Exploring the Mysterious Ruin! 1
In the village, a new statue that no one had seen before was erected. Right next to the serene and benevolent figure of the ancient immortal, who resembled a fairy, stood a small, cute statue of the new immortal. Seeing the two immortals standing side by side gave off a faint impression of a parent and child benevolently watching over the village.
The villagers paid their respects before my statue to commemorate the new immortal's grace, expressing their gratitude. Even though it was the height of festival season and everyone was busy playing and drinking, not one of them forgot to visit the statue and bow in thanks. Of course—who could fail to be grateful when so many of them had family or loved ones brought back from the brink of death thanks to Lin?
To them, Lin—who had provided such direct help—was far more precious than the royal family or the heavens, figures they revered their whole lives without ever receiving a response.
Village folks built me a statue to say thanks for beating that nasty toad lol. Didn't think much of it at first, but now that it's done, I feel kinda proud haha
While proudly uploading this moment to the forum gallery to brag, Lin suddenly spotted Seorin standing in the village square, where the festival was in full swing far off in the distance. She seemed to enjoy the festivities for a bit before something occurred to her, and she dashed toward the center of the village. That spot was none other than where the newly erected statue—mine—stood.
"Immortal..."
Seorin gazed up at the dignified(?) statue for a moment, then clasped her hands tightly together and made a wish. It was the small, heartfelt plea of a child.
"Immortal... thank you so much for saving my father and protecting our village. Meeting you was the greatest luck of my life."
"...Heavens, gods of heaven and earth... please let a bright light shine on this little immortal's path..."
And at that moment, a strange tickle stirred deep in Lin's chest, followed by a sensation of something filling up even more profoundly. It was truly an odd feeling.
[??? has become even more solid!]
Like that, time passed. Before long, the time came for Lin to leave the village. Even after the festival ended, she'd stayed a bit longer to help with big and small village matters. On top of gathering supplies and food for the journey, she needed time to consolidate her newly acquired techniques and powers.
"Immortal! Safe travels!"
"May blessings follow the little immortal on her path..."
"Haha! We wish you success in all your endeavors, Immortal!"
Just like the day Lin returned after slaying the toad, throngs of villagers had gathered at the village entrance to see her off. It was a sign of how much they wished for her well-being. Hehe!
"Thanks for everything! You all have to keep doing great without me!"
"Ho ho, of course. The village will never forget the little immortal's help."
As Lin was about to turn and leave for good, the Village Chief spoke up.
"So, where will you be heading now?"
"Hmm... probably to the Zhu Kingdom! If what you said is true, that is!"
"As expected... off to that place. Indeed, a small village like ours is too modest to contain someone like you, Immortal."
In their conversation, the next destination was decided: the vast human kingdom of Zhu Kingdom, built by humans. According to the chief, Zhu territory began not far from here. It was the mightiest human nation in the Hwallangnim Forest region, and its capital hosted mysterious ascetics like Lin, along with the massive cultivation sects they formed.
As a fellow cultivator just starting on the path, how could she not be curious? Moreover, for some reason, even as a demonkin, Lin faced no hurdles cultivating human techniques. So, even if the races differed, heading there would surely be a huge help. Unlike the demonkin world, where everyone fended for themselves, the human cultivation scene operated under a systematic structure—making it far easier to obtain fitting techniques and spirit medicines, several times more so than in demon society.
"Rumor has it there are two massive sects in the capital with Decisive Realm true immortals as supreme elders. Led by those two dominant Decisive Sects, the lesser sects vie for power..."
"Decisive Realm... whoa, that's insane!"
The Decisive Realm came after Qi Condensation and Core Formation—an terrifying stage equivalent to surpassing Great Demon for demonkin, reaching Demon King. At that level, one was recognized as a high cultivator in the cultivation world, practically unrivaled in the lower realms. In the secular world, they were no different from immortals, so even as humans, they couldn't be taken lightly.
I'm at Qi Condensation Mid right now... how far to Core Formation? Ugh, still a long way to go!
In the cultivation world, higher realms grew exponentially harder, so reaching their Demon King level would take much more time. She'd only just taken her first steps!
However, Lin must never forget she was a total newbie who'd only just begun cultivating. In truth, their positions differed vastly. They'd spent lifetimes reaching Decisive, with little time left for further progress. Lin, on the other hand, was a fresh sprout with infinite potential ahead. Achieving this much already was astonishing—other cultivators would faint in shock at her speed. Considering demonkin cultivation was far slower and harder than humans', her Qi Condensation Mid pace was monstrous.
"Got it... thanks, I've learned a lot! Appreciate the info!"
"Not at all. You're surely headed to the Zhu capital's cultivation scene? Here, take this small token. I have a close friend there; show him this, and he'll help you settle in."
"Whoa... you didn't have to! But thanks!"
Stowing the chief's token in the storage pouch, Lin finally bid him farewell. She didn't know exactly where the Zhu capital was, but it was a long trek. The road ahead stretched far.
"Bye! Take care!"
With that, Lin walked and walked toward the direction the chief indicated—toward the Zhu capital, somewhere out there.
*
Kyu!
'Phew... how long have I been walking? Must be days by now!'
Quite some time had passed since leaving the village. Lin had kept walking nonstop.
Kyu!
'Still, it's comfy being back in my true form after so long!'
Even if she could shapeshift, her original body felt more natural than human form. Was it because she was demonkin, or her shapeshifting still unmastered? Unlike the village, where she couldn't freely revert, the forest let her roam as her true self—far more convenient. Her true form was also much faster than human.
Anyway, Lin pressed on in the direction the chief gave, of course taking breaks to hunt and eat spirit herbs and beasts, gather them, and diligently post on the forum.
Me... camping in the woods again today..
At the gallery users' desperate pleas, Lin diligently sold off excess spirit herbs and demon byproducts at the exchange. She had plenty anyway, and was too full to eat more, so no loss. Plus, some users had suspiciously vast spirit stones, making the income nothing to sneeze at.
For now, camping in the woods meant the piling stones weren't super useful... but once she reached a massive civilized hub like the Zhu capital? Endless uses! Imagining splurging and flexing there already had Lin's heart racing with excitement.
Kyu!
'Heehee, get hyped!'
She was giggling at the forum's silly posts, trekking through the woods, when—
Kyu?
'...Huh? What's this?'
Lin's steps halted abruptly. Something alien prickled her keen senses.
Kyuu...
'Feels... super artificial...'
Hard to put into words, but it wasn't natural. Having spent so long in these woods, she was certain. Something was here!
Unable to resist her curiosity, Lin followed the unnatural aura. And sure enough, there it was—a suspicious cave, blatantly artificial with formation devices and a stele out front.
Sensing a wondrous serendipity, Lin snapped a pic and posted it to the forum.
Found this on the road, looks mad suspicious right?? Should I go in?