The Apostle of the Astral Realm
Chaptre 004. Initiations

At dawn, a cold morning breeze swept through the forest. The air seemed to be filled with light blue fog. The thick and dense tree canopy circled in the darkness rippled as if the forest was slowly waking up.

In a sparsely populated forest, a piece of rotten wood that had been dead for an unknown time lay on top of a thick layer of decaying matter, and almost completely decayed.

Amidst the silence, a dim light point appeared and landed on the rotten wood.

The rotten wood suddenly turned into ash without a sound, but the dust did not scatter along with the wind. Instead, it gathered towards the light and gradually turned into a human figure.

In the beginning, it was just a human outline made of ash. But soon, the mass of ash hardened, gradually changing to skin color. Her features, hair quickly appeared, and she finally turned into a man with sunken eyes and a high bridge of the nose. He had a bird-shaped tattoo on his arm, and he was wearing a shirt and rough pants, looking like a bum.

While in a daze, Zhou Jing's consciousness had landed on this body. He staggered forward, almost losing his balance and plunged first into the decaying matter.

He quickly held a nearby tree and swallowed a mouthful of saliva, unable to hide the shock in his eyes.

"Is ... is this a material restructuring?"

Zhou Jing's consciousness remained clear. As he traveled, he saw the birth process of the astral apostle. It was as if a piece of rotten wood had been broken into a human body.

As he stared at the tattoo on his arm, Zhou Jing's expression changed. He suddenly bit the inner wall of his mouth viciously and hissed in pain. He could feel the iron in his blood.

“It looks like I'm still made of flesh and blood, not wood.”

Zhou Jing smacked his lips, his mouth filled with the smell of iron.

For something as complex as a material restructuring... Alright, he didn't understand, but he was still surprised.

“It looks like this body is the Astral Apostle I created. It is a carrier for me to travel in this world. ”

Suppressing the shock in his heart, Zhou Jing took a deep breath. Cold air instantly filled his lungs, and all of his senses felt extremely lively.

Controlling the astral apostle's body was no different from controlling his own body.

Hmm. You could say there is no difference. This Astral Apostle's senses were sharper, and he felt an unprecedented strength. It was as if he had endless power.

“Probably due to Agility Talent and 9 points of Physical Fitness.

Zhou Jing not only moved his hands and feet without lethargy, but he could also feel and move some muscles that he had never trained before.

He shook his chest muscles a few times, something he had never had before. Then, too late, he recalled the existence of the interface and tried to summon it in his consciousness.

Buzz

The panel appeared, glued to a certain area of his vision as if it was etched into his retina. He turned his head, and a translucent panel followed him. Even when it came into contact with the trees, it would go through phases as if it were a virtual projection.

“It's like virtual augmented reality. I doubt anyone else can see the screen hovering in front of me, right?”

Zhou Jing blinked and tried to operate it further. The panel then disappeared in his retina and appeared in his mind.

“This feels better. I don't want others to see me doing something in the air.”.

Zhou Jing sighed in relief.

After descending into the astral realms using an apostle, he realized that the interface panel had changed. The previous Character, Input, and Map Adjustment interfaces were all grayed out. Now, he could only display all the information about the astral apostle, Will Wood.

Compared to the original profile, there are two new sections available.

[Approximate stay time: 5-7 days]

[Current synchronization rate: 10%]

"The synchronization rate starts at 10%, not zero?"

Zhou Jing looked again at Will Wood's Specialization profile.

His personality is paranoid, cautious, and conservative. His juxtaposition is legitimate and right, and he pursues power and honor... As long as his actions conformed to these characteristics and he tried his best to act as Will Wood, his level of synchronicity would increase.

It seemed like he had to treat these traits for a while as the standard of his actions... His original personality was not like this, so acting and seeing this as a different person felt very special... He was just not sure if he could do it.

Zhou Jing carefully observed his surroundings.

Each tree around it was about twenty meters tall and had lush leaves. Only weak sunlight could pierce through, making the forest appear dim. The ground was covered with grass, and the terrain was gently tilted. He did not think that he was in the mountains continuously.

Looking out, other than the forest, there were no other landmarks where he could take references.

Zhou Jing suddenly realized a big problem.

where's my?

He knew nothing about his current location and did not know where to go. The interface indicates that he should stay for five to seven days. Who knew if he could get out of this forest.he didn't even know if he could survive in the forest.

The astral apostles had the same physical needs as the main body. They also have to eat and rest to survive.

