Immortal Drunkard (Volume 2)

by Mortykay

Table of Contents

V.2 Chapter 146: Sudden Companions - The Beginning of Volume Two

V.2 Chapter 147: Mysterious Sea Region

V.2 Chapter 148: Shadows City

V.2 Chapter 149: Gradation of Disciples

V.2 Chapter 150: The Beggar

V.2 Chapter 151: An Old Friend

V.2 Chapter 152: Unperturbed Kai

V.2 Chapter 153: Annoying the Girl

V.2 Chapter 154: Now She's Your Problem

V.2 Chapter 155: The Shadow Sect

V.2 Chapter 156: Ways of Making Money

V.2 Chapter 157: Shadow Dungeon

V.2 Chapter 158: Not Impressive

V.2 Chapter 159: Iris

V.2 Chapter 160: Overwhelming Elders

V.2 Chapter 161: Mess

V.2 Chapter 162: Wrong Level

V.2 Chapter 163: Old Mo's Disciple

V.2 Chapter 164: Conflict of Alchemy And Arrays

V.2 Chapter 165: Bet

V.2 Chapter 166: Spontaneous Nickname

V.2 Chapter 167: Hieroglyphics

V.2 Chapter 168: Conquest of the Alliances

V.2 Chapter 169: The Annoying Girl

V.2 Chapter 170: Already a Personal Disciple

V.2 Chapter 171: Alchemy Alliance

V.2 Chapter 172: Unique Array

V.2 Chapter 173: Alchemical Array

V.2 Chapter 174: Cultivation Spheres

V.2 Chapter 175: The Spiritual Sea

V.2 Chapter 176: Disturbance Among the Old Ones

V.2 Chapter 177: The Dual Craftsman

V.2 Chapter 178: Shadow Elder

V.2 Chapter 179: Island of Reincarnation

V.2 Chapter 180: World Map

V.2 Chapter 181: Seven Hegemony

V.2 Chapter 182: Network of Useful Contacts

V.2 Chapter 183: The Library

V.2 Chapter 184: Mysteries of Antiquity

V.2 Chapter 185: Lone Buddha

V.2 Chapter 186: Religion and the Soul

V.2 Chapter 187: Sparring

V.2 Chapter 188: The Difference in Power

V.2 Chapter 189: Surprising the Opponent

V.2 Chapter 190: Kai Secret

V.2 Chapter 191: Spirit Brothers

V.2 Chapter 192: Annoying Laughter

V.2 Chapter 193: Skill Gaps

V.2 Chapter 194: Shuo's Legacy

V.2 Chapter 195: Supreme Fate Arena

V.2 Chapter 196: Kai's Plan

V.2 Chapter 197: Annoying Stalker

V.2 Chapter 198: Insolent Guest

V.2 Chapter 199: Dangerous Turn of Events

V.2 Chapter 200: Iris Disaster

V.2 Chapter 201: Supreme Fate Arena

V.2 Chapter 202: Strange Observers

V.2 Chapter 203: Silver Spear

V.2 Chapter 204: Brutally Smashed

V.2 Chapter 205: Shadow Groves

V.2 Chapter 206: Blood Absorption

V.2 Chapter 207: Provocation

V.2 Chapter 208: Hunt and Hermit

V.2 Chapter 209: Unexpected Meet

V.2 Chapter 210: Cruel Trap

V.2 Chapter 211: Escape and Surrender

V.2 Chapter 212: Illusory Analysis Technique

V.2 Chapter 213: Sudden Idea

V.2 Chapter 214: Massacre

V.2 Chapter 215: Giant Turtle

V.2 Chapter 216: No Mercy

V.2 Chapter 217: Return

V.2 Chapter 218: Array Alliance

V.2 Chapter 219: Elder Dalanar

V.2 Chapter 220: Iris Failed Escape

V.2 Chapter 221: Waiting Girl

V.2 Chapter 222: Self-Focused

V.2 Chapter 223: Trio

V.2 Chapter 224: Registration for the Tournament

V.2 Chapter 225: Contenders' Platforms

V.2 Chapter 226: Reaper of Fear

V.2 Chapter 227: Enchanting Flute

V.2 Chapter 228: Overwhelming Victories

V.2 Chapter 229: Unsuitable Opponent

V.2 Chapter 230: Elder Traen

V.2 Chapter 231: Thunderous Ram

V.2 Chapter 232: Fascinating Confrontation

V.2 Chapter 233: Unexpected Resolution

V.2 Chapter 234: Familiar Energy

V.2 Chapter 235: Invisible Attribute

V.2 Chapter 236: Evasion and Traps

V.2 Chapter 237: Shield of Terror

V.2 Chapter 238: You Are Quite Cruel

V.2 Chapter 239: Beautiful Day

V.2 Chapter 240: Mysterious Connection

V.2 Chapter 241: Life Frames

V.2 Chapter 242: Shadow Sect Patriarch

V.2 Chapter 243: Almost In Place

V.2 Chapter 244: Swordsman and Holy

V.2 Chapter 245: Sunshine And Rays

V.2 Chapter 246: Black Arch

V.2 Chapter 247: Oppressive World

V.2 Chapter 248: Unwanted Familiar

V.2 Chapter 249: Fire Scares Them

V.2 Chapter 250: Natural Formation

V.2 Chapter 251: Cunning Against the Crowd

V.2 Chapter 252: Ring of Fire

V.2 Chapter 253: Accelerating the Dance

V.2 Chapter 254: Root Absorption

V.2 Chapter 255: Asura Hell Domain

V.2 Chapter 256: Underground Cave Network

V.2 Chapter 257: Stalking in the Shadows

V.2 Chapter 258: Forbidden Zone

V.2 Chapter 259: Unique Guide

V.2 Chapter 260: Death Trap

V.2 Chapter 261: Mysterious Skeleton

V.2 Chapter 262: Ancient Diary

V.2 Chapter 263: Underground Ruins

V.2 Chapter 264: Dangerous Plan

V.2 Chapter 265: Forced Decision

V.2 Chapter 266: Elders Camp

V.2 Chapter 267: Kai Strength

V.2 Chapter 268: Disciple on the Horizon

V.2 Chapter 269: Three Sects Pride

V.2 Chapter 270: Patriarch Audience

V.2 Chapter 271: Abyss

V.2 Chapter 272: Massacre

V.2 Chapter 273: Bloody Madness

V.2 Chapter 274: Sweeping the Allies

V.2 Chapter 275: Bait

V.2 Chapter 276: Caught Off Guard - End of the 2 Volume

V.2 Chapter 146: Sudden Companions - The Beginning of Volume Two

The bright sun hung in the sky, illuminating the leaves of the trees. A well-trodden road cut through the dense forest. It was evident that this was one of the popular routes. The road was wide enough to allow two oncoming wagons to pass each other. It seemed that this path was regularly used for trade.

At that moment, one such trade caravan was making its way down the road. It was rather long and filled with goods. People rode horses alongside the wagons. These were masters of martial arts who ensured the safe transportation of the caravan. Almost all of them were at an advanced stage of Cultivation. Within the caravan itself, there were a few more people from the Cloud Sphere, but they kept themselves well-hidden.

It was clear that this caravan was no simple matter. Few on the territory of the Shadow Sect could command such power.

In one of the wagons, a young man was drinking wine and laughing loudly. He was talking to a man in his fifties, dressed in armor. Judging by his physique, it was easy to tell that he was definitely a master of martial arts.

"Why is the captain so friendly with this guy?" one of the caravan's guards riding on the side asked.

"I don’t know, but better not to provoke anyone. The captain is no fool... If he’s acting this way, he has his reasons. Better keep quiet," the other quickly replied, offering friendly advice.

This captain was a martial arts master from the Cloud Sphere. In this caravan, he was one of the strongest, if not the strongest, warriors. The other person was Kai, who was acting quite relaxed at the moment.

More than two weeks had passed since he left the Border Beast City.

The Shadows City lay at the far west of the Shadow Sect's territory. The journey from the Border Beast City was quite extensive. For the first few days, Kai had been traveling alone, navigating by the sun and asking for directions to the following settlements whenever he encountered someone along the way.

It was only after two weeks that he had the good fortune to meet this trade caravan. Even better, they were also headed for the Shadows City! Hence, the presence of so many masters...

These traders were transporting goods to the main city of the Shadow Sect, which explained their formidable strength. It was evident that no expenses had been spared for their security. No bandit would dare attack such a caravan. Just catching sight of it from a distance would send them scattering.

When Kai met them, he decided to pay them to take him along. Some guards immediately began to act haughty, asserting their superiority. But at that moment, the captain spoke, effectively silencing them. He kindly offered Kai a seat in his wagon. Now, he even offered him a drink, joking and laughing along the way. The other men in the convoy couldn’t understand what was going on.

In truth, after cultivating in the Time Tomb and breaking through to the Cloud Sphere, Kai's control had reached a new level. He was incredibly good at concealing his aura now. Those below him in cultivation could think he was just a mere mortal.

You can't easily fool the captain. He was a skilled fighter himself, in the middle stages of the Cloud Sphere. When he saw the young man, who was only slightly below him in cultivation, he quickly drew his conclusions. He realized that this person might not be as simple as he seemed, and it was better not to provoke him.

"Boy, how's the wine? Good, isn't it? Ha-ha," the man chuckled, taking a sip from his wineskin.

Across from him sat Kai, dressed in black clothes and with his hair carelessly tied up in a knot. Taking a sip himself, he smiled and said:

"Brick, thank you so much for picking me up! And thanks for the wine! I owe you one… Hehe," Kai said, mischief in his eyes.

At that moment, he waved his hand, manifesting two beautiful, sealed barrels of wine in the air. As soon as they appeared, Kai skillfully caught them and placed them on the wagon's floor.

"One is a gift for you; the other we will drink together. You're about to find out what good wine really is!" Kai cheerfully declared.

Although the alcohol that the captain had offered him earlier was decent, it was only so by the standards of ordinary masters. In the Border Beast City, Kai had enjoyed the finest wines. Compared to that, what Brick had offered was a joke.

Leaving the Border Beast City, Kai had taken quite many valuable items with him. He had plenty of alcohol. He decided that he should repay the kindness of the captain and the entire caravan.

As soon as he said this, he began to pull out more. Indeed, the wine he took out of the ring now was of a lower order. Yet, compared to what the guards usually drank, it was still incredibly high-quality!

"Brick, this is for your guys. We can't be drinking while the others are salivating! The boys also need to wet their throats! Hehe," said Kai, pulling out more than ten smaller barrels.

Now, they filled almost half of the wagon… Hearing Kai's words, smiles appeared on the faces of all the guards. They were incredibly pleased! There would soon be a stop for the night, and then they could drink well. Not just drink, but now they have a pile of premium alcohol!

"See? I told you the captain's a smart guy!" said one of the guards who had earlier discussed Kai.

"Wow… Thank you, young man! Let's give it a try!" The captain smiled, swallowing a little saliva.

In reality, as the escort of a trade caravan, he had already roughly figured out what kind of wine this was. Until this point, he had never had the chance to try it. Such wine was too expensive; only the wealthy could afford it.

Brick pondered this, as well as the fact that Kai had a spatial artifact. He decided he'd made the right call, inviting Kai along. It seemed the young man was indeed not so ordinary.

"Alright, let's have a glass each now, and the rest we'll share with everyone! It wouldn't be fair to make others just watch!" Kai said, laughing.

With those words alone, Kai had already earned their respect. All the guards started looking at him differently. It seemed they had already accepted him as one of their own. People like them were simple enough... Building relationships with them didn’t take much.

As soon as Kai opened the barrel and poured a little wine for Brick, the latter's mouth watered just from the aroma.

"To getting acquainted!" Kai said with a smile, draining his glass.

Brick instantly followed suit. After gulping down the wine, he set the glass beside him. At that moment, a flush began to appear on the captain's face. This alcohol could intoxicate even masters of martial arts.

"Damn! This wine is absolutely incredible! I've never tasted anything like it!" Brick said, eyes slightly glazed, contentedly.

"Agreed! Trust me, though the wine for the guys may be a bit inferior, it’s still delicious and strong!" Kai chuckled.

He had been expecting such a reaction. Kai himself loved to drink and understood perfectly how good this alcohol was.

"Maybe another glass? Ha-ha," Brick asked slyly, rubbing his palms together.

It was evident he was getting a bit tipsy. After tasting such wine, he wanted more, especially since there was an entire barrel left!

"Let's wait for everyone else. I think the merchants and drivers will also want to relax. I ought to thank you somehow for taking me in!" Kai said, smiling.

"Ah, fine…" Brick said, a little disappointed. But after a moment, he smiled, "Hey! Everyone! We're stopping for a break! Let’s start our rest a bit earlier today!" He shouted, giving the command to halt.

Watching this, Kai didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"It seems you really appreciated my wine. Hahaha," Kai said, laughing loudly.

"And I'm not hiding it! Everyone should taste this!" Brick exclaimed with shining eyes, starting to climb down from the wagon.

Watching as all the wagons began pulling off the road to set up camp for the night, Kai started smiling.

“It looks like these really are good guys. Good thing I found them; now I won't have to keep asking for directions…” Kai thought to himself.

The journey should now be much easier. He could comfortably make his way to the Shadows City. Furthermore, he wanted to find out more information. The Head of the Border Beast City had only told him the way to the Shadows City and given him a letter of recommendation. So, Kai still had a lot to learn...

V.2 Chapter 147: Mysterious Sea Region

At dawn, the caravan set off once more. Everyone was in high spirits, having had a restful evening the day before. For people who spend months accompanying goods, even small moments like the previous evening can be incredibly refreshing.

Kai continued to ride in the wagon with Brick, discussing various matters. For now, Kai didn't ask what he was really curious about. They simply conversed about general topics.

"Listen, Brick. Can you tell me about the Shadows City? To be honest, although I'm headed there, I don't really know much..." Kai asked directly.

"Judging by you, I can easily discern your stage of cultivation... You're likely interested in joining the Shadow Sect, aren't you?" Brick asked candidly.

"Yes, that's roughly the plan. But I don't quite understand the mechanics of how it all works," Kai responded with a smile.

Currently, Brick seemed to ponder for a bit. It was as if he were considering where to begin.

"Hmm... Let's start from afar," Brick said, pausing. "The territory of the Shadow Sect is vast. In fact, it encompasses four Empires, all under the control of the Shadows City. These are the Moonshine, Ghostly Halberd, Dawn's Spirit, and White Tiger Empires," Brick explained.

"Moonshine is to the southwest, and Ghostly Halberd to the southeast. To the northwest lies the Empire of Dawn's Spirit, which also borders another Sect's territory. Meanwhile, the White Tiger Empire is to the northeast," he continued.

Brick thought it's best to begin his explanation with the general geography of the Shadow Sect's territory.

"Actually, on the far west, between the White Tiger and Ghostly Halberd Empires, lies the Shadows City... It's an incredibly vast and imposing city... It exists independently, and all territories submit to it. That's because the Shadow Sect is based there... And believe me, their power is unimaginable... If they wanted to, they could reduce any of the four Empires to dust," Brick narrated.

"Hmm... Are there other Sects?" Kai asked, intrigued by Brick's previous statement.

"Yes. I don't know much, but I've spent enough time in the Shadows City and talked to various people. Essentially, we all live on the Heavenly Continent... It has several regions and ruling powers within them. Not all Sects have Empires under their control, like ours. Some areas are dominated by smaller Sects that control their territories. They usually also submit to a larger Sect, like our Shadow Sect. Overall, the world is quite vast, you know..." Brick explained, lost in thought.

At that moment, Kai was a bit taken aback. Although he knew the world was vast, he hadn't heard anything beyond the Shadow Sect before.

"Wow... Can you elaborate?" Kai asked with immense curiosity.

"As I said, there's not much I know for sure... I can say that there are three massive regions. Ours is called the Mysterious Sea Region, and it has three ruling powers: the Shadow Sect, the Sword Sect, and the Spirit Fire Sect," Brick explained.

"What about the other regions?" Kai asked, eyes alight.

"They are very far away... There's the Wild Region and the Holy Region."

"The Wild Region? Maybe..." Kai mused.

"Yes. The Endless Wasteland is the distant outskirts of that region. But I don't know anything about the Wild Region itself. The Holy Region is a complete mystery to me. They say it rarely interacts with others and is the strongest in the Heavenly Continent," Brick continued.

"To sum it up... We live in the Mysterious Sea Region. It's called that because at its center lies the Mysterious Sea. Makes sense, doesn't it? Heh-heh," Brick chuckled.

"I don't get it... How?" Kai inquired.

"You probably don't understand just how vast this region is... One can say that almost the entire eastern part is occupied by the Shadow Sect. The southwest is occupied by the Sword Sect, and the northwest by the Spirit Fire Sect. Though smaller in territory than the Shadow Sect, that doesn't reflect their power. Each of the three Sects in our region is roughly equal in strength," Brick explained the nuances, "So, in the center, between the three Sects, lies a vast sea called the Mysterious Sea."

"Damn... I had no idea there's so much in the world... What's to the east of the Shadow Sect?" Kai posed another question.

"Endless waters. Wherever you look, only water. Many have tried to sail east and explore the territory... but unsuccessfully. It seems like it's only water beyond," Brick replied.

Listening to all this, Kai was shocked. He had learned a lot of useful information today. Finally, he began to understand this world a little better...

"Alright... When I'm in the Shadows City, I'll need to find out more about everything. For now, I need to understand what the capital of the Shadow Sect, so to speak, is like," Kai thought, deciding to postpone pondering the Heavenly Continent.

"So, what about the Shadows City?" Kai asked, returning to his initial question.

"Ah! Right!" Brick exclaimed, slapping his forehead, "I got carried away, sorry." he chuckled.

"No worries, what you've told me has been incredibly useful," Kai responded, smiling.

"In general, the Shadows City is incredibly vast... The entire eastern part, which borders the shore of the endless waters, is a restricted zone. You could say it's a city within a city. That part of the Shadows City is exclusively for members of the Shadow Sect. That's where all the disciples, training halls, and zones of the Sect are. Only members of the Sect can enter," Brick explained.

"And what about the other part of the Shadows City?" Kai asked.

"Ah, nothing much. A huge number of people live there, going about their business. There are plenty of restaurants, shops, and other things. Members of the Shadow Sect often venture out there as well. Basically, the entire Shadows City is under the dominion of the Shadow Sect. The only difference is that to enter its eastern part, you have to be a member of the Sect." Brick explained, smiling.

"Thank you so much!" Kai gratefully said.

He was now lost in thought. He had gathered much information, expanding his horizons. Now he needed some time to process it all.

"Aha! You'd also find it useful to know about the hierarchy of the Shadow Sect's disciples. You're planning to join, right?" Brick suddenly exclaimed, interrupting Kai's contemplation.

"I'd be grateful if you could tell me," Kai replied with a smile.

"Basically, there are four conditional levels: Disciple-Assistant, Core Disciple, Senior Disciple, and Personal Disciple. It's simple... people who wish to join the Shadow Sect take an exam to become a Disciple-Assistant. Only after making a significant contribution do they receive a recommendation letter, allowing them to attempt to move up to the class of Core Disciple. The Core Disciples are already considered full-fledged members of the Shadow Sect and are highly respected people! And Senior Disciples are the strongest representatives of the current generation!" Brick explained.

"And what about Personal Disciples?" Kai inquired.

"Hmm... There are few of those... These are the most exceptional individuals taken as personal students by the Elders!" Brick said, full of admiration.

"Damn... It seems I really don't understand this world at all... Brick, I'm sorry... But can you tell me, who are these Elders?" Kai awkwardly asked.

He felt as if he had no idea what was going on. Kai's head began to hurt from all this information.

"It's simple. If you look at the hierarchy of the Shadow Sect, besides the disciples, there are the Elders. External Elders, Main Elders, Great Elders, and the Patriarch of the Shadow Sect himself!" Brick reverently declared.

"I see... Thanks again!" Kai said, sinking back into his thoughts.

"I wonder if a recommendation letter from the Head of the Border Beast City is equivalent to one for becoming a Core Disciple?" Kai pondered.

According to Brick, to become a Core Disciple, one needed to make a significant contribution and receive such a letter. But he already had one... Or maybe it wasn't the right one?

For now, Kai didn't understand this point. But at least he had a more in-depth understanding of the structure of the Shadow Sect and the continent as a whole.

"Alright, I'll find out more when I get to the Shadows City..." Kai thought and continued chatting with Brick about everyday things.

It would still be several weeks before they reached the Shadows City, so there was no point in thinking about it now. Kai decided to simply take it easy meanwhile.

V.2 Chapter 148: Shadows City

The caravan moved along winding, narrow roads. They were now high up in the mountains. To their right was a rock face that rose even higher, and to the left was a steep abyss. This was the first time Kai had been so high up.

He was currently sitting in a wagon, taking in the scenery. They were so high that it seemed they would soon touch the clouds. When Kai looked up, he saw the mountain peak disappear into them.

"What's the matter, Kai? Never been in the mountains?" Brick asked with a smile.

"Yes... I've seen them, of course, but never had the chance to climb them. It's truly mesmerizing," Kai replied enthusiastically.

The mountain they were traversing now was the last frontier before the Shadows City. Once they crossed to the other side, they would start descending directly to their destination. Kai was already excited.

Hearing Kai's words, Brick started laughing.

"Why are you laughing? Do you enjoy making fun of the younger ones? Odd hobbies you have..." Kai teased.

"I laugh because you're about to see something incredible... Heh-heh," Brick replied, adding an air of mystery.

"What would that be?" Kai asked, intrigued.

"Wait a minute, I would rather not spoil the surprise. You'll see soon!" Brick said with a smile.

"What could be so amazing to see here?" Kai wondered and continued to look ahead.

It was morning, and the sun was hidden behind the peak. So the part they were moving along was not illuminated by it. Currently, the sun was on the opposite side, closer to the direction of the Shadows City. After all, the main city of the Shadows Sect was to the east.

As Kai looked into the distance, he saw how the road veered to the side, skirting the mountain walls. Rays of sunlight began to emerge from around the corner. It was clear that they would soon reach a part of the mountain where the sun was shining. Many were happy, as it would bring them a pleasant feeling of warmth.

As soon as Kai's wagon approached this section, they began to turn the corner.

Bright light!

At that moment, Kai shielded his eyes with his hand, as they were unaccustomed to such bright light. He was momentarily blinded! But as soon as he opened his eyes, his jaw dropped...

"Mother of... What is this?" Kai asked, shocked.

"Hahaha! I told you! Everyone has that reaction the first time!" Brick said, laughing contentedly. "Meet the Shadows City!" He announced proudly.

"All this... Oh my..." Kai said, eyes wide open, utterly stunned.

They were so high above the ground that it offered them an incredibly luxurious and expansive view of the surroundings. Until they rounded the corner, moving to the eastern side of the mountain, all they had seen were forests and rocks at the base.

But now...

An incredible landscape unfolded before Kai's eyes! To top it all off, it was complemented by a beautiful, vibrant rising sun... The spectacle was mesmerizing.

To Kai, it felt like he was seeing an entire country under his feet, and beyond that, endless blue waters! Kai had never seen such a vast city, let alone such a broad expanse of water. When he looked into the distance, he saw tens of kilometers of buildings, and beyond them, the coastline. Further on, nothing but water! It stretched for hundreds of kilometers, all the way to the horizon!

The Shadows City itself seemed so vast that it could contain an entire country... Calling it a city somehow seemed inappropriate.

The city's structure was also quite unique. It seemed that the city center was right on the waterfront. There stood an enormous white building, which towered far above any other structure in the city. This seemed astounding because, from Kai's vantage point, all the city's buildings looked tiny... The city's structure could only be discerned through its wide roads and avenues.

Examining the Shadows City, Kai saw that it was divided into three districts, separated by semi-circles. The smallest was the central zone, where the large white building was located. Even so, it was several times larger than Border Beast City. This zone was enclosed by a large wall that ran in a semi-circle, starting at one end of the shore and ending at the other.

It turned out that on one side, the Shadows City was protected by boundless waters, and on the other by walls and urban structures.

Beyond were two more zones, each enclosed by a wall following a similar principle. But they were much more expansive... Each subsequent zone was larger than the previous one.

Moreover, from the white building, five enormous straight roads intersected all three zones. They led in different directions, providing access to the city center from any point. These roads were so wide that they could be seen even from this high mountain.

"All roads lead to the Palace of Shadows! Heh-heh," said Brick, laughing.

"The Palace of Shadows? That huge, white building?" Kai asked, bewildered.

"Yes. That's where all the key figures of the Shadow Sect reside, including the Great Elders and the Patriarch! The inner area near it is the restricted zone I told you about. That's where all the members of the Shadow Sect train and develop. Only they are allowed to enter!" Brick spoke, his words imbued with deep respect.

"Damn... It's hard to call this a city..." Kai blurted out.

"Agreed! The Shadows City is literally like an entire separate country. It gathers resources from all four empires... But make no mistake. The Shadows City is fully self-sufficient!" Brick explained.

"Even so..." Kai mused thoughtfully.

"Yes! The outer ring has a lot of hunting grounds, farms, and livestock! Many workers live there, easily sustaining the city's needs!" Brick explained.

"The outer ring?" Kai asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Shadows City' residents have their own colloquial terms. They're not official; it's just what everyone is accustomed to saying. I think you know what I mean. There's the outer ring, the inner ring, and then the forbidden zone—or the Shadow Sect, if that's easier for you," Brick said.

"I see. What's in the inner ring?" Kai inquired.

"It's simple. That's the more affluent area. Primarily, it's where all the commerce, restaurants, and so on are concentrated. Furthermore, the elite and wealthy prefer to live there. Well, of course, you need to have the means..." Brick spoke. "The outer ring isn't as bad as you might think. The Shadows City is wealthy... Even the peasants and laborers are well-off, especially compared to other regions," Brick added contemplatively.

Kai understood what he meant. Since the Shadows City was entirely controlled by the Shadow Sect and resources from all four empires flowed in, life there was significantly better. Kai himself hailed from a backwater area and knew how life was there. If someone like Lord Flick wanted, entire settlements could be wiped out. There, people fought over food, simply struggling to survive.

Compared to those conditions, the life of the Shadows City' peasants seemed almost heavenly. Although they also worked hard and couldn't afford excesses, their lot was far better.

"Amazing... How people managed to build something so vast..." Kai muttered to himself.

"I agree with you, kid. Even though I've seen it countless times, I'm still amazed," Brick mused before continuing, "About another day, and we'll reach the Shadows City. It looks like it's right next to us, but that's an illusion." he chuckled.

Listening to this, Kai kept staring at the landscape before him... He was simply mesmerized.

"It's just unbelievable... Such a vast city... I wonder how powerful the Shadow Sect is? And the Patriarch?" Kai thought, almost in a trance.

"By the way! Where are you headed?" Brick interrupted Kai's musings.

"Ah... To the Shadow Sect, so I will get into the forbidden zone." Kai said jokingly.

"I see... Well, we're transporting goods to the outer ring, so you can ride along with us. It may seem close, but it can actually take several days. Heh-heh," Brick explained, chuckling.

At that moment, Brick wasn't exaggerating. The Shadows City was enormous... Even traveling within it could take a significant amount of time. It was better to continue the journey with them.

"Alright, Brick. Thanks again for your help!" Kai said with a grateful smile.

V.2 Chapter 149: Gradation of Disciples

Currently, Kai's caravan was almost at its final destination. Over the last few days, Kai had seen many astonishing things.

When they passed through the first wall, beyond the grand gates, Kai saw incredibly expansive rural lands and a lot of livestock. As they traveled along the road, hundreds of peasants were laboring over all of this. Occasionally, they drove through small towns and villages. It seemed that Kai was not mistaken when he said that an entire country could fit within the Shadows City.

In the outer ring, there were even huge and beautiful cities. But when they entered the inner ring, the atmosphere drastically changed. It seemed as if everything had transformed into an endless, expansive city!

Buildings of all sorts were everywhere, along with massive crowds of people and a web of roads. It seemed as though all roads eventually converged onto five main ones that led straight to the Shadows Sect…

The architecture was also gorgeous. Initially, Kai thought that perhaps the Shadows City would stylistically resemble the Astral City, where everything was made in dark tones. But as it turned out, he was wrong…

In the Shadows City, most everything was made of white or light-colored stone. Even the slabs and stones on the road were done in light tones. When the sun rose, all of this looked wonderful! The city radiated an aura of holiness and purity.

Of course, this was not universally the case. There were also dirty and unkempt parts of the city. After all, maintaining such vast spaces where an incredible number of people lived was no easy task.

As they traveled along the city roads, Kai saw many diverse buildings. Many of them had purposes he had never heard of before. So much here was entirely new. Kai felt as if he had entered an entirely different world.

But what was most astonishing was the number of martial arts masters! They were literally everywhere! Over the past day, he had seen many people at the cultivator stage. Even the peasants had well-developed bodies. In backwaters like where Kai came from, they would be considered warriors.

Looking at all this, Kai understood that the individual power of the outer and inner rings was unbelievable! What then was happening in the Shadows Sect itself?

Kai thought that after the grandeur of Border Beast City, he was prepared for anything. But now, he felt like a barbarian once again…

"Listen, Brick… These guys in black clothes…" Kai said thoughtfully.

Recently, he had sometimes seen people in black clothes. They stood out from the crowd because they all wore uniforms of the same design. And when people saw them, they treated them with great respect. Kai also noticed that there were subtle differences in their attire.

"Ah? Those are disciples of the Shadows Sect! Those in pure black are Disciple-Assistants. But you must have noticed that even they are treated with immense respect. The status of the Shadows Sect is simply unshakable! If you have any affiliation with it, you'll be respected in the Shadows City!" Brick solemnly explained.

"I've also noticed people in similar attire but with the glyph 'Shadow' in different colors... Does that mean something?" Kai inquired curiously.

"Oh yes! It means a lot!" Brick said seriously, "It's an indicator of status! Disciple-Assistants don't have a distinctive glyph. Core Disciples have a purple glyph 'shadow' on their chests, near the heart area. Senior Disciples have a white glyph!" The captain clarified.

"I see. No wonder I've only seen a few like that along the way," Kai said, nodding in realization.

He wondered if there was any difference among these masters in black clothes. He had only seen the white "shadow" glyph a few times. It seemed that Senior Disciples were significantly fewer in proportion. But at least, this was not strange.

"By the way… you mentioned that there are also Personal Disciples… What color do they have?" Kai asked, recalling their previous conversation.

"Heh-heh. Well, it's not so straightforward with them… They have the color black, but it doesn't say 'Shadow'!" Brick said, trying to intrigue Kai.

"Quit the comedy and just tell me," Kai replied, rolling his eyes.

"Sigh… You don't even give a guy a chance to have some fun," Brick said with feigned sadness, shaking his head at the same time.

"If you tell me, I'll give you another barrel of wine," Kai offered, eyeing him sideways.

"Oh-ho! You should've said so sooner! Hahaha," Brick laughed, "Basically, Personal Disciples get their unique nicknames!"

"I don’t get it… How so?" Kai asked.

"Hmm… Those who become Personal Disciples are considered extraordinary individuals. Each of them is incredible in some aspect, which sets them apart from the crowd. Even when they are Senior Disciples, they already acquire nicknames. And when they advance to the status of a Personal Disciple, they get proudly to wear their title on their chest!" Brick explained.

"For example, there's an incredibly strong girl called Enchanting Shadow. There's also one of the strongest Personal Disciples called Lone Buddha. Everyone in the Shadows City knows people like these! It’s best to steer clear of them and not get into conflicts with them... Their status is no less than that of the Main Elders," Brick said, lost in thought.

"Understood. Thanks for the heads-up," Kai replied.

During this journey, he had learned a lot of useful information. He and Brick were constantly discussing various topics, and whenever Kai was particularly curious about something, Brick would share all he knew.

There were also things he didn't understand. For instance, he didn't know the hierarchy of power within the Shadow Sect. All he had said was that beyond the Cloud Sphere, there supposedly lies the Gravity Sphere, but what it entailed, he couldn't fathom.

Although Brick himself was in the Cloud Sphere, he was already close to fifty years old. This meant that he had no chance of advancing further. People usually join the Shadow Sect if they enter the Cloud Sphere before turning 17. Brick was far from such accomplishments. In the Shadows City, he couldn't be considered a strong master.

As they talked, the caravan slowly began to leave the main roads and move into narrower alleys. About ten minutes later, they finally came to a stop.

"Well, young man, we've arrived!" Brick said, laughing.

"Thank you for everything," Kai said, getting off the wagon with gratitude. "By the way, this is for you and the guys!" Laughing, he pulled out about ten barrels of wine, placing them next to the wagon.

"Ah! Well, look at that! You do know how to show respect! Haha," Brick said, rubbing his palms together and laughing.

"I couldn't leave without thanking you," Kai smiled.

"Kid, if you ever want to meet, we'd be more than happy to see you! Come to the 'Shadow of the Rabbit' tavern, in the northwest of the inner ring. When we're not on a mission, we stay there," Brick kindly informed him.

"Thank you, I'll remember that! Take care, guys! He-he!" Kai shouted and waved to the entire caravan.

Having said this, he bid Brick one last farewell and headed back to the main roads. Kai wanted to find an inn to start with. Although they had stopped by rivers to wash during the journey, Kai longed for a hot bath. Renting a room should not be an issue; he had already asked Brick what currency was used here.

Fortunately, energy crystals or barter were mainly used. Before the drinking spree with Diso, the latter had taken Kai to a storehouse and given him a wide array of goods. All the wine in Kai's ring had also come from there.

Therefore, Kai knew that renting a good inn would not be a problem for him.

As he stepped onto a broader street, Kai began surveying the surroundings. A great multitude of people roamed everywhere. Shops, various restaurants, and people inviting passers-by in were all around him. Kai even saw peculiar people offering to predict one's fate based on their birth month.

"Who are the idiots who fall for this?" thought Kai, as he walked by.

It was early morning, and Kai decided he was in no rush. He made up his mind to head closer to the so-called "forbidden zone." This way, it would be much easier; when he wanted to enter with a recommendation letter, he wouldn't have to spend a lot of time on the road.

"There are quite a few cultivators here... and even masters in the Cloud Sphere... Essence Eyes!" Musing over this, Kai activated his ability.

He examined the people, assessing their level of power and energy density.

"Hmm, although many are at a good level, they're unlikely to be masters of martial arts... Their foundation is fragile and probably achieved through pills and doping," Kai realized.

In Shadows City, there were far more resources. Wealthy traders could afford to eat better and take good pills. This way, they could elevate their cultivation levels. Although they didn't become warriors, they strengthened their health and extended their lives considerably.

This was also one of the revelations Kai had learned from Brick. It turned out that the higher the level of cultivation, the longer the master could live. Although this was obvious, for some reason, Kai had never thought about it before.

V.2 Chapter 150: The Beggar

Before, Kai had never considered that cultivation could affect the length of one's life. But as he delved into the subject, he realized it all made sense.

Even at the cultivator level, simple alcohol couldn't faze Kai. His body autonomously suppressed weak poisons with incredible ease. The same went for his rate of regeneration and recovery, reduced sleep requirements, and other factors. All of these pointed to a strengthening of the body and health, which potentially lead to a longer life.

Brick had told him that old monsters at the level of Great Elders could live for an incredibly long time. Rumors circulated that some of them were over two hundred years old. For martial arts masters, the chance of dying in battle or during cultivation was much higher than from old age.

They constantly took risks, for only through risks could they improve. And the higher the level of cultivation, the more difficult it was to advance to the next stage. Brick had said that transitioning into the Gravity Sphere came with immense risks. Even if you could approach the breakthrough, there was a chance of dying at the moment of transition. The slightest self-doubt or lack of attention could lead to a fatal error.

Walking through the city and observing cultivators among the traders, Kai smiled.

"What interesting methods... Most likely, they constantly consume expensive pills and ingredients to saturate their bodies with energy. Even if they don't use any serious cultivation techniques, they can still strengthen their health and extend their lives by a decade or so. Truly fantastic city... All of this would seem miraculous to ordinary mortals! Even I am surprised..." Lost in thought, Kai made his way through the city streets.

He avoided the five main roads, as they were too crowded. Such congestion made Kai's head spin...

Kai decided to take smaller roads that ran parallel. All he had to do was head towards the wall that separated the Shadow Sect from the rest of Shadow City.

Occasionally, he would come across beautiful squares, where fountains played and various street musicians performed. At other times, he passed through tastefully designed parks. It was clear that the trees and grass were not planted haphazardly.

Kai was in no hurry and walked at a calm, measured pace. Time passed, and the sun slowly began to set. As it grew darker, the city underwent a profound transformation. Lanterns began to light up everywhere. Only upon closer inspection did Kai realize that inside them were not flames but special stones.

"Wow... They all started lighting up automatically... It seems like there's a system of arrays spread throughout the city. And probably it's placed under the street tiles..." thought Kai.

It made perfect sense. If the Border Beast City under their control was riddled with arrays, it would be strange if the main city didn't have the same.

"Alright... I need to find an inn; I've had enough wandering for today," Kai said to himself, looking around.

Now he was in the middle of a beautiful park, illuminated by soft light. It wasn't huge; if you looked closely, you could see the city buildings through the trees in the distance.

"Hmm... What's this?" thought Kai, looking ahead.

He noticed that about two hundred meters from him, through the trees, there loomed a large wooden building. He had only noticed it because it was also illuminated.

A sense of curiosity awakened in Kai. He decided to go and see what it was. And if it were nothing interesting, he would go look for a hotel.

With this thought in mind, Kai calmly walked towards the building.

Five minutes later, emerging from behind the trees, he saw a large and beautiful building made of redwood. It was several stories high and was in the middle of a small lake. Across the water was a beautiful, brightly lit bridge.

What surprised Kai the most was that people were constantly moving across the bridge. Moreover, they looked rather neat and expensive.

"Heh-heh... What is this? I need to check it out," Kai said, smiling.

Thinking about it, Kai also decided to enter the building and see what was happening. He suspected it might be some sort of restaurant. Now, he wouldn't mind having a drink of the local alcohol and getting some food. Kai wasn't concerned about money; his ring was filled with plenty of it.

Even by the standards of the Shadow City, Kai could be considered quite affluent...

As Kai moved across the bridge, many people threw strange glances at him. But, as always, he paid no attention to it.

In reality, Kai looked rather disheveled currently... After a long journey, he hadn't even washed his face. Although he didn't smell bad, he definitely wasn't at his freshest. Walking across the bridge, he stood out starkly against the backdrop of those around him.

"Ugh... Is that a beggar?" said one of the older ladies, passing by Kai.

Hearing this, Kai simply smiled and let the words pass through his ears. He continued walking toward the building's entrance.

"Stop! Where do you think you're going?" boomed the gruff voice of a security guard.

At that moment, someone put their hand in front of Kai, stopping him. Behind the hand, spacious halls could be seen, filled with feasting people.

"Yes! This really is a fine restaurant!" Kai exclaimed in his mind, starting to smile.

"Are you deaf?" the guard asked irritably.

"Huh? Actually, I'd like to have a meal here. Heh-heh," Kai said, grinning broadly.

"What's going on? Since when did they start letting in all sorts of vagrants?" came a voice from behind Kai.

Turning around, he saw a group of beautiful women standing behind him. But most importantly, each of them was dressed in black garments, with purple glyphs on their chests! They were all Core Disciples of the Shadow Sect!

"Welcome, esteemed guests! The Golden Lotus Restaurant welcomes you!" The security guard, stepping aside, took the lead.

He respectfully bowed to the women and gestured for them to enter.

"Let's go quickly; I don't want to be near that filthy animal!" said one of the women.

She had a rather sultry appearance and a voluptuous chest.

Seeing this, Kai wasn't overly concerned and turned back to the security guard.

"Bro, can I go in?" Kai asked.

"Hmm... This is a rather expensive establishment, do you have money?" the guard skeptically inquired.

"Ah! So that's what you're worried about? Of course, I do!" Laughing, Kai said, and a large pile of energy crystals began to appear in his palm.

Seeing this, the eyes of the security guard widened, and he quickly straightened his back.

"I apologize for my rudeness, sir! Please enter!" The guard said, a little startled.

"Don't worry about it... I understand it's your job. Here you go!" With a smile, Kai tossed one crystal to the guard.

"Thank you!" The guard quickly said, bowing.

In truth, he didn't haphazardly turn Kai away for a specific reason. It wasn't because the guard was kind-hearted... Some martial arts masters are quite eccentric. Although they might look strange, they are the type of people you would rather not offend.

Kai just looked young enough, and it was unlikely he could be a powerful eccentric master. Still, the guard decided to err on the side of caution. That's why his attitude was ambiguous. On the one hand, he didn't turn Kai away; on the other, he didn't show proper respect either.

The displayed amount of money quickly put him in his place, and he instantly regretted showing disrespect. But it seemed Kai didn't care much, so the guard relaxed. Plus, he even received a crystal as a gift.

Having finished with the guard, Kai smilingly proceeded toward the restaurant's entrance. Actually, beyond the bridge was a small platform, and the entrance to the restaurant appeared as a large archway. The design of this restaurant was quite astonishing.

When the hostess at the entrance saw him, she quickly greeted him and offered to escort him to a table. She seemed to be one of the restaurant's employees. She said nothing about Kai's appearance. If the security guard let him in, then this man must have money!

V.2 Chapter 151: An Old Friend

The girl led Kai to a specific table. As he entered the luxurious building, Kai's spirits began to lift.

"Wow… This is really a nice place! There's got to be some good alcohol here! I can't believe there's nothing better here than the wines from Border Beast City," Kai thought to himself.

He was already salivating at the thought of a hearty meal and a good drink. Though Kai loved drinking in the company of Diso, drinking alone wasn't unusual for him. After all, in situations like cultivating in the Time Tomb, his own company was the only pleasant one. So, this didn't bother him at all.

"Sir, please have a seat here," the girl said, bowing politely.

"Oh! Great spot! Thank you very much!" Kai said with a smile and sat at the large table.

He was seated at a large round table that could accommodate several people. He sat on a soft couch upholstered in red silk. This restaurant seemed to be in an entirely different league.

Glancing around, he occasionally noticed people in black garments. Though few, they were present nonetheless! This indicated the status of the establishment. Disciples of the Shadow Sect, who were highly respected in Shadow City, dined here.

"What would you like to order?" the girl said with a smile, interrupting Kai's thoughts.

"Oh! Right! Could I get a barrel of your finest wine and some meat to go with it?" Kai mused, already envisioning his feast.

"Hahaha! Finest wine? Did you sell all your assets just to get in here?" A sudden peal of feminine laughter rang out.

Turning around, Kai saw that the very group of girls who had tried to insult him at the entrance were sitting at the table next to him.

"What's wrong with these idiots? Or perhaps the wine here really is out of my league?" Kai wondered.

"Listen, how much does your best wine cost?" Kai quickly asked.

"Oh my God, how embarrassing... How did they even let him in?" another girl from the group giggled.

"Um… One hundred energy stones per barrel," the serving girl awkwardly said to Kai.

A hundred energy stones—that was a huge amount. Ten energy stones per month was considered a decent salary for ordinary people. And here, one had to pay ten times that amount for just one barrel…

Kai was always focused on developing his skills and cultivating, and honestly, he hadn't given much thought to the cost of these stones. He understood that with his abilities, earning a hundred stones wouldn't be too difficult. But he hadn't considered that not everyone shared this perspective...

"Ah! That's not a problem. Bring me the best wine then, and plenty of meat!" Kai said, ignoring the neighboring table.

"Of course! It shall be done, Sir! Would you like to add some vegetables as well? It's not good to eat just meat," the girl asked with a smile.

"Hmm… Why not? Let's do that too!" Kai responded.

At that moment, the girl beamed broadly and hurried off to place the order. She was incredibly pleased; the more the customer paid, the more she would earn. Just Kai's wine alone would bring her a good income.

"Pfft... Decided not to disgrace yourself and show off in front of us? Just make sure you don't end up a slave afterward!" said the busty girl haughtily.

As soon as Kai heard this, he looked at her with a puzzled expression and began scratching his chin.

"What are you staring at, mutt?" the girl snapped irritably.

"Listen... Do you find me attractive or something? Why do you keep addressing me? Just give up; I don't like large breasts like yours... Your efforts are futile," Kai said, shaking his head sadly.

With that, he turned away and reclined against the back of the sofa. Nearby, musicians were playing a pleasant tune. In the middle sat a charming girl playing the zither.

"Now she's quite good... But the one beside her seems a bit off," Kai thought to himself, continuing to enjoy the ambiance.

However, he was completely unaware that at that moment, the busty girl was fuming! Her chest heaved up and down. It seemed like she was about to start spitting venom.

Rising, she demonstratively started walking toward Kai. Her friends began to giggle, watching the scene unfold.

"Who do you think you are? You're just a filthy wanderer who found some money somewhere. And I'm a Core Disciple of the Shadow Sect! How dare you insult me?" she spat out furiously.

The whole situation was slowly attracting attention. Many had already been listening to their spat. Kai stood out in this environment, so most had noticed him the moment he entered. The majority even agreed with this disciple of the Shadow Sect.

Kai turned his head and stared blankly at the figure standing next to him.

"Listen... How did I insult you? Many people like large breasts like yours. It's more a compliment than an insult," Kai said, smiling warmly.

"Pff... Hehe..." Laughter started to come from different corners of the room. "Shut up! Quiet!" And immediately, the more tranquil patrons began to silence them.

"Wh... what..." At that moment, the girl was at a loss for words.

Looking at Kai, she felt such fury that she didn't even know how to react. Her eye twitched in anger, and her hands shook slightly.

"It seems trouble is brewing. Hehe," giggled one of the busty girl's friends.

It appeared they were already accustomed to such situations from their friend. However, today they had encountered a particularly amusing young man. His responses had them in stitches.

"What's the matter, Sister Mera?" A different female voice suddenly rang out.

Another girl approached from the side. Many in the room quickly shifted their gaze to her. This girl was stunningly beautiful!

As soon as the newcomer looked at Kai, she froze...

"Ah! I think that's the girl... Damn, I forgot..." thought Kai, wearing a placid expression.

At that moment, he remembered having seen her a few years ago at Lord Flick's banquet. He had just forgotten her name...

After looking for another second, Kai calmly turned away and continued watching the musicians.

More and more people began observing the unfolding drama, particularly when they saw the strange reaction from the newly arrived beauty—and Kai's absolute indifference.

"You... How did you end up here?" the girl asked Kai, sounding puzzled.

"Sister Taemi? You know this filthy creature?" Mera suddenly shouted.

"Yes... I've seen him before," the girl responded thoughtfully.

"Right! Taemi!" Kai suddenly recalled, hearing the words of the busty girl.

"Ah, so it's Sister Taemi! Sorry, I didn't recognize you right away! You've just become even more beautiful over the years!" Kai said, suddenly turning his head and looking Taemi in the eyes.

"Even more beautiful? You didn't even pay attention to her a second ago!" This thought flashed through the minds of many who were watching the spectacle.

"Would you like to sit with me? It's nice to meet old acquaintances in places where you least expect them, isn't it? Hehe," Kai said, laughing as he moved aside.

At Kai's audacious behavior, many were left slack-jawed!

But what was even stranger was that the beauty clenched her fists and seemed to tense up. At that moment, she even blushed slightly.

It seemed as though she was making a difficult decision in her head...

V.2 Chapter 152: Unperturbed Kai

The girl stood near Kai's table and began to look at the floor. It seemed as if her beautiful eyes, uniquely pink, had nowhere to rest. She didn't know where she should look.

It should be noted that Taemi was indeed incredibly beautiful. Her delicate figure and slender waist were incredibly alluring and feminine. To top it all off, her long black hair even partially covered her buttocks.

Although she was not tall, the proportions of her body were gorgeous. Her small breasts matched perfectly with her slender legs, slender waist, and toned buttocks.

"What's wrong with you? If you don't want to, I won't force you!" said Kai, looking at the girl and laughing.

"N… no. I'd be glad to…" Taemi replied timidly.

"What's up with her? It seems like she was entirely different at that jerk's banquet…" Kai thought, looking at the girl skeptically.

"Sister Taemi! What's the matter with you?! You want to sit at the table with this brute?!" Mera screamed in shock.

It seemed that this didn't bother Taemi much. She calmly turned to the busty Mera and said,

"Listen, I already told you, I'll sit with an old acquaintance. Why are you interfering? A few more words, and I'll give you a beating when we get back to the Shadow Sect!" Taemi said menacingly.

"Ah… Y…yes. Forgive me, Sister Taemi!" Mera quickly replied and bowed slightly.

As soon as she did that, she quickly ran to her table. She didn't dare utter another word.

"Wow... it seems I underestimated this girl..." Kai thought with interest.

Before he could complete his thought, Taemi instantly sat down next to him. Now she didn't seem shy at all. She even sat quite close…

"You seem to have some authority among your friends." Kai said, laughing as he assessed her attire.

She was also dressed in the black clothing of the Shadow Sect. By the symbol, Kai instantly recognized that she was also a Core Disciple.

"Of course! I'm their senior. A little more and I'll move on to the status of a Senior Disciple!" Taemi proudly exclaimed.

At that moment, she seemed charming to Kai. As if a little girl wanting to brag about her achievements to everyone. With her delicate body, she indeed looked very amusing.

"Wow, you're so smart!" Kai said, patting her on the head in praise.

He himself didn't understand why he did it. Sometimes Kai didn't worry much about his actions in social life. In cultivation and development, he had everything planned down to the smallest details. But in real life, he often didn't pay attention to many things…

As soon as Kai's palm touched Taemi's head, she instantly blushed and squirmed on the sofa.

Her behavior was very strange to Kai. Yet almost anyone else could say that her reactions toward Kai were anything but ordinary.

"Listen, why are you so red? You're acting so weird... At that boor's banquet, you were different... Time changes people!" Kai said, laughing.

"N-no, it's because of you..." Taemi answered shyly.

"Because of me? How so?" Kai asked, puzzled.

Presently, the girls from the Shadow Sect who were sitting across were not just shocked… They wondered if they were dreaming!

Kai couldn't know this, but in the Shadow Sect, Taemi was quite a tough person. Because of her talent, she had progressed rapidly. Coupled with her beauty, she attracted a lot of attention. But all this time, no one could approach her.

So what was happening now?

She was literally sitting next to some bum, and like a timid girl, admitting her fondness for him!

"What the hell is going on here..." Mera muttered to herself.

"I don't get it either... Is that really our strict Sister Taemi?" The second one replied, bewildered.

Just then, several plates of appetizers and a barrel of wine were brought to Kai's table. The waitress promptly brought two glasses. She was quite experienced in her job. Before bringing out the order, she had seen from a distance that Kai was no longer alone and grabbed additional utensils.

"Ah! Wine!" Kai said, chuckling as he began to pour himself a glass. "Want some?" he asked, looking at the girl next to him.

"Yes..." she answered, uncertainly.

"Great! It's good that I'm not drinking alone now! At least no one will say I'm a drunkard..." Kai chuckled. "So what were you saying? You're like this because of me? In what sense?" he asked nonchalantly.

Immediately thereafter, he lifted his glass, gesturing for Taemi to do the same. After a moment's hesitation, she also lifted her glass.

"To our meeting!" Kai said, laughing, and clinked glasses with Taemi.

He downed the wine in one gulp and exhaled contentedly. This wine was exquisite! Kai was incredibly pleased!

Seeing this, Taemi quickly followed Kai's lead and also drained her entire glass!

"Wow! Not every man can drink like that! You won't feel sick? You have such a small and delicate body..." Kai asked carelessly.

"You don't like this figure?" Taemi asked with a hint of anxiety.

"Why? To me, it's just right! Girls like you make one wants to pick them up. Or maybe just pat them on the head..." Kai mused, slightly tipsy.

Hearing this, the girl brightened up. Though it seemed, she had somewhat mixed feelings about the words Kai had said.

He didn't care at all about what was happening. He was here to have a good drink! But in doing so, he also ran into a familiar face!

Even though he didn't really know her, having seen her only once in his life, she was the first familiar person from his homeland he had met in the last few years, aside from Diso, of course. Kai didn't mind talking to her like an old friend.

"Um... About your question... Do you remember our first meeting?" Taemi asked.

"Yeah, of course. You almost twisted my neck then." Kai replied, laughing.

"But you said then that I wouldn't have been able to because I am an cultivator! Why did you catch me then?" the girl asked energetically.

"Ahhh... Who knows? Probably just wanted to feel your slim waist! He-he," Kai jokingly said.

Only, it seemed that Taemi didn't realize it was a joke... At that moment, she started smiling strangely and blushing even more.

"You're pretty bad, you know?" Taemi asked, slightly pouting.

"Of course I know. Believe me, I know that better than anyone else!" Kai responded, laughing.

At that moment, the girl froze. It seemed she had been expecting a different reaction. But this guy in front of her consistently made her feel strange. His actions were quite unique. Even during their first meeting, she hadn't had a chance to say more than a few words to him. In turn, he didn't stick around for even a minute to chat—just as everyone else usually did.

During the banquet, she had wanted to approach Kai several times, but couldn't muster the courage. For some reason, he had sparked a strong interest in her...

Only, she didn't have the chance... because later, she saw his fierce fight and the killing of the Lord right in front of the General. As a result, he was taken to the Border Beast City. All this had left an incredible impression on Taemi.

But most importantly... She didn't get a chance to talk to him! For some reason, this thought became obsessive for her. She kept recalling this strange guy periodically and wondered what he was doing now. Occasionally, she even imagined their chance meeting.

But today, the meeting actually happened! And it was an unbelievable shock for her! It seemed that she absolutely couldn't control the storm of her emotions. What puzzled her most was that she didn't even understand what was going on with her and why she was reacting so intensely.

Aside from her embarrassment and confusion, she was still drawn to talk to him. She had imagined their hypothetical dialogue countless times. And now, finally, it was happening in reality. And just like in their first meeting, she couldn't predict Kai's responses at all! This began to provoke even more feelings and interest in her.

"Being near you, I feel strange!" Taemi said, slightly pouting.

It seemed she didn't understand her feelings. And Kai was behaving unpredictably, causing her a kind of pleasant irritation. That's why she decided to grumble.

"Well, that's your problem, not mine... I feel great! Good wine and a lovely girl keeping me company! It's been a long time since I had an evening like this!" Kai responded, laughing carefree.

As soon as Taemi heard the first part of Kai's sentence, she was ready to start arguing. But the part about a 'lovely girl' immediately knocked any thoughts of indignation out of her head.

At the next table, a buxom girl was in complete shock...

"This bum... What is he, some sort of damn scammer?" Mera cursed loudly.

Such language was highly atypical for a girl of her status. But she simply had no other words left...

V.2 Chapter 153: Annoying the Girl

The whole group of girls at the neighboring table looked very puzzled. Their faces bore very strange expressions…

In reality, Taemi was quite atypical at that moment. They had never seen her in such an unusual state before…

"Mera… I think their relationship isn't as simple as it seems…" said one of the girls at the table.

"I doubt it… Big Sister never talked about him. I spend a lot of time with Taemi and know about some of her friends from the Moonshine Empire. There has never been a scumbag like this one among them…" Mera said, irritated.

Pouring another glass of wine, Kai looked at the girl with a smile and asked:

"Would you like some?"

"Yes, go ahead," Taemi replied, her face turning red.

It seemed like she wanted to gather courage around Kai. But he didn't understand that and kept pouring. Taemi's eyes were already shining… The wine was strong…

"Kai… Why are you here?" the girl timidly asked.

"Exactly! You should know!" Kai exclaimed, as if realizing something brilliant.

"Know what?" the girl asked, slightly tipsy.

"Listen, Taemi… You're almost a Senior Disciple…" Kai started, somewhat obliquely.

"If you're going to ask for help to join the Shadow Sect, you can forget it!" the girl firmly declared.

It was obvious that she was already a bit tipsy and managing her emotions rather clumsily. She felt as though Kai was not interacting with her for her company, but rather to gain something. This mildly irritated her.

"Heh-heh. You're so cute when you're angry," Kai cheerfully said, patting her on the head.

The moment his palm touched her head, she flinched a little. She didn't understand why this happened… Every time Kai touched her, she felt strange. This was true even that time he caught her on the stairs.

"I don't need your help, what are you talking about? Ha-ha. If I need to resolve something, I'll do it myself. What do you take me for?" Kai shook his head in feigned disappointment.

"N… No! I didn't mean…" Fearing that Kai had misunderstood her, Taemi started to defend herself.

But at that moment, her words were interrupted by Kai's loud laughter.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha. What are you worried about? I'm just kidding," said Kai, waving his hand dismissively, "Look here. Where should I go with this?" He scooted closer to Taemi and unrolled a scroll.

When the girl felt her hand brush against Kai's body, a shiver ran through her. But regaining her composure, she looked at the item Kai was showing her. Upon seeing the text, she began to read…

The moment she realized what it was, she abruptly turned to Kai.

"Kai! How did you get this?! This is…" The girl asked in astonishment.

It seemed that this fact had greatly agitated her, so much so that it pushed all the strange thoughts out of her head. Now she was in a more serious state. She wanted to find out how Kai had managed to acquire the recommendation letter.

"Is there a problem with it?" Kai asked, puzzled.

"No, that's not it at all! This is a recommendation letter! It gives you the right to take the exam for becoming a Core Disciple!" The girl explained, bewildered.

"Taemi, do I look like an idiot? I already know all that," Kai calmly replied.

"No, I didn't mean…" She wanted to start defending herself again.

"My God… Seems like you don't understand jokes at all," Kai said, shaking his head.

Taemi immediately realized this was another one of Kai's strange mannerisms. And that he'd confused her again. This was starting to annoy her.

"I do understand! It's just that your jokes are stupid! And you don't even know how to joke!" Taemi retorted, visibly frustrated.

"Huh, really? I happen to like my jokes," said Kai, pausing as though pondering something. "No, they're actually funny. It's simply that you, Taemi, don't get jokes." Kai said, smiling.

Currently, he was barely holding back his laughter. He truly enjoyed teasing this girl. All her reactions were incredibly cute and elicited a pleasant feeling in Kai.

"You! You!" Taemi started.

She was at a loss for words to complete her sentence. This guy was causing her both an incredible attraction and even greater irritation at the same time. This symbiosis was simply unbearable!

At that moment, her eyes began to well up with tears.

Seeing this, Kai quickly became more serious and hurriedly said:

"Alright, alright! Taemi, forgive me! My sense of humor is a bit peculiar; you're just not used to it yet!" Kai said, grinning foolishly.

As soon as he said this, Taemi's reaction began to subside… It seemed Kai's words had an effect.

"Don't joke like that anymore! You owe me a walk for this!" Taemi pouted, wiping her slightly wet and beautiful eyes.

"Okay, got it! Right when there's time, right away!" Kai said, laughing, and immediately changed the subject. "So what about the letter?" he asked, still smiling.

Taemi glared at him, still a little angry. But it was clear that she was gradually becoming more composed and obedient. She was pleased by the fact that Kai had agreed to take a walk with her in the future.

"For this letter, some students work for years! It gives you a chance to attempt entry into the Core Disciples of the Shadow Sect. Just go to the Sect's territory and show it," she said, still somewhat irate. "How did you get it?" she asked.

"Hmm… Let's just say, they bought me off with it," Kai said thoughtfully.

"Bought you off? What does that mean?" Taemi asked, not understanding.

"Well… I stirred up a lot of noise in the Border Beast City, and the City Head told me to leave. Knowing that I wouldn't go just like that, he offered me a place where I'd be better off." Kai explained vaguely, snickering maliciously.

He slightly twisted the situation to avoid going into details... He really disliked revealing any information about himself and his life.

"I don't understand at all, and I won't even try!" Taemi said irritably.

She had already realized that she couldn't quite comprehend this guy. But for some reason, she found that appealing.

"As for the exam..." Kai began to speak.

"I can't tell you anything about the Sect's affairs until you're a member. When you come to take the exam, you'll find out for yourself," the girl interrupted him, "It's still spectacular that you managed to get the letter..." she continued, slightly taken aback.

"Forget about it, it's just luck. But perhaps we'll soon be studying together! It's good to have a friend here who can help!" Kai said, laughing.

"A friend..." Taemi murmured contemplatively.

For some reason, she didn't like this part of Kai's phrase... Those words even slightly annoyed her.

"Listen, Taemi... Do you know where I can find a good hotel around here?" he asked, smiling, interrupting her thoughts.

As soon as she heard this, she instantly blushed!

"W... What do you mean?!" Taemi stammered, completely flushed.

Lost in her fantasies, she had already imagined many things. Currently, she thought Kai was insinuating something improper and became extremely flustered. She had no idea how to react. But what scared her the most were her own thoughts that flashed by for a second.

"What do I mean? Well... I've just arrived in the Shadows City. I need somewhere to wash up and sleep... As you can see, I don't look great right now. Even your friends don't seem to like me much. They think I'm some kind of beggar. He-he," Kai replied, laughing carelessly.

As soon as Taemi heard Kai's words, she felt even more flustered! Due to her foolishness, she had misunderstood everything. Now it seemed like she was the one with a dirty mind, not this guy!

"Ahh... So that's what you meant? Ha-ha..." Taemi said, her voice tinged with a strange intonation.

"And what else could I have meant?" Kai asked, not comprehending her response.

"You're driving me crazy," Taemi muttered irritably, mumbling to herself.

V.2 Chapter 154: Now She's Your Problem

"This girl is so strange... Her mood keeps changing. Maybe she really doesn't get my jokes? I should be more careful with them..." Kai thought, looking at Taemi.

She was currently a bit flustered and continued to mumble something.

"So, Taemi? Will you help me with some advice?" Kai asked again, laughing.

Hearing this, the girl quickly snapped out of her trance.

"To be honest, I'm not sure. Since we're students of the Shadow Sect, we live on its premises. There's no need for us to stay in the city itself..." Taemi replied sadly.

