up though.

"He is also a part of our Alchemist guild now, and the guild has made an exception too, so we bestowed him a Four Stars Alchemist badge. We will not allow such a Genius to throw his life away for some barbaric gathering."

Lu Ganan didn't relent.

"Martial prowess is vital for one's safety, impeding him from doing battle is the same as cutting his martial path in the middle. Since he is a battle genius, the best way to temper him is through life and death battles, only like that can he achieve greatness."

Go Gao got angry.

"Bullsh*t! Are you saying that Krune can't achieve greatness as an alchemist? Alchemy is one of the most respected professions in our entire world, no, in the entire universe! He can achieve much more by following the alchemist path alone!"

Lu Ganan didn't want to hear anymore.

"That's enough! Anyway, we won't let Krune go, our Mercenary Guild found him first! If you want him to be an alchemist, fine! But we won't agree to him stopping his martial path."

Go Gao then stood up and left, but not before leaving a few words behind.

"Our Alchemist Guild will not give up. I will show to everyone that Krune's correct path is alchemy, so he has no need to risk his life meaninglessly!"

Just like that, a fight started between both guilds of Kaley City. As for the culprit, he was peacefully cultivating during the night, and he had no idea about what was happening outside. Yusa and Ao tried to contact him, but Krune didn't want to be disturbed, so he turned off his communicator. Just like that, a week passed.

It was almost 5 o'clock in the morning when suddenly, people close to Krune's room could feel the spiritual energy of the surroundings rushing in his room direction.

"Someone is breaking through."

That was the thought of the majority.

They were right! After going through a life and death battle against the Earth Dragon and using the Five Elements Paste, he got very close to the breakthrough into the 3rd Stage. Now that a week of cultivation had passed, he had finally finished his preparations and achieved the next realm. After spending some time to stabilize his spiritual energy, Krune took a deep breath and opened his eyes.

'3rd Stage Foundation Establishment. It's already been over three months since I achieved the 1st Stage back in Katiu Forest. I had spent less than a month to get to the 2nd Stage. Still, I used over two months to get to the 3rd Stage. I will have a better idea about the time I need to reach the Core Formation Realm after I breakthrough into the 4th Stage of Foundation Establishment.'

Krune stood up and went to take a shower. He then took a few more looks into the Three Stars Alchemy information to make sure he remembered everything and decided to go to the Alchemist Guild after that. His universe foundation needs way too much spiritual energy, so he was left with less than a thousand Spirit Stones of the Rank Three. The majority were middle quality from the time he passed the Alchemist Exam. It was then that he remembered the supervisor Go's request.

'Joining the alchemist Guild and leaving the Mercenary guild would be a good thing in most situations, but alchemists take their time to cultivate. Their improvement is guaranteed, but at the same time, slow. As a wisp, my life span is too small to patiently wait for my realm to improve. In the end, I need combat experience if I want to improve faster, so I guess I will need to refuse the supervisor Go, after all. Still, I will stay as a member of the alchemist guild to make some money, I hope that's enough.'

He then grabbed his communicator and turned it on. When he checked it, he could see hundreds of messages from Yusa and Ao, and it puzzled him. Could it be that something happened? He then sent a message to the two of them that he is going to the entrance, so they can meet him there if they need something. Krune grabbed his things after that and left.

On the way out of his room, he had the same feeling from before. Everyone was staring at him, but he is sure that he hasn't done anything this time.

When he got to the entrance of the Mercenary Guild, Yusa and Ao were already there. Yusa came forward and put her hands on Krunes shoulder.

"I say this isn't even funny anymore. I wonder if you are really serious about living a low key life."

Krune felt puzzled about that, what is she talking about?

Ao was the one to talk this time.

"Anyway, I think you should ponder more about whether you want to leave the Mercenary Guild to join the Alchemist Guild. The Mercenary Guild was the first one to recognize you after all."

Krune looked at them and couldn't help but say.

