The Anderville Branch of the Mercenary Association

"I heard that all people with status in the mainland ride on flying demonic beasts while travelling. How come we are walking?" asked Stygian while the five people had walked for an hour.

"Demonic beasts can be influenced by stronger members of their species. A bird demonic beast may defect and hurt its riders under the influence of some stronger beast. Hence, unless it is a spiritual pet partner, which can resist the this influence, people usually do not bring their mounts into the forest. Plus, a figure in the sky is too conspicuous. Hence travelling by foot is always much safer" replied the maid named Spring.

"Then why doesn't grandpa Alvin use his cultivation to speed us along?" asked Stygian.

"We are deep in the Azurewood forest. If he uses his powerful spirit energy here, he will grab the attention of all the demonic beasts in the vicinity. Even though the beasts can threaten the master are few in number, there are a few capable of troubling him. Also he has to protect all of us. Hence we should walk, at least until we reach the exterior of the forest" she replied patiently.

"So one can't use spirit energy deep in the forest?" asked Stygian.

"That depends. Spirit energy produces fluctuations when used. It can be detected by cultivators or demonic beasts, as they are sensitive to spirit energy, if they are in the vicinity. Hence, in an area full of hostiles, it is better to not use spirit energy. Of course, there are methods that can mask the fluctuations of spirit energy. But I take along the four of you, the fluctuations of the spirit energy will be too large to effectively conceal. Don't worry, in half an hour we will reach the exterior of the forest. From there, the demonic beasts are incapable of posing any threat to me, hence we can hurry along" said the old man Alvin. Everyone was patiently answering Stygian's questions, without criticizing him, as he had done a huge favor for them earlier.

They walked for another half an hour, and gradually the trees started becoming scarcer. Also, Stygian felt a weird sensation, as if he was breathing less pure air.

"Feel weird? Its understandable, considering you have not left the interior of forest ever since you were little. The difference between the interior and exterior of the forest is that the spirit energy in the atmosphere is lesser in the exterior. This is the reason the interior and exterior of the forest is so different. In the exterior, there is lesser spirit energy in the air, hence the beasts cultivate slower, and the plants are scarcer and less healthy. Due to the abundance of strong spirit energy in the interior of the forest, there are stronger demonic beasts and numerous and lush trees" said the old man Alvin, noticing Stygian's confusion.

Then, he conjured wind using spirit energy and supported all four of them, and started speeding out of the forest. In less than five minutes, the skies started to clear up, and there were a lot less trees around. Vaguely in the distance, Stygian could make out tall buildings, smoke, and people,

"Up ahead is the Anderville branch of the Mercenary Association. It is one of the twelve branches of the Mercenary Association near the Azurewood forest. The largest building you can see is the actual branch. The small scale city around it was built to buy goods and provide service from and to the mercenaries that frequent the forest. The Ultra Sword Sect has quite a few properties here. We have kept our mounts in one of them" explained Spring.

"For now keep the matter of the little fox a secret. Only after it successfully becomes your spiritual pet partner are we allowed to talk about it said Alvin to Elsa.

"Yes" said Elsa, looking at the cute looking fox she held in her hand.

They entered the city from a huge gate. Stygian was looking at everything around him curiously. There were hundreds of people here, talking laughing, arguing, pedaling goods, and trying to raise groups for expenditures. There were more people here than Stygian had ever seen in his entire life.

"Come on, we will have a short meal at the restaurant up ahead, the one named Jade Dreams. Then we can finally start on the journey back to the Ultra Sword Sect. I am impatient to go there, and see the look on my rival's faces when they learn what an awesome spiritual pet partner my granddaughter has" said old man Alvin.

They went into the restaurant named Jade Dreams. A waiter dressed in white clothes immediately came up to them and guided them to an empty table, and presented them a menu.

"Go ahead and eat all you want. I'm quite happy today, and hence you are in for a treat" said old man Alvin.

"Hey Alvin, you sound very happy. Tell me what is the occasion, so that I too may be happy with you, hmm?" came an obnoxious voice from across the restaurant.