Chapter 9

Two days later..

A huge wave of spiritual Qi pervades the surroundings as it expanded up to 200 meters surrounding the cave. This made some of the beasts in the area tried to inch closer to the cave as they felt that some human is trying to form their gold core.

This is way too tempting for any beast, as eating a human gold core will immediately make their strength soar by leaps and bounds.

Inside the cave, Shin Jiao can see large beads of sweat forming on Cherry Lao's forehead and her body is already covered in sweat. He averted his eyes as he suddenly noticed a vague view of her body's curves from her wet robe which is already sticking on her skin.

Shin Jiao wanted to help her after seeing her struggling, but he is afraid that it might break her concentration which would lead to disaster. So he just waited to the side and ready himself to protect her.

"Hmmm, there seem to be some movements outside..." He thought as his sense picked up something.

"Best if I could get rid of some of these nuisances." Shin Jiao muttered as he suddenly felt some auras coming towards the direction of the cave.

So he quietly exited and stood guard outside. He has already found some beast and killed them before they can get near.

After some time, he suddenly felt a very strong pressure emanating from the cave.

"This... is she was successful in forming her gold core? If so, then that's a relief." Shin Jiao muttered as a smile crept on his face.

As he was looking at the cave's direction, a shadow suddenly jumps out from a bush and attacked Shin Jiao. Five long and sharp claws whistled through the air towards his neck.

The beast is a long-clawed monkey the size of a regular person, but it has a stronger physique than Shin Jiao. Then an evil and a sinister smile appears on its gruesome face as its claws passed through Shin Jiao's flesh.

But before it could feel truly happy by its successful sneak attack, it suddenly felt its consciousness slowly fading. Then its body lifelessly slumped on the ground.

Shin Jiao in its front suddenly turns into a blur as it becomes an after image. And from the right side of the beast stood Shin Jiao's real body and a bloody refined stone machete is on his hand.

"Hah, I didn't know that even my normal speed is this fast. Since I haven't used my body in fighting for some time, I guessed I have misjudged my strength. Maybe this is the reason why I can feel my body becoming stronger even though the spheres in my dantian is not increasing.. Hmmm.. I'm guessing that my with my bare strength alone I can wrestle a 3rd level beast. If I continue with this I think I can increase my body's strength to that of 5th level beast in just 2 to 3 months."

A feeling of elation filled Shin Jiao's heart, he looks at the dead sharp-clawed monkey and kept it inside his ring. He then looks around and saw the carcasses and began to busy himself doing the cleanup.

Then suddenly he notices that the cave door quietly opens and out came Cherry Lao with silent footsteps.

She spotted Shin Jiao not far from the entrance and a smile crept on her red lips. But as her gaze stayed on him, she froze, and her smile turned into a frown.

"He.. he is not emitting any spiritual fluctuations.. This... this is impossible, right?.. It can't be possible." Cherry Lao said to herself as disbelief filled her eyes.

According to her analysis, while they are staying together, Shin Jiao might be a core-forming realm cultivator or higher. Plus, the beasts she saw from his hunts are at least 2nd and 3rd level. And he also got hold of a 5th level beast king core. So how could this be possible? Although he didn't say where he got those, yet judging from the number of the cores alone, as a mortal, how could he even have the strength to cut open a demon king carcass? All these events and the time she spends with him made her doubt what she is seeing in front of her eyes.

Feeling the intense gaze behind him, Shin Jiao knew without using his sense that Cherry Lao is looking at him, so he turns around.

"Damn, this girl is truly beautiful. Now that she broke through in the gold core realm her aura is like that of a Goddess." Shin Jiao thought as he observes the young woman.

"I guess you are successful in forming your gold core, right? Congratulations!" Shin Jiao said feeling elated.

"Yes.. But... Shin, your aura.. I.. I cannot see any fluctuation of spiritual energy within you. It's as if you don't have Qi in your body..." She said with a hint of disbelief and reluctance in her tone.

In her heart, she didn't want to know the truth but her curiosity got the best of her.

"Oh, you can see spiritual auras now... Well, I won't hide it from you. The truth is that I don't have any spiritual roots, hence I can't cultivate." Shin Jiao said as if it's just a normal thing.

But upon hearing this, Cherry Lao's expression dropped and her heart was in turmoil. His confirmation made her truly confused and at the same time hurt.

