The four elders

 Jon's expression turned sour. A realm created by deities, wouldn't that mean that no one would be able to escape before becoming a god themselves? And to have to stay in this sort of place and rely on killing level 10 or so monsters, just how many years and months would it take to actually be able to reach godhood?

Seeing the change in Jon's expression, the three elemental lifeforms were terrified. They were afraid that Jon would be dissatisfied with their answers and kill them all with one strike.

The same water demon that had responded to Jon's previous question, seeing his expression turn more and more gloomy, immediately stepped forward and said, "Perhaps the elders know something that we don't. I can take you to our camp!"

Jon was stunned. "You have a camp?"

The water demon replied respectfully, "The forest is treacherous, so some of us elemental creatures gather together to protect ourselves. The elders in the camp are all knowledgeable beings."

Jon agreed at once, and the three elemental creatures began to lead the way. According to the water demon's introduction, their camp was full of elemental creatures. Many of them were below level 10, and not many of them had ranked up. So, Jon thought that the elders in their camp ought to have average combat strength as well. He did not expect to be slightly taken aback when he saw them.

When he first arrived at the camp, Jon saw a level-21 elite water elemental acting as an entrance guard. Only after the other elemental creatures explained the situation did the guard bring Jon to the circular building in the center of the camp. It was said that this was where the elders dealt with their daily matters.

After entering the door, four powerful auras appeared in front of Jon, and a scrutinizing gaze fell on him.

"Where do you come from?"

The scrutinizing gaze was accompanied by an old voice. Jon looked in the direction where the voice came from.

The virtual screen gave a note at the same time:

Water Elemental, Level 23 Intermediate Commander-Level.

Description: As long as it lives long enough, even a water elemental can advance to the commander-level. It possesses many years of wisdom, and it gained the ability to cast spells after countless trials and tribulations.

"I hail from the water elemental birthplace nearby here," Jon said.

"You were once a water elemental? What a grand opportunity you must have once received! Are you interested in joining us?"

Another voice sounded. Jon looked over and saw a gentle and slender female creature, but her body was entirely made of water.

The virtual screen gave a description:

Deepwater Sea Demon, Level 24 Intermediate Commander-Level.

Description: The ranked up form of a water demon. It possesses powerful physical combat abilities and a certain amount of spellcasting abilities.

Another commander-level creature! This place was truly filled with hidden talents.

"That's right. Do you want to consider joining us? With your level of vitality, you'll definitely be able to become an elder in the future."

The voice that sounded this time was a robust male voice. Jon looked over but did not see a physical body. He only saw a ball of rising water vapor.

The virtual screen gave a description:

Steam Elemental, Level 25 Advanced Commander-Level.

Description: A water elemental that once ranked up due to the influence of the fire element. It maintains an extremely high body temperature at all times and can burn any living creature that approaches it.

Jon tactfully declined their kind intentions and stuck with his original reason for coming here. He asked, "May I ask if the elders know the way out of this world?"

As soon as he said this, all the living creatures' attitudes turned cold. The old water element replied:

"There is no way to leave. This world can be entered but not exited. We have lived here for a long time, and not once have we seen anyone able to escape from here."

Hearing that, Jon was about to be disappointed when a beautiful and ethereal voice immediately chimed, "Not necessarily!"

This voice was ethereal and distant, but it also contained a hint of coolness, like an ice that did not like being approached by others.

Jon glanced in that direction and saw a crystal-clear girl. Yes, crystal-clear; her body was composed entirely of ice. She was slender and magnificent, like an angel serving a god. She was beautiful beyond compare, but also extremely distant. She was not tainted by the smoke and fire of the mortal world.

On the virtual screen, there was a note:

Ice Elemental Envoy, level 29 peak commander-level.

Jon was very surprised to meet someone of his own kind. He was also an ice elemental envoy now. However, both her ranking and level were much higher than his own. Though, he didn't completely lack a single ounce of friendliness like her.

After he had seen the four elders, Jon had basically figured out where the peak level of power in this world would be around.

Jon bowed to the ice elemental envoy. "Please advise me, Elder."

"Ice Elder!" The other three elemental elders hurriedly called out, as if they wanted to stop her from continuing speaking.

However, the ice elemental envoy payed no heed to their reactions and continued to speak coldly, "Artificial space created by mortals will inevitably leave an opening to communicate with the energy of the outside world. That is the weakest point in this world. As long as the power of the attack is sufficient, it would be enough to break open this space."

Seeing that the ice elemental envoy did not care about their objections in the slightest, the three elders were secretly angry. However, they did not dare show it, because she was the strongest person in this camp and no one could defeat her.

Since he had already found out a way to leave this world, Jon did not stay any longer. He immediately left the camp to go hunt and level up.

According to the information he got from the elemental creature camp, the monsters gathered the most in the depths of the forest. Naturally, the strong prey there was also the most abundant. Therefore, after Jon left the camp, he set off towards the depths of forest depths at once.

On the way, Jon looked at his data panel.

In the level column, he was now level 11(Level Fragment 7500/4000, Can Level Up). In order to hunt more efficiently and also for his own safety, Jon decided to increase his level.

"Level Up!"

Jon conveyed his will to the system.

"Ding! 4,000 level fragments were consumed, successfully leveled up to level 12. You obtain a roll now that you've leveled up. Do you wish to use it immediately? "

"Note: this roll expires within 24 hours. Please use it as soon as possible."

"Roll immediately."

Jon chose to use this chance immediately.

The virtual screen opened, showing a horse-racing machine image that could be seen everywhere on the street. However, the slots on the horse-racing machine that represented the prizes were all blank. Yellow dots of light wandered across the screen and finally stopped on one of the slots.

The horse-racing machine disappeared from the virtual screen,

And then, a line of words popped up on the screen:

"You've drawn your lot. Congratulations, you've obtained a skill enhancement point."

Jon was quite satisfied with the skill enhancement point he had drawn. Obtaining new skills would not increase his combat power by much, so it was better to strengthen the skills that he already had. As the saying went, quality over quantity.

Triple Sword Desire, Water-Rock-Ice Sword, and Ice Spirit Shock had all already been strengthened once, and couldn't be strengthened again. After careful consideration, Jon decided to strengthen Storm Throw. This was the long-range attack that Jon primarily relied on to deal damage. Furthermore, it was an area of effect attack, so strengthening it ought to increase his power the most.