Embarking on the boat that would carry them across Serenity Lake safely, Tyler was shocked by the ship's beauty carrying them forward. Sure, he had seen something similar from afar before, but stepping on it, he was amazed by the craftsmanship.

The boat was a masterpiece of artistry and function, a seamless blend of nature and magic. The wood from which it was carved seemed to retain the spirit of the ancient forest from which it came, its grain swirling in patterns that whispered of ageless wisdom and serenity.

The hull was smooth and polished, yet it felt alive under Tyler's touch and divine sense, thrumming with the latent energy of Qi that it was designed to harness from the waters.

Symbols seemed to dance in the light, shifting and changing ever so slightly as if they were alive all across the boat. The runes glowed with a soft, ethereal light, their luminescence reflecting off the calm waters of Serenity Lake, creating a pathway of light that stretched into the horizon.

The deck was adorned with fine silks and cushions, offering comfort and luxury during the perilous journey ahead. Though devoid of sails, the mast stood tall and proud, etched with the same glowing runes that covered the boat, pulsating gently with the energy that flowed through them.

Tyler was overwhelmed by the beauty and the palpable sense of power the boat exuded. It was not just a means of transport; it was a guardian, a protector, crafted with such care and skill that it seemed more like a living creature than an inanimate object.

As he approached the port side's guardrails, he couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence for the ancient magic and craftsmanship that would carry them safely across the lake, away from the lurking dangers that dwelled beneath its tranquil surface. The waters in the middle of the lake were renowned for their tier 3 and tier 4 aquatic monsters, after all.

Luo Pang followed silently, as he could tell this was Tyler's first time aboard such a vessel. After he saw the man staring towards the distant waters, he started the conversation again.

The boat wasn't scheduled to depart for a few hours, so they had plenty of time to discuss various things. Thus, they talked about each other's life and recounted multiple stories.

Tyler learned that Luo Pang was part of a very successful and wealthy family of treasure-refining masters. To the ire of his own father, however, he had chosen the martial path. He focused on alchemy as a generalized profession rather than choosing the family's art of crafting precious accessories.

Tyler shared a few of his previous life's stories, which he had modified to hide that he was from the pre-shattering days. However, Tyler didn't dive too deep into the subject of his past. He was afraid he'd stumble on his lies in the future and opted to change the subject quickly.

Standing on the port side of the sizeable magical boat, Tyler admired the calmness of the sea before him and asked Luo Pang. "How long will this boat take to reach the city of Mountainside?"

Without even thinking about the answer, he answered. "Three hours roughly if nothing goes wrong."

"If nothing goes wrong?" Tyler couldn't help but ask.

Pang gave an affirming nod. "Indeed, as you're aware, the lake is home to several formidable aquatic creatures, making the boat essential for anyone unable to fly above it. Were we not members of the Sword Sect, we would have had to pay a passage fee to the ship's captain, who happens to be an old comrade of the Inner Sect's head elder and is a retired Aperture Strengthening Stage cultivator."

The vessel sailed over the tranquil waters for three hours in utter silence, its path gently illuminated by the myriad of runes etched upon its hull.

Fortunately for all the mortals and Qi Transformation cultivators aboard, the journey unfolded without any incidents. Tyler, however, seized this interlude to immerse himself in the breathtaking vistas surrounding Serenity Lake.

As he gazed out, Tyler began comprehending the reasoning behind the name 'Veridian Peaks.'

The landscape was dominated by majestic mountains that rose in the distance, their slopes adorned with a lush tapestry of vibrant greenery. Each peak seemed to be teeming with life, a testament to the flourishing heart of nature that pulsed through this land.

The mountains stood as silent guardians, their summits brushing against the soft underbelly of the sky, while the verdant foliage whispered secrets of an ancient world, undisturbed and eternal.

The play of light and shadow across the rolling hills and valleys painted a mesmerizing picture that could captivate the heart of any beholder. This vista couldn’t be more different than the pre-shattering days surrounding the region of Lake Ontario.

So much had changed.

Amidst this natural splendor, Serenity Lake was a mirror to the heavens, reflecting the dance of clouds and the subtle hues of autumn. The scene's beauty was not lost on Tyler, who was lost in contemplation, drinking in the serenity and the vibrant life surrounding him.

Eventually, they reached Mountainside City and disembarked the vessel, which was now boarding many people headed for Edge City.

