"Brother, please run a mapping scan again, could we run a deeper scanning this time ?"

Altima checks with his brother immediately, in case any similarly undetectable beings manage to escape the scanning.

"Let me do a double scanning, one for temperature and one for surrounding."

Mobi replied. After waiting for about 30 minutes for the scan to be completed, Altima proceeds with their path along with the other troops, moving accordingly to Altima's arrangement.

Manage to uphold his title as "Strategy Advisor of Wu Di", Altima lead the troops to march for 50 miles on their first day. Gathering all the treasure and cultivation materials, the group manage to obtain a bountiful harvest for their first day.

"Earl Altima, all the captains is ready for the strategy meeting."

One of the captains came into Altima's tent for his reports.

"Great, let us start our discussion regarding our next day expedition."

With haste, Altima proceeds to the main tent, while handling over the piece of a rough map he had it drawn earlier. Directing the troops and updating them on the particular threat within the path, Altima manage to reduce the casualties each time they march forward.

Leading the 50,000 troops efficiently, although the casualty could not be totally neutralized, but after the first week, Altima manages to still preserve a total of 46,000 troops, as they manage to march for a total of 1000 miles.

Along the path, the troops manage to obtain most of the treasure and materials as listed within Altima's scanner, except missing a few portions which are well hidden from naked eyes. Unfortunately, along with their 1000 miles expedition, none of the higher quality treasure manage to be unveiled. Even after a few inspection and scanning, Altima still failed to scan for any hidden treasures and heaven-defying materials along on their path.

Surprisingly, the troops manage to met one stronger variant form of the Elf on their way, where the Soul practitioner stage captain immediately capture the elf before he manages to got away. Holding the elf as a prisoner of war, they quickly return to Altima's side to report the changes of population in their upcoming path.

Of course, with Altima looking straight on the elf, Mobi had his basic scan and inspection conducted towards the elf.

Low-Grade Ancient Elves (Magical) - Ancient Heritage Elven Tribe

Characteristics: Slightly different from their other dagger wielding counterpart, Magical elves usually deal with the problem with logic and overprotective rules and law. As the magical elves usually prefer to be left alone when the are not tasked with any mission, they are easier to be captured compared with the other elves.

Weakness: Long casting speed, weak physical body, lack of communication ability.

Threat Level: 9th Stage Master Practitioner of Zen Tier

(Why were you alone in the forest ?)

Altima started to speak in elven language.

(Humans with Elven language, who are you to dare learn our heritage language ?)

The Elf immediately replied. Both of its eyes is filled with rage.

(I am different from the other humans, but you need to know, I am the one asking the question now.)

(Answer or I will be forced to take a tougher action. Why are you alone in the forest!)

Altima explained vaguely regarding his language proficiency, and apply more pressure on his hand which he used to grab the neck of the elf.

(We will be having a magical ceremony soon! Many magical elves started to come out to the forest to hunt for ingredient to make "Aether" for the ceremony!)

The elf quickly explained. As Altima had his question answered, he loosen his clutch, and allows the two captain to release the elf from the restraining plank.

(Continue.)

Altima speaks again.

(Magical elves are all good in creating concoction, so each time during ceremony, the magical elves will gather together to pour their concentrated Aether into the giant natural cauldron, allowing the Aether to be mix and blessed to the worthy elves.)

(Only the worthiest elves among the tribe will be blessed with the concentrated Aether, where they will be allowed to consume the Aether to increase their cultivation and ascend into a higher grade elf.)

The elf continued.

(This ceremony is held twice every year, and with each time, only 10 magical elves among thousands will be chosen to receive this blessing.)

Finishing his explanation, Altima summon Ta-Ruk from his spatial realm, and allowing both to communicate as Altima have a feeling that the elf still hiding a portion of information from him.

Stolen novel; please report.

As the two elves started to talk, Altima moves back to his troops, and pass along the order to stop the journey, and immediately summon all the captains and their flank to return to the center as soon as possible.

With the camp is fully set up, Altima continues with his concoction while waiting for the two elves to return to his tent become he continue to ask for other questions.

As the two elves return into Altima's tent, Altima finally could see the fire of hope from the Magical elf's eyes.

(Young master, please allow me to follow you.)

The Magical elf, named Alolas, kneeled on one leg and awaits Altima's reply.

(What can you offer me ?)

Altima replied.

(I have nothing, but I am the best when it comes to repairing Heritage Laws.)

Alolas speak honestly, afraid that Altima will reject his request to join the factions.

(Heritage Laws ? Ta-Ruk, what is heritage Laws ?)

Altima quickly checks with Ta-Ruk, his most trusted confidante regarding the matter.

(My lord, I'm afraid to even myself is not well educated enough to understand the Heritage Laws.)

Ta-Ruk immediately replied Altima, kneeled on one leg due to his incompetence.

(Alolas, do you have any example of the Heritage Laws you mentioned ?)

Altima continued.

