Chapter 1326: Not Following The Script

As Anthony and Jerry reappeared within the previous area where they had met Nature’s Savant and the disciples of the Dreaming Nightmare Organization, Jerry couldn’t help but look around cautiously. He had been ambushed by two people who were stronger than him, then he was ambushed again by an Eternal Apex. It was only natural that he had come to sort of not like their current location.

He feared another Eternal Apex might just jump out from another place.

Anthony, seeing Jerry’s gaze flicker around, couldn’t help but ask with a smile on his face, "Why are you being so afraid and cautious? Aren’t you a genius and supposed to look down on everyone and everything?" His tone was clearly amused.

Jerry couldn’t help but roll his eyes as he replied, "Just because I’m sort of a genius doesn’t mean I would instantly disregard all caution. After all, the past few events have already brought me close to death twice."

Anthony stayed silent for a moment, his smile still remaining as though he was making fun of the man. But Jerry said nothing; he couldn’t afford to be as smug as Anthony anymore. He had entered here with the confidence of a genius, and now he had been humbled.

"Why were those two disciples aiming to kill you?" Anthony asked. He already guessed it must be because of a treasure Jerry had found within this area, and since the Dreaming Nightmare were here, they couldn’t just allow him to leave with it.

Jerry’s eyes shifted towards Anthony as he responded, "Why ask questions you already know the answer to? All I can say is I’m going to be gaining quite a bit of resources in exchange for what I have." A confident smile appearing on his lips.

Anthony gave him the same smile as he replied, "To gain those resources, you have to first survive."

Hearing Anthony’s words, Jerry couldn’t help but frown. Although he was a genius, geniuses from those Ancient Organizations and Territories were simply in a class of their own.

"What of you? Have you found anything?" He asked with a sigh.

Anthony simply nodded. "I’ve been to about two different areas, so I picked up a few treasures at both places." He didn’t deny having something, but he didn’t bother going into detail about what he had gained.

Jerry simply nodded, as it would have been weird if Anthony said he had nothing. After all, a couple of hours had passed since they entered the Sleeping Hollow.

"So, do we go our separate ways or stay together?" Anthony asked. He had no problem with Jerry following him, but the man could forget about gaining anything by tagging along.

At Anthony’s question, Jerry instantly frowned. Although he valued his life, he knew that Anthony was stronger than him, and if he stayed with Anthony throughout, he might be alive, but he wouldn’t gain anything by tagging along.

He stayed silent for a moment, then made his decision.

"We go our separate ways." His tone was calm. While he might love his life, he wasn’t exactly a coward. Besides, the path of cultivation was filled with death, but so were opportunities. Although he had boasted about having gained something he could exchange for back at the Null Sect, he still wanted more.

Anthony nodded as he spoke, "See you back outside the Sleeping Hollow then." His tone was flat.

Jerry nodded without saying anything else. Anthony’s figure blurred as he vanished as though he had never been there. Anthony knew that even if they decided to move together, maybe, just maybe, when they entered the exit gate that led to another domain or area, the both of them might be separated again, just like how they were all separated when they entered the Underground Tomb for the first time.

Anthony’s figure blurred through the trees and mountains before he came to a stop at another exit gate. Although he didn’t know how long it would take Jerry to find the exit gate, Anthony didn’t really care; he simply dove in with a flat expression.

To him, nothing could probably excite him anymore. He had fought the Dark Knight that possessed various Laws like him, and he had fought an Eternal Apex. What could possibly top these two feats? All he wanted to do now was just get this Sleeping Hollow thing over with.

As the darkness of the gate consumed him, Anthony felt himself being regurgitated by space once more. His figure shot upward through another Abyssal Maw on the ground in another area, his feet met the land with a deft touch. But the moment his feet touched the ground, a woman closed the distance with a rapier singing straight for his heart.

Anthony’s eyes snapped towards the incoming attack. He had just landed here, and he was already being ambushed. His right hand rose ever so slowly as he deflected the attack to the side with the back of his palm. The moment he did, his right hand continued in one linking motion from deflection to an attack.

His palm streaked towards the woman’s chest, but the moment his palm met her chest, her body exploded into a shower of beautiful butterflies that numbered in the hundreds. The butterflies flew backwards, then gathered together, forming her whole body yet again.

The woman stood silently as she stared at him, her rapier still in hand, her temperament calm and graceful. Anthony didn’t need to look too long to guess that she was from the Whispering Butterflies Sect.

"Don’t you think it’s a bit excessive to attack on sight?" Anthony asked with a calm expression, his hand behind his back like an Elder speaking down on a child.

Since he had nothing else that might interest him until he met the Lover Of Death himself, Anthony decided to just play around with these geniuses and see just exactly how strong they were.

The woman stayed silent for a moment, then replied as she sheathed her weapon, "I apologize for the abrupt attack. I was merely on edge, as one can never be too cautious in a place like this." Her tone was cool and a bit apologetic.

Anthony arched an eyebrow as he felt as though this woman wasn’t following the script. He simply smiled as he replied.

"It’s fine, and indeed, one can never be too cautious in a place like this," he said as he could sense the sincerity of the woman standing before him, which was a bit unusual given the pride these geniuses always had.

As he was done speaking, Anthony’s head turned to the side as he spoke, "Are you guys just going to keep hiding?"

It looked as though he had spoken at nothing in particular, but the moment those words left his lips, five different people appeared. They all wore different robes, each with a different emblem on its chest, as clearly they were all from different Sects, Families, and Organizations.

Anthony could recognize all five of them, as they had all stood out as they had either arrived on an Ancient Behemoth, or their ship at the time had an Eternal Apex residing in it.