Various merchants and cultivators of all walks of life disappeared into the large ship, each more excited than the last to be able to traverse the seas on such a pristine boat.

Luo Pang turned to Tyler, "From here on out, I will stick to answering questions and shadowing you. While I am not against idle chatter, I am here to evaluate you. So please, don't hesitate to ask if you're unsure of anything, as I will not give you advice unless asked."

Tyler nodded, "Sounds good. I've never been afraid of asking questions. I'd rather seem retarded than royally fuck up for not asking the most basic of things."

With a subtle expansion of his divine sense, Tyler's awareness unfolded like an invisible tapestry across the city, delicately touching upon the auras of several formidable cultivators.

Amongst them, he detected a trio of people in the Aperture Strengthening stage, a smattering of Sea Formation cultivators, and throngs of Qi Transformation cultivators and ordinary mortals.

Yet, amidst the myriad energies, his objective swiftly caught his attention near the city's egress—a collection of creatures with an equine silhouette.

These were the Striders, as mentioned earlier, familiar creatures that lived in the plains all across the continent.

The Striders possessed an otherworldly allure, their bodies adorned with scales that shimmered like jewels under the sun, casting a kaleidoscope of colors with every graceful move. Their eyes were reptilian, holding within them a depth of ancient wisdom and a spark of untamed wilderness.

Despite these exotic features, they bore horses' familiar and elegant physique, their muscular forms exuding strength and grace. Tyler was surprised by the beauty of these creatures.

His divine sense was a much better way to appraise such beasts than seeing them for himself.

Without explicit guidance, Tyler maneuvered through the streets with confidence, leaving Pang in silent doubt of what Tyler had told him, that he never stepped outside of the Mountain.

The city was like an open book to Tyler's divine sense, and he read it effortlessly, much to Pang's continued surprise. Every now and then, Tyler's presence would draw other cultivators' curious and wary gazes.

They would size him up, their intentions flickering like shadows at the edge of a flame as many drew hidden weapons. But, upon noticing Luo Pang, they would retreat, dissolving into the dark embrace of the alleyways, leaving the two men to their undisturbed passage.

Upon reaching the city gates, the pair were greeted by the sight of the Striders, their scaled hides reflecting the light in a mesmerizing dance. With a nonchalance that bordered on extravagance, Tyler purchased two of these magnificent mounts for the modest sum of 65 silvers.

Prices had risen, which drew a frown from Luo Pang—a silent testament to a potential overcharge. Tyler, however, remained unfazed by the transaction, his attention captured entirely by the noble creatures before them, the Striders, ready to carry them forth on their journey.

Climbing atop their newly acquired Striders, Tyler found his balance on the well-crafted saddle. Initially unsteady, he soon found his rhythm; the saddle's design lends itself perfectly to those less acquainted with animal riding.

Delving into his inner world, Tyler accessed the map of Veridian Peaks, tracing a route in his mind that would lead them towards Soul Refuge, a village nestled along the southeastern border and his objective for this mission.

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As they departed Mountainside City, the merchant road welcomed them, bustling with life. Travelers of all sorts journeyed toward the nearby settlements, their chatter, and laughter a merry soundtrack to the journey.

The road was well-trodden, a testament to the thrum of commerce that flowed like lifeblood through the veins of Veridian Peaks and into Edge City.

Tyler and Luo Pang, astride their exotic mounts, joined the flow of travelers, each step taking them deeper into the verdant embrace of this land. He couldn't help but close his eyes and spread his divine sense far and wide to admire the natural tapestry that unfurled around him.

The vegetation surrounding Mountainside City was abundant; it was a vibrant testament to the pulsating heart of nature that thrived in a territory protected by Maximus Freeman all those years ago.

The trees stood tall and proud, their canopies a rich emerald and orange hue that swayed gently with the breath of the wind. Each leaf seemed to sparkle with dew, glistening like countless tiny gems cradled in the arms of Mother Nature.

The bark of the trees was rugged, etched with the stories of time, providing a home to the chirping symphony of birds and the quiet rustle of unseen creatures.

Beneath the towering giants, a carpet of lush undergrowth spread out on both sides of the road. Ferns unfurled their fronds with an elegance that could rival the finest dancers, and wildflowers dotted the landscape, their petals a mosaic of colors.

The air was rich with the scent of earth and life, a fragrance that whispered of growth, decay, and the eternal cycle of nature. The autumnal winds slowly made their effects known to the world.

