The Geared Immortal

The Nian clan misfortune Part 4

/*unedited*/

The morning sunshine has already risen high up in the sky when a number of people are lining up in a place. These people wore cultivator robes and some of them are showing an imposing aura.

Among this group of people stood a young man with a medium build and a very common face. His robe is mediocre and just like any other cultivators in that line, he stood there waiting.

Today is like any other day of the Crow town. However, in front of the Nian clan, there is a recruitment notice. The clan is currently looking for a cultivator with good aptitude and is already at the core-forming realm. In the Nian clan's recruitment stand stood five young people, three women, and two men.

One of the women who are standing in line is BeiBei Ji. When she is unable to find Shin Jiao inside the hotel, she decided to return to the clan and warn them. Since she is a member of the Nian clan, although she is a little upset by what had happened, she still returns to the clan.

When the elders of the Nian clan heard about the cave where there are many mind stones, a glint of greed can be seen in their eyes. Yet they were all disappointed when BeiBei Ji told them that the teleportation was random and she is not sure if she can still return to that cave.

Upon hearing her explanation the elders realized what is happening. Those people who were told to be lost in that place near the coastal city of Cui are all actually teleported in that cave. From what they have learned from BeiBei Ji, they deduce that all they have to do is to use a teleportation scroll and they would appear in that cave.

But the danger in it is real. If they are trapped inside that dream world then it would be dangerous. But since they heard that the cave was already looted by the two, they are confident that the trap won't work anymore. So the elders of the Nian clan immediately went to the area where the battle happened.

Meanwhile, Hong Nian calmly looks at BeiBei Ji as she made the report. When he saw her, he was actually surprised. But then elation overcomes his inner feeling. Because this means that Shin Jiao is alive and was able to escape that cave.

Although he is not sure what trap was inside it, upon hearing her words, cold shivers immediately ran down his spine. This is also when she told them that she even saw a dead cultivator which is already a nascent realm inside that cave.

This means that his plan would not have worked anyway even if he is stronger. But he is also excited because if the two have escaped then maybe, there is a way to overcome the trap. And yet another disappointment assaulted him upon learning that BeiBei Ji didn't know how she woke up.

Because it was all thanks to Shin Jiao.

They tried to replicate what had happened but to no avail because the mind stones inside the cave were already harvested by Shin Jiao. It would take another hundred years before it would naturally grow again. Hence they are unable to return to that place.

"We must hunt that Shin Jiao person. We must obtain those mind stones." an elder said.

"I agree, but we have to replenish our elite fighters first. That damned fellow has already crippled a lot of our disciples and now they are all useless."

"Then tell those who remain to start recruiting new disciples. We need to prepare until we find the whereabouts of that runaway slave again."

And so with this, the recruitment for the Nian clan began.

…

Right now, the young and promising cultivators wanted to enter and join the Nian clan elite cultivators to further enhance their power. Because of cultivation resources issues, most of the people are unable to advance. But with the help of the rich resources of the Nian clan, in just a few months or even a year would be enough for them to reach the gold core realm. This way, they can gain more power and someday enter a higher school or sect to further their cultivation after serving the Nian clan for a couple of years.

"BeiBei Ji? I guess she returned to the Nian clan. Well, she didn't know that much about me. So who cares…" the young man thought.

This young ordinary-looking young man is Shin Jiao wearing a disguise.

Since he could not use any rune or magic to disguise himself, he could only use his good old talent in make-up and dental prosthetics. After a long time and much effort, he was able to change his face, and change the core setting in his artificial dantian into the core-forming realm.

With this, the previous handsome looks on Shin Jiao's face were changed into an ordinary-looking young man.

After a while, it was already Shin Jiao's turn.

"You, what is your name?" the man on the table asked.

"Gu Bu…" Shin Jiao replied.

"And where are you from?"

"I'm just a vagrant cultivator. But I was born in Xiling Village, one of the villages that were ravaged by the undead." Shin Jiao answered.

He uses this identity because he is very familiar with these. Hence he can fake it that even he himself almost believed himself.

When the young man and the others with him heard Shin Jiao's reply, they all felt a little pity.

They have known what had happened in that place. When the undead rampaged, many villages and towns were affected. It was said that many of those villages were all destroyed, though there are some which survived.

"Okay, here is your identity tag. Go there to the next building for assessment."

When Shin Jiao receives the tag, he noticed the characters Gu Bu which made him smile.

It has been a long time since he arrived in this world. And Gubu was the first person or soul which welcomed him.

While Shin Jiao is walking, BeiBei Ji is currently looking at him as she scrutinized him. As a woman, she has a very sharp instinct on someone she knows or has been acquainted with before. And right now, the young man seems very familiar to her but she just could not put a lid on who he really is.

As Shin Jiao began walking to the other building, BeiBei Ji followed behind stealthily.

But Shin Jiao has already noticed this, but he is not worried.

"Women's instinct are very scary. I think he already has a hunch on who I am, but still can't figure it out yet. So I must be careful and never expose anything. If not, then my plans would be ruined." Shin Jiao thought as a smirk appears on his face.

As a spy, although it has been a long time since he stopped, he is still equipped with many skills. So is confident of the success of this personal mission of his.

When Shin Jiao arrives in the building he immediately saw the people who entered before him.

Inside the simple-looking building is an empty space. Except for people nothing can be seen in it.

Shin Jiao turned his gaze towards the walls, then to the corners. With his acute sense in array formation, he immediately saw that the whole area is actually covered by an illusionary array.

"From the looks of it, we are going to be tested in our resolve." Shin Jiao thought as he suddenly felt his eyes getting heavy.

"Here we go…" Shin Jiao did resist and let his consciousness fade.

Then he suddenly found himself in a place full of golden desert sands. The scorching heat of the sun feels real, and even the dry atmosphere made him feel parched.

He then heard some movements under the ground which made him alert.

Although Shin Jiao has the power to break this illusion, yet he wouldn't do it. He needs to go through this process so that he can enter the Nian clan estate and wreak havoc inside. So, as of now, he needs to be patient.

Suddenly the dust bursts and a large desert snake of around 5 feet in height stood erected in front of him.

It then attacked him with its fast strikes. However, it still missed him by a hair's breadth which made the golden sand flew everywhere.

"Heh, is that all you've got beast?" Shin Jiao mocked.

Hearing his words the complexion of the desert snake changed as it roared furiously.

It then went forth an all-out attack on Shin Jiao.

But still, it failed to hit him, as his figure is nimble enough to dodge each of its attacks.

Suddenly, something happened.

Another giant snake appears from under the sand and pounced towards Shin Jiao.

With two snaked already attacking him, Shin Jiao didn't dare be neglectful. He showed a serious face as he fought against the two snakes.

But still, they are unable to hurt him.

This time, the ground began shaking and ten desert snakes began to surface.

"So this, a test is to see my reaction, fighting prowess, and ability to be calm in any situation… this is a nice test." Shin Jiao thought as he suddenly turned his expression a little ugly.

"Oh no! This is bad! Why are there too many snakes in this place? I… I need to run!" Shin Jiao said as he immediately ran away.

His reaction dumbfounded an old man who is manipulating the formation. He could understand what has happened to the guy who fights against multiple desert snakes.

Shaking his head, the old man just put a check on his list where Shin Jiao's name is.