It was clear that she was disappointed she couldn't be of more help to Kai. This girl's reactions were really strange.

Although she had only seen Kai once before, he had left such a strong impression on her that she had spoken many times to an imaginary version of him. For Taemi, it felt like they had known each other for a long time. She even felt strangely attached to him. During her time in the Shadow Sect, she had never told anyone about this. Well, it made sense, as sharing such things would be somewhat embarrassing. Others might even think she was unwell.

"I see... That's okay. You've already helped me enough," Kai responded warmly.

At that moment, a waitress came over to clear some empty plates from the table. She was very polite and kept smiling at Kai. Her service was truly top-notch.

Glancing at her, Kai suddenly had a thought and asked, "Oh! Miss, could you recommend a good hotel?" he said, smiling.

"Of course, sir! It's no problem at all. Our owner has many properties in Shadow City. If you exit the Golden Lotus and turn right, you'll find a hotel at the end of the park. I can guarantee the service there is no less impressive than here!" the waitress said, smiling coquettishly.

"Thank you so much! You've been a great help." Kai responded, winking.

He enjoyed conversing in such a manner now and then. Coquettishness and playfulness were, in their own way, facets of cunning. And Kai really liked speaking with cunning and witty people. Conversations with them turned into light mental games.

"Please! If you'd like, you can wait until the end of my shift, and I can personally guide you there," the waitress said, hinting at something.

Just as Kai wanted to continue this light flirtation, he felt something on his leg.

"Ow! What are you doing? Hahaha," Kai exclaimed, bursting into laughter.

That sensation on his leg was preceded by a strong grip from Taemi's hand. She had pinched him!

When Kai turned to look at her, he saw she was glaring. But not at him—at the waitress.

"Listen, girl. Go about your business. He can figure out where to go himself; it's not that far," Taemi said coldly.

"Y... Yes. I apologize!" the waitress said, slightly frightened.

Thereafter, she quickly bowed and rushed off.

"What was that about? Ha-ha," Kai asked, laughing.

"Don't be so careless in the Shadows City... What if she wanted to deceive you?" Taemi replied, somewhat irritated.

"And how could she deceive me?" Kai asked, smiling.

"Well... Um... she could take advantage of you," Taemi started, searching for words.

It was evident that she felt a bit awkward verbalizing her thoughts. She began to blush again.

"Or maybe I'd be the one taking advantage of her? He-he," Kai replied flippantly.

Hearing this, the girl was stunned for a moment. But it didn't provoke any anger in her, as one might expect. She quickly formulated an explanation for the situation.

"She's not suitable for you! Why would you need some ordinary waitress? You might soon become a member of the Shadow Sect! Such relationships would only bring shame upon us all! Hmm!" Taemi snapped, huffing indignantly.

In truth, she was upset by the idea that Kai might go off with some random girl, but she would rather not admit it to herself.

When Kai was around, her thoughts were incredibly conflicting and changed rapidly. From her early childhood, she had been accustomed to focusing on cultivating her skills and alchemical pursuits. She had never spent time on such emotions. All of this was very strange and new to her; she couldn't understand herself.

Her inexperience in these matters manifested as intense and contrasting emotions. Taemi's reactions weren't always in harmony between reason and feelings, leading to such peculiar behavior.

"Alright, as you say. I wouldn't have gone with her anyway," Kai responded calmly.

"Huh? You wouldn't have? Why?" Taemi asked, intrigued.

"Hmm," Kai pondered, "I'm exhausted after the journey. All I want right now is to wash up and get myself together. It wouldn't be bad to meditate a little, or perhaps take a nap. I plan to head to the Shadow Sect tomorrow. I don't want to waste time on trivial matters," Kai explained.

"Aren't you doing that right now? Wasting time on trivialities, drinking in a restaurant!" Taemi retorted mockingly.

"Well, I'm here with you, so it's not trivial! How could having a drink with a friend be a waste of time?" Kai proudly stated.

These words once again stirred conflicting feelings in Taemi. On one hand, she was so pleased with the first part that she clenched her fists. But on the other hand, the second part killed all her enthusiasm.

"It seems like this guy is just a master at creating a wonderful atmosphere and then immediately destroying it with a single phrase..." Taemi thought.

"You're just a master of making excuses! That's who you are!" Taemi snapped.

"Think what you will, I don't like to argue." Kai said nonchalantly, taking a sip of wine.

"Ugh! You infuriate me so much!" Taemi exclaimed, lightly banging her fists on the table.

"Alright, alright, don't get mad... Do you want more wine?" Kai interrupted.

"Yes, pour it!" Taemi shouted, irritated.

.........................

For about another hour, Kai joked and teased Taemi, driving her now to fury, then to blushing and smiles. It seemed that one could die from experiencing such a range of emotions...

The longer the conversation went on, and the more Taemi drank, the more uninhibited she became. Eventually, she started trying to tease Kai herself. And sometimes she imitated him, patting him on the head. This happened whenever Kai said something she liked.

And in one beautiful moment…

Taemi threw her head back and passed out.

"Hmm? Drunk? Damn... I knew I shouldn't have taken her words seriously with such a fragile body," Kai thought, looking at the sleeping Taemi.

If at first, he had offered her wine, by the end, she herself told Kai to refill her glass. When he tried to dissuade her, she began to get angry and yell at him.

Watching all this, Kai called the waitress and settled the bill for their food and drinks. He also decided to leave a generous tip for the girl; he had really enjoyed her service.

Getting up from the table, Kai moved toward the table where Taemi's acquaintances sat.

"Hello again! Your friend over there drank too much and passed out... Can you guys take her home? I've got to go. Thanks!" Kai said with a smile and headed for the exit.

He didn't even wait for their response!

At that moment, the whole group of girls was utterly flabbergasted by this jerk! Who did he think he was? Who is he, anyway?!

"I'll kill this bum!" Mera shouted, quickly standing up.

But as soon as she looked around, Kai was nowhere to be found... He had literally vanished into thin air!

"Tsk! What the hell!" Mera cursed.

V.2 Chapter 155: The Shadow Sect

As soon as Kai shifted all the responsibility for Taemi onto her friends, he immediately knew they wouldn't be pleased. After his words, he turned around, took two steps towards the exit, and activated his Shadow Seal. In just a second, he was a hundred meters away from the girls' table.

At that moment, Mera was absolutely furious! Not only had her beloved older sister chosen to spend her leisure time not with them, but she had also been acting very strangely all evening. All because of this jerk! Nothing like this had ever happened before!

Moreover, he was basically a vagrant! Their older sister was very close to becoming a Senior Disciple. And this guy wasn’t even a Core Disciple—just an assistant! Mera was ready to tear Kai to pieces.

Then she quickly remembered Taemi, asleep at the table.

"Damn it! Older Sister, are you okay?" Mera shouted, rushing to the table.

……………

Walking across the bridge, Kai was very pleased with the evening. He had eaten and drunk well. Moreover, he had met an old acquaintance with whom he had joked around all evening. It brought him plenty of positive emotions. She was a very sweet girl, so teasing her was really fun.

He had also preliminarily confirmed that the recommendation letter was genuine. Although Kai had never doubted it, now he knew for sure.

“Heh-heh... I need to clean myself up today; I look like a vagrant. Tomorrow, we'll head to the Shadow Sect!” Kai thought, smiling.

Mera wasn't wrong to call him a bum. Although things weren't so bad, Kai’s clothes were not very clean. And his hair was tied in a sloppy bun, with strands sticking out in all directions.

Only because of his attractive appearance did he not look too shabby. But even so, for the gentlemen in the Golden Lotus, he looked terrible.

Once Kai tidies himself up, he’ll likely be unrecognizable.

The waitress had indeed given him accurate information. Ten minutes later, Kai was entering a beautiful building. After renting a room, he started climbing the stairs.

The room cost a decent amount of money. For mortals, it would seem like renting an entire house. There were all the necessary amenities, from a bath to an energy collection array.

"Ahhh, this feels so good..." Kai sighed, stepping into the hot water.

At that moment, he felt incredibly good. Finally, he could wash off all the grime.

……………

As soon as the sun rose, Kai left the rented room and headed for the hotel exit.

Now, he looked entirely different... His hair was tied back in a thick, snow-white ponytail. And he was dressed in strict but beautiful white clothes. This was not typical for Kai. But he knew that all disciples of the Shadow Sect wore black robes.

Although it was a specific uniform, not just any black clothes, Kai decided that until he became a disciple, he would not enter their territory in black attire. In his opinion, it would be disrespectful to them.

It must be said that the color white also suited Kai very well. His snow-white hair and blood-red eyes harmonized beautifully with his white attire.

Kai moved toward the third, innermost wall. Finally, he was close to fulfilling one of the promises he made to Master Mo!

"Master, wait for me... Today, I will fulfill one of the promises I've made to you!" Kai thought, his spirits lifted.

Recalling events from nearly three years ago, he was resolved to give it his all. If he could join the Shadows Sect, he would not bring shame upon his Master!

As he pondered this, he reached a large and beautiful wall adorned with ornate carvings. Looking at it, Kai activated his Eyes of Essence.

As he suspected, the wall was inscribed with arrays both across and lengthwise. They were even more complex than the massive wall in the Border Beast City.

"What are you doing here?" A gruff guard's voice sounded.

Nearby was one of the gates for entering the territory of the Shadows Sect. Normally, people didn't dare wander around here and gawk at everything. Hence, the guard posed the question.

The gate guards were usually ordinary Disciple-Assistants. But in the Shadows City, even they held significant status. They represented the Shadows Sect; nobody would want to cross them.

"Ah! Brother, I need your help! Look!" Kai exclaimed, pulling a scroll from his ring.

"What did you call me?! Listen here, you litt—” The guard choked back his words, realizing what had appeared in Kai's hands. A letter of recommendation! It meant that this guy, whom he wanted to call a pup, could become a Core Disciple. His status would be higher than that of the guard!

The gap between a Core Disciple and a Disciple-Assistant was enormous! He would never dare to speak like that if he had initially known Kai's status.

Kai ignored the guard's words and tone. Such things were irrelevant to him.

"Where do I go with this, brother?" Kai inquired with a smile, stepping closer.

Hearing Kai’s words, the guard slightly relaxed.

"It seems this guy is not arrogant, unlike some..." He thought and smiled.

"Ah! So you're an aspirant for Core Disciple! I apologize for my earlier words..." The guard, just to be safe, decided to apologize anyway.

"Don’t worry about it. I couldn't care less about these formalities. Where should I go? Hehe," Kai chuckled in response.

"Wait... I’ll get you a pass..." said the guard, rummaging through his clothes, "Here it is! Take it," he said, handing Kai a white token.

"What's this?" Kai asked.

"With this, you're allowed to move around the territory of the Shadows Sect. But only for three days. The token has a date until which you have permission. You'll need to go deeper into the territory. Ask the higher-ranking guards; they'll direct you where to go," the young man politely explained.

"Thank you so much!" Kai responded and passed through the large gates.

"Hm? What's this?" Suddenly, Kai thought and stopped.

At that moment, he felt strange energy vibrations. It was as if something had scanned him...

"Don't worry! It's a security array. If you'd entered without a token, it wouldn't have ended well for you! He-he," called out the guard from behind Kai.

"Ah... Thank you..." Kai muttered, a bit bewildered, and continued walking forward.

The Forbidden Zone, or the territory of the Shadow Sect, was not small. In terms of area, it was possibly even larger than the Border Beast City. Kai had quite a walk ahead of him...

Kai understood that if he moved toward the enormous white palace, he would encounter higher-ranking members of the Shadow Sect along the way. They would guide him further.

Walking the streets, Kai surveyed the surroundings. Although the style was very similar to the streets of the Shadows City, everything was significantly better. All the buildings featured beautiful carvings; the pavement was incredibly clean and even.

All of this seemed even more beautiful because there were far fewer people. The eye could catch a plethora of small details. Alongside these white streets, the disciples of the Shadow Sect, dressed in black clothing, offered a striking contrast.

What surprised Kai was that there were also ordinary citizens here, albeit very few. They were mainly shopkeepers in stores or managers in other buildings. It seemed that the street business was still run by ordinary mortals.

But this made sense... All members of the Shadow Sect were devoted to the path of martial arts and personal growth. They had no time for what they considered trivial matters.

It seemed that this was precisely why the Shadow Sect had allowed the best traders to do business within the Forbidden Zone. Contemplating this, Kai looked at the white token in his hand. He realized that these were mainly made for all these people.

V.2 Chapter 156: Ways of Making Money

The enormous white palace drew ever closer. In reality, this was an illusion because it was simply too vast. In truth, there was still a long way to go before reaching it. A building of such gargantuan proportions seemed to weigh down on you with its scale.

Over the last half-hour, Kai had grown accustomed to the surroundings. No one paid him much attention. It seemed that members of the Shadow Sect weren't particularly concerned with ordinary people, which is what Kai appeared to be. Apart from his striking appearance, he was unremarkable.

Currently, Kai's aura was fully under his control. Unless he voluntarily released it, it was unlikely anyone would notice him.

"Wow, what's this?" Kai exclaimed, marveling.

Before him was yet another partitioning wall. But it was neither too high nor imposing. It was only three meters tall and it shimmered. What surprised him the most was the structure itself.

The walls were semi-transparent!

It seemed as if they were made of crystal, suffused with flowing energy. It looked mesmerizing.

"The Shadow Sect really is wealthy..." Kai muttered to himself.

Spotting another guard, Kai approached him. This time, he didn't hesitate and immediately took out a scroll from his ring.

"Hello! I was told that I could find assistance here for my problem," Kai said politely and smiled, "Where can I take the exam to become a Core Disciple?" He offered the scroll as he asked.

"Hello. Let's see..." said the man sternly, accepting Kai's item.

He slowly unrolled the scroll and began to read. With each passing second, his expression grew more serious. However, unlike the first guard, there was no fear on this one's face.

"Oh! So Brother wants to try to become a Core Disciple?" The man said spiritedly.

"Yes, I was given a letter of recommendation, but it's my first time on Shadow Sect territory. I'm not really sure how things work here." Kai chuckled in response.

"Hey, Marin! Hold on a sec, I'll take the gentleman to the Shadow Dungeon!" The man suddenly shouted to another guard standing not too far away.

"Don't worry, I'm also a Core Disciple, so I know where you need to go! Haha," said the guard, laughing.

"Uh… Yes. Thank you," Kai replied with a strange smile.

"What's with that look? Thinking why a Core Disciple is working as a guard?" the man teased.

"To be honest, I don't really know the hierarchy in the Shadows Sect… So forgive me if I reacted strangely," Kai responded amicably.

"Don't worry about it! There are many ways to earn points within the Shadow Sect. Though I managed to become a Core Disciple, I haven't made much progress in my cultivation since. Becoming a Senior Disciple is out of the question for me... So if I want to continue staying here, I've got to earn my keep somehow!" the man explained without shame. "By the way, I'm Bran!"

"Kai! Nice to meet you," Kai introduced himself with a smile.

Pondering Bran's words, Kai realized that there were various situations. Some people, once they joined the Shadow Sect, could not develop their potential infinitely. Stuck in their development, they chose to remain in the Shadow Sect and work for its benefit.

The Shadow Sect itself also did not want to lose the people it had cultivated for years. In Kai's understanding, any master of the Cloud Sphere was invaluable. Especially if gathered into a massive army...

"Listen, Bran... You mentioned some points. What are those?" Kai asked.

He was immediately intrigued by this detail in the guard's words.

"Ah... In the Shadow Sect, you can't buy everything you desire just because you have money. People join from many influential families... Such a system would create inequality. While money does solve a lot, you won't get access to truly important resources unless you've earned points," Bran explained.

"And what can I buy with them? And how do you even get them?" Kai asked for clarification.

"Well, anything really... Time in cultivation zones, various items produced by the Alliances within the Shadow Sect, access to information or different library levels... Many things," Bran mused, naming the first options that came to mind. "As for the second question... It's equally varied. You can earn them like I do, working as a guard. Or in many other ways," Bran continued.

"Like what?" Kai asked again.

"Hmm... Well, for example, by working in Alliances. If you have skills, you can offer them. It's much more profitable! It's just that I don't have any skills... Ha-ha," Bran explained self-deprecatingly.

"I apologize for constantly asking stupid questions... But what are these Alliances?" Kai asked, apologizing.

He truly did not understand the system of the Shadow Sect. Kai wanted to find out how things worked here and how to progress. It was better to prepare in advance to avoid uncomfortable situations later.

"Well... They are separate groups of people engaged in various crafts. For massive forces like our Shadow Sect, all sorts of things are constantly needed. There's the Hunter Alliance, Animal Trainers Alliance, Blacksmith Alliance, Artifact Alliance, and so on," Bran explained leisurely. "The Shadow Sect requires all kinds of resources. That's why it gathers the best people from the four empires under its wing! What you can buy with points, you can't buy anywhere else!" the man proudly declared.

"Oh! I see... Listen, is there an Alchemist Alliance?" Kai asked.

At that moment, his eyes sparkled. If such an organization of people exists, then he could definitely earn points safely for his needs. Kai wanted to go straight to the library after joining. He needed to learn a lot of different information. From the structure of their world to the abilities of the Spiritual Sea. Ideally, to find secret information that could provide him with even more clues, shedding light on the nature of his secrets.

Kai had many secrets, the nature of which he himself did not know. All of this required additional information. Perhaps the information that can be bought with points could clarify something.

"Of course there is. It's one of the most reputable Alliances. Pills are needed by everyone..." The man calmly replied.

"Thanks, Bran! If I had points, I'd even share them with you as payment for the information!" Kai laughed in response.

"I appreciate your words, but even if you had points, transferring them to others is not that simple!" The man replied with a smile.

"Why is that?" Kai asked with a puzzled expression on his face.

"The transfer of points from one member of the Shadow Sect to another is strictly controlled. This is to prevent corruption and the formation of factions. Free transfer of resources would lead to the formation of groups where Senior Disciples cover for junior ones. Such practices are strictly curtailed in the Shadow Sect! Every point transfer must be witnessed! Who, to whom, and for what!" The man said.

"Hmm... Makes sense..." Kai pondered.

It seemed that the rules here were quite different from those in Border Beast City. All fundamental resources are acquired with points. In turn, you can't just give them away. A person must earn them on their own! And if you exchange, then the item or service really must be worth the stated amount of transfer... The whole system is designed for the maximum control of the Shadow Sect and the development of each master individually...

"Don't worry, Kai. If you pass the exam, you'll learn all about it in due course! There are many nuances that can't be explained in just one evening." Bran encouraged, seeing Kai's contemplative face.

"Thank you for explaining at least that much to me," Kai smiled in response. "By the way, how is the exam for the Core Disciple conducted?" he continued to pepper Bran with questions.

"Hmm... You must have heard what I told my partner? The Shadow Dungeon... It's a special zone for testing the strength and potential of the applicant. It's common to all disciples," Bran replied.

"What do you mean?" Kai asked, puzzled.

"The Shadow Dungeon is a dark and deep circular pit... or a gorge," Bran explained. "It's divided into 7 levels, determined by the depth of your descent. Each level is filled with destructive energy and creatures formed from it. It's incredibly dark, and the creatures themselves blend with the darkness... If a disciple can move on to the second level, he is worthy of becoming a Core Disciple. If someone can go to the third level, they can become a Senior Disciple. To be worthy of becoming a Personal Disciple, one must go down to the fifth level! But the difficulty of the sixth level transitions to a whole new stage. Only elders or the strongest disciples train there!" Bran said in one breath, looking ahead.

V.2 Chapter 157: Shadow Dungeon

Upon hearing Bran's explanation, Kai was somewhat surprised. His expectations had been slightly different.

"Wow... So, everyone takes the test in the same place..." Kai mused.

"Exactly. When you enter the Shadow Dungeon, there might be other disciples there. Some might be taking the test for becoming a Senior Disciple alongside you. Though that doesn't happen regularly," Bran confirmed.

"What surprised me more is that Personal Disciples also take their test in the Shadow Dungeon..." Kai responded.

"Well... It's a slightly different story for them. To become a Personal Disciple, you have to reach the 5th level and gain approval from one of the Elders. The stronger the Elder who wants to take you in, the higher the status of the disciple! For some, there are even disputes among the Elders!" Bran said, laughing.

"Heh-heh, really?" Kai asked, smiling.

"Of course! If a disciple is very talented, many will want to claim him. But if you're just a good seedling, you need someone to take an interest in you. Then you can rise to the level of a Personal Disciple... However, according to the rules, if you can't reach the 5th level, nobody is entitled to take you as a disciple! This is also to prevent corruption," Bran explained.

"Hmm... Listen, Bran, sorry to ask this. But if that's the test, doesn't it mean that given enough time, everyone could become a Senior Disciple? You'd just have to keep trying..." Kai questioned.

"No... At the entrance, a mechanism determines your age. The older you are, the more devastating the energy will affect you. The Shadow Dungeon primarily tests talent! If you can't get to the 3rd level by the age of 20, you're unlikely to make it by 30. Unless, of course, you encounter some fortuitous opportunity for metamorphosis. In this world, many things happen; sometimes, not-so-strong masters can find a chance to change their fate during their travels," Bran said, somewhat sadly.

"I see... Thanks again for the information!" Kai gratefully responded, ceasing his line of questioning.

"Understood... There's no hiding my age," Kai thought, calmly walking behind Bran.

Kai didn't know how they would determine his exact age, but he had no doubt that the Shadow Sect had such capabilities. There was no point in hiding; he had to give it his all. The faster he advanced in the Shadow Sect, the faster he could progress in his cultivation.

This was critically important for him, as he had another promise to keep. He wanted to try to extend the life of his Master. As of now, he was too weak for that...

Kai decided he must maximize his power. And then, he would return to his homeland to visit his old man.

As they walked the streets, they occasionally exchanged phrases. Kai no longer asked about the workings of the Shadow Sect. Mostly, they simply chatted about routine matters. Bran was telling Kai where he absolutely had to go in the city. It was clear that Bran knew well where to find good alcohol and beautiful women in the town.

"Heh-heh... Now it's a bit clearer why you couldn't advance further," Kai thought, smiling.

He didn't judge Bran, understanding that everyone has their path. Not everyone seeks constant growth and development. In fact, the way of the martial arts master wasn't as joyful as it seemed. It was a road of sacrifice and overcoming… Many would find such a lifestyle strange. Isn't it better to savor the moment and enjoy all the other delight's life has to offer? Aren't beautiful women and good leisure, or even a peaceful family life, better choices?

Half an hour later, they began to approach a massive white palace. Only now did Kai realize that it was not just one immense building but an entire complex of interconnected structures! All were built on a small mountain. They seemed to encase the mountain from all sides, and the largest building occupied the summit!

"Wow…" Kai said, his mouth agape.

"Surprised? The building at the top is called the Palace of Shadows! That's where all the Great Elders and the Patriarch reside. Personal Disciples are also allowed to live there. But only if you can afford it!" Bran declared proudly.

"No wonder it's the centerpiece and the highest point of the Shadows City!" Kai exclaimed in awe.

"Alright, you'll see more, come with me! We're close to one of the entrances to the Shadow Dungeon," said Bran, starting to move again.

"There's more than one?" asked Kai.

"Of course! The territory of the Shadow Sect is large; for convenience, there are multiple entrances located at different points. The dungeon is right beneath the main mountain, on which all the principal buildings are built. So, creating several paths to it isn't very complicated," Bran explained.

"I see…" said Kai.

"As a matter of fact, here's one of them!" Bran cheerfully announced, pointing ahead.

When Kai shifted his gaze, he saw a beautiful white square with a large fountain at the center. And twenty meters from it was a massive black door!

"This door…" Kai began.

"It's the entrance to the Shadow Dungeon! Alright, Kai, good luck! I need to return to my post now." Bran said, chuckling and patting Kai on the back.

"Thank you. I hope we meet again!" Kai replied with a smile, bidding the guard farewell.

After saying goodbye, Kai began moving towards the entrance.

"It's huge…" thought Kai.

The door before him was ten meters high. It was pitch-black, a stark contrast to the rest of the city, like a stain of concentrated shadow.

Upon closer inspection, Kai noticed intricate carvings spread across the door. They depicted various animals and scenes.

"Beautiful…" Kai muttered to himself.

A middle-aged man stood at the entrance, visibly in an agitated state. It was clear that something puzzled him, but he also seemed slightly excited.

"Hello! I'd like to take the exam for Core Disciple. Here's my recommendation letter!" Kai said politely, handing the man a scroll.

"Oh! You're a new contender?" The man checked the scroll carefully, his expression subtly changing.

"Is everything alright?" Kai asked.

"Yes, of course. There's nothing wrong with your recommendation letter… It's just that…" The man began, hesitating.

"Excuse me, is there a problem?" Kai inquired, puzzled.

"No problem at all. It's just that today there's also a test for Personal Disciple. A candidate has piqued the interest of several Elders. Rumor has it, even the highest among them will be watching. Taking the exam at this time may not be the best idea…" the man murmured.

It seemed he was a genuinely kind person, sharing this information to help Kai. But Kai didn't quite understand why...

"So what?" Kai asked, confused.

"Sigh… I have to explain everything to you…" the man lamented. "The Elders have a terrifying perception. If they're watching the Personal Disciple candidate, they'll simultaneously see everything happening in the Shadow Dungeon. If you even slightly embarrass yourself… Your path will most likely be closed forever!" he said seriously.

"Ahh… If that's the case, then no problem. I'm quite confident in myself," Kai calmly replied.

Hearing this, the man's eyes widened for a moment before he shook his head and said irritably,

"Tsk! You young people never want to listen to the advice of your elders… It's my job to warn you. If you still want to proceed, who am I to stop you? Come with me!" The man grumbled.

"Let's go! And thank you for your concern. I appreciate that you tried to warn me." Kai said, smiling.

"Sigh… Fine, fine. If you fail, don't come crying to me asking for a second chance!" the man retorted gruffly.

"I won't dare!" Kai laughed.

V.2 Chapter 158: Not Impressive

"Kraaaagh!" The creaking of the door was slow and drawn out.

It was the sound of the massive door opening, behind which lay the Shadow Dungeon.

As soon as a crack appeared, Kai immediately peered in. He was very curious to find out what was going on. But, as expected, he saw nothing... Only utter darkness lay before him.

"Follow me! I'll lead you to the beginning of the first level," said the man, with a hint of irritation in his voice.

It was evident that he was a bit unhappy Kai had not taken his advice. He felt that Kai would have lost nothing by waiting another day.

"It's dark in here, be careful," the man warned, taking a step into the darkness.

"Thank you for the warning," Kai replied, gratefully.

Entering the space, Kai felt as if he was in a tunnel that led diagonally downward. It seemed like if he went far enough, he could end up deep underground. Kai even recalled the entrance to the Astral City's transfer array. Although, in the current situation, the descent was much steeper. It would be quicker to reach the depths this way.

Walking down the dark corridor, the man suddenly asked:

"Dark, isn't it? Ha-ha," he chuckled a bit, "Don't you think it's better to return tomorrow?" he insisted.

"No, it's all good!" Kai cheerfully replied.

"Though it is dark here, it can't even be compared to the Domain of the King of Fury. To call this 'darkness' is amusing," thought Kai.

Kai had a masterful control of his senses and perception. He had learned to navigate through the terrifying Domain of the King of Fury. That place was more than dark; you couldn't feel anything at all! For Kai, this “darkness” was a walk in the park, though it wouldn't be for others.

"You're stubborn, aren't you?" the man commented.

"Well... that's how I am!" Kai chuckled, "By the way, who is attempting to become the Personal Disciple today?" Kai asked as they walked in the dark.

Kai extended his perception, so the darkness made no difference to him. He was now navigating the space just as well as he would in broad daylight.

"Ah… It's Lady Iris! She's incredibly talented!" the man replied enthusiastically.

"Is she really that incredible?" Kai inquired.

"Yes! She's quite famous in the Shadow Sect! She hasn't become a Personal Disciple yet, simply because she hasn't tried to advance to the 5th level! If it weren't for this condition, the Elders would already be fighting over her!" the man said, charmed.

"And why hasn't she advanced to the 5th level?" Kai asked nonchalantly.

Truthfully, he asked just to pass the time. He didn't expect this man to be a fan of the prospective disciple. But as soon as he asked, it was like a dam burst open...

"She's a very talented Array Master! She spends all her time in the Array Alliance, not chasing after status! But everyone knows her power and talent are sufficient to elevate her to the rank of Personal Disciple. Many Elders have long insisted she do so. And finally, they've had their way!" the man declared proudly.

It seems he's proud as if it were about himself…

"These fanatics are really strange… How can a woman enchant someone like this? I don't think this Iris can be equal to Kessia…" Kai thought to himself.

Although he had seen Kessia for only a brief moment, Kai was still convinced that there couldn't be a more beautiful woman. With such a paragon in his memory, no other girl could make him lose his mind. And if he were to recall what the Queen of Lust had shown him in the form of Kessia… It was simply incredible…

"He-he-he…" Kai chuckled wickedly.

"Don't drool! You can't even dream about Iris; she's a bird of another feather!" the man firmly declared.

"I'm hearing about her for the first time. How could I even think about her?" Kai asked, rolling his eyes.

"I don't care. I'm just giving you friendly advice! Don't dream, and it won't hurt later!" the man said melancholically.

"Brother, you're such a profound interlocutor! Thanks for the advice; I'll keep it in mind!" Kai said with feigned admiration.

"Oh my, just shut up already… When will this damn tunnel end? I can't stand him anymore…" Kai thought to himself.

Kai didn't really like this type of people… Though the man wasn't a bad person, he wasn't pleasant either. In Kai's understanding, respectable are those people who follow their path. A person should have their essence, their core of strength, and their convictions!

Even if a person is soft innately but still pursues their own goals, they deserve attention. But this man lived someone else's life, worshiping his idol. For Kai, this was a strange life position... However, like with the guard Bran, Kai judged no one. Everyone has their path, and no one knows which one is the right one.

"I could definitely never be friends with someone like this…" Kai thought.

"Actually, we've arrived! There's where the first level starts! Good luck!" the man suddenly said, gesturing ahead.

About twenty meters from him, the end of the tunnel could be felt… But what lay beyond remained a mystery. Kai sensed only empty space ahead.

"Thank you for guiding me!" Kai gratefully responded, walking towards the void.

The man calmly turned around and headed for the exit. Although they had exchanged words along the way, neither felt a strong mutual understanding. Neither was fixated on the other.

As soon as Kai stepped out of the tunnel, he sensed a vast space before him. It was very dark, but once he adjusted, he could generally make out his surroundings. Yet, with his perception, Kai could feel everything perfectly! He was in a massive underground cave…

It was circular… But what was most interesting was its structure…

In front of Kai was an incredibly deep abyss, as if a cone plunging downwards. The lower the walls of the cave descended, the narrower they became. This abyss was like a massive, downward-tapering cone.

Looking to his left, Kai saw a narrow path spiraling along the wall. It gradually descended into the depths. Thus, by following it and winding circles along the wall, you would slowly go down.

"Well then, let's go… Seems like this descent will take quite some time…" Kai muttered to himself and began descending.

The slope of the path was not very steep; it slowly led you deeper, circle by circle.

Step by step, Kai expected some kind of danger… But so far, he had noticed nothing in particular. Only after walking about two hundred meters did he feel a slight pressure.

"Is this the destructive energy Bran was talking about? This is laughable… It seems like the Asura Hell has set the bar too high for me…" Kai thought to himself.

He did indeed feel a pressure of energy on him. But for Kai, this was utterly trivial. The Domain of the King of Pain was genuinely devastating… And what was present now? Just a breath of wind!

"Alright… Maybe when I move on to deeper levels, it'll become a bit more challenging?" Kai said to himself and continued descending.

Half an hour later, he suddenly heard a sharp noise!

"Ssss!" A black figure darted toward Kai!

"Slow..." he said, disappointed, and waved his hand.

The moment Kai's palm touched the black figure, it shattered into tiny pieces.

"Hmm… It seems that from this 'destructive' energy, a creature has formed that even has a physical body…" Kai pondered as he moved.

He understood this when his hand touched the silhouette and tore it to shreds. With his hand, he felt that the creature had flesh…

V.2 Chapter 159: Iris

As Kai descended deeper into the Shadow Dungeon with a disappointed expression, a dozen elders sat in a special room.

The room was entirely white. Small tables were arranged in a circle, each occupied by an elder. Some were sipping tea, while others were having something a bit stronger…

"Old curmudgeon, what the hell are you doing here?" One of them blurted out.

"Pff! Do I need your permission? You're just a pathetic scribe!" The elder addressed haughtily replied.

"Scribe?! You're the damn cook playing with pots!" The first elder retorted.

"Elder Brud… Elder Kayus… Please, maintain decorum…" A calm, yet authoritative voice came from the side.

"We obey, Elder Ovian!" The two replied in unison, halting their argument.

The comedic aspect of the situation was that both participants in the squabble were Great Elders…

Elder Brud, who was called a cook, was one of the best Masters of Alchemy!

And Elder Kayus, referred to as a scribe, was, in turn, one of the best Masters of Arrays!

Their spat was interrupted by a third elder, who seemed to command a bit more authority.

In reality, most of those sitting here were from the Array Alliance. Because a girl named Iris, who was supposed to advance to the 5th floor, was also from their organization. Many were here to take her as a disciple or merely to support her.

But then Elder Brud showed up! He was from the Alchemy Alliance, and Iris would certainly not become his disciple!

"Isn't it time for you to end your perpetual feud?" Elder Ovian asked with a smile.

"Impossible!" Several elders exclaimed in unison.

"Ah… Then let's better focus on watching the promising young sprout!" Ovian replied, shaking his head.

"Here to see our talented generation? Just be careful not to bite your elbows! Ha-ha," Elder Kayus said mockingly.

"Who knows, maybe you'll fail spectacularly! How could I miss that?" Brud replied, laughing.

"Enough…" Ovian said quietly, ending the conversation.

At that moment, the floor of the room glowed and became translucent, as if transparent. A silhouette started to display on it!

It appeared to be one of the Array's features. It was broadcasting what was happening in the Shadow Dungeon to the elders' room.

This room was located directly above the dungeon. With their terrifying level of cultivation and perception, these Great Elders could almost scan the entire funnel themselves.

But today, they were here to observe a specific individual. Why waste energy when there's such a convenient Array?

The floor displayed the silhouette of a gorgeous girl, about 17 years old. She had long blonde hair and blue eyes. Her appearance was truly extraordinary! Many guys would lose their minds over the chance to be with her.

With a serious face, she took step after step, descending the road. Her body trembled slightly, and around her swirled black tendrils of energy.

Suddenly, several figures flew at her from various directions!

She instantly drew her sword from its sheath, and it shone with a beautiful blue light. The girl swiftly slashed in different directions, cutting down her enemies. Still, one of them managed to graze her.

"Remarkable! The array on her sword is superb!" praised one of the elders.

"Yes, she drew it herself... This girl is truly a genius of her generation," Elder Kayus said admiringly.

Watching this, Elder Brud remained silent. Although it seemed that the relationship between the Array Alliance and the Alchemy Alliance was extremely tense, he wouldn't deny the obvious. After all, Iris was primarily a representative of the young generation of the entire Shadow Sect, and then of the Array Alliance.

"She's almost halfway through the fourth level and is still holding up well. Achieving this at 17 is remarkable... Although she's struggling, I think she will succeed today," Elder Ovian praised.

It was visible that Iris was enduring intense pain. On the fourth level, the destructive energy truly reached another level... Enduring it was extremely difficult. Moreover, she still had to fight off these strange creatures.

....................

As it happened, at that very moment, Kai also entered the fourth level.

"Hmm... At least I can feel some pressure here," Kai said to himself, continuing his descent.

He even started humming something under his breath out of boredom. The difference in pressure was not too significant for him, so he didn't even realize how deep he was. With his incredibly durable body and skill in controlling "impulses," this destructive energy had no visible effect.

Kai wasn't even getting tired... When black figures jumped out at him, it wasn't a surprise. With his perception, Kai saw them lurking in the wall's fractures, preparing to attack.

"Ugh... When will they tell me whether I've passed or not? I'm getting tired of walking..." thought Kai, lightly kicking a stone at his feet.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Two whistling sounds resonated, and a blue light flared up.

"What's this? Someone's fighting? I guess I'll just pass by and not disturb someone else's test..." Kai mused thoughtfully.

As he got closer, he saw the beautiful blonde fighting black figures. Her sword kept flashing with blue light, and her body was drenched in sweat. It was obvious that she was already quite worn out.

"Hmm... This must be that Iris... She really is a beauty..." thought Kai, looking at the girl.

Just at that moment, she killed the last black figure and leaned her hands on her knees. The girl was trying to catch her breath.

Watching this, Kai decided to act as if he were invisible and simply pass by her without drawing attention. It seemed logical to him... If he were training, he'd want to be left alone.

………………….

Sitting in the immaculate white room, all the Elders were conversing and praising the girl.

"Fine... I'll agree. Your girl is incredible... Uhhh..." Before he could finish, Elder Brud's face transformed into a foolish grimace.

"What's the matter, Brud? Cat got your tongue? Hah-hah." Elder Kayus mocked.

"What the..." Brud started, stopping midway to avoid saying too much.

Realizing something was off, Kayus turned to the screen to see what was happening. And at that moment, his face also changed instantly.

Iris was leaning on her knees, looking down, trying to catch her breath. But at that moment... A young man calmly walked by her! And not just walked by, he had an utterly impassive face! As if he were just passing through!

"Who is that?! How did he..." Elder Ovian blurted out, bewildered.

………….

At that moment, Iris noticed him too, and looked at him in shock!

"Who are you?!" The girl blurted out, stunned.

“Damn…” Kai thought, grimacing; he really didn't want to waste his time on someone.

"Ahh. Don’t worry! Keep training, I won't disturb you!" Grinning stupidly, Kai said, and continued walking.

"Wait! Stop, please! Tell me, who are you?" The girl shouted.

Iris was completely stunned. Some guy had just breezed past her so effortlessly. And that wouldn't be a problem if he was some famous disciple. But she was seeing him for the first time!

"Hmm... I'm Kai. Came here to join the Shadow Sect... I got a recommendation letter, and... That's why I'm here." Kai answered nonchalantly.

"Uhhh…" The girl stupidly uttered. She had no idea what was going on!

…………..

"A recommendation letter?! He's here to become a Core Disciple? Then what the hell is he doing in the middle of the 4th level?!" Elder Ovian suddenly shouted.

The same thoughts were running through the minds of all the elders. No letter was needed to become a Personal Disciple! Nobody understood what was happening here.

"Who the hell is this guy?!" Elder Kayus cursed.

"I don't like agreeing with you... But I'm asking myself the same question..." Elder Brud said, shocked.

V.2 Chapter 160: Overwhelming Elders

Presently, all the Elders in the white room were in complete shock. Each of them was trying to understand what was happening in the array in front of their eyes.

"Find out who he is! Quickly!" Elder Ovian ordered authoritatively.

In reality, this old man was not a representative of any of the Alliances. He was one of the most authoritative figures in the Palace of Shadows, mainly handling administrative affairs. He had come here out of sheer curiosity. However, since he was the highest-ranking in the hierarchy, it was he who gave the orders.

As soon as one of the guards heard this command, he immediately ran out of the white room.

The moment Kai entered through the enormous black door, his entire body was scanned. Only, the array here was far more sophisticated than the one at the entrance to the Shadows Sect. Kai didn't even realize this.

Analyzing the skeleton, the system determined the applicant's true age by their bone age. As soon as the guard reviewed the information, he immediately found out that Kai was only 14 years old.

"Ha-hah! Seems like I didn't come here for nothing!" Brud sneered sinisterly.

It seemed that he had already set his sights on this boy. In reality, any Elder without a disciple would have thought the same. Based solely on these results, one could assume that Kai had great potential.

"And who said he'd be interested in your teachings? Not everyone enjoys playing with cauldrons! Pff!" Elder Kayus jeered.

……………………

"Did you come here to take the test for the Core Disciple?" The girl asked, visibly shocked.

It seemed she couldn't believe Kai's words.

"Yes, is there a problem? If anything, I didn't intend to disturb your training! I'll just move along!" Kai replied, smiling.

Just as the girl wanted to say something, a whistle rang out again! Black figures attacked them from all sides!

"Damn!" Iris cursed, and her sword glowed.

"Sssh! Ssshu!" The sounds of slicing through the air were heard, and two figures split in half.

"Quite a beautiful technique... Oh? Is that an array on the sword?" Kai thought, observing.

While this was happening, several figures flew toward him. But Kai made no incredible movements. He merely made a few abrupt strikes, using only the power of his body. All the figures were sent flying with a thud.

The entire dungeon fell silent again...

"Damn it! The array's been ruined! I worked so hard on it!" The girl cried out sadly.

"Is this an array? May I take a look?" Kai suddenly asked.

It seemed he had changed his mind about moving on, as he saw something intriguing.

"Do you know about arrays?" Iris asked skeptically, but still handed Kai her sword.

For some reason, he instilled a certain level of trust in her. She wanted to see what else he could pull off. She watched him intently with her big, blue eyes.

"Eyes of Essence!" Kai mentally remarked.

"Hmm… What an interesting structure…" Kai mused aloud.

"Yeah… But it's damaged… Or rather, it's worn out from constant battles in the Shadow Dungeon," Iris said sadly.

"Ah, don't worry. The damage isn't severe…" Kai said calmly, as a faint energy lit up on his fingertips.

"Stay..." The girl screamed in shock but stopped mid-sentence.

Before her eyes, Kai began making smooth and incredibly precise movements, restoring the structure of her design.

Iris couldn't believe it! She had created this array herself, using one of the ancient arrays from the Array Alliance's library as a basis for inspiration. This was genuinely high-level craftsmanship!

But this guy… Could he really restore it after just one look?

"What… What are you…" Iris stammered.

"Done!" Kai said with a smile, removing his fingers from the blade.

"What's done?" Iris asked incredulously, squinting due to the energy emanating around them.

Taking the blade, she didn't wait for Kai's answer and activated the array… The blade shone again with blue light!

"My God… Are you also an Array Master?! Or are you an illusion of the Shadow Dungeon, meant to undermine my confidence?!" Iris shouted, pointing her blade at Kai in shock.

Currently, she was utterly bewildered.

"Don't get worked up. I'm actually quite a mediocre Array Master! My main focus is on Alchemy! That's more to my liking!" Kai said, smiling.

He thought such an answer should put the girl at ease.

"What the… Are you… Are you mocking me?" Iris asked, as if in a trance.

"Damn… She's getting mad… Time to bolt!" Kai thought instantly.

"You've passed the test of illusion! You may proceed!" Kai declared ceremoniously, and immediately dashed down the road!

All of this happened so fast that the girl was left standing there with wide eyes and an open mouth.

"What the hell just happened?!" Iris screamed to herself.

…………………..

During this entire scene below, a dialogue was unfolding in the white room above...

"Ha-ha! Seems like I didn't come here for nothing!" Brud cackled sinisterly.

"Who says he'd be interested in your little kitchen? Not everyone wants to play with kettles! Pff." Elder Kayus sneered.

"And who told you he'd want to scribble your damned doodles?" Brud retorted disdainfully.

"...don't worry, the damage is minor..." A voice echoed in the background.

"What the hell?!" Several of the Elders exclaimed in unison.

They were watching the astonishing scene below! The young man began restoring the array with the finest artistry!

"Doodles, you say? Heh-heh-heh..." Elder Kayus malevolently grinned at Brud.

"You set this up just to annoy me, didn't you?! You sly old fox!" Elder Brud yelled.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha!" Elder Kayus laughed heartily.

"...Actually, I'm a rather mediocre Array Master! I specialize more in Alchemy! It's closer to my heart! Heh-heh..." Kai's voice echoed once again, emanating from the array on the ground.

"What did he say?!" Elder Brud slammed his hands on the table and stood up in awe, "Ha-ha-ha! Excellent! This is a worthy student for me!" The elder roared with laughter.

All of these events were unfolding too rapidly. Kai appeared out of nowhere and instantly caused quite a stir.

"How can he like Alchemy if he's so skilled in Arrays?! This is absurd!" Elder Kayus exclaimed, standing up.

"Ha-ha-ha! Don't be envious, old grumbler! What matters is what the young man holds in his heart! Even if he knows nothing about Alchemy, I will teach him from scratch!" Brud yelled, laughing uproariously, waving his arms about.

"Quiet! Sit down!" Elder Ovian yelled in a gruff voice.

...............

Kai ran down the road with a smile. He was glad to be rid of the girl's company. He preferred to go it alone.

Boom! A loud rumble echoed!

Kai felt as if he had burst through some strange barrier! The destructive energy around him ascended to an entirely new level! Finally, Kai felt an overwhelming pressure on himself! He instantly stopped and even crouched slightly!

"Wow... it seems the real test has finally begun! I must pass this level!" Kai thought, enduring the pressure.

What he didn't know was that he had already entered the 5th level. He thought he had just crossed into the second! He wanted to try jumping to the third. If he could skip directly to the third, he would be worthy not just of a Core Disciple, but a Senior one! This way, he could save time.

The difficulty of the first 4 levels had been gradually increasing; Kai hadn't really noticed any changes and perceived them all as one.

From the 5th level onwards, the energy qualitatively leaped to the next stage. It was immediately noticeable! And so it would continue... Each subsequent level would exponentially jump into a new league!

V.2 Chapter 161: Mess

“But here it gets hard... It seems like the beginning of the trial of the King of Pain, and I also need to keep moving... If I don’t speed up, I might not make it to level 3 in time!” Kai realized quickly.

"Tsk! Let’s go!" With a click of his tongue, Kai began to speed up.

Under such pressure, he could no longer run, as he had to focus on the “impulse” and self-healing. If he rushes forward recklessly, he won’t be able to regenerate effectively. Kai’s pace was akin to a normal human walk. Not too fast, but not too slow either.

“Now I understand why the disciples of the Shadow Sect are so strong... If the Core Disciple stage is so serious, what will level 3 be like? Well... No point in speculating. All I need to do is to break through!” Kai resolutely shouted in his thoughts.

Currently, destructive energy heavily pressured his body. But for now, it was absolutely insufficient to start destroying Kai’s body. He successfully resisted it.

"Fssu!" A sharp sound rang out in the darkness!

Kai immediately understood that it was one of those strange creatures. He was constantly assessing the situation with his perception; this was not a surprise for him.

“Damn! Making too many movements can be dangerous... I need different methods...” Kai quickly realized.

If he fights with his daggers or through strikes, he will be obliged to make fast movements. This will affect the speed of his regeneration. Moreover, this creature seemed stronger...

“Astral Flame of Sacrifice!” Kai commanded instantaneously!

Black fire flared around him instantly! Without any extra movements, only by his mental command, the fire flew forward. Hitting the strange creature, it created a small explosion.

"Bam!" A loud sound echoed, and the creature’s body instantly flared up.

As soon as this happened, the silhouette burned to the ground almost instantly! Surveying the surroundings, Kai smiled. He understood that the other creatures preparing to attack had stopped. Seeing how quickly their kin were destroyed, they decided to wait. After all, they were living beings, and they had their instincts.

……………..

A moment ago in the white room.

As soon as the flame burst around Kai, Elder Brud stood up again. Now his face was greatly astonished!

"Alchemist! He’s definitely an alchemist! This flame is forceful, but the boy's control is incredible!" With bulging eyes, the old man exclaimed.

"Though I am not an Alchemist, I see the same as you, Brud..." Elder Ovian replied, a bit shocked.

"The boy definitely wasn’t joking about being an Alchemist. Based on the control of the fire..." Brud paused, "I certainly won’t need to teach him the basics..." He said, as if in a trance.

Many were shocked and remained silent now. Even Elder Kayus was silent… These old men had lived long enough to understand things. The whole situation with Kai was extraordinary.

"Old brute, what is this flame?" Elder Kayus asked.

"Hmm… Shame to say, but I am encountering it for the first time… But it’s certainly one of the finest Earthly Fires! But how could he absorb it independently?" With a trace of respect in his voice, Elder Brud said.

"Most likely, he encountered some fortunate chances on his path. However… who among us hasn’t? A true master of martial arts can only develop by constantly walking on the blade's edge… Only then can one find fortune for a breakthrough…" With wisdom in his voice, Elder Ovian said.

True martial arts masters are people who really live by it. They pursue the constant development of their powers. Such people often travel to dangerous and forbidden zones. And if fortune favors them, they may find something very useful. For example, a rare plant, an item, or even the legacy of another master. The Invisible King's Torture Technique was found similarly. Such instances were called fortunate chances. Only, you cannot take advantage of such a chance if you are not strong enough… Even if it’s right under your nose.

"I think you are right, Elder Ovian…" thoughtfully said one of the watching old men, "But while you all marveled at his specific skills… It seems you forgot about a very substantial fact…" The old man said.

"What is it?" Brud asked in surprise.

"What?! Doesn’t it bother you that he has already passed a quarter of the 5th level?! He is already at the level of a Personal Disciple! He is not even in the Shadow Sect yet!" The speaking old man shouted astoundingly.

All this time, he sat in total shock, watching Kai. It seemed absurd to him that these two were discussing Arrays and Alchemy again. How did they not understand the whole situation?

Just already, a guard ran into the white room and quickly bowed.

"I have gathered all the information, Elder Ovian!" He politely said.

"Speak." Ovian said calmly, but it was visible that he was in slight anticipation.

"His name is Kai. He came by a recommendation letter from the Border Beast City. The letter is issued by the Head of the Town himself. He arrived in the Shadows City literally yesterday, went to the Golden Lotus restaurant, then stayed at a hotel." The man detailed, "In the morning, he immediately headed here… He is… 14 years old!" The guard uttered, not believing his words.

"Incredible…" A few of the old men let out, astonished…

Suddenly, Elder Ovian stood up.

"Whose care he will go under will be decided by a general council. You can forget about the idea of quickly recruiting him. The Shadow Sect must fully invest in this sprout! Who will be his Master will also be decided at the general council!" The old man declared identically.

"We obey!" All the old men almost shouted in unison.

In such situations, the Shadow Sect was very united. They understood the state of affairs now. What Kai showed, considering his age... It was very impressive, even for the Shadow Sect. All the old men understood that in this situation, they have no right to pursue only personal gain.

Having said this, Elder Ovian started to head for the exit.

"Where are you going, Elder?" Kayus asked.

"I’ll go to the Shadow Dungeon to observe closely. It seems the boy doesn’t quite understand that there’s no point for him to advance further. I don’t want him to harm himself!" Ovian explained, "Brud, Kayus, you can come with me." Saying this, he quickly left the white room.

…………………..

Unsuspecting of the commotion he had caused, Kai continued to descend. Around him burned a thin layer of black fire. Every time a black figure jumped out at him, he immediately attacked it.

Now, Kai's whole forehead was in sweat… It was becoming quite difficult for him to advance further. Wounds slowly appeared on his body. But Kai healed them rapidly and continued to focus on his surroundings. In this way, he kept moving forward.

Half an hour later, breathing heavily, Kai stopped. Ten meters away from him, the environment changed. It seemed that a semi-transparent barrier was located there... It seemed that a new zone was located behind it. Since the density of the black fog and the oppressive feeling from it were much higher there! It was also visible how chaotic the energy inside was!

"It seems this is the third level! Damn… The energy there is in complete chaos… I won’t be able to hold out there for long. This is reality, not the domain of the King of Pain, in this case, I can die..." Kai said to himself.

"I just need to break through and spend there at least a few seconds… Even if it’s not a clean step, but the conditions were just that. For a Senior Disciple, you need to enter the 3rd level! By entering it, I will meet the requirements! Alright, let’s try!" Kai shouted resolutely and began to step forward.

"The third level? Could it be…" A voice sounded in the darkness, only Kai could not hear it.

V.2 Chapter 162: Wrong Level

The moment Kai touched the barrier, he felt a vast amount of destructive energy rush into his body! It was simply unbearable! His body began to disintegrate instantly!

"Damn! I need to break through, even if it’s just for a second!" Kai shouted in his mind.

"Raaaaaagh!" Kai roared loudly, channeling all his strength into his body, trying to break beyond the barrier!

The skin on his hands slowly began to peel off. And small cracks appeared all over his body, from which droplets of blood slowly seeped!

"Bang!" A sound resembling an explosion rang out!

Currently, Kai broke through the barrier! But as soon as he found himself on the 6th level, he realized that he had severely underestimated the situation! The force of the destructive energy had increased manifold!

"Shit! I need to retreat! I could die like this! Screw being a Senior Disciple!" Kai shouted astoundedly in his mind.

Boom! A deep sound resonated, similar to a strike on a gong!

Whooosh! Before he could understand what had happened, Kai was blown back with incredible speed!

"What the?!" A shocked Kai thought, hitting the ground with his back and rolling several times.

Before that, he had felt something hit his chest, and he was sent flying. He didn’t even realize what had happened! But strangest of all, the blow didn’t seem to cause him any noticeable harm!

"Hmm... Where has the energy pressure gone?!" Realizing the changes suddenly, Kai thought.

Now he was covered in blood. Kai was lying on the ground of the Shadow Dungeon, again located behind the accursed barrier.

"Kid, are you suicidal?" A deep male voice sounded, with tones of elderlies in his intonation.

"Eh? Who are you?" Kai asked, taken aback. He didn’t understand what was happening.

Slowly, as if out of nowhere, three old men dressed in black robes appeared before Kai.

"Damn! These must be the Elders!" Kai immediately realized.

As soon as the old men revealed themselves, Kai could sense their unfathomable aura! These old men were incredibly powerful! And seeing their clothes, everything quickly fell into place!

"Greetings, Elders! Have I done something wrong?" Getting up quickly and bowing slightly, said Kai. Respect was evident in his voice.

"You better sit down, you're not in the best condition…" saying this, Ovian stopped, "How do you recover so quickly?" He asked suspiciously.

The Elder saw that although Kai was covered in blood, his body was regenerating rapidly.

"Ah… It’s been like this since birth… It’s probably the uniqueness of my body," Kai replied nonchalantly.

Unraveling such a lie was difficult. The world was vast, and there were many people. Everyone had their own strengths…

"Hmm… Good ability! You’re Kai, right?" The Elder asked.

"Yes, that’s correct." Kai replied politely, not asking any counter-questions.

"Tell me, Kai… What are you doing here, and on which level of the Shadow Dungeon are you currently at?" Ovian calmly asked.

"Elder, I came from the Border Beast City to join the Shadow Sect. Actually, I slightly overestimated myself, trying to enter the 3rd level. Although I managed to break through, if you hadn’t repelled me, I could have died… I think attempting to become a Senior Disciple is still premature for me." Apologetically, Kai responded with a smile.

Once the three Elders heard this, they exchanged glances simultaneously, their faces bearing strange expressions. It seemed they themselves did not know how to react to this situation…

"Kai… Hmm…" choosing his words, Ovian exhaled heavily; he was slightly disconcerted by the situation, "You are not on the 2nd level, but on the 5th! You breached the barrier to the 6th level, where the Elders train! It’s already surprising that you weren’t instantly torn to shreds!" Ovian explained with a strange expression on his face.

"I am on the 5th level? What the…" Kai responded, puzzled.

"I have roughly understood the situation. You are here for the first time and do not particularly understand the laws of the Shadow Dungeon… The difficulty of the first four levels increases gradually. This is designed for the safe trial of candidates. From the fifth level onwards, everything is different… Each subsequent level leaps into an entirely different category of difficulty. Because of your regenerative abilities, you thought the first four levels were a whole…" The elder explained.

"Damn… What do my results mean then?" Kai asked, puzzled.

"You are worthy of becoming a Personal Disciple! It appears that such a thing has never happened before, for a new member of our Shadow Sect to surpass all stages at once!" Elder Ovian replied in admiration!

"You are very talented! We will hold a general council, where we will present all the possible Elders! I think even the most influential among them will want to take you as a disciple!" The elder declared solemnly.

As soon as he said this, Elder Brud joined the conversation. He didn’t even give Kai a chance to respond.

"Boy, your fire is incredible! I am one of the key figures in the Alchemy Alliance! Come to us, you definitely won’t regret it! He-he-he!" The elder shouted, laughing cunningly. He was incredibly pleased to have made the first move.

"Ah, you old fox! How dare you?!" Kays shouted indignantly, "Kai, why would you go to these damn cooks?! I heard what you told Iris about Alchemy… But you have a talent for arrays! If you join our Array Alliance, you absolutely won’t regret it!" The Elder said, swiftly changing his tone, smiling.

"Who cares about your doodles! Go draw your nonsense yourself!" Brud exclaimed, rolling his eyes.

"So, what do you say?!" The two elders asked in unison, instantly looking at each other, "Tsk!" Again, they emitted in unison.

"Elders, why are you arguing so much? Is there enmity between your alliances?" Kai asked from afar, slightly smiling. He understood that the situation was not as simple as it might seem.

"Yes!" The elders again replied in unison.

"But can't I join both Alliances?" Kai asked.

"Absolutely not!" Kayus replied.

"Or even three, but just not the Array Alliance! If you are with these idiots, you can forget about the Alchemy Alliance!" Brud grumbled loudly.

"I understand, elders. Thank you for offering me to join you. I need some time to think. When I make up my mind, I’ll let you know!" Kai politely replied.

"Good lad!" Brud answered with a smile.

"Well, at least on this, I agree with you, old grump!" Kayus replied irritably.

"Stop it! I already regret bringing you along!" Elder Ovian shouted and continued, "Kai, let's head to the surface. I want to take you to the Shadow Palace and introduce you to the Elders. You need to choose a master!" The old man said with a smile.

This was an essential event. In the world of martial arts masters, there were traditions. Elders like Ovian could only take one apprentice for life. The same applied to the apprentice… He could acknowledge only one master!

Hearing this, Kai seemed to remember something significant and very obvious!

"Elders, excuse me, but I need to show you something..." Kai said strangely.

"Oh? And what is it?" Ovian asked with surprise. It seemed he had an excellent impression of Kai. So, he wasn't even upset that the latter was acting quite freely.

"Well… Watch." Said Kai and instantly disappeared, appearing twenty meters away from the elders. And without waiting for a reaction, he returned.

"Dance of Shadow Seals! How?!" The elders screamed, their faces changing! This was taboo! How did this boy manage to obtain one of the techniques of their Shadow Sect?!

"Wait, please!" Kai politely said, "The fact is, I already have a Master, and he is from the Shadow Sect! He ordered me to come here, the moment I reached the Cloud Sphere..." Explained Kai.

V.2 Chapter 163: Old Mo's Disciple

As soon as the elders heard Kai's words, they immediately froze! If so, it then becomes clear where he got the Dance of Shadow Seals from… But who could have recruited this monster? And considering his level of mastery of the Shadow Seals, Kai has been using them for a long time!

"Kai… Tell us, who is your master?" Elder Ovian asked with an ambivalent expression on his face.

"To be honest, I don’t know much… I haven't seen him in a long time, and he never told me about the Shadow Sect. He once saved me and began to teach… Joining the Shadow Sect was one of the promises I made to my Master. His name is Mo, and as far as I understand, he hasn't been in the Shadows City for a long time..." Kai explained.

Hearing these words, all the elders’ eyes instantly widened. It was clear they were confused and in mild shock.

"What did he look like?!" Kayus exclaimed in astonishment.

"Ah… Well… Grey hair, stern facial expression, a long beard… He constantly quips, jokes, and talks about his romantic escapades…" Kai replied with a peculiar expression on his face.

"It's Old Mo! It’s definitely him!" Kayus shouted.

"Yes, I agree… It’s definitely him…" Brud responded with a strange expression on his face.

"Kai! It’s destiny! Your master was the leader of the Array Alliance in his time! You simply must join us! Hahaha!" Elder Kayus exclaimed, laughing loudly.

"My old man was that incredible?" Kai asked, recalling the array around the lake. It seemed that his Master was indeed adept in arrays, and that lake was just a trifling matter for him.

"Yes. Old Mo had a special status… Due to his free spirit, but also his incredible strength, he was not bound by many of the duties of other Elders. He left on a journey about ten years ago… I'm thrilled he's still alive!" Ovian replied with a hint of melancholy.

Hearing this, Kai felt a strange pride for his master. He greatly respected his old man, and it turned out such respect was not only his to give! It was a pleasant feeling.

"Kai, Old Mo was very skilled in arrays! You should join us!" Kayus repeated, laughing.

"Thank you for your concern, Elder… But still… My master had his own path, and I will have my own… Still, I want to determine my own fate." Kai politely declined and bowed.

As soon as he said this, Elder Brud’s eyes lit up, and he burst into laughter!

"Hahaha! What fine words! This is how martial arts masters should be! Lad, even if you choose not Alchemy, you’ve already earned my respect!" The old man declared, laughing.

"I am truly grateful for your praise, but you overestimate me." Kai replied modestly.

"By the way… Thus, you can already be considered a Personal Disciple… It’s just that…" Ovian said thoughtfully.

It seemed that he was pondering something and didn’t know how to resolve the situation. By the old man’s expression, it was clear that this wasn’t a major problem. However, it still slightly puzzled him...

"Is there a problem?" asked Kai.

"Well... You should have your own nickname, which will proclaim your status as a Personal Disciple. It’s just that... We know nothing about you!" Elder Ovian explained, awkwardly laughing.

Usually, disciples of the Shadow Sect take a long time to achieve this status. Along the way, they did many things, earning their fame. And many already had their nicknames before becoming Personal Disciples. For instance, Iris was nicknamed the Azure Blade.

She was a skilled Array Master of the younger generation. Moreover, she had invented her own array that enhanced her sword. Thus, many called her by this name, based on her distinctive features.

"Alright, this is not essential for now! We are going to have a big celebration today!" Ovian declared solemnly, "You don’t know, so I'll tell you! The appearance of a new Personal Disciple is a rather rare event. On such days, it’s customary to celebrate in the Shadow Sect. And today, not only has Iris reached the 5th level and will become a Personal Disciple... but you, out of nowhere, appeared as well! Moreover, you are Old Mo's disciple! It’s simply incredible!" Ovian explained, smiling.

