The Geared Immortal

Chapter 700

(Unedited)

…

Deep within the forest region outside the borders of Ta'al city, a hidden cave protected by magical incantation and thick poisonous fog could be found. According to the legends, an immortal bandit lives within the poisonous fog and he commands large and powerful beasts.

Many travelers within this area have fallen in his hands and those who knew of his existence dare not venture in this region.

Deep within this forest, a figure is moving with a person being carried on his shoulder. The figure has blood on his clothes and only has one arm.

In the immortal land, he would be a rare sight. This is because everyone in this world is immortal and once they die their bodies would return to their perfect form. However, for those who severed their limbs in a fight or an accident, they will have to wait for many years before their limbs would be restored. Unlike wounds which the body could easily heal, missing limbs is different. It would make the flow of universal energy in one's body chaotic and unnatural.

As the figure arrives near the foggy area, he suddenly stopped and then threw the man he is carrying to the ground like some baggage.

Shin Jiao groaned as he hit the hard ground. It was reflexive but he was not hurt at all. His eyes are looking around and he could now feel his body being freed by the man's domain.

"This is the path to my cave… many could not enter this place nor leave once inside. Even those saint rulers are afraid to enter my lair… Hehe… So once I take you inside, you will not be able to come back out. So I advise you to be a good lad and obey my command, or else I will make you suffer." the man said as he checked his wound.

A slightly pained expression appears on his face as he suddenly pours some vial of liquid on the wound which he took from his pouch.

Shin Jiao could see the wound suddenly emitting smoke and a sizzling sound could be even be heard.

"That was some nasty weapon you created… I never would have expected to see such a familiar artifact that could exist in this world." the man said with a sense of dread in his tone.

From his expression, it could be seen that he seem to have a bad experience when facing rifles. So Shin Jiao is now really interested in who this man really is.

"Senior, since I am your captive, may I know your name?" Shin Jiao said with a slight smile on his face.

When the man heard his words, he scrunched his brows and frowns a bit.

"You do not know who I am?" the man asked with a hint of disappointment in his tone.

"No… I… I am not familiar with this place."

"Which town did you came from?"

With that question, Shin Jiao did not dare reply. This person is a very powerful being, if he acted against the town, then the people there would be troubled. Plus the town might even be destroyed.

Seeing the young man not replying, the man showed a faint smile on his face.

"People call me 'the Bog' in this place. My real name is Man Geun… How about you, what is your name?"

"I am Shin Jiao…"

The two talked casually as if nothing had happened.

The man named Geun Man did not even consider Shin Jiao as a threat due to his low level, that's why he is not guarded against the young man.

After taking care of his wounds, he takes out something that looks like a gas mask, which made Shin Jiao feel a bit stunned. Plus the man is actually using a space tool. He is the second person he has seen using a space ring, so Shin Jiao is a bit amazed and is not interested to know who this man really is.

"Wear this and follow me through the fog." The man said then put on the mask.

Shin Jiao did not hesitate and also put on the gas mask looking thingy on.

The two traversed through the foggy area. Once Shin Jiao set his foot in this place, he immediately noticed that this place is actually a large formation array. It is a cleverly concealed formation array. If not for his quick mind and familiarity with array formations, he would not even realize that this fog is actually a really huge and wide array that might even cover this whole region.

With this in mind, Shin Jiao is now really curious about who this man really is.

After a few hours of traveling through the dense fog, Shin Jiao found himself in a place with less fog, and in front of him lays a cave entrance.

The cave itself is almost unnoticeable as it is hidden behind a rock formation that hides it from someone's view.

The man leads him inside and Shin Jiao noticed many plants and herbs planted on the side. But what caught his attention is the light that produces energy for the plants.

It was a piece of familiar technology. It is a machine that produces light that mimics the star within this system.

As he observes using his psychokinesis he was truly astounded at what he discovered. The man on the other hand just led Shin Jiao inside the cave.