A gust of cold wind blew, freezing Zhou Jing up to the bone. He's shivering a little.

According to the current situation, the "Frozen to Death" option has a tremendous advantage over "Death to Hunger" and "Death to Thirst."

“The most important thing is to find some kind of civilization first. By the way, this race of Astral Apostles was proven to be of the Terra race. There must be someone living in this world. The problem is that I don't understand the language here. How can I communicate with them.”.

Zhou Jing was thinking about this when he suddenly saw a flickering point of light in the lower right corner of the interface.

He focused his consciousness there, and several messages appeared from the bottom right corner.

[Triggered Achievements: First Astral Trip!]

[You have received 300 Astral Points!]

[Triggered Achievements: New Arrivals!]

[You have received 100 Astral Points! Obtain 1x Tools — Quick Language Analysis (Skill Edition)]

[Auxiliary Tools — Quick Language Analysis (Skill Edition)]

[Function: Quickly analyze language]

[Usage Method: When you learn a language through a book or communicate with a target, you can use this tool to quickly analyze related languages and turn them into skills for everyday use.]

Zhou Jing's eyes twinkled.

He learned from the information interface that when astral apostles explore nature, certain actions can trigger achievement and benefit. They were Astral Realm Points most of the time, but sometimes they would receive different types of achievement awards.

There are conditions to complete these two achievements. [The First Astral Journey] symbolizes the first time a person moves into a plane, and it is a unique achievement. As for the achievement of the [New Arrivals], it was something that would be triggered every time one entered a new star realm, an achievement that could be repeated.

These achievements are divided into Unique and Repeatable types. He could open the [Accomplishments List] inside the interface and check the requirements for many achievements to be completed. At the same time, there are also some hidden achievements that cannot be checked directly. Add to meet the requirements so they can be triggered.

As for the various types of achievement awards beyond Astral Points, they could not directly apply. Instead, they could be stored in the Achievement warehouse, waiting to be used.

“It looks like the interface does not solve all communication problems directly. Fortunately, there is this achievement reward.By the way, this achievement can be triggered once in every new realm. So there should be some kind of benefit to solve the communication problem for each field?”

Zhou Jing started connecting the dots.

He was worried that if there was a language barrier, others would not be able to understand him. Now, he feels relieved.

He was unfamiliar with this place and had no information about the astral world. He needed to find someone to understand the situation.

Zhou Jing calmed down and searched the ground. Finally, he found a withered branch that he could use as a walking stick and chose a direction before advancing carefully.

After being a city dweller all his life, he had no experience in surviving in the wilderness, so he was not confident. He could only trust himself and rely on a hint of luck at this moment.

Fortunately, this body has 9 points in Physical Fitness. Not only very strong, but also full of stamina. If he ever faced danger, it would be easier to respond compared to his real body.

“I'm just a regular interstellar civil society. Suddenly dragged into the forest and expected to survive.Although the death of an apostle of the astral realm will not affect my main body, to be safe, he said, I have to try my best to stay alive before I return.”

Zhou Jing rubbed his arms firmly as if it could dispel the bone-chilling cold.

...

After walking for about three to four hours, the temperature in the forest gradually returned to normal. It was not as cold as it was at dawn.

Zhou Jing had long been strolling in the forest. His nose was red from the cold, and white mist kept coming out from his breath.

“Fortunately, I brought a set of clothes. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll freeze ... "

The style of clothing she brought was very simple. There was only one piece of clothing, and the cloth was very rough. After traveling for half a day, there were red marks on his shoulders and neck. It was itchy and thorny, but when the cold wind blew, it was very refreshing.

He lived in the interstellar era. Although he did not live a comfortable life, he used modern industrial products. He never expected to wear a single piece of clothing to survive in the wilderness. He never suffered like this.

Zhou Jing gritted his teeth and held him back. He tried not to think of modern comforts; instead, trying his best to adapt — he was already mentally prepared before entering, so He could not think of retreating now.

He was already here, so he had to finish what he started!

As he walked and stopped, Zhou Jing tried to find traces of people in the wilderness.

He had never learned to read tracks in the wilderness, so he could only judge based on his intuition. However, his [Agility] talent seemed to be working, and he could occasionally see some undetectable traces.

However, this discovery made him tense. There are old claw marks on some trees. Clearly, there was an unknown ferocious beast in this forest. He is in a more dangerous situation now.

However, what surprised him was that his physical condition was even better than he had expected. After walking for three to four hours, he was only slightly tired and still maintained sufficient physical strength. Furthermore, after living in such a cold environment for so long, his joints were only slightly stiff and were already extremely resistant to cold.