It seemed that the old man was thrilled now. Especially when he heard the news about Old Mo…

Observing this, Kai even thought that perhaps this old man had had perfect relations with his master. Then it’s not surprising that he is so glad to hear that Master Mo is alive and has even taken a disciple.

In reality, everything was more or less like that. But besides this, Elder Ovian was incredibly happy, specifically because of Kai. Looking at him, he thought:

"Old Mo... Where did you dig up this monster? I think this boy will bring plenty of interesting changes…"

"Wow, really… That’s very nice! But you have to treat me to some good wine, elder!" Laughing, Kai spoke, looking at the elders.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha! How bold you are! You can tell right away that you are Old Mo's disciple! Such a free spirit!" Brud also laughed in response.

Though the Alchemy and Array Alliances couldn’t stand each other, it seemed that Brud still showed deep respect for Master Mo. Even despite the fact that Mo was from the opposing camp…

"Definitely, Kai. Believe me, what you drank before… Will seem like garbage to you!" Elder Kayus responded warmly.

From the moment Kai said that he was a disciple of Master Mo, the atmosphere around changed even more. It seemed that everyone started treating him like a family member. As if a grandson of their brother, whom they hadn’t met for a long time, had come.

Although they could not see their old acquaintance, Kai seemed to be there in his stead. This feeling was very hard to describe... But the way they treated Kai showed the respect that Elder Mo enjoyed within the Shadow Sect.

"Alright, come with us. We’ll pick up the girl, Iris, on the way." Ovian said and began moving up the road.

“Damn, as always... But, it appears that everything has turned out in the best way. Ha-ha.” Kai thought contentedly.

He hadn’t even dreamed of achieving the height of a Personal Disciple. It seemed far-fetched to him. However, now... Now he could execute his plans even faster! With the status of a Personal Disciple, many doors, closed to others, would open for him.

"Hmm... I need to think well about what to do with the Alliances and which one to join... I still need to earn points. And I can do it the fastest and most effectively only in the Array Alliance or the Alchemy Alliance. But for some reason, they can’t stand each other... This is a problem..." Kai pondered.

Now he was moving calmly, simultaneously healing himself. It seemed that the Elders protected him, not allowing even fibrils of destructive energy to approach him.

"Iris, you are brilliant!" Elder Kayus shouted as a girl with a sword appeared on the horizon. He immediately waved his hand.

It was clear that the girl was extremely exhausted and breathing heavily. But as soon as Elder Kayus made his move, all pressure from Iris instantly fell away.

"Ha... ha..." the girl breathed heavily, "Elder Kayus, it’s you! Oh? And this is..." The girl shouted, but then saw Kai.

"And hello again!" Kai replied with a laugh.

"Iris, this is Kai. Today, he also became a Personal Disciple! So, your meeting is, in a way, destined! Having two Personal Disciples at the same moment... It's simply wonderful! Ha-ha." The elder said, laughing.

As soon as the girl heard words about fate and the like, she became slightly embarrassed. She remembered that she had pointed her blade at Kai and even yelled at him. It seemed that this girl was quite kind-hearted. She began to rebuke herself for her action.

"Nice to meet you, Kai! I’m Iris... I’m sorry that I pointed my blade at you..." The girl said regretfully.

"Nice to meet you, Iris! Don’t worry about it, it’s nothing!" Kai replied carefreely.

Hearing Kai’s words, the girl quickly cheered up and ran up to him.

"Tell me, how did you copy my array so quickly?! What other arrays do you know? Please show me something interesting." Iris immediately started bombarding Kai with questions.

Currently, Kai understood why she was called the array genius and why she did not want to go through this trial earlier. She constantly engaged in the study of Array Mastery.

"Alright, you can talk later, now we are heading to the palace. Today there will be a celebration in honor of your becoming Personal Disciples!" Smiling, Ovian interrupted them and walked ahead. Thus, he signaled for everyone to follow him.

V.2 Chapter 164: Conflict of Alchemy And Arrays

Five people walked through a vast palace, leaving an unforgettable impression. Kai wouldn’t dare to call the place they were walking through a corridor...

This corridor was approximately fifteen meters wide and several dozen meters high. Everything was made from a strange white stone and glowing stones inlaid in the walls and ceiling. These stones shone with a pleasant white-gold light. The walls had beautiful and incredibly detailed carvings. It was astonishing how finely the stone could be crafted.

The ceiling was arched and adorned with various frescoes. In some places, there seemed to be openings through which daylight could be seen. Through them, the sun and sky were visible. But when Kai looked closer, he realized that the opening was covered with a crystal-clear mineral. If you didn’t look closely, it seemed like it was empty.

Looking ahead, Kai saw that this corridor continued for another hundred meters. At the end, it was concluded by huge black gates. They were far more sophisticated than those leading to the Shadow Dungeon.

This palace seemed unimaginably vast…

“How could people even build something like this?! How much time did it take?” Kai wondered.

“Why are you ignoring me? Just tell me! Tell me!” An impatient cry came from the side.

It was Iris… She had not stopped pestering Kai the entire way. She kept asking him how he had copied her array and about his other knowledge. It seemed she might die of curiosity soon.

“What's wrong with you?! I've already told you, your array just isn’t very complicated, that’s all!” Kai said, rolling his eyes.

“Not complicated?! It is very complicated! If my array is so simple, then what do you think is complicated?!” Iris exclaimed indignantly, but her voice still held boundless curiosity. It was evident that she wasn’t offended by Kai's words.

“Damn… What a clingy person… Compared to the Alchemy-Enhancing Array, your array is just a joke!” Kai thought irritably.

And at that moment, he suddenly stopped!

“Exactly! The Alchemy-Enhancing Array! This… This might work!” Kai shouted in his mind.

“My boy, why have you stopped?” Noticing Kai’s strange behavior, Elder Ovian asked.

“He-he-he.” Kai laughed maliciously. “Elders… You said that my joining both of your Alliances is out of the question… Why have you never considered combining both of your crafts?” Kai suddenly asked, with a peculiar expression on his face.

“Alchemy and Arrays together? Nonsense!” Brud said haughtily.

“How can such a delicate art as Arrays merge with barbaric alchemy?! One creates masterpieces, the other sweats in the heat of the flame!” Kayus replied proudly.

Kai had already understood that Alchemists and Array Masters couldn't stand each other. He decided to ask this question just to be sure. But by their reaction, he understood that nobody in the Shadow Sect had ever considered such a possibility.

“I obtained this technique from the Astral City… Maybe this method did not survive at all. None of the contemporaries suspect about this…”— Kai thought with a smile.

“Kai, why are you asking such strange questions?” Elder Ovian asked, puzzled. It seemed that even for him, there was no sense in this question.

“Elders… Iris just asked me about a complex array I know. So… It’s an Alchemy-Enhancing Array.” Kai answered, intriguingly.

“What?! That cannot be!” exclaimed Kayus.

“So those damned scribbles could enhance my craft? Nonsense!” Brud categorically rejected this idea.

But curiosity, mingled with skepticism, appeared on Elder Ovian’s face.

“What do you mean? Tell us in more detail,” the old man asked with interest.

“You were surprised that I am advancing in both of these crafts. What surprised me, in turn, was the enmity between Alchemists and Array Masters… And you know why?” Kai rhetorically asked. “Because I was developing independently, and didn't know that in society they are considered incompatible… In one ancient scroll, which I found in the Boundless Wasteland… In a scroll obtained beyond the Border Beast City, I found an interesting array. I even managed to understand it and recreate it in reality,” Kai explained. “It’s an Alchemy-Enhancing Array!” He said, slyly smiling.

At that moment, conflicting expressions appeared on everyone’s faces. They didn’t believe Kai’s words and, at the same time, didn’t want to think he was lying. Everyone had a good impression of Old Mo’s disciple.

“Elders, I am not asking you to take my word for it. But I would like to make a bet with you, so you don’t think I am a liar,” Kai said with a smile.

“Oh? And what kind?” Brud asked interestedly.

“It’s simple. I will create this array for you. And if it works as I said… Elder Brud and Elder Kayus, you must accept me into your Alliances! If I lied… Then you will decide between yourselves, which of the Alliances I will join. And I will not resist the winner,” Kai proposed, smiling.

Hearing these words, the expressions of the elders changed. It was not their first time competing for a disciple. The Elders had their methods of resolving disputes... And winning it would be much easier than convincing Kai with words. Moreover... Although they didn't want to believe Kai's words if it is possible... Then it would be a definite revolution in the world of cultivators!

As soon as Elder Brud wanted to speak, Kai interrupted him.

“Oh! Right! Elder Ovian… Don’t find it rude, but I won’t just give away my developments. I am interested in various research and I need points. If my hypothetical array is indeed possible… Then how much will I get for it?” Kai asked with a carefree smile. But at that moment, a noticeable cunning played in his eyes.

The sudden words of Kai left everyone with their mouths slightly ajar. Watching this, Elder Ovian burst into loud laughter.

"Ha-ha-ha! You are indeed Old Mo’s disciple! You’ve just joined the Shadow Sect, but you already want to make bets with some of the most respected Elders, and even profit from it! This is simply something!" the old man chuckled, wiping away tears of laughter, "Don’t worry about this. The Shadow Sect values its talents! I understand that by 'points' you mean Reputation Points. If you provide such an array at our disposal, then you will definitely be rewarded." Ovian solemnly declared.

"I cannot believe your words. But honoring your master, I accept this bet." Brud responded.

"I don’t think Great Mo would take a liar as a disciple. I’m also in!" Kayus said with a touch of excitement.

"Thank you for your trust, Elders! I will need some time for this. But I assure you, I will not disappoint!" Kai responded respectfully and bowed to the elders.

"If you are telling the truth, then it will be remarkable. Alchemists will be able to improve their pill-making process. And Array Masters will find new paths for themselves, and will be able to study the principles of such an array." Ovian started moving forward again.

"Exactly that, Elder Ovian. However, the Array Masters will get a bit less… Studying the Array without the creator’s guidance is incredibly difficult!" Kai said.

"Don’t worry, Kai. Even the mere opportunity to see a new path is incredible. It may inspire masters whose research has hit a dead end. Naturally, if this array exists, and you did not make it up to impress us." Elder Kayus said, laughing.

"Why would I make up nonsense? I’m already memorable to you without it." Kai laughed in response.

"Well… You are certainly not lacking in modesty… I can truly feel the spirit of Old Mo…" Kayus rolled his eyes.

Although Kai had only recently met these old men, they seemed to him very pleasant people. Their attitude towards him was warm. Because of this, Kai allowed himself to joke sometimes and be a bit bold. Kai understood that, most likely, others would not be allowed to do so. But if he is forgiven, then why not take advantage of such a privilege?

"Everything is becoming very fascinating! The initiation went very smoothly… Moreover, they will feed and water me now!" Kai thought, smiling.

"Why are you grinning so weirdly? It's creepy…" Iris asked.

"Then why are you looking?" Shifting his gaze to her, Kai asked.

"Well, then I won’t!" The girl puffed up and quickened her pace.

V.2 Chapter 165: Bet

After a brief conversation, in which Kai paved the way for an advantageous start, the company again moved towards the large black doors.

"So, how is this feast of yours for the new Personal Disciple conducted?" Kai asked with interest.

"Hah-ha… You’ll see soon enough…" Brud responded with a smile.

"In reality, everyone in the Shadow Sect is quite busy people. They are primarily occupied with research and cultivation. Moments of rest are rare… Therefore, such rare events as this one have been designated for relaxation. Everyone needs to unwind occasionally. This tradition has been around for many decades." Elder Ovian said cheerfully.

At that moment, he seemed unusually merry. It seemed that he too was anticipating this feast.

"You seem overly joyous…" Kai teased.

"Of course! We are all happy! This evening, we are really allowed to relax heartily!" Kayus said with anticipation in his voice.

“What’s with these elders… What will happen at this so-called banquet?” Kai wondered, not understanding.

"Kai, I’ve never participated in this celebration before, as only Personal Disciples and Elders are allowed in. But everyone in the Shadow Sect has heard about it…" Iris said with a peculiar expression on her face.

"And what have you heard, Iris?" Kai asked calmly.

"Hmph!" the girl snorted discontentedly, "It’s just a drunken party where even the Elders drink themselves into oblivion! Disgusting!" Iris declared irritably.

"Silly girl! You just don’t understand anything yet! When you constantly cultivate isolated or are continuously immersed in researching the way of combat… One can simply go mad! Such days are needed to let off steam and talk with old friends! And for you, the young ones — to make new ones!" Elder Brud proclaimed solemnly.

"Yeah, yeah! Good excuse! Do you even believe what you’re saying?!" Iris retorted sarcastically.

It was evident that she strongly disliked the whole idea of alcohol and banquets. Actually, Iris was quite a delicate and aesthetic girl. Such things were indeed strange to her. She simply didn’t understand… How could one derive pleasure from such a pastime?

As soon as she opened her mouth to say something, another voice immediately interrupted her!

"Ha-ha-ha! Elder, you are incredibly wise! I agree with every word you say!" Running forward, Kai exclaimed, "As an elder and experienced person, you should give me a few drinking lessons! Just so you know, I am no slouch in this either!" Kai provoked.

"What are you, a pup?! Want to match strengths with this old man?!" Elder Brud said haughtily.

"I wouldn’t dare do it if we were talking about combat power. But in alcohol… He-he." Kai said with a cunning smile.

Currently, a gleam of zeal shone in the old man's eyes. Watching Kai, he suddenly smiled maliciously.

“Very well, pup... We’ll see how quickly you’ll beg for mercy! If you can’t drink anymore, I’ll force it down you! This will teach you how to defy your elders!” Brud spat out maliciously.

“You?! I’ll outdrink you in no time! You brag too much, you old dotard!” Kayus mocked in response.

“Elder Kayus, perhaps you’d like to join us too?” Kai asked, laughing.

“With pleasure! It will be a delight to trample this fool again!” Kayus responded proudly.

“Again? Have you already started losing your memory? When have you ever defeated me?! Ha-ha-ha.” Elder Brud exclaimed, laughing arrogantly.

“Since it’s going to be such a binge, I’m with you!” Elder Ovian said good-natured.

“You all are just...” Iris began, but realizing she was addressing the Elders, she stopped, “You are rude brutes! Hm!” Snorting, she raised her head high and stopped looking at them.

However, it seemed that the four were absolutely indifferent to Iris’s words... They were already salivating in anticipation. It seemed like even these venerable old men had turned into ordinary, zealous guys. Probably, such things are just in the nature of men...

The door was getting closer; a few more meters and they would reach their destination.

“Kai, they are already expecting us inside. Initially, behave decently and don’t address us as you did before. Usually, it’s not permissible...” Elder Ovian explained, looking strangely at Kai.

It seemed, already, he himself wondered why they had allowed such frivolous behavior towards themselves. But what was surprising was that it did not bother them at all. They even enjoyed conversing with Kai. As if they had known each other for a long time. Pondering this, he concluded that in Kai, a familiar aura of Old Mo is sensed.

“I understand, Elder!” Kai said politely and bowed deeply.

“Stop it! You’re doing it too early!” Ovian replied irritably. He understood that Kai was just mocking.

“Listen, Elder Ovian... How can they already be waiting for us?” Suddenly thoughtful, Kai asked.

“Ahem-ahem...” the old man coughed awkwardly, “We already knew in advance that Iris could become a Personal Disciple... We warned everyone and prepared everything...” Ovian explained, lowering his voice a bit.

“So, you just used me as an excuse for a drinking party?!” Iris suddenly cursed! It seemed that the girl just flared up with anger!

As soon as the old men saw this, their faces instantly changed. It seemed that they were feeling a whole range of diverse emotions...

“Alright-alright, calm down. If you stop shouting, I’ll show you an interesting array later. You’ve definitely never seen anything like it!” Interrupting her outrage, Kai said intriguingly.

As soon as these words left his mouth, the girl's mood seemed to switch in a second! She instantly forgot about what happened a moment ago and flew up to Kai!

"Really?! What kind of array?! Come on, tell me! Tell me!" Iris started shouting.

"You haven’t kept your promise yet. You need to behave calmly all evening, and then I'll do my part! I’ll only say that I don’t fully understand it myself... But some elements will definitely be exciting for you! Do you understand me?" Looking into her eyes, Kai seriously asked.

He remembered that complex array from the Astral City. Its property was to transfer information directly into your memory. Kai couldn’t replicate it or understand its mechanisms. But reproducing separate parts was not that difficult.

"I understand! I understand! I'll do as you say!" The girl shouted with a smile and nodded approvingly. She looked like a little child who had been deceived with a piece of candy.

Seeing this, the old men exhaled in relief. This girl was very energetic and willful. They would rather not admit that they had their own selfish motives.

"Thank you…" Kayus quietly said, winking at Kai.

"Ahem-ahem." Ovian coughed, distracting everyone from this topic, "By the way, Kai… Don’t be scared, but there are about three hundred people inside... These aren’t all Personal Disciples and Elders, but all who are in the Shadows City and could come. This… Ahem… Feast… Generally, no one likes to miss it." The old man said dryly.

"Wow… So many…" Kai said, a little surprised, "Well, alright, shall we go? I can’t wait to outdrink Elder Brud!" Kai said, laughing maliciously.

"Oh, you pup! Just wait, I’ll show you!" Brud shouted irritably.

"Alright. Let’s enter!" Elder Ovian said solemnly and pushed the huge black doors forward!

At that very moment, a bright light struck Kai in the eyes!

As soon as he opened them again, a giant hall was unveiled before him, where luxurious tables were arranged in a semicircle. Such semicircles were on different tiers, gradually rising. On each tier, numerous people were already situated. And the tables themselves were overloaded with various dishes and pitchers with water and other beverages.

As soon as the group of five people entered, they seemed to find themselves on stage. Now they were the center of everyone’s attention. Presently, all the Personal Disciples rose from their chairs and loudly exclaimed:

"We welcome the new Personal Disciples! Let's celebrate your arrival!" The sound echoed in chorus, filled with an unrestrained, joyous intonation!

V.2 Chapter 166: Spontaneous Nickname

The immense hall was packed full of people. It was rather astonishing that the Elders and the disciples were not clearly segregated. Although all the high-ranking Elders sat at tables, on the highest tiers, there were also many who situated themselves next to their disciples.

Many eyes curiously observed the newly arrived Personal Disciples. Upon observing the crowd, one could find a plethora of varied emotions on the faces of the spectators. However, primarily, they were amicable.

"Wow... This is not how I imagined the Shadow Sect... Everyone here seems quite friendly," Kai said to himself.

"Don't be fooled... The competition within is still immense! It’s just that the caste of Personal Disciples is more restricted, and many personally know each other. Moreover, everyone here has their specialization... You never know whose support you might need. And the help of anyone in this room would be top-notch! Even if you were a Senior Disciple, you would never experience such warm relations!" Iris briefly explained, hearing Kai’s previous words.

"Really?" Kai exclaimed, surprised.

"I wouldn’t lie to you. All hierarchy levels are raised in very severe and strict conditions... A Senior Disciple would never dare to utter an extra word in the presence of an Elder, not to mention the lowest members of the Shadow Sect!" The girl explained.

It seemed that because Kai somehow immediately advanced to the status of Personal Disciple, he missed a lot. Attaining this level was an impossible task for the absolute majority. For ordinary disciples, even seeing an Elder was a relative rarity.

"Pup, don’t dawdle! You challenged me, so come join us at the table!" Elder Brud shouted menacingly.

"He-he, let's go!" Kai replied with a laugh, instantly forgetting all of Iris's words.

"Don't ignore me!" The girl yelled.

"Quiet! You promised not to shout." Kai instantly retorted, turning to Iris.

At that very moment, she covered her mouth with her hand and smiled sweetly, pretending to be an innocent lamb.

"Who is that guy? I'm seeing him for the first time." Various voices and conversations echoed throughout the hall.

Almost everyone present knew who Iris was. But Kai was an entirely new person. They didn’t understand where he came from… Moreover, judging by the Elders’ treatment of him, he seemed a very interesting character. Everyone was curious to find out what he was like.

"Did you hear? Elder Brud said the guy challenged him... Is he back to his old tricks?" One of the Personal Disciples asked, grimacing.

"Yeah… Poor guy…" A girl sitting nearby responded.

Many of those present had fallen victim to Elder Brud in the past… During feasts, he loved to get others drunk. In turn, Brud had a high tolerance for alcohol. Apart from the conflict between the Masters of the Array and the Alchemists, Kayus and Brud clashed with each other over alcohol disputes. At every feast, they would start competing, drinking until morning.

Almost always, they passed out simultaneously and then would argue in the morning over who was more enduring. Few could match them drink for drink! But Kai, naturally, knew nothing of this. So many around began to feel sympathy for him when they heard the words of Elder Brud.

"Ovian, introduce our new friends!" A loud and cheerful voice rang out.

It came from a massive middle-aged man. He had rather dark skin and a short beard. His aura, too, was inscrutable… From the way he spoke with Elder Ovian, it was clear he was a highly respected individual.

"Ha-ha. Alright! Attention!" Laughing, Ovian shouted and everyone instantly fell silent!

All the people sat in their places and began to listen intently to the Elder’s speech.

"Today is an outstanding day! It was supposed to be a test for only one candidate! Namely, Iris, who is familiar to most of you! But incredibly, Kai also came to the Shadow Dungeon, and without understanding its principles, passed the examination for Personal Disciple! None of you can know him, as he came from the Border Beast City with a letter of recommendation! It's his first day in the Shadow Sect!" Ovian solemnly announced.

Iris needed no introduction, and everyone understood this perfectly well. Therefore, Ovian gave the answer that everyone wanted.

"But what’s more surprising… He’s the Personal Disciple of Great Elder Mo! Few of you know him, but all should have heard!" Ovian shouted.

"Really?! Mo himself?! Old Mo is still alive? Excellent! Ha-ha-ha." The robust man laughed loudly.

Currently, many have a similar reaction. Everyone became even more enlivened and began to actively discuss what was happening.

"Alright, enough about that! You will all have time to get acquainted! Now, we must begin feasting!" Ovian shouted and laughed loudly.

To Kai, it seemed that presently, the old man had transformed into a wholly different person.

"Elder Ovian, we are only waiting for you!" One of the disciples shouted out.

The entire party of five quickly moved to their seats. Brud instantly opened one of the barrels next to him. At the same moment, a sweet and forceful smell burst forth.

"Wow! What is this?! Such a strong aroma!" Kai exclaimed in awe.

This was certainly something extraordinary… The aroma alone could intoxicate. An ordinary mortal would fall into a stupor just from inhaling this scent.

"Hahaha. There’s no way back, lad…" Brud grimly declared.

"Back?! You must be joking! Pour, I can't bear it any longer!" Kai shouted, licking his lips.

As soon as the glasses were filled, Elder Ovian stood up and raised his high.

"For the newcomers! Let the feast begin! Hahaha!" The old man announced loudly!

"For the newcomers! Let the feast begin!" About three hundred people shouted in unison and began to take large gulps!

What was most surprising was that not only men acted like this, but also many women. It seemed that it was indeed a strong tradition in the Shadow Sect. No one present was shy or trying to pretend to be someone they were not. Everyone indeed began to feast!

"Mgk-mgk…" Kai took the last two gulps and hit the metal goblet hard on the table.

"Well then! Refill!" Kai laughed maliciously.

His head immediately felt a bit dizzy. But it wasn’t so much from intoxication as it was from the alcohol seeming divine to Kai! He wanted to enjoy it to the fullest! Also, a zest was beginning to appear in him, from the dispute with the Elders!

“Come on, pup!” Shouted Brud and instantly poured another glass for each. Thereafter, they quickly clinked their glasses and drained them again.

“More!... More!... Let’s have more!” Cheerful shouts from Kai began to sound, almost every two minutes.

After half an hour, everyone present focused on their battle… There had been an agreement that Kayus and Ovian would also participate. But, seeing the intensity of the battle, they tactfully “forgot” about it. Now even they watched with curiosity what was happening. Elder Brud was a famous drunkard! No one would dare to conduct such a battle with him…

…………………

Four hours later, this battle reached absurdity… Even many observers managed to get drunk, sipping from their glasses while watching this. Everyone was already very “merry”. Various jokes and laughter were heard from all around. At one point, someone even started taking bets.

“Go, Kai! Avenge the Elder for all of us!” Many drunk disciples shouted.

The eyes of Elder Brud were beginning to cross a little, and he looked at Kai with half-closed eyes.

“You… hic! Are you fuckin’ immortal?” Brud crudely blurted out, swaying slightly.

“And I told you, don’t look down on me! Ha-ha!” Swinging a little, Kai proudly retorted.

He, too, was incredibly drunk. It seemed to him that he had never been so drunk in his life. If not for his unique body, he would have fallen face-first into the table long ago. Due to energy, Elder Brud had strong endurance. It’s just that physical strength had much more influence on intoxication and the elimination of toxins.

At one point, Kai even began using pulses to cope better. He principally wanted to win this battle now.

“Pup… Damn pup...” Saying this, Brud raised his fist before him. But immediately thereafter, his eyes rolled back, and he fell head-first into the table.

“Boom! Ding!” The dull sound of hitting the table and the utensils flying on it resounded.

“Hurraaaah!” suddenly the whole crowd roared! “Kai, you did it! Ha-ha-ha” Everyone around shouted.

This duel became the most joyful and interesting part of the evening! Everyone awaited the outcome for four hours! And it was astonishing! No one would have believed that this would happen today!

“Man… You are simply immortal!” Drunk Kayus exclaimed.

Currently, there were no sober people left here.

“Exactly! Kai… You don’t have a personal nickname! I think I’ve come up with it!” Elder Ovian slurred with a drunken look and a fumbling tongue, the immortal drunkard! That’s who you are! Ha-ha-ha!” Giving out this joke, the old man laughed loudly.

“Exactly! It suits you completely!” The massive man said, nodding his head.

“Ha-ha-ha! Having witnessed this incredible fight, I won’t be able to accept any other nickname!” One of the Personal Disciples shouted, laughing.

Presently, support for this nickname poured in from all sides. Many were heartily laughing and expressing their agreement. It was the moment when the nickname was spontaneously created and truly instantly stuck.

“He-he-he… And here I was wondering who I am in this life? So be it! I am the Immortal Drunkard!” Barely holding onto consciousness, Kai loudly exclaimed, raising his glass above his head!

“Long live Brother Kai! Long live the Immortal Drunkard!” Raising their glasses up, all those present shouted!

V.2 Chapter 167: Hieroglyphics

The feast went on until the early morning. Everyone was squeezing the most out of this evening. Having interacted with other disciples, Kai gained a more in-depth understanding of the situation.

Actually, there was an unspoken rule of this feast, which no one dared to break. Even if you have a conflict with someone, at this banquet, you are forbidden to even think about it. In reality, nearly all present were stiff competitors.

However, one could not equate the atmosphere in the Shadow Sect and the Border Beast City. Here, after all, everyone acted as a united front, like a large family or team. The Border Beast City, in turn, resembled a closed cage with wild beasts. There, everyone was trying to suppress and devour the other. And the town itself encouraged such behavior.

But in the Shadow Sect, even a Core Disciple would be considered a genius in the outside world. Such people were in deficit in all four empires. Therefore, the Shadow Sect could not afford to lose them unnecessarily.

Competition within the Sect was secured by something else. Namely, the war for resources! The higher your status, and the more ways you have to earn points, the better goods you can acquire. And the Shadow Sect definitely had a lot to offer! It was the center of an entire region, and all the best flowed into it.

Kai was told about many training grounds. Various Alliances, where the best representatives of their crafts worked. You could even acquire cultivation techniques or rent them if they were expensive. There were many more interesting things. But due to his intoxicated state, Kai couldn’t remember everything in detail...

It seemed that he was liked by many of the present disciples. Even various Elders engaged him in conversation. Of course, most wanted to know about Master Mo. But even so, Kai was establishing good relations with them.

It so happened that everyone began to call him by the nickname that Elder Ovian came up with. The longer Kai spoke to someone, the more often he was called by this name. At some point, the drunk Elder Ovian called a servant.

He ordered her to go and prepare a uniform for Kai immediately. It was not necessary currently and could have waited until tomorrow. But now, it was that stage when drunk people start to become too unrestrained and annoying. Naturally, the servant did not dare to utter a word about this.

Since they were in the main palace of the Shadow Sect, there were people of all professions. Moreover, the best of them! While they continued to drink, they had already forgotten about this...

But an hour later, the servant returned with black garments. And on them were neatly embroidered two hieroglyphs. Looking at them, Kai said aloud:

“Immortal Drunkard! I like it!” He chuckled.

“Boy, wear it now!” Kaius said with a drunken intonation.

Looking at the clothes, Kai, without a second thought, began to undress himself in front of everyone. Of course, he didn’t go to extremes. There was no need to take off underwear...

“You shameless!” Iris exclaimed.

“Darling, watch while you can!” Kai made a joke, barely focusing his gaze, and immediately burst out laughing.

“Disgusting!” The girl snorted.

“Listen… You know… I won’t be showing you the array!” Kai blurted out, words tumbling over each other.

“No! That’s just not fair! You’re just mocking me, right?” The girl yelled, frowning deeply.

“Good job! You guessed…” Kai said, winking, “For your insight, you’ve won… you’ve won… Oh! You’ve won grapes!” Smiling proudly, Kai gestured grandly. He was pointing straight at the bowl of fruits lying on the table.

“You!” Iris exclaimed.

But just as she wanted to continue, Kai indifferently turned around and walked to the servant and the elders. He started to dress slowly, ignoring the girl.

“This guy is unbearable!” Iris muttered to herself.

The dressing procedure was quite intricate presently... Nevertheless, in a few minutes, Kai had thoroughly changed his clothes.

The clothes fit him perfectly! It was evident that the servant girl had an experienced eye. She had determined the sizes just by seeing Kai’s figure.

“Boy, release your energy!” uttered a burly man with dark skin.

It was the same Elder who had welcomed them at the beginning of the banquet. His name was Rahnesh. From what Kai understood, this man had considerable authority within the Shadow Sect. However, his attitude towards Kai seemed similar to that of Elders Brud, Kayus, and Ovian.

Hearing the words of Elder Rahnesh, Kai immediately released a part of his black energy.

Boom! A mild wave sounded in the air.

“Hmm…” The enormous Elder pondered thoughtfully.

Many turned around and focused their attention on Kai, the moment he released his aura. Many immediately reconsidered their opinion about Kai once more. Although there were many people here stronger than Kai, just by his aura, they could tell that Kai was a formidable competitor.

Such a reaction occurred only for a second, and afterward, everyone returned to their usual state. Many just made a mental note…

But Elder Rahnesh had asked Kai to release energy, not for this. It was one of the procedures to activate his status. An array was placed on the clothes. And as soon as Kai releases his energy, it will activate the glyph on his chest. Then, he will officially ascend to the status of a Personal Disciple!

Indeed, as soon as Kai’s energy was released, the glyphs on his chest began to change. Previously, they were made in a rather restrained manner. But now… It seemed as if they were acquiring their own character!

The lines of the glyphs became more expansive. They looked as if someone had drawn them with wet ink. At times, they were sharper, at others a bit blurred. In this style, a sense of ease and freedom was felt, with a barely noticeable sense of danger lurking.

It seemed that currently, the phrase “Immortal Drunkard” acquired a peculiar character and a few more interpretations. Now, it is even perceived differently...

“Hahaha! Excellent! I like your style! Immortal Drunkard, you are not as simple as you may seem at first glance!” Elder Rahnesh laughed out loud.

Presently, Kai was slightly surprised. He hadn’t expected such changes in his clothes. When he released his energy, he wasn’t trying to appear as someone else. The style of the hieroglyphs writing perfectly reflected his character!

A free and easy-going person, who doesn’t bother with most of the mundane problems. He is driven by a desire for absolute freedom and a thirst for true knowledge about the world. But beneath all this lies a mystery, a danger, and an ambition for which he would take any unimaginable risks…

Elder Ovian also looked thoughtfully at Kai, and after a few seconds, he smiled and nodded approvingly.

"Yes… I like it too… So, let’s drink to me officially becoming a Personal Disciple!" Kai shouted.

"To you, lad!" Elder Kayus supported with a shout.

Voices spread like a forest fire, and the next moment, the drinking resumed with new vigor!

…………………………

Lying in a huge white room, Kai began to open his eyes, slowly coming to…

"Ouch… Ah!" Kai muttered heavily, raising himself from the bed.

He started to survey the luxurious surroundings around him, not understanding where he was…

"Where am I?" puzzled, Kai asked himself, "Ah, right!" Kai exclaimed and instantly grabbed his head.

It seems that last night’s alcohol truly was incredibly expensive and unique. It indeed could knock even the strongest martial arts masters off their feet!

Surveying the room, Kai remembered that he was still in the palace. He was in one of the guest rooms, of which there were plenty here. It was not a issue, as the palace itself was immense. And that’s putting it mildly…

Such rooms were designed exactly for occasions like last night’s banquet.

"Well, it seems I am safe, I’ll sleep some more…" Kai said languorously and lay back down in the bed, "The Immortal Drunkard… Well, I do really like it!" Kai laughed out and closed his eyes with a smile, instantly falling asleep.

V.2 Chapter 168: Conquest of the Alliances

Kai slept peacefully for another half a day. He hadn't had such peaceful days in a long time. He was in comfort and cleanliness, and had also rested very well before that.

By a combination of circumstances, coupled with Kai’s abilities, he instantly ascended to the highest echelon of the Shadow Sect. And as it turned out, the atmosphere here was quite friendly and sociable. It seemed that although competition exists, as in any large group of people, all the Elders and Personal Disciples behaved like a big family overall.

Opening his eyes, Kai was not rushing to get up and get dressed. He lay calmly and looked at the ceiling. By his eyes, it was visible that he was fully immersed in his thoughts.

“According to my plans, everything was supposed to be much longer and more complicated. But it’s perfect that everything happened as it happened. It seems my old…, my old man, is a well-respected person in the Shadow Sect… I wonder what his real level of power is?” Kai pondered.

In his heart and thoughts, he perceived Master Mo as his grandfather. But he did not really want to admit it, feeling awkwardness in doing so. Kai did not want to claim such deep connections without the permission of the other party. In Kai’s opinion, if Old Mo thinks otherwise, it would be selfish to allow oneself to think in such a manner. So, he continued to call him Master consistently or the Old Man.

Pondering all this, Kai was delighted that his master was such an outstanding person.

“So, my old man was in the Alliance of the Shadow Sect Array? What will he think if he finds out that I joined the Alchemist Alliance?” Kai thought, smiling.

Lying down, he even started to giggle foolishly.

“It’s strange that Alchemists and Array Masters dislike each other so much… But just by this fact, you can see the difference between the present and past civilizations… The Sect of Astral Fire specialized in Alchemy, but they had many fantastic arrays. They skillfully combined the two crafts. Besides, they also practiced herbalism. I’m sure they were involved in other things…” Kai thought, slowly getting out of bed.

He found Astral City in a completely lifeless state. At that moment, all its inhabitants had already sacrificed themselves to the Astral Fire. Moreover, this was not the main city of the Sect of Astral Fire… Most likely, at the peak of their power, they were skilled in many different crafts and masterfully combined them.

Looking at the Shadow Sect, it was evident that their main specialization was increasing combat power and developing martial arts masters. This could be understood by assessing one of the main legacies, namely the Dance of Shadow Seals. It was ideal for stealth and unexpected assassination.

But any martial arts masters need weapons, pills, various ingredients, arrays, and so on… Sometimes, masters would keep strong pets or use other specialized items. All of this required skilled craftsmen. Therefore, they were highly valued in the hierarchy of the Shadow Sect.

Pondering this, Kai calmly went to the bathroom. This guest room was more like a whole dwelling. Now he wanted to lie in the water…

Submerging into the hot bath and pouring himself a bit of wine, Kai exhaled contentedly.

"Alright… I need to create an Alchemy-Enhancing Array and join two Alliances at once. Since I've started my path as a dual craftsman, I need to continue in the same spirit. Moreover, this way, I can gain even more authority. While not everyone uses the services of trainers or others, alchemy and arrays are a universal necessity. If I can implement my plan, I will earn the respect of two opposing sides, which will be unprecedented! Moreover, I will be able to gain numerous points immediately. They should be quite enough for me to explore most of the information I need," Kai reasoned aloud.

While doing so, he lay with closed eyes, relishing the warmth spreading through his body. Inside, in turn, he was warmed by the alcohol. Today, he didn't drink much; he just wanted to get rid of the hangover…

Currently, Kai opened his eyes. But not in the physical form, but in the spiritual. He was in the expanses of his Spiritual Sea.

Kai calmly walked towards the book floating above the waters of the lake. When he got close to it, he did not try to touch or affect it in any way.

"Kessia?" Kai asked strangely.

As he assumed, no reaction followed…

"Well… This was a foolish idea from the start. She did say she would be in hibernation. I wonder when this incredible woman will return?" Kai mused aloud, looking at the book.

Since the moment Kai received her lineage and she returned to the book, Kessia hadn’t shown any signs of life. If not for the changes in Kai's body, and most importantly, this crimson book floating in his Spiritual Sea… He would have thought that all those events were just his imagination.

"Sigh…" Kai sighed heavily, "Besides general information, I need to understand how to develop the lineage. Kessia said it would somehow be related to blood. But so far, I haven’t had a real chance to check this. I definitely need to look into this as well…" Kai muttered to himself.

As soon as he said this, he opened his eyes with his physical body. Finishing his glass of wine in one gulp, Kai got up and stepped out of the bath.

……………………

Looking at himself in the mirror, Kai gathered his hair into a casual bun, tying it with a black ribbon. Now he was dressed in the distinctive uniform of a Shadow Sect disciple. On his chest was embroidered a black glyph, which read "Immortal Drunkard." It stood out noticeably as it seemed to shimmer. Although the uniform was also black, this glyph did not blend with it. There was a beauty in it.

"Ha-ha. Now begins my journey as the Immortal Drunkard!" Kai said, laughing. It was evident that he liked his nickname, "I’ve just joined, and I already have a heap of tasks…" Kai said, smiling.

As soon as he opened the doors to leave the room, he heard a woman's scream!

"Kai! Finally! I'm tired of waiting for you!" Irritated exclamations rained down.

It was Iris, who was shouting towards Kai. But as soon as she looked at him, she paused for a moment. Kai now looked more impressive. He seemed incredibly attractive and mysterious. The color black really suited him well. Eyes and hair also contrasted beautifully with the clothing.

"Wow... You look handsome..." Iris blurted out shamelessly.

"Thanks, I guess. But what the hell are you doing here?" Looking at the girl, Kai replied, irritated.

"What?! I kept quiet all evening yesterday and behaved while you were causing a ruckus! And do you know why?! You promised to show me an outstanding array!" Iris shouted.

"And for that, you stalk me at my door? Are you a stupid? How long have you been standing here?" Raising an eyebrow, Kai asked.

"You’re stupid! And it doesn't matter how long I've been standing here, I need you to keep your promise!" The girl said, straightening up proudly.

Looking at her, Kai's eye twitched. He had just begun to feel a sense of peace in his soul and was thinking about how productively he would spend his day. And then, like a bolt from the blue, this annoying girl appeared.

"Ugh... In short, show me where the Alchemists' Alliance is, and I’ll tell you about it on the way. I'm in a hurry, you know..." Kai said with a heavy sigh.

"What? You want to join the Alchemists' Alliance?! No, you should join us instead!" Iris exclaimed emotionally.

She did this not because of Kai, but for her selfish motives... Kai knew a lot of interesting things. If he is in her Array Alliance, she will be able to pester him constantly. But she would never set foot in the Alchemy Alliance!

"Were you listening yesterday? I will create an Alchemy-Enhancing Array and join both Alliances. But this array must be used by Alchemists. What do you think is the most ideal place for this?" Kai asked, rolling his eyes.

"Why are you so rude?! My intentions are good!" Iris shouted.

"Yeah, sure. Let's go, I’ll tell you about the array on the way." Kai said irritably and started to leave the Palace. Luckily, he remembered the way...

"If you don't finish on the way, you'll have to wait near the Alchemists' Alliance and tell me everything. I won’t enter the Alchemists' territory!" Iris shouted and followed Kai.

"What a clingy person... Once I join the Array Alliance, I need to have minimal contact with her. Ideally, avoid meeting her altogether." Kai thought, listening to a barrage of questions in the background.

"So, what about it? What does that array do? How is it drawn? How did you learn about it? Will I be able to understand it?" Iris continued to ask.

V.2 Chapter 169: The Annoying Girl

Hearing the cries in the background, Kai suddenly stopped.

"Listen… Let's do this… I speak, and you keep quiet. Until I'm done, you don't ask me any new questions. Just remember them and voice them later. Understood?" Kai asked with a stony face.

"Understood…" Iris replied, her head drooping.

"Good, let's continue our journey." Kai said contentedly, and resumed moving.

He understood that if he kept getting distracted by every question from Iris, it might drag on for long hours.

"So… I will start a bit from afar, but it is necessary. I saw this array in ancient ruins. I’ll answer immediately, I got there accidentally, and there is no way to return to that place as any entrances are destroyed. Furthermore, I didn’t have enough time myself to study it." Kai explained while walking.

From Iris's face, it was visible that she already had a million questions. But to her credit, she held back and followed Kai's instructions.

"The array was inscribed on a strange object. When I touched it, I acquired the knowledge of the language of the people who once built those ruins. It was a very strange feeling… As if through my hand, information was pouring into my brain." Kai described those events.

At that moment, Iris's eyes were so wide it seemed they might fall out of their sockets. She was simultaneously shocked and exhilarated! At first, she even thought that Kai was lying. But if so, the lie would easily be exposed when he shows elements of that array. She would immediately understand if Kai drew something at random. You could deceive a novice with such, but not a master of her craft, which Iris was.

"As you understand, most likely, it was a different system of arrays altogether. And I managed to remember only separate parts and elements… I have an innate ability to perceive energy better. Therefore, I learn our craft easier." Kai continued.

He had to say this. Learning an array just by looking at it… To do so without the guidance of the person who drew the array or knows how to draw it was incredibly difficult! Every Master of Array realized this.

But this didn't work in the case of Kai. He had the Eyes of Essence! Perhaps his understanding of energy was far better than the masters of the highest order.

"So… I think, somehow, it recorded and contained information in the form of energy. And by touching the array, it could transfer to your consciousness and integrate into it. You can stop asking more about this, as I myself don’t understand the principles of this array much. In general, my words are just a theory… Perhaps everything works in an entirely different way." Kai explained, leaving the palace and pondering.

He also often wondered about the mechanism of that array. Reflecting on the Spiritual Sea, energy, and spirit, he had come up with such an explanation. Only, it was impossible to verify it.

"Listen, Kai…" Iris said quietly.

"You promised not to interrupt." Kai replied calmly.

"Y… yes… You're just going the wrong way…" Iris said.

"Damn! Right, I got carried away with talking… Lead me where I need to go, please." Kai said, smiling.

"You've become polite all of a sudden." Iris replied, rolling her eyes.

"He-he," Kai laughed unabashedly, ignoring Iris's words, "Let’s continue our conversation on the way." Kai said, changing the subject.

Iris didn’t even bother to respond, just silently changed direction and started walking forward. However, she continued to stay close to Kai, not running ahead. She was still curious about what Kai would say next. Now, she was simply setting the direction. Seeing this, Kai smiled and continued his story.

“I was trapped in those ruins for about half a year. And almost all the time, I was solely occupied with studying this array,” Kai said, slightly altering the events.

He wasn’t trying to lie to impress Iris. He just understood that he needed to tell the story in a way that had at least some logic to it. If he didn’t mention the ability of the Eyes of Essence, the story would sound absurd.

If you give a scientific treatise to a child who cannot read, even if he looks at it for three years, he will not understand the meaning of the treatise. But if you can read... Then, by the method of trial and error, as well as various hypotheses, you will eventually get to the core of it.

It was the same with the Eyes of Essence. Analogously, Kai could read, while others needed a teacher who would tell them what is written in this treatise.

All array masters memorized the book literally for generations and told their successors what was written in it. However, none of them could read. Knowledge was passed from master to successor, where the latter just needed to memorize all the details and learn to repeat them. Publicly available arrays were not a secret, and many Array Masters could teach them. But personal developments were passed only to one’s own disciple.

Kai understood all of this perfectly, so he slightly changed some nuances of the story.

“The backstory is over now. I am going to show you the elements that I managed to remember. I have drawn each of them thousands of times, trying to match the original as much as possible. If it weren’t for my innate ability, I doubt I could have done it. Some elements might even be entirely incorrect… So, consider them just as an object for inspiration,” Kai warned.

“I understand!” Iris said in anticipation and nodded.

Kai slowly raised his hand, and his black energy lit up on his index and middle fingers.

As soon as it flared up, Iris even became a bit alert. Kai was quite an enigmatic person. Usually, people spend a long time in the Shadow Sect before they rise to Senior or Personal Disciples. Therefore, a lot is known about them. Kai, on the other hand, was an utter mystery. It was unclear what to expect from him…

This black energy invoked some instinctive fear…

But as soon as Kai began to draw symbols and structures directly in the air, Iris instantly forgot about all other thoughts. She focused all her attention on Kai’s drawing.

“Oh… They…” Looking at these symbols, Iris couldn’t find words to describe her emotions.

At that moment, she clearly realized that Kai wasn’t lying. These structures were very precise, and they held a strict regularity and logic. Although Iris was unable to comprehend them, she exactly understood that making up something like this on the fly was impossible!

Having finished one part of the array, Kai dispersed it and began drawing another. This repeated several times as they walked through the city. Parallelly, Kai shared his thoughts about each formation. He vocalized his theories about the purpose of each element, what its function could be, how the energy flows within it, and what this might mean.

In truth, he seemed to be having a verbal discussion with himself. While he spoke, he also reasoned and tried to find answers. Iris was incredibly focused. She listened to every word Kai said and memorized the appearance of every drawn element. Although this won’t give her anything, it can certainly inspire her in her personal research.

From the side, Kai seemed amazing. He was like one of those professors who are very fascinating to listen to. His story literally absorbed the listener. Perhaps, the magic was that Kai himself found this very intriguing. He was not only narrating, but also seeking the truth simultaneously.

This continued throughout the journey to the Alchemy Alliance. Iris was incredibly surprised by Kai’s knowledge and thoughts. At one point, it seemed to her that she was far behind him. But this didn’t upset her; instead, it only spurred her on.

As they were about to enter the square where the Alchemy Alliance building was located, a joyful female shout came from the side!

“Brother Kai, is that you? How happy I am to see you!” exclaimed an elated voice, but then the tone changed instantly, “And who is this with you…” The girl emitted icily.

Hearing this, Kai turned his head and saw recent acquaintances not far from himself. It was Taemi and all her friends.

“So it's you! You shameless wretch!” Mera shouted, but the next moment, her face turned pale. She saw something she absolutely didn’t want to believe.

Seeing the reaction of her friend, Taemi began to scrutinize Kai more closely.

“Brother Kai, are you already a Personal Disciple?! How?!” Taemi shouted in shock and joyfully ran to Kai. It was evident that she was sincerely admiring!

V.2 Chapter 170: Already a Personal Disciple

Rushing up to Kai, she grabbed his palm and looked at him. Then she shifted her gaze to his chest.

"Immortal Drunkard? You have such a strange nickname... But recalling the events at the Golden Lotus, it truly suits you. Ahem-ahem," Taemi awkwardly blurted out.

In their previous meeting, she had drunk so much that she fell asleep directly on the table. Remembering everything she had said and how she had behaved in the morning, she felt very embarrassed. She thought that in the next meeting with Kai, she would not be able to look him in the eye.

But as soon as Taemi met him again, an uncontrollable reaction didn't take long to manifest...

"But how?! You didn't even know about the exam the day before yesterday..." Taemi asked, shocked, and turned her gaze to the woman nearby.

Seeing her badge on her chest, Taemi's face instantly changed. The characters read "Azure Blade"! Unlike Kai, Iris was quite famous among the Senior Disciples. Everyone knew that she was due to undergo a promotion test soon. Yesterday, she also accepted one of the Elders as her Master. Therefore, she was now also officially considered a Personal Disciple.

Taemi was preparing to advance to the status of Senior Student, which was a very prestigious title. But even among them, only one percent attained the status of Personal Disciple! They were regarded the same as the Elders!

Taemi knew Kai, so the sense of subordination did not kick in her mind. Moreover, just the day before yesterday, he wasn’t even a member of the Shadow Sect. However, Iris was very famous among the Senior Disciple. She was indeed one of that one percent of the gifted. Although Taemi was in the Alchemist Alliance, and she did not like the Masters of the Arrays, she had no right to violate the hierarchy of the Shadow Sect!

"Mistress Azure Blade! Excuse my rudeness; I didn't recognize you! Congratulations on becoming a Personal Disciple!" Taemi said politely and bowed respectfully to Iris.

"What's with you? Why are you being so polite with this hanger-on?" Rolling his eyes, Kai asked.

"Uh..." Currently, Taemi was a bit bewildered, but recalling Kai’s character, she quickly began to reply, "Mr. Immortal Drunkard, I know you have just joined the Shadow Sect and do not fully understand its conventions... You, Personal Disciples, are like Elders to us! In the future, you will be the support of the entire Shadow Sect, and our lives and safety will depend on you! How dare we show disrespect to you?" Taemi explained politely.

Having collected herself a bit, she instantly changed her manner of addressing Kai. The atmosphere between the Senior and Personal Disciples was very free and friendly. But this didn’t apply to the others. They were unreachable even for the Senior Disciples! Even the bravest Core Disciples would not think of frivolity with a Senior or a Personal Disciple!

Therefore, Taemi changed her manner of addressing Kai. She had great respect for the tenets of the Shadow Sect.

"Stop talking this nonsense and just call me by my name; you are not a stranger to me," Kai said, wincing.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot violate the tenets of the Shadow Sect!" Taemi firmly replied.

"Are you joking?" said Kai and, irritated, rubbed his nose, "Then let's do this. You can address me informally, just by the nickname. Please, don't add the word 'sir.' It bothers me..." said Kai lazily.

He enjoyed chatting and teasing Taemi. If she starts addressing him so formally, it will spoil all the fun for him.

"If the Immortal Drunkard himself wishes so, then fine!" Taemi laughed contentedly and immediately asked, "How did you manage to become a Personal Disciple in one day?!" The girl asked, shocked.

"It’s all because you didn’t want to tell me the rules of the Shadow Dungeon. I just went ahead and, it turns out, I went too far. Since Lady Azure Blade had her exam yesterday, the Elders happened to notice me too." said Kai, laughing.

He deliberately emphasized “Lady Azure Blade”. Kai knew that it would likely infuriate Iris. So, he said it on purpose.

"Why have you become so polite?! A minute ago, you were calling me clingy! And now I am a Lady?!" Iris shouted.

"Tsk... Lord, why are you so noisy?" Kai asked, clicking his tongue.

"Your name is Taemi, right?" Iris asked, remembering how Kai called her, "Is this guy your friend? Why is he so rude?! Where did he come from, won’t you tell?" Iris asked Taemi, looking sharply at Kai.

"Lady Azure Blade, I'm embarrassed to say... But I know little myself. The Immortal Drunkard is a very mysterious person to me," Taemi politely replied, slightly blushing.

"Hmmm... Then don't you think we need to find out more about this?" Iris asked, cunningly laughing.

"Yes, I think so too," Taemi replied thoughtfully, looking at Iris.

"Aren’t you two getting along too well, huh? Find out as much as you want. I am just a simple guy from the sticks!" Kai responded with a smile.

"We are originally from the Moonshine Empire. It was there that I first met him... But then he was taken to the Border Beast City..." Taemi began.

"Okay. Fine... I have to go. If it works for you, discuss me without me," Kai said, rolling his eyes, "Iris, I have told you everything. Taemi, see you sometime later; I have a lot to do right now," Kai said indifferently and turned towards the square.

He was completely uninterested in being here and participating in this pointless conversation. Even though these two girls were real beauties, each craving his attention in her way. But Kai valued his time much more.

"I better get to work instead of wasting time on meaningless things..." Kai thought, heading towards the Alchemists Alliance.

"Mr. Immortal Drunkard! Please, wait!" A voice rang out behind him.

It was Mera and the other girls from Taemi's company. Their faces were now pale and in complete terror. Kai was unaware, but under normal circumstances, offending a Personal Disciple could lead to severe punishment, up to being expelled from the Shadow Sect! Currently, these girls were in horror!

When Mera remembered that she had called Kai a bum, a pauper, and showered him with other insults, she understood... She had literally insulted a Personal Disciple of the Shadow Sect! She was already bracing for the worst repercussions. What's more, she had spent the entire previous day slandering him to Taemi, calling him just a castoff. The current situation turned everything upside down!

"Yes? Any problems?" Kai asked calmly.

"Please forgive us! We did not understand the filthy words our mouths and foolish minds were uttering! We dare not offend Mr.Immortal Drunkard!" Mera apologized in terror.

It was visible that she was beside herself. And all the girls beside her also bowed and began to apologize.

"What?" Raising an eyebrow, Kai asked.

He did not understand what was happening here and why these girls were in such terror. Seeing the expression on his face, the girls thought he was furious with them. Mera's palms began to tremble… She was already thinking of kneeling and begging for forgiveness.

But at that moment, Kai opened his mouth again...

"Oh, you mean what happened at the restaurant? You didn’t insult any Personal Disciple! I indeed was a mere vagabond then! There was some truth in your words!" Kai responded cheerfully.

Thinking about how he looked at that moment, he began to laugh. That evening amused him greatly.

"Sorry for leaving Taemi to you and leaving. Honestly, I just didn’t want to deal with her, and you were on the way..." Kai apologized.

As soon as he uttered these words, all the girls' jaws dropped. Kai indeed never minced words…

Mera stared at Kai in shock, not understanding how to react. Too many events and changes in perception in just a few minutes...

"In short, we're square, so don’t worry. And now, I am definitely leaving. Too many noisy women per square meter!" Kai joked and disappeared instantly, leaving the stunned girls standing in place.

He used the Dance of Shadow Seals again. Lately, he found a new way to use this technique… Avoiding tedious conversations!

V.2 Chapter 171: Alchemy Alliance

As soon as the girls were left behind and ignored, Kai could peacefully proceed further. According to Iris, the square where the Alchemy Alliance was located was not far.

And she indeed did not lie. Literally, the moment Kai rounded the street corner, he saw a vast square. In the middle stood a massive cauldron, about 50 meters tall. Taking a closer look, Kai, realizing, exclaimed:

"Wow... So, it’s not a cauldron, but a whole building! What an extravagant design..."

It indeed was the main building of the Alchemy Alliance, as was clear from the sign above the enormous entrance.

What surprised Kai even more was that they had made everything so convincingly that fire was constantly burning on the roof. The entire building very well mimicked an alchemical cauldron. He didn’t linger to admire the exterior beauties and headed towards the entrance.

As always, Kai was more focused on himself rather than his surroundings. He didn’t notice the behavior of the surrounding passersby. Although, on a reflexive level, he was used to scanning the environment for potential danger. But this does not mean that he paid attention to how people treated him. And how they looked at him…

This was very evident in the situation with the Golden Lotus. Kai didn’t care that people condemned him and called him a vagrant. But if someone decided to attack, Kai would have sensed it instantly.

For this reason, Kai did not understand that when he was seen on the streets of the Shadow Sect, almost everyone would part, giving him way. Many looked at him astonished and whispered about something.

Compared to the total population of several hundred thousand people, there were incredibly few Personal Disciples. Which, in principle, was logical… Seeing them on the street, other people showed incredible reverence. While they were walking with Iris, a multitude of disciples greeted her.

But there was a little problem with Kai... No one had ever seen him!

"The Immortal Drunkard? Is this a new Personal Disciple? Why have I never heard of him?! Who is he?" Barely distinguishable whispering came from everywhere.

Seeing him, many had numerous questions. Everyone was tormented by curiosity; they started asking each other. The disciples hoped that it was just they who did not know about this guy.

"Mister Immortal Drunkard? I've never heard of him! He's definitely a new disciple! But he immediately attained the status of Personal Disciple!" One of the Senior Disciples quietly said.

"Brother, you’ve been in the Shadow Sect much longer than I have. If even you don’t know..." Responded another disciple, who was at the status of a Core Disciple.

There weren’t very many Senior Disciple either. Usually, they were trained long enough to rise to their status. Therefore, they most likely had to know every potential candidate for Personal Disciple. But even they were clueless now…

Completely oblivious to the general flurry, Kai nonchalantly headed to the Alchemy Alliance. He didn’t even look imposing now. Rather slack… Walking, he hummed a tune to himself.

Typically, Personal Disciple acted quite proudly and tries to keep up appearances. Kai contrasted somewhat against their backdrop...

The ambiance inside the Alchemy Alliance was gorgeous. It looked like a white stone cave, where shining and luminous stalactites were everywhere. Moreover, there was a lot of decorative greenery. When the stone intertwined harmoniously with the greenery, it created a very aesthetic environment.

The scales of the inner chambers were also immense! It seemed that the main hall occupied almost the entire interior of the “cauldron”. And along the walls, hundreds of rooms were arranged in tiers. They seemed like separate zones where no one would disturb the alchemist. Looking closer, Kai saw floating platforms on which people moved. They flew to a specific room, allowing entry. Some of them were at a forty-meter height, and there were no other ways to get in there.

“What nonsense... Alchemists hate Array Masters, but they use arrays… Nonetheless, I’m sure the latter also use pills. Why aren’t they bothered by it?” Kai thought, rolling his eyes.

Sometimes people were very illogical… It seemed that the conflict between the two groups of craftsmen was entirely unwarranted. Just some thought that arrays were too delicate and pompous art. Others thought that alchemy was dirty and crude.

“Immortal Drunkard, we welcome you to the Alchemy Alliance!” A respectful voice sounded from the side.

Turning around, Kai saw a bowing man. He bowed his head low and didn’t even lift his eyes. From his attire, it could be inferred that he was a Disciple-Assistant. Most likely, he worked here as a staff member.

“Hello, can you act normally? I don’t like these ceremonies,” Kai replied calmly and continued, “Listen, I have an arrangement with Elder Brud… How do I find him?” Kai asked with a smile.

“I understand!” the man said and straightened his back, “Elder Brud seems to be in his office… Immortal Drunkard, please follow me, I will guide you.” The man said politely and gestured towards the area where there were multiple platforms.

Within a minute, one of them had already soared, and Kai and the man headed to the room that was located almost at the ceiling. Looking around, Kai noticed that on the top floor, there were far fewer rooms around the perimeter. It seemed that they were just more spacious and occupied more space.

“Elder Brud, Mr. Immortal Drunkard is here for you!” As soon as the platform stopped, the man announced the reason for the visit.

There was incredible reverence in his voice. Currently, Kai finally understood what the difference in treatment Iris and others were talking about. It seemed that the way he communicated with these Elders would be unthinkable for others…

“Pup! There you are! Ha-ha.” A loud shout resounded, and the door swung open with a bang.

“Hello, Elder Brud. Have you recovered?” Kai teased.

“If you continue to joke like this, I’ll tear you to pieces.” The old man squinted maliciously.

“Come on! I enjoyed drinking with you, even though you couldn’t hold out until the end.” Kai laughed in response.

“The platform under your feet will turn to dust right now…” Brud retorted maliciously.

“Ha-ha. Elder Brud, I’m here about the array we discussed earlier.” Ignoring the old man’s threats, Kai said.

“Exactly!” shouted Brud and instantly jumped on the platform, “Let’s go down, we’ll go to the dungeon.” Looking at the Disciple-Assistant, Elder Brud said.

“I obey!” The man politely replied, and the platform began to descend.

“Kai, we’re going to the underground rooms. Mostly they are used for other purposes. But I specifically ordered to clear a large hall. There, you can prove the veracity of your words.” Brud explained.

“Fine, Elder. I don’t mind where to create it.” Kai replied with a smile.

“Listen… Satisfy an old man's curiosity. What does this array do, and how much time will it take you to erect it?” Brud asked with interest.

“Hmm… In short, it doesn’t enhance the alchemist himself, but the speed and quality of processing ingredients. As a result, you can create pills faster, and their quality also improves. It literally improves the alchemical process by an entire order.” Looking at Brud, Kai answered honestly, “As for the time… I don’t know yet, maybe several weeks.” Kai said thoughtfully.

“Fairy tales! I don’t believe it!” Brud exclaimed, frowning.

“And you don’t need to believe me. Time will show everything. You just need to wait.” Kai replied with a smile.

He would rather not argue with this stubborn old man. It is better to show in action rather than tell.

So far, Kai did not know how much time he would need to erect the Alchemy-Enhancing Array. The last time he drew it, Kai was only at the Cultivator level.

Now, he was on a new stage, and his power had made a great leap forward. Having undergone the tortures of the Invisible Kings and having absorbed them, all aspects of Kai had also risen to a new level. Therefore, he said a few weeks, although he suspected that he might finish much faster.

“Fine... Then I will be waiting for the result. If you fail, know this... I will do everything to make sure you end up in the Alchemy Alliance, not with those softies!” Brud declared arrogantly.

Watching this, Kai smiled. He wanted to ask about using these platforms under their feet to tease the old man. But then he thought about it and decided it’s better to keep silent…

V.2 Chapter 172: Unique Array

“Come in, lad.” The old man said calmly, pointing to the large gates.

“Alright, as soon as I finish, I’ll notify you.” Kai responded with a smile.

“Uh-huh, sure… I still don’t trust you,” Brud skeptically remarked, “But whatever, I’m not rushing, so I’ll watch your attempts. Ha-ha.” He sneered, turning around to leave.

Now Kai was in the basement level of the Alchemy Alliance near the silver gates. Everything here was also made of this beautiful white stone. The surroundings in general resembled those in the main hall.

