Death... and me

Rean's group passed by the Formation's entrance, coming into Reliance's view. Just as Roan had mentioned, Weren and Tuve were already on his side. Of course, they weren't the only ones. All the participants seemed to have gathered around, waiting for the Abyss to close. It's just that it was still two days ahead.

Under the eyes of hundreds of elders of several sects, Rean's group made their way to Reliance's side.

"It seems like everything went okay on your side."

Rean and Roan smiled bitterly. If by 'okay' he meant getting a ridiculous nonsense quest, then yes, it went okay. Still, they couldn't possibly talk about it with Reliance.

"It was okay. We found a Vermilion Pool. In the end, we did not have a need for the Anti-Decaying Energy Pills that Sect Master prepared for us, though. It turned out that my Light Element was capable of getting rid of it a lot easier."

Reliance nodded, not that surprised to hear it.

"Well, I thought that it might have happened. After all, your Light Element did heal quite a few weird things already. Anyway, we can't leave yet. Everyone has to wait for the conclusion and closure of the Profound Abyss. Those are the rules."

Rean, Roan, and Malaka nodded.

Reliance then looked at Kentucky and nodded.

"It seems like Kentucky had quite a good harvest this time around. Oh! It has already reached the level of a Peak Stage Two demon beast. Did he eat a lot of Demon Cores?"

Rean nodded and answered with a Spiritual Sense message.

'We basically gave him all the demon cores that did not shatter in battle. His Minokawa Dark Element seemed to be compatible with the environment as well. Not only he didn't get affected by the Decaying Fog, his body even absorbed it. We also allowed him to enter a Vermilion Pool. He stayed over two days until the pool was basically clear of any medicinal properties. From what I can see, he used the Vermilion Pool to balance the power he got from the Decaying Fog and Demon Cores. Minokawas are really frightening.'

Reliance looked at Kentucky with a surprised face.

'No wonder he reached the Peak Stage Two so fast. Yin and Yang Energies are probably incredibly nourishing for him. This Profound Abyss was really worth it then. Oh, right! How about combat? Was he able to adapt to the changes?'

Rean nodded once more.

'Yes! At first, he kept being knocked all around. But as time passed, he began to get the gist of it. Turns out that his instinct for it is incredible. His defense is really heaven-defying too. Even Stage Three Decaying Demon Beasts have a tough time causing him damage.'

Reliance was happy to hear that.

'The Legends were not wrong, indeed. It is definitely because of Kentucky's scales and his blade-like feathers. Of course, his body's internal structure is probably a lot more resistant than almost all demon beasts at his level so that it can absorb the impacts.'

As Rean and Reliance talked about Kentucky, Weren and Tuve asked Roan about 'Freta,' the member of the Imperial Family's group through Spiritual Sense Messages.

'She left already. She told you, didn't she? As a member of the Imperial Family Forces, she had her own way of leaving the Profound Abyss without using the entrance. It's just that we don't know how she did that. Once we got close to the entrance, she separated from us and went somewhere else. Well, as long as she doesn't appear, that will be fine.'

Weren and Tuve nodded. Once the Profound Abyss closed and the Imperial Family experts saw that their members didn't come out, they would definitely ask questions. Of course, they won't force anyone to say anything since the Profound Abyss rules apply to them as well. Most likely, they will offer some reward for any information about them. Roan also believed that since they were the ones in control of the Profound Abyss, they would eventually enter it and look for clues.

Reliance then looked at Malaka.

"I see that you also had a breakthrough. Very good."

Malaka smiled happily.

"Hehehe! Of course! I'm amazing!"

After they finished talking, Reliance decided to ask something else.

"Oh, right! Did you find anything strange during your time there? We felt a strong Earthquake while waiting outside. Everyone believes it started in the Profound Abyss itself."

Of course, Rean and Roan knew what it was. However, they feigned ignorance.

"No idea. Roan and I were also caught by it and got quite a few injuries while inside the Decaying Caves."