He turned the big tree over, and Zhou Jing suddenly stopped in his tracks. His gaze was fixed on the ground not far away. Surprisingly, there were some human footprints that extended out.

"Finally, a trail of people!"

He did not know whether the owner of these footprints was benevolent or had any evil intentions.

It was just that only people could communicate in the wild forest. Therefore, he had to make contact with them to find out more about the situation. Otherwise, it would be difficult to leave the forest without any knowledge.

This was Zhou Jing's first time experiencing such a thing, but he had considered the pros and cons along the way. The biological life forms he could encounter in the forest were either beasts or humans. The latter is ultimately easier to communicate than the former.

He quietly increased his vigilance and followed the footprints carefully.

He was extremely tense as he watched his surroundings, ready to face the possibility of an accident.

After walking for about half an hour, there was the sound of a strong wind!

Zhou Jing reacted quickly and hid behind a nearby tree.

Thump!

An arrow pierced the ground several steps ahead of where he had previously stood.

At the same time, a man's shout suddenly sounded from the forest ahead.

“%*%*#%!”

—— As expected, he did not understand a single word.

Zhou Jing gripped the dried branch tightly and peeked out from behind the tree. He saw five figures coming out from behind the tree. They were all holding bows and arrows, aiming at the tree where he was hiding.

These people were of all sorts of sizes; tall, short, fat, and skinny, but dressed almost the same. They wore scarves and veils on their heads, and they wore thick cloth clothes with simple skin protectors on the outside. There were arrows on their backs, and they were holding bows in their hands. Their leather belts were tied around the waist, and they carried hunting knives and daggers. On their feet were long boots, and they looked like rangers or hunters.

This style and weaponry.. Am I of the Middle Ages? Or is this another world in the same stage of development?

Zhou Jing's heart trembled. From the clothing style of these people, he thought of a certain historical period recorded in the history books of the parent planet era. Still, his expression did not change at all even though he was conscious.

At the same time, the interface flashes, and new messages appear.

[Unknown Language Discovered. Are you willing to consume 50 Astral Realm Points to activate the Auxiliary Tools [Quick Language Analysis (Temporary)]?]

[Quick (Temporary) Language Analysis: After consuming, when someone uses this language to communicate with you, you will understand the meaning of the other party's words. What you want to express will automatically be translated into this language when you speak to them. (Note: But that doesn't mean you've mastered the language.)]

[Note: This applies only to one language. If you find a new, unknown language, you need to activate the Help Tool again. 50 Astral Points would be consumed each time.]

[Note: Provisional assistance provided cannot be mastered as a skill and cannot be passed on. After turning to the new Astral Apostle, the language needs to be relearned.]

“Without the skill version to analyze the language, I can only spend points to activate the temporary communication function. If I continue to use this, it will be useless ... No need for that. I will use the previous achievement reward first. ”

Zhou Jing understood. Without a doubt, he opened the arsenal of achievements in his mind and used the special achievement rewards he had received earlier.

[Finding an unknown language. Utilizing Auxiliary Tools [Quick Language Analysis (Skill Edition)]!]

[You have received the Skill [Terra Empire LanguageNorthern Dialect]!]

[Current Mastery Level: Lv2 – (Egypt)]

[The name of this skill can be chosen. Do you want to change it?]

"Not needed." Zhou Jing refused the request.

When the five hunters saw that Zhou Jing did not reply, the tall and sturdy hunter who seemed to be the leader opened his mouth to ask again. This time, Zhou Jing understood every word.

"Who are you?!"

Zhou Jing did not feel any language knowledge coming to his mind. Instead, he steeled himself and opened his mouth, only to find that he instinctively spoke a language he had never learned before, fluently and naturally.

"I'm just someone who's lost his way."

"Lost?"

The burly hunter frowned and shouted, "Get out from behind the tree!"

Zhou Jing opened his hands, indicating that he was unarmed. He walked out from behind a tree and stood a meter away.

The burly hunter measured Zhou Jing from head to toe. Seeing that he was dressed like a vagrant, he could not help but reveal a puzzled expression. "Why are you here? What are you doing?"

"I got lost in the woods and ended up seeing footprints, so I followed them ... Who're you?"

Zhou Jing carefully inspected. While he was trekking, he had already guessed some possibilities of meeting something and thought about how others would interrogate him.