“Alright, let’s see what they have prepared for me,” thought Kai, pushing the heavy doors.

Behind them opened a vast space with a very smooth floor. It seemed like a whole underground square, capable of accommodating hundreds of people.

“Wow… Why did he allocate all this territory to me…” Kai murmured, bewildered.

Looking around, Kai walked to the center, deciding to start the array from there. As soon as energy lit up on his fingers, he instantly activated the Eyes of Essence. It was an incredible tool that significantly enhanced Kai's working efficiency.

It had been quite some time since Kai last created a large-scale array. Now, he was in the Cloud Sphere, and after absorbing the Kings, even his organism had changed. He was curious to see how this would affect his array mastery.

The array on the Iris sword wasn’t complex for Kai. Thus, he couldn't comprehend the scope of the changes, having practiced on such a trivial array. Of course, if someone knew Kai’s thoughts, they would be astonished with indignation… How dared he called Iris array insignificant?!

However, with the Eyes of Essence, and training on arrays in Astral City, which were on an entirely different level, Kai’s understanding was also in another weight category. He might not be able to match the elders of the Array Alliance, as there was an insurmountable gap in experience and cultivation between them. But Kai’s understanding of the facets of Array Mastery was much deeper. This was evident in the example of the Alchemy-Enhancing Array.

When Kai concentrated and began to draw clear and beautiful lines, his eyes widened. He felt that the “fibrils” had increased manifold, and his control over them had significantly grown.

“It seems that I will indeed be able to finish all this much faster…” Kai said to himself and stopped.

Straightening his back, he sank deep into thought...

“What if I try to create a system of arrays similar to…” Kai mused, rubbing his chin.

At that moment, his eyes lit up with excitement! It was evident that Kai had hatched some idea…

“It’s worth a try… Maybe, I can pull it off now!” Kai exclaimed, and energy flickered on his fingers again.

Everyone in the Alchemy Alliance was ordered not to disturb Kai in any way and not to enter the hall in the basement. Typically, different Alchemists could conduct their experiments there. Sometimes a furnace could explode, and it was better to have some room to retreat…

When someone wanted to test their research or a new recipe, caution was needed. If you are not sure about the method's correctness, then an energy imbalance could induce chaotic processes in the furnace. And if you are locked in your own small room, it could lead to tragedy…

Many were displeased with the fact that someone had occupied the entire hall for almost a whole month. But when they learned that the one inside was the Personal Disciple, under the patronage of Elder Brud himself... Their desire to dispute the matter disappeared. This old man was one of the most authoritative figures in the Alchemy Alliance. But the decisive factor was his ill temper…

No one wanted to confront him. Therefore, no one even asked what Kai was doing all this time…

At that very moment, Kai lifted his fingers off the ground and rose, straightening his back. Droplets of sweat were streaming down his forehead, and he was breathing heavily. It was clear that his energy was greatly depleted… But at the same time, a satisfied smile hung on his face.

“He-he… Absolutely amazing! It seems, it worked!” Kai exclaimed happily.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Kai sat in the lotus position and closed his eyes. A faint whirlpool of energy slowly began to appear in the room, with Kai at the epicenter. He decided to recover to his optimum state.

An hour later, he opened his eyes, stretched out his hands in front of him, and shouted:

“Nether Furnace Technique!”

“Boom!” An explosive sound echoed from the fire that instantly flared up before Kai.

With each second, this flame slowly took the shape of a large and mesmerizing, beautiful black furnace.

Having completed his array, Kai decided to check its efficiency. And, of course, it was better to do it himself! Only then could he feel how much stronger his current version would be.

For the past three and a half weeks, Kai had been giving his all to implement a new version of the Alchemy-Enhancing Array. Previously, Kai had made a simplified version, as he simply didn't have the strength for a more complicated one.

In the private chambers of the Astral Emperor of Alchemy, the array was far more extravagant. Previously, Kai could only create the first of its support points. Originally, it was just one of ten arranged around the perimeter of a giant circle. Once reunited, they converged in the center of this circle, establishing unique laws that assisted the master in alchemy.

Earlier, Kai critically lacked the energy and endurance to draw such a mechanism. Even if he spent a heap of time and drew ten separate arrays around the perimeter, he wouldn’t have been able to connect them. During this process, one needs to endure the immense pressure of 10 arrays simultaneously and harmoniously merge them into one whole. Kai’s body and Energy Center simply wouldn’t have withstood such a load.

Kai sat in the lotus position and created one of the most complicated pills for him. Previously, he spent an impressive amount of time on its creation. But now everything went very smoothly. What surprised Kai the most was the number of nutrients after processing. It seemed impossible to extract more from the ingredient! As if the fire burned only the impurities, leaving all the best at the alchemist's disposal!

“The final touch…” Kai muttered to himself, bringing his palms together…

“Doom!” A sound echoed as the slightly raised lid let something fly out.

Three violet pills landed in Kai's palm. Three complete pills!

“Wow… The efficiency has definitely increased manifold… Moreover, the process itself is quite pleasant. The elders will definitely be delighted!” Kai chuckled satisfied, with a cunning smile.

He was very pleased with the work he had done. All his efforts were undoubtedly worth the achieved results! Amazingly, this vast space truly was of use to him. With smaller scales, there would have been insufficient space for Kai. In fact, such an extensive space inspired him to create a more complex version.

“Well… It’s amazing that I achieved such an improvement with only three support points…” said Kai in awe, looking at the array.

Naturally, he couldn’t replicate the array from the chambers of the Astral Emperor of Alchemy. Merging even three support points was incredibly difficult for Kai. He barely withstood until the completion of the final touch. His body sustained considerable damage from the pressure of the array. And his own energy was consumed in vast amounts.

“Good thing I calculated everything correctly and didn’t overestimate myself…” Kai exclaimed, exhaling relieved.

Had he spent time on the fourth array to make it another support point... In the end, Kai wouldn’t have been able to unite them. This fact alone wouldn’t have been a problem; Kai would just have lost a lot of time. And most likely, he would have experienced a backlash from the energy in the process. And that could have led to the destruction of all four arrays.

Had Elder Brud decided to visit him because Kai had been gone for so long… He would indeed have thought that Kai had deceived him, lying about the array. Although the old man himself did not believe in the alchemy enhancement formation, he thought that Kai would show at least something interesting… A confirmed lie, not substantiated by any results, could spoil the initially good impression of Kai.

"Good thing everything's fine. Now I can win the bet against the Elders and join two Alliances at once! They will definitely be shocked… I can't wait to see Elder Brud's face!" Kai chuckled.

As soon as he said this, his figure turned and headed for the exit. Kai decided to go straight to the Elder. He wanted to personally inform him about the completion of the Alchemy-Enhancing Array.

V.2 Chapter 173: Alchemical Array

"Tsk! What the… Why has the experiment room been closed for so long?!" Swore one of the two guys passing by the large gates.

"Groooan..." A resonant sound of the opening door echoed.

At that moment, a man with snowy-white hair and blood-red eyes came out of it. His clothes were now in slight disarray, partly revealing his chest, and a casual ponytail was tied on his head.

As soon as the guy who was complaining earlier saw Kai, he immediately shut up. This was the Personal Disciple about whom much had been said in the Alchemy Alliance recently. Also, the Shadow Sect was buzzing with rumors about Kai’s “duel” with Elder Brud. After all, there were many people that evening. And people have a tendency to swiftly spread intriguing information “in secret”...

Therefore, many did not understand why Elder Brud spoke so highly of Kai. He allowed him to occupy the experiment room for almost a month, causing inconvenience to everyone else in the Alliance. Logically, it should have been the other way around…

Naturally, these guys did not dare to speak about this. They didn’t even dare to ask Kai anything.

"Salutations, Immortal Drunkard!" The guy shouted and quickly bowed.

Now, he hoped that Kai hadn't heard his previous words…

"Oh! Hello, guys!" Kai greeted with a smile and walked closer to them, "Is Elder Brud in his room?" He asked calmly.

"Um… Sorry, but we do not have such information…" the guy paused, "But I saw him entering the Alchemy Alliance about an hour ago." He answered cautiously, looking at Kai.

"Great! Thanks a lot!" Gratefully, said Kai and quickly headed for the exit from the underground floor.

The two guys just stood in place, watching Kai's back.

"This Immortal Drunkard seems like a pretty nice guy..." One of them said thoughtfully.

"Yeah… He was friendly and didn't show arrogance, as others usually do..." The second one replied.

Their reaction was quite predictable. Usually, Personal Disciples were proud and didn’t mingle with just anyone. But in fact, they had every right to be so. Especially if you pay attention to everyone you meet, you won’t have time for yourself.

Being cold to those around was a good behavioral strategy. This was especially suitable for female Personal Disciples. They had whole crowds of admirers, who created numerous problems. Therefore, many chose the mask of arrogance so that others didn’t even think to approach and speak.

Kai didn’t quite fit the standard template of a Personal Disciple. But he indeed was a unique case...

While the guys downstairs were discussing Kai, he was already ascending on the floating platform straight to Elder Brud's room.

"Elder, I’m finished!" Kai shouted, standing at the door.

"Bang!" The door swung open loudly!

It appears that such a manner of opening doors was usual for this old man. Kai even wondered why it hadn’t shattered into splinters over the years.

“Rascal… Now, show me what you have there!” shouted the old man.

Although he wanted to seem irritated, his eyes were aflame with interest mixed with excitement. Kai had spent a lot of time downstairs, and Brud really wanted to see the result. In recent days, he even wanted to go and peek to see how he was doing. Only sheer willpower suppressed his itching curiosity.

“Let’s fly, Elder!” replied Kai with a smile.

Kai hadn’t even finished speaking when the old man had already landed next to him.

“Did you succeed? If not, know that now your fate is decided by me and sweetie Kayus,” Brud said with a malicious smile.

“I think you’ll be quite surprised, Elder Brud. This time, I even surpassed myself.” Kai responded, laughing.

“I won’t believe until I see!” The old man retorted.

They didn’t waste time and, almost without talking, ran to the test hall.

“Bang!” The gate doors opened with an even louder sound.

“This…” the old man uttered, involuntarily opening his mouth and not closing it back.

Although Elder Brud was an Alchemist, due to his age he had experience in many things. He didn’t understand how to draw and create arrays. But he could definitely tell where a real, working array was, and where it was just a drawing.

And what Kai presented to him was something astonishing and new…

“Boy, what is this?” Brud asked skeptically.

He understood that in this huge drawing, with a radius of fifteen meters, the whole structure was undoubtedly well-thought-out. But until now, he had never seen anything like it. Therefore, he couldn’t understand how to evaluate this array.

“This is my Alchemical Array!” Kai declared with a smile.

He had never given a name to this array, simply calling it "Alchemy-Enhancing Array," or "array for alchemy." But now, he decided to introduce it this way. Kai called it "Alchemical Array," which sounded absurd to the members of the Shadow Sect. Not to mention the members of the Alchemy Alliance and the Array Alliance…

“What a foolish name…” The old man tried to taunt, but his astonished and thoughtful look didn’t allow him to do it properly.

“Elder, please go to the center of the Alchemical Array and place your furnace or cauldron there. Thereafter, simply start preparing a pill that’s complex for you,” Kai explained with a smile.

At first, Brud opened his mouth, but then just stayed silent and walked to the center of the room.

With a wave of his hand, a huge golden cauldron appeared in front of him. Naturally, the Elder of the Shadow Sect also had his spatial ring.

Having brought out his cauldron and placing it directly in the center of the array, he sat in the lotus position and closed his eyes...

Within a dozen seconds, the old man extended his hands forward, and they began to blaze with a bright, red flame! Under Brud's control, all the fire transformed into a large serpent, crafted from his flames. It slowly crawled towards the cauldron and slithered beneath its lid.

The next moment, the cauldron began to gradually shine and heat up. Seeing this, the old man waved his hand again, and dozens of ingredients appeared before him. Within a second, they also flew straight into the cauldron.

The alchemical process began! As soon as all the reagents were inside, the old man's face instantly changed! It seemed he was beginning to realize the incredible nature of the Alchemical Array. But presently, he dared not distract himself and continued to focus all his attention on the process.

"Hmm… Such a method of alchemy indeed falls short compared to mine… But the ingredients that the old man added are very robust. They need to be handled very delicately. Right now, I would hardly be able to handle the pill he is creating…" Thought Kai, observing the old man.

He was curious whether the Alchemy system in the Shadow Sect was more advanced than in the Border Beast City. But observing Elder Brud, Kai concluded that the current civilization simply lacks the knowledge and skills of the past.

"Although… If you think about it, my method is only possible due to the Astral Flame of Sacrifice… Perhaps the problem is not that the current civilization lacks knowledge. Modern alchemists simply don’t have the means to replicate such a thing." Kai suddenly realized.

For ordinary masters, even with high-class Earth Fire, it would be impossible to control the step-by-step and individual processing of each ingredient. Even perfectly assimilated Earth Fire is not the same as Heavenly Fire merged with one's Spiritual Sea. Achieving Kai’s level of control was simply a fantasy.

All Kai was limited by was the level of his cultivation. As the power of the fire itself depended directly on it.

"Boom!" The sound of an approaching lid echoed, and from there, two glowing white orbs flew out.

"Silk Pills! Two of them!" the old man exclaimed in shock, quickly catching them. He slowly turned his head towards Kai… "Kai… This array… This Alchemical Array is simply something…" Elder Brud muttered, trying to find the words.

He distinctly felt how much his control over the ingredients and fire had improved. Besides that, beneficial properties evaporated much more slowly, preserving more nutrients. All of this accelerated and enhanced the efficiency of the entire alchemical process! Had he not experienced it firsthand, he would never have believed it!

"I know! This array is truly excellent! I told you I outdid myself this time!" Kai laughed, "So, can I join both Alliances?" With a smile, Kai asked, snapping the old man out of his daze.

"Definitely..." Brud answered, shocked, "At least, I certainly have no objections... But I won't speak for Kayus. I think he needs to come and see for himself..." Brud replied, intently examining the array.

He was so stunned that he even forgot to call Elder Kayus a weakling or some other insult. To some extent, this Alchemical Array made him reconsider some of his views...

V.2 Chapter 174: Cultivation Spheres

Observing the stunned Elder Brud, Kai was very pleased. What he would receive from the Shadow Sect was directly dependent on his authority and power. Moreover, he represented his Master Mo. Kai's glory would also be the glory of his elder! Although Kai was not a sentimental person, he attached great importance to this moment.

As long as he didn’t reveal utterly inexplicable abilities, such as the Eyes of Essence, everything should be fine. Kai had already understood that no one would be able to identify his Astral Flame of Sacrifice.

Moreover, as a Personal Disciple, Kai was now under the protection of the Shadow Sect. Such forces highly valued their prodigies. Every outstanding martial arts master had their secrets. Not to interfere and ask about them was one of the unwritten rules of etiquette in the world of masters.

"The array is good, isn’t it? I also tested it before you... I put my soul into it, so you have to give me a sufficient number of points!" Kai said with a smile, "By the way, how do they even work?" He suddenly asked.

Only now did he remember that he hadn’t even thoroughly inquired about the system of these so-called points. He immediately drew a parallel with money, so he didn’t bother much about it. But now... He didn’t even know what number of points was considered impressive.

"I'm honestly surprised that you've jumped from discussing something as unique as the Alchemical Array to the topic of ordinary Reputation Points..." Elder Brud replied, looking strangely at Kai.

"Well... I've already admired my array enough. Now I'm interested in my reward." Kai replied with a cunning laugh.

"Aah…" rubbing the back of his head, the old man sighed heavily, "Reputation Points are earned literally for everything. Any action taken for the benefit of the Shadow Sect will bring you Reputation Points. Naturally, everything has its value… You can earn them even by sweeping the streets. For instance, a good alchemist in our Alliance can earn about two hundred Reputation Points a month. In turn, a simple guard will only get about fifteen..." Brud explained calmly, "You came from the Border Beast City. I’ve been there too... Their system with tablets is a much-simplified version, similar to the one in the Shadow Sect." The old man said.

"In what sense?" Kai asked with interest.

"If it weren't you, I wouldn’t bother myself with these tiring explanations..." Brud reluctantly replied. It was evident that he didn’t really want to recount obvious things.

"I'm counting on you, Elder!" Kai shouted with a smile.

"Aha…" lazily replied Brud, "In short, when you entered the territory behind the wall of the Shadow Sect, you must have felt something probing you… The whole territory is a combination of various arrays, artifacts, and other things. It’s all one large monitoring formation. Almost nothing escapes its gaze. Your glyph on the chest is analogous to the tablet from the Border Beast City. How to explain it…", the old man, lazily choosing words, said, "As soon as you join the Shadow Sect and consequently receive your glyph, the system itself memorizes your energy imprint… That is, even if you incinerate your uniform and run around completely naked, the system will still know who you are." Elder Brud explained as simply as possible.

"Wow… This is indeed much more sophisticated than the method used in the Border Beast City. If I had lost my tablet, I would have had to restore it…" Kai said thoughtfully.

"That's not all. Everything you do, it automatically perceives and credits you with points. Or it might deduct them for rule violation! That’s why they are called Reputation Points! If you want to get something, you will have to spend some of them." The old man continued to explain.

"It constantly watches over us? That's somehow…" Kai remarked with skepticism.

"Ha-ha-ha. Everyone has such a reaction at first." the old man laughed gleefully, "You don’t have to worry. This entire system of arrays is not something living. And no one controls it, so all your actions are anonymous. As long as you don’t egregiously violate the laws of the Shadow Sect, nothing terrible will happen." Brud said with a smile.

"And if it’s not egregious, then it’s allowable or what?" Raising an eyebrow, Kai asked.

"Some rules are not so strict, and sometimes they require violations. If you do something like that, just remember, there is a price for it." Laughing, Brud replied ambiguously.

It seemed that the system itself was deliberately left with loopholes. It was quite logical, as a life under total control was not inherent to a human.

"Let's say… If someone has wronged you, and you have an unbearable desire to teach him a lesson… Then you can very well clean his clock. As long as you don’t inflict serious injuries or kill the opponent, everything will be fine. You’ll just have to pay for it with a decent amount of Reputation Points. Ha-ha." Elder Brud explained with a malicious laugh.

"I understand," Kai replied with a smile.

Observing the old man, Kai was once again convinced that it was better not to quarrel with him. Brud had been in the Shadow Sect long enough to understand how everything here is arranged. Probably, he himself had used such loopholes more than once.

"Elder… But who could create such a marvelous method?" Suddenly thinking about this, Kai asked curiously.

"There is no answer to your question because you initially posed it incorrectly," replied Brud, "This system has been under construction for hundreds of years… It has been continuously refined and continues to be refined by each generation of the Shadow Sect. But to be more honest, it’s the merit of the Patriarchs of the Shadow Sect!" the old man proudly said.

"Can you tell me more?" With burning interest, Kai asked. From his eyes, it was evident that he genuinely wanted to know the answer.

Although Elder Brud initially did not want to explain anything, now, seeing Kai's gaze, he himself felt somewhat inspired. After all, elderly people loved to share knowledge with the younger generation…

"Kai… You need to understand, the power of a Patriarch is simply incredible… He, alone, could destroy everyone in the Shadow City, including us, the Elders! And so was each of the Patriarchs! They are on an entirely different level. Their abilities sometimes defy common sense… The current Patriarch is also a Master of Artifacts and contributes his developments to the improvements of this so-called system. The craft of the previous Patriarch was Array Mastery." Brud explained, looking at Kai, "And so it happens every generation. Although old ones like me also contribute to the development… But it’s not as impressive compared to the Patriarch." the old man honestly said.

"Is the Patriarch really that incredible?" Kai asked, slightly shocked.

"Yes." Brud answered without hesitation, "Kai, you are in the Cloud Sphere. For mortals, you would already seem a miracle… Only, beyond that, there are three more Spheres." the old man seriously said, "The Strongest Personal Disciples and Young Elders are in the sphere next to yours, the Gravity Sphere. Great Elders, like myself, are in the Star Sphere. Every so often, the heads of empires or leaders of great powers also reach this sphere. Although they are weaker than us, they are still the absolute rulers in their territories. The Reigning Emperor of the Ghostly Halberd Empire is also in the Star Sphere." Elder Brud explained calmly and meticulously.

Currently, Kai finally heard what he had long desired! He learned where he needs to aspire! It turned out that there were three whole spheres ahead! And naturally, breaking through to each of the subsequent ones would be more and more difficult…

Considering Elder Brud’s words, he realized that a Master of the Star Sphere from the Shadow Sect is far more potent than any equivalent from outside. It seemed to be all due to the difference in heritage, resources, and talent. The Shadow Sect absorbed only the best!

“But the Patriarch…” the elder continued thoughtfully, “The Patriarch is in the legendary Core Sphere! Believe me, lad… Such individuals in the complete world can be counted on one’s fingers. Ascending to the Core Sphere is incredibly challenging… And mortally perilous! Those who have managed this reside in an entirely different world!” Brud said gravely.

“Elder, can you explain the approximate difference between these spheres to me? Master Mo didn’t tell me about this; he wanted me to learn everything independently. I still don’t quite understand the difference in power between masters…” Kai asked with a slight grimace.

“Hmm… There is a certain division. It looks approximately like this…”

A Warrior is a master who has just learned to sense energy. He remodels his body and prepares it for absorbing energy. They are more agile and stronger than ordinary mortals.

A Cultivator forms an Energy Vortex and learns to control energy. To mortals, they are like magicians, as they can create different manifestations of nature from the air. Due to energy, their strength and endurance become inhuman. A cultivator can lift a hundred-kilogram boulder with his hands, which is impossible for ordinary people.

A Master of the Cloud Sphere transforms the Energy Vortex into a Cloud Sphere. At this stage, physical power stops progressing significantly, but the amount of energy and the ability to use it soar to a new level. Its volumes and range of impact also increase significantly. The stronger you become, the more intensively the clouds condense and accelerate their rotation.

When the density of clouds becomes too high, energy begins to manifest as little droplets and concentrates into the core of the Cloud Sphere. This is a sign of the Gravity Sphere. At this stage, masters learn to manifest their energy in form… For some, it’s a sword; for others, an animal… In general, there are many variations. This significantly affects the power of the master and his skill in battle.

When a vast amount of energy concentrates in the center, it collapses and turns into a shining star. That is a Master of the Star Sphere.” The elder explained in one breath.

“This star is different for everyone… For example, mine looks like a ball of red, burning flame. It’s related to my cultivation technique and the Earth Fire that I control. Masters of my sphere possess serious destructive power… If I wish, I can easily evaporate a lake. Or demolish a small town with just one attack… Or destroy the army of the Ghost Halberd Empire all by myself… Though, such things can only scare mortals…” Brud replied thoughtfully.

As soon as Kai heard how casually the elder spoke about this, his jaw immediately dropped…

V.2 Chapter 175: The Spiritual Sea

Only now, Kai realize how greatly he had underestimated this elder. And, in general, how casually he had treated the other Elders at the banquet. Although it was just his manner of communicating, had he understood the full scale of their power, he would have approached them with greater caution.

“It’s good that they calmly reacted to my character… Since they initially allowed me to act this way, there is no need to change my manner of communication now.” Kai thought, a bit shocked.

Currently, Elder Brud shouted to the guards at the door. He ordered them to go to the Array Alliance and call their representatives here. Especially Elder Kayus, as he was also a participant in their dispute. He asked another guard to go to the Palace of Shadows and call Elder Ovian.

As soon as he had done this, he turned back to Kai and continued speaking.

"So, in short…"

"Warrior—preparing the body for energy absorption."

"Cultivator—absorption of energy and formation of an Energy Vortex, and also the beginning of the manifestation of your attribute."

"Cloud Sphere—metamorphosis of the Energy Vortex into a Cloud Sphere and the final formation of the attribute. Increase in energy volumes and level of its control. The higher you rise, the denser the clouds become, and their speed of movement also increases."

"Gravity Sphere—the clouds begin to produce dense droplets of energy, which slowly coalesce to the core of the Cloud Sphere. The amount of energy and control once again rises to a new level. But the distinctive feature is that one gains the ability to manifest their energy in a physical form. The snake that crawled into the pot is a vivid example. It's my physical manifestation of energy.

"Star Sphere—it's a very dangerous sphere… Transitioning into it is extremely difficult. There are many chances to die during the breakthrough. But if you do break through, you’ll find yourself in a new league… When, in the Gravity Sphere, all clouds are converted into these droplets of energy and finally flow to the center, a collapse occurs. If you are too weak, there won’t be enough energy for this. In this case, you'll be stuck forever in a false Star Sphere. You will be stronger than the masters of the Gravity Sphere but far weaker than the masters of the true Star Sphere." Elder Brud delivered the entire classification without stopping.

"At this stage, your power will indeed seem divine to mortals… As I said before, if I wish, I can summon such a wave of flame that will incinerate a small city to ashes. Also, upon breaking through to the Star Sphere, your Spiritual Sea opens… It is very mysterious but an indispensable factor. Without it, trying to progress further in cultivation is simply pointless." Elder Brud explained methodically.

Currently, Kai was voraciously absorbing every bit of information! What Brud had disclosed opened his eyes to the path ahead. Now, he finally understood what he needed to aspire to! Importantly, he grasped the approximate gradation of martial arts masters. Previously, Kai didn’t quite understand the hierarchy of powers, as Old Mo insisted that he should find everything out by himself.

Kai knew that a Cloud Sphere master was stronger than a Cultivator. He also knew about the attribute that amplified energy. But he had no clear understanding of what lay beyond. Even when breaking through to the Cloud Sphere, Kai did not comprehend what was happening to his Energy Vortex. At last, everything was falling into place.

It seemed that everything was tightly interconnected, and each developmental stage needed to be meticulously worked through. This was clearly understood from Elder Brud's words about the false Star Sphere. For energy to collapse, a high concentration was required. If your Energy Vortex was poor, then the Cloud Sphere couldn’t become dense enough. As a result, it would transform into a too weak accumulation of energy. This, in turn, would lead to the impossibility of a breakthrough.

“Good that I always took my training seriously…” Kai thought with a sigh of relief.

He also realized that some of his assumptions were accurate. As Elder Brud said, at the Gravity Sphere, physical strength ceases to progress, and masters focus only on energy.

But Kai understood well that there existed this strange “impulse,” and the body could also be developed. It seemed that no one knew about such methods, and they were not practiced at all. Considering the Astral Emperor of Alchemy, it also seemed to Kai that even he and his contemporaries did not train their bodies…

But now, these questions were too complex for him. He decided there was no point in creating false theories. If you confuse yourself, it will only harm you. In Elder Brud's words, there were other interesting things…

"Elder Brud, can you tell me about the Spiritual Sea? I have heard of it, but I can’t imagine what it is…" Kai asked with curiosity.

"Of course, no problem, it's not a secret. Primarily, it should be understood that it is individual for everyone. You should have already noticed that all martial arts masters are unique. Everyone has their own attribute, their own physical manifestation of energy, their own star, and their own Spiritual Sea… Although everyone's is different, the functions are still the same." Brud said and continued.

"It will be difficult, but imagine that you can ascend to an entirely different world. That's what the Spiritual Sea looks like. It's your unique world, where everything is under your control." The old man explained.

"I just don’t quite understand what it offers to a martial arts master…" Kai responded, puzzled.

"Eeh... That’s a very complex question..." the elder replied with a hint of sadness, "Directly, it doesn’t influence your combat power. But it allows you to enhance your sensitivity to energy and its understanding. In the Star Sphere, it further increases your control and alters the perception of energy itself… How to explain this…" Brud mused, "It’s as if you begin to sense that energy is not a singular entity… You start to perceive the energy that suits you more clearly." The elder explained vaguely. It seemed to be hard for him to describe it…

When Kai heard this, his eyes lit up! It was very much like what he does with his Eyes of Essence! Only, according to Brud's words, it seemed that the effects were simply incompatible. Kai literally saw the essence of the energy…

"Perhaps, I didn’t notice the strong influence of the Spiritual Sea because I initially had a method that is far superior!" Kai suddenly realized.

"But how will this help you?" Kai asked a leading question.

"In the Star Sphere stage, it doesn’t make much sense, apart from improved energy control. But further…" the elder said thoughtfully, "Kai, I mentioned it’s a complicated question for a reason. Next is the Core Sphere… A minuscule number of people worldwide have entered it, and it is the pinnacle of cultivation! Every master who has achieved the Core Sphere is a living legend… Such people never cease to try to develop further. Once, the previous Patriarch told me that simple energy absorption no longer worked for him. He said he feels slight changes only when he tries to absorb energy that suits his attribute and properties. Only then does he feel the changes… Though it was just his theory, there is a grain of logic in it… And as I mentioned earlier, it’s simply impossible to accomplish without the Spiritual Sea." Elder Brud explained with a complex expression on his face.

Now Kai understood why the elder reacted the way he did to the question about the Spiritual Sea. Even among the High Elders, of which Brud was one, there was no clear answer. The Spiritual Sea was not a secret, and everyone knew about its properties. However, concerning its applications and its true purpose, there were only theories.

"Listen... You say that the masters of the Core Sphere are living legends… How are they different from others?" Interested, Kai changed the topic.

Firstly, he was genuinely interested in this question.

Secondly, he wanted to change the subject. It seemed that the question of the Spiritual Sea somewhat saddened Elder Brud.

"You absorb energy, and also focus on the one that suits you best. At one point, your star grows significantly and begins to contract rapidly, turning into a solid core… To be honest, I can only describe this process dryly as I know about it only from writings and the words of the Patriarch… This core develops its own gravity, allowing a martial arts master the ability to violate the same laws of the world…" Brud narrated, his gaze drifting upward, seemingly in a trance.

"Violate the laws of the world? How so?" Kai asked, puzzled.

"If I can destroy a small town… Then a master of the Core Sphere can obliterate an entire mountain with one strike! If they wish, they can become a true catastrophe for anyone! If our Patriarch desires, he can level all four empires to the ground in a few days!" Elder Brud articulated with the deepest respect and undisguised admiration!

"I certainly do not doubt your words… But just the journey between Empires would take several months…" Kai responded skeptically.

"Ha-ha…" The elder chuckled mysteriously, "Do you know the most apparent feature of the Core Sphere?" Brud asked with a smile.

"I have not the slightest idea." Shaking his head, Kai replied.

"They can fly! They literally violate the laws of the world that apply to everyone else! That’s why these masters are called living legends! If they like, they can cover gigantic distances in just a few days!" The elder exclaimed earnestly.

"No… This can’t be… How can a human fly?" Kai blurted out in astonishment. It seemed to him that the elder simply decided to play a joke on him.

"Boy, if you're in shock… Then I'm in sorrow! From the moment I first saw a man soaring in the skies…" Brud paused, "I always dreamed of doing the same… But alas, I am not destined to ascend to the Core Sphere…" The elder replied, sad and candid.

When Kai looked at Elder Brud, he realized that he was not joking…

V.2 Chapter 176: Disturbance Among the Old Ones

Looking at this powerful but saddened old man, Kai started to feel a bit sorry for him. He smiled, deciding to lighten the mood.

"Senior Brud, if I ever ascend to the Core Sphere in the future, I'll definitely take you flying with me!" Kai exclaimed, laughing.

"Oh, get lost…" the old man snapped irritably.

However, immediately after, he returned to his optimal state. He realized he had sunk a bit into melancholy, and Kai, noticing this, simply wanted to cheer him up. This old man was in the Star Sphere and was the Great Elder of the Shadow Sect. In the hierarchy of the entire world of martial arts, he was in the upper echelons! But it seemed that he had his disappointments as well…

"Even the most powerful people have weaknesses…" Kai thought, looking at Elder Brud.

Just as Brud was about to start grumbling, the sound of an opening door was heard.

"Greetings Kai! And get well, old fox!" A man exclaimed with a smile.

It was Elder Kayus, who was coming with a few other old men and a young girl. This was Iris and several Elders of the Array Alliance. Among them was also Elder Ovian.

In normal circumstances, this would be nonsense! Representatives of the Array Alliance inside the Alchemy Alliance!

"Aha… Hello, softy." Elder Brud calmly replied.

Surprisingly, the air didn’t carry an atmosphere of hostility and competition. Usually, when these two met, everything turns into a verbal battle.

Even Elder Kayus was surprised now…

"You're being unusually obedient today... Even though I've entered your precious Alchemy Alliance?" Asked Kayus, raising an eyebrow.

"To be honest, I'm not in the mood to argue with you… See what this kid has done..." Brud said, pointing to the center of the hall.

Having just entered, the Elders of the Array Alliance had already noticed something interesting, but they were still too far away. Kayus had briefly told them the backstory, and none of them believed it. But when they saw how Brud was behaving, they started to suspect something…

"Greetings to you, respected Elders! Please evaluate my Alchemical Array!" Kai exclaimed with a smile.

"Alchemical Array…?" One of the old men said with a strange expression.

As expected, such a name sounded to them like a mockery. If they hadn’t known the backstory, they would have already started condemning and lecturing Kai.

"Don't jump to conclusions. Let’s go and take a look first." Kayus said calmly.

After his words, he took the initiative and moved forward. He went straight to the center of the room. The closer he got, the more was revealed to his eyes. Before even reaching the center, shock was already evident in his eyes!

A similar situation was happening with the other old men. They were all experienced in their craft. Looking at Kai's array, they could definitely say that it was not a counterfeit and not just some beautiful drawing. But what astonished them… They didn't understand the principle of this array's actions!

It seemed utterly unique. Many of them began to fervently discuss the array and its various elements. Most of them, they had never seen before.

“Look here! Can you feel how the energy moves through it?! I thought creating such frequency was impossible! This can definitely aid my research!” Exclaimed one of the elders.

“And this one! Look! The energy in it is smoothly cycled! How is this achieved?!” Uttered another, astonished.

Following these two, similar exclamations poured in. It seemed the elders had only been there a few moments, but they had already found a treasure trove of inspiration. Most of them were Great Elders and were also in the Star Sphere. With the Spiritual Sea, their perception of energy was on an entirely different level!

These elders were at the level where they could independently perceive certain things without relying on the creator's hints. They didn’t need a teacher to narrate all the nuances. Although this was catastrophically inferior to the Eyes of Essence. Nevertheless, they were no longer blind. After numerous experiments and practices, they would be able to replicate some minor elements. Then, they would have the opportunity to utilize them in their development.

Many of these elders had been working on their arrays for many years. Occasionally, an idea would hit a dead end as there simply wasn’t a way to implement the needed process. For instance, for the second elder's array's stability, an element with smooth, continuous circulation of energy was needed. Only, it didn’t exist! At least, until today...

“If I can replicate it, I might be able to revive my research!” The elder exclaimed with fervor and quickly squatted down.

He started to closely examine the array element and muttered something under his breath.

“Listen, Brud... It…” Kayus began, astounded.

“Works... It surely works... The array is incredibly useful.” Brud responded seriously. At that moment, he didn’t even scoff. Seeing the reactions of people who genuinely understood arrays, he realized that he had greatly underestimated its value.

At that moment, Elder Ovian approached them. He could see and hear everything that was happening around. His eyes were shining at that moment!

“Hahaha! Elder Mo hasn’t forgotten about our Shadow Sect!” Ovian laughed loudly, “To direct such a man to us... It’s simply a gift! I knew the old man had his developments!” Ovian continued, laughing.

Such behavior was somewhat atypical for him. It just seemed that he was truly happy now! This array will contribute significantly to the strength of the Shadow Sect! Besides its importance, it will spur the development of two Alliances simultaneously. Especially if the Elders of the Array Alliance find solutions to their dead-end issues. In such a case, several more useful arrays will appear in their Shadow Sect.

“Kai, when did Elder Mo teach you this?! How could you even memorize it?!” Ovian asked in awe.

“Ha-ha…” Kai awkwardly laughed, “Elder Ovian, Master Mo didn't teach me Array Mastery… As soon as I entered the Cultivator stage, he sent me on my own path. At that time, I would simply not have had the opportunity to draw arrays.” Kai replied with a smile.

“What… Then how?!” the elder exclaimed in astonishment, but as soon as he said this, he instantly fell silent, “Sorry Kai, it’s not my business. I didn’t mean to pry into your personal matters; you just surprised me too much,” Ovian instantly apologized.

In the world of martial arts, probing into others' secrets and seeking the origin of their skills was a terrible form. Every powerful master had their secrets and developments. They were their source of power and their most sacred mystery.

If you managed to find the heritage of some forgotten, powerful master, it was your luck and your merit. Luck was also considered part of a master's strength! In this world, it was considered a resource just like any other.

Even under the threat of torture and death, any of the masters would prefer to take their secrets to the grave! And the secrets of those who blabbered them out themselves… We're simply too insignificant. For such weaklings simply couldn’t possess anything truly worthy.

This doesn’t mean that one shouldn’t hide their secrets. Even knowing that you won’t spill them, someone stronger might still try. It’s foolish to wander through slums dripping in gold. Although the law prohibited robbery, won’t there always be those who will ignore it? There will always be those who don’t care about any rules and logic. Therefore, Master Mo warned Kai that he needed to guard his secrets.

“It’s nothing, Elder Ovian, I know you mean no harm. Besides, this time, I really did try my best. I was surprised myself that it turned out so well.” Kai answered truthfully.

“Well, ‘well’ is an understatement…” Ovian replied, looking at the array.

It was still hard for him to comprehend everything happening, but the fact was evident… Kai wasn’t lying and indeed merged Array Mastery and Alchemy into one! Now he had set an incredible precedent. Ovian even wondered if this could mitigate the incredibly long conflict between the two Alliances.

“This gentleman appeared out of nowhere and has already brought significant changes in a month. Although they are not so obvious now… It seems I understand why the Head of the Border Beast City sent him here. There, he could have led everyone to catastrophe…” Looking at Kai, the elder thought.

Some people need to be in the right place. If they are in an environment too weak for them, the environment itself will start to crumble…

V.2 Chapter 177: The Dual Craftsman

Standing in the middle of the hall, Kai observed these old men, who were running around like little children, bubbling with joy. Iris also stood in total shock. She didn’t even greet Kai, just rushed to examine the array. Clearly, she was genuinely obsessed with this craft. Elder Kayus and Elder Brud simply watched in silence.

"Ahem-ahem," Kai coughed to attract attention.

As soon as he did, the trio standing near him turned around. These were precisely the ones who had been involved in the dispute with him.

Seeing their reaction, Kai smiled.

"Elders, do you remember our bet?" Kai asked with a smile, "I think no one would object now if I join both Alliances at once," said Kai, looking at the two old men.

"Are you joking? Your array is incredible! Even if you were the son of my fiercest enemy, I would do everything possible to recruit you into the Array Alliance. With this alone, you've made a tremendous contribution to our cause!" Elder Kayus declared, gesturing towards the array.

"I agree… Although we can't extract new information from it. But the efficiency and scale of my Alchemy Alliance will greatly increase. This will also significantly strengthen us!" Elder Brud seriously responded.

It seemed that these two could only agree with each other where Kai was concerned. He indeed became a kind of bridge between the two feuding Alliances.

"I'm delighted to hear this!" Kai said with a smile, "Do I need to undergo some initiation procedure?" he asked.

"Hmm… Usually yes, but I think in your case, we can skip these formalities. Where do you live? I'll send you a high-ranking token. In status, it is second only to the Elders’ tokens of the Alliance," said Elder Kayus.

"I will do the same. Just tell me your address," Brud nodded in reply.

"Um… After the feast at the Palace of Shadows, I came here directly. I've been working non-stop for about three weeks and haven’t even gone out. So, I haven’t settled anywhere yet," Kai replied awkwardly.

Hearing these words, the old men’s faces twisted slightly. It seemed that Kai was an atypical individual. Sometimes, they didn’t know how to react to him properly… Usually, people first settle their domestic life and then go about doing some tasks. But Kai came to the Shadows City, went straight to the exam, attained the status of a Personal Disciple and after a feast, went to draw the array… It seemed he didn’t care about anything but his goals…

"Boy, what’s wrong with you? I think if I asked you to draw an array somewhere on the street, you would have slept there," Brud remarked, rolling his eyes.

"Hmm… Yes, you're right… Maybe I would have done exactly that. What’s the point of leaving before the work is done?" Kai responded, lost in thought.

Indeed, after the transformation of his body, the need for sleep and other processes became even more dulled. Additionally, Kai's endurance had reached a new level. Over the last three weeks, he hadn’t rested much. When he got tired, he would simply sit down to meditate to replenish his energy.

“Alright, moving on… I was just joking, but it seems like you weren’t…” Brud replied, looking askance at Kai.

“Kai, as a Personal Disciple, you are entitled to rent a dwelling in the Palace of Shadows. It’s not a problem, there’s plenty of space there. You won’t find better housing in the whole Shadows City!” Elder Kayus suddenly said.

“Uh… And how do I rent it?” Kai asked, suddenly understanding something.

“With Reputation Points, of course…” Kayus answered calmly.

“Exactly!” Kai exclaimed, grinning slyly, and looked at Elder Ovian, “Elder, you said that if I created such an array, I would get a tidy sum of points. So what do I get?” Kai asked with a smile.

Currently, Elder Ovian seemed to come to his senses! He was so astounded by Kai’s array and everything that had happened that he completely forgot about his part of the agreement.

“Right! It completely slipped my mind!” the old man exclaimed, “And how much are you supposed to get? Honestly, I don’t even know how to evaluate your work…” Ovian answered with a complicated expression on his face.

“Hmm… Well, Elder Brud said that good Alchemists can earn about two hundred points a month…” Kai let slip casually.

Though he knew that the elders would not try to deceive him, Kai had such a way of communicating. He still decided to show that he understood the pricing of the Shadow Sect a little.

In reality, he couldn’t even imagine how much that was worth. These two hundred points didn’t tell him much… But it didn’t mean that the information couldn’t be used to his advantage! It just needed to be presented properly.

“That’s true… But it won’t help in evaluating your array… What do you think?” Ovian asked thoughtfully, looking at Kayus and Brud.

“Hmm… Honestly, I am also struggling with an answer…” Kayus replied, shaking his head.

“In such matters, you are wiser, Elder Ovian. I will leave the decision to you.” Brud said calmly.

The situation had reached a bit of an impasse… Sometimes things had too great or ambiguous value. Such things were called priceless, as evaluating them with some amount was unrealistic…

“Kai, do you have any opinion on this matter?” Ovian suddenly asked.

In this short time, he had begun to take Kai very seriously. It seemed that this young man always had his own ideas and aces up his sleeve. Why not ask him? Perhaps he would have a suitable solution.

Hearing this question, Kai fell into deep thought for a few minutes... The Elders didn’t rush him and just quietly waited for his answer.

“Hmm… Let’s be clear…” Kai said seriously, “I don’t know the prices of goods in the Shadow Sect. Moreover, I am not particularly interested in immense wealth. I pursue the pinnacle of martial arts and continuous development. Also, I need a lot of information for my own research…” Kai started roundabout, “The ideal scenario for me is having plenty of time and enough money. I don’t need too much.” Kai replied.

“Logical… What’s your proposition?” Ovian asked curiously. He liked the way Kai was thinking...

“It’s simple. I need a decent starting capital and the opportunity not to spend time earning points.” Kai explained, “Give me a decent, one-time reward. Not too large, just normal. And also, provide me with a regular, small monthly payment to cover the expenses for basic things, like libraries and cultivation zones. You can consider it the monthly rent for my array.” Kai put forth his demands honestly.

It was a good proposition. Only Kai could create this array, and if it were to wear out, only Kai could restore it. Moreover, the Alchemical Array would bring incredible benefits to the entire Shadow Sect. Valuating it was difficult, and simply showering Kai with Reputation Points could disrupt the balance of the Sect. That also wouldn’t be a sensible solution…

But Kai's proposal sounded really advantageous. He would get a reward for the won bet, albeit not very much. Also, he would receive a monthly payment from two Alliances, for the use of his array. One could say, with such a proposition, Kai was even making concessions for the Shadow Sect.

“Ha-ha… You know how to do business right, boy…” Brud said with a smile, “Although it’s not a fair price for your array, as we will earn much more with it. But you proposed it yourself… We will pay you a thousand points monthly.” The old man craftily declared.

He spoke candidly as well. Due to the increased production of pills, they would be able to sell much more and, as a result, gain super-profits. A thousand points is a small percentage of the potential income. Such a move would not be detrimental to the balance of the Shadow Sect, and for Kai, such an amount was quite sufficient. After all, it’s ten salaries of a good Alchemist!

“In that case, I will support with the same amount! A thousand Reputation Points a month!” Kayus firmly proclaimed.

“Kai, you can be relied upon… Since you will be able to receive twenty-four thousand Reputation Points a year… I award you your annual income!” Elder Ovian declared solemnly!

Thus, Kai received a huge amount of Reputation Points, but not too much to adversely affect the economic balance of the Shadow Sect! Everyone came out ahead.

The Shadow Sect obtained an incredibly useful array and a potential contribution to the development of two strong Alliances.

Kai secured influence and resources for his research and cultivation.

Greed works only in the short term… Kai, in turn, planned to spend quite a lot of time in the Shadow Sect. The way he used his array was the most sensible from the perspective of a long-term strategy!

V.2 Chapter 178: Shadow Elder

Kai’s proposal was excellent; it immediately appealed to every one of the Elders. It also made them reconsider their opinion about Kai once more. Although he was quite young, it was evident that he understood how to use his mind. Moreover, his knack for profit and ability to conduct affairs were wonderful. From the very dispute to gaining the final advantage, every step was taken beautifully and timely.

“How did you draw this, Kai?!” Iris shouted, running up to their company.

“I don’t understand the essence of your question…” Kai replied, without enthusiasm.

This girl was maniacal when it came to the topic of arrays. He understood that if he started telling her about his array, it would not end well. She would definitely cling to him for a long time…

“Don’t play the fool! I thought I was good among the young generation of Array Masters. But you’ve surpassed all expectations!” The girl exclaimed.

“Elder Kayus, why on earth did you bring her here?” Kai asked, glaring at the old man.

“Ahem…,” the old man cleared his throat dryly, “Iris is a promising genius; it will be beneficial for her to study such an array.” Kayus revealed with a smile.

This situation looked quite amusing from the side. Currently, Kai appeared to be part of the generation of these old men, and Iris, in turn, represented the generation of disciples. The Elders themselves did not notice that, subconsciously, they were treating Kai more seriously. This happened due to the capabilities demonstrated by Kai. Not only the creation of the Alchemical Array, the breakthrough to the 6th level of the Shadow Dungeon, but also the ability to negotiate properly. And however absurd it might sound, even Kai’s “duel” with Brud played its role.

“Oh, sure… As if I am going to take the Alchemical Array with me,” Kai replied, rolling his eyes.

“Listen, Iris, I’m busy right now. And I will be busy for some time. If you want to ask someone questions, then ask them to yourself. You have the best guide in the form of the Alchemical Array at your feet. So, go ahead!” Kai said with a smile.

“But I don’t have perception like the Great Elders! I can’t understand the elements of the array just by looking at them!” Iris exclaimed indignantly.

“Oh!” Kai exclaimed, and slapped his hand as if a brilliant idea had come to his mind, “I’m confident that Great Elder Kayus will definitely not refuse to help such a young talent as you, Iris!” Kai revealed with a smile.

“Hooray! Is it true, Elder Kayus?” The girl exclaimed in admiration.

Although she understood that Kai, as the creator, could teach and tell much more, she was not thrilled about having to beg and plead with him. It was evident from Kai that he certainly did not want to engage in such.

But Elder Kayus, that's a completely different matter. As a Great Elder who resides in the Star Sphere, he must understand some elements. Moreover, he had already taught her in the Array Alliance, and she knew that he was a good teacher.

As soon as Kayus heard the words of Kai and the immediate retort from Iris, his expression slightly altered… He hadn’t even had the chance to react when Kai had already shifted the focus onto him. And seeing the joyful face of Iris, he understood that he couldn’t refuse her.

“Yes, Iris… Certainly…” The elder said, with a forced smile.

“Elder Ovian, how can I receive my points? And how can I check my balance?” Switching the topic, asked Kai.

“Normally, all exchanges need to be witnessed at the Finance Bureau. They register all point exchanges within the Shadow Sect. Without them, even the Great Elders have no right to make transfers. If you like, we can go there together right now.” Said Ovian with a smile. ”I gather you wish to take our advice and rent a dwelling within the Shadow Palace?” The elder asked.

“You are right, Elder. I want to finally secure a place for my future residence. Besides, it is necessary for Elders Kayus and Brud to be able to send me the tokens.” Kai said with a smile. “By the way, will I also need to go to the Finance Bureau with you, Elders?” Kai asked, looking at the two old men.

“No. It will be processed as your monthly salary. We will describe why it is so substantial in our reports to the Finance Bureau. You can rest easy about it and leave all the paperwork to us.” Replied Elder Brud.

“Then I am truly grateful to you!” Said Kai and bowed respectfully.

“Alright, let’s go, Kai. I think Kayus and Brud would prefer to play with your Alchemical Array rather than waste their breath.” Elder Ovian said with a smile.

“Yes, let’s go.” Kai responded, laughing.

After exchanging a few more words, Kai and Elder Ovian started moving towards the exit of the Alchemy Alliance.

“Listen, Elder. You haven’t told me where I can see how many points I have.” Remembering that this question fell out of the conversation, Kai asked again.

“Ah… Forgot, don’t be mad at an old man.” Ovian replied, laughing. “It’s simple, just place your hand on your glyph on the chest and infuse a bit of energy.” The elder explained, smiling.

“Oh? Is it that simple?” Thought Kai and curiously reached to his chest.

As soon as he touched the glyph and purposefully infused it with energy, he experienced a peculiar sensation. It felt as if information had appeared in his mind, which he clearly comprehended.

It stated:

Name: Kai

Age: 14 years

Cultivation: Initial stage of the Cloud Sphere

Status: Personal Disciple

Master: Shadow Elder Mo

Nickname: Immortal Drunkard

Rank: 347

Organizations: None

Points: 0

“Wow! What is this…” Exclaimed Kai to himself.

“Were you not expecting this?” The elder asked with a smile.

“Yes… I apologize for the abrupt reaction… But this is the first time I’ve seen something like this…” Kai responded, a bit shocked.

“Don’t worry. A very long time ago, I had a similar reaction too. By the way, this method will work even without the uniform. Just place your hand where the glyph is located. There is an extensive system controlling the territory of the Shadow Sect…” Elder Ovian began.

“Elder Ovian, you needn’t trouble yourself. Elder Brud has already explained everything to me in detail.” Kai responded, laughing, interrupting the elder.

As soon as Ovian began to explain that this method would work without the uniform, Kai immediately understood how this was possible.

“Phew… I will have to thank Brud that I didn’t have to explain all this.” Ovian said with a relieved smile.

“Hа-hа. Elder Brud also didn’t really want to do it,” Kai responded, laughing, “Listen, Elder Ovian… My information says that my Master… is a Shadow Elder… What is that? Or did I just misunderstand something?” Kai asked suddenly.

As soon as he saw this line, he immediately questioned it. He had never heard of such a term before.

“You’re correct. Elder Mo is a Shadow Elder. Normally, this status isn’t advertised. You can see it because you’re his disciple. In the Shadow Sect, it is customary that there should be no secrets between a teacher and a student.” Ovian explained.

“But what does this status mean?” Kai asked with interest.

“Hmm… They are the strongest among the Great Elders. Usually, their function is to protect the Shadow Sect and prevent various sabotages. After all, besides our Shadow Sect, there are others. And the competition between us is significant… Only the Patriarch is stronger.” Ovian replied candidly.

“My master is that incredible?” Kai asked in surprise.

Hearing this information, he was very pleased. He was glad that his Master Mo was so spectacular!

“Yes. He is far stronger than I am. Moreover, he has done a lot for the Shadow Sect… That’s why everyone knows and highly respects him.” Ovian answered, reverence in his voice.

“If he’s stronger than you… Then maybe…” Kai began to mumble to himself.

“I know what you’re thinking, but no. The Core Sphere is too mysterious and unreachable… Elder Mo is at the peak of the Star Sphere. In our sphere, even the smallest advancement is marvelous… Besides, his skills are very refined. I am definitely not a match for your Master. Currently, in the Shadow Sect, there are only six people of his level… Of course, we’re not counting the Patriarch, as he is at an entirely different stage!” Elder Ovian stated seriously.

Hiding nothing, the elder meticulously explained the situation to Kai. Finally, Kai roughly understood the level of his Master's strength. But he was concerned that Elder Mo decided not to return to the Shadow Sect. Furthermore, he said that after an unsuccessful breakthrough, he had harmed himself severely… Perhaps Mo had tried to break through to the Core Sphere but failed?

“Well, there’s no point in guessing now… When I see my old man, I’ll ask him directly!” Kai said to himself mentally.

V.2 Chapter 179: Island of Reincarnation

Moving along with Elder Ovian, Kai was preoccupied by a single thought.

“If my old man is so powerful, why is he allowed to be outside the Shadow Sect?” Kai pondered.

“Listen, Elder Ovian… If Master Mo is one of the seven strongest people in the Shadow Sect, why doesn't he return here?” Kai cautiously asked.

He understood that he still didn't know much about all the nuances of the Shadow Sect. So, Kai didn’t know if it was permissible to ask such a question.

“Kai… People like Elder Mo are quite eccentric… Even among them, your master has always been known for his love of freedom. Retaining them by force is simply impossible. But most importantly, to continue progressing in the Star Sphere, simple cultivation is not enough. You have to be constantly in situations between Life and Death. Only by repeatedly risking your life can you achieve something.” Ovian explained vaguely.

“I don't quite understand…” Kai said awkwardly.

“True masters can’t always sit locked up and cultivate peacefully. At one point, you have to venture out into the outer world to find adventures… This world is astonishing… There are places in it that are unsafe even for the strongest people, like our Patriarch. But great risks always come with great rewards. Only those who have taken huge risks and justified them will be the leaders of their generation. All others will fade into oblivion.” said the old man, looking at the sky, “Your master also decided to try his luck and go to a very dangerous place. He never stopped striving forward. Therefore, he decided to try to find an opportunity for a breakthrough.” Ovian spoke with respect in his voice.

It seemed that Master Mo did not want to reconcile with the idea that he had no chance to break through to the Core Sphere. He specifically went out to seek adventures in the outer world. But what place can be considered dangerous for a master of the peak of the Star Sphere?

“He mentioned something about this… He said that he found my technique somewhere…” Kai pondered.

“Thank you for answering me, Elder…” Kai responded gratefully.

“It’s nothing. If I weren’t burdened with numerous administrative processes of the Palace of Shadows, I would have also gone to look for breakthrough opportunities…” Ovian said calmly.

It seemed that the old man had completely accepted his fate and did not grieve about it. Although obviously, he also dreamed of progressing a little more. But he understood that he had no such opportunity.

“I’m certain that without you, everything would fall apart.” Kai said in an encouraging manner, “Listen… I can’t stop wondering… What place can be dangerous even for Master Mo?” Kai asked suddenly.

Initially, he decided that he would not get involved in this matter. But at last, his curiosity prevailed.

"Hmm... This place is a sacred zone of our entire Mysterious Sea Region. Actually, even disciples enter there, but only into its outer areas. Even the Patriarch of the Shadow Sect would not dare to enter its depths!" Ovian stated seriously.

As soon as Kai heard this, his eyes lit up instantly!

"Can I go there?!" Kai exclaimed in delight.

"Ha-ha. Don’t rush! Listen!" the elder replied, laughing, "Our region is so named because at its center lies the Mysterious Sea. The sacred zone is on a small island located in these waters. We call it the Island of Reincarnation... If a person can gain benefits there, they undergo a metamorphosis! But entry there is closed by a strong barrier, which is usually impossible to break." Ovian began.

"Usually? So, there are cases when it’s possible?" Kai asked quickly.

"Yes, you are right. Every three or four years, the barrier weakens significantly. At that moment, the main forces of the Shadow Sect, Sword Sect, and the Spirit Fire Sect are sent there," continued Ovian, "The strongest people of the controlled forces also come there. For example, the Emperors of the four empires and the leaders of various forces on our side arrive. Many minor Sects also obey the Spirit Fire Sect," the Elder said.

"Wow... So many people?" Kai asked in surprise.

"It’s not for nothing. They are needed to create a breach in the barrier and enter the Sacred Zone collectively. Then, everything depends on your skills, luck, and destiny. Many die and do not return from there. But those who are fortunate... They are reborn as new people! Therefore, the Island of Reincarnation is the most suitable name for it," Elder Ovian said with a melancholic smile.

Looking at the elder’s face, one could understand that he has many personal memories associated with this place. Most likely, he knows firsthand how dangerous it is there.

"Probably, many of Elder Ovian’s acquaintances didn’t return from there. When he mentioned the dead, his face noticeably saddened..." thought Kai, listening to the elder.

After the last words, Ovian fell silent and became thoughtful. It seemed that he was immersed in memories. Kai did not rush to interrupt his musings and only spoke a few minutes later.

"Elder, you didn’t answer. Can I go there?" Kai asked with a smile.

"Well... Let’s say, you are both lucky and unlucky at the same time," said Ovian, deliberately creating suspense.

"Please, don’t keep me in suspense." Kai replied with a smile.

"Alright..." the elder answered with feigned displeasure, "You are lucky because from the younger generation, only the Personal Disciples of the three main Sects can go there. And as you understand, we are one of them," Ovian said, smiling.

"What is my misfortune?" Kai asked calmly.

“The thing is, only the top hundred best are sent. I am convinced that you are forceful, but you are only 14 years old. All of the Personal Disciples are geniuses... And when the best among them have a few years' head start... You must understand, breaking into the top hundred would be a miracle.” Ovian said candidly. “Personal Disciples attain the status of Elders after 25 years of age, or they go on long journeys around this age. This means that the strongest of the Personal Disciples will be 10 years older than you! Even if we’re talking about the 100th or 99th place, they would be several years older…” The elder said sympathetically.

“Hmm... This is indeed a problem…” After some thought, Kai replied.

Kai understood that he was forceful. But each of the Personal Disciples was no slouch either. They were the best people of their generation! Currently, they are much stronger than him. Kai had no doubts about this.

“Don’t worry, Kai... The next opening is in about a year. I am sure that in four years you will easily enter the hundred selected.” Ovian said with a smile.

The old man understood that Kai would not make it to the Island of Reincarnation on the next visit. But in 4 years, he would be 18. Considering all of Kai’s talents, he would definitely be able to get there.

"Four years... Hmm... That’s a very long time." Kai thought. Now he was faced with a dilemma.

“Tell me, how is the top hundred determined?” Kai asked suddenly.

“Seems like you would rather not give up.” Ovian said, smiling.

He did not believe that Kai could achieve anything this year. But he really liked the boy’s attitude. According to Ovian, this is exactly how a true master of martial arts should be!

“At least, I will have a clear goal for the coming year. If it doesn’t work out, no big deal!” Kai replied cheerfully, laughing.

“Good attitude! Alright, I'll tell you.” The old man said, smiling. “When you touched the chest, you should have noticed your Rank. It is determined by the system based on many different factors. But the fastest way to rise in Rank is to defeat others in a duel!” Ovian said with a teasing smile.

It seemed that he was somewhat inciting Kai to recklessness. This old man also had his sharp features. After all, he was also a master of martial arts. Regarding Elder Ovian, one could not be deceived; otherwise, it could cost a lot. Not for nothing was he respected so much by those around him.

“A duel? Ha-ha... I like that!” Kai said with a wicked smile. “And how do you challenge someone to it?” Continuing to smile, Kai asked.

“It's simple. Find someone who agrees and stake Reputation Points. But keep in mind that fighting a person of lower rank is not honorable for the opponent. If you want to fight with someone higher, you will have to put up a hefty sum! Otherwise, no one will agree to a battle that's disgraceful for them!” The old man answered with a smile.

It was quite logical. Why would a self-respecting master of martial arts bother beating someone weaker? Such behavior was quite disgraceful… Naturally, unless the opponent didn't want to stake a sufficient amount of Reputation Points. Such duels were not considered bad in the Shadow Sect. They were presented as “an elder disciple teaching a lesson to a junior one.” And it was quite fair, as it usually ended with the one issuing the challenge being routed.

In the Shadow Sect, the Senior Disciple was not the one who was older, but the one who had a higher Rank!

“Ha-ha… I understand, Elder Ovian… Thank you very much for this most pleasant conversation. Today, I learned many interesting things!” Kai thanked, laughing.

At that moment, they finally began approaching the Palace of Shadows...

V.2 Chapter 180: World Map

"Thank you for helping me with everything, Elder Ovian!" Kai said with a smile and bowed gratefully.

"It's nothing. I'll be watching your progress with interest! Don't worry about the tokens; I'll ask to pass the information to Elders Kayus and Brud myself." The old man replied.

"Thank you once again!" Kai thanked again.

After this exchange of words, Elder Ovian turned around and started to walk away through the corridor of the Palace of Shadows.

Presently, Kai stood by a large white door, seemingly coated with a barely visible layer of energy. It was the entrance to his private quarters.

Previously, Ovian had helped Kai rent his new abode. This saved Kai a lot of time, as the old man, being one of the principal people in the Palace of Shadows, had swiftly handled all the paperwork.

Kai's new home indeed deserved the title of Personal Disciple. It costs about 300 Reputation Points per month.

For others, this was a very impressive sum. It was more than the salary of a good Alchemist, not to mention ordinary workers like guards or herb preparers in the Alchemy Alliance.

But Kai understood that the monthly payments of 2000 Reputation Points would more than cover his expenses. Moreover, it turned out that by renting a residence in the Palace of Shadows, you could order food directly to it. And most importantly, it was absolutely free. It could seem too good a deal until one considered the cost of rent...

"Well, let's see..." said Kai and placed his palm on the door.

"Boom!" A resonant sound echoed, and the doors began to open slowly.

Before this, Kai had already inspected everything with the Eyes of Truth. As expected, everything was covered with a large array. Now, only Kai could open these doors.

