After the Green Goose escaped from the soul keeper, she decided to go back to her mountain. She realized that she couldn't fight against the soul keeper alone. Furthermore, the beast's territory is a very dangerous place for her.
Without the help of the blue phoenix, she may have another hard fight like the Nean Lion. Although she couldn't die, it doesn't mean she likes to get killed over and over again.
As for her sister, the blue phoenix, Green Goose is confident that nothing could harm the phoenix. So, no matter what the soul keeper does, her sister will be safe. The pride of the phoenix that hailed as the immortal leading to this conclusion.
Now, She could only retread and go back to her mountain, thinking about her next move. As soon as the Green Goose flies away from the beast's territory, Jayna's agitated emotions start to calm down.
She realizes that one of the phoenixes is gone, and the other is flying away towards another location. Knowing this, Jayna feels relief.
Then, Ian and Jayna decide to get away from this location. Although they want to stay and search for their friend, they also know that staying in this place any longer is very dangerous for them.
They don't know when the other phoenix will come back. If the phoenixes manage to find both of them, then it will be their end. No matter how strong they are, their strength gap is still too large.
Based on their combat strength, both of them are second-grade combatants. It is a suicide to fight against six grade immortal beast like the phoenix. Not only can they not kill the other party, but the phoenix could also easily kill them.
In the end, both of them reluctantly decide to escape from this place. They could only hope the others still survived and were reunited in the future. After packing their things, both of them move cautiously along the way.
After Jayna received the fire phoenix's experience and knowledge, she could hide her presence much better than before.
Her mana capacity is almost five times higher than before, making her have difficulty controlling her mana. She still could use all her skills normally but could not control them into the finest detail like before.
However, this is only a minor setback for her as she gains many things from the fire phoenix. Not only her abilities, but she also gains experience and knowledge of the immortal bird.
Soon, both of them managed to get out of the beast's territory. Fortunately, their current location is closer to the route they choose before getting scattered by the Icetooth horde and [Meteor shower].
On the way, they often find low-grade beasts. But, none of them managed to pose a threat towards Angus and Jayna.
They could end the battle quickly using the sneak attack. Only one or two beasts managed to survive their sneak attack. Still, all of them also end up dying in Angus and Jayna's hands.
As they get farther from the beast and monster territory, they encounter fewer beasts along the way.
In the meantime, Ian wakes up with a pained body inside the lair of the Nean Lion. His luck has been terrible ever since get scattered with the others. He gets caught by the Nean Lion and becomes its cub fighting partner, more accurately their living sandbag.
At first, he thought that he would get killed after fighting non-stop while defending his life against the Nean Lion's cub. However, when the Nean Lion decided to end his life, a loud bird cry was heard throughout the forest.
Then, The Nean Lion in front of him disappears from his spot. A moment later, a tremor and clash could be heard from far away. At this moment, Ian thought that this was his chance to run away. But, his body has already reached its limit.
He also already used all his potions and his rune magic card. Left with no choice, he steeled himself and decided to run in a random direction. Just as he ran for few meters away, One of the Nean Lion smacked his body using its paw and make him fell unconscious.
Normally, he will not fall unconscious from this kind of attack, considering it does not come from a high-grade Nean Lion.
But, Ian is already exhausted to the limit and on the brink of mana deficiency. Mana deficiency is a severe body condition problem. The higher the grade, the worse the effect.
Fortunately, Ian is still in the first grade. The first-grade mana deficiency effect only will make a body weaker for a few days. Still, it doesn't mean he could tolerate it. It is a state where his body starts to not work properly, according to his mind.
Ian lay on the ground inside the Nean Lion's lair and contemplated why he still survived and not become the food of the Nean Lion. Just as he tries to move his body, he feels weak and muscle pain all over his body.
"Don't move too much. If you didn't want to die." said the seventh-grade Nean Lion that was lying beside him.
Looking at the seventh grade Nean Lion, "Why? Why did you let me live?" asked Ian in a gloomy tone.
Hearing this, "Boy, do you think I care for weaklings like you? You couldn't even be considered as food. Since I just had a nice fight with an immortal bird, I am quite happy and decided not to do anything for a while."
"So, whether you want to live or die is not my matter anymore. You could also run away." said the Nean Lion.
At this moment, Ian is glad that he is still alive. He also starts to regret entering the Endless Battlefield. However, he needs to do it if he wants to change his family's fate.
During this moment, Ian begins to remember every effort he makes to strive for power. He begins contemplating his life experience so far.
His obsession starts when a noble makes a deal with his father. During the transaction, the noble goes back on his deal and takes everything from his father by accusing his father of the nation's traitor.
He still remembers how his father was kneeling, apologizing towards the noble for something he didn't do. If not for this, his family merchant may become one of the greatest merchant guilds in the Heart Kingdom.
This humiliation experience made Ian hate all the nobles and decide to strive for power to change his family's fate. Only by having absolute power could he not be suppressed by anyone again. He didn't want his family ever to experience this kind of horrible thing.
After he lived inside the Spring Dorm for a few years with the others, he noticed that not all the nobles are scumbags. There are still good nobles like Angus, Jayna, Millie, and Mia.
Although they often fight with Jayna in the first few years, it is because they compete for the first rank. They also didn't have a grudge against each other.
Over the years, his hatred towards the noble started to fade away. But, he is still obsessed with power. He didn't want to feel helpless and can't do anything.
Now, Ian's situation is similar. He is helpless and even gets pity from his opponent. He was even considered as nothing in front of Nean Lion's eyes.
After contemplating for a while, Ian decided to keep pursuing strength but not to change his family's fate. Nor is it for revenge against the noble. But, it is for survival. At this time, he learns that the most important thing right now is to survive.
No matter how strong he is, he would die and be forgotten if he could not survive. Only by surviving could he do anything he wanted.
He begins to understand why his father wants to kneel in front of that scumbag. It is not because his father didn't have any pride or felt wronged. It is because he did that for his family to keep surviving.
As long as he survived, they could make a comeback. But, once they are dead, it is the end. Ian becomes more resolute and decides to keep staying despite receiving pity from his opponent.
Thinking about this, Ian begins to think about how to survive his current condition. His wound is not too severe. He also had a lot of supplies in his space storage for years. The only problem is getting out of this lair.
Ian still remembers being chased by many beasts day and night without stopping before coming to this place. Now, he is inside the inner part of the beast's territory.
He suspects that the moment he gets out from this lair, he will once again be chased or perhaps killed by the other beast.
Thinking of this, "M-Mr. Mighty Nean Lion, since you didn't care about me. Will you let me stay in your lair for a while. Just think of me like nothing." asked Ian nervously.
Hearing this, the Nean Lion glaring at Ian, "Staying here? Do what you want. But, you will need to fight against my cub after you recover." said the Nean Lion before closing his eyes and ignoring Ian.
Hearing this, Ian was immediately overjoyed by it. "Yes, with this I get a safe place for a while."