"From now on, you will be staying in this place. I have seen what you can do and have already decided to take you in as my disciple. From now on, you will learn from me, and I will impart you all the knowledge that I have… however, I will advise you not to show such knowledge to the outside world if you do not want to be used by other people…" the man said and a hint of sadness suddenly crept on his eyes.

Before Shin Jiao could say something, the man threw some books and a crystal towards him and suddenly showed an ugly expression. Then without warning, he quickly turns around and left the cave in a hurry.

Although the Geun Man is trying to hide it, Shin Jiao has already discovered that something is wrong with that guy.

He noticed purple veins slowly spreading on his neck as if they were roots or tiny purple worms crawling upwards towards the man's face.

He did not follow and just look at the cave's entrance. Unknowingly, Shin Jiao already has a sword in his hand, while looking vigilantly towards the direction where the man left.

Then he heard a painful howl coming from outside which made Shin Jiao defensive.

After a few minutes, he did not notice the man returning, so he decided to explore the cave. As a precaution, he set up an array formation at the entrance.

As he walks deeper into the cave, Shin Jiao noticed a lot of things that relate to technology. After seeing the whole cave which is really big for an immortal's cave, Shin Jiao picks one of the rooms and enters it.

Once inside, he began checking the books that the man threw on him. The books are covered with animal skin and have no title on them. Shin Jiao did not want to read them at first but as soon as he opened the book, he was immediately taken aback.

The books are really mysterious. When someone would casually looks at them, they will not be able to discover the gem inside those pages.

Shin Jiao immediately noticed the strange energy at the title letters and began trying to determine how it works. After around 30 minutes of experimenting, he discovers that to see the real words on the title page, he needed to concentrate the universe's energy in his eyes.

Upon doing so, the book's title began to change and the letters cleared up. Then Shin Jiao's saw the instructions which suddenly formed on the front page.

For one to be able to read the book, they have to use a certain crystal as a guide in comprehending and reading what's inside.

Following the instruction, Shin Jiao's mind was suddenly taken inside the book and he discovers its true worth.

For some unknown time, Shin Jiao immerse himself through reading and discovering what the books contained. He would only stop when he would feel weak and ate or absorb energy. This is because; studying the books needed sufficient energy. And what he has in his ring are a large number of energy cores and food. Hence he did not leave the cave's room and continuously learn from the books.

Knowledge after knowledge enters his mind and enhances what he has already learned. And with his innate quick understanding and gifts, he is able to digest those that he reads.

…

Meanwhile, in Vitol town, a gloomy atmosphere surrounded the new building. The alchemist and the craftsmen inside the building still did their jobs and produces batches of goods for the town. However, without Shin Jiao everything seems dull and dry.

Aiya Wine would sometimes visit the personal laboratory and workshop of Shin Jiao and heaves a deep sigh. She did not know what had happened to him, but it has already been months since he was taken. However, it seems that he was not killed yet.

But what made her worry is the chance that Shin Jiao might have tortured by the high lord bandit which people called 'the Bog'. The name implies the person's ability to capture whom he wanted to capture and would not let them go until their minds were ruined by him.

And this is what worries her.

"I hope that you would be fine…" Aiya muttered as she caresses the table where Shin Jiao would spend his time drawing and drafting stuff.

After sighing for the fourth time, Aiya Wine walked out of the room, and on her way out she saw Jinga Vin who is walking towards the laboratory.

"Jinga…" she said with a surprised tone.

Then suddenly before Jinga Vin could say anything, Aiya Wine suddenly hugs him while planting her face on his strong chest.

"Do... Do you think he will come back?" she said in a sad tone.

Hearing her sad words, Jinga Vin heaves a helpless sigh. He was a bit jealous of Shin Jiao but he knew that Aiya Wine is treating the young man as her younger brother. The two have been lovers for a long time and he knew what she is thinking right now.

Hence he did not say anything and his usual cold face turned gentle as he caresses the hair of the woman in his arms.. The two stayed like that for a while until one could see in the horizon the darkness slowly covering the land.