Currently, he was somewhat anticipating, as he had not seen his new home before. Kai simply trusted Elder Ovian, and the old man, to choose a room for him independently.

Entering, Kai stopped and began to survey the surroundings while the door slowly closed behind him. Immediately after, it was covered again with a thin layer of energy.

"Wow… It's hard to call this a room…" Kai said, a bit shocked.

Now, a large circular hall unfolded before his eyes. Everything here was made in white tones and from beautiful stone. Paintings hung on the sides, and the walls themselves were in decorative carving. There were also many bookshelves. A table and black sofas were in the center of the room.

But the most beautiful part was not this…

Right opposite the entrance, in front of Kai, were giant windows! They stretched from the floor to the ceiling! And through them unfolded an incredibly beautiful view of the entire Shadows City! After all, the Palace of Shadows was located at its highest point!

But that's not all… Kai noticed that there was a balcony behind the windows, which he didn’t notice right away.

"I need to go check it out!" Kai thought and started to walk quickly in that direction.

Stepping out onto it through the side doors, Kai’s breath halted for a moment. From the room, he hadn’t noticed the most beautiful element. Standing on the balcony, he was treated to a view of endless blue waters…

Kai's room was situated in a very advantageous location. One could watch both the Shadows City and the infinite watery expanses… It's just from inside the round hall, this was not visible.

“Ah… Elder Ovian truly made a good choice…” Kai exhaled contentedly.

The landscape before his eyes was incredibly beautiful! Somehow, it happened that all the time on his journey as a master of martial arts, Kai cultivated without daylight… He was either in a stuffy little room, a cave, or underground! This was his first home where it was so spacious and bright.

Breathing deeply, Kai was very pleased. After standing for a while, he decided to return inside.

Looking around a bit, Kai realized that the layout was quite convenient. From the central round room, you could access 4 others.

To the left, there was a spacious bedroom and a bathroom with its own hot spring.

To the right, there was a room with an incredibly high-quality array for gathering energy and a room completely covered in protective arrays. It was clear that the first was intended for closed cultivation, and the second, most likely, for experiments.

Entering the last room, Kai noticed that near the entrance was a small disc platform, covered with an array. But he didn’t use it, as he roughly understood what it was for… Most likely, it’s some kind of array to test his strength.

“Hmm… Interesting… But first, I want to freshen up and rest…” Kai said a bit lazily and exited.

Now Kai was not up for tests of strength… He wanted to start his research as soon as possible. But now it was late lunch, and it will get dark in a few hours.

“I'll rest today and head to the library at dawn tomorrow. Even without the Alliance tokens and their payments… Considering the Reputation Points received from Elder Ovian, I will have no problems.” Kai thought, heading to the bathroom.

……………………

“And this one might be interesting!” Said Kai, looking at the bookshelf.

Currently, it was already dark outside, and the city lights were shining through the windows. The room was bright enough, thanks to luminous stones and arrays. Kai decided not just to have a drink, but also to read something in the background. But alas, in this case, there were only various novels and nothing interesting…

Kai wanted to find something with useful information. When he was about to go to the table for a glass of wine, he noticed a book titled “Heavenly Continent”. It became his favorite!

Sitting on the sofa, Kai poured himself some more wine and opened the book…

“Hmm… So, let's start…” Kai said in his mind.

Reading, he didn’t come across much interesting information. Mostly, it talked about different types of zones existing on the continent. It spoke of vast deserts, dense forests, and much more. But no specifics, just descriptions…

And only towards the end did something useful appear! Kai’s eyes lit up, and he continued to read…

“The Heavenly Continent consists of three massive regions, named: “Mysterious Sea Region,” “Wild Region,” and “Holy Region.”

The Wild Region occupies the entire north. The Mysterious Sea Region is located in the southeast. The Holy Region takes up the southwest.

There are many forces controlling their territories, such as Sects, Family Clans, Countries, or others. But all of them, to some extent, are subordinate to the main hegemony of the Heavenly Continent!

The Mysterious Sea Region is governed by the Shadow Sect, the Sword Sect, and the Spirit Fire Sect!

The Wild Region is ruled by the single Beast Dominion Sect! It consists of a union of savages and beasts. Their territories are respectively called the Wasteland of Savages and the Wild Beasts Steppe!

The Holy Region is mainly governed by the Holy Empire! However, also located there is the Samsara Temple, situated in the far west. One can only approach it by passing through the territory of the Holy Empire!

Many consider the Samsara Temple as a completely separate power of the Heavenly Continent. It is a very remote and mysterious land, with incredibly strong masters… It is said that they have not participated in any conflicts for thousands of years. They maintain a distance from all other Sects of the Heavenly Continent.

The only ones who have contact with them are the Holy Empire. And that, only because they are their neighbors.

All who once expressed doubts in the power of the Samsara Temple ended very tragically. Some researchers of the Heavenly Continent are convinced that they are the most powerful force in our world. They suggest that we are very fortunate that the Samsara Temple never seeks conflicts…” Narrated the author of the book Kai was reading.

“Can it be that our world harbors so many marvelous powers…” Kai uttered, shocked.

V.2 Chapter 181: Seven Hegemony

Although on the way to the Shadows City, Brick had given a brief account of it. However, it seemed that he did not know all these details...

“It turns out that there are, in total, seven hegemonic controlling the whole world… The Shadow Sect, the Spirit Fire Sect, the Sword Sect, the Wasteland of Savages, the Steppe of Wild Beasts, the Holy Empire, and the Samsara Temple…” Re-reading, Kai spoke aloud.

Pondering this, the scales of the Heavenly Continent didn’t settle in Kai's mind. Just their Shadow Sect alone controlled four whole Empires. And besides this, there were also Family Clans, like the Clan of Blooming Gardens, where Taemi hailed from.

“Astonishing... Simply astonishing…” repeated Kai, marveling, “It seems I have already encountered the Wild Beasts Steppe... The Border Beast City precisely defends the border.”

Previously, Kai thought that the entire territory of the Endless Wasteland mainly consisted of mindless animals, but now everything seemed different…

In fact, the locals were just used to such a name. But on the scale of the Heavenly Continent, there is no Endless Wasteland. Everyone calls it the Wild Beasts Steppe.

Musing over this, Kai decided to finish reading what was written in the book. He was even slightly upset by the fact that there were almost no pages left...

Turning the page, he continued:

“So, seven hegemonic, seven rulers of the Heavenly Continent.

The Spirit Fire Sect: Holds control over about fifty small Sects. Its main specialization is alchemy. Their territory is very fertile for growing various spiritual herbs and other ingredients. And their alchemy has been developing for hundreds, if not thousands, of years! The capital is considered to be the Solar Hall, where there is a gigantic and deep volcano; thus the entire region is saturated with fire energy.

The Sword Sect: A noble Sect that controls an entire region. It mainly consists of city-states. All of them pay tribute to the Sword Sect. Ninety percent of its masters are swordsmen, almost all of whom carry their weapons on their backs or belts. The first method is chosen by users of heavy swords, and the second by light ones. The capital is considered to be the Mountain Peak of the Sword.

The Shadow Sect: Originated as a Sect of assassins, which slowly changed its principles over hundreds of years. Now, it controls 4 large empires and several Clans. Although it is quite calm now, it still continues to execute some orders to eliminate people. The capital is considered to be the Shadows City.” read Kai.

“Wow… I didn't know that the Shadow Sect continues to practice such a craft…” Kai said, contemplating.

It seems that although the Shadow Sect has significantly changed its development vector over the last hundreds of years… Some traditions have remained. Actually, techniques such as the Dance of Shadow Seals were ideal for this. So there was nothing strange about this.

“It seems that, venturing out for adventures, the disciples of the Shadow Sect are not just wandering around the world…” Kai laughed maliciously.

“When I've sorted out all the issues and have more time, I might try as well…” Thought Kai and continued reading.

Smiling, he calmly turned the page.

“Wasteland of Savages: A very vast territory, inhabited by various tribes. It is said that almost every one of them has its religion and mythology. But this doesn’t stop them from forming different tribal alliances. It’s a very wild and brutal territory. Savages are human, but their skin is noticeably darker, and they also have more powerful endurance. They have no unified control or capital, but they are all united by the Beast Dominion Sect.

Wild Beasts Steppe: A region of various wild animals. They have their hierarchy. High-order beasts gain consciousness and even acquire the property to take anthropomorphic forms. They also don’t have their capital, only different Clans. The Imperial Beast, who resides in the Beast Dominion Sect, rules them. It is said that he is a very ancient creature, who has lived a vast number of years.

Beast Dominion Sect: This is a Sect where both Savages and Beasts are developing simultaneously. In mutual development and common battles, they choose a partner in the process. The moment both sides decide, they sign a mutual blood contract, binding them forever. They are said to be very formidable opponents when working in tandem. But if the beast is killed, the Savage dies, and vice versa. The blood contract makes them forever connected and loyal to each other. So much so, that they start sharing death among themselves!” The book page said.

“Incredible! This is the first time I’ve heard of such a thing… Beasts and humans developing together… The Beast Dominion Sect seems quite unique… And very interesting!” Exclaimed Kai in admiration, sipping a glass of wine.

Kai was always pleased when he discovered new paths of martial arts. Although he understood that many of them were not suitable for him. But still… It showed how diverse their world is! It greatly inspired Kai.

“Holy Empire: The entire territory unquestionably obeys the Empire. There are no independent forces, such as Clans or other Sects, there. The Holy Empire possesses very dense energy and mysterious techniques. Everyone belongs to and obeys the Imperial family. It is said that only the united strength of the entire Mysterious Sea Region can withstand it. The main city is called the Holy Capital.

Samsara Temple: The most mysterious and inaccessible power on the Heavenly Continent. Those who have been there say that their structure is similar to monastic. Almost everyone there is engaged in constant cultivation and doesn’t interact much with guests. As long as you don’t disturb the local way of life, you won’t have any difficulties. The main problem is getting there. The main place is considered one of the gigantic Temples called the Spiritual Source. Rumors suggest that the Spiritual Source is not the name, but a sacred place inside the temple. But naturally, there are no confirmations.”

Each of the territories possesses its unique properties and resources. Similarly, each harbors numerous secrets and possibilities. The Heavenly Continent is vast and very mysterious!

“If during your travels you stumble upon some wonderful lands... Don't forget to share the information with researchers like me! The more we learn about our world, the easier it will be for the next generations!” The author spoke in his last paragraphs.

Closing the book, Kai placed it on the table, took a glass, and went to the balcony...

“Aaah… What beauty! It’s mind-boggling how much there still is to see… So far, I have only seen the Border Beast City and the Shadows City. I’ve only been to a few places in the Shadows Sect, not to mention the whole rest of the world…” Kai said with a self-deprecating smile.

Currently, he is experiencing a sense of strange, but pleasant sorrow. He felt a slight dissonance. Kai was greatly impressed by all the new knowledge he had acquired over the last month. But at the same time, he began to realize more clearly how insignificant and weak he was...

“There’s still so much work ahead...” Kai exhaled a bit heavily.

“The Sphere of Essence… What do its laws imply? Does anyone know about the existence of a previous civilization? Why did the old world crumble? Where are Kessia and my cultivation technique from? What is the essence of the concept of flesh and impulse development? Hmm…” A cascade of questions swiftly passed through Kai's mind.

Kai had his own assumptions about some of them, but others remained a complete mystery…

“Alright… Why worry? I have only one way out, to move forward. What’s the point in thinking about things I can't influence? When I become strong enough to make an impact… That's when I'll think about it!” Kai laughed.

Presently, this was the best decision. Sometimes pointless reflections only cause harm. Kai was gradually defining his life stance, which approximately stated:

“Do everything that depends on you and develop the things that are under your control. What is not in your power will affect you, regardless of your desires. So why waste energy on the latter? Better spend it on the former!

The moment you can change something with your own hands, the latter will automatically become the former. It’s all elementary!”

Kai stood, contemplating, looking at the incredible lights of the night city, and the moon-shining black water. In fact, he was seeing such a beautiful combination of nature and human endeavor for the first time. It made him recall the Laws of the Sphere of Essence again.

“It seems that even in such a complex combination as the one before my eyes… Even in it, the fundamental laws of the Sphere of Essence can be felt…” Kai whispered quietly.

V.2 Chapter 182: Network of Useful Contacts

Kai stood calmly on the open balcony, watching the lights of the nocturnal city. If one listened closely, the noise of people and wagons could be heard. It seemed that even at night, the Shadows City never fell silent for a second. And in the distance, strange but very pleasant sounds were audible.

Only when Kai looked closely did he understand where they were coming from... They were the sounds of the endless waters! He hadn’t noticed this before, but it turned out that all this water was constantly moving!

"It’s like ripples on a lake, but on a much larger scale… Mesmerizing!" Thought Kai, a sparkle in his eyes.

He was truly enchanted by this environment. Of all the places he had lived, he liked this one the most. But considering that his new home was in the Palace of Shadows, this was not surprising…

"My journey began spontaneously… If thinking in the lifetimes of these elders, barely any time has passed. But I am already a Personal Disciple of the Shadows Sect and live in the Palace of Shadows… Astonishing how quickly things change…" Kai mused, sipping wine from his goblet.

Kai was mainly interested only in himself and his path. Therefore, he didn’t ponder much on the fact that such rapid development is not inherent to everyone around him.

"But I've been lucky in many ways… Without all these things, I would hardly have reached this point so quickly. Although I have no doubt that under different circumstances, I would have taken the same path…" Kai spoke thoughtfully to himself.

He remembered that even in the shelter, he wanted to grow up and go searching for adventures. True, at that moment his main motivation was to help his relatives. Alas, life does not follow the desires of man.

“It sounds sacrilegious… But if not for that night, many subsequent, amazing things wouldn’t have happened to me… I don’t even know whether this can be considered luck or not…” Kai uttered calmly.

His kin had long since passed through vengeance. Since then, Kai had had no qualms about it. After all, he understood the world he lived in. In his situation, he did everything possible and understood this perfectly.

Fortunately, he found another person he can care for. It’s his Master Mo!

“Hmm… And how can I help Master Mo, if he is such an imposing personality… Damn…” Kai said irritably.

Today, he finally learned about his teacher’s status. Elder Mo was one of the seven Shadow Elders and was a master of the Star Sphere’s peak! He was literally on the list of the strongest martial arts masters.

Even assuming that each of the ruling forces of the Heavenly Continent possesses a dozen such people. Then Master Mo still makes it into the top hundred strongest!

Trying to comprehend this scale, Kai realized that the idea of him helping was simply ridiculous!

“Never mind… I've achieved enormous progress in a few years. I have many things that distinguish me from ordinary martial arts masters. The Sphere of Essence, Kessia's Lineage, and my cultivation technique. And also the Spiritual Sea and the Astral Flame of Sacrifice. All this opens up possibilities inaccessible to others…” Kai said in his thoughts.

Even when alone, he tried not to voice such things aloud. Only in his thoughts…

“I need to give it my all! I’ll start by looking for something interesting in the library and archives. There’s nothing specific I want to know, but just looking around won’t hurt…” thought Kai.

Earlier, he was keen to learn about the Spiritual Sea, levels of cultivation, and the structure of the world. But as it happened, he was told about each of these aspects in the process. Now, Kai understood that he could just calmly search for information interesting to him. The history of antiquity and knowledge about “impulses” will be the priority.

These were the only things Kai still didn’t understand…

“So… In addition to this, I need to try to develop the “impulse.” Kessia said it is related to absorbing blood, and I haven’t yet tried it in practice.” Kai continued the mental conversation with himself, simultaneously pouring himself more wine.

A lot of time has passed since the absorption of Kessia’s lineage. Every time Kai entered his Spiritual Sea, he checked the blood book. So far, there has been not a shred of a reaction from it.

Kessia said that upon killing someone, Kai would feel how this development method works. Clearly, she meant a strong adversary. It would hardly work if he just slays an ordinary boar…

“If it has come to this, I also need to learn something substantial in the crafts of Alchemy and Array…” Kai further planned.

Although he was incredibly skilled in both crafts, it was due to the Eyes of Essence and the Astral Flame of Sacrifice. He had knowledge obtained from ancient arrays and memories of the Astral Emperor of Alchemy. But this didn’t mean that modern masters hadn’t invented something new. Their Alliances definitely must have useful information.

If Kai wanted to help Master Mo, he would need not only the knowledge of the past but also the developments of the present!

“So… A rough plan of action…” said Kai, rubbing his chin, “I’ll start by rummaging through the library. Firstly in the general one, then in the archives of the Alchemy and Array Alliances. Next, I need to find out where I can hunt and try to develop my lineage…” Kai spoke, pacing in a circle.

This way, he structured and planned all his goals for the near future. Kai felt he thought better when he was moving.

“But the most important thing… The Island of Reincarnation!” Kai exclaimed emotionally, “I can't waste time. I need to think about how to advance in the ranking of Personal Disciples. My Rank is currently at the 347th position… It’s far from the top hundred…” Kai said, stopping.

He understood that accomplishing this would be nearly impossible. Elder Ovian had good reason to warn him and explain all the nuances. The elder, by no means, wanted to underestimate Kai.

“For now, I don’t know how many Reputation Points I need to place for the senior Personal Disciples to agree to a duel with me… And the level of other Personal Disciples is still a mystery to me… Tsk!” Kai clicked his tongue.

If everything had gone smoothly with the previous goals and Kai instantly devised an action plan, now it was the opposite…

"Alright… If I know and understand nothing… Then the best option will be to scout out the situation. During my research, I’ll try to learn more from those around and observe the others. In extreme cases, there are Iris and Taemi, they surely won’t refuse me. Maybe they will be of some use..." Thought Kai, maliciously smirking.

He understood that observing the surroundings might yield a lot of useful information. Kai estimated he would spend a few weeks in the library and archives. He had decided that if he encountered someone interesting on his path, he would try to establish contact with them.

"Decided! Then, developing a network of useful contacts will also be one of my priorities! Who knows, it might bring some not-so-obvious benefits!" Thought Kai, smiling.

Actually, this was not quite typical behavior for him. But what was very characteristic of Kai was personal gain!

As he was pondering, how to gather information and rise in Rank, this idea came to his mind. And it was prompted by none other than Master Mo.

Before, Kai had never considered a network of contacts so seriously. Only after seeing the universal respect for Old Mo in the Shadow Sect, Kai reevaluated his views.

This situation distinctly demonstrated that the right connections and influence are also a part of your strength. Such an idea began to appear in Kai's head back in the Border Beast City when he saw how many opportunities opened up due to the Trade-Research Union. But now, it finally took root in his mind.

"At least, I am already on good terms with three Great Elders… Furthermore, I can easily use Iris and Taemi. Although, Taemi is not very influential yet. But I have no doubt that in the future, she will also be useful." Said Kai, smiling contentedly.

Thinking about this, Kai poured himself more wine and leaned against the balcony railing. Looking at the bright city lights, he said:

"It seems that the Shadows City will be very intriguing… Master Mo, thank you for picking me up and directing me here." Kai let out, craftily smiling.

If someone had seen him from the side, they would have thought that Kai was plotting something nefarious. Although, in a way, that was true…

"What a pleasant evening!" Said Kai contentedly, and with one motion, emptied the glass to the bottom.

V.2 Chapter 183: The Library

Navigating the streets, Kai observed his surroundings. He was intrigued by the contrast between the nocturnal and diurnal atmosphere.

“I must take a walk in the evening... I believe I might find many interesting things then...” Kai pondered, smiling as he wandered.

He was now within the limits of the Shadow Sect and was heading towards the Library. When he had ordered breakfast, he had asked the Palace of Shadows staff about its location. So now, he was heading there leisurely.

As always, Kai seemed completely oblivious to the numerous glances cast his way. Over the past month, many had learned about the new Personal Disciple that appeared out of nowhere. As in any closed society, rumors about him had already spread. Some were even quite amusing.

Considering everyone, from the Disciple-Assistant to the Great Elders, there was a vast number of people in the Shadow Sect. Even so, the hierarchy was quite structured, allowing rumors to spread rapidly. Moreover, the banquet had many attendants, which also fueled the fire.

Some passers-by greeted him respectfully, some simply bowed their heads or whispered quietly. The status of a Personal Disciple was indeed special.

“Where to start... Generally, I don't think I will find more than I already know... There it is!” Kai voiced in his thoughts.

He finally saw the Library building! It was also made of white stone. But the exterior was quite restrained. It was a rectangular, tall building with numerous windows. It seemed to emanate an aura of strictness and tranquility.

Kai didn't linger to admire and immediately headed to the entrance, and then to the registration desk.

Inside, everything was also restrained. The neatness and cleanliness were immediately striking. Everything was very orderly. The building went not only upwards but deep downwards as well. Looking around, Kai realized that bookshelves were located everywhere you looked.

But most importantly, there was no mess! Everything was precisely in its place! When Kai looked at the crowds of visitors walking calmly, he saw the reverence they had for order. It seemed that everyone respected the Library's rules immensely.

“Hello! I would like to know about your regulations, as this is my first time here.” Kai said with a smile, addressing the woman behind the desk.

“Oh! It’s Mr. Immortal Drunkard! Welcome!” she greeted respectfully, with a smile on her face, “It’s simple, keep quiet, do not disturb other visitors, and return the book or scroll to its place.” The woman explained.

“And what about Reputation Points? I was told they are needed to enter the Library.” Kai asked with interest.

“For the upper, first level, there is no need to pay; it is free. But for the subsequent four levels, there is a fee for a day’s visit. 1, 3, 5, and 20 Reputation Points respectively. If you want to rent a specific book or scroll, register them with me or my colleagues. You will find the price on the bookshelf.” The girl explained with a smile.

"Ah… I see…" said Kai thoughtfully, he expected something of the sort, "And how is the payment deducted? If I go down to the 5th level, I have to pass all the previous ones. Shouldn't I have to pay for all of them?" Kai asked with a smile.

Truthfully, he wasn’t concerned about the payment at all. He was just curious to understand the mechanism itself. It turned out that the older Kai got, the more he realized—it’s better to clarify all the questions and nuances in advance. This manner of communication was slowly becoming his habit.

"You only have to pay if you stay on a floor for more than ten minutes. Once the Reputation Points are deducted, you can stay there peacefully for the whole day," the woman answered.

"So, if I just go and have a look around, it will be free?" Kai asked, raising an eyebrow.

"If you fit it within ten minutes, then yes!" The worker replied with a nod.

"I understand, thank you very much! If I decide to take something with me, I’ll come back to you!" Kai thanked with a smile.

To start, Kai decided to walk around all the floors to understand the lay of the land. Only when he began doing this did he understand why the worker was skeptical about the ten-minute frame…

There were too many bookshelves… Even to just glance over them required a heap of time.

"I think I’ll be here for a while…" Kai said with a wry smile.

It took Kai a whole day to wander through all 5 levels… Fortunately, everything was somewhat easier than he anticipated. Each subsequent level became less spacious. The density of the books on the shelves also noticeably decreased. Thus, on the 5th level, there were only about a thousand books. Whereas, on the 1st there were countless…

Having gone through all this, Kai made his own classification of the Library floors.

1st level: The situation wasn’t different from what he had at home. Too much diverse fiction. It seemed primarily to work for those who want to pass their leisure time.

2nd level: Books and scrolls, which were more relevant to reality. But mostly everything is described rather vaguely in them. It was very much like the book Kai read yesterday. There were also many questionable works. Kai didn’t even know if he could trust the information in some of them.

3rd level: There were many works dedicated to crafts and their history. There were also different books with reflections and conclusions of lesser-known researchers. The works here could be trusted already. Though ideally, it would be best to verify the information in practice if possible.

4th level: Specialized books, as well as the basics of various fundamental sciences. There, one could find books on the theory of the emergence of energy, attributes, and so forth. Analysis of the stages of development and cultivation. Naturally, most of them were just theories.

5th level: Books of the most renowned researchers in various fields. The information there is almost guaranteed to be reliable. Some works you won’t be able to understand if you don’t have sufficient background knowledge.

Naturally, after analyzing all this, the 5th level interested Kai the most. He already had enough of his secrets, explanations for which he did not possess. If he starts reading unverified literature, he might only further confuse himself.

And everything related to the crafts of Alchemy and Array, he preferred to learn from the works located in the Alliances themselves. It was logical to assume that the most accurate information related to them is found there.

Wandering through all the levels, Kai noticed several books of interest to him, but he decided to leave them for later. Now he was interested in the 5th, the lowest floor.

"Wow... If only I understood something..." Kai muttered, scratching the back of his head.

At that moment, he was standing on the 5th level, looking into a book titled "Celestial Barrier: The Movement of the Stars". Reading it, Kai did not understand at all what was being discussed... It talked about the positions of different stars, and how they moved. It even mentioned some laws...

"What nonsense..." Kai said and put the book back in its place.

A few minutes later, he finally saw something that seemed understandable and interesting to him.

"Hmm... Let's see..." Saying this, he took the book in his hands and went toward the tables.

Each level had its extensive areas where one could quietly sit and read. There were always people there, intently gazing into a book. But unlike other levels, on the 5th there were relatively few people...

But considering that the price for a day's visit might be equal to someone's monthly salary... This was not surprising at all...

"So... I hope you won’t disappoint me, Kar Yorma." Kai said thoughtfully.

That was the name of the author written on the book, and the book itself was titled "Mysteries of the Prehistory of the Heavenly Continent".

This was exactly what Kai needed. Although now he understood the structure of the Heavenly Continent better, and who governs it. But this gave absolutely no answer to the question about the former civilization, the catastrophe, its causes, and so on.

Kai had been in Astral City and read the memories of the Astral Emperor of Alchemy. He knew for sure that ancient, forgotten history was not fictional. Only, he did not understand whether many of his contemporaries had come to a similar conclusion...

Kai would be deceitful to say that he had no expectations of this book. He really craved to learn at least some details.

V.2 Chapter 184: Mysteries of Antiquity

Kai sat calmly on the 5th level of the library, reading…

He had already browsed through a significant part of the book, but so far, it only mentioned things he already knew. It talked about the powers of the Heavenly Continent and its geography. Everything was just described in more detail.

Reading all this, Kai didn’t hurry to flip further but immersed himself in the information again. As it turned out, it was not in vain. He learned several interesting new facts, such as:

The various powers of the Heavenly Continent are divided into three levels. Hegemony like the Shadow Sect were considered first-order forces. The seconds were smaller Sects, Family Clans, or Empires. The third order was occupied by large-scale groups, small countries, or influential organizations like trade alliances. There was, in fact, a fourth level, and these were the ordinary mortals. For example, forces like Lord Flick's Mansion or other aristocrats of small countries.

Moreover, Kai learned that the Spirit Fire Sect controls about 5 Second Level Sects. Once again, it was confirmed that their alchemy surpasses everyone else on the Heavenly Continent.

In the Sword Sect, alcohol and licentious lifestyle were not very welcome. Martial arts masters of the Sword Sect were quite restrained. And this applied to their entire region.

There was very little information about the Holy Region, even in this book. Kai could only learn that the Holy Empire has a very strong heritage. The cultivation technique of the Imperial Family is very mysterious. It was said that their descendants can defeat masters who are higher in cultivation! But Kai didn’t know any clear details about this. This intrigued Kai so much that he decided to visit the Holy Region in the future for sure.

There were also many minor details, but they were not so interesting or surprising. They mainly talked about the difference in clothes and traditions of different Countries, Clans, and Sects.

Although this was quite useless, Kai still tried to memorize it all meticulously.

"Hmm… It seems there is something here after all…" Kai murmured quietly to himself.

Finally, a new chapter of the book began. But when Kai looked at the number of remaining pages, he realized that this chapter was the last.

“Well, I’m counting on you, Kar Yorma” Kai mentally addressed the author and started reading…

“I am a proponent of the view that the history of the Heavenly Continent is more ancient than it is generally believed to be. I even have some facts that confirm my ideas. But we’ll come back to this later.

In the world of researchers, it is believed that our civilization began to emerge about twenty thousand years ago. It was precisely at that time that the first script appeared.

There were no centralized forces, even such as small sects or family clans. The whole system was built on small tribes that evolved smoothly. Each of them, through trial and error, devised their cultivation techniques over generations. As a result, those who did better occupied more advantageous positions in the world in the future."

However, there are several strange facts that have always puzzled me. I have always posed these questions to myself...

Why are the techniques of some forces numerous orders higher than others?

Why are there strange zones, like the Island of Reincarnation, which hide many secrets?

But one of the most interesting... it's the Samsara Temple and the Imperial Beast," pondered the author of the book.

“What is so unusual about them?” Kai wondered and continued reading.

“All the current leaders of the Heavenly Continent began their formation a few thousand years ago. For example, the Sword Sect is about two thousand years old, and the Shadow Sect about three thousand years old. The Spiritual Fire Sect is roughly the same age.

In turn, the Holy Empire is almost twice as ancient. The exact time is unknown, as it guards its secrets well.

The Wild Region is altogether a complicated subject. They still lack clear centralization; many Clans have their own mythology and history. Calculating when the Beast Dominion Sect was founded is very difficult... You can say that their Sect is more of a traditional union. The Wild Region is a very complicated place to live, and the ancient ancestors of the Savages and Beasts began creating alliances to facilitate their hunting, and ultimately, their lives.

Fortunately, this is one of the places that I have studied very well. I even had the good fortune to speak with the Imperial Beast!" the author suddenly declared.

“What... It seems that this Kar Yorma was far from an ordinary man…” Kai suddenly realized.

Presently, his interest soared to a new level. A man who could converse with the Imperial Beast must have held the highest status himself!

“The Beast Race is very fascinating... They have many species, and they all have quite diverse appearances. Around the Gravity Sphere, they undergo metamorphosis and gain the ability to acquire an anthropomorphic form. But each of them retains the characteristic features of their species.

As it turned out, many underestimate the potential viability of their race. After speaking with the Imperial Beast, it turned out he is about a thousand years old! The status of the Imperial Beast is passed to the most worthy successor before the death of the predecessor.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t converse with this legendary creature for long. But he clearly told me: “We honor the memory of our ancestors and our history. We remember the days of the distant past much better than your human race does. It’s not your fault... There were certain reasons... I can't tell you the details, as it’s taboo even for me, the Imperial Beast. I will only say that the world is older than it seems to you.”

It was precisely at that moment that I understood my theories were not nonsense. It appears that history indeed holds many mysteries…

And the last of them is the Samsara Temple. Everything, I repeat, everything, indicates that it is very ancient! But for some reason, nobody pays attention to the fact that when researching the history of the Heavenly Continent, the narrative automatically includes the Samsara Temple. As if it’s unclear at which exact moment it appeared.

Importantly, it is a very secluded territory. You can only approach it through the Holy Empire. Even then, it’s unclear whether you’ll be allowed further. And if you are allowed, there’s no chance anyone would reveal anything to you. I say this as someone who has tried.

I even saw their main Temple, called the Spiritual Source, from afar. That atmosphere of antiquity is incomparable! It is much older than one can imagine, for sure!

But alas, this was the point in my research where I reached a deadlock. The only ones who could clarify anything are the Samsara Temple and the Imperial Beast. But in the first case, it’s simply futile. And in the second, it’s impossible due to the taboos imposed by the ancestors of the Beast Race.

Thus, there remains a last, desperate measure: to explore the forbidden zones of the Heavenly Continent!

However, as a researcher and a free master of martial arts, I do not belong to any of the powers of the continent. Hence, entry into zones like the Island of Reincarnation or the Solar Hall is barred to me. But that’s not a problem; in my endless wanderings, I’ve already spotted several interesting options!

Perhaps, this is my last book, and I won’t return from my dangerous expeditions. But I don’t regret this at all!

In conclusion, I want to say just one thing. Never stop striving to uncover the secrets of this world! Over time, all that is secret will become manifest!” These were the words where Kar Yorma’s book concluded.

“I feel a bit sorry that he couldn’t visit the Astral City… Nevertheless, who could have known that such a place could exist in the middle of a lifeless desert, where the strongest beasts are at the peak of the Cultivator…” Kai thought, with a slight dissonance.

He understood that he had gained enormous benefits from discovering the Astral City. Revealing this secret to outsiders would be the highest degree of idiocy. But when Kai read about someone who had devoted his entire life to researching the theme of antiquity… It seemed a bit ironic...

Even having conversed with the Imperial Beast and visited the Samsara Temple, this man had reached a deadlock. This might seem like a quite sad fate. But, upon reflection, this is the ultimate outcome for any researcher.

“Strange feeling… With the baggage of my secrets, I feel akin to Kar Yorma. Will I, in my lifetime, be able to know even a part of the answers?” Kai thought, a bit melancholically.

“Ah, well… Such thoughts have visited me more than once. And I already know the answer in advance,” Kai murmured, lazily smiling, “All I can do is move forward. The rest, time will show!” Kai stated firmly.

V.2 Chapter 185: Lone Buddha

After reading the book "Mysteries of the Prehistory of the Heavenly Continent", Kai was in no hurry to leave the Library. He was willing to stay here for a while longer.

During the initial examination of the 5 levels, Kai had already noticed several interesting books and scrolls for himself. Sometimes only small bundles lay on the shelves, where there wasn’t much information. These could be brief records of a historical event or an explanation of one specific phenomenon.

However, Kai calmly put Kara Yorma’s book back in its place and went on to conduct his research.

Thus, he spent almost two uninterrupted weeks in the Library. During this time, he read a vast number of works and greatly strengthened his understanding of the world and its phenomena.

There were many obvious things that Kai had not thought about before. As soon as he read a line, he had the feeling that he had been overlooking the obvious. As if something had been under his nose all the time.

For instance, he was convinced once again that all phenomena in nature are created with the help of energy. Lightning, fire, storm, snow, and much else, are just variations of energy. Moreover, Kai more deeply realized that they all are in mutual balance and connection. The energy of water and wind allows the birth of the energy of lightning.

This whole concept sounded confusing and unclear. But in short, Kai understood what it described.

One revelation for Kai was that the Beast Race is not directly related to the animals across the Heavenly Continent. Previously, he thought that even those beasts near the Border Beast City would gain self-consciousness with proper cultivation.

But as it turned out, only certain animals can develop to such stages. Others are limited by their nature. The Beast Race relates to ordinary animals similarly as the Human Race does. For instance, they also raise livestock.

At first, this seemed a bit wild to Kai, but if you think about it… Don’t predators feed on other animals? In turn, the Beast Race was at the top of the food chain in their region.

Furthermore, Kai learned about a more detailed classification of energy attributes manifested by martial arts masters. Mainly, they were divided into:

Elemental: Which were related to the elements of fire, water, earth, lightning, wind, but also derivatives of them. For example, the elements of steel, ice, or mist. There were many variations of cultivation techniques and attributes. Occasionally, they produced quite interesting combinations.

Inherent: Which endows the martial arts master with the characteristics of a specific animal, plant, or phenomenon. These are more like attributes that are naturally connected to a specific being. When Kai read this, he thought that Fashur from the Border Beast City had precisely this kind of attribute. Elder Brud also manifested a red, fiery snake. Perhaps he too belonged to masters of this type.

Personal: These reveal the essence of the master. For instance, there are masters who cultivate their rage or lust. Or, alternatively, serenity and peace. Typically, their attribute manifests qualities of the cultivator's personality and beliefs.

Unique: These are the attributes that don’t fall under any clear categorization. Their nature can be quite peculiar and enigmatic. Generally, such attributes are very rare and exceptionally uncommon. Kai immediately understood that his attribute probably belongs to the Unique ones. However, this doesn’t mean that Unique Attributes are stronger than all the others.

Sporadically, someone might manifest a Unique Attribute with properties utterly useless in combat. Just as in other categories, there were both weak and strong representatives. Reading this, Kai realized that nature is astonishing. Even in such things, it created a balance.

Elder Brud had explained that, in the Gravity Sphere, a master can express his energy in a more dense and physical form. And in the Star Sphere, the star itself gains specific properties of your energy.

After reading some works, Kai confirmed that all of this was interconnected. There had never been instances where a master with a fire attribute, breaking through to the Star Sphere, suddenly displayed water properties. Similarly, in the Gravity Sphere, he wouldn’t suddenly begin to solidify his energy into ice.

It seemed that everything worked smoothly and gradually. Only now did Kai reflect more deeply on the term “cultivation.”

“It’s literally like cultivating a plant… First, you sow the seeds, and then you painstakingly tend to them for a long time. Until one fine day, this seed grows into a giant tree. It can’t be that if you plant a seed of a steel tree, you end up with a berry bush or vice versa.” Kai thought at that moment.

Cultivation involved smooth and gradual development. First of one’s body, then the Energy Vortex, and finally, concluding with the Core. If you manifested a lightning attribute at the peak of Cultivator, then in the Core Sphere, you would be an incredible master specializing in lightning.

“Hmm… I wonder what I will eventually manifest…” Kai pondered.

Reflecting on his energy, Kai only understood certain aspects. He sensed that it instills an instinctive fear in all living beings and is incredibly destructive. Its color is black, and its texture somewhat resembles fire, but there are differences. His energy slightly altered its surroundings... It was more like the distortion of air on hot days than flame.

Even by greatly stretching his imagination, Kai couldn’t concoct the slightest explanation for his attribute. He hadn’t seen anything like it in nature or in other manifestations. It wasn’t an expression of his character traits or traits of any animal. Most likely, only Kessia might know something about it. But alas, she is in hibernation now.

Considering their first and last conversation... Kai wasn’t sure that even when she regains consciousness, she would reveal anything to him.

In essence, Kai was very satisfied with the time spent in the Shadow Sect Library. Over two weeks, he acquired a vast amount of useful information. Now, he realized that he had been blind before.

Master Mo provided only basic knowledge, such as reading, writing, and other common facts. In fact, even this was a massive contribution. Teaching all of this to a 7-year-old boy from an orphanage in such a short period of time... It was outstanding! And of course, as a bonus, Kai acquired a plethora of stories about courting women and a distorted sense of humor…

“I need to find something more about the Spiritual Sea...” Thought Kai, placing the last read book on the shelf.

Overall, he had learned everything he wanted to. Spending even more time simply reading books would be a foolish move. After all, Kai needed to continue his advancement. Moreover, he set for himself a nearly impossible task. Specifically, to enter the Top 100 Personal Disciples before the Island of Reincarnation barrier weakens.

Although Elder Brud had already told Kai about the Spiritual Sea, he decided to look for additional information.

Wandering through the 5th level, Kai looked for something suitable… And suddenly, he saw a title on a bookshelf. It read “The Nature of the Spiritual Sea.” But when he raised his eyes, he realized that the shelf was empty.

“Damn! Tsk…” Kai uttered irritably.

It turned out someone had already beaten him to it.

“Are you looking for this?” A calm, bass voice sounded.

Turning around, Kai saw a tall and slender guy standing next to him. He had quite a unique appearance. His skin was shiny, and one could say his head shone... There was absolutely no hair! Although he had distinct and noticeable muscles, he was not massive. Everything about him looked quite aesthetic. Such appearance brought a bit of dissonance…

It seemed that this person was indeed very handsome. But his style and bald head stood out from the usual concepts of attractive appearance.

Looking at Kai with a calm gaze, he extended the book to him.

“Ha-ha. Yes, it’s precisely for this! Thank you, Brother…” Smiling, Kai said, and only then did he notice the guy’s chest.

“Lone Buddha.” He responded calmly, giving Kai a clue.

“Lone Buddha? It seems Brick mentioned that this is one of the strongest Personal Disciples...” Kai realized suddenly.

“Ooh… I’ve been told that you are one of the best in the Shadow Sect…” Kai uttered thoughtfully.

He did it involuntarily, as he was a little disconcerted by the situation. Kai respected strong people, but he did not quite know how to conduct himself in the Shadow Sect. Should he address this guy as “Elder Brother” or “Mister”? Kai disliked this, but he had no intention of violating the norms of the Shadow Sect.

“Yes, that's true. But I am not sure about the accuracy of your words. I can say for certain that I am among the top ten.” Nodding, the guy responded calmly.

Kai was surprised by these words! But not by his self-confidence... Coming from this guy, they sounded very restrained and modest. In the phrases he gave, there wasn’t even a hint of arrogance!

V.2 Chapter 186: Religion and the Soul

From this young man emanated an incredible sense of calm and confidence. The way he responded immediately piqued Kai's interest.

"It seems this 'Lone Buddha' is quite an intriguing individual... Perhaps I should try to get to know him?" Kai thought suddenly.

This was exactly what Kai had contemplated on his first night in his new home. He wanted to build a good network of acquaintances in the Shadow Sect. And one of the top personal disciples was certainly a suitable choice.

"You're quite forthright," Kai responded.

He didn't resort to familiarity or try to force himself upon others. Kai aimed to expand his circle of useful acquaintances, but he would never act against his principles. Sycophancy and obsequiousness were definitely not in his nature.

"Yes, it seems you are too," replied the Lone Buddha calmly.

"How did you find it?" Kai asked, taking the book from his interlocutor's hands.

"Not bad, though I didn't learn anything new," the young man replied emotionlessly.

"I suspect I'll have a similar experience, but I'll still read it," Kai continued with a smile.

"Why are you interested in the Spiritual Sea? You're only in the Cloud Sphere," inquired the Lone Buddha.

It seemed he too had developed a certain interest in this conversation, even posing a counter-question.

"You're not in the Star Sphere either, you know." Kai jestingly retorted.

"That's true. But I'm nearly at the pinnacle of the Gravitation Sphere. With my talent, I'll be able to enter the Star Sphere in a decade," calmly replied the Lone Buddha.

"Isn't it a bit early for you to prepare? Ten years is a long time." Kai asked with a smile.

"I could ask you the same," the bald young man responded calmly.

"Well... I come from a backwater village and have many gaps in my knowledge. I would rather not come off as an idiot," Kai answered with a broad smile.

"Fair enough... The pursuit of knowledge is commendable. Come with me. I'll tell you," the young man replied indifferently, heading toward the reading area.

"He's odd... But he seems decent... Although I'm not sure what he wants to explain," Kai thought, somewhat perplexed, as he followed the bald young man.

The entire situation felt a bit strange to Kai. Probably because the Lone Buddha exhibited almost no emotion. All his phrases were emotionally subdued. It was challenging to discern his feelings and gauge his reactions to words. Moreover, this was their first encounter. Kai was only beginning to get a sense of this young man's character...

As he sat down, the Lone Buddha calmly awaited Kai, gazing intently at a point in front of him.

Kai did not keep his new acquaintance waiting and calmly took a seat opposite him. He remained silent, wearing a goofy smile, waiting to see what would happen next.

After a few moments, the Lone Buddha took a deep breath and began to speak.

"The Spiritual Sea is a rather enigmatic concept. There are many theories, but no one truly knows what it is for certain," he said in a measured tone.

"Aha! So that's what he's talking about! Great, I won't have to read it..." Kai suddenly realized, and smiled.

Understanding that his counterpart wanted to share his knowledge of the Spiritual Sea, Kai relaxed a bit.

"The very name is derived from the appearance of the Spiritual Sea. It is well known that the area of the Spiritual Sea varies for everyone. However, a unique water body at the center of this region is a consistent feature," the bald young man explained calmly.

"Logical... I had pondered this before," Kai thought, listening to his counterpart.

Recalling his own Spiritual Sea, Kai recognized that within it was indeed a body of water, resembling a large lake.

"For the most part, it's vast. Star Sphere masters describe its scale as comparable to a sea," the young man remarked emotionlessly.

"A sea? But mine seems much smaller..." Kai pondered suddenly.

Before, Kai had never seen the sea and didn't really grasp its expanse. Thus, he hadn't been concerned about the appearance of his Spiritual Sea. Only when he saw the vast aquatic expanses near the Shadow Sect did he comprehend the scale being discussed...

Although the sea was much smaller than the vast landscapes visible from his window, it was certainly thousands of times larger than a mere lake...

"It seems that even though I've unlocked my Spiritual Sea, it's incomparable to that of Star Sphere masters... But considering the cultivation concept, when transitioning to the Star Sphere, my Spiritual Sea should also expand," Kai contemplated his own situation as he listened to the Lone Buddha.

It was only during their conversation that Kai realized his Spiritual Sea wasn't fully developed yet. This dampened his enthusiasm somewhat... He grasped that comparing even one of his aspects to the masters of the Star Sphere was futile. After absorbing the Astral Flame of Sacrifice, Kai rejoiced in his new capability, especially since it was unavailable to his peers. But now, it seemed he might have overestimated himself a bit…

"There's still much work ahead... I need to tone down my overconfidence a bit," Kai thought, with mixed feelings.

"There's a theory that speaks of your memories and knowledge. It suggests that they are all stored in the Spiritual Sea. This theory is based on information about the battles of higher masters. When a master's Spiritual Sea was damaged in battle, it had consequences. Severe injuries could lead to madness or amnesia," the Lone Buddha explained calmly.

"Right... I think I've heard something similar before," Kai suddenly recalled.

He remembered the moment he absorbed the golden rune of the Astral Emperor of Alchemy. Back then, his entire Spiritual Sea shimmered, and the waters themselves absorbed this light! Immediately afterward, Kai gained new knowledge of Alchemy. It seemed that the Spiritual Sea was indeed connected to knowledge and intellect...

"There are other theories as well," said the young man, pausing oddly. It seemed as if he was contemplating whether to continue his story.

"Like what?" Kai asked with interest, interrupting his counterpart's musing.

"What I'm about to say might sound odd to most people... So, listen to it as just a tale. How you perceive it is up to you," he warned emotionlessly. "I hail from a particular temple. Where I come from, we believe in a Supreme Deity who created the world and gifted all of us souls," the Lone Buddha began.

"Souls? What do you mean by that?" Kai inquired, puzzled.

In the Shadow Sect territory, people weren't particularly religious. In fact, there was no concept of religion there. Kai didn't really grasp the concepts of God and Soul that the Lone Buddha was trying to convey.

"We believe that every living being has a soul. It's what you have now and what remains after death. It's immaterial. They say when you enter the Spiritual Sea, you witness your immaterial projection. In our temple, we believe that this is part of your soul... and that the Spiritual Sea itself is also part of it. Hence, it's considered a very crucial aspect that must be safeguarded," the Lone Buddha explained slowly.

From his companion's demeanor, Kai sensed that this concept was profoundly significant to him. The Lone Buddha spoke of it with evident reverence and awe. Kai truly felt grateful for the story shared.

"Wow... Thank you for sharing such precious information with me. While I find it hard to believe, I think I understand what you're trying to convey," Kai responded gratefully.

Though, it seemed somewhat illogical and not entirely resonant with his mind. Nonetheless, the world is far too wondrous. It holds too many mysteries... Thus, Kai wouldn't rashly dismiss any potential explanation, especially since he'd witnessed something similar before.

"I'm grateful for your response. In the Shadow Sect, such beliefs are considered eccentricities. I'm actually somewhat surprised by your answer," the young man replied calmly.

"Is that why they call you the Lone Buddha? I bet after your tales, everyone just runs off! Hahaha," Kai teased, laughing heartily.

"Darn it! There I go again," Kai exclaimed internally.

Kai's sense of humor was slightly peculiar and could easily offend someone. Generally, Kai didn't care much about this. However, at the beginning of the conversation, he had decided to be more courteous with this young man and not let his usual jibes come into play. Yet, upon hearing the Lone Buddha's remark, Kai couldn't help but make his quip...

V.2 Chapter 187: Sparring

Having made his joke, Kai immediately realized he might have offended his interlocutor. But the words were out, and he calmly awaited a response.

At that moment, the Lone Buddha nonchalantly scratched his chin, looking upward. Turning to Kai, he said:

"Yes. I believe that's one of the reasons."

He answered with complete calmness, devoid of any excess emotion. It seemed this young man approached life with detachment, as if it barely touched him at all...

"I thought I might have upset you with my words. I'm glad that's not the case," Kai replied with a relieved smile.

"Others' words cannot hurt me. I am only responsible for my actions and thoughts. Why worry about things that aren't within my control? Everyone is free to think and act as they see fit," the Lone Buddha replied serenely.

Upon hearing these words, Kai didn't rush to respond. He even paused for a dozen seconds... The statement made him ponder... In turn, his interlocutor waited, not interrupting Kai's thoughts. After a while, Kai responded:

"Hmm... Your words resonate with me, though I always behave slightly differently... I'm not affected by others' words for a different reason," Kai mused.

"And what might that reason be?" the Lone Buddha inquired.

"Hmm... Mostly because I just don't notice other people and their reactions. Recently, I've been thinking that this isn't a good thing," Kai candidly admitted.

"You're right. It's a bad trait," the bald young man responded, "Maintain your distance from others' influences. But remember everything they say. Moreover, analyze why someone did this or that, or what intention lay hidden in their words," the Lone Buddha advised, nodding.

"Has this approach worked for you?" Kai inquired with interest.

"I'm a bit of a different case. I live by the principle of abstaining from temptations. But considering what I saw at the banquet, you have a different path. I believe if you suppress your true character traits, you'll lose your essence," he answered honestly, "That's why I gave you that advice. Don't change yourself; simply add one more trait that will only enhance your position," the bald young man explained earnestly.

"Just remember what others say and analyze it? It might work... If used correctly, one could more easily manipulate people," Kai suddenly pondered.

Most people are largely focused on themselves. If someone remembers the tiniest details about them and understands what's important to them, it greatly boosts their ego. When used correctly, this information can be of great help.

"You are quite a wise young man," Kai remarked, looking at his interlocutor.

"Not quite," the young man replied, shaking his head.

"Why is that?" Kai inquired curiously.

"Only those who discover some truth on their own are truly wise. All I've told you is merely the correct application of information I previously acquired. I've adopted all these teachings from mentors in my temple," the Lone Buddha candidly shared his perspective.

"Just the fact that you understand this already makes you wise," Kai countered.

"Perhaps. But only to an extent," the Lone Buddha conceded, partially agreeing.

Though their exchange consisted of brief phrases, there was much depth to them. Occasionally, a short conversation can convey more essence than hours of idle chatter.

"You're a pleasant conversationalist," Kai remarked with a smile.

"The feeling is mutual. It's rare for me," the bald young man replied, nodding.

Suddenly reflecting on something, Kai asked, "Listen, since we've chatted a bit... You mentioned that your faith is just one reason people avoid you. Are there other significant reasons?" Kai inquired with interest.

"I believe so. You haven't been in the Shadow Sect for long, so you wouldn't know. I am deeply passionate about self-improvement. My method is through combat. I constantly seek out opponents and fight them. Over the years, it happened that I shattered the confidence of many. Thus, few want to associate with me. Nonetheless, I'm not particularly bothered by it," the Lone Buddha calmly responded.

Hearing this, Kai immediately grinned, a twinkle of mischief and excitement evident in his eyes.

"Self-improvement through combat? I enjoy that too! He-he," Kai chuckled, "How about a sparring match?" Kai asked with a smile.

"You're too weak," the bald young man replied emotionlessly.

"Hmm... You didn't even hesitate for a second," Kai replied, shaking his head with an amused smile.

"It's an evident truth. It doesn't require a moment's contemplation," the Lone Buddha responded.

"Hahaha," Kai burst out laughing, "I think I've figured out another reason people avoid you," he said, wiping away a tear.

"Oh? Enlighten me," the Lone Buddha responded.

"You're very straightforward. People don't like hearing unpleasant truths about themselves, even if they're blatantly obvious," Kai said with a grin.

"You're right. What about you?" the Lone Buddha concurred, posing a counter-question.

“As I said before, I don't give a damn about what others think. No offense, but not even about what you think. So, I'm also pretty straightforward.” Kai replied with a smile, “But at the same time, I'm not insane. For instance, I acknowledge that I'm not your match.” Kai candidly added.

“Then why did you ask for a sparring match?” The bald man inquired calmly.

“Hmm... Well, you see... I want to gauge the prowess of the best Personal Disciples of the Shadow Sect. I need to understand how far behind I am. So far, you're the only one I know of such caliber. It's unlikely that anyone else would even lend me an ear.” Kai answered sincerely.

“Your words have merit. Fine. I'm curious to see your strength as well. But you'll have to pay for the sparring.” The bald man replied.

“The Lone Buddha is after money? Heh-heh.” Kai teased.

“I think you already know the answer to that.” The Lone Buddha responded indifferently.

In reality, it was simple; these were the norms and traditions of the Shadow Sect. If a weaker disciple wanted to challenge a stronger one to spar, a fee was required. To bypass this tradition was to insult your opponent and the traditions of the Shadow Sect.

It was evident that one of the best Personal Disciples had far more resources than Kai. He surely wasn't interested in the sparring fee. Most likely, the Lone Buddha would only ask for a symbolic amount, which probably wouldn't even dent Kai's savings. But that was only because Kai's persona piqued the interest of the Lone Buddha. And with this guy, such occurrences were very rare.

“You're so dull... How about we just go spar? It'd be more fun…” Kai said, rolling his eyes and slowly getting up.

“Agreed. Let's head to my place. I have a spacious training arena.” The bald man replied, also rising.

“At the Palace of Shadows?” Kai asked, surprised.

He had his own training room. Naturally, it was more than sufficient for one person, but it couldn't exactly be described as 'spacious'.

“No. I don't like living in the palace. I bought a small house with a private plot on the outskirts of the Shadow Sect's territory. Of course, I set up an extensive training area there.” The Lone Buddha answered calmly.

“And you're utterly alone there?” Kai joked, playing on the name of his interlocutor.

“I'm certainly not drowning my sorrows in drink.” The Lone Buddha retorted calmly.

“Wow! So, you can joke too! Hahaha.” Kai responded, bursting into loud laughter.

“Quiet. We're still in the Library.” The bald man said emotionlessly.

“Oh... Didn't think of that…” Mumbling under his breath, Kai responded.

“Responding to your previous remark. Of course, I can joke. It's just that until now, no one ever listened long enough to realize.” With a stoic face, the Lone Buddha quipped again.

“Pffh... Ha... Hahaha…” Covering his mouth with his hand, Kai burst into laughter again.

As it turned out, his counterpart was not as simple as he first appeared. If they spent more time together, Kai might discover even more intriguing facets of him. It seemed that this new acquaintance had quite a few hidden aspects to his character.

In such a short span of time, Kai had already taken a liking to the bald man. But more than that, he was especially eager for their sparring. Finding a worthy opponent was what he desired most of all!

V.2 Chapter 188: The Difference in Power

After Kai's joke, he could barely contain his laughter. The combination of a calm demeanor, a stone-faced expression, and the Lone Buddha's joke was hilarious.

"Save your laughter until you leave the Library. Rules must not be broken," said the bald guy calmly.

"Then you shouldn't have joked," Kai replied quietly with a smile.

"I just didn't think you'd appreciate my joke," the guy responded candidly. They then exited the building in silence, walking all the way to the exit. Kai didn't want to disturb the other students either. On the 5th floor, they could converse quite peacefully as there weren't many people. But on other floors, the numbers increased.

Upon reaching the streets of the Shadow Sect, Kai's companion continued to walk in the direction away from the Palace of Shadows. Kai calmly followed him.

"Listen. You say you're from some temple. Do you know anything about the Samsara Temple?" Kai inquired thoughtfully.

"No. Though I too was curious about it. My temple is located in the mountains on the border with the Wild Beasts Steppe. So, as you can understand, there's no hint of the Samsara Temple there," replied the Lone Buddha calmly.

"Oh! Could it be near the Border Beast City? I spent a considerable time there," Kai asked with enthusiasm.

"No. My temple is closer to the coast. If you travel north from the City of Shadows and stick to the coast, you'll eventually reach my temple." he responded, then continued, "To the north, the territory of the Shadow Sect borders the Wild Beasts Steppe and a bit with the Wasteland of Savages. But this entire border is a difficult mountain range. The only passage through it is the Border Beast City. Although my temple is on the same mountain range, it's territorially very distant," explained the Lone Buddha.

"But if this mountain range is so impassable, why did you build your home there?" Kai asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Closer to the Endless Waters, the mountains become lower and safer. Where my temple is, it's not that hard to live," the bald guy candidly answered.

It seemed that near the coastline, this mountain range became safer. Kai recalled that the eastern parts of the Endless Wasteland, which was also known as the Wild Beasts Steppe, were safer. Thus, through this narrow spot near the coast, there was no threat from the wild beasts' raids.

"I see..." Kai nodded in understanding but remembering something, he asked again, "Do you have any legends about the eastern part of the Wild Beasts Steppe?" Kai inquired, circling around the topic.

He remembered that Lord Fabian found strange manuscripts in those very places. Moreover, the entrance to the Astral City was also located to the east of the Endless Wasteland. If the Temple of the Lone Buddha had been nearby for many years... Perhaps they know something too?

Hearing this question, it seemed that the Lone Buddha paused to think...

"Nothing special. It's just believed that those lands once suffered the wrath of a god. Therefore, they remain lifeless and chaotic to this day." He replied calmly.

“Hmm… According to the Astral Emperor of Alchemy, the whole world was falling apart, not just those lands… It was foolish to assume they knew something.” Kai thought with a smile.

"Why did you ask?" The Lone Buddha inquired, looking at Kai.

"I had been on an expedition to those places. They seemed very mysterious to me." Kai answered nonchalantly.

"I understand. Those places indeed have their own unique atmosphere." The bald young man nodded in agreement.

Thereafter, Kai decided not to talk about it anymore and just inquired about various trivial things. But listening to the Lone Buddha's answers, it seemed that his interlocutor was truly detached from everything. He was only interested in growth and battles.

In this way, they arrived at a small two-story house. There was one thing that stood out immensely... The entire house was made of wood.

The structure itself was small. But the enclosed grounds it stood on were quite impressive. There were also many plants and greenery around.

It seemed that this plot stood out notably against the backdrop of the entire territory of the Shadow Sect.

"Did you decide to bring your mountains here?" Kai asked with a smile.

"You're partly right." The Lone Buddha replied honestly.

"In any case, there's something about your home. It looks very cozy." Kai said, nodding in appreciation.

"Thank you. I'm quite pleased with it too." The bald young man responded calmly.

It seemed that he had recreated an atmosphere of nature and tranquility in this stone city. It looked rather aesthetic. Moreover, all of it lacked a sense of opulence and extravagance. Even the house itself was rather modest.

Given the status of the Lone Buddha, he probably could afford better places in the Shadow Sect. Yet, he chose this. It spoke volumes about the nature of this man and his commitment to his principles.

Seeing this, Kai found yet another reason to respect the bald young man. People like him truly are genuine personalities.

"Well, let's go straight to the appropriate place." The Lone Buddha said calmly and entered the premises of his home.

Kai silently followed him. After walking a short distance, they emerged onto a large square. The floor was made of massive stone slabs.

Sensing a movement of energy, Kai instantly activated the Eyes of Essence and noticed that all the slabs were reinforced with arrays. It seemed they had become incredibly sturdy. Breaking them would be extremely difficult.

The Lone Buddha didn't wait for Kai long and stepped into the center of the arena. He calmly extended his hand forward, and a rough, silver-colored staff instantly materialized in his palm.

"Thud!" A muffled sound echoed as one end of the staff touched the ground.

From this sound alone, Kai realized the immense weight of this weapon…

"You'll pay a symbolic 10 Reputation Points for the sparring," the Lone Buddha calmly stated.

For Kai, this was indeed a negligible amount. However, for the average disciples of the Shadow Sect, this could be their monthly wage. Indeed, everything is relative.

This was truly just a symbolic fee. For if someone else had found the Lone Buddha and challenged him, it would have cost much more. Simply put, Kai had also piqued the monk's interest.

Without hesitation, Kai also stepped into the center of the arena. He drew his black daggers and declared:

"Alright, after the fight, the balls will be yours. Let's begin!" He exclaimed with a smile.

At that moment, all of Kai's energy erupted from his body! The Astral Flame of Sacrifice also ignited! The entire atmosphere around them changed in a split second! The aura emanating from Kai instilled an instinctual terror, suppressing all living things.

Kai didn't underestimate his opponent. He almost immediately unleashed the bulk of his strength!

"Unexpected. You are far stronger than I thought," the Lone Buddha said calmly.

But as he spoke these words, Kai vanished instantly!

He had already pre-set a Shadow Seal behind his opponent! In a flash, Kai was already behind him!

The Lone Buddha didn't even flinch, merely giving a slight shake to the staff's shaft...

"Thud! Whoooosh!" An immediate resonant, deep thump was followed by a massive wave of unseen energy, which instantaneously wiped out Kai's aura.

Before he could even comprehend what had occurred, Kai was thrust from the center of the arena at high speed, crashing into a tree with his back. The collision was so potent that it nearly broke the tree trunk!

"Cough!" Kai coughed, spitting out a large mouthful of blood.

"You're strong. But not for me," the Lone Buddha replied impassively.

"How... I didn't even grasp what happened! Is this the level of the strongest Personal Disciples?!" Kai thought, utterly shocked.

V.2 Chapter 189: Surprising the Opponent

Kai lay next to the cracked tree, slightly dazed.

"As soon as I appeared behind him... Without even looking at me, he already struck with his staff in the right spot. And his movements were barely noticeable..." Kai analyzed.

"How did you do that?" Kai asked, slowly getting up.

"I didn't do anything extraordinary. You're simply weak," replied the Lone Buddha.

This guy was at an advanced stage of the Gravity Sphere. There was a vast gap between each stage. Trying to fight him in the first place was a foolish endeavor.

"Alright... The 10 Reputation Points are yours. He-he," Kai replied with a laugh.

"You regenerate quickly," observed the Lone Buddha, eyeing Kai's body. "I might have misspoken. You're weak, but only to me. I am already in the Gravity Sphere. Otherwise, you are generally forceful," he uttered emotionlessly.

"Thanks for that at least. Tsk!" Kai responded with a grin, spitting out the remaining blood from his mouth.

"Let's go again. I'll suppress my cultivation. I think another 10 Reputation Points isn't an issue for you?" the Lone Buddha inquired calmly.

