Death... and me

3045  Everything I Have

"What?!" Even Yuan was surprised by his words. "I don't think it is a good idea, Rean. Sure, the formation didn't reach this deep. However, it is not guaranteed. Perhaps it simply can't reach this specific cave. If you go and wander on other caves, the formation might still catch you."

Rean shrugged. "I told you, didn't I? Staying here was only one of the options. The second option was to keep navigating through the caves and find some other exit if possible. That's exactly what I'm going to do with my friends."

Yuan narrowed his eyes. "Why would you risk such a thing? You are still in the Core and Soul Fusion Realm. These next ten years we need to wait should be perfect for you to stay here and cultivate."

Rean didn't seem to care, though. "Well, I don't want to sound rude, but that's my problem, friend. I thank you for your concern nonetheless. Laica, Lesyu, Tubutu, let's go." Rea had already spoken to those three and assured them there was a way out, so none of the three complained.

'Sister Orb...'

[I know,] Sister Orb already prepared everything. [I made it so the Formation will not activate in this surrounding area for the next ten years exactly. The next time the Spiritual Canyon opens and closes, this little tweak will disappear, and the formation will once again kill anyone who stays behind.]

'Good!' Rean nodded, satisfied. Since Laica and the others asked, he might as well make sure they won't die... as long as they follow his instructions and don't leave this place for the next ten years. By then, it won't matter whether they talk about what Rean did or not.

The other cultivators looked at Rean's group leaving and didn't move. Instead, some turned to the sides and used their Spiritual Energies to open some openings, creating a place for them to isolate themselves and especially to get rid of the Spiritual Pond water. It wasn't like they wanted to stay submerged for ten years, after all.

Yet, before Rean could go much further with Laica and the others, Yuan flew to his side. "Since you are going to look for an exit, I will join you."

Rean felt helpless. "Then go find an exit by yourself! Why would you even follow me? Shoo, shoo, I don't want to babysit you guys anymore."

"You were the one who managed to bring us down here alive, so I still think staying with you is the safest option," Yuan smiled, not minding Rean's words. "Don't mind me. Think about me as... as the dark in these caves. It seems scary, but it doesn't harm you, right? I'm here, but I'm not. That's basically it."

Rean's mouth twitched. "If there is one thing in my life that caused me trouble, that thing is darkness. Go be someone else's darkness or whatever. Stop following us."

'Seems like the only way...' Rean nodded. Right after, he grabbed Laica, Lesyu, and Tubutu.

'Life Style, Enhancement!'

'Death Style, Shadow Steps!'

*Zush!*

Rean then shot into the distance at speeds that Nascent Soul Realm Experts of the human races couldn't hope to achieve. Even the burden of bringing Laica and the others with him didn't seem to be a problem. Once he got far enough, Rean would activate his Light and Divine Sense Skill and be gone from Yuan. However...

"That's truly fast. You can even use two opposite elements with such proficiency... Impressive, impressive! I'm almost at my limit here." Yuan commented by Rean's side.

Rean was taken aback and looked at Yuan, who was able to keep up with his pace. As for the reason... that was because Yuan wasn't in his human form anymore. Instead, he changed into some white-skinned shark form with two horns protruding backward from his head. Yuan wasn't really a human but a Demon beast in humanoid form.

Finally, Rean stopped. "You sure are annoying, you know that? I knew you were not human. The Demonic Aura was feeble, but it was there. Still, it is impressive. How can you gain your humanoid form at Stage Six? That was supposed to be Stage Seven, no? Divine Demon Beasts need to go even further."

Yuan also stopped, seeing that Rean gave up running from him. If it was outside, Yuan, indeed, would have no hope of catching up. But in this submerged environment, he definitely held the advantage. Not to mention that Rean was indeed slowed down while carrying Laica's group. "Hahaha! Actually, it is nothing that impressive. Divine Demon Beasts need to be at least Stage Nine to transforming, while normal Demon Beasts need to be Stage Seven."

Yuan shrugged. "As for my Horned Cloud Shark Race, we are so weak and have such terrible bloodlines that we can do that at Stage Six. Simply put, we are at the rock bottom of the Sea Demon Beast races' food chain. Well, at least that allowed us to get our humanoid forms together with our sentiences at Stage Six."

Still, Yuan stuffed his chest in pride. "However, I'm fine with that. Did you know that most Horned Cloud Sharks never surpass Stage Three? I got to Stage Six while I'm still pretty young. It was all thanks to a certain someone."

"Saramina Sea Demon Palace..." Rean remembered that name. "It is located in the Saramina Sea on the west side of Rusbav Country. It is also the only one of the Fourteen Powers of our country that is occupied by Demon Beasts. Isn't that right?"

Yuan nodded. "That's us alright. So, shall we continue?"

Rean narrowed his eyes. "What's your real plan? Do you think following me is safer? I don't believe that. Give me one reason to not knock you unconscious and simply leave with my group. And don't think you can escape. You might be fast underwater, but If I give up carrying Laica, Lesyu, and Tubutu and go all out, I'm still confident I'm faster than you in this place."

Yuan didn't doubt that. Back when they entered the caves to flee from the formation, he was almost forced to show his real form due to Rean's speed. He experienced that once again when Rean tried to escape just now. Above all, he knows Rean is definitely much stronger than himself. Yuan sighed, and his expression turned serious. "Alright. It is not that I think it is safer to follow you. Instead, just like you, I have things I need to do that can't wait ten years. Here..."

Yuan then took out his Spatial Ring and passed it to Rean. "I will give you everything I have. Just let me look for an exit with you guys. I feel like my chances are much higher if I follow your group."

And as always, any Golden Tickets and Stones are welcome. ;)