On the third floor, all Ace saw was an old man seated on a chair. Before the old man was a table.
Waking up to the old man, Ace was amazed by the immense pressure around the old man.
Just by being within a metre of the old man, Ace almost bent his knees from the unwavering pressure despite his attempt to neutralise it.
Taking another step forward, Ace understood the crux of the situation.
This was a test designed by the old man. Only those who can approach him despite being under this pressure, can gain access to information about the Moss Forest.
Surrounding himself with his slaughter law which easily prevented the pressure from getting to him, Ace sat down on the chair opposite to the old man without feeling any discomfort.
"Boy, how old are you right now?"
While Ace was occupied with entertaining the bizarre questions of the old man, a few more cultivators walked up to the third floor as well, only to back away from the intense pressure.
On their clothing, a mercenary badge could be seen.
"Maybe we should back off right now, we aren't fated to be with the soul fruits."
"Yea, I'm still surprised to see such a young boy sitting so calmly before that old man."
"Let's just back off now."
The old man glanced towards the few mercenaries who backed off, forming a barrier to prevent them from lurking to eavesdrop.
"Senior, why are you asking all this?" Ace asked after replying another question without giving a regard to the cultivators who have backed away.
"I'm just surprised to see a cultivator as young as you to make it here. You came here for the information on the Moss Forest didn't you?"
Hearing the old man's question, Ace held back his rashness to retort back.
Why else would I be here? Ace couldn't help but thought to himself in annoyance, but on the surface, he still replied to the old man politely.
"Take this book, there's a map within the book as well. Also, do not flip to the last page of the book until it's time. You can leave now."
Without even giving Ace the chance to ask when it's time, the old man had already sent Ace to the first floor without Ace realising how it happened.
Ace was about to leave the mercenary guild and make his way to the Moss Forest, but when he saw the mission board and the bountiful rewards, he stopped in his tracks.
His gaze was fixated on one mission and the promised reward.
Unknown grade sword skill, will only be given after the mission is completed.
Details: In the Moss Forest, there's a demon beast who has been causing havoc in the core area of the forest. Subdue it.
What caught Ace's attention wasn't just the sword skill which was meant to be the reward, but because the mission poster was golden in colour.
The other missions were mostly the colour of wood, a minority of them were bronze in colour with only a few missions which were silver in colour.
But this mission itself was golden in colour. The rewards may be tempting considering that the mission was from someone reliable, but the difficulty of the mission would be a problem.
After weighing the consequences, Ace still decided to take on the mission as he registered himself for it.
On the name list however, he realised that he was the only person who accepted the mission.
To the top right corner of the machine, Ace saw an icon which showed a variety of colours similar to that of the mission posters.
Out of curiosity, he tapped the icon with his index finger, only to be shocked by the information which he read and a penalty message in red.
[If one fails to complete a mission, a penalty would be incurred depending on the grade of the mission taken]
Missions in the colour of wood are meant for newbie mercenaries of the Martial Spirit realm.
Missions in the colour of bronze are meant for mercenaries of the Martial Lord realm.
Missions in the colour of silver are meant for mercenaries of the Martial King realm.
Missions in the colour of gold are meant for mercenaries of the Martial Emperor realm,
The moment Ace read this final line of message, he swallowed a deep gulp of saliva.
This mission was definitely put up by someone who was of a noble status, the mission was intended for veterans among the elites, yet he had chosen it foolishly without being sure of the terms and conditions or the suggested cultivation base.
If it was a silver mission, Ace would have seen a glimpse of hope at the very least, but with the mission being intended for Martial Emperors, Ace saw absolutely no hope in completing it.
"Young boy, it seems that you have decided to take on the mission posted by me."
While Ace was still thinking of a counter measurement towards the penalty, a gust of wind spiralled before him as a man stood directly in front of him.
"Senior, I picked up the mission…"
"I don't need to hear your excuses, just follow me first."
Interrupting Ace, the man pulled Ace along with him.
Leaving the mercenary guild as all Ace saw was the scenery flashing before his eyes.
Ace realised that he has already gotten into deep trouble at this point of time, this man had most likely put up the mission because he required assistance, yet Ace was already unable to comprehend this level of strength the man had.
Even if Ace was to be given the chance to fight this man in a fair fight, he was sure that the man would still be able to restrain him without any effort.
The disparity in their strength was akin to that of heaven and earth, yet the opponent he had to face was above heaven.
By the time they came to a stop, Ace realised that he was currently at the entrance of the Moss Forest.
"You may only be a young Martial Lord, but I see potential in you."
The man said towards Ace without giving him the chance to see his face which was hidden behind a mask.
"Senior, I understand that you brought me here for a reason. But my strength is insufficient to help you in defeating that demon beast."
Ace inserted his own point for the first time, his eyes fixated on the eyes of the man who has brought him here against his own will.
"What I need isn't your strength. All I need is someone who cultivates the slaughter law and I sensed it from you through my own method."
The masked man said towards Ace as he signalled for him to follow up.
Making their way through the shrubs which were in the way of their vision, they soon stopped before a cave.
"There's an illusion realm here which can only be challenged by someone who cultivates the slaughter law."
"Senior, are you implying for me to be in danger so that you can obtain the treasure inside?"
"Hahahaha…"
For the first time in their brief meeting, Ace heard the man's laughter.
If there was one thing Ace could confirm from the man's laughter, it would be the fact that the man held no malicious intent towards him.
"You're thinking too much into this, even though you might get into danger, you would also benefit if you walk out from the illusion realm by yourself."
The man explained without convincing Ace to enter the illusion realm.
Heaving a sigh of relief, Ace made his decision after weighing the consequences and benefits.
"I've made up my mind, I'll enter the illusion realm."
Ace approached the cave and gave the man behind him his answer.
Yet, before Ace could take his first step into the illusion realm, the hostile roar of a demon beast came from behind.
Turning back, Ace realised that it was a sabertooth demon beast which is already near extinction in all areas of the cultivation world.
Judging from the aura that it's giving off, it was most likely a Demon King. To be more exact, one of the strongest among Demon Kings,
Ace was about to make a move, but when he saw the old man raising his palm to gather a orb of wind energy, he remained where he was and spectated the scene.
Without even starting the battle, the sabertooth had already escaped as though it had met the greatest fear in its life.
Ace was unable to sense the strength from the orb of wind from here, but just from the gentle swirl of wind which gathered such an immense amount of strength, it was more than enough for him to believe that this man is a Martial Emperor at the very least.
"Young boy, don't worry about anything else. If any demon beasts attempt to harm you in this period of time, I'll chase them away while resting on the tree."
The man assured as his eyes landed on the thickest tree branch around the area which he can rest on.
Ace nodded his head as he stepped into the illusion realm.