At that moment, Kai slowly lifted his gaze and fixed it on his opponent. The offer intrigued him greatly. He would get to face the Lone Buddha when the latter would utilize strength equal to Kai's own stage!

"Of course! Thanks for offering!" Kai responded, laughing heartily.

"Don't let your guard down. It's still an unfair fight. I have far more experience than you. Moreover, I can't suppress the level of my skills," the Lone Buddha candidly stated.

"Even so, it's good enough! Let's start!" Kai declared, heading back to the center of the arena.

In truth, Kai was quite pleased. Evaluating his abilities, he realized he surpassed his peers. This was largely due to techniques inaccessible to others. One could argue that Kai was ideally suited for the skills he possessed. Few could withstand the Invisible King's Torture Technique. Yet, even without it, Kai wouldn't be as powerful.

Realizing this, he eagerly anticipated the battle against this new opponent. Perhaps the skills of the Lone Buddha could offset this difference in legacy.

"Let's begin," the Lone Buddha calmly stated.

Without replying, Kai immediately lunged into the attack!

He once again released his energy and the Astral Flame of Sacrifice to its full extent. But this time, he did not use the Shadow Seal.

Kai realized that the Lone Buddha was probably too familiar with this move. After all, it was a technique of the Shadow Sect.

"Ching! Ching! Ching!" The ringing of metal clashing resonated!

Kai launched lightning-fast attacks, infused with his energy and fire. But the Lone Buddha deftly wielded his staff, parrying each of Kai's onslaughts. Sparks flew in all directions.

He deliberately kept Kai at a distance, not letting him come close. It seemed that he knew how best to combat those who wielded fire.

"Damn... I need to expand the radius!" Kai exclaimed in his mind.

In that very instant, the Astral Flame of Sacrifice flared up! It spread out over a large area, instantly engulfing its adversary!

However, the broader the area of effect, the less concentrated the fire became. This made it much easier to resist.

"Powerful flame," the Lone Buddha dryly remarked, golden light shining in his eyes.

"Boom!" With a sound akin to a gong strike, golden energy radiated outwards.

At that moment, all the fire surrounding the bald man was instantly repelled. It seemed as if a spherical cocoon of golden light had formed around the Lone Buddha.

"What strong defense..." Kai marveled. "The Eyes of Essence!" he exclaimed in his thoughts.

The moment Kai activated his ability, he began to perceive the world slightly differently. Now, he clearly grasped the trajectory of energy within the Lone Buddha's cocoon.

"So that's how it is... I could try..." Realizing something, Kai promptly decided to test his hypothesis.

By observing the energy movement in the opponent's technique, he could spot areas where it was less controlled or points where the entire balance was concentrated. A strike to one of these points could disrupt the technique.

Yet, looking at the golden cocoon, Kai identified dozens of such centers. They branched out in a mesh across the entire golden barrier. Disrupting it seemed too complex...

But Kai resolved to give it a shot!

The next moment, the Astral Flame of Sacrifice returned closer to Kai. Diffusing his power over a broad area was pointless. He had realized that such a tactic would not harm the Lone Buddha, but would only deplete his energy faster.

"Fsss!" The sound of air being sliced resonated.

Kai darted forward instantly, followed by another flurry of attacks and scattered sparks.

An intense exchange of blows began! Kai didn't pause for a second, while the Lone Buddha methodically parried each strike. Occasionally, he himself initiated strikes when Kai faltered in his attack pattern.

However... the Lone Buddha didn't immediately notice the ruse...

Each time Kai “erred”, he aimed a blow at the golden barrier—more precisely, at one of the balance centers. His adversary didn't detect this immediately... Because even with his experience, he had never fought against someone who could instantly read and decipher his technique.

The battle raged on, and Kai grew gradually wearier. However, the Lone Buddha had honestly kept his word, limiting his strength. Consequently, beads of sweat began to form on his brow.

Looking into the eyes of this bald youth, it was clear he was starting to enjoy the battle. For martial arts masters, a skilled opponent was invaluable. Yet, for now, the Lone Buddha hadn't realized that he had underestimated his adversary.

Kai lunged again! And again, he made a “mistake” in his movement!

“Now!” Kai thought loudly to himself.

“Tzing!” The sound of a strike against the golden barrier echoed, making it tremble slightly.

“What?” The bald youth exclaimed in surprise.

Seeing any emotion on his face was unusual. But already, there was a hint of disbelief.

“Don't daydream!” Kai shouted with a smile, delivering another lightning-fast strike.

“Pop!” A sharp sound was heard as the golden cocoon shattered into tiny fragments.

At this moment, the Lone Buddha was so taken aback that he forgot to react!

“Now's my chance!” Kai mentally exclaimed and struck his adversary's chest.

Kai's attack finally bore fruit! He saw his dagger piercing into his opponent's flesh! Just a little more, and the enemy's heart would be obliterated! Killer instincts had long been ingrained in Kai's subconscious. Every blow he delivered aimed to take a life!

However, he wasn’t worried about his opponent. After all, the Lone Buddha was a high-level master of the Gravity Sphere. Kai simply couldn't believe that he could kill him with such a move.

Watching the blade sink into his chest, the Lone Buddha instantly shifted his body in space. He positioned himself so that the dagger grazed his ribs and then lodged into his shoulder. While he couldn't completely evade Kai's attack, he skillfully avoided the lethal thrust to his heart!

What followed happened in the blink of an eye! He grabbed Kai's arm and delivered a powerful blow to his chest!

“Crack!” The sound of breaking bones echoed!

From the forceful blow, Kai was sent flying into the air, soaring two meters before being thrown out of the arena! This blow was just as ruthless as Kai's own strike!

A rough landing awaited him, followed by a few seconds of disorientation... Spitting blood and clutching his chest, Kai slowly began to rise. Half of his ribs were broken…

“Ah… Your blow was ruthless…” Kai muttered through clenched teeth, wincing in pain.

“And yours, I would call deadly.” Holding onto his bloodied shoulder, the Lone Buddha calmly replied.

V.2 Chapter 190: Kai Secret

Two young men stood ten meters apart, holding each other's gaze intently. At that moment, Kai pressed his palm to his chest, slightly curling his fingers. Meanwhile, the Lone Buddha firmly pressed his hand to his shoulder, which was bleeding profusely.

Each tried to steady their breath, inhaling and exhaling at an even pace. After thirty seconds, Kai straightened up slightly. And the Lone Buddha's blood stopped dripping onto the arena...

They were slowly regenerating...

Kai's regeneration speed was truly terrifying. It seemed that such a feat could not be achieved even with energy. However, at that moment, the Lone Buddha wasn't lagging behind, as he ceased to restrict his cultivation.

"I am grateful for this fight. I've learned something new," the Lone Buddha calmly said.

"Thank you," Kai replied with a chuckle, appearing to feel relief from pain. "Fighting with you was very fascinating. Now I see the vast chasm between our skills," Kai confessed honestly.

"That chasm exists only because I am older. And my cultivation is higher. If we were of the same age, I'm not sure if I could compete with you," said the Lone Buddha, breathing steadily.

After these words, he finally released his shoulder, which had ceased to bleed.

"You're so humble, it's sickening. Hahaha," Kai laughed heartily but regretted it immediately. "Ouch!" He cried out in pain.

Kai's laughter had moved his chest, but his wounds had not fully healed, causing immediate sharp pain.

"How?" the Lone Buddha calmly inquired, a faint glimmer of curiosity appearing in his eyes.

"How what?" Kai feigned ignorance.

"How did you break my protective technique? I've had it my whole life; I know its potential well," the Lone Buddha candidly admitted.

It seemed he'd often employed this technique, one of his mainstays. How could the Lone Buddha not know its strength? Especially when crafting that golden cocoon, its energy was distributed by the very creator of the technique. That is, the Lone Buddha should've had a fair idea of its balance points.

The fact that Kai detected them and discreetly destroyed them was highly suspicious...

"Hehe," Kai giggled awkwardly, then decided to be a bit more serious. "Lone Buddha, you seem like a good person... Can you keep a secret?" Kai inquired earnestly.

"You can be sure of it. If it matters to you, I will take that secret to my grave," the bald young man replied without hesitation.

Before this, Kai had typically pondered how to explain the properties of the Eyes of Essence. While you can easily fool weak and ignorant masters... You can't just deceive people from the Shadow Sect! All of them are skilled fighters who have battled various opponents.

Such people have a discerning eye... They would instantly notice that Kai uses some odd methods.

Racking his brain over this, Kai wasn't quite sure how to safely use the Eyes of Essence in public. In situations like the duel with Lone Buddha, he had to rely on this ability. So, how to minimize risks?

Kai found the answer to this question in one of the library books. It talked about the astonishing innate abilities of great martial arts masters. It described incredibly large and powerful people, masters who were small but very agile, individuals with extraordinary senses of smell or hearing. Their senses were so keen that these masters could even escape the grasp of illusions using them. The book described many other unusual abilities.

At that moment, Kai concocted a legend he decided to use in his public life. After all, constantly hiding certain abilities would be impossible. It's easier to invent a rationale for them and slowly introduce it to the masses. According to Kai's plan, people would eventually get used to his peculiarities.

"Ever since I can remember, since my very birth, I've felt strange things around me. But I was born in a remote orphanage, where no one could explain this sensation to me. And do you know why?" Kai asked seriously.

"Enlighten me," Lone Buddha replied with noticeable interest.

"Because I felt the surrounding energy! In the society where I was born, even Cultivators were considered legendary people. No one knew about energy!" Kai exclaimed emotionally.

This was the legend Kai decided to craft. It was based on the idea that from birth, he was very sensitive to energy and its flows. It indeed resembled the properties of the Eyes of Essence. But what Kai described in his legend was incomparable to the real situation. The value of the Eyes of Essence simply couldn't be overstated...

"To feel energy..." Lone Buddha mused.

"Don't jump to conclusions." Kai interrupted with a smile, halting his companion's reflections. "I don't see this energy, or feel it like sound. I don't feel it in the usual sense. How to explain..." Kai searched for the right words, "I just know it's there." He concluded rather vaguely.

"And what does that mean?" Lone Buddha asked with a hint of confusion.

“I don’t know.” Kai replied, shaking his head, “Only when I transitioned to the Cultivator stage and began to absorb energy... did I realize that this sensation around me had come alive... I realized that I was feeling the energy itself!” Kai said earnestly.

“How clearly?” The bald guy asked almost immediately.

“Barely perceptible,” Kai replied with a disappointed smile, “Like the faintest breeze. But if I focus all my attention and concentration, it can still be of some help. When I approached you, I also vaguely sensed the movement of energy in your technique.” Kai recounted with the sincerity of a saint.

“The world is full of wonders. I've never heard of such an ability before,” the guy said, looking at Kai.

“Lone Buddha, I hope you won't tell anyone about this?” Kai inquired kindly.

“You needn’t worry about me. But sooner or later, people will find out,” the bald man replied candidly.

Kai understood this perfectly well. Yet, he decided to stick to his role and uphold this legend until the end. Though Kai was a straightforward individual and disliked lying, the poorly protected secret of the Essence Eye posed a direct threat to his life.

Better to soften and slightly alter the truth than to end up as some old maniac's experimental rabbit... Sometimes, great masters, sensing their impending death, become desperate. They can lose their minds and begin to search everywhere for the secrets of longevity. They would grasp at any straw. And Kai did not want his abilities to become that straw...

“I think you’re right... Thanks for the warning!” Kai responded gratefully.

“Why did you want to fight me? Why didn't you find someone from your generation?” The Lone Buddha suddenly asked.

“I wanted to understand the difference in power,” Kai replied briefly.

“But why?” The Lone Buddha posed the question again.

“Hmm... I want to go to the Island of Reincarnation. And I aim to do it next year!” Kai said with a mischievous grin.

“Top 100 Rank...” The bald man muttered to himself.

“Exactly!” Kai laughed, “I understand that it will be incredibly tough. But that's just how I am; can't help it!” He added with a sly smile.

“I can confirm. It’s almost impossible,” The Lone Buddha nodded.

“Why are you echoing me?” Kai teased with a chuckle.

For a moment, the bald man seemed lost in thought. Such a reaction wasn't typical of him. At least, in the short time Kai had interacted with him, he hadn’t noticed such behavior.

“I want to be part of this,” The Lone Buddha suddenly declared.

"I don't understand you..." Raising one eyebrow, Kai said in slight confusion.

"We can have sparring sessions regularly. I'll be the one to challenge you, so you won't have to pay. Moreover, I can tell you where it's easier to find opponents," the bald man said impassively.

"So, you want to help me?" Kai asked suspiciously. "But why?" He inquired with curiosity.

Looking at Kai, the Lone Buddha didn’t ponder for long and responded instantly.

"You are different from me. But I feel that you and I are kindred spirits. Even though I usually prefer solitude, I find it truly interesting with you," the Lone Buddha said candidly.

"Do you want to be friends? I didn't expect that from someone like you! Hahaha," Kai laughed heartily. "I like you too! You're a good person! But I have a condition!" Kai cunningly added.

"What is it?" The bald man asked calmly.

"We must become brothers, not by blood, but in spirit! From that moment on, we'll change how we address each other. Then, with you, I'll have two brothers in total!" Kai said cheerfully.

V.2 Chapter 191: Spirit Brothers

Kai jokingly suggested they become spiritual brothers. He genuinely liked this bald man. However, he understood that the Lone Buddha wouldn't fall for his primitive provocation.

With Diso, from the first moments of their acquaintance, they began to call each other “Brothers”. As a result, it genuinely turned into a strong bond.

In the world of martial arts masters, spiritual brothers were considered even more important than blood brothers. Taking such a vow was a tremendous responsibility.

"Damn... I hope my joke doesn't upset him..." thought Kai with an awkward smile.

Although, in general, he wasn't concerned about the feelings of others. But he would rather not offend this man out of pure respect. Kai always showed deference to people like his interlocutor.

The Lone Buddha was a man of principles and a life creed. He firmly followed his own path. Kai also admired his emotionless demeanor and eternally calm tone. This man was certainly different from the masses.

While he pondered this, the voice of his companion suddenly spoke:

"I agree, brother Immortal Drunkard. If anything, I take this seriously," replied the Lone Buddha, completely unperturbed.

It seemed that the entire situation did not bother him at all. But considering his last remark... The Lone Buddha fully understood the importance of brotherhood and certainly did not neglect it.

It was hard to explain... But Kai genuinely seemed like a kindred spirit to him. Similarly, the Lone Buddha felt close to Kai. Such sudden alliances were very rare.

Hearing this, Kai paused for a moment...

"To be honest... I didn't think you'd agree," Kai responded, slightly taken aback, but sincere.

"I understand. However I feel it's the right decision," the Lone Buddha calmly replied.

Sometimes people can have a spontaneous feeling that pushes you toward a specific choice. Such things usually don't happen for no reason. The Lone Buddha felt something similar.

Looking at his interlocutor, Kai's face became more serious. Straightening his back more, he walked towards the bald man.

"I didn't think I'd find a Brother in the Shadow Sect so quickly... Some people never get a chance to find even one... And I already have two... Funny how they're so different." Kai thought as he walked.

Approaching closer, he extended his hand to the bald man. At that moment, Kai's palm was still stained with his blood...

Seeing this, Kai's recent opponent did the same. His hand was even more bloodied, as he had used it to cover a wound on his shoulder.

Looking at this scene, Kai smiled broadly. Without hesitation, he grasped the hand of the man beside him and held it tightly.

"Then I'll be glad to have a brother like you. From now on, I'll consider you a spirit brother!" Kai declared emphatically.

"The feeling is mutual, brother Immortal Drunkard." The bald man replied with a nod, maintaining a serious tone.

"In that case... Brother Lone Buddha, let's celebrate and have a good drink!" Kai exclaimed with boisterous laughter.

"I don't drink alcohol," the man calmly responded.

Upon hearing this, Kai's smile vanished instantaneously...

"Oh, come on! What's the use of having a brother who can't drink with me..." Kai responded, a hint of disappointment evident in his voice.

"Don't worry about it. I'm not stopping you. Let's go," the Lone Buddha replied emotionlessly, beginning to walk towards his home.

"Uh... Where are we going?" Kai inquired, somewhat unenthusiastically.

"To my house. I agree, we should celebrate," the bald man answered.

"Heh-heh... So you agree to drink?" A hopeful Kai asked.

"Yes. But I'll be drinking tea," the Lone Buddha, as calm as ever, explained. "By the way, my real name is Shuo," he added.

"Shuo, huh... It suits you! My name's Kai." Kai replied jovially.

Until now, they had addressed each other by the nicknames used for Personal Disciples. However, in a casual conversation, that was somewhat impractical... Using simple first names was just easier.

"I know. I heard your name at the banquet," Shuo remarked.

"Brother Shuo, maybe, just maybe..." Kai began, trying to approach the topic indirectly.

"It's my principle. If you respect me as your brother, you should understand," the Lone Buddha asserted, turning to face Kai with a serious expression.

Seeing the determination in Shuo's eyes, Kai realized he should stop making light of the situation. The Lone Buddha's stance on alcohol was unwavering. Persisting would show blatant disrespect. And that was entirely inappropriate towards a brother!

"Alright. I'm sorry, Brother Shuo. You'll have to get used to my sense of humor." Kai said, laughing off the tension.

"Don't worry. You'll also need to adjust," Shuo responded, surprisingly with a smile.

"Woah, it's strange seeing you smile. What should I brace myself for?" Kai asked cautiously.

"I wasn't exaggerating when I said I love to fight. You are indeed an intriguing opponent. Don't expect any leniency during our sparring sessions. Also, thanks to your regeneration abilities, you can train longer," Shuo elaborated with unusual verbosity.

It seemed he was hinting that Kai wouldn't be able to keep up with his training regimen. As a man obsessed with battles, Shuo genuinely desired non-stop combat sessions with Kai. He understood there was much he could learn from this young man from the Cloud Sphere.

Only Shuo himself didn't quite understand who Kai really was. If he could only imagine the regular days Kai spent in the Asura Hell... Then he would surely not think that his training was ruthless...

"Hahahaha." Kai suddenly laughed, "Brother Shuo, just wait. I would rather not make empty promises. So let's rest today, and tomorrow, we’ll dedicate the whole day to sparring!" Kai cheerfully responded.

"Do you have something to show?" Shuo asked with an impassive face.

At that moment, he was teasing Kai. It was just hard to notice, considering his stoic expression. But, fortunately, Kai was slowly getting used to the Lone Buddha.

"Who knows, who knows... Maybe you'll be the one lacking stamina. He-he." Kai retorted with a mischievous smile.

"I'm longingly expecting it." Shuo replied.

At that moment, both of them were smiling. Although they were completely different... It seemed they truly found kindred spirits in each other.

"So how are we celebrating?" Kai asked cheerfully, entering the modest house of the Lone Buddha.

"I’ll prepare dinner now. You can start drinking." Shuo calmly replied and headed to the kitchen.

"Then I await your culinary masterpieces!" Kai said with a smile.

Shuo's house was indeed basic inside. But upon closer inspection, one could see that all the woodwork was of high quality. Everything was perfectly polished and arranged. There were hardly any visible gaps between the planks and beams.

Although everything was modest, it didn't mean it was cheap. This house and plot certainly cost a fortune...

"I prefer my place with a view of the entire city. I think Diso would appreciate it too... But there's something about Shuo's house... I like it. Very cozy." Kai thought as he looked around the home of his new brother.

Without ceremony, he took out a barrel of the finest wine and a glass from his spatial ring.

"If Shuo said I can drink, then I will drink!" Kai proudly exclaimed, pouring wine into the glass.

"Of course. After all, you're a drunkard!" A shout came from the next room.

"Is your hearing so good because there's nothing covering your ears?" Kai shouted back, laughing.

"Probably. My baldness doesn't bother me. You don’t need to try." Shuo shouted back calmly.

"Tch! Damned monk..." Kai remarked with feigned irritation.

V.2 Chapter 192: Annoying Laughter

While Shuo was preparing their meal, Kai was drinking... They constantly exchanged brief phrases. Kai joked, and Shuo mostly didn't react. Only occasionally did he parry Kai's verbal jabs.

Though Kai pretended to be annoyed, he liked this manner of communication. It even somewhat resembled the way he interacted with Diso. Only now, Kai seemed to be the weaker link.

The Lone Buddha appeared to be much wiser and more self-aware than him, not to mention stronger. But that didn't bother Kai. He understood perfectly that Shuo was about ten years his senior.

Kai's perspective was roughly this:

“I still have a head start. If I persistently try to progress, I will surely surpass all my opponents. Even if that opponent is my Brother Shuo.”

For the past two months, Kai had barely engaged in his cultivation. One could say he was constantly expanding his horizons and understanding. Indeed, in this time, he had come to better comprehend the world around him.

Though he still didn't understand the reasons for the fall of the previous civilization and the nature of its other mysteries... At the very least, he grasped what he needed to aspire to!

The plan sounded simple in words, but it was unrealistically complex in execution. For most people, it was unattainable...

To start, Kai wanted to enter the Top 100 Rank. Then, he would visit the Island of Reincarnation. As they say, it's a place where people undergo metamorphosis. Perhaps, Kai could also strengthen his cultivation there.

But most importantly... Kai had set an incredibly ambitious goal!

Such a goal compels people to resolutely pursue it. Step by step, second by second... Methodically and disciplined... Namely, the Core Sphere!

As soon as Kai heard about these legendary individuals, he realized he wanted to be among them too. He was drawn not only to their power but also to potential prospects. People of that magnitude can explore the world much more freely! If you're one of the strongest, who then would obstruct your path?

However, the Book of Kar Yorma stated that on the Heavenly Continent, there are places that are lethally dangerous even for the mightiest.

“I wonder what they harbor within...” Kai pondered.

"It's ready." A calm voice sounded from the side.

At that moment, the Lone Buddha emerged from around the corner. In his hands were two large wooden trays, laden with an immense variety of dishes, from small snacks to full meals.

And what was most amusing... Holding these trays, Shuo managed to hook a teapot with the pinkie of his right hand.

“Brother Shuo, were you a waiter in your past life?” Kai teased with a chuckle.

“These are skills I retained from the temple. Plenty of children learn there,” Shuo replied, then calmly inquired, “By the way, why do you always laugh in that odd manner?”

“What do you mean?” Kai asked, puzzled.

“Your ‘he-he’. Has no one ever told you it's annoying?” The Lone Buddha asked emotionlessly.

“No, why? Does it irritate you?” Kai retorted, looking at Shuo.

“Not me. But I think it might bother others. Think about it, Brother Kai,” Shuo candidly advised.

“Hmm... Maybe I do sound strange...” Kai reflected for a moment.

“Well, if you say so, Brother Shuo. I'll think about it!” Kai replied, laughing.

“This time you didn’t say ‘he-he’. It sounds better that way,” The Lone Buddha remarked approvingly.

Kai wasn’t overly concerned by Shuo’s words, but they did make him think. He started to analyze when he developed such a habit in conversation…

“I got it!” Kai exclaimed suddenly, snapping his fingers.

“What is it?” Shuo asked, unfazed, staring at Kai.

“I realized it! This habit of snickering all the time, I picked it up from my Master! I inherited this silly habit from him! It's because I lived with him in the mountains for so long! Damn that Old Mo!” Kai exclaimed irritably.

“Even though you sound annoyed, there’s happiness in your eyes,” Shuo observed, gazing at Kai.

“Sigh...” Kai took a deep breath, “You’re right, Brother Lone Buddha. No matter what I say, I love that old man,” Kai admitted, smiling wistfully.

Hearing this, Shuo chose to remain silent. He could see that Kai held deep emotions regarding his Master. Thus, he didn’t want to pry. If Kai wished, he would share the story himself.

“Alright. Let’s sit down and celebrate,” Shuo changed the subject, attempting to lighten the mood.

As they exchanged words, Shuo had managed to set all the plates on the round table. Thereafter, he poured himself some aromatic, strong tea and raised his cup.

Seeing this, Kai grinned, refilled his glass, and similarly lifted it high.

“To you, Brother Kai,” The Lone Buddha said with a slight smile.

“To you, Brother Shuo! I’m glad I had this honor! He-he,” Kai exclaimed, chuckling again.

Even though he realized he needed to break this silly habit, he couldn’t do it instantly...

“It’s mutual. I'm sure you'll have many surprises to offer in the future,” Shuo assured with confidence.

Kai didn't quite understand why Shuo had said what he did. Indeed, Shuo himself didn’t fully grasp it... He just felt that his Brother was no ordinary person. It was a hunch, or intuition, that never failed the Lone Buddha. Therefore, without hesitation, he trusted his premonition once more.

Following this, the two of them began to celebrate wholeheartedly. Even though Shuo didn't drink alcohol, this didn't prevent him from engaging in interesting conversations with Kai. As they spoke, they became more and more engrossed in their dialogue. It felt as if time was slipping away unnoticed...

Every time a new topic arose for conversation, Kai would think of two more. The same went for his interlocutor...

Kai learned that the temple mainly housed orphans who were raised under rather strict conditions by the monks. There was a vast number of children, and constant work was required to feed them all. Although it sounded somewhat harsh, there was, in fact, a friendly atmosphere in Shuo's temple. Everyone understood that there could be no other way. Everyone tried to work for the common good.

At one point, as he grew older, Shuo ventured into the outside world to advance his martial arts. Luckily, the children in his temple were trained from an early age. They even had their own development techniques. Thus, Shuo left the temple not as a mere man. This happened only when he reached the Cultivator stage.

This immediately reminded Kai of his own childhood. Although he lived in a small orphanage with not many children... the principles were the same. And just like Shuo, he ventured into the outside world as a Cultivator. However, Kai reached this realm much earlier...

When Kai heard Shuo's story, he decided to share his own. Of course, he didn't divulge every detail... He spoke honestly about events in the orphanage and how Master Mo found him. Naturally, he tactfully omitted specifics about his technique and other aspects.

Now, Shuo was his spiritual brother. However, there are things a person may choose to keep to themselves. In such instances, it's not a question of respect or trust.

"I'm sorry, Brother Kai. I would be heartbroken if someone killed my brothers," the Lone Buddha sincerely replied.

"Eh..." Kai sighed, "It's alright. I've already avenged them, and they can rest in peace. You said you believe in souls. Then may the souls of my brothers and sisters finally exist in tranquility. It's better than life in the orphanage..." Kai said with a faint smile.

"I'm sure that's the case. Brother Kai, let's drink to them!" Shuo exclaimed, in a manner quite unlike him.

"Thank you, Brother Shuo... I'll say it again, I'm truly glad to have found a brother like you!" Kai replied warmly, gratitude shining in his eyes.

V.2 Chapter 193: Skill Gaps

That evening, the two men talked for a long time. Mostly, it was Kai who spoke. Although Shuo's replies were brief, they always fully expressed his stance or question.

Late into the night, Shuo offered Kai a place to stay in the guest room. They planned to spar at dawn. It would be inconvenient for Kai to return to the Palace of Shadows, as it was quite a distance away.

Though the Lone Buddha's home wasn't a vast mansion, there were certainly a few available rooms...

As the first rays of the sun broke, Kai instantly opened his eyes. He hadn't been sleeping but meditating, and thus he reacted immediately to the sunrise.

In the Cloud Sphere, Kai hardly needed sleep unless he was incredibly exhausted. Regular fatigue, even from training, could be offset with meditation and energy absorption.

"Good morning, Brother Shuo!" Kai called out with a smile, stepping out of the house.

At that moment, a young man with a staff stood in the courtyard, his body covered in sweat droplets, indicating he had been training for some time.

"Good morning, Brother Kai," Shuo calmly replied.

"Shall we start right away?" Kai asked with a grin.

"Of course. Why waste time?" The Lone Buddha responded.

Without further ado, Kai drew his daggers and slowly made his way to the center of the arena.

Within a moment, the battle began!

But this time, the Lone Buddha was prepared for Kai's peculiar ability. He understood that his opponent was incredibly sensitive to energy.

Now he not only defended and counter-attacked, but he also initiated attacks! In this fight, Shuo unveiled several more of his techniques.

His staff was now bathed in golden light, and on his bald head, six dots lit up. They were arranged vertically, three dots in a row.

Kai wasn't sure how exactly this aided Shuo. But solely by the mounting pressure he felt, he realized things weren't that simple...

"Damn... He's forceful..." Kai thought as he defended.

Even when restricting his cultivation level to the early phase of the Cloud Sphere, Shuo left Kai with no chances.

Almost every round of their sparring, Kai was utterly defeated!

"You have many gaps in your technique," Shuo said calmly, looking at Kai sitting across from him.

Just a moment ago, Shuo's staff had struck Kai's chest powerfully, sending him flying back several meters, landing on his backside.

Breathing heavily, Kai asked, "It seems you held back yesterday."

"No, I underestimated you. In a real fight, that would've been my personal mistake," Shuo replied.

"That's astonishing how strong you are, even at the initial stage of the Cloud Sphere," Kai genuinely responded.

"I've mentioned this before. There's a vast difference in our experiences. Moreover, even if I limit the amount of energy, my techniques are still at a higher level," Shuo replied emotionlessly.

This played an almost pivotal role in their duel. Even if Kai wants to restrict his energy to the level of a Cultivator, it doesn't mean he can consider his Invisible King's Torture Technique a step-down. The same principle applied to the Dance of Shadow Seals.

In turn, the Lone Buddha similarly couldn't limit his skills. Most likely, even his golden cocoon was much weaker at a lower stage. A simple energy restriction wouldn't suffice. His techniques were qualitatively on another level.

Even so, Kai felt he was being outclassed by Shuo in movements. Remembering that Kai's techniques were also quite unorthodox... One could assume that he should be able to at least somewhat withstand the Lone Buddha.

"That's true... Your movements are much more calculated than they might appear at first glance," Kai agreed.

"I hone my skills through battles. I have vast experience fighting various masters. It seems you also know how to combat different weapon types. But that's not enough," Shuo calmly explained.

It seemed that with the Lone Buddha's experience, he immediately noticed this trait in Kai. This was indeed true, as Kai had long trained with the King of Envy. He constantly invented new weapons and changed the battle strategy, exhibiting incredible expertise in every instance.

But Kai was intrigued by Shuo's last statement.

"Not enough? Why?" Kai asked with interest.

"I don't know how to explain. You know how to fight only against weapons," the Lone Buddha vaguely responded.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Kai chuckled, asking again.

"We are martial arts masters. We use various techniques and energy," Shuo began to explain.

Suddenly, Kai seemed to have an epiphany! Something that was apparent, but he hadn't noticed before!

"You mean to say..." Kai mused.

"Don't interrupt," Shuo said calmly, cutting off Kai, "For each weapon type, there are suitable techniques. Masters who specialize in defense or overpowering strength won't use daggers. In turn, those whose specialty is agility, won't use a heavy hammer. You understand only the dry methods of weapon combat. You also recognize the variations of movements and techniques that can be applied," the Lone Buddha methodically explained.

Even now, Kai understood what Shuo was getting at! King of Envy didn't utilize any energy-based techniques! He merely created weapons from bones and applied them with incredible skill and cunning.

But now, Kai finally realized that his real opponents would not only use their weapons... They would deploy various techniques to amplify their type of weapon!

In the fight against Shuo, he had already noticed one such instance. When the Lone Buddha's staff glowed with a golden light, it became more flexible, altering the usual trajectories of the blows. At certain moments, it could also extend slightly, catching one off guard...

"Your knowledge is insufficient. You need real combat experience against martial arts masters. You know how to counteract a staff, but you don't know how to counteract a staff wielded by a martial arts master," Shuo calmly explained, "I must admit, it's strange. But I won't pry into your affairs, Brother Kai." The Lone Buddha candidly added.

Shuo was hinting at the fact that, although Kai was from an orphanage, he somehow knew how to fight with various types of weapons. Where did he find so many skilled mortal warriors to learn from? To anyone with a sense of logic, this would seem odd...

But he understood that one shouldn't delve into someone else's past. If someone doesn't want to share, it's best not to intrude on their soul.

"I get it now, Brother Shuo..." Kai replied thoughtfully, "Thank you for opening my eyes to this issue. Somehow, I completely overlooked it..." Kai honestly admitted.

Sometimes, to recognize even an obvious problem, you need an external perspective. People tend to fixate on something, basing their thoughts solely on their chain of reasoning. To break out of this closed loop, an outsider's input is needed.

Contemplating this, Kai wished to continue the conversation...

"How can I learn more without revealing my secrets? Exactly!" Kai suddenly thought.

He decided to present the information slightly differently. In such a way that it was truthful, but without revealing too much.

"Brother Shuo... Once, I discovered a remarkable array that transported me to another, peculiar space. There, I could fight to the death, constantly sustaining incredible injuries... Everything felt so real there... Even the pain!" Kai began abruptly.

"It sounds like a training array. But a more advanced version of it," Shuo replied, somewhat contemplatively.

Kai chose to approach from a distance, so as not to divulge too much. He knew there were various arrays for training. However, entering such a state at will, as with the Invisible King's Torture Technique... That was truly extraordinary!

V.2 Chapter 194: Shuo's Legacy

Even though various arrays exist, none are as real as the Asura Hell. Furthermore, they require a vast amount of energy stones for sustenance. Not to mention the absorption of Kings, which quite literally made you stronger.

"I spent a lot of time there, honing my skills... As you understand, it's precisely there that I gained extensive combat experience against various adversaries. Not only humans but also other beings..." Kai continued, "Until now, I hadn't realized they weren’t using energy! I was confident in my abilities, but it seems I was blind." Kai admitted frankly.

"Judging by your words, it's indeed a potent array. Based on the description, even in the Shadow Sect, there are only a few like it," Shuo commented, "But you're right, you need genuine experience. There's no other way. I can assist you with the staff and briefly discuss other types of weapons." The Lone Buddha calmly offered.

It seemed that he genuinely supported Kai. Given his vast combat experience, Shuo certainly had much to share. Although, without practice, such information wasn't all that valuable... But it was far better than nothing!

"Thank you, Brother Shuo! I'll be in your debt!" Kai said, instantly becoming more cheerful.

"It's nothing yet. Let's continue sparring. We'll slow down, and I'll guide you through the movements," the emotionless Lone Buddha responded, returning to the center of the arena.

The entire following day, until sunset, they continuously sparred. After every round Kai lost, Shuo explained his moves and strategy. "Had you decided to strike with a direct thrust in that last attack, I would've stepped back and thrust my staff forward," the Lone Buddha would explain.

This training was immensely beneficial for Kai. In one day, he had acquired a vast amount of new information.

However, it was also advantageous for Shuo. Kai was a somewhat unconventional opponent. One had to be very cautious with his energy sensitivity. Also, it appeared that his specializations were agility and speed. But when Shuo's strikes landed... he was amazed by Kai's horrific defense and regeneration. Typically, martial arts masters focus on one or two aspects... But Kai was somewhat different.

For instance, Shuo's specialization was defense and overpowering strength. He was also incredibly adept at counterattacks.

"Alright. Let's rest for today. That's enough," the Lone Buddha calmly stated, draping his robe over his shoulder.

Both were now only in pants, as it was much more convenient to train that way.

"Stay with me. It'll be easier while we train," Shuo stated emotionlessly.

"Heh-heh... Only for your cooking!" Kai teased with a laugh.

"Thanks for the compliment. Let's go," Shuo responded calmly.

He never reacted to Kai's jokes. Instead, he either used them to his advantage or responded with a joke of his own.

"Does your counterattack work in verbal skirmishes too?" Kai asked with a smile.

"If you want to master something, incorporate its practice into all aspects of your life," Shuo candidly replied.

"Such a sage we have here..." Kai rolled his eyes playfully.

After Shuo prepared dinner, and they ate a good portion of it, the duo continued to discuss everything and anything that came to mind.

Shuo asked about the "array" in which Kai had trained. Kai briefly added a few more details, but didn't go into depth. Naturally, he excluded all the details related to cultivation techniques and the absorption of Kings.

"Listen, your cultivation technique is fantastic. Does everyone in your temple study it?" Kai asked curiously, then added with a smile, "Of course, if you don't want to answer, you don't have to."

In the world of martial arts masters, asking such questions was considered impolite. However, since they had already discussed so much and even become spiritual brothers, it wasn't too audacious to ask. Nevertheless, if the Lone Buddha didn't answer, it would be perfectly fine, leaving no ill feelings.

"No. If everyone in my temple used my cultivation technique..." Shuo paused, "We would be more than just a big temple in the mountain range." He answered sincerely.

"Oh... I see..." Kai responded thoughtfully.

"It seems Brother Shuo also had his fortunate encounters in life... Perhaps I shouldn't probe further," Kai pondered, reflecting on Shuo's words.

"I think you've already more or less understood. So, there's no point in hiding. Before I left my temple, I obtained the legacy of an ancient martial arts master in the mountains. I can't say more," Shuo admitted openly. "You're the first one I've told about this. Do you know why?" He asked mysteriously.

"Why is that?" Kai asked, expressing interest.

"Because I'm sure you're the same. And what you've acquired suits you far better. You'll never be interested in what I have. The same goes the other way around. I'm not interested in what you possess. I can't make use of it," the Lone Buddha replied candidly.

Upon hearing this, Kai momentarily froze... But in the next moment, he burst into hearty laughter.

"Still, I am so glad we became brothers! Let's drink!" Laughing, Kai promptly raised his glass.

"The feeling is mutual, Brother Kai," Shuo calmly responded, lifting his own cup of tea.

What Shuo said was true. Most likely, the legacy he received was also tied to his temperament and character. Kai could hardly cultivate something serene and righteous.

As with the Invisible King's Torture Technique. Who could endure those endless tortures in the Asura Hell? More importantly, there was a crucial factor. Even if a fearless person like Kai was found, without the Eyes of Essence, he simply wouldn't be able to effectively recover after each visit to the Asura Hell. And without the Kessia lineage, Kai would hardly have absorbed the Kings anytime soon...

In that case, it would be much more beneficial to cultivate some simple cultivation technique. With it, you at least had the chance to progress. What's the use of an incredibly powerful technique if you can't improve through it?

When they finished their meal, they immediately went to their separate rooms. Entering his, Kai settled into a lotus position and slowly delved into his thoughts.

"If you think about it... After the cataclysm, the previous civilization must have preserved more than just the Astral City. Perhaps other incredible masters of antiquity also managed to leave their legacy... Shuo's technique seems powerful and mysterious. Maybe he also has something similar to my Invisible King's Torture Technique?" Kai pondered under the moonlight.

Reflecting on all this, Kai realized it wouldn't be too odd if things turned out this way. The Heavenly Continent was far older than commonly believed, and Kai was sure of it!

If places like the Astral City survived, or caves of ancient masters they shielded with an array... Maybe their techniques and legacies are scattered throughout the world, awaiting their heir.

This was how it happened for Kai. This is exactly how he obtained his Astral Flame of Sacrifice and the Netherworld Furnace Technique. Although it wasn't a cultivation technique, it was an unparalleled alchemical technique!

"Perhaps my Invisible King's Torture Technique is also a legacy of something similar?" Kai wondered again.

He had contemplated this many times. And this theory seemed quite logical. Even the fact that Master Mo found it in the forbidden zone fit this theory. Only one fact troubled Kai…

Kessia and her words!

All her reactions and words were very ambiguous. It seemed that they did not fit into Kai's general understanding of the world at all. There were still many blind spots on this topic, which confused him.

Thinking about it, he once again ventured into his Spiritual Sea to look at the bloody book. But as always... Everything was perfectly silent...

V.2 Chapter 195: Supreme Fate Arena

So far, there had been absolutely no reaction from Kessia. But this did not bother Kai in the slightest. For the most part, he was always solely focused on his own goals. This was the case before he acquired the lineage, and it would remain so afterward.

What did slightly irritate Kai... It was the fact that a person who could provide answers to many of his questions stood right before him. Yet now, he had no idea when Kessia would regain consciousness. It could take a year, or even decades.

It was a rather peculiar feeling... Even though they had communicated for just a short time. But because Kessia had spent a long time in Kai's Spiritual Sea, and he regularly remembered her, it felt as if they were truly close to each other. Such were the wonderful capabilities of the human brain.

"By the time you wake up, I'll have figured everything out myself..." Kai remarked irritably, but then immediately calmed down.

"Fine... Perhaps it's not the time yet... If I keep progressing, I'll eventually find the answers. I should focus on more pressing matters." Kai said and returned to reality.

He closed his eyes and began to meditate, his thoughts running parallel.

“There are still three whole spheres to the pinnacle. And climbing each subsequent one will be even harder... ‘Harder’ isn’t quite the right word. To ascend to the next-level means undergoing a complete metamorphosis. Even Master Mo is at the peak of the Star Sphere,” Kai pondered.

Though it seemed that three spheres weren't that many, Kai had already completed Body Preparation, the Warrior phase, the Cultivator phase, and had entered the Cloud Sphere. However, in practice, transitioning from the Cloud Sphere to the Gravitation Sphere was exponentially more challenging than going through the previous four stages. The complexity of each subsequent step grew exponentially.

Finding the right analogy was difficult. If one considers the entire complexity of the journey from Body Training to the Star Sphere... it turns out that it's not even one-hundredth as challenging as the transition from the Star Sphere to the Core Sphere. Such was the vast difference!

“I wonder, could it be that Kessia was once in the Core Sphere?” Kai mused suddenly.

Contemplating all the information he is currently possessing, Kai understood that someone of Kessia's caliber could only be a master of the Core Sphere. From what she had said, it seemed that in the past, she was among the most powerful of the Core Sphere masters.

Considering the superior skill level of the ancient civilization... It's likely that Kessia was far more powerful than the current rulers of the Heavenly Continent!

"Enough... It's pointless to speculate about this... Someday, I'll ask these questions to her directly. She's trapped in my Spiritual Sea; where could she possibly go?" Kai chuckled darkly in his thoughts.

Thereafter, Kai continued to meditate peacefully, freeing his mind from any superfluous thoughts. Tomorrow would be another training day; he needed to rest.

At dawn, the routine resumed. Kai greeted his Brother Shuo, and the battle began!

Everything unfolded in the same manner. Shuo offered advice and shared various tricks. Kai kept losing, but he was gradually getting more skilled.

And so, day after day went by...

Each time Kai became stronger, Shuo also upped his game. He didn't give Kai even a moment's reprieve. Throughout their two-week training period, Kai hadn't won once!

This didn't overly concern him, as he knew he was competing against one of the strongest Personal Disciples—the Lone Buddha! If anything, Kai derived pleasure from the entire process. His opponent was alive and acted like a true martial arts master.

This wasn't Fashur from the Border Beast City, who sought power only for resources and profit. Shuo truly lived for the fight. Even his very persona was imbued with martial arts.

Though Kai's views and personality differed greatly from Shuo's... they pursued similar goals. Therefore, he understood The Lone Buddha well and valued him as an opponent.

Beyond training, Shuo would mention various types of weapons during dinner and the techniques associated with them. Their strengths, weaknesses, and so on. While this was just a theory, it was an incredibly valuable theory! Shuo had gleaned all this knowledge from years of fighting!

Currently, Shuo explained that martial arts masters don't always wield conventional weapons. Some use instruments like the zither or a fan. There are also masters, like beast tamers, who raise creatures for their use, employing them in battle.

"Sounds like the methods of the Beast Dominion Sect," Kai noted with a nod.

"Not exactly. In the Beast Dominion Sect, a contract is established between a human and a beast. But not just any beast; one from their sentient breeds. They're also bound by blood contracts, tying their lives together," Shuo calmly replied, "The ones I'm talking about are Tamers. They domesticate wild animals and use them as weapons. There's no contract between them, so they can easily send the beast on a kamikaze attack." Explained the Lone Buddha.

"I see... Thank you for the explanation, Brother Shuo," Kai expressed his gratitude.

Subsequently, Shuo continued to elucidate various aspects of other martial arts masters' techniques. For instance, if you're fighting someone skilled with a zither or flute, it's best to initially seal your hearing with energy. This will restrict your reflexes since you're disabling one of your senses. But in doing so, you shield yourself from a sudden assault on your consciousness or from a technique that might trap you in an illusion through the instrument's sounds.

At that moment, Kai instantly recalled the words of his Master Mo, who advised him to train his reflexes without relying on all his senses. But back then, Master Mo had limited Kai's vision, not his hearing.

"The methods of the King of Fury are simply astonishing..." Kai realized in astonishment.

Now he understood the invaluable skills he had acquired fighting in the domain of the King of Fury! There, he was literally disconnected from all his senses. Even tactile ones! Having learned to combat under such conditions, Kai would have a significant advantage over similar types of masters.

For others, sealing their hearing was a considerable limitation. But for Kai, it didn't matter much...

"If you think about it... My primary expertise right now is defense..." Kai mused with a wry smile.

Though, he didn't mean 'defense' in the conventional sense. His reflexes provided him protection from many techniques. Thanks to the Astral Flame of Sacrifice and the Spiritual Sea, Kai's mental defense was formidable. And, courtesy of his Kessia lineage, his physical defense and regeneration were equally remarkable.

Thus, it turned out that Kai's most robust aspect was defense! But upon deeper reflection... it would be more appropriate to say that the main aspect was resilience! High resilience to all types of attacks!

Kai was lethal due to his training in the Asura Hell and his peculiar energy... But such an attacking style was solely based on his defense. He could charge ahead, shrugging off most injuries. Otherwise, he'd constantly have to dodge and only occasionally counterattack. However, Kai always took the bull by the horns! This was utterly atypical for an agile blade master.

Having spent just two weeks with Shuo, Kai acquired a vast amount of information... Not only about various martial arts masters, but also about himself! Now he had a clearer understanding of his main advantage.

"Brother Kai, I think we'll train for another week or two. Continuing beyond that might hinder your progress," Shuo calmly stated.

"Why?" Kai asked with interest.

Although he knew the answer quite well, he wanted to hear the opinion of the Lone Buddha as well.

"Constantly fighting the same type of opponent isn't beneficial. Over the next one or two weeks, you'll solidify your knowledge. Thereafter, you need to move on," Shuo explained his previous words.

"I understand. I think along the same lines... Brother Shuo, can you then offer some advice? How should I proceed?" Kai asked with a smile.

"It's simple. I'll do what I've always done. Fight in the Supreme Fate Arena. You should do the same," the Lone Buddha replied calmly.

"What is that?" Kai asked again.

"In the Shadow Sect, there are many places where disciple battles are allowed. The Supreme Fate Arena is a place where only Personal Disciples, as well as the best Senior Disciples, are allowed to fight. In fact, that's where I constantly find opponents to battle. Though, not many wants to fight me. I usually have to pay," Shuo explained.

"Wait... Then why didn't you pay me?!" Kai exclaimed jokingly.

"Come to the Supreme Fate Arena, and I'll pay you then. But there, I won't be holding back," the Lone Buddha replied with a faint smile.

V.2 Chapter 196: Kai's Plan

Listening to the words of the Lone Buddha, Kai feigned sadness and remarked:

"Hmm... I never thought my Brother would take advantage of me..." Shaking his head, Kai responded.

"That won't work. Let's get back to discussing the Supreme Fate Arena," Shuo interjected, breaking Kai's playful act.

"You're such a bore. Can't even have a little fun with you. He-he," Kai quipped with a smile.

"You've said that odd 'he-he' again," Shuo retorted.

"Even though I've curbed that habit over the past two weeks, it doesn't mean I'll entirely abandon my speech style. It's a part of me, after all. Plus, I'm not the one lacking friends here," Kai smirked mischievously.

"Oh? And how many friends do you have?" Shuo calmly inquired.

"Um... In the Shadow Sect? Just you," Kai answered with a slight grimace.

"I'm in the same boat. But I don’t have the silly habit of saying 'he-he'. Seems like I'm in a better position," Shuo deadpanned.

"At least I jest with emotion. You know, Shuo... you're really lucky to have a brother like me! I'm probably the only one who gets your jibes," Kai said, smiling.

"I won't argue with that. Now, back to the Supreme Fate Arena," ignoring Kai’s jests, Shuo refocused on their original topic. "What's your current Rank?" The Lone Buddha inquired.

Kai always had a laid-back and carefree demeanor, especially with friends. It could be challenging to stay on topic with him; his jokes and queries often derailed the conversation.

However, as it turned out, such antics wouldn't fly with the Lone Buddha. Methodically and calmly, he'd bring their talk back to the primary discussion. More importantly, he now wanted to share some valuable information with Kai.

"Rank? Hmm..." Saying this, Kai touched his chest, channeling a bit of energy, "Currently 333... But I was at Rank 347..." he expressed, puzzled.

"The Patriarchs' Formation keeps tabs on everything. You likely moved up the hierarchy due to our duels," Shuo calmly explained.

"The Patriarchs' Formation? Is that the integrated system of arrays, artifacts, and other entities monitoring everything within the Shadow Sect's territory?" Kai inquired, trying to recall.

"Yes. Most simply refer to it as 'the system'. But I prefer to call it by its true name," Shuo elaborated.

"So it's called the Patriarchs' Formation? Makes sense..." Kai thought instantly.

About a month ago, Elder Ovian had told him about this. But he, too, had just used the term "system." He also mentioned that the main contributors to this system were the Patriarchs of the Shadow Sect. Everything now seemed to fall into place. The name indeed seemed apt.

"Let's get to the point. Given what I've already seen, you can break through to a rank between 250 and 200. Beyond that, everything will depend on your progress in training," Shuo candidly stated.

Hearing this, Kai did not argue. Over their time spent together, he had come to understand the kind of person the Lone Buddha was. Moreover, during their sparring sessions, Kai genuinely went all out, using the Astral Flame of Sacrifice, Eyes of Essence, and his own energy. He also relied on his regeneration, taking on very risky attacks.

There was only one ability he hadn't used... But for now, it was quite unstable. Kai wasn't entirely sure how to use it properly. He decided that he would only use it in a critical moment.

"Breaking into the Top 100 will be tough..." Kai remarked thoughtfully.

"You're right. To be honest, you stand no chance until you're in the Gravity Sphere. There are no masters from the Cloud Sphere in the Top 100," Shuo added.

"Brother Shuo, how long did it take you to transition from the Cloud Sphere to the Gravity Sphere?" Kai suddenly asked.

"About four years. But I had my lucky breaks. Without them, it might have taken longer," the Lonely Buddha answered truthfully.

"I see..." Kai muttered, rubbing his chin.

At that moment, he was calculating roughly how much time had passed since he entered the Cloud Sphere.

"After entering the Cloud Sphere, I spent another two months in the Time Tomb, solidifying my status at that stage. With all the nuances, the journey to the Shadow Sect took another month and a half... About a month for the Alchemical Array, two weeks in the Library, two weeks with Shuo..." Kai was doing some rough calculations, "In total, about half a year has passed already... Damn..." Kai cursed inwardly.

Although he had spent those two months in the Time Tomb solely on cultivation, solidifying his new phase, for the subsequent three and a half months, he had hardly dedicated any time to it. There wasn't significant progress in strength.

Furthermore, Kai noticed that after absorbing the Torture Kings, the cultivation mechanism had slightly changed. He could still enter the Asura Hell and even practice in the domains of the Kings. But the Kings themselves were no longer there... He couldn't slowly absorb them as before and progress quickly.

During the two months in the Time Tomb, Kai had analyzed all these changes. Furthermore, having reached a new stage of the Invisible King's Torture Technique, a new area finally opened in the scroll... It stated that he needed real opponents. And after spending two weeks with Shuo, Kai realized it was the pure truth.

When they sparred, Kai always gave his all. He felt his cultivation starting to grow slowly.

Thus, the Supreme Fate Arena was the ideal option for Kai! Only, not perfect...

There was another important detail... He needed to absorb other beings and develop his lineage!

It turned out that without this, advancing in the Invisible King's Torture Technique was impossible. After reading this, Kai was thoroughly convinced that his technique was tied to Kessia. And most likely, that ancient Sect or power from which Kessia hailed was heavily focused on this "lineage" and also the "impulse."

Kai strongly disliked the concept of fate. But noticing certain patterns, everything indeed seemed strange... However, every time he pondered on this, he remembered Kessia's words...

“Kai, let this be my first piece of advice to you. The universe is chaos. And in chaos, such odd patterns can emerge... Due to which, it might seem that they carry some mysterious meaning. But ultimately, everything at its core is just chaos. We too, in a way, are simply chaos. So don’t think too highly of yourself.”

When these words surfaced in his mind, he realized that she was probably right. Given Kessia's power and age, she surely had more worldly wisdom...

“Well... The Supreme Fate Arena will satisfy my need for battles. But killing and absorbing foreign blood... I certainly can't do that there..." Kai thought to himself, "To hell with it. I think there must be a suitable alternative... Perhaps there are some hunting grounds where powerful beasts roam?” Kai wondered.

"Did you zone out?" Shuo asked with a stoic face, interrupting Kai's thoughts.

“Very funny. Let's train,” Kai replied with a smile, starting to get up.

He decided it was pointless to ask about it now. Firstly, it'd be good to finish training with Shuo and then head to the Supreme Fate Arena.

“Once I've sorted all this out, I'll learn about the hunting grounds..." Kai thought as he stepped onto the arena.

He knew that he had a ton of things to handle for at least the upcoming month. Initially, he'd have to assess his cultivation progress from the battles in the Supreme Fate Arena. He needed to understand whether he could quickly develop there and what ranking he approximately held.

Kai resolved to try to climb as high as possible. When he realizes that he’s no match for all subsequent potential opponents... Only then will he address the lineage development issue. In Kai's opinion, this was the most effective strategy.

The entire subsequent plan is ludicrously simple. Strive with all your might to break into the Top 100 Rankings! Even though it borders on the impossible, Kai understood that he could attempt it, given his aces up his sleeve. Especially if he could enhance his lineage...

"Did you zone out again?" Shuo asked calmly.

"Get lost! Let's fight instead!" Kai laughed and instantly launched into an attack!

V.2 Chapter 197: Annoying Stalker

Originally, Kai and Shuo intended to wrap up their joint training in a week. But in the end, they spent two weeks in combat, meaning Kai stayed at the Lone Buddha's place for nearly a month.

During this time, they grew even closer and understood each other much better. Yet despite everything, neither of them had altered their manner of communication since they first met. This showcased the strength of their individual convictions and confidence. Both Kai and Shuo always presented themselves to others in their true form. This was also one of the main traits that bound these two in friendship. Kai valued this quality in Shuo, and the feeling was mutual.

Kai had many secrets he didn't wish to disclose. But that didn't mean he concealed his true motives and desires. Kai was always straightforward. Rather, caution with their secrets were a common trait among all martial arts masters. Naturally, that's if one had the sense. Otherwise, one wouldn't live long...

"You progress remarkably fast, Brother Kai," Shuo calmly remarked, taking a sip from his flask.

"With such a sparring partner, it would be sinful not to progress," Kai said with a smile, grabbing the flask for a drink. "Cool flask, won't you gift it to me?" Kai joked, taking a hearty gulp.

After a month with Shuo, Kai started using certain words characteristic of his Brother. The Lone Buddha hailed from a Temple with its own distinct religion. He often uttered words like “Praise God”, “sin”, and others.

While Kai hadn't been deeply moved by the Temple's teachings Shuo adhered to, he had taken a liking to these phrases. The concepts behind them were rather profound.

"No. It's my flask. If you like, make your own, it's not hard," Shuo flatly refused, his face expressionless. "And the word 'sinful' doesn't fit your sentence," he added.

"Alright, alright, stop preaching. Let's eat," Kai said with a grin, slowly rising.

Over the past month, Kai truly realized he needed real battles. In the evenings, he would enter the Asura Hell, but only to drain himself of all energy.

His duels with Shuo never took him to the brink of life and death, and he couldn't expend all his energy to the very last drop. Thus, he still needed to return to the Asura Hell.

One day, when Shuo had urgent matters to attend to, Kai decided to dedicate his entire day to cultivation in the Kings' Domain. Afterward, he confirmed with slight shock that without real battles, it was all in vain.

As the Scroll of the Invisible King's Torture Technique said, he required real opponents! He needed to take real damage! Having absorbed all the Torture Kings into his real body, it was now precisely this body he had to cultivate!

The Asura Hell had now become merely an auxiliary ability. Kai could use it as his personal training and technique experimentation zone. He could also immerse himself in life-or-death situations there to exhaust his energy down to zero. Fortunately, as Kai grew stronger, the power of the adversaries in the Asura Hell increased accordingly.

"In summary... I need to fight constantly at the limits of my strength, and then finish my training with the Asura Hell... For this, I need powerful adversaries... The Supreme Fate Arena should definitely do the trick!" Kai pondered while waiting for Shuo.

Currently, Shuo was in the kitchen, preparing their dinner. Over the past month, this had become their routine. After training, they always ate together. Kai would drink wine, and Shuo would complement it with aromatic tea. Alongside this, they'd constantly converse about various topics... from the paths of martial arts to their childhoods.

"Thank you, Brother Shuo! As always, everything's incredibly delicious!" Kai praised with a laugh, "By the way, I'll head home today. From tomorrow, I think I'll try the Supreme Fate Arena. I want to see if it's as impressive as you described." He smiled, pouring himself more wine.

"Yes. From tomorrow on, I look forward to hearing of your progress in ranking," Shuo replied with a subtle smile.

As always, he was utterly unflappable. For ordinary people, Kai's words might have evoked a hint of melancholy. After all, they had lived together for nearly a month. But in this duo, everything was different... Both Kai and Shuo couldn't care less about such sentiments. Kai was here because it was convenient. Shuo had similar motives...

If a girl had been sitting nearby, watching from a distance, she would have surely deemed them cold-hearted...

They sat for about two more hours until they finished all the dishes on the table. It was just starting to get dark outside since they finished their training a bit early today.

"Thanks again, Brother Shuo! See you tomorrow!" Kai shouted as he left the gates of the Lone Buddha's compound.

"You're welcome. See you tomorrow," Shuo calmly replied, standing by the gates.

"Don't worry, I'll drop by to eat your cooking again," Kai said with a grin.

"Of course. But don't come by too often," Shuo responded.

To some, such words might seem a bit rough. But Kai understood that this was the peculiar humor of the Lone Buddha. Moreover, he himself would not overstay his welcome. Though Kai enjoyed the company of his Brother, he loved solitude even more.

"Alright, I'm off!" Kai called out with a smile once more, and without looking back, he headed towards the Palace of Shadows.

The sun had already set, and the city slowly descended into darkness. But just at this twilight, the glowing stones began to light up everywhere. The nightlife of the Shadow Sect's disciples was coming to life.

"Heh-heh... Training with Brother Shuo was very beneficial. I even feel that the clouds in my Energy Center are becoming a bit denser..." Kai mused, with a carefree smile on his face.

He was already anticipating returning home, soaking in the hot spring, and relaxing in solitude... And tomorrow, he would head to the Supreme Fate Arena...

But just as he thought about it... A familiar voice sounded from behind him!

"Ooo! Kai, is that you?" rang out a cheerful and energetic female voice.

"Damn... Why..." Kai grimaced internally.

He already knew perfectly well who it was. And he certainly didn't want to meet her that evening.

"Hello, Iris..." Kai replied without enthusiasm, turning towards his interlocutor.

"Where have you been?! I've been looking everywhere for you! Your Alchemical Array is astonishing, everyone is in awe! Even the Array and Alchemy Alliances have started to get along a bit better!" The girl blurted out, laughing and speaking all in one breath.

This excessive energy slightly irritated Kai... Especially when she looked at him as a free source of information. Although the gaze of those blue eyes and the beauty's smile were pleasant... For Kai, it wasn't motivation enough to spend his precious time.

"Good for you all! I have to go! Bye!" Kai replied with a smile, wanting to quickly turn away.

"You won't escape! I know where you live! Elder Ovian told me!" Iris shouted mischievously, sticking her tongue out at Kai.

"You even pestered that poor old man?" Kai retorted with a sour face, half turning.

"He-he-he..." Iris giggled jointly.

"What do you want?" Kai asked bluntly.

"Nothing complicated, just answer a few of my questions." Iris responded with a charming smile.

"Go to hell. I know your 'few questions'. I don't have time!" Kai snapped, heading towards the Palace of Shadows.

"You won't get away! I rented a room near yours! If you don't answer, I'll be constantly watching you!" Iris threatened.

It seemed that at that moment, she was incredibly pleased with herself. She was truly spoiled by the Array Alliance. Every so often, such adoration for a genius doesn't exactly benefit the character of its recipient...

"Damn... You're insufferable..." Kai said irritably, scratching the back of his head, "Look, I'm going home. If it pleases you, come with me, and there I'll answer your questions." Kai added.

"Wonderful!" Iris exclaimed with shining eyes.

"But I'm going to take a bath. And I couldn't care less about you," Kai remarked, casting a sidelong glance at the girl.

"If I can learn about the Alchemical Array, I'm not bothered!" the beauty retorted nonchalantly.

"Damn... I should have pretended to be mute during our first meeting..." Kai muttered, rolling his eyes in annoyance.

V.2 Chapter 198: Insolent Guest

Walking through the streets of the Shadow Sect territory, Kai wore a disgruntled expression. His usual carefreeness was unshakeable. But this Iris had a way of bypassing Kai's impassiveness.

"You know what's surprising?" Kai asked, casting a sidelong glance at her.

"What?" Iris replied, smiling.

"Mostly, only fools irritate me... But you don't strike me as an idiot..." Kai hinted ambiguously.

"What?! Wait..." The girl exclaimed in outrage, then instantly fell silent. It seemed she was trying to grasp the meaning of Kai's words. "Was that a compliment or not?!" Iris shouted.

"That pretty much proves my point. Now I understand the source of my irritation," Kai mused and kept walking.

In reality, Kai did not see Iris as a foolish girl. He fully recognized her talent, evident both in cultivation and in Array Mastery. Moreover, he did find her attractive.

"The balance of beauty and intelligence is quite harmonious... It's just that she has one giant downside! She's much too clingy!" Kai grumbled in his mind, thinking of Iris.

"What were you trying to prove? Are you implying that I'm an idiot?!" Iris shot back angrily.

