Death... and me

Four months after the competition started, Rean finally got a bit of free time and decided to head back to the Dimensional Realm since Roan was nearby. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to enter if Roan left for other places due to the Soul Connection's range. But above all that, Rean wanted to take advantage of the fact that Luan had come back to the sect to pass the information his espionage team had gathered so far.

"Oh! Are you going to make them now, uncle Rean?" Luan couldn't help but ask, excited.

Rean nodded, saying with excitement, "It's time to forge the Dual Element Gathering weapons!" At the same time, Rean sent Roan a message through their connection. 'I'll need you soon, so try to keep yourself free.'

Roan didn't mind. 'Since you're crafting the weapons, then I'll try to make free time. Let me know when you're sure you can forge your Black Star. As for my scythe, you don't need me there for that.'

Rean agreed with Roan and immediately jumped to work. The first thing he tried to do was to use the cheapest Divine Low-level materials to create a Divine Low-level weapon. Of course, Divine level materials were still expensive. It's just that the ones Rean was using were not as expensive as the ones he requested from Luina.

Fortunately, Rean had already succeeded in forging a Golden Peak-level sword with the ability to gather both Space Power and the elements. It's just that the sword only lasted a few swings before it broke apart. Well, that's the problem with Golden level equipment and below. They couldn't resist the power of space poured into them. Even Luan, when using his Space Power, had to use it around his weapon and not into it directly. He broke quite a few swords until he obtained a good level of control to do that.

And just like that, Rean and Luan stayed in the Dimensional Realm for a few days in a row.

Meanwhile, Roan was reading through all the information Luan, Fosxin, and the others gathered from the regions around Walfure. If anything, Roan was surprised that Luan came back with some good information in just four months. After all, he gave them six months. Another good point was that Luan was the only one who returned. Fosxin and the others remained in the neighboring regions to continue their work. 'So these are the names I must pay attention to, huh? Well, before attacking these regions, I better send a few assassins to get rid of all of them at once.'

Wars weren't just won on the battlefield. Assassinations were definitely valid methods, although some might think it to be too low. Roan, on the other hand, couldn't care less about what others thought. 'They even got some intel on terrain and geography. I'm not sure if the areas will continue like that once ten years are up, but it at least gives me an idea from which side we would be attacked if we become targets.'

Roan quickly shook his head after that. 'No, if everything goes to plan during the next ten years, this Walfure Region will definitely become the main target of the regions around it. There's only so much I can do to cover our advantages. Sooner or later, they'll notice our far more advanced war methods and will form an alliance to destroy us first. If they don't, then they're truly hopeless idiots.'

Suddenly, Roan received a message from Rean. 'Ha! I did it! Come into the Dimensional Realm, Roan. I need your Dark Element to forge my new Divine Low-level Black Star!'

Roan faintly smiled before his body disappeared from the room he was in. Not long after, he arrived at the Blacksmith Workshop. Naturally, Luan was there as well. "Luan, your efforts were very good. Especially the fact you got information back into Walfure Region and to me in four months' time. Later, gather a few cultivation badges and bring them to Fosxin and the others."

"Wouldn't that reveal our identity, father?" Luan asked in response. "After all, our cultivation wouldn't be suppressed by the formation anymore. All the Nascent Soul Realm cultivators, demon beasts, and spirits around would be able to tell that our cultivation surpasses theirs."

Rean smiled after hearing that. "You underestimate me way too much, Luan. I have prepared special badges for all of you. Unlike normal badges, it will only activate once you wish to. Otherwise, it won't stop the Cultivation Suppressing Formation. That should keep all of you in the Nascent Soul Realm. If you guys get in danger, immediately activate the badge, and you should have no issues escaping with your level. Remember that each country only has one Space Bending and Two Transition Realm beings. The chances that they would come after you themselves are just way too low as spies coming and going is something they would expect to happen a lot. They have a lot more things to do and will let this work for others to deal with."

"I see..." Luan had to admit Rean was right. "Alright, Uncle Rean. I'll bring one badge for each one of us."

Roan then stood on the forge's side. "Alright, let's start since I want to work on the invasion plan of the countries around us."

Rean nodded after hearing that. "Is everything going according to plan? Are we really starting the invasion two months later?"

"Don't worry," Roan answered. "The surrounding countries should all be in our hands soon. Now, let's start."

Rean smiled in response and immediately asked Luan to help him. Soon after, Rean brought out the Abyss Cry Ore from his Spatial Ring. This was one of the three most expensive Divine Low-level ores Rean asked Luina to buy for him.

*Vrhhhhuuuuummmmm...*

"No wonder it's called Abyss Cry. The power it gathers makes this sound come out nonstop," Roan mentioned. "You can stop the sound after the weapon is ready, right?"

"Obviously!" Rean nodded. "Okay, it's hot enough. Start to pour your Dark Element through the forge orbs."