"The time is over, sir." the woman informed them, and Tanner nodded, drawing himself away from his thoughts.
"Thank you very much." Standing up, he cupped his fist in John's direction and left the center.
___________
"I'll need a lot of stuff. Cultivation Techniques, weapons, armor." Tanner sighed.
"I'll also need to advance my level, last I recall, the system has a level up feature. I should try it out and see what I can get."
'Stats.'
[Data]
Name: Michael Tanner
Level: 1
Mana: 100/100
HP: 100/100
EXP – 0/100
[Stats]
Strength – 15
Agility – 23
Speed – 25
Intelligence – 14
Energy – 100/100
[Magic]
Water
– Basic realm
– Beginner stage
[Miscellaneous]
Points – 0
Stealth – 0
Magic Control – 20
Charm – 4
Bravery – 3
Resistance – 5
"My stats can improve based on my level of improvement." Receiving a pleasant surprise, Tanner became in a good mood.
__________
"This should be a good spot." Thirty minutes ago, Tanner had realized that he did not know how to get anywhere here.
After purchasing a map, he looked for suitable forests or battlegrounds where he could test his skills.
"The Rocky Plains Battlegrounds. Let's see what you're about." Heading in a specific direction for about an hour, Tanner could see the extremely expansive plains, which looked extremely deserted.
Boarding a transport vehicle, as he couldn't get there by foot, he overheard conversations from mages who were heading his direction.
"The core of the Rocky Plains Battlegrounds are in turmoil. I heard that several Pure Earth Golems were formed there, and they're also Grade 10."
"Damn! Grade 10?!"
"Haha, that should not pose a threat to the Iron Glory sect. It might even excite them even!"
"At this point, the Earth Golems are just offering themselves for usage...."
The Rocky Plains Battlegrounds were maintained by a sect called the Iron Glory. The sect basically included a bunch of crazies with the Earth Element trying to improve.
What was even more crazy was the fact that some of them directly used the 'Mana Control' method to improve their bodies. It was extremely complex and hard.
__________
[Exchange System]
Reading the sign, Tanner walked into the building.
"These Grade 10 Golems are appearing everywhere...."
"More practice for me!"
"It's better we group up as a team."
"Hello?" Tanner, who had been standing at a spot for over ten minutes, looked at a young man who looked to be over twenty. He was clad in red armor, which give him a heroic vibe.
"Forgive the intrusion. I was hoping you would join our team on a hunt."
"No thanks...." Tanner apologized sincerely and prepared to leave.
"Don't worry, you'll be protected, if that's what you're afraid of." Someone behind the young man commented.
"Keep quiet, we're all here to improve, not to scorn."
"Oh come on, he doesn't look to be over sixteen, and is still in the Basic realm."
"Poor talent, or lack of cultivation."
"Yeah right, and he's still in the beginner stage?"
Hearing all sorts of negative remarks being made about him, Tanner turned briefly and shook his head.
"Fine."
"Excellent. The name's Arnold Jason." Arnold said.
_________
"Remind me again why you had to add him on the team?" A bit further away, a mage who wore green robes stood in front of Arnold.
"Because I want to. I'm the team captain after all." Not even staring in his direction, Arnold turned around and walked away.
Rage filled the green robed mage's heart. However, he took a deep breath, calming himself.
Staring at Tanner's direction, he huffed coldly and didn't say a word.
___________
"Materials are ready for deployment. Here, have this. Consider it as a welcome gift." Arnold stretched out his palm, revealing a Superior Spatial Ring.
Tanner smiled wryly. He was being looked down upon, but he didn't mind, at least for now. Taking the ring, he inspected it's contents and found some armor and a long, curved dagger.
"A 3 Star Blood Dagger, not bad."
"2 Star Inferior Bronze Armor."
Putting on the armor, he stood behind the rest of the team, emitting a weak aura.
The bronze armor gave off a dim bronze sheen. There was no active skill to it, but it covered his aura almost entirely.
[STEALTH ATTRIBUTE BOOSTED]
Stealth – 10
The ten man group left the exchange center after a while. Thirty minutes later, they stared at the large expanse of land.
"This should be the periphery of the Rocky Plains Battlegrounds. It is called a plains, meaning flat an empty, however, you cannot see more than five kilometers. Not sure if it's vision obscuring formations or our cultivations, but keep your senses peeled." Arnold sternly instructed.
"Hm." They nodded.