Death... and me

Things became pretty stable for the last three days of the test, with several new owners of ten pearls, who immediately exited the test as they didn't think they could get first place on the scoring board. However, on the fourth day, everyone who still hadn't finished the test became quite desperate. Because of that, all the cultivators began to gather in isolated areas to fight against each other again. Since they didn't have ten pearls to their name, their opponents wouldn't be able to escape using them, after all.

Because of that, the 15000 or so cultivators that still remained began to plummet at extremely high speeds. Venali, Dissielle, Fulia, Gari, and all the other leaders from big countries tried to use that chance to gather more pearls. Perhaps they could get enough of them to surpass Roan during that time.

However, they didn't expect the twins' move. Roan stayed in the headquarters and simply focused on his own training. Meanwhile, Rean left and went on a patrol once again. With all the other cultivators busy trying to get their own ten pearls, no one had time to deal with him.

Due to the number of battles happening everywhere, Rean and his city guard squad had hit the jackpot. He would always get a few pearls in every fight between cultivators. Once he got 20 or so pearls, he would return and pass them to Roan, keeping only ten for himself. Those ten were there just in case he needed to pass the test in a hurry.

Velani did catch up to Roan's 145 pearls close to the end of the day. However, that 145 was Roan's number at the start. When the last hour arrived, Rean had managed to get 97 more pearls. That put Roan at 242. It was simply impossible to catch up anymore, much to Venali's anger.

Of course, Liana did show why she was confident in her combat power without Divine Energy as well. She had no pearls four days ago after losing to Roan. But on the last day alone, she got another 90! It was almost the same number as Rean's squad. Of course, she had her country people's help, which was a bigger number than Rean's 20 city guards. Nevertheless, that was an impressive comeback. It's just that she never went up in the rank. She knew that passing Roan was impossible, so she gave the pearls to another member of her country every time she got an extra ten.

Eventually, the test reached its end without anyone else trying to challenge Roan at all. Venali and the others could only take their extra pearls and distribute them between their country members as well. After all, the more people on their side that passed the test, the better their chances would be in the next ones.

Suddenly, Cassia's voice echoed in everyone's minds. 'The third test is over! I hope everyone understood what living a few days as a mortal meant. Other than looking for the pearls, you also had to deal with a normal person's everyday issues like traveling, living quarters, jobs, and much more. If you see an ordinary person in the future, I hope you won't simply look down on them as most of you probably did so far.'

Well, Cassia knew that the majority would not really change their minds about this, but she didn't care. Her reason for creating this kind of test was that she was a simple person back in her youth. If at least a few of them changed their minds about it, then it was already enough for her.

'Now then. I said that this test had a hidden surprise. You all saw the ranking system, so it's no secret that this surprise would be given to the one who finished in the first position. Roan Larks, 242 Existence Pearls, take a good look at your pearls.'

Roan heard that and took the pearls out of his bag. Suddenly, they shone with a red light before they fused together, transforming into an even bigger pearl. Rean and Roan could only look at the process, puzzled. However, a few seconds later, the pearl shot in the direction of Roan's body, disappearing inside. It was way too fast for him to dodge.

Rean and Roan didn't know what had happened. But before they could ask anything, their own bodies and everyone else shone with red light and disappeared from the Dream City.

Rean and Roan then awakened in a big room, where they could see many other cultivators, both males and females. Obviously, that was the place where everyone's body was taken care of during the test. Suddenly, Roan touched his head as he felt like there was something new inside. "What's this?"

[Oh, that's quite nice.] Sister Orb could not help but say. [That's a Barrier Bead.]

'Barrier Bead?' Rean and Roan were puzzled. Rean didn't have one, but he could see it through Roan's memories, so he knew how it felt.

[Yes. It's a one-time life-saving item. It's very expensive, you know? I'm surprised a Sacred Land is willing to part with such a thing during a simple test. Well, it's only effective against people of the Elemental Transformation Realm and below, though. Any more than that, and it won't be of much help.]

Sister Orb continued. [It has the power to protect you against an attack from an enemy up to the Elemental Transformation Realm. After that, it will lose its power and shatter away. It can be activated by focusing your Divine Energy on it.]

Roan was quite satisfied with that. Now that they couldn't run into the Soul Gem Dimensional Realm anymore, this item was several times more valuable. 'I see... I'll make good use of it if the chance arises.'

Of course, the only ones who knew about it were Cassia, Rean, and Roan. The others only knew that Roan got something, but they didn't know what.

With that, they were all brought back to the guests' hall, where Cassia and the rest were waiting.