(My…. I'm afraid with my rank within the tribe, I am not qualified to own a Heritage Laws myself either.)

Alolas held himself from calling Altima "My Lord" as he has no approval yet, but he speaks honestly, as his position within the tribe is fairly low.

(But, I am lucky enough to study under one of the 1,000 Elven Mage within the tribe.)

(If I tried to ask from my Master, I might obtain a portion of the Heritage Law to bring out for my lord.)

Alolas continued.

(What do you need for your Aether ?)

Altima questioned.

(Strong and mature herbs. Best if the herb is from the "Forest Dew Stone Variants" or Juicy Bloody Fruits" the effect will be the best.)

Alolas answered.

Forest Dew Stone Variants.

This type of plant came in few different type, but most of them bear the same medicinal value in many shapes. Easily found growing around the forest with a dense amount of Yin energy, they usually spread and grow along the tree barks, fruits, leaves, and branches. The longer the spore manage to absorb the nutrient, the better the plant variant will grow.

While for the Juicy Bloody Fruits, this type of fruits only grow in the swamp that rich in Yang Energy. Bearing the shape like a Sharon Fruits, but only Bigger variation. The fruit usually grows within the flower, where the fruit will be only exposed when the fruit is fully matured.

This two kind of medicinal materials, although they aren't too rare within this path, but in Altima's first week, they only manage to gather a total of 300 Units of each, compared to other materials which amounted around 1,000 to 5,000 units.

But for Altima.

This kind of sacrifice is not worth to be placed within his eyes, especially when he could exchange this little sum of ingredients for something the elves treasured the most.

(Take this all and refine your Aether. I will expect you to bring over the Heritage Laws information the next time you came to me.)

Altima handover the 300 units of both Juicy Bloody Fruits and the Forest Dew Stone Variants.

(Thank you, my lord, I will not disappoint you!)

Receiving all the ingredients, Alolas quickly return to his village, and refine the Aether in order to participate and land upon the chances to be selected as the blessed one.

"Earl Altima, don’t you worry he won't be returning or will expose our location if he is returned ?"

One captain speaks without any hesitation.

"Based on how his reaction, I have the confident to believe in him."

"We'll see how the thing goes, pass my order around, we will be exploring around this area for another week before we start moving in deeper. For people whom in the middle of breaking through, they will be exempted from the exploration. In the same time, I will venture to the farther right of our current location, in case we miss some treasure around the corners."

"Begin the exploration by tomorrow morning! Dismiss!"

Altima completes his chain of command, and on the next morning, he immediately departs towards the East direction from the Main force camp.

Along the path, Altima faces no difficulties in removing the threat which came to look for their death. Only depending on the 5 Spiritual Tier Martial Arts, Altima easily disposes of those who dare to appear within his sight.

In his first day, Altima met with two 1st Stage Spiritual Practitioner Demonic Beast, which is the Ancient Flame Lizard, as well as an Ancient Spiritual Lightning Wolf. Within 10 rounds of deadly exchange, both beasts met their fate, and finally, have their Marrow Bones, Skin and Blood Essence extracted.

On the second Day, Altima finally manages to meet with another group from the northern state, where they are led by a group of youngster around 7th Stage of Master Tier and around 3 Early Spiritual Tier cultivators. Unfortunately, the group of 50 people is the Crooks among the total participants.

Without exchanging words, the 50 cultivators immediately surround Altima without mercy, and lunge toward Altima in hope to capture him and force him to surrender all his treasure. Unfortunately, this group overestimates themselves too much.

"Brat! Quickly leave all the treasures in your hand and get the hell away from here!"

Said one of the cultivator in the early spiritual stage.

"Is there anyone else except your group along with your exploration ?"

Altima questions them instead but receives no reply.

"Brat! Seems like without feeling some pain, you won't realize what kind of situation you're in."

One cultivator quickly charges forward and launch a few fist strike to capture Altima on spot.

(Grand Essence Strong Fist!)

The cultivator quickly starts with a frontal strike.

"Idiot."

Altima sways his body left and move backward for a step before he withdraws his Surging Wave Spear and decapitates the cultivator with his Wu Di Heirloom Spear Technique.

"How dare you, brat!"

The other cultivator is shocked with Altima's ruthlessness and charge in a group. But unfortunately for them, within twenty round of exchange, Altima totally destroy the whole party, leaving two women alive but unconscious, while at the same time, Mobi had all of the other 48 person brainwaves scanned.

In this instant, Altima realized that through hunting other cultivators, the chances of quickly gathering sufficient martial art techniques, information and memories is indeed the fastest way to ascend to upper rank. But as this method is absolutely tyrannical, Altima decided to never fall into this path, except towards those who making the situation difficult for him to deal with.

An hour later, the two women awake. Seeing all the corpse around them, both women fall into shock, and shivers as Altima getting close to their side.

"Name and background. Answer me without any hidden words between, or I will dispose you both like how I do to the others."

Altima questioned, without giving them any space to negotiate.