"Listen... Lady Azure Blade... Can you shut up and walk quietly?" Kai replied with a roll of his eyes. "Why the hell are you even following me?" he added irritably.

He was now nearing the Palace of Shadows. As Iris had said earlier, she had been dogging his steps the entire way. It seemed she wasn't joking when she said she'd bug him... Until he answered her questions, this farce would not end.

"Why ask questions when you already know the answers?" Iris inquired, smiling.

"Damn! To hell with her... I don't care..." Suddenly, Kai made up his mind, and his irritation visibly began to fade.

"Alright. If you want to, come with me. Perhaps you'd like to join me for a drink?" Kai calmly asked.

If the situation was already this vexing, he might as well make the most of it. Even though the Lone Buddha drank with him, it was always tea, not alcohol. This was entirely different! Now, Kai saw Iris as his target.

"No, I'm not into that..." The girl replied after a brief hesitation.

"You and Shuo are so dull..." Kai remarked lazily.

"Who's Shuo?" Iris suddenly asked.

"If I don't answer, you'll keep pestering me about this too... Ugh," Kai sighed heavily. "He's the personal disciple of the Lone Buddha," he replied.

"You know him? He's one of the strongest, you know..." The girl remarked with interest.

Just at that moment, they entered the main gates of the Palace of Shadows.

"You shouldn't be concerned about that. Turn left here." Kai responded, turning into a corridor.

"I know! Didn't I tell you I'm your neighbor?" Iris shouted, clearly annoyed.

"What a smart girl you are…" Kai responded lazily.

It seemed he tried to expend as little energy as possible when talking to this persistent girl. He had already realized that ignoring her wasn't the best strategy. In such cases, minimal engagement seemed best.

"I know! He-he-he," Iris chuckled, genuinely pleased with herself, apparently missing Kai's sarcasm.

As soon as he approached his door and placed his palm on it, it began to open. Without hesitation, Kai entered, and the girl followed him in.

"Oh… Your room looks a lot like mine," Iris observed, looking around.

"Really? What an astonishing coincidence!" Kai said with feigned shock, eyes bulging dramatically.

"You're making fun of me now, aren't you?" Iris narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"Of course, damn it! You rented a room right next to mine! What did you expect?!" Kai began to get irritated again.

"Oh! True! I didn’t think about that. Haha," the girl laughed offhandedly.

"Idiot... How does her mind match up with her spoiled attitude?" Kai thought as he walked over to some nearby shelves.

They didn't contain books, but beautifully arranged glasses. Kai picked up one and with a wave of his hand summoned a barrel of wine from his spatial ring. Without waiting for his guest's reaction, he filled his cup.

But it didn't end there...

Kai set the glass back on the shelf and began undressing.

"What are you doing!" Iris shouted, covering her face with her hands.

"What am I doing? Do you have a short memory? I said I was going to take a bath," Kai responded calmly.

"I thought you were joking!" the girl exclaimed, still shielding her face.

"Joking? Do I look like I'm joking? Come on... Look," Kai said gravely.

By the tone of his voice, Iris could tell he was getting closer.

"He's joking! Definitely! He just wants to scare me off!" Iris suddenly realized and opened her eyes.

But...

"No! You shameless man!" The girl screamed, her face turning beet red.

When she opened her eyes, she was met with a completely naked Kai! What's more, he stood just a couple of meters away from her! For such a pampered girl, always shielded from the world, this was a staggering shock!

"Shameless? What nonsense are you spouting? I'm in my own home, heading to my own bath," Kai calmly stated, heading back to his glass, "You can wait here if you like. I won't take too long," he added, picking up his drink.

Iris still stood with her eyes closed. Her face was so flushed that it seemed to pulsate. Currently, she felt a whirlwind of emotions! It could be called a cultural shock! Iris never thought something like this could happen to her!

"Why?! Why isn't he embarrassed, but I am?!" She mentally exclaimed.

"By the way, since you're here, don't just stand there..." Kai paused, "You can fold my clothes on the chair. Thank you." He calmly added, softening his tone slightly on the word "thank you."

“Slam!” The sound of the door closing echoed. Kai had gone into the room with a hot spring...

After standing for about a minute more, Iris finally dared to lower her hands. She was still in utter shock! Before, even if someone dared to tease her, they'd be cautious. But this man openly mocked and ridiculed her! And, it turned out that they weren’t just jokes!

"Darn..." Iris muttered, clenching her fists, "But still... I agreed to it. It's silly to blame him for this..." She spoke to herself, her face still reddening.

It seemed that dozens of questions were swirling in her mind. Even in a calm state, she was too curious. Now, she felt like her brain was about to explode just thinking about the whole situation...

"What did he say... Fold his clothes?" Iris mumbled, heading toward the shelves where Kai had taken the glass.

If someone saw what Iris was doing now, they'd be in disbelief!

Presently, she obediently picked up Kai's things and neatly folded them on the chair nearby... She was still quite red, but it seemed she was slowly coming back to her senses.

It was unclear what she was thinking... She seemed to still be in a slight daze...

"Why did I open my eyes! Silly me!" Iris berated herself internally.

Of course, she didn't voice these thoughts aloud. She just continued to fold Kai's garments, her cheeks heating up as she remembered the recent events...

Kai, on the other hand, didn't linger in the bath for too long. Just about half an hour later, he emerged. He had already realized that he wouldn't get any private relaxation today. It would be better to answer the girl's questions and swiftly send her on her way.

At that moment, he didn't come out completely naked. Kai wore loose black pants, but his torso was bare.

"Wow... She even listened to me. Seems if I'm tougher with her, her spoiled nature fades away," Kai thought, looking at Iris.

She was still a bit red, but it seemed she had almost calmed down. Iris sat demurely on one of the soft sofas, and next to her lay Kai's neatly folded clothes.

"Thank you, Iris," Kai calmly thanked her.

"It's no trouble. It wasn't hard for me," the girl replied with equal calmness.

But as soon as she caught sight of Kai's face, she began to blush again... After all, she still felt awkward about what had recently transpired. Yet, what was surprising was that she blamed not Kai, but herself for it.

"Why are you so red? You boasted that you didn't care," Kai asked with a teasing smile, gazing at the blushing Iris.

"Let's not bring that up!" The girl exclaimed, slightly irritated and embarrassed.

"Consider this a lesson, then: you shouldn't chase after guys into their homes." Kai remarked cheerfully.

"I got the message! I won't pursue you anymore!" Iris shouted, her face reddening, "But since I'm here... Answer my questions!" she added, slightly hurt but assertively.

It turned out that this girl wasn't so easy to scare away...

V.2 Chapter 199: Dangerous Turn of Events

Resigned to his situation, Kai calmly sat across from Iris, and once again reached for the wine.

"Alright, just let me pour myself a bit first..." Kai drawled lazily, "Are you sure you don't want any?" Lifting his gaze, he asked.

He knew Iris would decline, but out of politeness, he decided to ask again.

However, at that moment, a strange expression crossed Iris's face. It seemed she was contemplating something.

"Fine. Pour me some... Just a little," she replied seriously.

"Oh?" Kai uttered, surprised, "What happened that made Lady Azure Blade decide to have a drink?" He inquired with feigned solemnity.

"What happened? You happened, naked, that's what! I'm still out of sorts! I've heard alcohol relaxes you; maybe it'll help me!" Iris shouted.

It was clear she was voicing her true motives. This girl was too brazen and spoiled to harbor secret plans.

Previously, she had seen Elders and disciples drink alcohol. Although she never quite understood it herself, she had heard plenty about it. Contemplating Kai's offer, she decided to give it a try. Iris wanted to shake off her current awkwardness and discomfort.

"Goodness... The Lady Azure Blade herself! Drinking with a simple guy like me!" Kai declared with a dramatic tone.

The evening was already ruined... Kai decided that by teasing Iris, he might at least find some entertainment.

"Enough with your silly jokes! And just call me by my name, like always!" The girl exclaimed, irritated.

"It seems the tables have turned... Now I'm the one getting on her nerves. He-he." Kai realized, grinning wickedly.

As he contemplated this amusing situation, he went to fetch another glass. Once he filled it, he placed it on the table in front of Iris, doing so from behind her...

The moment Kai's hand passed close to the girl's face, her skin immediately prickled with goosebumps. At first, she didn't even understand what happened... She became intrigued by this odd reaction of her own body.

"So... What did you want to ask?" Kai lazily inquired, returning to his seat.

Hearing Kai's question, the girl snapped back to the present. Taking the glass, she took a small sip and opened her mouth to ask her question. But Kai interjected...

"My goodness... You didn't even clink glasses with me... Yet, they call me the drunkard," Kai remarked, shaking his head.

"Did I do something wrong?" Iris asked, puzzled.

"To you, Iris, and your splendid company!" Kai suddenly exclaimed, raising his glass and extending it slightly forward, "This is how one should start drinking... Now, take your glass and touch it to mine." Explaining, Kai looked at the girl.

“Uh… Yes… To a pleasant evening!” Iris replied awkwardly, clinking her glass against Kai's.

“Well done, now ask your question.” Kai said calmly.

From an outside perspective, the situation appeared rather comical. Iris was inexperienced in such matters, while Kai, on the other hand, desired genuine company. What’s the point of drinking with someone if your companion merely drinks silently? In such a case, Kai would rather drink alone...

“Actually… I have many questions…” The girl began hesitantly.

“No doubt about it.” Kai interjected, stone-faced.

“But I won't abuse your hospitality. Earlier, I was in the wrong…” Iris continued.

These words took Kai surprised! Even his facial expression changed slightly.

“Wow... It seems she’s beginning to realize something… Impressive...” Kai thought to himself while listening to Iris.

“First off, I wanted to inquire about the Core of the Alchemical Array. I noticed that there are three primary energy gathering points... Why is that?” Iris posed her first question.

The question surprised Kai, as he hadn't expected, Iris to focus on such a detail. Not exactly... Noticing wasn’t hard, but questioning their purpose was a different matter!

“Hmm… Good question. Remember I mentioned seeing this array in an ancient scroll?” Kai rhetorically asked, “Most likely, the old man who described it used a tripod furnace. At least, that’s the conclusion I came to.” Kai answered thoughtfully.

Of course, he knew well that the Alchemical Array suited perfectly the Netherworld Furnace Technique. The furnace created by this technique indeed had three legs. Naturally, the array enhanced other furnaces too. But for tripod furnaces, it was more efficient.

“Hmm... That makes sense…” Iris replied thoughtfully.

At that moment, Kai suddenly remembered a question he had always wanted to know the answer to. He hadn’t had the time to visit the Alliance of the Array’s archives. But perhaps he wouldn't need to, as Iris might know the answer.

“Listen, Iris, I have a question too. How did people even come to the Mastery of the Array? How was the first array created? Who even thought of it?” Kai asked with curiosity.

“Uhm…” Iris started, looking slightly puzzled. It seemed she wasn't sure how to respond...

“Did I ask something odd?” Kai asked, noticing her reaction.

“Well, yes... No one invented the first array. Nature did…” Iris answered, looking at Kai as if he were a fool.

“What do you mean by that?” Kai asked again, his expression befuddled.

“There are many forbidden lands on the Heavenly Continent. Many of them are dangerous due to their unique natural formations. In those places, an incredible density of energy accumulates over thousands of years. Under such conditions, distinct energy formations can emerge, creating unique and wondrous effects.” Iris began to explain, “The Isle of Reincarnation is no exception... It's just that there isn't just one array there, but hundreds of diverse ones. It's truly one of the most enigmatic places on the Heavenly Continent.” The girl continued.

“So... People merely observed?” Kai asked in astonishment.

“Yes. Throughout our civilization's history, there have been numerous unbelievable masters... Some of them managed to discern the patterns of these natural formations and replicate them. From there, everything developed through trial and error made by generations of martial arts masters.” Iris clarified.

“That's quite logical... Why didn't I think of that before…” Kai remarked, puzzled.

It was a natural process. People always observed their surroundings and tried to emulate what they saw. Such a trait was key in human evolution. Thinking about it, one could easily conclude that other crafts probably evolved similarly.

“Perhaps you know about Alchemy as well?” Kai asked, looking up at Iris.

“I'd rather not know, but it isn't hidden information. So yes, I do.” Iris replied, slightly annoyed.

It was clear she wasn't thrilled about having to answer questions about Alchemy. After all, Array Masters and Alchemists notoriously disliked each other. Besides, she came here to ask questions, not to answer them!

“In places like volcanoes or zones with a high concentration of fire energy, various beneficial ingredients are born. Furthermore, occasionally, rare plants would find themselves in these zones. Exposed to the flames over the years, they naturally transformed into a primitive pill analog.” Iris began, “It is said that in ancient times, people noticed this and began collecting rare herbs, tightly wrapping them in clay, and immersing them in lava. Over time, they were refined, tempered by the incredible temperatures. Eventually, they turned into pills. Modern Alchemy evolved much later…” Iris explained meticulously.

What Iris conveyed once again seemed obvious to Kai. In such situations, hindsight always had a way of making one feel as though the answer were right under their nose. But reality was different... Sometimes, profound truths lie in plain sight for centuries, yet no one perceives them.

"It's astonishing how much humans have achieved by simply observing nature's manifestations," Kai mused.

"Tell me, Kai, how did you manage to balance the energy between two elements with different energy levels? They even have different flows," Iris suddenly asked, interrupting Kai's reflections.

"Ah... That...," Kai began, coming out of his reverie.

Thereafter, Iris showered Kai with endless questions about his Alchemical Array and the Mastery of Arrays in general. Kai had resigned himself to this and calmly answered all her queries.

This went on for about an hour, and all the while, Kai sipped his wine. Iris, too, warmed up to the atmosphere and even asked Kai to refill her glass once.

But just that small amount was enough for her...

"So... about your... arr...arrys," Iris began, her words slurring.

It was clear she was pretty drunk by now. Her eyes were slightly hooded, and her speech was becoming tangled.

"Arrys? What's an arrys?" Kai asked with a grin, pretending not to understand.

"Stop! Enough with... with your jokes!" Iris scolded, suddenly standing up.

Trying to maintain her balance, she circled the table and stopped half a meter from Kai.

"You're shameless! Laughing at me, avoiding my questions, and flaunting your nakedness!" the inebriated girl accused, poking Kai in the chest.

"Why are you poking me with those little fingers of yours? Calm down. I'm answering your questions, just enunciate clearer!" Kai retorted with rolling eyes.

"See! You're mocking me again!" Iris exclaimed, poking him in the chest once more.

But as she did, her foot twisted.

In that instant, she stumbled and collapsed directly onto Kai's lap, landing with her chest on his knees. Her pose was somewhat provocative: with an arched back and slender waist, her lower body appeared incredibly enticing.

"Damn... Iris is truly seductive... Maybe... No, better not. I won't get rid of her afterward," Kai thought, immediately dismissing the idea.

"Mmm... What is...," Iris murmured dreamily.

"What? You've sprawled all over me, that's what! Get up!" Kai exclaimed, grabbing her by the shoulders to help her up. "You're a charming girl, you know. It's hard to restrain oneself in such moments," Kai calmly added.

When he helped her up, she ended up sitting very close to him. With her intoxicated eyes, Iris gazed deeply into Kai's. Their faces were now incredibly close.

"Yes... Many have told me I'm beautiful... Why is it so hot?" Iris mused in a daze, beginning to tug at her collar.

Thus, she slowly fashioned a neckline that revealed the cleavage of her chest. Her lips now shimmered and downright beckoned Kai...

"Enough. Better safe than sorry!" Kai declared irritably, and unceremoniously pushed her away.

V.2 Chapter 200: Iris Disaster

Besides him now sat a drunken beauty. Moreover, after drinking the wine, Iris began to behave rather uninhibitedly. Although, a lustful thought flashed through Kai's mind... But he understood that if he succumbed to his instincts, problems would ensue.

"Damn... Why the hell? Just thought it'd be a pleasant evening... And here she is, flaunting her chest..." Kai thought, slightly irritated.

With a final gesture, he pushed her about a meter away from himself. Enduring the scent of her body and having her face so close was quite a challenge.

"Why did you push me away? Hic!" A dazed Iris hiccuped and asked.

"Are you an idiot? I've already explained. You attract me too much with your body and scents!" Kai candidly replied.

Kai was never one to mince his words or be polite. And in this situation, he certainly wouldn't. He decided to make his position clear to this girl right away.

"Attract you? Heh-heh-heh." Iris laughed maliciously, "Finally, I can also get on your nerves... It's not just you who's cool here..." she drawled.

"You can get on my nerves? You always do! Stay put." Kai said, getting a bit nervous.

This was because Iris began to slowly approach Kai. To add to that, she tilted slightly, revealing more of her cleavage than before...

The situation itself didn't unsettle Kai. He was afraid of what he might do if he couldn't control himself!

"Have you lost your mind? I'll never pour for you again! Damn it!" Kai exclaimed as Iris got closer and closer.

He began to feel the alluring scent of a woman's body again. Along with Solina, Kai had developed quite an inclination towards intimacy, and he truly enjoyed the act. He didn't deny himself the pleasure of admiring beauties and appraising them. But he had tremendous self-control, and also the training from the Queen of Lust. All this made it impossible for him to be someone who chased after every skirt.

But considering he hadn't been with a woman for a long time, his instincts were somewhat heightened. Even though Iris's advances were in jest, enduring them was rather challenging.

"What... Are you scared of me?" Iris playfully said, touching her lower lip with her index finger. She deliberately behaved this way to further annoy Kai.

"Damn..." Kai cursed, watching as Iris got right up close to him.

"Don't run away..." Iris said with feigned hurt, "Today you showed me something interesting... I wouldn't mind..." The blue-eyed beauty blushed a little

It seemed that Iris's game had gone on a bit too long, and she didn't realize when she had crossed a line. Everything appeared as if she had fallen into her own trap. Even her breathing quickened, and her face and ears reddened...

At that moment, her face began to draw close to Kai's... A little more and their lips would touch...

"Damn!" Kai cursed in his head.

In the same instant, he swiftly grabbed Iris by the throat and stood up, taking her with him! She was baffled at finding herself suspended in mid-air! But it didn't end there... That was immediately followed by a lightning-fast punch, straight to the girl's solar plexus!

"Kgha!" A muffled scream from Iris instantly resonated.

She passed out from the blow, continuing to dangle in the air...

Holding her aloft, Kai swung his arm and flung her onto the couch.

"Drunk idiot! What the hell do I need you for?! Moreover, you come with a giant headache! Thanks, I don't need such 'luck', even for free!" Kai ranted and turned to leave.

But, pausing and standing for a second, he turned back...

"Damn..." he uttered irritably and walked over to the couch.

Afterward, he lifted Iris's limp form and carried her to his bedroom. Kai carefully laid her on the bed and removed her shoes.

"I'd better not undress her completely, or I genuinely won't be able to restrain myself... Why do I need that?" Kai thought and quickly covered the still-clothed Iris.

Under the moonlight, the girl looked even more beautiful... Glancing at her once more, Kai snorted and decisively headed for the exit.

Although Kai's actions seemed rather merciless, given the situation and tension... It was the only thing he could do. Otherwise, he would certainly regret his actions... Not because he'd disgraced Iris. In Kai's view, she was to blame for starting such dangerous games. Moreover, he had warned her multiple times. He would've regretted the consequences he would have to bear.

Although Kai's strike was forceful, it was merely to knock her out swiftly. After all, she too was a martial arts master. Such an attack couldn't have seriously harmed her, and Kai knew this perfectly well. Now, he was just relieved that he managed to avoid bigger problems.

Kai left his house and walked through the corridors of the Palace of Shadows.

"Damn... What places was Bran talking about?" Kai muttered to himself with a serious expression.

He recalled the intriguing details that Bran, the guard, had told him. Bran had escorted Kai on his first day, arriving in the territory of the Shadow Sect. Along the way, he had spoken about various establishments and institutions. Kai never thought that he would ever need such information. But now, he urgently needed to satisfy his desires...

In his current state, it would be risky to even be in the same room with Iris. Moreover, tomorrow, Kai wanted to go to the Supreme Fate Arena. That's why he wanted to have a peaceful rest tonight...

"Damn it... What a way to relax! Nearly stepped into a whole mountain of trouble..." Kai grumbled irritably, "Damn. It's taking too long..." He muttered and instantly vanished!

He decided to use a faster means of transport to get to the Shadows City. After all, the territory of the Shadow Sect did not have the establishments he needed right now... Those could only be found in the nighttime city...

Thus, the night slowly wore on until the first rays of the sun appeared.

"Mmmm... Why does my head hurt so much..." Iris's sleepy voice echoed.

She struggled to open her eyes and began looking around... Though the room seemed familiar, its scent was different...

"What did I do last night?!" Iris suddenly exclaimed with a look of shock, quickly covering her face.

At that moment, she turned entirely red within seconds. It wasn't just embarrassment... She wished she could vanish from the world and never return!

"Why?! Why?! Idiot! Fool! What was I thinking?!" Iris began to shriek, rolling around on the bed.

She felt so uncomfortable that she couldn't stay still. It felt like she was being torn apart from the inside!

"Shut the hell up!" A muffled shout came from the next room.

"No! He's here! Daaaamn!" Iris whispered fiercely, clenching her fists and teeth. It felt as if her entire body was contracting.

When she recalled her behavior from the previous night, she began to desperately hope to the Universe that Kai wasn't home! She even started thinking about how to ensure she'd never see him again.

"Come out already! Are you going to sit there all morning?!" Kai's voice sounded again.

"Damn! Damn! Damn!" Iris whispered, "I have to go out..." She said, noticing her snow-white feet.

Her eyes widened even more at that moment!

"He even took off my shoes! How embarrassing!" Iris cried out, blushing even deeper.

The emotions this beauty was feeling right now were simply indescribable in words. Though she was indeed pampered, she wasn't a naive little girl. She had never had a boyfriend or romantic relationships... But she very well understood how last night could have ended!

Kai sat calmly in the living room, finishing preparing tea. He boiled the water just as he heard Iris's shouts... While Kai did love a good drink, during his time with Shuo, he had also developed an affection for tea.

The tea Kai brewed was particularly good after excessive drinking. He surmised Iris might need some...

“Squeaaak…” The sound of a door slowly opening was heard.

From it emerged the figure of Iris... However, at that moment, she was looking at the ground and was covering her eyes with one hand... She certainly didn't want to meet Kai's gaze!

"I...I...I think I'll..." Iris stammered, trying to say she was leaving.

"Quit the nonsense. Come have some tea; it should make you feel better." Kai said calmly, rolling his eyes.

Kai understood that this foolish girl made a lot of noise last night... They had barely scraped by... A little more, and something irreparable might have happened.

Currently, Iris was literally shaking with embarrassment. But she mustered as much courage as she could and walked over to Kai.

Approaching the table, she timidly sat across from Kai and pulled a cup of tea towards her.

"Listen... Have you been sitting here all evening?" Iris awkwardly inquired. She tried to find any topic just to break the silence...

"Yeah, right! Had I been sitting here all evening, you would be a woman by now..." Kai remarked a bit irritably, "I just got here not too long ago." He added calmly.

"Then where were you all night?" Iris inquired curiously, but the next moment, her ears reddened even more, "And how did you know I'm still a virgin?!" She exclaimed, flustered.

"By your behavior, it's obvious. Calm down, I couldn't care less about that..." Kai replied, rolling his eyes, "As for your first question. I was in a brothel, letting off steam. After your games last night, it wasn't exactly pleasant, you know." He replied with absolute calm.

"B... B... Brothel?!" Iris stammered, flabbergasted.

This morning, she seemed nothing like her usual self... Everything that had happened in the last half-day was completely out of the ordinary. Such scenarios had never occurred in Iris's life. Now, she wasn't even sure how to react properly.

"Would you have preferred if I had taken your virginity?" Kai calmly inquired.

Upon hearing this, the girl was simply stunned... Her mouth opened in shock, and her chin began to quiver slightly. It was evident that she was trying to say something, but no words came out.

Observing this, Kai did not rush to interrupt or soothe her. He just calmly sipped his tea...

Only after half a minute did Iris take a deep breath and say:

"Thank you..." she whispered softly.

"You're welcome. But I'll never pour for you again. And don't follow me without permission. It could be dangerous for you, given that yesterday's events are still fresh in my memory." Kai replied, smiling smugly.

"Oh no! Can you forget about it?! I beg you! Please, pretend that yesterday simply never happened!" Iris exclaimed, covering her face in embarrassment.

V.2 Chapter 201: Supreme Fate Arena

“Don’t deceive yourself, human memory doesn’t work like that. As I told you yesterday, you’re an incredibly beautiful girl. Yesterday’s scene will stay with me for a long time…” Kai teased Iris and calmly took another sip of his tea.

“Noooo! Stop!” Iris cried out in embarrassment.

At that moment, Kai was quite pleased with her reaction. It felt like a minor revenge for her thoughtlessness the day before.

Kai had wanted to rest properly, but ended up spending almost the entire night in a brothel. Although, at last, he was pleasantly surprised, even though the girls there weren’t as stunning as Iris or Taemi... Still, they were definitely good. Especially the two he spent his evening with…

Given Kai's resources, it wasn't difficult for him to get the best. Moreover, as soon as they saw him at the door, the respect was palpable. Of course, it was due to his status as the Personal Disciple. Even in the Shadows Sect, they were revered beings, let alone in the Shadows City…

“Calm down, stop yelling…” Kai said quietly, “I’ll be leaving soon. So, finish your tea, and let's go,” he added.

“I'm such an idiot!” Iris continued to shout.

“Yes, you are…” Kai agreed.

“Kai, you won't tell anyone about this, right?” The girl suddenly asked in a panic.

“Of course, I have so much spare time!” Kai replied sarcastically, “I've got nothing better to do…” he said languidly.

“Thank you! Thank you so much!” Iris began to express her gratitude.

The storm of emotions she felt was hard to contain. Therefore, it erupted in a slightly hysterical manner…

Kai, on the other hand, wasn’t too bothered. He avoided trouble, saw Iris in a rather compromising state, spent the evening with beautiful women... All in all, although he wasn't in seclusion, he felt somewhat rested.

But most importantly! Now he had leverage over Iris! This pesky girl could no longer be a nuisance to him!

“You're welcome… But you do realize you have to obey me now, right?” Kai calmly inquired, “Don't worry, I won't exploit the situation too blatantly. But if you keep bothering me…” Kai continued.

“I get it! I'll listen to you!” Iris exclaimed, banging her palms on the table and slightly rising from the couch.

“Great! You're a smart girl, Iris,” Kai teased, “Now, finish your tea and let's get going. It's time for me to leave,” Kai added with a sly smile.

At Kai's words, Iris began to blush again. She knew he was mocking her. But recalling all of yesterday's events... Starting with a naked Kai and ending with her behavior... To add to that, she had slept not in her own home, but in Kai’s bed! And now they sat, like a married couple, quietly sipping morning tea. All this stirred complex emotions within her... It seemed that Iris was now caught in a tug of war between logic, heart, and body.

Looking at Kai, Iris gathered her courage and tried to regain her composure.

"Do you intend to fight in the Supreme Fate Arena?" Iris asked, still awkwardly.

"Yes. I want to climb as high as I can in the rankings. Currently, I'm only 333rd on the list." Kai replied nonchalantly.

"I've heard that only pretty strong contenders appear there... There are quite few strong people in the 300-250 rank range..." Iris remarked.

"Hmm... Then I'll have to aim for the Top 250," Kai mused.

"Jumping 80 spots at once? Aren't you being a tad overambitious? I mean... Are you sure it's a good idea?" Iris cautiously corrected herself.

Before, she would have been more forthright and blunt in her remarks. But now... It seemed she was subconsciously starting to defer to Kai. She feared being misunderstood by him.

"Stop acting like a frightened puppy. It doesn't suit you," Kai observed, looking at Iris. "Your true character of a spoiled and vivacious girl suits you better... Even if it annoys me. Just be yourself," Kai said with a heavy sigh.

It seemed he didn’t like the fact that he had suppressed Iris's personality. While he didn't mind giving her a lesson, he didn't want to go to such extremes.

From Kai's perspective, this wasn't about kindness. In his view, if you've subdued someone, they become your property. This, in turn, directly affected what Kai valued most — Freedom!

Such a connection might seem non-obvious... But if a person is obliged to spend their time on others, it means they're limiting the time they could have spent on themselves. This, in turn, is a restriction on personal freedom. Hence, it's much better if your "property" is independent. If Iris's personality were to be suppressed, she would lose this crucial ability.

This was one of the reasons Kai so highly valued Diso... The big guy not only didn’t limit Kai's freedom, but was also completely autonomous. Whatever Kai entrusted to his Brother, Diso multiplied it in no time.

The Lone Buddha also resonated with Kai's logic. This guy was fixated on himself and his own path. In no way did he limit Kai's freedom, for he demanded no attention. Although their friendship began coincidentally, they eventually recognized a spiritual kinship and mutual benefit.

"Alright… I'll try... It's just that I'm still so embarrassed..." Iris awkwardly admitted.

"I understand, so you don't need to worry about it," Kai calmly replied.

After exchanging a few more phrases, they finally finished their tea and headed for the exit.

Kai casually bid farewell to Iris, who in turn thanked him again and went to her room.

As Kai walked towards the exit of the Palace of Shadows, Iris lingered for a moment, watching the retreating of this peculiar young man.

"Though he's quite odd... I kind of like him..." the girl softly murmured, "Damn it! What am I saying? Silly me!" Iris exclaimed in embarrassment, realizing her slip, and hastily darted into her room.

Naturally, Kai heard the outburst but paid no heed. He simply continued on his predetermined route.

Although the evening was quite chaotic with its unexpected moments, Kai thought that overall, he was satisfied. At the very least, something out of the ordinary happened, which was a refreshing change from his long, monotonous training sessions.

“Shuo mentioned that the Supreme Fate Arena is somewhere in the eastern part of the Shadow Sect... Near the coast of the Endless Waters, I believe…” Kai pondered, walking through the slowly awakening morning streets.

Indeed, after about an hour, Kai saw from a distance a large circular building. It struck him that it had no roof; it seemed the arena was open to the sky.

When he finally approached the entrance, he noticed the absence of any guards. Entry was entirely unrestricted. Stepping inside, Kai was pleasantly surprised.

"Wow... It's charming in here..." Kai mused to himself.

Before him was a breathtaking view of the Endless Waters. It turned out that the building of the Supreme Fate Arena was semicircular. The stands and seating for spectators were only on the side facing the streets of the Shadow Sect. Conversely, on the other side, there weren't even walls. Just an open space offering a view of the infinite blue waters.

Seats were arranged in tiers from bottom to top. The actual Supreme Fate Arena was also made of white stone with veins running through it. Although everything was designed in a more austere style, it was clear the interior was still quite grand.

Glancing around, Kai noticed that there weren't many people. Perhaps about 150 individuals. Considering the arena could easily hold several thousand, it was relatively empty.

But most likely, it was due to the fact that it was morning. More importantly, only Senior and Personal Disciples fought here. And there's always a limited number of them. Of course, others would come to watch, but only when famous Personal Disciples were fighting.

Shuo had mentioned that on such days, the Supreme Fate Arena was packed to the brim, and people even watched from the entrance.

Quietly making his way to a seating area, Kai sat in a section where there were almost no other disciples.

"Beautiful..." Kai remarked with a wicked smirk.

At that moment, two guys were fighting in the arena. Their uniforms indicated that they were only Senior Disciples. Kai smirked because he saw a slightly terrifying, yet mesmerizing sight.

Much of the white arena floor was stained with the blood of the combatants. The crimson hue of the blood contrasted strikingly with the white stone. It was a haunting beauty...

As soon as the duel ended, a disdainful voice rang out from the front rows.

"What kind of trash was that?! Is that even a fight? Pah!" He exclaimed roughly.

Hearing this, the disciples on the stage didn't object. They just gave awkward smiles and began to leave.

A golden-haired boy with matching golden eyes leapt onto the stage. He scanned the stands with a malicious grin on his face.

"Personal Disciple of the Holy Flame! Rank 271! Which one of you cowards is ready to face me?!" The boy shouted defiantly.

"Hmm... He'll do!" Kai thought, smiling suddenly as he used the Dance of Shadow Seals.

The next moment, he was standing ten meters from the golden-haired boy.

"Hi, I'm ready to fight you," Kai greeted with a smile.

"Immortal Drunkard?" The boy sneered, eyeing the glyphs on Kai's chest, "Who the hell are you?" He said haughtily.

"Personal Disciple of the Immortal Drunkard. Rank 333. Nice to meet you, Goldilocks!" Kai replied with a friendly grin.

Kai didn't like the boy's attitude, so he decided not to mince words. As always, Kai's tongue was yet another weapon...

"What did you say..." Holy Flame began, his anger evident, gritting his teeth, "Worm... You want me to destroy you?" He said, with cold eyes filled with a thirst for murder.

"I believe actions speak louder than words, but... maybe I can make an exception for someone as pretty as you and take your word for it?" Kai replied with a smirk.

"Pffh!" Laughter, barely held back, echoed from the stands.

"Hold your tongue! Or I'll destroy you!" Holy Flame shouted in fury.

It must be said that he was indeed gorgeous. He looked more like a girl than a boy... And judging by his reaction... It seemed he wasn't too pleased with that fact.

"So, are we going to fight or not? You don't have to stall. I won't ask you out on a date, I'm only into girls..." Kai remarked with feigned disappointment.

He had already figured out what to press on in this verbal spat with this aggressive guy.

"You're done for, asshole... You'll pay after you're dead..." He shouted, seemingly boiling with rage.

V.2 Chapter 202: Strange Observers

The golden-haired boy was incensed! He was incredibly angry at Kai. Not only was this kid 60 Ranks below him, but he also publicly ridiculed him.

The recompense he mentioned was a mandatory fee. It was the Reputation Points that Kai had to pay for this fight. Since he was lower in Rank, he had to pay for “training” from the Senior Brother.

"Are you ready, pup?!" Holy Flame shouted.

He couldn't start the fight without a warning. That would be a direct violation of the Shadow Sect's rules. So, he wanted Kai's confirmation.

At that moment, Kai smirked maliciously, and two black daggers appeared in

his hands. He was pleased that his provocation had worked perfectly.

So far, Kai didn't quite understand what to expect from the other Personal Disciples. Thus, he didn't hesitate to use such a dirty tactic as provocation. The more mentally unstable your opponent, the easier the fight.

"Let's start, Goldenlocks!" Kai exclaimed with a taunting smile.

"You're done for! Graaah!" The boy instantly shouted back, letting out a loud roar.

At the sound of the roar, a massive surge of energy burst from the boy's body. Then, his silhouette began to glow with a white flame! His entire figure literally shone.

"He's almost at the high stage of the Cloud Sphere... And this flame... It's definitely Earth Fire," Kai quickly deduced, raising his hands in front of his face, getting into a stance.

Kai didn't rush to attack; he wanted to roughly gauge the risks of fighting someone of the 271st Rank. Although he had sparred with the Lone Buddha, it wasn't quite representative... Shuo had restrained his cultivation, yet his skills were of an entirely different caliber.

But one shouldn't forget that Shuo was one of the strongest. And his current opponent was only ranked 271st.

"Raaaaah!" Holy Flame shouted and thrust his hands forward!

A massive wave of white fire lunged towards Kai. It seemed like it was washing away everything in its path!

But Kai didn't rush to dodge... He, too, decided to release his energy outward.

"Boom!" A wave of black energy rolled across the arena.

"He doesn't fight with physical weapons... Shuo told me about such martial arts masters. This guy's main weapon is his fire!" Kai thought, watching as the white wave of fire approached him.

"Already giving up, pup?!" Holy Flame laughed loudly, watching as the fire drew closer to his opponent.

He knew his techniques covered a large area and were very hard to dodge. Considering the daggers in Kai's hands, he immediately deduced that Kai specialized in agility. That's precisely why he made such a move.

"Damn... Immortal Drunkard got unlucky..." someone from the stands remarked.

Though it was their first time seeing Kai... Yet, as Senior Disciples, they dared not speak ill of him. Therefore, they referred to him by his nickname even in such an unfavorable situation for him.

Holy Flame had a really nasty temperament, and everyone was well aware of it. But it didn't negate the fact that he was immensely powerful. For Senior Disciples, he was simply unreachable! Even many Personal Disciples, who were roughly of the same rank as Kai, didn't dare challenge him.

At that very moment, Kai was fully engulfed by the wave!

"Boom!" A loud noise echoed, like a rapid stream crashing into an unyielding boulder!

"Damn... Not bad..." Kai thought, bracing himself for the impact.

He instantly bent his knees slightly and crouched to create better stability for himself. Shielding his face, he also leaned slightly forward. The flames passed through him, slowly scalding the skin on his arms. Minor burns began to appear...

Even after channeling his energy, Kai couldn't fully withstand Holy Flame's attack.

"Truly not bad... But alas, I'm disappointed..." Kai calmly voiced in his thoughts.

As soon as he thought this, impulses in his body stirred and rushed to all his wounds. And even under the influence of the white fire, they began to heal slowly... It couldn't surpass Kai's regeneration. Simply not potent enough...

Under the indifferent gazes of the spectators, the wave of flame slowly faded. They witnessed such scenes almost every day. Hence, they weren't too surprised... But their expressions held until they saw Kai!

The moment his figure appeared, everyone was slightly astonished... He was completely intact! Only the sleeves of his robe were slightly charred at the edges...

To an unknowing person, this might seem insignificant. Only... the Shadow Sect's attire was incredibly hard to damage! The fact that it was scorched showcased the power of Holy Flame's fire!

"He's unharmed... What kind of protection does he have?" One of the Personal Disciples asked curiously.

"It's not protection." A girl with pink hair calmly replied.

She, too, was a Personal Disciple. Moreover, she held the 175th position in the Rank and was at the peak of the Cloud Sphere.

"Oh? Enlighten me, Sister," the guy who previously mentioned the protection asked interested.

He wasn't just any disciple either. He held the 167th Rank among the Personal Disciples. Furthermore, he had a short haircut and ash-colored hair.

"My perception is better than yours, Brother Silver Spear... I'm certain it's not just about protection. He has terrifying regeneration... He had wounds on his hands, but he healed them incredibly quickly," the tall girl with pink hair calmly responded.

"Sister Purple Illusion, you're, as always, astute," the boy mused, continuing to watch the scene. It was unclear what was on his mind at the moment.

The two of them were a fairly famous pair and often spent their time in the Supreme Fate Arena. People said they had known each other since childhood and came from the same place. Thus, even within the Shadow Sect, they were always together.

Each of them was a formidable opponent with vast combat experience. Therefore, they quickly grasped the situation that had unfolded on stage earlier.

"This Immortal Drunkard is good. He's definitely not of the 333rd Rank," the girl remarked calmly.

"You think?" asked the boy with ash-colored hair.

"I'm sure," Purple Illusion confirmed with a nod.

At that moment, the attack of the Holy Flame on the stage had completely dissipated... And he, too, saw the unharmed Kai. It startled him a bit...

None of the Personal Disciples were fools; there simply weren't any among them... At least when it came to battles and combat tactics.

Holy Flame realized he had underestimated Kai, so he ceased his pointless shouts and became more serious.

"Your flame's trash. You've disappointed me," Kai taunted, shaking his head.

At that instant, his murderous thirst awakened. He finally saw a worthy opponent and wanted to crush him. Kai hadn't felt this way in a long time... Foes in the Asura Hell or Shuo couldn't evoke such feelings...

"Seems like things are going to get exciting... Goldilocks will be the first to fall," Kai thought, wearing a malevolent grin.

"Astral Flame of Sacrifice!" Kai commanded mentally.

"Boom!" Instantly, a dark violet flame flared, filling the space within two meters around Kai! Along with it, Kai unleashed his energy to the max!

The pressure emanating from Kai began to suffocate the weaker disciples in the stands. At that moment, he resembled a predator, evoking instinctive fear in the onlookers.

Even Silver Spear leaned forward slightly.

"This is getting interesting..." he observed attentively.

Holy Flame didn't hesitate, either. He felt the situation spiraling out of control... He wasn't a fool and knew it wasn't the time to conserve strength. Likewise, he needed to pull out his trump cards!

As soon as this thought entered his mind, Kai lunged forward with lightning speed!

“Boom!” An explosion sounded, sending out a sonic wave! It was the result of Kai's dash!

“Sanctity Keeper's Technique!” Golden Hair shouted, and a white flame ignited around him once again! But this time, it quickly began to adopt a golden hue!

The heat emanating around multiplied manyfold! In front of Holy Flame, a massive wall of golden fire instantly rose! Not only did it seem incredibly robust, but it also emitted an unbearable heat!

If one was careless, they could burn while trying to break through this technique!

“Holy Flame is getting serious.” Purple Illusion quickly noted.

Of course, Kai paid no attention to Holy Flame's technique or the spectators and their remarks... He had his own thoughts on the matter.

“Perhaps you underestimate my body and regenerative abilities.” Approaching the wall, Kai thought. At that moment, his murderous thirst became nearly unbearable for others.

“Du-dum!” a loud explosion sound from the collision echoed, followed by a “Vshuuu!” that resembled a vast gust of passing air!

At that very moment... All the golden flames were blown towards the Endless Waters!

“Dance of Shadow Seals!” Kai reacted instantaneously and teleported right up close to his opponent!

“Rest now, Golden Hair! Heh-heh.” Kai sneered menacingly.

After these words, in a split second, Kai grabbed Holy Flame by the hair. That was followed by a swift blow to the opponent's chest!

“Bam! Krak!” the sound of breaking bones resounded! “Buee!” Blood spurted from Holy Flame's mouth! But this only lasted a moment, after which he passed out!

Kai didn't even resort to using his daggers... He merely punched with a fist that clutched his blade. But even that was more than enough... Perhaps, Holy Flame slightly underestimated Kai, leading to his swift defeat. However, Kai wasn't concerned in the slightest.

“Rank 271 is now in my pocket!” Kai sneered.

At that moment, he appeared quite menacing, as his murderous aura and energy hadn't yet dissipated...

The spectators in the stands were slightly shocked by such a battle... Though they were accustomed to such scenes since the competition in the Shadow Sect was fiercely intense... It seemed Kai had even surpassed that brutality...

“Well done! Excellent!” Silver Spear exclaimed with shining eyes.

It was evident that he was in a slight state of ecstasy at the moment. But understanding exactly what he was thinking about was challenging...

“A new victim?” The girl with purple-tinted hair calmly inquired.

“Stop it... They're not victims! They're my adversaries!” The young man with ash-colored hair retorted proudly.

V.2 Chapter 203: Silver Spear

"Not victims? Given the methods you employ, your words sound very cynical," replied the Purple Illusion calmly. "Oh well, whatever you say..." she added emotionlessly.

"Now or later?" The boy suddenly asked with maniacal enthusiasm.

But what was strange was his genial smile. It seemed that his gaze didn't quite match the overall expression on his face. It was even a bit unsettling...

"Why do you ask when you already know the answer?" The girl asked rhetorically, exhaling heavily.

"You're always right, Sister Purple Illusion!" Silver Spear exclaimed with a wide smile and immediately rose from his seat.

Kai stood calmly, slowly healing his wounds. After all, that wall of white fire had been dangerous. If Kai wasn't confident in his body, he would never have charged head-on.

"I'm advancing quite quickly…" Kai thought to himself, invigorated.

In his first battle, he had already moved up 60 places in the Rank of Personal Disciples. This was impressive progress.

Several people in distinctive white garments rushed out from both sides of the stage. They ran swiftly towards the Holy Flame lying at Kai's feet.

"The Hall of Medicine is right here..." Someone from the stands commented.

These individuals were representatives of the so-called Hall of Medicine. From the name alone, it was clear what their function was within the Shadows Sect. Their members were not only present in the Supreme Fate Arena but even near dangerous training zones.

Although life-threatening conditions and harsh environments stimulate the growth of martial arts masters, the Shadows Sect didn't want to lose their precious disciples in vain. Such brutal duels were allowed because there was the Hall of Medicine within the Shadows Sect. They did their job exceptionally well.

Considering they weren't healing ordinary people, but martial arts masters... Even wounds like those of the Holy Flame, they could heal in just a few days. Naturally, during the recovery process, the patient would also be involved.

While Kai wasn't fully aware of all this, from the conversations between the people in white and discussions from the stands, he roughly grasped the situation.

"Hey! Greetings, Immortal Drunkard! Great fight!" A cheerful voice suddenly rang out behind Kai.

As soon as Kai heard it, he calmly turned around. He saw a boy with short, ashen hair approaching him, holding a long silver spear.

"It's even taller than he is..." Kai thought, looking at the weapon.

The young man approaching held his weapon with the tip pointing downwards. Kai had to admit that it looked quite impressive.

"Greetings..." Kai began, then glanced at the young man's chest plate, "Greetings, Silver Spear. Thanks for the compliment." He replied with a smile, addressing the newcomer by his title.

"Your regeneration is something else!" The boy exclaimed admiringly.

His face radiated friendliness and admiration. He seemed like a good guy.

But Kai was not quick to celebrate and remained a bit wary. For now, he chose not to show it, keeping his face unchanged and carefree.

"Oh? Thanks. I didn't think anyone would notice that in all the chaos." Kai replied with a grin.

"Hahaha!" The boy laughed heartily. "I wouldn't have noticed if it weren't for my sister! She has an excellent perception!" He explained.

"This guy's eyes are really odd. He's dangerous!" Kai thought, studying the ash-haired youth.

Simultaneously, Kai began to scan the stands and observe the spectators. At that moment, he was certain something was off. Many had rather unpleasant expressions on their faces. Some merely stared at the ground, not lifting their eyes.

"Your Sister must be an incredible master," Kai responded calmly. "By the way, why are you holding that spear?" He asked, looking straight into the eyes of the boy opposite him.

As soon as the question was posed, a gleam flashed in Silver Spear's eyes, which did not escape Kai's notice.

"I want to challenge you to a duel! I love testing the younger ones and offering guidance," the ash-haired boy declared candidly.

"Oh? What's your Rank?" Kai asked skeptically.

"Mine?" The boy replied with a smile, "Just 167." He answered nonchalantly.

"So, you want to face someone a hundred ranks below you?" Kai inquired, slightly puzzled.

He realized the situation was very odd. Many things indicated this, from the boy's gaze to the reactions of those around.

Under normal circumstances, Kai would have immediately declined such a ludicrous proposal. But now, for some reason, he hesitated. It seemed like he was deeply contemplating his decision.

Seeing Kai deep in thought, many in the stands began to shake their heads pitifully.

"New Personal Disciples often think they're unparalleled geniuses... Silver Spear has bad hobbies..." One of the observing boys murmured quietly. From his attire, it was evident he was also a Personal Disciple.

"I agree... He's shattered the confidence of many before..." A fellow disciple sitting nearby concurred.

Kai wasn't aware, but Silver Spear had quite a nasty reputation. Many newcomers were deceived by his affable face and friendly smile. They'd agree to fight him, genuinely expecting guidance. There were also those overconfident novices who dreamt of defeating such an opponent.

However, Silver Spear's hobby was to destroy these so-called “prodigies”. Those who had just joined and were showing promise became victims of this man.

In the Shadow Sect, killing was prohibited. But...

For a martial arts master, there was another crucial quality: confidence in oneself and one's strength. Some refer to this as the heart of a martial artist. This was the quality that drove one to move forward continuously.

When a master lost this heart, or in other words, faith in themselves, they might abandon further progress at that point. The path of martial arts has room only for the strong.

This was precisely where Silver Spear struck. In the very first duel, he'd crush his opponent into the ground! He did it so brutally that afterward, these masters would lose all faith in themselves.

There were many discussions about why he did this. Primarily, people believed that he was eliminating potential rivals in this manner. Yet, there were also those who claimed that once, he too was humiliated similarly... In any case, no one knew the real reason.

"Shuo said I could make it into the Top 250... But I defeated Rank 270 pretty easily... I need to understand the difference between myself and other Personal Disciples. I already know that guys like Holy Flame are no match for me... But what about this guy?" Kai pondered.

It was indeed a challenging decision. He recognized that there was definitely something off about Silver Spear. However, on the martial arts path, can you ever be entirely sure? One always had to take responsibility for their choices.

"Damn... I want to fight... But maybe I should wait and ask Shuo?" Kai suddenly thought. "Wait, when did I start relying on others?" Kai immediately interrupted his contemplation.

"Alright, I agree!" He instantly replied. The fact that he was making decisions based on others' judgments slightly alarmed Kai.

Kai was somewhat startled by his own thoughts. For a true martial arts master, relying on others would be a grave mistake. This ideology didn't apply to everyday life and didn't forbid making acquaintances and seeking their counsel. It only applied to the martial path!

How can you call yourself a warrior if you base your decision to accept a battle on another person's words?

“Until now, I’ve always acted independently. And that’s how it will continue! The Eternity of Will is the third law. Everything, both living and non-living, possesses a will. It's an intangible entity that sets all laws of existence into motion.” Kai shouted in his mind, recalling one of the Laws of the Sphere. “I have my own will. This might be a mistake... But right now, I want to fight!” Kai firmly made his decision.

“Hahaha! Splendid!” Silver Spear laughed heartily. “Shall we begin?” His smile was manic.

“Let’s!” With all his thirst for blood and energy, Kai yelled.

“Boom! Boom!” Almost instantly, two bursts of energy rippled through the arena.

Silver Spear didn’t wait. His energy poured out, a shimmering shade of gray, as if his power had a metallic hue.

“Almost at the Peak of the Cloud Sphere! Astral Flame of Sacrifice!” Kai quickly analyzed, releasing his flame in the very next second.

Kai didn’t hesitate and gave it his all! But Silver Spear wasn’t idle either... He gripped his spear tighter and lunged forward!

“Bang!” An explosion echoed.

A direct thrust was already near Kai! In the nick of time, he managed to block the spear's tip with his daggers!

Without a moment's delay, he tried to grasp the spear to limit his opponent’s movements. He held on to the shaft, a bit further from the sharp end, aiming to rush forward.

“Foolish!” The ash-haired warrior sneered, shaking his weapon with malice.

A strong vibration emanated from the shaft, intensifying as it reached the tip. The next instant, the spear jolted, throwing off Kai's grip and striking him squarely in the chest!

Kai was thrown backward in a flash!

Though it felt like a relatively mild blow... It tore Kai's clothes and left a jagged wound on his chest!

“Damn... I underestimated him...” Kai thought, somersaulting midair and landing on his feet.

He wasted no time and harnessed his momentum. Gripping his daggers, he charged! At that moment, he even activated his Essence Eyes!

“Bang! Bang! Zing!” Loud sounds of combat echoed!

But no matter how hard Kai tried, he could only inflict minor scratches. In return... He received grievous wounds!

Bleeding profusely, Kai charged again! But he no longer had enough strength... At the last moment, he failed to dodge Silver Spear's most lethal attack...

“Boom! Crack!” Kai, felt the spear's tip piercing into his chest with incredible force! It paused for just a split second, but what followed shattered his chest and even punctured a lung! A gravely critical wound!

V.2 Chapter 204: Brutally Smashed

“Kh-ha… Kh-ha…” Kai breathed heavily, barely holding on to his consciousness...

“Is that all?” Silver Spear said with disdain, slightly raising his weapon.

Because of this, Kai found himself suspended in the air, impaled on the spear... Now he was covered in blood and in a quite pitiful state. For the first time in his life, a real opponent had beaten him so badly...

“Damn... It seems I greatly underestimated the difference in our strength…” Kai thought, struggling to breathe.

“You're trash.” The ash-haired young man said arrogantly, swinging his spear!

In that instant, Kai was flung away like a rag doll, crashing hard several meters from the edge of the stage. Looking at the floor of the arena, he saw his crimson blood spreading everywhere...

Currently, both Kai’s energy and his body were severely drained. He had fought with incredible intensity. Now, his regenerative abilities were significantly weakened and couldn't cope with such a grievous injury...

“Damn... My head is spinning...” Kai thought, clinging to consciousness with the last of his strength, “It reminds me of that day...” he mused in a slight delirium.

For some reason, he recalled the day his brothers and sisters were killed... Back then, after a severe injury, he had similarly lain in a pool of blood... But now, fortunately, he didn’t feel the bitterness of loss. He had grown accustomed to physical pain anyway...

“Damn... How disgracefully I’ve lost... Ah, the Hall of Medicine...” Kai thought in a semi-conscious state, seeing people in white clothes rushing from behind the stage, “To hell with it... I’ll think it over later...” Kai calmly thought and then closed his eyes.

Kai was tempered in the endless battles of Asura Hell. Therefore, even in such a situation, he retained relative clarity of mind. He knew medical help was close, and there was no need to worry. With a calm soul, he relaxed and lost consciousness.

Although Kai was never an arrogant man and always tried to avoid bias towards his opponents, his possession of numerous amazing abilities did leave an impression. Lately, Kai had grown more and more convinced that there were no worthy opponents for him in his generation.

Even though Silver Spear was older than Kai, the age difference wasn't as vast as with Shuo... Overall, Kai could be considered from the same generation as this spearman.

In the Border Beast City, Kai could fight opponents a whole grade above him. But in the Shadow Sect, that didn't work anymore... The martial arts masters here were qualitatively on another level. Each of them had their hidden aces and secret techniques. Silver Spear was at the peak of the Cloud Sphere, the same sphere Kai was in. Of course, Kai was still only at the beginning stage…

After an indeterminate amount of time, Kai began to come to...

“Ouch…” he muttered through clenched teeth, “As expected, alive and well…” Kai added with a self-deprecating smile.

Looking around, he saw he was lying in a white room that was quite spacious. Beside him stood a single bed, but it was empty. So, Kai was alone here.

Cautiously touching his chest, Kai felt it was bandaged. It seemed that while he was unconscious, they had already done a fair bit of work on him...

Closing his eyes, he quickly assessed his body with his energy.

"Overall, everything's fine. I've rested up, so my regeneration is returning to its usual level." Kai concluded in his mind.

Evaluating himself, he understood that with a few days of rest, he would return to a relatively optimal state.

“Well... Maybe it's time to reevaluate a few things...” Kai mused thoughtfully.

Now, he lay there with a calm expression, gazing at the ceiling, lost in contemplation.

Silver Spear loved shattering the martial spirit of his opponents, especially if they were novices. For some reason, this brought him immense pleasure... And the stronger his potential victim was, the greater his ecstasy.

Yet, observing Kai, it seemed he didn't care at all that he'd lost. His inherent tranquility appeared utterly unshakable. All he was concerned about now was drawing the right conclusions from the previous fight...

"The Invisible King's Torture Technique is certainly unique and incredible... But there are two nuances... First, it's very hard to cultivate, and since absorbing the Kings, it's become even more complex. Secondly, why did I assume that I'm the only one with unique methods?" Kai wondered. "Even Master Mo said that all martial arts masters have their secrets, which is why they prefer solitary cultivation. Shuo also said his cultivation technique was received from an ancient master. Come to think of it, many venture into forbidden zones and adventures. Anyone willing to take risks has the chance to obtain something priceless..." Kai mused as he lay in bed.

The previous fight had somewhat cooled his ardor and made him pay attention to aspects he hadn't considered before. Among the Personal Disciples, there were no weaklings. Each of them had undergone rigorous selection and competition. Many of them possessed their unique methods.

"The situation with my Astral Flame of Sacrifice is ambiguous... My flame is unrealistically powerful, as was evident in the battle with the Holy Flame. Although his techniques are strong, he couldn't penetrate the defense of my Astral Flame of Sacrifice... This was due to the difference in our heritages. Rather, that's why the victory was earned so easily..." Kai analyzed his battle, "But there's a crucial nuance... The power of my flame is limited by my cultivation!" Kai seriously thought to himself.

Kai still felt that his situation, and he himself, were quite unique. However, he was no fool and could compare himself to the surrounding masters. But after joining the Shadow Sect, Kai realized that this uniqueness did not give him a huge advantage in combat power...

No matter how hard you try, everything boils down to the cultivation of a martial artist... There are barriers that can only be broken with time, provided enough persistence is applied.

"Shuo warned me that above Rank 250 it would become difficult... Fighting at Rank 167 was foolish. But at least I understood the difference in our strength..." Kai mumbled to himself.

If a martial arts master manages not to break down after such a devastating defeat, he can derive immense benefit from it... This is precisely what Kai was doing now.

"Let's put it this way... We'll set Rank 167 as the insurmountable limit for me presently... My goal is to break into the Top 100," leaning back with his hands behind his head, Kai began to ponder, "Then... Is there any point in spending a lot of time on battles, as I had planned earlier? Yes, during battles I should quickly progress in cultivation. At least that's what's said in the Invisible King's Torture Technique... Is this enough to break into the Top 100 in the remaining time? I think not..." Kai had a mental debate with himself.

Now he was contemplating which way out of the situation would be most acceptable. The best way to find an answer is the method Kai was currently using.

"If so, what should I do? I have the option of developing my lineage... Moreover, it should help in controlling that ability..." Kai reasoned, "It could be my trump card and, under ideal conditions, an unexpected variable. It can provide a way into the Top 100... If there's a place where I can fight and absorb the blood of beings... I can both fight and strengthen my lineage simultaneously. This would definitely be a more logical conclusion than continuing battles in the Supreme Fate Arena..." Kai continued pondering.

Previously, he wanted to gain more extensive experience by battling real martial arts masters. Indeed, it was a solid plan. However... it did not offer a way to break into the Top 100 before the opening of the Island of Reincarnation!

"My previous plan is useless to me... I must finally focus on my lineage. Damn... I need to reach the peak of the Cloud Sphere and develop my lineage. Only then will I have a slight chance!" Kai pondered with concern.

Making a correct and genuinely feasible decision was quite tricky. It bordered on intuition, something Kai wasn't particularly fond of relying on... He preferred logic. But right now, logic wasn't enough... This slightly irked Kai.

"To hell with it... I need to focus on enhancing my cultivation and lineage. Battling will just waste too much time. Especially if I need several days to recover after each loss..." Kai thought, glancing down at his bandaged chest.

Currently, Kai had to take responsibility and make a decision. Letting things go with the flow wasn't an option...

"Causelessness of Luck, there's a second law. It's impossible to discern the causes and effects of the Universe's manifestations, as if everything is decided by the role of an infinitely faceted die, creating the most improbable regularities. What to choose..." Kai muttered to himself.

It seemed at that moment he was at a final crossroads, on the brink of making a decision. He had two options. Abandon the idea of the Island of Reincarnation and methodically fight and self-improve. Or take a riskier path, pushing to reach the peak of the Cloud Sphere and improve his lineage. The latter was more perilous and strenuous...

"Ugh... Screw it!" Kai exclaimed, scratching his head in frustration, "I'll focus on my lineage! I'll trust in luck! Don't let me down, second law!" He shouted again.

At that very moment, the room's door opened, and a beautiful middle-aged woman walked in.

"What are we shouting about here?" She asked with a stern expression.

She seemed displeased with Kai's behavior. This gave Kai a slightly strange feeling... He remembered being scolded at the orphanage. When he returned home after beatings, Frida similarly yelled at him, telling him to keep quiet and rest. This woman had a similar aura... Kai could describe it as “strict care”...

"I'm sorry. He-he." Kai chuckled nonchalantly.

"Your regeneration is truly terrifying. You've been here for just a day. Yet, you're already in reasonably good shape," the woman remarked sternly.

"Just got beaten up a lot as a kid!" Kai said with a grin.

"Judging by your foolish remarks, it seems they hit you in the head," the woman responded calmly.

"Hahaha. Your humor is ruthless!" Kai laughed heartily.

"Many take offense. But apparently not you," the woman remarked as she approached Kai. "Show me your chest," she ordered.

"Yes, just a moment... I'll get up..." Kai replied, wincing slightly from pain as he lifted himself up.

The woman deftly removed the bandages and placed her palm on Kai's chest. After a short while, with her eyes closed, she stood up and waved her hand. In her palms, new bandages materialized.

"Turn around," the woman commanded again.

Kai did not resist and obediently followed the woman's instructions. Within a minute, his chest was neatly and skillfully rebandaged. Even from the ordinary bandaging, one could see how adept this woman was in her field.

"You'll stay with us for three more days. I'll come to check on you once a day. Thereafter, you can go home," the woman explained sternly.

With that, she turned around and confidently headed towards the exit.

"Wait! Are there places in the Shadow Sect where one can hunt powerful beasts?" Kai called out to her.

"Go to the Shadow Groves," the woman replied, briefly turning back, and then immediately left.

"Boom!" The sound of the closing door echoed.

V.2 Chapter 205: Shadow Groves

The stern woman had a practiced eye. She was clearly incredibly experienced in medicine. As she had mentioned, Kai spent three more days undergoing treatment. Every day, she came to check on Kai at the exact same time, then promptly left to attend to other patients.

Although she was reserved, Kai managed to extract bits of essential information from her. Moreover, on the last day, another patient was moved into Kai's room. Through conversation with him, Kai filled in the gaps in his understanding of the subject. Naturally, he was curious about the Shadow Groves.

In the end, things were much as he had assumed. Only, Kai had significantly underestimated the scale...

It turned out that this domain was not located within the Shadows City itself. A bit south of the walls lay a vast, guarded zone. The landscape inside was diverse. It included several small mountain peaks surrounded by dense forests, marshes, swamps, meadows, and more...

On the whole, the Shadow Sect preserved this region in its wild state, not interfering with the natural environment. All they did was prevent creatures from leaving the confines of the Shadow Groves. This led to a plethora of varied species thriving in an intensely competitive environment...

The closer one ventured to the center of the Shadow Groves, the stronger the creatures that resided there... It was said that only the Elders could enter its very core. Thus, even a master at the peak of the Gravity Sphere would find it perilous.

The Shadow Sect had established this zone for various purposes. The most fundamental was training. Besides that, Tamers frequently visited, seeking intriguing beasts for their craft. Numerous Artifact Creators, Blacksmiths, and Alchemists also ventured there. After all, from powerful creatures, one could obtain valuable ingredients or components.

