The races in the Thousand Realms follow a very simple rule. Might is right. Those that have power set their own rules and laws. Since Gur, the strongest of the Lion-kin, was thanking the human, the rest had to follow. They might have been confused by Gur's actions, but they didn't dare question him.

"Are you sure you don't need anything else?" Gur questioned Artos while eying him in his new gear. The human had found some leather pants and armor that fit him from one of the slavers. The right sleeve of the armor was cut off since it would only be a nuisance and get in his way. He also had six swords tied to his waist and a pouch filled with coins looted from the dead slavers.

"Yes. I only need a bit of food and directions to the Silver Fox-kin." Artos answered him.

"Food is not a problem, we could give you a few meat jerkies, but I do not advise you to go to the Silver Fox-kin. Humans are not really accepted there. Why would you even want to go there?" Gur asked.

"Do not worry about me, I just need the directions." Artos had no desire to explain his situation to the Lion-kin.

"As far as I know, the Silver Fox-kin live in the Yin-Yang Forest, which is on the other side of the continent. Since we are currently in the Bone Savannah, you would either have to go through the Boundless Desert or go around it. Even with a good mount, you would need around 2-3 years to reach the forest." Gur explained.

"That's too long. How about going through the desert?" Artus didn't have the time of going around it.

He needs to heal his arm as soon as possible, and for some reason, his injury can not be healed with anything less than a Royal-ranked cultivator or a Royal-class medicine. His only hope is that old fox. Hopefully, she has already become a Royal by now and would be willing to help him.

Artos met the Silver Fox-kin after luckily escaping from Reginald. She, like him, had just escaped from her own imprisonment. Both of them had managed to escape due to a disaster and met each other in a mountain range.

The Silver Fox-kin had her tails and ears cut off and was in a terrible condition, while Artos was still missing his right arm and had countless scars on his body. They each pitied the other and lived together for some time.

The Fox-kin stayed in her beast form and refused to transform into her normal appearance no matter what. That lasted until one day, Artos woke up with his right arm healed while she laid lifelessly next to him.

She was clutching a piece of paper in her hands with a message left for him, stating how her life was nearing its end. And since she didn't have much time, she had decided to use what little remaining life force to heal Artos and help him out.

The Silver Fox-kin had an old wrinkled face. Her body had just as many scars as his. That was the first and last time he saw her true appearance. It was also the first time that he shed tears for someone else.

"I wouldn't advise you to pass through the Boundless Desert since it's too dangerous even for Royals. And even if you do successfully traverse it, you would have to pass through the Sleeping Giant. The mountain is just as dangerous as the desert. If you are lucky, you might reach the Yin-Yang Forest within a year. You should consider going around them since it would safer." Artos is their benefactor, and Gur tried dissuading him from going on a dangerous journey.

"Like I said, no need to worry about me." Artos simply didn't have the time to go around and had no other choice.

"Since you have already made your mind, I wouldn't try to persuade you further. Just beware that the Silver Fox-kin have a new Royal-ranked cultivator that is leading them. Under the Royal's leadership, they have taken over the whole Yin-Yang Forest as their own territory." Gur advised him.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"A new Royal-ranked cultivator and they have already taken the over the whole forest? Has it already started? I must hurry if I wish to help the old fox." Artos thought to himself, already planning for the worst scenario.

"I wish I could come with you, but I have my duties to the pride. I wish you a safe journey." Gur wanted to come with him, but he was being groomed to become the next leader. He couldn't abandon his kin.

"Then can I ask to go with him, Sir?" A Lion-kin nearby asked.

"Dillion? Are you sure?" Gur asked.

"Yes." Determined, Dillion answered. He like Gur was grateful to the one-armed human, but he also had his own reasons to go with him.

"Would you be willing to take him with you?" Gur turned towards the human.

Artos observed the Lion-kin in silence. His eyes were filled with determination, but he wasn't sure if this is a good idea. He also didn't feel comfortable with others around him due to his past.

Not hearing a response, Dillion was getting anxious."Sir, you could also use me as a mount. You would be able to reach the Yin-Yang forest faster with my help. I could also be your guide until we reach the Boundless Desert."

Hearing him the Lion-kin around him started murmuring how he has lost his pride, by willingly being a human's mount.

"If you slow me down, I wouldn't hesitate to abandon you. Are you sure you wish to follow me?" Artos asked him.

"Yes, Sir," Dillion answered with determination. Following him is risky, but it was a risk worth taking in Dillion's eyes. The human was only an Iron-ranked cultivator and yet he killed so many with higher cultivation than him. He also managed to kill a Diamond ranked as well.

How much would he improve in the future? How much would he be able to learn from him? He wasn't sure, but he wished to find out the answers to those questions.

"Let's go then. We have to hurry." In the end, Artos decided to take him along. It would be faster with a mount and he didn't have time to spare.

After packing a few meat jerkies, and some camping supplies, Dillion said his goodbyes to Gur and the rest of the Lion-kin and transformed into his beast form. Standing 1.5m tall and 3m long with dark golden fur, Dillion looked quite menacing to a non-cultivator. Artos hopped onto his back, and the duo made their way towards the Boundless Desert.

Their first destination was a Beast-kin town near the borders of the desert. The town was called Brownend and the leader of the town is a Duke-ranked cultivator. Unfortunately, Dillion couldn't provide much information besides that. He didn't even know what kind of a Beast-kin is the Royal.

On their way, Dillion asked Artos questions from time to time. Like who he is, where did he come from, where did he learn how to fight like that. Sadly, Artos had no desire to answer him.

Since he didn't receive any response to his questions, Dillion started talking about himself and his pride. Telling him stories of his chieftain, who is a Duke-ranked cultivator. How he is a mighty warrior wielding a Greatsword. Due to that, all his kin use a Greatsword as well. Trying to imitate him and follow in his steps. Dillion also told him about his dreams of becoming a mighty warrior like his chieftain.

The duo traveled until the sun started setting down. Since they couldn't travel through the night, they found a safe place where they could set up their camp.

Once they settled down, Dillion immediately fell asleep since he was tired from running and the fight with the slavers. Artos, on the other hand, sat into a meditative position and started cultivating. He had no time to waste, so he decided to cultivate rather than sleep.

The cultivation technique that he is using is called Gentle Stream. Not the most confident inspiring name, nor the best cultivation technique, but beggars can't be choosers. In his past life, the technique was good enough for him to ascend to Godhood and he didn't know a better one at the moment.

The Yi(mind) leads the Qi, Artos imagined the world energy around him slowly flowing into him. The energy gently flowed through his meridians in a specific manner like a stream moving through a forest. Until finally reaching his Iron core, filling it up.

Nevertheless, cultivation is a long process, and it would take some time before he sees any improvements. Under the two moons, Artos cultivated until dawn.

The night passed peacefully and Dillion woke up once the sun started shining. Despite not sleeping, Artos felt refreshed from his first time cultivating in this life. He felt full of energy and was ready to continue their journey.

The duo packed their belongings and continued on their way towards Brownend. Around midday, the duo finally had the town in their sights.