However, Song-oh suddenly sneered.
"Bah! You can't fool anyone; you're not that much of a genius!"
"It's fine if you don't believe me."
Sol shrugged his shoulders.
"Brother Sol, if your words are true despite how impossible it sounds, then I don't think you're any less talented than the Top Disciples in the Martial Alliance Academy."
Sol rubbed his nose when he heard that. He had wanted to add that he did it within a month, but he didn't want to shock them too much.
However, this got him to think back to when he was creating his Aether Absorption Technique. His Master would curse at him that it only took him an hour to create his, so his disciple taking one month was a disgrace.
'That old fart, he must have been lying.'
Sol put his grievances at the back of his mind before he said.
"I plan on entering the Academy next year, so we'll see if your words are true."
Son's heart couldn't help but move when he heard that.
'He's already this strong, just how much stronger would he be in another year? No, I should be asking how much stronger he would be after he enters the Martial Alliance Academy. Did I stumble upon a person comparable to those Monsters at the top of the Academy?'
But after thinking this, Son corrected himself.
'No, those aren't the people he would be competing against, it's the ones who will be entering the Academy this year and the next.'
Son then recalled the rumors going around about the outstanding individuals who will be taking part in the Martial Alliance Academy entrance ceremony. The more he thought about it, the more heart was filled with emotions when he looked at Sol. Anticipation rose uncontrollably in his heart for the upcoming years int he Eastern Continent.
If Son had to describe those upcoming years in two words, those two words would be 'fierce competition'.
The group of four youths talked among themselves until the sun on the horizon was beginning to set.
Sol had long lost his passive-aggressive attitude towards these three and had even felt a slight friendship forming between them.
Looking at the setting sun, Son turned to Sol and said.
"Brother Sol, I enjoyed meeting you today despite how we first met. But I think we need to leave, we came to the Demonic Forest with a few more people from our Sect so they must be worried about our absence."
Sol felt a bit sad at that, but he jumped up and said.
"Then I'll lead the way."
"That would be good since we have no idea where we are."
"Let's go. Little Zeel you can head home without me!"
Sol's figure then vanished, and not long after Son and the others vanish as well as they followed behind him.
….
…
..
Sol had his now braided hair whipping about in the wind as he led Son and the others towards the Eastern Continent. He felt it was strange after not having his hair caught on something as he ran through the forest, so much so he to turn and thank Seon for braiding his hair. He had been planning on cutting it, but maybe he would hold off on that now.
Although Sol was worried about what to do when he had to pull it out, he would have to ask someone else to braid it.
'I'll think of that later.'
Sol thought as he landed outside of the Demonic Forest.
His gaze landed on a clearing in front of him that stretched for several kilometers. At the end of this clearing, he could see mountains in the distance that had their peaks in the clouds.
It wasn't his first time seeing this scene, but every time he did, Sol would imagine what was beyond those Mountains. It was the Eastern Region obviously, however, no matter how much he read in books or heard from others, he truly couldn't picture what the world of Jianghu was like.
"Brother Sol, we see our party members."
Son said as he waved at a group of people in the distance that waved back at them.
After turning to Sol, Son said.
"Brother Sol, if you have the time in the future come to our Huashan Branch Sect."
"Hm, when I reach the Eastern Continent I'll be sure to visit Brother Son."
"Haha, even though I say this, I think you might have a different status than now. So, you won't like being seen talking with us from Branch Sects."
"Wah! How can that be? Brother Son and everyone are now my friends, I wouldn't ignore my friends."
Son felt something stir in his heart when he heard that. He could tell Sol wasn't like those talented youths from the top forces. He didn't seem to have even one dishonest bone in him.
'He's surprisingly good nature, perhaps if he had a normal life that would be good, but in Jianghu he will become a target.'
However, after Son thought this, he remembered Sol's strength.
'Haha! Then I pity the poor fool who decides to provoke this hidden monster.'
"Brother Sol, before we go, could you tell us if you've met anyone from the Ibbian Tribes? What are they like?"
Seon asked, and Sol paused.
"What is your purpose for knowing that?"
Not realizing the tone of Sol's voice had changed, Seon cheerily responded.
"How can I not be fascinated by them? They're essentially a new Race of people that have remained hidden from our continent; their lives are completely different from ours. Even their language is different. It's just so interesting that I can't help but be excited to meet them!"
Sol hearing this sighed heavily then said.
"Brother Son, Brother Song-Oh, and sister Seon, I consider you my friends, but that might change upon your answer to my next question...
"How do you see the Ibbian Tribes?"
All three youths were taken aback by Sol's words.
"Brother Sol, what do you mean?"
Son asked this with furrowed brows and a confused look on his face.
"Brother Son, I have indeed met the people from the Ibbian Tribes, and they are good people. However, when the barrier fell, people from both the Western Continent and the Eastern Continent invaded the Ibbian Mountain Range. I have witnessed things being carried out on the Ibbian Tribes that they did not deserve. Especially the Church, they-"
"Tueh!"
Son spat to the side interrupting Sol.
His expression turned malevolent, and a dark look appeared in his eyes. Song-Oh had on the same expression as well, and even the once kind-looking Seon look like she wanted to bite someone to death.