Death... and me

Rean’s group wasn’t together, but they still went back to talk about the next test through their Divine Senses. ‘So, Habac, what’s that about Life Syphon Forest?’

Habac nodded, explaining, ‘It’s a survival test. You don’t have to go anywhere. Once it starts, you will be sent into a Dimensional Realm completely covered by a forest. Everything there, from insects, demons, plants, and so on, can drain one’s blood. Everything there will attack you nonstop. Killing them is also useless as the formations in that realm will make everything revive or grow back in a matter of seconds. It’s one of the most dangerous tests. If you get caught by some of them, you will become a mummy in just a few seconds.’

‘Demon beasts?’ Rean was surprised to hear that. ‘You mean they can be revived?’

Habac immediately noticed his error, clarifying, ‘Oh, that’s not it. I say demon beasts, but they aren’t really living beings. They’re similar to the monsters in the Deep Sea Monster Assault, creations of the Dimensional Realm’s formation. They don’t really have intelligence even though their strength is at the Void Tempering Realm. Both tests are very similar, although it’s now in a different environment.’

Erla nodded in response. ‘The Deep Sea gave advantage for Water Affinity cultivators and aquatic demon beasts. This one obviously gives a lot more advantage to the races who live on the surface than those like me. It’s especially advantageous for those who are fast.’

Hhabac confirmed Erla’s words. ‘She’s correct.’

Rean couldn’t help but smile playfully after that. ‘Well then. Ain’t this quite the simple test?’

‘Easy?’ Habac was taken aback. ‘What’s so easy about it? I find this one even more dangerous than the Deep Sea one!’

Rean didn’t deny that, telling him, ‘Sure, it’s dangerous. However, Erla said it herself. Speed is definitely one of the best abilities to have in this Dimensional Realm. With that being said, we are in a very good position. After all, since you guys are in my own battle formation, I can use my speed and the channeled Divine Energy to move faster than anyone else. Last but not least, this is the kind of test where the realm’s forces will focus on bigger groups with higher cultivations. Don’t forget that it’s the same thing in the Deep Sea test. Most of the monsters focused on bigger and stronger groups.’

Min and Habac were obviously happy to hear that. ‘Now that you say that, it does seem to be the case. With that Enhancement ability of yours and the battle formation, this really seems to be quite the very advantageous test for us.’

However, Erla thought something strange. ‘Couldn’t you do the same thing in the Deep Sea test then?’

Rean shook his head, telling her, ‘It was completely different. In the Deep Sea, I needed to go through the water. You were the only one who could move freely there. Now three of us are beings from the surface, so it’s a lot easier to pull everyone around.’

‘I see…’ Erla didn’t ask any more after that.

They then discussed a few other things and resolved to wait for the next test in different places. Roan and Kentucky asked Rean if he wanted help with the Silver Horn Sturgeons. After all, there were a lot of enemies going after them this time. Joining Roan, Kentucky, and Celis’ groups together would bring their fighting force to a much higher level.

However, Rean refused. That would only attract more attention from the hostile things in the Life Syphon Forest. Because he had the element of surprise up their sleeve, he was confident he could keep himself away from the Sturgeons. 

In the end, the time for the Life Syphon Forest test arrived as everyone prepared for a grueling fight. After all, it was a test of pure resistance.

“The Life Syphon Forest is now open. Your objective is to survive one day there. However, if more than 70% of the participants are eliminated, the remaining ones will automatically pass the test. You can enter now.”

Rean and Roan understood why that rule existed. That way, the participants would think twice before crushing their badges to flee. Naturally, it would get even more candidates killed. 

‘Then again, only a single day?’ Rean could not help but say. ‘The Deep Sea Monster Assault took an entire week.’

‘It’s about the difficulty,’ Habac mentioned. ‘The Life Syphon Forest is a lot more packed with enemies. That’s why it takes just a day to finish. If there’s anything good, it’s the fact that we don’t need to save Divine Energy that much.’

There was no more time to discuss anything, so everyone entered the Spatial Gate. 

Rean and Erla entered the gate at separate times. However, due to their badges being considered to be in the same group, they were teleported to the same location. Naturally, the same happened to Min and Habac.

Rean took a quick look around and saw a few cultivators and demon beasts in between the trees. Yet, none of them seemed to be part of the Silver Horn Sturgeon race. ‘Alright, everyone. Stay close to me.’

Immediately, Rean activated his Light and Divine Sense bending skill. With that, they completely disappeared from everyone’s sight. Of course, that only worked for the participants. The formation of the Life Syphon Forest could tell exactly where his group was. That meant all the ‘lives’ in the realm would be able to feel and attack them.

As always, the test only started after everyone entered the realm and the spatial gate outside closed.

*Vrhhhhhh, vrhhh, vrhhhhh…*

The sound of foliage echoed throughout the forest, catching everyone’s attention. Soon after, countless vines shot out of the ground. All of them were bright red, darting in the direction of all participants.

‘Life Style, First Form, Enhancement!’

Immediately, Rean used his movement technique, pulling himself and his group out of harm’s way.

That wasn’t all, though. 

*Bzzzzzzzz…*

*Roar!*

Many types of insects and demon beasts appeared from all directions, all generated by the realm’s formation.

Though, Rean smiled when he saw that. ‘Hehe, too slow.’