Jin observed the world map. He was in one of the higher continents called Berdiklom. It was a neighboring continent to the one from which he came from, Grihindel. Since The items belonged to Cao Lei, it meant that he would take some time before reaching this place. Regardless of his cultivation, it was not easy to cross over the ocean. There were many safe routes but to someone in his position, it might not be the same. In any case, even if he was to travel at top speed, it would still take days, maybe weeks. This relieved some of Jin's anxiousness.

Now, he could focus on where to go next.

There were two options. Berdiklom, like Grihindel, and as their name implied were in the higher hemisphere of the globe. There were two lower continents not too far from Berdiklom that he could reach from here. One was Grundal and the other was Vrislorin. Vrislorin was further away from Grihindel so this was where he would go. The third lower continent was too far and going to a different higher continent was suicide with his actual abilities.

He knew that they would eventually catch up to him. People at the level of Hae-Hyuk and Cao Lei had too many means. At the very least, if he brought them over to a place in which might was limited... Having the home ground was an advantage he could not give up on. It would be much easier for him to go to a lower continent.

Even if he was only dreaming all this and no one was after him, this was the best option. In such an area, he wouldn't feel much danger and should be able to take care of his promise with Sarina.

With the destination set, he now had to plan his route. He certainly was not near the lower coast of this continent. Though he was not all the way up to the north either.

If he went to a cultivator's city, there should be teleportation arrays available but those could prove risky. Not that some pursuers could have teleported themselves there. There did not exist a single array able to provide for continental teleportation. The distance was too much. It was because he was anxious about it. If escaping the trial was a crime or something... He only had this one life and needed to do his best to keep it safe. He enjoyed living in this world too much to die early. And so, he had to consider the many 'ifs'...

A journey through the mortal villages and cities was doable. It would not take much longer than another. He would not be able to receive much information about the current state of the world but he would safe until he reached the coast. He could go ask at that time and flee easily if needed. It would be easier on him not to be chased throughout the land.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

With the goal set and the direction planned, there was nothing more to do.

He went to sleep.

The next morning, he set up on his journey.

The first month was uneventful and he crossed a quarter of the distance to the coast. Something happened at that time as he was sipping on some Frone in a simple inn's tavern. He was not the single cultivator guest this time around. And he had a tough time believing what he was hearing from them.

Apparently, there was a manhunt ongoing worldwide. For a single man. The more he listened, the more incredulous he was. That man was a powerful devil who drank the blood of titans and hunted dragons for breakfast. At least according to those wandering cultivators. Were those tales to be trusted? Of course not! He simply snickered and enjoyed his drink until they spoke the name of that man:

"Can't believe that Jin is still on the run!"

He spat out all of his drink. He attracted quite the attention doing so but that had been too unexpected. The cultivators noticed him at that time and joked at him. He casually joked along and amiably spoke. After a few exchanges, he moved at their table.

If they were talking about another Jin, which was possible, there weren't any risks.

If they were talking about him, there were no risks either. He was nothing like what they described so they likely had no idea about what he was like.

In any case, it was a good time to hear recent rumors.

Quite a few were unexpected. He heard of Sophia Crowe. Hae-Hyuk's legacy disciple and a woman he might have called a comrade was doing something foolish again. She was organizing the first meeting of her 'Alliance of Righteousness'... He listened to the men talk fervently about it and the many guests expected to show up and found it quite unexpected to hear a few descriptions. From the way they spoke about certain people, he deduced that the sword master he faced and the dragon he met at the end would attend. There was also a gold tiger supposed to join that might be the one he knew.

As for what she was trying to do, he saw how even these rural cultivators laughed about it and understood that nothing much changed. She kept unreal beliefs all along... Well, whatever.

What he was more interested in was that bounty. He asked them: "So, friends, what about that wanted man? How much is the reward?"

The men did not mind the abrupt change in topic since they enjoyed talking more than the topics themselves. Wandering cultivators loved rumors. One of the men snickered as he stated: "It spiked again, I heard! 10 Million Golds! For a single man! Can you believe that?!"

Another added: "I'd bang till I die with such an amount to spend!"

Everyone laughed and cheered. Then, they began to joke about what they'd do if they earned the bounty. Of course, none of them were truly serious. Jin was more and more curious though.