As Tyler took in this natural splendor, Pang sat on his strider, a silent passenger; his presence muted amidst the ever-changing scenery.

Hours slipped by in this manner, and as Tyler and Luo Pang ventured farther from the city, the bustling stream of merchants dwindled to a trickle. Through his divine sense, Tyler perceived that their path was not as tranquil as it appeared.

Every few kilometers, he detected the remnants of violent encounters, silent testaments to ambushes that had preyed upon unsuspecting travelers in the past.

The scars of conflict marred the landscape; charred earth and scorched vegetation peeked out from the forest's edge, hundreds of meters from the road, marking the sites of fierce struggles long concluded.

Even more chilling were the concealed remnants of the fallen; their bodies surrendered to the earth, hidden just off the road.

Tyler's divine sense revealed these grim secrets, unearthing the buried truth of lives violently claimed by the darker side of Veridian Peaks. Luo Pang, however, wasn't aware of any of those changes to the landscape, nor did he notice the remnants of fierce battles between cultivators and mortals.

These grim discoveries served as a stark reminder that beneath this world's verdant beauty and thriving life lay a ruthless, unforgiving reality. It was a world where danger lurked just beyond the periphery of vision, a world not solely composed of beauty and wonder but also of shadow and peril.

After a day's travel, Tyler decided it was time to pause for today. Their striders had borne them faithfully, but now they showed signs of fatigue, their scaled sides heaving with the exertion of the day's trek.

The sun hung low in the sky, a golden orb descending towards the horizon, casting long shadows and painting the world in hues of amber and gold. It was the perfect moment for the rider and mount to take a well-deserved respite and replenish their strength.

From the depths of his inner world, Tyler summoned forth Qi-infused water, offering it to their weary steeds. The striders eagerly drank the liquid, its quality rivaling the finest tier 1 spirit-grade water.

As the striders quenched their thirst, Tyler tossed them a few dried pieces of tier 1 meats. Their contented gestures were evident; they relished the high-grade sustenance, an unexpected luxury in their mundane routine.

Then, he turned to Pang, suggesting for him to stay here. He wasn't in the mood for dried meat at the moment. Extending his divine sense beyond its customary reach, he scanned the vicinity for something more appealing.

It didn't take long for him to detect the vibrant auras of a pair of tier 2 creatures, their life force pulsating within a nearby tree's high branches.

With the stealth of a specter, Tyler slipped into the forest. Each step was calculated, a silent dance between the fallen leaves and the underbrush, bringing him closer to his unsuspecting prey.

When he was merely a stone's throw away from the tree, he fixed his gaze upon the two creatures, their forms still blissfully unaware of the predator in their midst.

In an instant, Tyler summoned a pair of Ten Direction Swords, their blades a whisper of death. With a precision born of both mercy and necessity, he claimed the lives of the two beasts.

Their demise was instantaneous, a humane end as their souls were shattered quietly, sparing them any suffering.

Ensuring Pang hadn't followed through a quick sweep of his divine sense, Tyler propelled himself upwards with a burst of strength that still took him by surprise.

His body soared through the air, reaching heights that seemed to defy gravity, and effortlessly ascended to where the creatures lay high above the ground.

Harnessing the currents of the wind with a grace that made it seem as though he was born aloft by the breeze itself, Tyler swiftly collected the lifeless bodies of the creatures, storing them in his inner world.

His descent was like a gentle ballet, a controlled fall that brought him back to the earth as softly as a leaf settling on a still pond.

Back on solid ground, Tyler quietly walked back to Pang and the Striders and took upon the task of preparing them a nutritious meal. On his way, he had gathered wood and tinder with a practiced ease in preparation for this.

Then, with the tools and skills he had learned through numerous military exercises, he arranged the wood and tinder in a precise formation before igniting a fire without using Qi or techniques.

Sparks gave way to a flicker of flame, and soon, a cheerful blaze crackled before them, casting a warm glow as dusk settled around them.

Such methods weren't rare, but for a cultivator, it was unusual to do things still this way, and Tyler could tell as it drew an arched eyebrow from Luo Pang.

As the fire danced and popped, Tyler deftly prepared the creatures. The process was swift and methodical. He skewered the meat with seasoned hands, roasting it over the open flames.

Once the meal was ready, Tyler presented some to Pang. They sat together, the fire's glow illuminating their faces as they ate.

