Chapter 195: The Price of Shortcuts

Chapter 195: The Price of Shortcuts

Since Ill be traveling with this guy for a bit, I asked his name. It appears it is Ao Jin. Because of what Ive done for him, he insisted on Jin.

Of course, I gave him my name, as well.

Overall, he seems like a pretty serious but casual guy. But it was a lot more relaxed before all this happened, though.

While I would like to ask more about his wife and child, its clearly a subject that cant be easily broached. I think I may be able to help with it, but that involves dealing with nobles in all the different aspects that come along with that.

Though now that I think about it, it might be much harder than Ive been thinking. Nobels wont move without significant amounts of leverage.

Somewhat silently, we head through the jungle, cutting and pushing our way through the brush below to grab rare materials and, sometimes, kill and collect the raw materials from rare beasts.

As a form of paying me back, he agreed to move around the jungle with me to defend me and help me collect these things. He didnt believe it was a fair compensation, but to be frank, based on the little I heard from him and could gather, he couldnt afford what the market price for such a healing would be.

Not that I was planning on having him pay, anyway. Im still trying to stick to keeping things as open as possible.

Being a foundation establishment cultivator, he easily can take out most creatures. Especially in this area. Seems that it was only because he was weakened from his battles with the demonic creatures from deeper within the jungle that he couldnt handle the snake spirit beast.

He literally tears some of these apart when fighting, while keeping me behind him. Having him nearby and, as an ally, is pretty amazing.

Maybe I should start doing this more with stronger people? It makes things significantly easier overall.

He does get a bit suspicious about how we find all these plants an animal so quickly, but I convinced him with the different indicators that could find them.

Eventually, my bag gets filled to the brim, and I am forced to make another one from the skin of another animal using some alchemical techniques.

Because Im now traveling with someone, I keep my combat scan on a little more than I had before. Just because the guy seems nice doesnt mean that Ill trust him fully.

The rest of the scans are at a higher level, but certainly not as high as before, as I just cant sustain it.

They dont seem to do much, just watching from afar and bounding from tree to tree to stay within viewing distance.

Based on his reactions, it doesnt appear that Ao Jin could see it.

Thats a bit strange, as hes a foundation establishment cultivator.

But it could be because of the Panthers' natural qualities. In all technicality, I wasnt able to view them either, except when using the scan. They seem to have a few different abilities centered on staying hidden and ambushing.

It appears even in the daylight this is still active, as for the few times Im able to catch sight of it in person, I cant actually see it or sense it using my normal senses.

Well that would be the case if it wasnt purposefully showing itself to me.

It seems to occasionally stand in the open where I can see it, but only when my new jumping companion isnt watching or doesnt seem to be aware of it.

If I didnt fight it myself, Id be wondering if Im just hallucinating.

But despite all of this, it keeps its distance and occasionally runs off for hours on end.

This pattern continued all the way until we finally reached the tree house I had made when I had gotten into this jungle. Ultimately, it bounds away out of sight as we get closer to where I started.

Because of the good construction of both the treehouse and the storage materials (if I may say so myself), the items within were still doing fine.

I seem to be continuously impressing Ao Jin, as he looks and comments upon the solidity of the structure. He also is curious about the large chunks carved out of one side, but holds it in.

Since there is a bit more time, he agrees to help me for a few more days to collect things and then head back.

For now, though, we rest.

Its been a long day.T/his chapter is updated by nov(ê(l)biin.co/m