She felt that she was being lied to and was betrayed, although it was not her place to feel that way as there is no relationship between them, she can't help feeling otherwise. As a cultivator, Cherry's mindset is influenced by the people around her and in her sect. This is also the reason why she almost gave up when she found out about her core. Hence discovering that Shin Jiao is just a mortal drive a heavy blow on her.

She can't deny that she likes Shin Jiao and her feeling for him is borderline love and friendship.

As a strong woman, her goal is to be an immortal, a strong being. And her partner should also be the same and should be able to support her and she would support him too. But Shin Jiao is not a cultivator, how could she accept that disappointing situation right now. She can't accept that she truly felt this way with a trash mortal in which she herself disdained.

Plus as a cultivator, her lifespan is longer than his. She could not accept that pain of seeing the one you love getting old and dying before you.

"Are... Are you sure? How could that be?... You're not lying to me Shin, right? Tell me this is all a joke." Cherry Lao's emotional turmoil suddenly erupted.

"What's going on Cherry? I mean, why are you so riled up? So what if I'm a mortal?..." Shin Jiao replied in confusion as he saw tears slowly flowing down her eyes.

"You!... Do you not care about me? Do you not like me?" Cherry Lao shouted in agitation.

"Ha?! Umm.. I.. I won't say that I don't like you.. but.." Shin Jiao was suddenly stumped on what to say. He was not prepared to be asked with this kind of question.

Deep within himself, he couldn't lie that he has truly felt something for her. As a normal man and being alone with a beautiful young woman, how could he not?

But the situation not right is confusing, they are in the middle of the forest and their future is still not clear. There are still many things he needs to consider.

"But what?..." Cherry Lao's asked

But before Shin Jiao could answer a loud crash suddenly interrupted their conversation.

In a little distance away from them, three cultivators suddenly appear being chased by a giant lizard-like beast. The sound of magic weapons and spells clashing reverberates around the area.

Looking at the giant lizard beast which is around the 4th level, and the three cultivators which are all at the peak of the core-forming realm, the two can't help but feel a little annoyed.

The three cultivators and the giant lizard suddenly noticed the presence of Shin Jiao and Cherry Lao, which made the group froze on their tracks. The giant lizard with is sharp instinct suddenly had an ominous feeling as it senses the aura of the young woman standing in the distance. It knows that if she enters the battle its life could be threatened.

The three cultivators could also see Cherry Lao's aura which is in the primary level of the gold core realm, and they breathe a deep sigh of relief.

The only female in the group immediately rushes forward and greeted Cherry Lao.

"Senior sister, this junior greets you. I'm Mei Wan of the Thunder sword sect. I and my fellow disciples wanted to ask for your assistance, we would gladly compensate you for your troubles... We... we just wanted the gall bladder of this Fiery Lizard for my young brother's illness and some of its parts. If you are willing to help, then the rest of its parts would be yours." She said courteously as she bowed with cupped hands towards Cherry Lao.

Cherry Lao furrowed her brows and noticed that the group seem to put Shin Jiao in their eyes, who is standing just in front of her. She wanted to scold the group but held herself as she already confirms that Shin Jiao is truly just a mortal and felt her heart sunk.

The Fiery Lizard sense that something is wrong and decided to attack Cherry Lao first. This is because his instinct is telling it that she is the most dangerous int his bunch. It pounces forward and darted using its long tongue which emits heat like a sharp javelin going straight towards Cherry Lao.

The sharp fiery tongue is almost about to hit Cherry Lao, who is also stunned and was unable to react as the sneak attack of the beast. But suddenly, before the tongue could reach her a tall figure blocked her view and collided with that tongue.

The impact force of the collision between the tongue and Shin Jiao who uses his already enhanced stone machete to block the attack causes Shin Jiao to be thrown like a cannonball towards a tree.

Boom!!!

Although Shin Jiao's body is sturdy, the impact still hurts him. So he spews out a mouthful of blood and slumped while leaning on the broken tree trunk.

"Shin! Why did you.." Cherry Lao shouted as she ran towards Shin Jiao with worry-filled eyes.

"It's okay... I'm not... that hurt." Shin Jiao replied with a smile.

But the blood trickling at the side of his lips made him look pitiful. Suddenly a mocking tone interrupted the two.

