Death... and me

Nevertheless, Rean shook his head.

"I'm not so sure either. I simply can't understand why this ancestor suddenly changed the rules for his own race. He definitely doesn't like us. Perhaps he understands that his race wouldn't be able to gain anything if they decide to take the whole human race as their enemy."

Tiria nodded in response. She also heard about the change in the rules around a year after the natural formation activated. 

"Considering how they changed their stance of killing everyone to talk, that might really be the case. Nevertheless, we better be careful from now on. I just wish I could speak with him."

"Roan and I tried to ask for that before, but we were refused at the very instant we brought it up. You can try it as well. Perhaps Jana has changed her mind? Who knows?"

Tiria pondered over it for a bit and gave up the idea, saying.

"Better not since it could infuriate them."

After that, she looked in a particular direction and saw one of her female subordinates taking care of a four-year-old kid.

"By the way, what's the story behind that kid? You shoved her to me as soon as you came back to the valley and didn't tell me anything."

That was true. Rean would have to spend time healing poison, so he couldn't take care of the girl.

"We named her Sana. We found her in one of the cities that were wiped out. Her mother had given her one of those fake death pills, but I noticed she was still alive thanks to my Light Element Affinity. In any case, I couldn't simply leave her behind, right? Those Lakures were literally killing everyone they saw during that time."

Tiria sighed but nodded her head in the end.

"You did the right thing. Don't worry, now that no one is trying to kill each other, it is better for you to leave Sana with us. Just focus on your training and healing the Lakures from now on."

Tiria and Rean then discussed a few other things. At some point, Sana noticed Rean in the distance and came running in his direction.

"Lean, I want see Sista Ob."

Sure enough, she couldn't talk very well at the age of four yet.

"Rean, she had been asking the same thing for quite a while. Who's Sister Orb?"

Rean laughed as he came up with an excuse and an idea.

"That's something Roan invented for her with his Spiritual Energy. He made a ball of Dark and Light Elements and talks to her as if it had its own life. We didn't have anything like toys available, so we came up with a few things on our own. It turns out that Roan's toy was the idea Sana liked the most."

Tiria was genuinely taken aback by those words.

"Wait! You must be kidding, right? That Roan? The same one capable of freezing someone's soul with just his looks?"

Rean laughed out loud.

"Hahaha! Surprising, right? All of us were surprised as well. Next time you see him, ask Roan to demonstrate."

Malaka and Calina, who had only been listening so far, looked at each other while trying to hold their laughter. Sure enough, they very much wanted to see Roan doing it.

"Very well... Now, then. You should go take a look at the other sects and the Royal Family groups. They definitely want to hear about you and the plans as well. Otherwise, they would feel too nervous about doing anything."

Rean nodded and left soon after. Calina and Malaka stayed behind, though. They would meet up with Rean and Roan later.

Rean then went to each of the separated groups while being followed by a few Lakure Race members who kept their eyes on him. After talking things through with everyone, he went back to see Roan.

Finally, everything was back on track, so only time could tell whether everyone could somewhat get along or not.

Later, Roan gathered everyone and passed them their new training schedule. Things went between cultivation, rest, training, challenging Lakure Race members for sparring, and other miscellaneous things. Roan had even arranged a training schedule for Wulio, who was already used to it. Wulio  noticed that Roan's management of these things was excellent, so he had asked Roan a long time ago to do it for him as well.

"Oh! Thanks. Still, what's this arena thing?"

Roan smiled before saying.

"Although it has been agreed upon that both races won't attack each other, there are still many who aren't happy with the status quo. That said, we need some place where they can relieve their anger. That's why I came up with this arena thing and talked with Jana. She recognized that it would be a good thing as long as neither side died or was crippled. I believe this is a great way to let off some steam."

Wulio  was quite happy to hear that. At least, Rean's group wouldn't need to go around challenging everyone. They just needed to do that in the arena. It was a simple idea, but it was very effective due to the actual circumstances.

Sure enough, Jana used her Spiritual Sense to send everyone a message about the arena later.

"A few arenas close to where the humans are staying have been opened. You can challenge each other or the other race. Killing and crippling are prohibited. I also made sure to keep someone on the lookout to prevent it from happening. Other than that, you can do whatever you want."

In an instant, the news became a hot topic. Of course, there were many more Lakure Race members than there were humans. That being said, not all of them would be able to challenge them. In the end, they came up with a queue. As for the humans, they were incredibly delighted. After all, they would have a chance to train themselves while being locked in this valley. They already knew that the Lakure people were powerful because of those red meridians over their skins. They would be the perfect targets while there was no risk of dying.

Rean, Roan, Malaka, Calina, and Wulio  didn't let the chance slip either. They immediately went to different ones where they could train their own techniques. Unsurprisingly, many challenged Rean and Roan straight away.

Obviously, they didn't let the opportunity pass.

"I accept your challenge, but it'll be too boring if that's all. How about we bet on something?"

Everyone from both sides looked at them.

"What kind of bet?"

"Anything can go as long as it isn't too exaggerated. Oh, right! This is a good thing for your Lakure Race people. As you know, I will only heal your race's poison for half a day while I use the other half to cultivate and train. If you beat me in the arena, I will immediately heal your poison even though it's my free time. How about that?"

Immediately, the Lakure people's eyes lit up! Naturally, many of them were very interested in this bet.

Sure enough, someone jumped on the arena straight away.

"I accept your bet! What do you want if I lose?"

Rean smiled before saying.

"You guys know that I have some interest in those red crystals outside the valley. Give me one of them if you lose."

"What?! Impossible!"

"Why?"

"These things aren't something we can offer. They're extremely difficult to make. It took thousands of years to make that the number of crystals we currently have. That's the only reason we have so much now. However, each one lost is quite a big blow to us even if we have a lot at the moment. Besides, we need them for the ancestor."

Rean dropped his head in response as he thought up of a solution. The main reason Roan offered to head to this arena was that they could get the crystals. Of course, combat training was another goal as well.

"What about this? There will be no need to bet. You just need to put one of those red crystals on the line, and I will fight ten of you one after the other. Also, it won't matter if I lose or win. I will heal the poison of your bodies regardless of the outcome. However, I will get one of the crystals nonetheless."

Someone couldn't help but ask.

"If that's the case, wouldn't it be better to not fight and simply ask for the crystal in exchange for your healing?"

Rean shook his head as he said.

"No. I'm here to train. One can't progress in cultivation just by absorbing energy. I'm here to challenge you guys, so let the ten fights be part of the payment for the crystal. Besides, I'm pretty sure that a few of you want to fight me as well, right?"

The Lakure Race members looked at each other. Some really wanted to accept it. However, that was their ancestor's life-absorbing crystals. They couldn't do it without permission.

It was then that a voice echoed in everyone's minds.

"I accept your idea. However, it won't just be limited to ten people. You will have to heal another thirty if we give you one crystal. However, you don't need to battle thirty of them, neither ten. Just three is enough. Otherwise, you won't have the energy to heal everyone afterward. Also, you can't have more than one life-absorbing crystal per month. They're too important for us."

Everyone recognized that voice. It was none other than Jana. No one knew why she accepted using the life-absorbing crystals, but no one complained either. They all wanted to get rid of their poisons.

Rean pondered for a bit before nodding.

"Alright. However, it can't be anyone above the Core and Soul Fusion Realm. Otherwise, it'll take too long to get rid of their poisons."

Jana smiled as she nodded.

"We have a deal."

With that, Rean jumped on the arena as he looked at his opponent.

"Let's start!"