Chapter 65

"I will be paying attention to what goes on from here on out as I have always done, but for at least one year, I feel like just allowing you and Jacob to experience what it is like to survive in an area filled with demon beasts. Not everyone is able to experience such tempering, so your new goal will be to survive this entire next year, and this time next year, I will step in and guide you both to that Stone Kingdom." Master Sei told Timothy.

Timothy felt very similar because by tomorrow, he would turn eleven years old and it was usually by twelve years old, when a kingdom's military or even strong organizations would begin accepting applications. He did not necessarily want to join the Stone Kingdom's military, but by being twelve, he would be seen a little less like a kid and more like a teenager with his whole future ahead of him.

"I plan on arriving in four hours from now, so you two should take a short nap. Knowing what I know about the Monster's Wasteland, being able to fall asleep without any worries will be a rare occurrence even if you two were to find a hidden and easy to protect area. My suggestion would for you two to take turns so at least one of you could be at your full potential since even those who keep their guards up may be killed inside. My mother used to tell me Michael if you go out and play, do not head in that direction!"

"It was actually really funny because as a child, if I ran full speed towards the area, it would still take me at least a week to just see the border!" Michael told the two boys as he did not hear a response. Instead, he saw the two sleeping peacefully. "Heck, an extra few hours will not hurt, will it?" Michael thought as he began to slow the chariot down just enough to extend the promised four hours to seven.

"Hey you two, it is time to wake up, we are about ten minutes from our location!" Michael told Jacob and Timothy. Waking up to the announcement, Timothy was the first to awaken out of the two and looked down below them. There were many trees within the surroundings, but it was clear that at the very border, was almost a desert-like area. There were not even small patches of grass which surprised Timothy quite a bit.

There was a clear difference between trying to survive in an environment with many mountains or trees compared to just a barren plain where it was almost entirely impossible to hide from others. Near the border was a very small township, that was so small that it could barely pass as one.

"Ahead is the Roots Township, do not worry because there are only about eighty or so people living there and they are all considered ordinary. They are a resting type area which experts would use before or after heading into the Monster's Wasteland to rest. Unfortunately, you will be unable to use the township to your advantage so just ignore it even when I drop you off at the border." Michael told Timothy as Timothy shook Jacob's body to wake him up.

"Their job is also in part of being a resting area, is to make reports to the other village nearby, especially if demon beasts come closer to the border. As mentioned before, the Monster's Wasteland is a tough place to temper your strength but for now at least try your best to survive in the outer region. Our Bark Kingdom and the Stone Kingdom's military officers placed small talismans all around the area to signify where you are at all times."

"I would not worry about anyone trying to follow you in, and anyone you see on your journey, I would not consider enemies. There are indeed very few humans who hang around areas like this to poach treasures from dead experts, but they usually find it hard enough just to survive, let alone making an attempt to try to cause others issues." Michael told the two, now that they were both awake.

"Thank you for all of your help." Timothy replied before taking out one of the more expensive treasures that he had on hand. He may not be welcomed back to Bark Kingdom until he was strong enough for them to be unable to stop him from doing what he wished, but he still had a very good impression of Michael and wanted to show him enough respect.

"If I wanted such a low tier treasure, I would just rejoin the Bark Kingdom's military. Due to my old rank, they would give me one hundred of those if I only asked. However, I understand your intentions, but you do not need to worry in the slightest. The Bark Kingdom has another law that could be brought up after quite some time passes. As long as you are able to reach the Master stage of cultivation, no one legally speaking should give you any problems."

"You have not killed a single person, and are not known as a difficult person to get along with, so no one at that point of your path towards immortality should stop you. I must warn you though, Bark Kingdom's laws have been changing quite a bit as of late so do not hold this as a ray of hope." Michael explained to Timothy as he operated the chariot to begin landing.

"Even when I saw you for the first time, I felt like I was very inexperienced when it came to this world and all of the wonders it had to offer. Can I ask what stage you have reached as a cultivator?" Timothy asked Michael since he truly was curious. He had heard there were cultivation stages above the Master stage, but in the books he had access to, there were no names to that stage which frustrated him.