"Humph! A trashy mortal trying to be a hero. That's what you get for overestimating yourself." The cold voice of a young girl was suddenly heard behind Cherry Lao.

"Senior Sister, you don't have to waste your time with him. Although he was hit, he said that he is okay. Our kind should not mingle with those lower beings." The girl called Mei Wan said trying to convince Cherry Lao with her own twisted logic which is very common in this world.

"Go, help them. I'm okay. It would be more troublesome if that Fiery Lizard is not dealt with." Shin Jiao said as he patted Cherry Lao's hand with a smile.

Although a little hesitant, Cherry Lao still knew that the situation is bad. So she nodded in confirmation and stood up while taking out her sword from her spatial tool to help the other cultivators in facing the 4th level beast.

Seeing this Mei Wan frown, she can't accept something like this. She was born in an aristocratic family where they believe that every mortal are just slaves and doesn't have any rights to talk to cultivators. Seeing that Cherry Lao obey the word of a mere mortal, she felt that her pride as a cultivator was tarnished and a killing intent glinted from her eyes while looking at Shin Jiao.

"A mere trashy mortal trying to command a cultivator. If I didn't teach you a lesson and claim your life later then I'm not a noble cultivator," she said to herself as she ran and followed Cherry Lao.

Because of her clouded views and extreme racism, she didn't realize that although she is looking at a mortal, how could a mere mortal survive that attack? And though there is the presence of the gold core realm next to him, this part of the forest is where 3rd level to 5th level beast exists, how can a mortal survive here?

Shin Jiao just shook his head, stood up, and decided to watch the fight. He didn't care what others think. If they didn't offend him, then he would just let them be. But if they cause trouble, then they should not blame him for being impolite.

A long and hard battle followed after, which made Shin Jiao look a little disappointed. The cultivators are more in numbers but were not able to overpower the Fiery Lizard in such a short time. Instead, they use some flowery technique with some weird names. Every time they execute their skills they would say its name out loud like in the afternoon kid show he saw on TV while on earth. This made Shin Jiao almost laugh out loud while watching them fight.

"This is too funny, I guess it truly is as Gubu said in his records. Mortals are disdained and oppressed in this continent. But it doesn't matter, with that level of skill I won't be afraid of facing any cultivators below the gold core realm. Cherry's skills are good and she can execute a lot of techniques. But there are some useless movements in them which consume more of her energy than needed." Shin Jiao muttered as he watches the fight.

As a former spy, he is well versed in a lot of different fighting techniques. And with Gubu's records, he was also able to learn some profound techniques from this continent. So he can see their flaws.

Then at last on the battlefield, Cherry Lao suddenly imbued her spiritual energy on her sword which emits a bluish light. Then she shouted the skill which made Shin Jiao cringe. But the skill is truly strong as with one slash she was able to decapitate the lizard's head.

"Wow! Senior Sister, you are really strong. Gold core realm cultivators are really powerful." Mei Wan shouted in excitement as she saw the Fiery Lizard body slump to the ground with a loud thud.

The group began dissecting the large corpse of the Fiery Lizard right after.

This time Shin Jiao noticed something and realized that not all of them have spatial tools. When Cherry Lao stored her share of the loot, the group of three cultivators was showing an amazed expression, especially the haughty young woman called Mei Wan.

"Wow, Senior sister you have a storage ring! That is truly awesome. I wish I can be your friend... Hihi..." She shamelessly said as if it would be an honor for Cherry Lao to be her friend.

A hint of envy could be seen on her eyes as she looks at the storage ring of Cherry's dainty hand.

Seeing that his younger sister is behaving blatantly, the handsome and sturdy young man who had a resemblance in appearance with Mei Wan stepped forward and cupped his hands.

"Senior, please don't be offended by the behavior of my little sister, she is just too young and excited to see a powerful person like yourself." He said as he bowed in respect but a glint of craftiness was seen by Shin Jiao in his eyes.

Though he tried to hide it, it didn't escape Shin Jiao as he was observing the group.historical

Seeing that the battle is now done and exhaustion can be seen on Cherry Lao's eyes, he walks towards them and interrupted their awkward conversation.

"Ahem.. We should be going..." He said.

When the others heard this, they showed displeased looks on their faces. But Shin Jiao didn't mind them. However, he also didn't want that Cherry would think he is uncultured, so he offered.

"If you guys wanted to rest, you can come with us," he added with a smile.