The west of the Desolate Mountain was bumpy and trees were scattered all around. Vines slithered about, causing the trails to be awfully restrained. The black glasses also acted as a reason for this shrouded region.
If Jun had to say, this forest was comparable to the amazon forest in his previous life, only that this forest wasn't too large.
Adding the fact that Jun had already advanced to the second realm, his perception had become high. The black gasses appeared transparent in his eyes.
On his way to the hidden path, Jun had met several beasts through the journey. Although Jun was powerful, Jun didn't fight and continued on his way, while using his dark element. Thus, no beasts had made the trouble to Jun.
Jun's lightning element allowed him to travel rapidly. Considering that he was now in element refinement, holding a fraction of lightning element's power, his speed was as if short instantaneous teleportation. His figure leaped tree over a tree, only leaving a shadow.
It took Jun fifteen minutes to arrive at the location of the hidden path. The place here was ample with vines, even trees paled compared to its quantity. Some distances away, there were swamps, but fortunately, not a single beast could be traced.
Jun strolled towards the boulder draped with vines. If one tilted their head a little, one could see a tiny gap of light beneath the boulder.
"Fortunately, I discovered this path..."
Jun felt nostalgic. When he traveled around this area, he had already founded Peace Lonely Peak for two years. Thus, he had long become a veteran traveler of this area and had found the hidden path somewhere in between those years.
The beasts in this area are actually wild beasts, so they weren't as strong as those demonic beasts.
Even Jun have the chance to kill them when he was a mortal; the only reason he didn't was that his afraid of death.
Jun arrived at the front of the boulder and rolled it to the side, opening a long, dim cave.
The cave was about 2 li, enough for three people to walked side by side and still feel comfortable.
Jun had explored it before so he didn't really have any reaction. As soon as the path opened, he stepped inside and rolled the boulder back to its place.
His eyesight was instantly darkened, only the seeping light told him he was inside. Jun turned his feet and started walking on the path.
"Should I stick to my plan?"
Jun's money-making plan was kind of devious and naughty. As a xianxia reader, Jun had a dream of making money through dirty hands. As he thought about it seriously, he rejected the idea.
The cultivation world wasn't a playground for him to have fun. If something goes wrong, he would be finished once!
'I'll just apply as an adventurer, and earn some money. With my strength of Element Refinement, I can easily complete missions," said Jun, "And right, I should register as an official Martial Veteran, earning me a sum."
A few minutes later, the darkness within the cave slowly dispelled, and light came pouring in. As Jun stepped out of the darkness, the light blinded his eyes.
The vast skies outside were blue and clear. The grasses were green and the wind was fresh, blowing his clothes. The land was peaceful, no beasts were seen in the periphery. The vast road was like a desert, and no mountain range could be seen in the distance.
Jun didn't idle and quickly continued his journey, heading straight the road. Although he hadn't come out for three years, the road was familiar to him.
As Jun walked the road, he heard some faint sound ringing from the distance.
Jun focused his senses on his hearing, fusing his light element to his ears.
"Don't be afraid! Kill this bastard!"
"Oh, a fight?"
Jun was curious and quickly went towards the source of the sound. With lightning element, he turned into an azure bolt, quickly heading to his destination.
Jun's movements were very fast. A forest appeared shortly in front of him and Jun entered without much thought. There were few wandering beasts but due to his dark element, his trip was smooth.
He arrived at the destination shortly.
Hiding in the bushes, Jun peeked. There was a wide road ahead of him, and several carriages with armored men guarding it were seen.
At this moment, the attention of these men was focused on the mindless beast creating havoc.
"Die!"
A fierce-looking man with a scar on his face was facing this beast. His blade was long and sharp, enough to behead a man with a single strike.
"Leader is so strong! This beast is going to die!"
"Deserves it! Trying to ambush us, humph."
"Leader Fang's earth element is too strong. The beast can't damage his body at all!"
The fierce man fought the beast repeatedly, but it was evident that the beast was at the disadvantage. It released its unique skill, but it was still suppressed by the fierce man's martial technique, and it finally died with unwillingness.
"Good job, leader!"
"The second-level beast is dead, wonderful!"
"Leader, you're my idol!"
The armored men shouted excitedly and the mood was excellent.
"Are they a mercenary group?"
Jun had heard that there are many occupations in the world. Cultivators with decent strength would form a mercenary group, and people would hire them for certain tasks.
The fierce man didn't reply and instead looked in the direction of the bushes.
"My friend, you've been watching for a while now. Isn't it rude not to introduce yourself?"
Everyone was stunned. Someone is here? Their face turned solemn.
"Oh, he notices my presence." Jun was shocked, but he realized. 'I was too absorbed with the fight, I intentionally disperse my dark element, thus allowing to leak my location. This fierce-looking man is an earth elemental cultivator, it is natural for him to be mindful of presence within the land around him.'
Jun thought for a moment and then stepped out of the bush. His face was young and everyone lowered their weapons a little. They did not think Jun was a threat to them.
"Young friend, why were you spying?" The fierce-looking man asked.
Jun cupped his fists, "I heard some noises nearby, and I came here. I hid because you guys might attack me for no reason."
"Haha, there's no problem," The fierce-man laughed, he didn't put Jun on the eyes. "It's natural to be cautious."
Jun nodded. Before he could say a thing, he saw a fat middle-aged man dressed in luxurious clothes, looking like a round ball, walking towards them. He said, "Young man, what's your business here? I'm Peng Liu, the merchant hiring these men."
"Hello there," Jun greeted him, "Where are you guys heading, by chance?"
"Hong Shu City," the fatty said.
"What a coincidence, I'm going there, too." Jun smiled, "Can I tag along with you?"
There are many carriages with them. The Hong Shu city was far and traveling on foot was tiring, it would be better if he could hitch a ride.
"Isn't that too dangerous, leader, we don't know this man," a subordinate of the fierce-looking man, Blade Fang, whispered.
"Don't worry too much. The decision is up to Lord Peng," said Blade Fang indifferently.
Lord Peng thought for a moment before nodding his head, "Okay, you can follow us. I assume you want to hitch a ride, so there's no problem. There are also many devils and it's very dangerous to travel alone."
"Thank you," Jun cupped his fists.
"It's nothing."
Lord Peng waved his hand and told Blade Fang and his subordinates to continue. With an additional member, they journeyed towards Hong Shu city.