"But I didn't say that I was leaving the Mercenary Guild. Supervisor Go said that I could think over it first, but in the end, I decided that I will stay in the mercenary guild as well. Without battle experience, my cultivation will lag behind. You two, better than anyone else in this city, know very well that I can't simply cultivate slowly like everyone else."

"First of all, how do you even know that the Alchemist Guild offered me to be only a member of their guild?"

Yusa and Ao looked at each other, and then back at Krune.

"Do you really don't know what is happening?"

Krune shook his head, but he could feel that something bad happened, something that he will not like at all! Yusa then looked at him and said.

"You are really a star. Even when you aren't doing anything, you still can make the world tremble. The Mercenary Guild and the Alchemist Guild of Kaley City are almost starting a fight with each other, and the reason is no one else but you."

Krune was taken aback! Fighting because of him? Why?

Yusa then continued.

"The supervisor of the alchemist guild came a week ago to demand that you should be released of your status as a mercenary and that you should be a member of the alchemist guild only. Lu Ganan, of course, rejected straight away. You are the Rising Star of the Mercenary Guild, whether you like it or not, after all. Then they got into a discussion, and finally, things went out of control."

Krune felt like crying. Even when he isn't doing anything, people will still go out of their way to destroy his peaceful life.

Just when he was about to move out to talk with the Alchemist Guild, Go Gao appeared in the distance. Still, it wasn't only him, Lu Ganan was also coming from inside of the Mercenary Guild.

Go Gao reached Krune and said.

"You are finally out of your seclusion, I can see that you even broke through the 3rd Stage of Foundation Establishment, congratulations. Why don't you come with me now? As long as you decided to leave the Mercenary Guild, I can guarantee that no one will stop you."

Lu Ganan on the side then said.

"Why would he leave my mercenary guild? It is you who are forcing him into such a decision, can't you see that he doesn't want it at all?"

Both of them started to bicker with each other. Krune, on the other hand, was feeling gloomier and gloomier. Everyone is paying attention to him, the one who made the two guilds to fight over him. He could see that both parties' tension was very high, and he pondered how he should alleviate the situation.

It was then that he remembered a few words said by that s*x shop attendant back then. He had said that men like to go to a place called brothel to get rid of their tension. Even though Krune would not listen to that guy's advice about women anymore, it couldn't be that he is also wrong about men, right? The attendant that day was a human male, too, after all. Krune then went in between the two supervisors and said.

"There is no need to continue this discussion. I have already made my decision that I will stay in the Mercenary Guild, but I will also be part of the Alchemist Guild. As for the part of losing my life during the missions, supervisor Go has no need to worry. If there is something that I'm confident about, that is to keep myself safe."

Lu Ganan was ecstatic, on the other hand, Go Gao didn't like that answer. They didn't lose Krune, but they didn't acquire him for themselves alone either. Just as he was about to talk, Krune put his arms around Lu Ganan and Go Gao's shoulders.

"Let's go, I will bring you guys to have some fun."

Lu Ganan and Go Gao asked almost by instinct.

"Go where?"

Krune then smiled and said.

"To the brothel, of course! I heard that you human males like to go there to alleviate their tension, and that's the best place for us to be at the moment. This fight between both guilds is now over."

The people around that were watching the show looked strangely to Go Gao and Lu Ganan. That's because they all know that both of them are... married!

Go Gao and Lu Ganan almost vomited blood after that. Who the hell will go there with you? Do you want our wives to make us infertile?!

Yusa and Ao put their hands on their faces, and they are 100% sure! Krune has absolutely no idea about what a brothel really is at all!

And just like that, the old news about the guild's fight was somehow changed to the story about the guild supervisors being good customers of the Red Lantern, the most famous brothel in the city! Both Go Gao and Lu Ganan had a hard time at home explaining what really happened. They were also left in the dry by their wives for the next few months. They wanted to cry but had no tears.

Report chapter