Four wagons were moving on a dirt trail, one after the other, inside a dense forest.

The sounds of the insects and birds were the only things that the passengers on board could hear apart from the clattering of the wagon.

It had been four days since they had been travelling in this forest.

As the time for lunch was approaching, Yi Chen, who was taking a nap like usual, opened his eyes.

His grumbling stomach was the alarm that never failed to wake him up.

While yawning widely, he scratched the rough stubble that had appeared on his face.

With little water to drink, he couldn't afford to shave it off, and such was the case with others as well.

He turned towards the driver to see the view ahead. There was no sign of a suitable clearing, so it seemed like it would take a while for them to stop.

Realising this, Yi Chen opened up his system panel to observe his progress so far.

-x-x- GODLY CULTIVATOR SYSTEM-x-x-

Name: Yi Chen

Age: 18 years

Strength: 18-> 20

Spiritual Qi: 10/10

Cultivation: Sixth Level of [Elementary Transformation Stage]

Innate Ability: Eye of Truth Lv1 (Passive)

[SKILLS]

[ITEMS]

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

He had just entered the Sixth Level a few days ago, so seeing this new change on his status panel never ceased to delight him.

---Elementary Transformation Stage---

Level: Sixth

Progress: 247/520

-----------------------------------------

In the last two months, after his buff had ended, he had been observing the rate at which his Qi points were opening.

At times, they fluctuated a little, but in general, they have maintained an average rate of 28 Qi points per month.

'With this speed, I'll be able to open all 360 of my Qi points in the next four months.

Assuming that I'll be able to figure out how to open the Hidden Qi points quickly and opening them would take the same amount of time, then I'll only be able to enter the [Meridian Refinement Stage] in nine months.

That would mean that I would be barely making it in time for the Heavenly Azure Dragon Sect's trials.'

Seeing the number of Qi points remaining, Yi Chen's mind started to wander, and he couldn't help but start worrying a little.

The margin of error was way too small because of how little time he had.

'Should I ignore the Hidden Qi points and directly enter the next stage after opening my 360 Qi points?'

The moment this idea entered his mind, he shook it away.

'No, that would be dumb. What's the point of having a system in the first place if I don't utilise the benefits?'

I'll just do my best to increase my average rate of opening these Qi points in this period.

Even if I don't make it in time and am unable to enter the trials, it doesn't matter. I'm sure there would be more opportunities waiting for me if that happens.'

The wagon suddenly came to a stop, and Yi Chen was shaken out of his thoughts.

"Alright, everyone, let's have our lunch here,' the driver said and got out of the wagon.

Soon, the horses were tied to nearby trees and were given a few bundles of hay to eat.

As for everyone else?

They all soon gathered around a fire, and pieces of fresh meat were placed over the fire to cook.

This was from the boar that was caught in a trap the mercenaries placed last night.

The food rations everyone brought with them had finished in two days.

So they became fully dependent on the forest for survival.

"Haha, don't mind and just eat. This service is already included in our fees," the leader of the mercenary group had said to the group at that time.

Being skilled with cooking forest food, they had brought all types of seasoning with them to make the bland meat taste delicious.

A few minutes later, when the meat was cooked, all twenty people were sitting in a circular fashion around the fire and were enjoying it together.

Next to Yi Chen, a man was sitting, and beside him on a wooden log, his wife sat.

Since they were busy talking to themselves, he too didn't initiate a conversation and was busy nibbling on the juicy meat.

'Delicious…'

He thought as his eye slits narrowed in delight.

"Hello brother, so where are you headed?" The man sitting beside him finally initiated a conversation.

"I'm headed to Jade City, what about you?" Yi Chen asked the man. He was in his middle twenties.

"Oh, that's a very long journey you got there. My wife is heading to Liu City to start a new life there," the man answered in a loving tone as he glanced at his wife's stomach before grabbing her hand affectionately.

There was a subtle bulge on her stomach, which was enough for Yi Chen to perceive that she was pregnant.

"Oh? That's great, I wish you good luck," Yi Chen sincerely wished them well.

"Thank you…perhaps…are you married as well?" The man asked as he noticed the ring on his left hand.

"Well…yes," Yi Chen paused for a second and said with a smile, "I got married a few months back."

"Haha, belated congratulations to you then, brother!" The man became more open with Yi Chen when he heard this.

The gaze of wariness in his wife's eyes also decreased considerably when she heard these words.

"Thank you, I also congratulate the two of you in advance for welcoming a new life," Yi Chen responded with a smile.

The two of their faces brightened when they heard his words.

"Say, brother, are you a warrior? I've noticed that you always carry that sword with you," the man asked.

"I'm just a novice. I've been training for only three months now," Yi Chen stated.

"Oh, but that's still admirable. I, too, wanted to try the sword when…"

The conversation carried on as there were still many people eating their meal.

As a result, by the time lunchtime was over, Yi Chen had become very familiar with the couple.

"Alright, everyone! It's time to leave." One of the drivers shouted and told everyone.

Hearing him, everyone started boarding the wagons like normal.

What they didn't know was the fact that they were being observed from a distance.

"With this many people, we'll be able to get enough loot to last us a month. What's even better is that those mercenary bastards don't look strong at all!" one of the men in the bushes said excitedly.

"You're right, the quality of women is also not shabby," another commented crassly with a wicked smile.

"Don't talk shit here, let's go and inform the boss. We'll attack them tonight. It's not every day we get such easy targets," the leader of the three commented, and they soon retreated into the bushes.

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