Chapter 1 The First Lord

Before two days had passed, the first lord from a neighboring city rushed to meet the Imperial Hunter squad, successfully taking over Deep Rock City.

With professionals on the scene, the hunter squad no longer lingered. After handing over to the lord, they took the Cloudspine Dragon corpse, which had already been processed by the artisans, and set off.

The surviving civilians were very grateful to the Imperial Hunters who had unexpectedly been caught up in the incident but ultimately became the saviors of Deep Rock City. Although their property losses were considerable, they still gathered some food to give Zhou Jing and the others as rations for the road.

The outline of Deep Rock City was thrown far behind as Zhou Jing and his group dragged the Cloudspine Dragon along the road. Compared to when they had come, there were two more people in the group.

One was Dotun, who had his limbs broken and was tied to a cart. His thrice-enhanced physique ensured that he would not die easily. With his jaw dislocated, he couldn't speak, and could only whimper weakly.

The other was Lynn, who had brought simple luggage, put on a thick robe, and held a wooden stick as a crutch, dressed like a traveler.

After much deliberation, he finally decided to accept Zhou Jing's invitation, end his reclusive life, and leave with Zhou Jing.

Lynn didn't think too far ahead about his future plans. However, after the turmoil of that night, he used witchcraft for the first time to defeat the Different Blood Warrior and protect himself with strength. His heart finally sprouted the desire to no longer be content with the ordinary, and he was determined to open the door to a new world.

Lynn couldn't be said to trust Zhou Jing very much, but as Zhou Jing had said, he was currently the most suitable teammate, so he simply teamed up. He wasn't very proactive and didn't mind living in the royal capital. He mainly wanted to team up with Zhou Jing, hoping that Zhou Jing would keep his promise to protect him in finding the Spirits of Nature.

However, Cole and the other hunters were confused and didn't understand Zhou Jing's intention in bringing a civilian.

"Why are you bringing him? Is there anything special about him?"

At the front of the group, Cole leaned close to Zhou Jing and asked in a low voice.

Zhou Jing chuckled. "Nothing special. Didn't I save him before? His house was burned down, and he plans to move to the royal capital, so we simply brought him along."

Cole accepted this explanation and didn't mind protecting a civilian who was going the same way. He turned back to look at Lynn sitting on the cart.

Lynn looked slightly delicate and younger than his actual age of twenty-six or twenty-seven, with thin arms and legs and a rather slender figure.

However, after fusing with the Spirit of Nature, his physical fitness had been slightly improved, making him healthier than the average adult and comparable to a soldier who had undergone long-term training.

"I see. I thought you had taken him as a hunter apprentice… Although he looks weak, his physical strength is not bad. He has potential." Cole clicked his tongue, his fiery gaze wandering over Lynn, full of interested scrutiny.

Lynn felt his chrysanthemum tighten from his gaze and turned away unnaturally, not daring to look directly at him.

...

As they traveled, it quickly became evening, and the team found an open grassland to camp and lit a bonfire.

Hunters usually ate and slept in the open air and had to track strange beasts, so they generally only brought dried meat and dried vegetable cakes as food. This time, they had rescued Deep Rock City and received a lot of ingredients from the civilians, so they had the leisure to cook on the way back.

Several people took out the iron pot given by Deep Rock City from their bags, threw in some vegetables, and also took some useless parts of the Cloudspine Dragon's meat on the spot and threw them directly into the pot to make a stew.

Because there were no seasonings, the taste wasn't great, but the ingredients were too good. The meat of the strange beast was quite delicious and stewed very softly. When chewed in the mouth, the teeth could easily crush the stewed meat, and the soup with the aroma of meat instantly filled the mouth.

The hunters had amazing appetites, and they cut a few more rounds of meat from the Cloudspine Dragon and threw them into the pot, like a self-service stew pot, adding dishes at any time.

The group ate to about eighty percent full, packed up their things, and rested.

Zhou Jing took the initiative to keep watch. After the hunters were asleep, he woke up Lynn and went to the side to communicate in a low voice, asking about his experience in witchcraft cultivation.

According to the records in the remnant book, there was only one way to cast witchcraft, and that was to fuse with a Spirit of Nature.

The first step was to sense the natural elements and enter a state called "Elemental Vision", otherwise it was impossible to fuse with a Spirit of Nature.

The book recorded a method, which, according to the explanation, could test whether a person had the potential to cultivate witchcraft.

The main world also had a wizard system, but it was not the same as the "wizard" recorded in the remnant book.

In Zhou Jing's view, this set of magic system in the alien beast world should be called "shaman wizard" or "elemental wizard". It was a primitive and special form of magic that did not focus on the accumulation of knowledge like the spellcasting system of the main world, but tended to focus on the use of spirit and thought power.

"...I sensed the natural elements the first time I tried according to the contents of the book. Because I was the only one who practiced it, I can't be sure if you can succeed..."