He had no understanding of this world, so he would definitely not be able to fabricate any origins. It would be easy for him to turn himself in if he spoke nonsense, so he just said that he was lost and tried to seek help.

Hearing this, a tall and skinny hunter next to him said in a cautious tone, "If your eyes are fine, you should be able to tell that we are hunters."

Zhou Jing narrowed his eyes. Without waiting for the other party to continue interrogating him, he quickly took over the conversation and softened his tone.

“I'm just making sure..Good hunter, I got lost in this forest. I wish I had found someone to take me away. Can you be kind and take me? ”

“We are not interested. You better go now!” The tall and skinny hunter said frankly.

Zhou Jing gritted his teeth but did not back down. Instead, he took a step forward.

“See me.. I wear very thin clothes. I have nothing to eat or drink. I have no choice but to seek your help. Everyone has moments when they are in trouble. It wasn't easy for us to meet in the wilderness and support each other. Kindness will be appreciated.”

On the way there, he decided that if the other party did not attack him without a word and showed that they could negotiate, he would follow them non-stop.

There's nothing he can do about it. It was not easy for him to catch a group of people who could communicate with him. He couldn't let them get away with it.

In his main world, Zhou Jing would not do such a thing. He's a little anti-social and introverted. Rarely did he take the initiative to get to know a stranger.

However, in his current situation, it seemed like he could not continue to be thin. He has to make a change. He decided to grit his teeth and overcome the discomfort in his heart and throw away all the embarrassment.

Speaking of which, he came to another world with a different appearance. No one recognized him. So naturally, it was as if he no longer had any physical or mental limitations and burdens to speak of.

After hearing this, the burly hunter leader hesitated for a moment before putting down his bow and arrows.

After seeing this, the tall and skinny hunter from before couldn't help but remind his friends, “Hei, this guy is too suspicious. Who would run to the Black-Clothed Forest just by wearing a shirt? It's risky to let him follow us. Banish him go!”

The burly hunter shook his head and said, “I think he might really be in trouble. It will take two to three days to walk out of the forest from here. If we throw him out, he's as good as dead. We can't just let it go, can we?”

Another hunter, a thin man, snapped at the burly hunter in an anxious tone, “Keep your overflowing kindness. Don't forget that we don't have much time to waste here.”

The burly hunter turned to look at the skinny hunter and was about to reply when his expression suddenly changed.

"That's here!"

Suddenly, a dense rustling sound came from the grass not far away. It was as if a group of creatures were moving through the grass and quickly approached.

Shuashuashua —

Over ten black and gray colored beasts suddenly emerged from the grass. They were all quadrupled and were very similar to wolves and dogs in his world. They are knee-high in humans, and their fur is rare. 

Their bodies are full of muscles, and they have sharp and irregular fangs, making them look strange. Sticky saliva constantly dripped from their open mouths, adding to their ferocity.

"Retreat, lure them into a trap!"

Some of the hunters whistled and immediately fled in the other direction, trying to attract the ferocious beasts.

The burly hunter wanted to follow him, but when he saw Zhou Jing's figure, he gritted his teeth and turned the route of his escape, headed straight for Zhou Jing and grabbed his arm.

"Run with me!"

The burly hunter grabbed Zhou Jing's arm and pulled him.

He did not forget to bring along this missing person. If he were to leave this person who had suddenly appeared here, then his plan to draw a savage beast into a trap would fail, and he would also cause the death of this stranger.

Although carrying the load will slow him down, and he will end up behind the team, it is difficult for him not to help.

However, after running a few steps, the burly hunter realized something was wrong.

Zhou Jing, who was originally dragged away by him, actually jumped in front of him in two or three steps, running faster than him!

Not only that, this fellow even grabbed his arm and dragged him to the front of the team under the astonished gazes of the other hunters.

A rider pulls away in the dust, letting someone else eat the exhaust.

The scenery in his line of sight quickly receded. The burly hunter was slightly dumbfounded.

What the hell just happened?

Didn't I pull him away? Why is he running faster than me now?

Zhou Jing ran as fast as he could. His 9 Physical Fitness points were displayed completely, and he was lightning fast.

He even had the capacity to turn his head to look, urging the hunter.

“Don't just stand there. In which direction is your trap? Lead!"

The tall and sturdy hunter involuntarily pointed in a certain direction. He felt a strong force on his arm as he was directly dragged away by Zhou Jing.

He hurriedly tripped after her, almost falling to the ground, his face full of astonishment.

This guy is too strong. Is he a mutant warrior like the captain?!