Weren and Tuve narrowed their eyes. The face that Rean and Roan had dashed away just a few moments before the Earthquake still makes them suspicious. Still, it is hard to imagine that the twins would be able to create that phenomenon either. They might even be seen as crazy if they say that.

"Nothing on our side. We were also caught by surprise by that."

Reliance nodded.

"Alright. Sit down and keep processing the Vermilion Pool's Medicinal Properties. I really didn't expect that all of you would be able to find Vermilion Pools for your own use. After all, the Decaying Caves can lead to several dead ends. Mia's map showed the location of a few, but they were definitely taken by others. Not to mention that those easy to find ones probably had several bloody battles for their use. This travel was a big success."

Rean and the others nodded as they sat on the ground. Just as Reliance said, they still needed some time to finish processing all the Vermilion Pool's Medicinal Properties in their meridians. That would consolidate the changes that happened to them.

Time continued to pass as the thirteenth day arrived. By now, the experts that came with the Imperial Family Members already began to narrow their eyes. According to their calculation of Calina's group's strength, they should have been among the firsts to come out. But so far, not a single one of them appeared. Still, they could not act until the Profound Abyss was over.

The hours passed as more and more cultivators stepped out of the Profound Abyss. Some were successful in finding a Vermilion Pool only for themselves. Others had to fight over the pools against many others, losing several of their members.

The elders of all forces sighed at the view. Because of the Surge, they noticed that the number of cultivators coming out was already relatively small. They understood that the Surge alone had created several victims, let alone the demon beasts that got even stronger because of it. From the looks of it, around 40% of all participants would not come out. Not everyone had Anti-Decaying Energy Pills, after all.

Finally, the fourteenth day arrived. With that, Elder Polian came forward to make the announcement.

"The Profound Abyss will now close. Congratulations to everyone who was able to use the Vermilion Pools. For those who came back empty-handed, know that this experience will also help you greatly in the future. Close the Formation!"

"Wait, Elder Polian! Calina and her protectors haven't come out yet!"

Polian shook his head, not minding it too much.

"That's their problem. The rules are the same for everyone. If they didn't come out, then they died or got stuck in there. In any case, rules are rules. The Imperial Family never goes back on its words."

The other elder then asked something.

"What about the Earthquake? Are we not investigating it?"

Polian nodded.

"There will be an investigation. I'll go there myself after everything outside is settled. After all, I don't need the Formation to enter it. Still, I will not bring anyone from there outside. If you get stuck, then you will need to wait five years. That includes the Imperial Family Members. If you really want to know what happened to them, go ask around and see if you find any information. Now, close the entrance."

Although some of the elders didn't like it, they still closed the Profound Abyss. No one would go against a Saint Realm Cultivator's words. Still, they decided to do as Polian mentioned and started to ask for any information about Calina.

Soon, they found out a few groups that seemed to have been promised rewards for killing Rean's group by Valeu, one of Calina's protectors. Sure enough, they went to Reliance to ask what was going on.

"That you will need to ask our Dalamu Sect disciples."

Roan, already expecting this outcome, came forward to speak. At the same time, he took a Blue Pendant from his pocket.

"This... It's the Imperial Aquamarine! How did you get it?"

Roan nodded as he looked at Malaka.

"Princess Calina presented it to my sister during the time we were outside the Profound Abyss. It seemed like Valeu or whatever his name was wanted to take it back by force from what we found out."

"Calina gave it to her as a gift? Do you think we will believe it?"

Suddenly, a voice echoed around the elders and Rean's group.

"It's true. I kept my Spiritual Sense open during the entire gathering. Nothing escaped my eyes. I saw the moment that Calina gave that kid the Imperial Aquamarine."

The elders stiffened as they simultaneously said.

"Elder Polian!"

Everyone knew that Polian took his job of overseeing the gathering very seriously. He was even doing so at this moment. If he said that, then it was definitely true.

"But Elder Polian, the Imperial Aquamarine..."

Before the elder could even finish talking, Roan threw the Aquamarine at him.

"Take it. If this thing only brings us problems, I'd rather have my sister not carrying it."

The elder looked at Roan and nodded, satisfied. Still, he had more questions for them.