Lynn lowered his voice, holding a small wooden box filled with blue paste in his hand, constantly using his fingers to scoop out a little and apply it to Zhou Jing's exposed upper body.

The witchcraft remnant book wrote that the method for ordinary people to sense elements required auxiliary materials. Several special herbs and minerals should be crushed, mixed with water to make a paste, and then special symbols should be drawn on the body. Then, through a focused state similar to meditation, one could slowly enter the Elemental Vision.

Only after fusing with the Spirit of Nature would this kind of ritual not be needed, and Elemental Vision could be opened anytime, anywhere. Lynn could do it.

Soon, the symbols were drawn, and the ointment felt cool on the body.

Zhou Jing checked and confirmed that the symbols were the same as those in the book.

"Empty your mind, you can imagine a ball of fire, focus on thinking about it burning, so you can eliminate all kinds of distracting thoughts." Lynn taught his experience.

Zhou Jing did as he was told, sat down cross-legged, and closed his eyes to meditate.

From time to time, the wind blew, and the ointment brought a cooler feeling, but as time passed second by second, the ointment gradually solidified and dried, as if dry, broken mud was stuck to his body.

Zhou Jing never sensed any natural elements, and the world in his perception never changed.

"It doesn't seem to work, let's try again."

Erasing the dried ointment, Lynn applied new symbols.

Zhou Jing tried twice more, but still didn't succeed.

He raised his hand to reject Lynn's suggestion to try again and shook his head.

"There's no need to continue, it seems I don't have this potential."

Connecting it with the [Secret of Witchcraft] achievement triggered at that time, he already understood the situation. If he wanted to sense elements, he mostly needed the aptitude of "magic" or "natural affinity".

However, the No. 2 Star Realm Apostle, "Jason", didn't have this kind of aptitude. Zhou Jing had an vague premonition, but he tried it with the attitude of "since I'm already here", but unfortunately there was no surprise.

Although he had a small aptitude improvement reward for "magic" and "natural affinity", "Jason's" foundation in these two aptitudes was too low, not even reaching the white level. It was estimated that even if he used them, he wouldn't reach the threshold for cultivation.

"Don't be sad..." Lynn didn't know what to say, feeling timid in his heart, afraid that Zhou Jing wouldn't be able to accept reality and would vent his anger on him.

"It's nothing, this isn't a big deal."

Zhou Jing wiped his body dry and put on his clothes again, not showing any signs of disappointment.

This made Lynn relieved, but instead he was surprised that Zhou Jing was so open-minded and calm.

Zhou Jing wasn't too disappointed—it would be best if he could get Jason to cultivate witchcraft. If not, at least he knew the aptitude requirements. If there was a chance to create a Star Realm Apostle in the future, he could create people in this direction.

"Moreover, Bill might be able to practice witchcraft."

Zhou Jing's thoughts turned, and he felt that the chances were not small.

"Bill" didn't have magical aptitude, but his natural affinity aptitude reached the green level, which was much better than "Jason's". Maybe he could enter the Elemental Vision.

It's a pity, I originally wanted Jason to practice both magic and martial arts, and concurrently cultivate the "Different Blood Warrior" and "Elemental Wizard" professions. It seems that this Apostle can only be a muscle man...

That's fine too, this Apostle focuses on physical development, at least it's pure.

Zhou Jing smacked his lips.

He wasn't discouraged. As long as there was another Eternal Apostle who became a shaman wizard, he could transform the spellcasting ability into the main body, allowing the main body to embark on the path of both magic and martial arts. There was still hope.

He can try it... Zhou Jing secretly established a new small goal.

...

Although he failed to get started with witchcraft, Zhou Jing didn't neglect Lynn. He constantly asked the other party for his cultivation experience on the road and deliberately tried to get closer.

Lynn realized that Zhou Jing didn't have magical aptitude and became easier to talk to. He didn't have to worry about Zhou Jing abandoning him after becoming a wizard. He felt less awkward in his heart, and the two of them got along much more naturally.

The team traveled all the way, and the road was calm and uneventful. Finally, one noon, they returned to the royal capital.

The crowd's pace was faster than the transmission of news. When they came back, the news of the Deep Rock City rebellion hadn't reached the royal capital yet. No one knew about it, and it was peaceful and harmonious.

Zhou Jing and the others reported the incident to Claymore as soon as possible. Claymore was shocked and pulled a few people to understand the details of the matter. Then he hurriedly left the Imperial Hunter's station and ran to report to the Empire.

It wasn't until dusk that Claymore returned to the station, went straight to Zhou Jing, and said straight to the point:

"Jess, get ready and follow me into the palace to see the king!"

Hearing this, Zhou Jing's eyes moved.

His identity was finally being paid attention to by the core power of the Empire, just like Bill.