The meat was succulent, infused with the smoky essence of the fire, a flavor that could only be achieved through this most basic cooking method. Using various formations and special tools still yielded terrific meals, but this particular taste was something Luo Pang had rarely experienced before.

For a brief moment, the world's complexities faded, and they were simply two travelers, sharing a meal and the companionship that comes with breaking bread together.

In the calm that followed their meal, a silence filled with the sounds of the crackling fire and the nocturnal whispers of the forest, Pang felt compelled to break the stillness. "I must admit, you're full of surprises," he remarked, his voice carrying a mix of admiration and curiosity.

Tyler, who had half-expected this conversation, responded with a measured tone, "Oh? In what way?"

Pang leaned back, the firelight playing across his features as he elaborated. "Well, it's not every day that a brand new disciple exhibits such independence. Most are reluctant to step even a hair's breadth away from their escort, scared of the wilds or the city's alleyways. Yet you ventured alone into the forest and hunted a pair of tier two Skybound Barklings alone."

He took another morsel of food before continuing. "And then there's the fire. You made it with the methods of mortals, forgoing the commonly employed fire formation disks. Not to mention your uncanny ability to navigate an unfamiliar city with the ease of a local."

Tyler caught somewhat off guard, could only scratch the back of his head, unsure of what to say.

Pang concluded his observations with a probing question, "Do you possess techniques that excel in reconnaissance? Do you use a cultivation method that bonds with the earth or the elements of nature? Or perhaps it's the winds?"

Seizing the opportunity to offer a half-truth, Tyler latched onto the final suggestion. "My affinity does indeed lie with the winds. My understanding of wind laws is deep, and most of my techniques are wind-based," he revealed, hoping this would satisfy Pang's curiosity.

Luo Pang was satisfied with this response, recognizing that the ability to discern the nuanced differences in wind patterns and identify the various scents and behaviors of the surrounding air was often regarded as a highly effective means of locating prey and navigating unfamiliar landscapes.

Once they had finished their meal and their striders had succumbed to the embrace of sleep on the soft earth nearby, Tyler turned to Luo Pang with a proposition. "Why don't you get some rest? I'll keep watch for the first half of the night."

His offer was backed by the reassurance of his divine sense, which extended like an invisible shield around them in a 120-meter radius, far surpassing human sight's limits in the night's thick darkness.

Acting as the sentry, he settled himself into a meditative stance, observing Luo Pang as he made himself comfortable, pulling out various things from his storage ring and setting down a single formation disk.

With his eyes closed, Tyler's mind's eye opened to the expanse of his inner world. He found his soul avatar seated on the shores of the ocean. Taking over, he rose high above the ground. His gaze was commanding, overseeing the vast resources neatly placed in a corner of this island.

In this domain, Tyler wielded the authority of a god, his will bending even the most obstinate materials to his design. The tier 3 materials yielded effortlessly under his touch, transforming into neatly sized planks and beams. The more obstinate tier 4 materials presented a more significant challenge, prompting him to set them aside for the moment.

Channeling his divine power, he meticulously shaped the planks into a precise array of two-by-fours. Tyler commenced his construction by drawing inspiration from the myriad of bushcraft videos he had absorbed and the countless hours spent watching skilled artisans build their abodes in the wilderness.

With meticulous precision and a touch of divine manipulation, he began to craft a warehouse for his accumulated goods. Logs intertwined at his command, shaping the robust frame of what promised to be a steadfast and secure edifice.

In mere hours, he had accomplished what would have taken a dozen pre-shattering construction workers weeks to achieve.

But just as he placed the final touches on his meticulously crafted warehouse, an abrupt disturbance rippled through his divine sense.

A disturbance in the stillness of the night.

Movement.

The approaching presence manifested not as a leisurely wandering creature in the darkness but as a predator hurtling through the night's obscurity, unrestricted and swift.

The anomaly was 100 meters away on the fringes of Tyler's divine sense's natural reach. As he pushed his divine sense further to confirm the creature's departure, it sniffed the air.

With powerful, resolute movements, it howled and shifted its trajectory, homing in directly on their makeshift camp by the roadside.

Really pushing his divine sense to its limits, Tyler could see it. An entire pack of wolf-like Tier 2 creatures had found their camp, but that wasn't what worried him.

It was the Tier 3 pack leader in the back.