Early the following day, Ju prepared to set out. In just one day, he had spent more than half of the money he had earned working in the mines; the remaining money was meant to be strictly for Moonflower's nutrition and needs. But Ju had to make a difficult compromise.

"I have no choice."

Yesterday, when he studied the tempering formula, Ju realized that he could hardly understand the words or descriptions. The meditation technique also used vague terms he had never heard before.

"So, even though I am not about to become an Essence artist or have any special moves. I still have to go."

Ju had to visit that library sooner or later. The guard had mentioned that just a single book there could cost over 100 gold coins to read.

"At least with 500 gold coins, I should be able to get enough information on how to proceed with the tempering formula, amongst other things."

Obviously, for someone like Ju, hunting was the best way to get resources. Even though he spent only one day here, Ju already knew that the market for spiritual beasts and plants seemed large in Ender town, and demand was also high.

"If I explore the outskirts of the dark forest, I would find low-level spiritual beasts that haven't formed a core yet, from which I can gather materials."

After setting basic precautionary mechanisms at the door of their room and giving Moonflower some instructions, Ju was already outside the Entrance of the inn, wearing black attire covering his entire body, a head scarf, and an eye patch.

Several hunting parties were located on the outskirts of the Dark Forest. The dark forest at the back of Ender Town was about seven times larger than the settlement and measured about 150 kilometers in diameter.

The first five kilometers were considered relatively safe for people who were not yet Essence artists.

Most people Ju met on the way were calling for recruits; most were pseudo-Essence artists, the Essence gatherers.

Essence Artists were more aloof and were not seen in public like this.

Ju had already purchased a low-version map and had a general understanding of the area, so he decided to try his luck.

The youth noticed the strange looks he received from the crowd. Even though he had covered himself, his small stature was unchangeable. It was evident he was still a very young child, either that or a dwarf.

Regardless, only a few people seemed interested in approaching him to form a group.

Just as Ju was wondering whether he should explore the forest all by himself for the first time, a pleasant voice sounded right behind him

"Young Traveler, I see you plan to go to the Outskirts. Would you be willing to join us?"

Ju turned back to see a thin man with a short beard smiling at him. He had three companions by his side.

The teenager remained silent for a moment as he observed the group. They were the youngest-looking group he had seen so far.

The man who called him out seemed to be their leader. There were two other males and a female in their party. Ju's single eye reflected their figures. He had encountered a few powerful people before, such as Old Kai and the Essence Artists clothed in blue in the mines.

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Old Kai was still the one that caused Ju to have the most sense of danger to date.

Also, due to the countless battles he had faced before, Ju had developed a decent ability to measure a person's strength.

"They don't seem all that strong compared to others."

The teenager thought.

Ju would never normally choose to join a group. However, this was the first time he had ventured into the place, and perhaps a bit of guidance would have been better.

"Yes, it is my first time; I would be glad if you let me accompany you," Ju replied.

Faint looks of surprise appeared on the faces of everyone present, seeing as he was dressed in all black and had covered up his hair and most of his features with his eye patch. They had assumed that Ju would be a rough individual, as this was not certainly a place for a child; however, after hearing his soft voice, a good feeling mixed with doubt could not help but appear in their hearts, coupled with his small stature, Ju seemed less of a dwarf adventurer and more a kid out of home for the first time.

"Okay, I am Tylen. What's your name?" the man with the short beard said with a smile.

"Ju." After thinking a bit, the teenager felt hiding his name was unnecessary.

“This is Zabel,Aron, and Oberon.

"You really are young, aren't you? Are you interested in fighting spiritual beasts?" Zabel said in a low tone

Zabel was the female, nodding at Ju with a shy smile. When Ju saw this, a strange light shone from his single eye.

"Yes. I am confident in being able to protect myself.*

"Really? You wouldn't mind showing us then."

Another voice sounded out.

Aron was a tall, lanky man. With a pair of small knives strapped by his sides, he seemed to be the most equipped of the group. He merely nodded at Ju as he said casually and turned his attention elsewhere.

Oberon was a muscular man. He was the oldest of the group. His clothes were rather loose, showing his impressive figure. He then stepped forward and brought forward his hand towards Ju.

"Little guy, as you know, we are out on a dangerous affair; seeing that you still had the resolve to come means that you have a bit of confidence in your abilities, so you would not mind me testing your strength a little, right? After all, weaklings would only put their other members in danger. "

Ju was silent, but after some thought, he stretched his right hand. Although it was covered with bandages, the people around him did not notice how thin and delicate his hands were underneath.

"I can enhance my physical abilities somewhat," Ju softly said.

The group waited eagerly as Ju and Oberon's hands came in contact. Oberon's large hand completely covered that of Ju, yet strangely, for some time, he was unable to move or squeeze it.

It seemed as if the young boy's bones were made of steel. Seeing the difficult spot that he was in, Oberon decided to enhance his hand a little more with Essence.

A slight spiritual fluctuation appeared in the air. After seeing Oberon's actions, Ju applied more Essence.

The boy emanated a vicious aura as Essence was mobilized from his body. Years of killing man and beast have made Ju's aura quite bloody. It might not show, but if Ju took a battle stance, some of the aura would inevitably leak out.

In fact, Ju was looking for ways to cleanse this aura or at least hide it properly.

The moment Ju's aura appeared, Tylen and the others' looks changed. The pressure from the youth was no joke.

In the end, after a few more seconds. Oberon laughed out loud and released Ju's hand.

"I am sorry for my rudeness; although very young, you lad are a proper warrior, as things should be."

After sensing Ju's power, Oberon immediately adopted a docile and polite demeanor and enthusiastically greeted him. Zabel and Aron's attitudes also changed slightly.

Oberon was the strongest member regarding raw physical strength and essence body enhancement. The fact that he could not dominate Ju surprised and excited the others.

"His aura is quite uncomfortable, though." Tylen thought, but regardless, a strong member was always welcome wherever they went.

A brighter smile appeared on Tylen's face.

"Please, brother Ju, don't take offense to Oberon. Let us not waste any more time and head into the forest. I am sure we will make a decent hunt today."

Ju didn't say anything. He just nodded as a harsh light shone from his eye.

It was time to hunt for the first time in Ender Town.