Death... and me

Once that decision was made, the Transition Realm Zasfins quickly changed the topic. "Duran, right? So, tell us more about the path to the Realm of Gods. How do you intend on helping us break the barrier?"

Duran was already expecting that, so he began to explain, "Our Zasfin Race's Path to the Realm of Gods is gone. There's simply no way to bring it back."

Everyone didn't understand. "Didn't you say you had an idea? If you say you can't open it, then what do you intend to do?"

Some even started to show dark expressions as they said, "You didn't say that just so we would end up selecting your Hafel Clan member as the next leader, right? If that's the case, you better be prepared for the consequences."

Duran snorted in response as he replied, "Hmph! Did you forget what I said? I told you that you definitely wouldn't like my idea. However, I do have a way that MIGHT, and I repeat, MIGHT be possible."

Soon after, Duran pointed in the direction of the Demon Beast Continent once more. No, this time, his intention was something else. "When I was talking, I told you how I had been looking for Fikin's location in secret, right? During that investigation, I found something about the demon beasts' Bestial Sacred Ground. It seems they're preparing to open their own Path to the Realm of Gods."

Immediately, the Transition Realm Zasfins' eyes widened. They obviously knew of the Bestial Sacred Ground. After all, that was one of the reasons they couldn't take the Demon Beast Continent for themselves back when they acquired Celis.

"I saw in the records that the demon beasts' Path to the Realm of Gods was located in their Bestial Sacred Ground. However, their own path had also been completely closed for a very, very long time. How do you know it'll open again?" Naturally, that was the question in everyone's mind.

Duran shook his head as he said in response, "I don't. As far as I know, this is just a possibility that the demon beasts are considering possible. It seems like the Sacred Ground, which was left behind by the higher demon beasts of the Realm of Gods, is being activated."

Naturally, the one who told Duran about it was Rean. That was one of the bargains he offered for the Hafel Clan to join their cause. Little did Rean know that Duran would have taken his offer even without it. After all, Duran only wanted his revenge against Fikin, so the Soul Rulers' leader position and the Path to the Realm of Gods were just additional rewards in his eyes.

"If you want to know how I discovered this information, it has to do with my ability to keep myself concealed. Until the moment I raised my voice, none of your Spiritual Senses caught my presence, right? I used this ability of mine to infiltrate the Demon Beast Alliance's territory and got close to the Bestial Sacred Ground," Duran explained.

Everyone had to admit that Duran was right. Let alone now, they had never felt his presence during the thousands of years he had lived. That just showed how good that ability of his was. Of course, they all thought that Duran's ability had something to do with that so-called inheritance that he and Fikin found in the past.

However, now that Duran finished talking, all the ancestors understood why Duran said they wouldn't like his idea.

"You intend to use the demon beasts' Path to the Realm of Gods, right?"

"That's too risky! We would need to enter their Bestial Sacred Ground!"

"First of all, is it possible for a Zasfin to enter that place?"

"That's not all. Even if the demon beasts open the path, wouldn't it lead to the demon beasts' Realm of Gods? How dangerous would it be to appear there? Chances are that the demon beasts watching it would kill us at first sight."

Duran kept hearing complaints until he finally lost his patience. "Silence! Then, what do you intend to do? Die here without the chance to enter the Realm of Gods? Is that okay for all of you? I don't know about you, but I refuse to wither on this planet until my lifespan is up, and it won't take too long for that to happen."

Sure enough, Duran's words silenced all the Transition Realm Zasfins. Whether they were at the Initial or Peak Stage of that Realm, all of them wouldn't want to let the chance of heading to the Realm of Gods pass up. That's their only chance to continue their path of cultivation.

"Now you understand the predicament."

"First, there's no guarantee that they will be able to open the path."

"Second, there's no guarantee that they would allow us to enter that place."

"Third, there's no guarantee we can even get close to it due to its restrictions."

"Fourth, there's no guarantee that the demon beasts won't use this chance to trap and get rid of us in the Bestial Sacred Ground. After all, I'm pretty sure we would definitely do it. Why would we let such a great chance of getting rid of our worst enemies pass?"

"Fifth, we can't ask the demon beasts for insurance since they definitely wouldn't give one to us. Let's be honest. Neither of us would give it to them either in their position."

"Sixth, considering that everything goes according to plan, we might be falling right into enemy territory after passing through the path. We might be killed by the demon beasts watching the passage the very next second."

The more Duran talked, the more the Ancestors' expressions turned worse. Nevertheless, he stomped the ground and continued, "However! I will take this risk! Now then, that was my idea. Whether you wish to follow me in this endeavor or not, that's your problem."

As soon as Duran finished his words, a very old Zasfin, someone who was obviously at the Peak Stage of the Transition Realm and close to the end of his lifespan, stepped forward. "Hehe! This old man has nothing else to lose. As meager as the chance might be, I'll accompany you."

Little by little, those Ancestors stepped forward as well. No one could blame them. In the end, the allure was too strong.

Seeing that, Duran smiled with a satisfied expression, saying soon after, "Well, at least we'll be able to fight back with these numbers in case we get fooled. Hahaha!"