For instance, Alchemists could extract a rare poison for a pill, while Blacksmiths might retrieve tendons for a bowstring. The bones and blood of such beasts were also highly prized by many craftsmen. Additionally, various unique plants thrived in these wild conditions.

All of this made the Shadow Groves an exceedingly popular place. Yet even so, you might spend days inside without encountering another soul. After all, its vastness was immense...

When Kai finally learned all these intricacies, he was thrilled! This was precisely where he needed to be. Potent beasts and solitude from other masters... The perfect conditions for the evolution of his lineage. And also, real battles that he required for the cultivation of the third level of the Invisible King's Torture Technique.

As soon as Kai was discharged, he promptly headed to his destination. Thankfully, his ward mate had instructed him on the direction to take.

Kai didn't even stop by his home or to see Shuo. True to Kai's nature, he didn’t even think of doing so...

Although the Shadow Groves was relatively close to the Shadows City, getting beyond its walls was quite the hassle. He had traveled here by cart, which had consumed a good chunk of time...

Because of this, Kai decided to pay for a special mode of transportation. Typically, they would provide you with a horse and an escort. This was much faster than traveling by cart or carriage.

The only issue was that Kai had no skills in horseback riding. Therefore, he had to share a horse with a massive man. The sensation was somewhat awkward...

"Damn... I'll have to learn this skill..." Kai thought, sitting very close to his escort.

Fortunately, this discomfort didn’t last too long. A few days into their journey, and Kai finally rid himself of that silly feeling. He felt like a child again, incapable of performing basic functions on his own.

"What a damn troublesome journey..." Kai grumbled, slightly irritated, heading towards the tall wall.

He couldn't see it clearly yet, due to the dense forest ahead. Yet, looking in the distance, it rose above the tree canopies, suggesting the wall was about 50 meters tall. Not excessively high, but certainly enough to hinder the movement of ordinary beasts.

His ward mate had told Kai about this. Such a barrier encircled the entire perimeter of the Shadow Groves. In truth, it wasn't really necessary... Perhaps, once, beasts had tried to leave the territory. But now, many had their own zones of influence and habitats they would never abandon.

At present, this barrier serves more to deter humans, signaling them not to venture further. Furthermore, hunting within the Shadow Groves costs certain Reputation Points. With only a few entrances, it was much easier to monitor each disciple.

Recalling all this, Kai approached the large redwood gates. On either side, there were a few rather attractive houses. Stylistically, they complemented the entrance to the Shadow Groves.

"Over many decades, a small village must have formed here... The guards have to live somewhere after all..." Kai thought, drawing nearer to the entrance.

It made sense, as the journey to the Shadows City took more than a few hours. It was much more convenient to settle closer by.

Over time, ordinary people began to gather. The workers of the Shadow Sect needed life's essentials, and the common folk needed protection. Thus, everything grew into small villages where simple peasants and representatives of the Shadow Sect coexisted peacefully.

"Hello! I'd like to enter the Shadow Groves!" Kai cheerfully shouted as he approached the gates.

At that moment, a group of five people sat there. They laughed and played cards. Each one was dressed in the uniform of the Shadow Sect.

It seemed these men led rather carefree lives. Their duty wasn't overly complicated. They simply needed to let disciples in and out, recording the days they spent inside.

One of the men lazily turned his head, as if he was being pulled away from something important. But when he saw the hieroglyph on Kai's chest, he instantly jumped to his feet!

"Greetings, Immortal Drunkard!" He exclaimed respectfully.

Naturally, he was seeing Kai for the first time. But his nickname was inscribed on the uniform's chest. Moreover, he wouldn’t dare address a Personal Disciple any other way. Such customs were strictly adhered to in the Shadow Sect.

Hearing this, the other men quickly stood up. Sweat instantly appeared on some of their foreheads. In their eyes, a Personal Disciple was on par with an Elder! And here they were, playing cards instead of doing their duties in front of such an individual! The situation looked awful for them...

Watching this unfold, Kai merely smiled. It wasn’t hard to follow their line of thought. But luckily for them, Kai didn't really care about these guards fulfilling their duties.

"Don't worry, guys, you can continue your game." Kai chuckled, putting them at ease.

As soon as Kai spoke, all sighed in relief, but none returned to their game. In their minds, that would be disrespectful...

"May I enter? Oh... And what's the cost?" Kai calmly asked.

"One Reputation Point per day! Of course, you may proceed!" The leader among them quickly exclaimed.

"Thank you, then please note the date of my entry," Kai said with a smile, and walked past the guards, entering the Shadow Groves.

Naturally, since they were outside the Shadow Sect, there was no self-regulating array here. The deduction of Reputation Points would occur only after the guards report directly to the Shadow Sect. Hence, they recorded the entry date of the disciple...

Normally, they needed to ensure that the entrant had sufficient Reputation Points. But considering the status of a Personal Disciple... They simply didn't dare doubt Kai's solvency.

Thus, passing through the gates, Kai immediately found himself in a dense forest. He might even have called it a jungle! Though even outside the entrance the trees grew rather thickly, this still couldn't compare to the ambiance inside.

"So... Where should I head?" With a sinister smile, Kai mused.

Well, he was just amusing himself. Kai understood perfectly that he'd move straight ahead, aiming for the center.

Ordinary Core Disciples often visited the Shadow Groves. This implied that the peripheries were safe even for them... In such a case, it was logical to assume Kai had no business on the fringes. Although Kai wouldn't dare to venture into the very core, he definitely needed to head deeper!

"Forward!" Kai shouted and began to run, nimbly navigating through the underbrush.

It didn't take him long to confirm that his judgments were accurate. Using his senses, he felt that upon detecting his presence, the beasts instantly hid. Those that inhabited these parts were simply no match for him. Not just Kai, but even the creatures themselves were aware of this...

Only after half a day, having covered vast distances, did Kai feel something lurking in the shadows watching him...

"Such massive trees... It's still daytime, but there's hardly any sunlight... There's something there!" Gazing in the direction of the lurking creature, Kai thought.

The darkness was attributed to the towering vegetation and their dense placement. The foliage of the trees almost completely blocked out the sunlight!

"Come out! You'll be the first prey!" Kai shouted with a grin.

Like during his hunt in the Endless Wasteland, he knew the beast wouldn't recognize human speech... But it definitely realized that Kai had spotted it and was now provoking it to attack.

"Raaar!" A deafening roar erupted!

From the bushes, a massive form lunged. It was a three-meter tall anthropomorphic creature with horns, and its skin had a greenish hue.

"Nice camouflage for such a brute!" Kai exclaimed, instantly sidestepping the creature's attack.

It seemed this horned being wasn't agile enough, as it charged and collided with a tree behind where Kai had stood. Naturally, Kai was already elsewhere.

"It seems it has just entered the Cloud Sphere... I need to be cautious," Kai quickly thought and immediately drew his black daggers.

Kai didn't wait for the beast to recover from its collision with the tree, and swiftly attacked from behind! At the same instant, the Astral Flame of Sacrifice ignited! Kai had no intentions of holding back, as he still didn't grasp the full strength of his opponent.

But as it turned out a moment later, Kai had overestimated his first prey...

"Bang!" There was a slight explosion, and chunks of flesh flew everywhere.

"Boom..." With a muffled sound, the beast's carcass fell to the ground.

Standing above, Kai looked at the massive hole in the back of the creature. His own strike had indeed been terrifying.

"What now?" Blood-splattered, Kai pondered.

"Kessia said I'd know what to do next... But for now..." Just as Kai thought about it, his train of thought was abruptly interrupted!

"What is this..." In mild confusion, he tried to tune into his own body...

"Du-dum!" The sound of a heartbeat echoed! It was so distinct that it resonated as a pulse in Kai's ears. It seemed to him that even the contrast and brightness of the surrounding colors intensified.

At that moment, it felt like his blood started to flow faster... And his flesh seemed to experience a certain thirst. Kai felt a slight gravitational force emanating from his body. It was a very peculiar sensation...

The next instant, all the beast's blood began to be drawn out, flying toward Kai! And the blood that was already on him was absorbed into his skin at lightning speed!

"What the..." Kai exclaimed in shock.

But at that moment, he inexplicably felt a subtle ecstasy. It was odd because this sensation clearly came from his body. It felt as if his entire flesh was trembling with delight and exuberance!

"I'm absorbing the blood... Just as Kessia said!" Kai suddenly shouted out!

V.2 Chapter 206: Blood Absorption

Kai didn't rush to take any actions. All he did was stand calmly and observe the surroundings. He was assessing not just what was happening to the beast's carcass, which was visibly turning into a mummy right before his eyes, but he paid much more attention to his inner sensations.

This state lasted briefly, only for a few seconds everything calmed down. At that moment, Kai stood atop a skeleton wrapped in the dried skin of the beast. There was not a single drop of blood left on Kai himself...

The feeling of light ecstasy continued for about five more seconds after absorbing all the blood from his foe. It felt to Kai as if his senses had sharpened and his blood boiled.

"It's like that ability..." Kai mused thoughtfully.

Jumping off the skeleton, Kai quickly sat in the lotus position and began to inspect his body.

“Hmm… No significant changes, but I've certainly made some progress in my cultivation. Considering I haven't been absorbing energy lately… This is the result of the lineage's development!" Kai realized instantly.

While training in the Time Tomb, Kai understood that the Invisible King's Torture Technique implied mastery over this peculiar lineage. If he completed the first level thanks to his willpower and endurance, the absorption of the Kings occurred solely due to Kai's new bodily enhancements.

During the Torture of the Pain King, Kai clearly understood that his prospects of absorption, without Kessia's legacy, would be almost nil.

Now, he was once again convinced that his lineage and his cultivation technique were inseparable. When he absorbed the beast's blood, he instantly recognized that his body had undergone significant changes...

"It feels... as if after absorbing the Kings, every component of my flesh changed... I think... It's due to the beast's cultivation..." Kai pondered with closed eyes.

A plausible hypothesis formed in his mind, one he needed to test first...

Suddenly, Kai sprang up and opened his eyes! He sensed another beast in the distance!

Without hesitating for a moment, he darted towards the enemy! This is precisely what he needed right now!

Kai wanted to slay at least a dozen diverse beasts to get accustomed to this sensation of blood absorption. Moreover, he wanted to gain a clearer understanding of the underlying techniques...

As such, Kai did not halt his hunt for several more hours. There were no creatures in this zone that could threaten his life. Though, he did encounter a somewhat formidable opponent in the form of a gigantic yellow snake. Its best efforts only resulted in a few minor injuries to Kai. With his regeneration, he healed in just a few minutes.

"Now it's clear..." Standing beside several small mummies, Kai declared.

It seemed as though he had recently encountered pack animals, for the surroundings looked just like that.

One of the questions that troubled Kai was the involuntary absorption of blood. Such a method could betray him at the wrong moment. But during the last hours of his hunt, he realized there were two factors influencing this process.

First — the victim must die! A mere injury or even mere contact with blood wasn't enough! That was the reason Kai had previously refrained from absorbing. Ever since acquiring the lineage, he hadn’t killed anyone. And the creatures from the Shadow Labyrinth were made of destructive energy, making them unsuitable victims…

Second — Kai needed to want to absorb the blood. It was an unconscious, instinctual command. A few hours ago, standing over the carcass of the first encountered beast, Kai pondered this very fact. And at that exact moment, the absorption process began instantly.

Thus, Kai was reassured, understanding that the ability to develop lineage was entirely under his control. Otherwise, accidentally absorbing blood from another's corpse would be a perilous act... Hypothetically, such a scenario could happen in a place like the Island of Reincarnation. Absorbing the blood of fallen comrades wasn't the wisest act. At least, not in plain sight...

"Alright, I won't jeopardize myself... I'll use this ability in solitude," Kai mused aloud.

Additionally, Kai confirmed a hypothesis that had recently crossed his mind.

“My body has changed, that’s certain… Now, I am able to absorb part of the energy from a slain victim... It's as if my flesh absorbs all the blood and processes it,” Kai deduced.

Kai distinctly felt the absorption process. As he imbibed foreign blood, it fortified his own body. Beyond that, when the integration was complete, Kai felt a surge of new energy flowing into his Energy Center. Initially, it had a different type and attribute, but after spending a little time inside Kai, it slowly transformed into his own dark energy…

Reflecting on all this, Kai realized it made sense. All beings cultivated using a similar system... In the process of energy absorption and refinement, your very body would become saturated with it. Even though there were hundreds of times less energy in the body than in the Energy Center, it was still present!

It was this energy that Kai absorbed, drawing in the victim's blood. As a result, his cultivation progressed much faster! In just a few hours of hunting, Kai already felt the positive effects. And these weren’t even the strongest of beasts…

"It's interesting what will happen if I consume more dangerous creatures of the Shadow Groves?" Kai mused, "And what if I consume another martial arts master..." He continued to ponder.

Of course, Kai wouldn't kill other disciples within the Shadow Sect's territory. But if he were to seek adventures... or if he garnered any adversaries... People often meet their ends in the Shadow Groves, an area not under the strict control of the Shadow Sect. Moreover, there were many dangerous beasts there... If one were to overestimate their strength, anything could happen...

"It seems that my cultivation technique and lineage are simply made for each other... With this body, I can effectively develop both aspects — the Body and Energy!" Rubbing his chin, Kai declared with a sly grin.

"The Law of the Flesh is the fifth law. Everything starts with the flesh — living and non-living, material and spiritual. Even manifestations of nature have flesh.

The Law of Energy is the sixth law. The development and activities of all things give rise to myriad variations of energy, its combinations and forms." Kai recited in his thoughts.

Every time he remembered the Laws of the Sphere of Essence, Kai would only speak them in his mind. It was his most closely guarded secret.

Master Mo knew about his Invisible Kings Cultivation Technique. Kessia knew even more and had passed on her lineage to him. While the Astral Flame of Sacrifice was something astounding, Kai understood its origins. He even knew the method by which the fire was crafted. With the help of Shuo, he had further grasped what the “souls”, as mentioned by the Astral Emperor of Alchemy, truly represented.

But only Kai himself knew about the Sphere of Essence... He didn't even know when they first made contact. Did it occur in the river waters? Or had the Sphere of Essence always been with him? Perhaps his near-death experiences simply awakened it? It was something sacred to Kai. He had decided long ago that regardless of what happened, he would take this secret to his grave.

"Well then..." Kai laughed sinisterly as he began to remove his clothes.

Carefully folding them, he sent them straight to Master Mo's spatial ring. From another, he retrieved ordinary black garments. Within a minute, he was fully changed and calmly headed towards the center of the Shadow Groves.

Kai had a rather mischievous idea in mind... As a Personal Disciple, few knew him. What would happen if they met him in regular attire?

"Let's test your integrity..." Kai laughed wickedly.

He understood well the nature of people... If they saw him in the attire of a Personal Disciple, they wouldn't dare attack him! However, Kai was sure that many of the deaths in the Shadow Groves were not due to wild beasts...

After all, the area was abundant with valuable resources. Many, for their own safety, traveled here in groups. What would happen if two competing groups stumbled upon something very valuable? And what if they realized that, under the right circumstances, no one would ever find out? For Kai, the answer was obvious!

"I wonder how the absorbed blood of a martial arts master will work?" Kai pondered as he moved through the jungle.

Gradually, the vegetation became less dense. It seemed that Kai would soon emerge from them, entering another natural zone.

"What am I thinking about? I changed my clothes so as not to soil my precious attire of a Personal Disciple!" Kai laughed sinisterly and burst out of the jungle.

At that moment, he was slightly blinded by the setting sun. Earlier, the tree canopies had almost completely blocked the sunlight. But now, Kai had emerged onto vast rocky expanses with very sparse vegetation. If there was any, it was primarily moss and low grass.

Ahead, Kai saw a large silver wolf, feasting on the carcass of another animal!

"Initial stage of the Cloud Sphere... Yet, it looks more formidable than those from the jungle," Kai whispered, analyzing the aura around the beast, "It'll do!" Laughing, he charged in attack!

Simultaneously, in the distance, three men were running. These were grown men, heading towards Kai. Considering their age and cultivation, it was clear they were rather average individuals. These were Core Disciples of the Shadow Sect.

Two of them were at the mid-stage of the Cloud Sphere, and the last was only at the initial stage.

"Brother, look!" The weakest among them suddenly exclaimed.

"What? Why are you shouting?" The second one asked irritably, then looked in the indicated direction.

Suddenly, he smiled slightly and quickened his pace!

The trio approached the carcass of the large wolf, beside which sat a wounded boy. It was evident he had engaged in a fierce battle, trying to win. But as a result, he had suffered severe wounds... It was Kai...

"P... Please help!" He cried out laboriously, seeing the figures in the distance.

The three didn't slow down and quickly reached him.

"Brother... It's the Silver Fang," said one of the masters at the mid-stage of the Cloud Sphere.

"I know..." the other replied softly, looking at his comrade, "Brother, you're amazing! How did you manage to defeat this behemoth?" He suddenly exclaimed, addressing the heavily breathing Kai.

"I thought... I could easily defeat him... But now I need help..." Kai uttered, grimacing. Presently, his chest was drenched in blood...

"You, like this beast, are at the initial stage of the Cloud Sphere. But... Didn't you know that this wolf is stronger than the average master?" One of the men asked with a smirk, "Its fur and fangs are very valuable... Moreover, it's difficult to defeat..." There was a hint of greed in his eyes as he explained.

"Will you help me? Please!" Kai asked, his face etched with desperation.

"Of course! Just in a slightly different way... We'll ease your suffering, Brother! Hahaha." The man laughed menacingly, drawing his sword and advancing towards Kai.

"Hahaha! Wonderful!" Kai suddenly burst out laughing, startling the trio! This abrupt change in mood quickly put them on guard!

"Goodbye!" Kai declared sinisterly as he stood up. The next instant, a dark energy rapidly enveloped everything around him!

V.2 Chapter 207: Provocation

Everything that was happening had been meticulously predicted by Kai. Analyzing the situation in the Shadow Groves, he assumed that this was precisely the case — many killed each other in the battle for resources!

Kai was eager to conduct an experiment and try to absorb the blood of a martial arts master. There was, one might say, a scientific curiosity in this endeavor...

Yet, Kai did not wish to directly violate the rules of the Shadow Sect and murder without reason. After all, he was now a part of this force. He had come here by Master Mo's directive. In Kai's understanding, a careless disregard for the rules of the Shadow Sect would tarnish his mentor's reputation...

Thus, Kai decided to take a different route... A route of provocation!

If he defended himself, it wouldn't count as murder! Admittedly, it was an underhanded tactic. But had they helped him, they would've faced no danger.

But now...

"What the hell?!" One of the men suddenly shouted.

It seemed something was slowly dawning on them. The nearly dead boy lying next to the Silver Fang suddenly laughed and stood up! One had to be an idiot not to sense something amiss!

"Scatter!" The eldest of them yelled.

As soon as this command was given, each of the men turned and began to run! They chose different directions, thereby significantly limiting Kai's options.

"Dance of Shadow Seals!" Kai thought and instantly appeared behind the middle one.

Everything happened so quickly that the man couldn't even react. Kai's dagger was already pressing against his neck!

"Brother, save me!" He cried out loudly.

At that moment, the running silhouette of the eldest halted. It was evident he was seething with anger. Even without seeing his eyes, Kai could tell he was in doubt... He was now deeply contemplating his decision.

Ultimately, the man turned around and ran back! He was returning to his brother. The weakest of them continued his flight, as he was initially further away and reacted faster. He was terrified, so he didn't even pay attention to his comrade's cry.

"What do you want?" The eldest man asked warily, looking at Kai.

Currently, Kai stood behind his captive, and his blade was lightly piercing the hostage's neck...

Though both of his victims were at the mid-stage of the Cloud Sphere, a level above Kai's cultivation. They were mere Core Disciples; their legacies were vastly inferior. Kai understood perfectly that they were no match for him.

"What do I want? I wanted help." Kai replied calmly.

"Quit playing games! You don't need any damn help! What do you truly want?! Release my brother!" The eldest man yelled, drawing his sword again.

At that moment, Kai smirked maliciously and instantly released his energy outward!

The guy he held hostage immediately trembled with fear. It seemed he was moments away from wetting his pants.

"It's simple. Your blood." Kai coldly declared and swiftly decapitated the hostage.

Kai's movements were incredibly agile... The length of his blades was more than sufficient for such a maneuver!

"What have you done! Bitch, I'll kill you! Grraaa!" The man screamed in unbridled rage, releasing all his energy. Now, he was blinded by sorrow, hatred, and despair!

While all this took place, the weakest of the trio kept running... He'd been navigating the jungle from which Kai had emerged for about ten minutes. Sweat covered his forehead; he couldn't understand why he was so terrified.

Another ten minutes passed, and he finally halted...

"Heh... Heh..." gasping for breath and recovering from his run, the boy murmured, "Damn... Where are Liber and Piv? Shit..." he panted heavily.

"Don't worry, you'll see them soon." A cheerful voice sounded behind him.

Sheer terror! Bone-chilling dread was all he felt in that instant!

Before he could react, his head effortlessly parted from his shoulders... Before his body even touched the ground, he caught a glimpse of the last and most horrifying sight of his life! It was the vision of his body shriveling before his very eyes!

Blood was rapidly drawn from him and flowed into Kai's body. He absorbed it as if it were the most natural thing. Not a single drop stained his clothes...

At that moment, Kai was incredibly pleased, a wicked smile hanging on his face. For a brief second, crimson lines, pulsating like light, manifested on his body. They resembled miniature rivers of fresh blood.

However, this wasn't the blood of his victim. Nor was it his own...

"Hahaha!" Kai laughed heartily, "The blood of masters is definitely more beneficial! It contains much more energy than that of beasts." Kai exclaimed with glee.

He was validated in his assumptions. Absorbing other masters meant that one's lineage and cultivation progressed much more rapidly!

"It seems I'll soon need to engage in some unsavory acts..." Kai uttered with a suffocating thirst for murder.

The surrounding atmosphere was intensely menacing... He appeared not as a man, but as one of the predatory creatures of these Shadow Groves.

"The internal environment of the Shadow Sect isn't at all suitable for my development... Had I remained at the Supreme Fate Arena, it would have been a sheer waste of time! I'm absolutely certain of that!" Kai mused ecstatically in his mind.

"I won't rush... I'll start by clearing out everyone at this depth," Kai resolved, gripping his two daggers and moving forward, "Wait... I should gather useful items..." He suddenly uttered and turned around.

Though these guys were mere Core Disciples of the Shadow Sect, they still had numerous valuable items on them. Kai, in turn, had a spacious ring... It would be illogical to let these assets go to waste.

Having picked up everything that caught his eye, Kai dashed towards the corpse of the wolf. So far, he hadn't engaged with other creatures in those meadows. Yet, from the power of the Silver Fang, Kai inferred that the creatures in the stony expanses were of a higher caliber.

Kai decided that for the upcoming weeks, he would survey the situation and indiscriminately consume all animals. If he came across other martial arts masters, he'd test their cunning.

Those who wouldn't rise to his provocations would live!

Those who chose to commit evil would die!

Of course, Kai realized this was all a game. He truly wasn't concerned about good and evil, nor who his potential victims might be. Kai just had his quirks.

He respected his Master and didn't wish to show direct disrespect. After all, the Shadow Sect had some traditions. And Kai wasn't a complete maniac... Killing indiscriminately wasn't sensible, and he was well-aware of that.

Reflecting on all this, Kai wondered if there are existed places on the Heavenly Continent where relentless battles occurred. Perhaps some perilous lands where murder was commonplace... Kai knew that in such conditions, he'd progress at an astonishing pace.

"Idle dreaming won't be of any use, I need to make the most of what I have now..." Thought Kai, standing over the beast's carcass.

At that moment, his clothes were torn, and his entire body was wounded. Clearly, Kai had just concluded a fierce battle...

His body began absorbing the surrounding blood again. His wounds, presently, started healing more rapidly. It wasn't enough for a complete recovery, but the positive effect was certainly felt...

"The creatures in this area are powerful... Venturing further would be a poor decision... Heh..." Kai pondered aloud, breathing heavily, "I need to find shelter..." He uttered tiredly.

By the time he had killed three masters, sunset had arrived. Throughout the subsequent night, Kai didn't delve deeper into the Shadow Groves, but simply hunted. After the Torture of the Wrathful King, night was no hindrance to Kai.

The next day was entirely devoted to moving towards the core, destroying and consuming beasts along the way. He didn't encounter any other masters.

Ultimately, by evening, Kai arrived at a region resembling foothills. There wasn't as much vegetation here as in the entrance jungles. The array resembled the forest where he had met Master Mo.

To Kai's surprise, the beasts dwelling here began to offer substantial resistance. The last one even inflicted numerous wounds on him. Although they couldn't be fatal, if such monsters roamed in packs... Kai's only option would be to flee!

Seeing the darkness settling outside, Kai recognized the urgent need for shelter... Carelessness could pose a very real threat to his life.

"Alright... I hear water in the distance... Sounds like a waterfall," Kai whispered and began walking slowly towards the noise.

As it turned out, his hearing hadn't deceived him. Shortly, Kai arrived at a small lake with a waterfall. In the middle of the lake was a tiny islet with a split boulder. After observing, Kai concluded he could set up a makeshift shelter there...

Kai didn't opt to swim, but simply used his Shadow Seal. In a second, he was standing beside the fractured stone.

"Let's see... I should check the lake... If there's something dangerous living in it, staying here would be idiocy..." Kai suddenly thought. He even wondered why he hadn't considered this before hopping onto the islet.

Kai closed his eyes, extending his energy and perceptions in every direction, even penetrating beneath the water.

In doing so, he wanted to survey the entire water body, ensuring there was no lurking danger.

Suddenly, his eyes shot open, and his mood noticeably lifted.

"Heh-heh... This is precisely what I needed!" He laughed and once again utilized his Shadow Seal.

Instantly, Kai found himself in a dark, not very deep cave. The sound of cascading water echoed through it. Surprisingly, it wasn't very damp.

The cave wasn't large... For some reason, it felt quite cozy. Kai took an immediate liking to it! He pulled out a small amount of firewood from his ring and ignited them with a snap of his fingers, filling the cave with light.

"Nothing outstanding, but I really like it... Reminds me of days spent with Old Mo" Kai remarked with a warm smile.

When he scanned his surroundings, he suddenly noticed a cave hidden behind the waterfall's flow. Kai decided he would stay here for an extended period. The beasts in this region were perfect for his training and lineage development. Thus, there was no sense in moving on.

V.2 Chapter 208: Hunt and Hermit

When he had scouted his surroundings before discovering this cave, Kai had several intense battles with the beasts. Nearly all of them were equivalent in strength to a martial arts master at the mid-stage of the Cloud Sphere.

Even with all of Kai's secrets and legacy, fighting them continuously was quite troublesome. Kai recognized that this cave was the perfect place for growth. The conditions suited his level of strength. Moreover, he realized that he could absorb a considerable amount of energy from the monsters in this region.

This lineage development ability was truly astounding. Considering the Eyes of Essence, which aided Kai in absorbing external energy faster… his growth rate would become terrifying! Shuo had said it took him several years to advance to the Gravity Sphere. And that was when he was also deemed a brilliant prodigy. He was among the strongest Personal Disciples of his generation!

Kai roughly estimated his potential growth rate. If he hunted daily, within a month, he could finally break through to the mid-stage of the Cloud Sphere!

Sitting in the cave, Kai methodically pondered over this...

“If I progress at this rate... I might attempt to delve deeper in a month. I think I shouldn't return to the Shadow Sect for the upcoming months...” Kai mused by the fire, “If I can consistently absorb beasts and martial arts masters... perhaps I can even reach the advanced stage of the Cloud Sphere. That's certainly not its peak or the Gravity Sphere... but I also feel that mode has strengthened... If I add that, I might even have a chance to break into the top hundred!” Kai resolutely decided.

When Kai absorbed all the Kings, he noticed strange red lines all over his body in the final moments. By then, they were slowly fading. They looked like crimson tattoos, more akin to miniature rivers of blood, coursing through his body.

Thereafter, Kai had time left before departing the Time Tomb. In that span, he not only consolidated his position in the Cloud Sphere but also experimented with this newfound ability...

After about a dozen attempts, Kai managed to draw some conclusions. He even named his new skill. Kai didn’t overthink it, thus choosing a somewhat clichéd name — Torture King Mode.

This ability emerged after absorbing all the Kings. This was preceded by enduring the individual tortures of each of them. Though the technique referred to the Tortures of the Invisible Kings, a more fitting name might be the Invisible King Mode or the Fusion of Invisible Kings Mode. However, in Kai's understanding, their tortures were the most crucial aspect…

Enduring each torture, bravely withstanding them, and sequentially absorbing all the Kings… Didn't that make you the true King of Torture? Such were Kai's thoughts at that moment. Thus, he decided to stick with that name — Torture King Mode!

Unfortunately, he could only maintain this ability for a mere ten seconds. Afterward, he felt an immense backlash throughout his body. Even with his regenerative abilities and rapid energy absorption, Kai took half a day to recover. At that moment, even moving was a challenge. Kai understood this skill would only be beneficial at a critical juncture.

However, absorbing energy from various creatures, Kai noticed subtle changes in himself. He was confident that if things continued at this rate... Perhaps, he might extend the time frame of the Torture King Mode.

When he absorbed three martial arts masters in quick succession, his new ability manifested itself for a very brief moment. Kai felt that it was somewhat odd, and it didn’t immediately backlash. In the Time Tomb, even a second in Torture King Mode felt incredibly intense.

Analyzing this, Kai deduced that the advancement of his lineage positively impacted the mastery of this peculiar ability.

Pondering this, Kai took out a black scroll from his ring and calmly unfurled it. He began re-reading the third level of the Invisible Kings' Torture Technique.

“Though it doesn't mention anywhere that one needs to absorb the blood of other creatures for advancement... It clearly states that starting from the third level, growth will only come through battles…” Kai mumbled thoughtfully to himself, “Of course... I'm an idiot!” He suddenly exclaimed.

Only at that moment, as he tried to evolve his lineage, did he realize the obvious! As always, it was something that lay right in front of him, but was so hard to grasp.

“Kessia, like my technique, is from an unknown origin! Moreover, it’s unclear where and when that power existed!” Kai shouted, slapping his forehead, “Why did I even assume they had the same traditions as we do now?! It's quite possible that in their understanding, the term ‘battle’ encompasses the concept of annihilating and absorbing opponents!” Kai continued, berating his foolishness.

At that moment, he even stood up and started pacing around the cave. Kessia herself was a very ancient martial arts master. The lineage system itself was unique and odd. Perhaps her people lived through endless wars and killings. It then makes sense what ‘battle’ meant to them!

Naturally, these were just Kai's hypotheses. But if one adjusted the facts to fit the desired picture, it all made sense.

"I'm not sure if that's the case... Damn, and I can't even ask!" Kai cursed, recalling the book in his Spiritual Sea, "I'm certain the right method isn't endless battles, but endless killings!" Kai declared confidently in his belief.

Now he understood more clearly what he needed to do. He had previously held some misguided assumptions. Due to these, he had entered the Supreme Fate Arena, even thinking he felt positive outcomes from the battles. But if one thought logically... Every martial arts master would feel progress from continuous fighting!

But when comparing, the benefits from killing and absorbing blood simply weren't comparable! Kai literally absorbed the cultivation of his victims! Although it was just a tiny part, it was still pure energy gained in seconds! Absorbing a similar amount from the external environment or even from energy stones would take much longer.

"I'm even curious now... At what speed can I progress?" Kai asked himself with a malicious smile, "Well... I need to meditate and recover. I'll go hunting in the morning and gradually adapt to the environment." Kai calmly responded and headed to the campfire near the exit.

Finally, Kai was returning to intensive training! He knew he also needed to continue cultivating using traditional methods. They were particularly useful for recovery. So, it made sense to hunt during the day and cultivate at night. The Asura Hell and energy exhaustion still applied. All these remained impressively effective methods!

Kai didn't rush to conclusions; he wanted to experiment with his training mode for several days. Only when he roughly comprehended his limitations and hunting limits would he make a final decision.

And so, time swiftly flew by... Day after day, almost a whole month passed.

During this period, Kai made significant progress. Recently, his training mode underwent another change. Now he hunted from dawn to dusk. Previously, he retreated to the cave at sunset, but now he spent several more hours in the forest, enveloped in pitch darkness.

Moreover, during this period, he killed a few more people who fell for his ruses. Only one group escaped the grim fate. They even offered Kai help and wanted to guide him out of the Shadow Groves. But Kai politely declined and only took a medicinal pill from them.

Not all people are greedy and evil by nature. But perhaps Kai wasn't the one to judge this... Some might call him an evil man as well. And to some extent, they'd be right. Kai's methods couldn't be described as noble or honest. He understood this perfectly, yet it didn't bother him at all.

Today was a very fortunate day. Kai sat in the cave, greedily absorbing energy. A smile hung on his face, sensing the approach of an eagerly awaited event!

And at that moment... There was an instantaneous, impressive surge of energy!

It didn't last long, and quickly began to return to its epicenter. Right there, with his eyes closed, sat Kai.

"Middle stage!" He shouted, instantly springing to his feet.

Presently, Kai was incredibly happy! The progress was monumental. It had been about half a year since his breakthrough to the Cloud Sphere. But all this time, he hadn't paid much attention to cultivation. Kai first had to address a myriad of diverse issues. Negotiate with the Head of the Border Beast City, reach the Shadow Sect, join it... And the final touches included the Alchemical Array, the Library, and Shuo.

All this needed to be done to secure a firm foundation beneath his feet. Kai didn't regret for a moment spending his time on all these matters. Yet, Kai's primary interest lay in his path as a martial arts master. He understood that only this could offer him a chance. A chance for answers! And to assist his Master Mo!

In this world, power decides everything, and Kai never forgot that. It was a truth instilled in him from childhood.

Finally, Kai returned to his true desires. His new method of development bore enormous fruits. Even if it took him half a year to reach the middle stage of the Cloud Sphere, it was astonishing! Although in reality, the main contribution was made during the past month!

"Hahaha!" Kai laughed heartily again, "I should try to advance further! If the beasts become even stronger, I'll gain even more energy!" With a thirst for killing, Kai proclaimed.

Smiling, he walked to the campfire, over which a small pot hung. It boiled with a rich soup made from vegetables and the tasty meat of a strange animal. Over the past month, Kai had sampled many of the local inhabitants. And the meat of this creature was simply delightful!

"It's like a celebration! It's as if you knew that today was the exact day to drink from my lake!" Kai laughed, looking at the golden and aromatic broth.

This creature resembled a large lizard with sharp scales. Although its appearance was not particularly appealing, its taste... The aroma practically filled Kai's entire cave. And this was despite the fire being located near the entrance, beneath a waterfall.

On the very first day, Kai realized he had been slightly hasty with placing the fire deep inside his dwelling. In just about ten minutes, Kai's eyes began to water. After all, there was no ventilation in the cave...

Calmly sitting down and pouring himself a generous portion, Kai began his feast. Naturally, this wasn't complete without the company of alcohol. He didn't even bother fetching a glass, simply drinking straight from a small clay barrel. In Kai's opinion, this was much more convenient.

"I wonder how much time I'll need to reach the advanced stage of the Cloud Sphere?" Kai mused aloud.

He assumed that only at such a level it is possible to compete for the Top 100 Rank. Otherwise, it would simply be pointless...

"When Elder Ovian told me about the Island of Reincarnation, he said it would open in about a year. Since then, two months have passed... Considering the preparations for departure, the tournament, and other nuances... I can afford to stay here for a maximum of another six months..." Kai calculated thoughtfully.

Even if it was ten months until the Island of Reincarnation's opening, it didn't mean you could just show up, challenge one of the Top 100, and take their place. What fool would agree to such a fight, even if confident in their victory? Risking their right to visit the Island of Reincarnation would be absurd. That's precisely why a tournament was held to determine the current Top 100 Rank.

V.2 Chapter 209: Unexpected Meet

Previously, Shuo had spoken about the practices of the Tournament for selecting contenders. Elder Ovian had not even considered the possibility of Kai entering the Top 100. He simply explained the general conditions, not delving into minor details.

When Kai discussed this with the Lone Buddha, he learned more specifics. Essentially, everything made sense. Many Personal Disciples were busy with their own affairs and cultivation. Not everyone, like Shuo, constantly battled in the Supreme Fate Arena. This led to the issue of determining the current ranks.

Nobody wanted to miss such a unique opportunity as visiting the Island of Reincarnation. Even those ranked within the Top 250 came to try their luck. Naturally, they were all doomed to fail. But the mere chance of participation wouldn't allow them to abandon their ambitions and unrealistic hopes. Deep down, every person always hopes for a miracle.

The Tournament was fairly straightforward. It was a straightforward race of continuous battles. A participant was allowed two defeats. If you lose a third time, you'd simply be disqualified. The elimination of contenders occurred gradually. Initially, those ranked below 100 fought. Only when ten of them remained did they have the chance to challenge the top players and take their spots.

In essence, those already in the Top 100 didn’t need to fight unless challenged. Due to this system, the weakest of the hundred had the most to fear. Typically, they would be the ones most often challenged.

To conduct all these battles and finalize the current Top 100 Rank lineup, several days were required. But before that came registration and other formalities.

Ideally, one would arrive a few days before the registration began. Moreover, Kai wasn’t precisely sure when it would start.

"Well... I'll just train and return to the Shadow Sect a few months before the estimated date," said Kai, pouring water on the fire.

A month later, he finally left his cave. Kai was headed closer to the center of the Shadow Groves.

The place where he had resided for the last month appeared to be foothills for a reason. Kai had thoroughly explored the surroundings and knew what lay ahead. Moving forward, he would begin to ascend a mountain. It was one of the mountain ranges located in this region.

"I can't wait to test my new strengths in battle. Ha-ha." Kai thought, making his way through the forest.

Now, he had ascended to the intermediate stage of the Cloud Sphere. Although it wasn’t a new sphere, he felt that the clouds in his Energy Center had become denser. Furthermore, their rotation speed had noticeably increased. They resembled dark storm clouds.

“RAAAR!” A sudden roar echoed from the distance, followed by sounds of explosions.

“Hmm... A battle? Should I go take a look?” Kai paused abruptly, looking in the direction of the commotion.

He was now weighing the risks. After all, those who ventured this far weren't mere martial arts practitioners. Especially if there was an entire group, it could be a threat to his life.

“Why am I hesitating? As long as I don't provoke them, nothing bad should come from this.” Kai chuckled mischievously and dashed towards the sounds.

The closer he got, the louder the sounds of battle. Kai was eager to see what was going on. Perhaps he'd find something worthwhile...

As he neared the location, all the sounds suddenly ceased. Clearly, the battle had come to an end.

“Damn… Well, I'll just take a look.” Kai thought and calmly stepped out of the forest.

Many people ventured into the Shadow Groves, but true powerhouses were rare. Any elders or alliance representatives that came for ingredients probably wouldn't be looking for trouble. In these parts, beasts were the real threat, not men.

However, as Kai emerged and glimpsed the carcass of the beast and then the figures nearby... He tensed immediately! His instincts screamed danger!

“What the...” Kai uttered in shock.

At that moment, he felt he was in deep trouble. It wasn't just his logic, but also his intuition sounding alarms...

“Hahaha! Brother Immortal Drunkard! Is that you? I've been searching for you for so long!” A young man by the large beast's carcass shouted.

Blood dripped slowly from his spear...

The look in the young man's eyes was deranged. He seemed vastly different from when Kai first met him. It was Silver Spear!

Only now, there was no trace of that feigned friendly smile or demeanor. Even though he was grinning now, it resembled the snarl of a wild beast...

“Damn! What the hell is he doing here?!” Kai cursed inwardly.

The moment that thought crossed his mind, he pivoted and wanted to run! The situation was dire, critical even!

But in the same breath, Kai's escape route was obstructed. A semi-transparent, purple barrier appeared before him! Turning around, he realized this wasn't any regular barricade... He was trapped inside a large dome-like barrier! He couldn't escape it!

“Thank you, Sister Purple Illusion,” the young man sneered with a menacing grin.

"Damn it! Everything happened so quickly, I didn't even notice her!" Kai cursed internally.

Not far from the beast, near a tree, sat a tall girl with long, purple hair.

"Boom!" Without uttering a word, Kai unleashed all his energy and released the Astral Flame of Sacrifice! From this burst, an energy wave instantly formed, sweeping the vicinity and crashing into the barrier.

Kai dashed forward at lightning speed, putting all his strength into his fist!

"Boom!" A loud explosion resounded. Even the ground shook slightly from the impact!

"It's futile. Sister's barrier is incredibly strong," a cold voice said from behind Kai.

"It didn't work?!" Exclaimed Kai, looking at the area in front of him in astonishment.

His fist was firmly pressed against the semi-transparent wall... But not even the slightest scratch was visible! Kai's punch couldn't make even a tiny dent in it!

"Immortal Drunkard brother, why are you so eager to flee?" Silver Spear asked with a devilish grin.

"What do you want?" Kai asked coldly as he turned around.

The whole situation smelled very foul... These two definitely shouldn't be here. And considering the barrier trap...

"What do I want? As I see it, my precious opponent is alive and well!" Said the boy with the spear.

However, as he spoke, his face became more and more hostile. It seemed that Kai's good condition was infuriating him greatly.

"As you can see. Is that a problem?" Kai asked, staring intently.

"A problem?! Hahaha!" Silver Spear laughed heartily, "Damn it... Why aren't you on your knees yet?!" He suddenly roared.

His face took on an even more demonic appearance. It seemed that from such fury, one could start spitting blood.

"This guy definitely has issues..." Kai thought warily, desperately figuring out how to escape this deadlock...

"Why should I be on my knees?" Kai asked calmly.

Kai needed more time. And the best option was to try to talk his adversary into a corner.

"You are my prey! And I have already humiliated you once! Your heart of martial arts should be crushed!" Silver Spear shouted.

He clearly looked unhinged... Even his mood seemed extremely volatile. His voice constantly radiated a mix of fury and hatred. But occasionally, a slight undertone of resentment could be detected.

"Was defeat supposed to crush my heart of martial arts? I don't understand you," Kai replied unhurriedly.

"You... You didn't just lose. You showed that you are trash!" The strange boy exclaimed arrogantly.

"Are you insane? You're older and stronger. It's only natural I lost. I should blame my own foolishness for agreeing to a fight I was bound to lose," Kai responded coldly.

At those words, Silver Spear nearly shook with rage.

"By the way, this situation seems a lot like the last one," Kai remarked, looking at the two figures in front of him. "So, what the hell are you doing here?" he asked, irritation evident in his voice.

Kai fully realized that even now, he was no match for this psychopath. Not only was there the crazy spear-wielder, but there was also that mysterious girl. He didn't know who she was or what abilities she had, but from the barrier alone, he understood that he should not underestimate her!

Desperately thinking, Kai looked for a way to retreat. While conversing, his eyes constantly darted about, assessing the situation.

He had a purpose in doing so. Right after the botched escape attempt, Kai activated the Eyes of Essence. Presently, he could only rely on them!

"There it is!" Kai suddenly exclaimed internally.

Just before his last statement, he saw a small window of opportunity for escape!

"Why the hell are we here?! Because I can't stand to see you suffer," Silver Spear sneered venomously, "I came to the Hall of Medicine to watch your agony... But it seems you're still desiring a hunt. Are you mocking me?" the unhinged boy ranted.

The more he spoke, the more unhinged he seemed.

"Listen, we've met only once in our lives. Why the hell are you so obsessed with me?" Kai exclaimed, anger bubbling up.

This situation was starting to infuriate Kai beyond reason. He understood he was in mortal danger. And this maniac had definitely come for him. Kai couldn't think about the Island of Reincarnation anymore... He didn't even know if he'd make it out alive!

"You're my prey! And I've broken each one of them! But it seems you didn't get the message the first time... That fact has angered me greatly... How dare you treat me this way?!" Silver Spear shouted, gritting his teeth.

"Who the hell are you? You're just a measly Rank 167!" Kai couldn't hold back any longer, "You're simply a head-sick bastard! Why hasn't someone killed a dog like you already?!" Kai shouted with venom.

It seemed Kai was also getting riled up. A murderous intent began to gleam in his eyes, and he brandished two daggers. But this was all a ruse... Even though Kai was genuinely irritated by this maniac, he wouldn't act so recklessly in such a situation. Kai simply understood that it was easier to fight an unstable opponent.

All Kai needed now was one thing — an opportunity! Just one single chance!

V.2 Chapter 210: Cruel Trap

Kai knew that his strength had progressed significantly recently. Now, he hoped he could pull off what he had planned.

If not for this strange girl and her barrier... Everything would have been much simpler. Kai was certain that in such a case, he would have been able to escape relatively easily. But she was too unpredictable a factor.

In this situation, Kai could only count on the element of surprise. For that, he required the Silver Spear to attack. And at the same time, he needed the girl to suspect nothing and continue sitting calmly by the tree.

"You ask why no one has killed me yet?! Hahaha." Silver Spear laughed loudly, "Is that your last question before dying?" He asked with a maniacal grin.

Things were heating up quickly! Kai saw that negotiating or reaching a compromise was impossible. This guy definitely didn’t come here for a chat...

"Hey! What's wrong with your brother?!" Kai suddenly shouted at the girl.

Hearing Kai's words, she slowly turned her gaze to him. She seemed detached from the whole situation.

"I'm sorry, Immortal Drunkard, but you're done for. You've probably noticed my brother has a peculiar temperament... If he chooses someone as a victim, their fate is grim. I once tried to argue with him, but the years have shown it’s futile..." Purple Illusion replied calmly.

"A bit peculiar?! He's insane! You have to help me!" Kai blurted out, bewildered.

"I'm sorry, but my brother means much more to me than some stranger. Maybe I've just seen too many unfortunate souls like you..." The girl replied, shaking her head indifferently.

The entire situation seemed absurd! He had seen this man only once in his life and had only one duel. It ended in his defeat, and Silver Spear should be pleased with himself! But he wanted to literally crush the heart of Kai's martial arts. He needed to utterly humiliate and break his victim's confidence!

He wanted to confront Kai, to catch him off-guard, and then break him mentally. Silver Spear reveled in such things. He derived particular pleasure from watching the last glimmers of self-assurance fade from people's eyes. Watching them turn into an absolute, spineless nothingness...

But when he arrived at the Hall of Medicine to taunt Kai... He was already gone! Fortunately, Kai's neighbor was there, who, under pressure from this psychopath, quickly spilled everything he knew.

The next steps weren't too complex. This duo followed Kai's trail, and once they confirmed he had entered the Shadow Groves, they pursued him immediately.

Though the Shadow Groves territory was vast, Kai didn't anticipate being tracked. Therefore, he simply moved straight towards the center. He didn’t attempt to change his route or hide his tracks. There was no need for that!

Of course, the guards noticed the direction he took. So, they kindly informed the two esteemed Personal Disciples. Under such circumstances, they didn’t dare lie!

The two didn't waste time speculating and just followed directly. Along the way, they began to notice numerous desiccated corpses. Even though Kai hadn't shown such capabilities before, Purple Illusion's intuition hinted that this was his doing.

Their suspicion grew stronger when they found the bodies of martial arts masters. Two facts were evident: they looked mummified, and the wounds on their bodies were made by daggers!

Perhaps an ordinary mortal couldn’t discern the difference. But experienced individuals like the Personal Disciples easily recognized the types of wounds and the weapons that inflicted them.

Now they were almost completely certain that Kai was behind this! They had spent the last few days near Kai's cave, where the concentration of these peculiar animal corpses was most significant.

Silver Spear realized that Kai was somewhere nearby. Yet, they were in a vast area. Moreover, Kai was continuously hunting and moving around the region. Precisely for this reason, their paths only crossed now...

But, in an ironic twist of fate, it was Kai who found them, not the other way around! His choices had led him into a deadly trap. After so much effort, it wasn't enough for Silver Spear just to shatter the heart of Kai's martial arts. Especially since they weren't in the Shadow Sect now. Here, all restrictions were lifted!

"Why are you doing this?!" Kai tried to engage the enemy in conversation again.

"Still don’t get it?! I enjoy destroying vermin like you! That’s it!" The boy arrogantly retorted, a blood-streaked spear in hand.

"If someone humiliated you in the past, I'm sorry! But I have nothing to do with that!" An exasperated Kai shouted.

As these words echoed, it seemed like Silver Spear's eyes began to fill with blood...

"Brother... You need to calm down..." Purple Illusion cautiously interjected.

"What did you just say, bitch..." The ash-haired one growled through clenched teeth...

Thereafter, he didn't waste any time. He instantly gripped his spear and lunged at Kai!

"Boom!" An explosion sounded from the impact! It was the result of the spear colliding with a barrier.

It was astonishing, but even after that, the barrier remained undamaged!

Fortunately, Kai had anticipated this attack, which is why he kept provoking this lunatic. Using the Dance of Shadow Seals, he found himself at the very center of the barrier. They had quite literally swapped places.

"Good... This girl isn't moving..." Evaluating the situation, Kai thought.

"You damn psycho! If I survive, I'll cut off your balls and shove them down your throat!" Kai yelled in fury.

He wasn't certain about what was wrong with this Silver Spear. But analyzing all the phrases they had exchanged... Kai concluded that this guy had some shameful chapters in his biography. It seemed he was trying to exact revenge on others for it. And this obsessive thought had long driven him mad...

Usually, provocations challenging the masculinity of such people worked most effectively. Currently, Kai needed this maniac's help... namely, to force him into the most powerful attack!

As soon as Silver Spear turned around... Kai realized he had hit the mark! There was no trace of intellect in the enemy's eyes anymore. Only fury and madness were visible!

"I got it! Damn it! I can't miss this chance!" Kai shouted in his mind and instantly unleashed all his potential!

"Boom!" The space began to burn! The Astral Flame of Sacrifice flared up with maximum strength.

Seeing this, Purple Illusion waved her hand and created a small barrier around herself. Meanwhile, Silver Spear began to channel massive streams of red energy! The air immediately smelled of fresh blood! It was so dense that even Kai's mighty fire couldn't break through it!

"Wonderful... She's diverted her attention to defense. This will surely weaken the main barrier slightly!" Kai exclaimed in his mind.

This fact undoubtedly delighted him! Any detail that increased his chances of survival was crucial!

"Raaar!" Silver Spear roared with an inhuman voice. "Die!" He shouted and lunged straight at Kai!

All of Kai's senses sharpened to the maximum! Now, every drop of energy, every cell of his body, every speck of his consciousness was focused on this attack!

Time seemed to slow down... Kai watched as colossal volumes of bloody energy concentrated on this psycho's spear! This blow would be incredibly devastating...

But for some reason, Kai didn't try to dodge... He continued to stand still. In reality, everything happened too lightning-fast. Moreover, he was confined by the barrier! This terrifying attack would affect everyone inside!

Even before reaching its target, the energy propelled by the spear began to press on Kai. He could already feel his clothes tearing, and the barrier of his own energy thinning out!

Any moment now, the spear would hit its mark!

“Torture King Mode!” Kai thought, with lightning speed.

“Boom! Baaah!” First came a dense wave of energy, followed by a blast!

The ground beneath the barrier literally took flight! All the birds instantly soared and began to flee. It was as if a minor earthquake had shaken the surroundings!

Stones continued to fly in all directions, and the view was obscured by a curtain of finely ground earth and dust!

“Vum!” A deep sound echoed, originating from the shaft slicing through the air.

From this attack, all the dust was instantly blown away, revealing the battlefield.

“Where is he?! Damn it!” Silver Spear shouted in fury.

At that moment, even the Purple Illusion stood up. Staring in shock at the situation, she realized that even with her perception she couldn't detect Kai, and her own barrier was shattered! Now, only she and Silver Spear were left in a massive crater.

“How…” The woman muttered, bewildered.

“You bastard! I'll destroy you! You can't hide from me!” Silver Spear shouted, almost growling.

In the distance, Kai was moving at an incredible speed, almost flying. With his heightened senses, he could faintly hear those shouts.

Currently, he was pressing on his ribs with his left elbow. His hands were oddly contorted... Around him, the Astral Flame of Sacrifice still burned, instantly incinerating every drop of blood that fell from his body. In this way, he left no trace!

Kai looked somewhat peculiar... Blood-red lines coursed across his entire body. But what was most strange, even the color of his hair had changed! It was as if his snow-white locks had been soaked in fresh blood, taking on its hue. Kai's ears also became slightly pointed... Because of all this, his appearance now bore a slight resemblance to Kessia. Kai's face remained mostly unchanged, but still, such an instant metamorphosis was astonishing!

“Khe... Khe…” Kai breathed heavily, “Damn it... I barely managed…” He muttered through gritted teeth.

Now his hands were broken, and the left side of his chest bore severe injuries. Kai felt that his ribs were shattered once again, and he also had a gashing wound.

In the final moment before taking Silver Spear's attack, Kai activated the Torture King Mode. Crossing his daggers, he struck the shaft with all his might, deflecting the blow directly beneath him. But even the residual energy severely impacted the left side of his torso. His hands, in turn, barely withstood such a devastating blow...

Such a maneuver opened a path for Kai to retreat... Through the Eyes of Essence, Kai found a weak spot in the barrier, only it was located underground! The barrier itself was spherical, and its bottom was the main support point. The catch was in its inaccessibility! How, in the midst of battle, would you dig up the earth and disrupt the energy balance? It was Silver Spear who graciously assisted Kai with this task.

V.2 Chapter 211: Escape and Surrender

Such a techniques were deadly! It was nearly impossible to deduce the barrier's weak point. Especially since it was located underground!

The only way out Kai found was to utilize the devastating attack of the Silver Spear! Immediately after, he delivered the most powerful blow to the pivotal point of the technology of the Purple Illusion.

Kai didn't even pay attention to his broken hands! He simply ignored the pain and the fact that he had even more physical injuries. Currently, the main goal was to survive!

Amidst all the chaos, Kai managed to flee the battlefield instantly! In the Torture King Mode, Kai's overall strength increased manifold, as did his speed.

He ran straight into the mountains! Kai knew very well that the Silver Spear and Purple Illusion would assume he was headed towards the Shadow Sect and would initially dash there! It would be the most logical conclusion since, logically, Kai would receive protection there!

There was also a second reason for his choice. The mountains had many more powerful beasts. With his perception, Kai could avoid them initially. In turn, they might slightly delay his adversaries when they realize Kai's true location.

"It's bad..." Kai uttered heavily.

His limit was about thirty seconds now... Although he managed to cover a giant distance in that time and definitely bought himself some moments, the Torture King Mode would soon end, and Kai would gradually start experiencing the backlash...

It wouldn't happen instantly. But he had roughly half an hour to find shelter. After that time, he would be in such a miserable state that he would barely be able to move... And to make matters worse, this condition would last about half a day.

If any beast, let alone an enemy, spots him in such a state... Kai's life would be instantly cut short!

"I'm far from the battlefield now... They couldn't find me even when I stayed in one place for a month... I don't think they'll quickly detect my new location. But what about the beasts?" Kai thought anxiously.

At that moment, the tips of his hair began to turn snow-white again. Kai visibly reverted to his regular appearance. The red lines also began to fade, as if slowly absorbing into the skin. His movement speed reduced almost instantly!

"Damn it!" Kai cursed.

His energy and body were greatly drained. He couldn't even properly engage the pulses. Regeneration was extremely tough...

Thankfully, the Astral Flame of Sacrifice eradicated all traces. It even destroyed the very scent around Kai. In this way, the beasts wouldn't detect him either.

The surroundings had changed significantly. Kai was now in mountainous terrain, and all around were just rocks and cliffs. The mountains were quite steep, and there were numerous gorges. It seemed as if this mountain range had been split in various places.

"What should I do? How can I protect myself?" Kai continued to ponder.

He had no strength left to run; a decision had to be made. Kai slowly approached the edge of the gorge and looked down. It was indeed very deep. Only if one looked closely could they see a small river at the very bottom.

"There's no way down. I'm not planning on ending my life either..." Kai said with self-irony.

Thinking about this, he looked around...

"Maybe... Yes! This will do!" Kai suddenly exclaimed.

About ten meters below him, he spotted a small ledge on the gorge wall. It wasn't too big, only about one and a half meters from the gorge and two meters in length. Kai's body would definitely fit there!

"Damn... How do I do this right? I have at most fifteen minutes..." Kai muttered.

He realized there was no time to wait or think; improvisation was needed. As a master of the Cloud Sphere and especially as someone with a unique body, Kai's physical strength was immense. Even in his condition, lifting a stone boulder didn't seem like a difficult task.

Kai decided to create a makeshift shelter... He sequentially found three sturdy, rectangular boulders and transported them to the ledge. Thankfully, he had techniques like the Dance of Shadow Seals.

He placed two stones on the sides and covered them with the third on top... Now, even if someone looked at the gorge from above, spotting Kai would be nearly impossible. Unless someone knew in advance where he was hiding. Only in that case would the stones appear out of place.

Kai had just finished when the backlash from using the Torture King Mode began. Losing strength, he leaned back against the gorge wall and slowly slid down, sitting on the ground.

"Now, I'm in relative safety..." Kai said heavily, looking at the vast abyss in front of him, "It's a tight spot, but beggars can't be choosers..." he added with a crooked smile.

He didn't delay and immediately took out a handful of pills from his spatial ring, along with some water. Swallowing all of it at once, Kai took a sip from his flask and slowly closed his eyes.

Presently, he needed a good rest… Fortunately, as an Alchemist, he had many useful pills. Although, Kai preferred not to take the kind that boosts you or enhances cultivation. Eventually, they only harm your foundation… However, this did not apply to pills that helped heal oneself. Not using them in such a situation would be a huge mistake.

Thus, Kai relaxed a bit and decided to doze off. He truly felt exhausted at the moment...

Almost a whole day passed in the blink of an eye. While Kai was constructing his stone shelter, he had already assessed the situation in the gorge and understood that there were no dangers here. Hence, he didn't worry and peacefully rested all this time.

When he opened his eyes, the aftereffects were still slightly felt, but overall, he could move normally. The bigger issue was his injuries.

But as soon as his body had a bit of rest and energy started to recover, his regeneration began to pick up pace. In such a situation, Kai did not hesitate to consume his pills constantly. He'd deal with the residual toxins left behind later.

"Damn it… Why the hell did that psycho latch onto me?!" Kai exclaimed indignantly, "Those two almost sent me to the grave..." he said, looking at the river below.

Now Kai was in relative safety, and he had time to analyze the events that had occurred.

"I hope you'll continue lurking in the Shadow Groves... Because I plan to boost my power substantially and destroy you!" Kai said menacingly.

Silver Spear and Purple Illusion had seriously angered him. Kai might be kind to his friends, and even with strangers, he remains carefree and straightforward. But with his enemies, he acts differently...

Kai didn't harbor hatred towards enemies, he didn't seek revenge or retribution. It was much simpler... Kai coldly eradicated his adversaries. Without discussions, without grandiose words and pompous speeches. No enemy — no problem!

The duo that had caused him so much inconvenience was already marked as individuals that needed to cease existing. Kai couldn't care less about their motives. He wasn't interested in their backstory or their relationship. Both the sick psycho Silver Spear and his strange sister, Purple Illusion, both needed to die!

"I've found yet another solid incentive to increase my power..." Kai stated coldly, "In any case, I was already planning on taking revenge at the Tournament. But now that won't be enough... I hope he continues to hunt me down. I'm sure he will!" Kai added with a sinister laugh.

He understood that killing these two in the Shadow Sect would be impossible. Even if he made it to the Top 100 Rank and went to the Island of Reincarnation. The two were simply too weak for that. Therefore, disposing of them in the forbidden zone was also out of the question. They just wouldn't get there!

Kai didn't have the opportunity to wait several years for them to leave the boundaries of the Shadow Sect. Or wait for the next opening of the Island of Reincarnation. But if he doesn't personally finish them off, he'll somewhat regret it.

Kai was used to repaying debts. Both good and bad...

Given the nature of Silver Spear, Kai assumed he wouldn't easily calm down. After all, he had come to the Shadow Groves and spent several weeks tracking him down. This alone showed how fixated he was on his targets. In turn, it seemed that Purple Illusion had no say in the matter. She would go wherever her brother commanded.

"I'm not their enemy... at least not yet..." Kai mused.

He needed to continue enhancing his lineage and advance in cultivation. If he could achieve a high stage of the Cloud Sphere and extend the duration of the Torture King Mode... Then he would have a chance to repay the debts!

“I'll need to change my hunting grounds. Staying in these mountains would be foolish... Once they realize I haven't returned to the Shadow Sect, they'll come here. I'll head west along the perimeter... This mountain range is extensive enough; I can follow it.” Kai pondered.

These mountains formed a semicircle, as if encircling the central region of the Shadow Groves. They seemed to be a kind of frontier, warning of further danger.

Even where he had fought Silver Spear, the beasts were quite formidable. Kai assumed that in these places, things would be even tougher. In this mountain range, one had to be very cautious. Here, Kai couldn't feel at ease and recklessly consume everything in his path.

Although hunting in these areas would be less intense, the quality would be much better. Kai assumed that the development of his lineage, and consequently, his cultivation, would be more effective.

"How did they track me down? They were literally near my home..." Kai wondered aloud.

He realized it couldn't be mere chance. In such a vast territory, being in the same region was too remarkable to be a coincidence... There must be a reason...

"Of course! I'm an idiot!" Kai suddenly exclaimed.

Finally, it dawned on him what was amiss. Turns out, he was the one to blame for being found!

"I've let my guard down too much... Master Mo always asked me to consistently cover my tracks. It doesn't matter if someone is chasing you or not. Caution above all!" Kai said, massaging the bridge of his nose in frustration.

At that moment, he was angry only with himself. Lately, he had become too careless... As a result, he had provoked this maniac, and now he had essentially invited him to his own assassination.

Kai was so elated with his new ability and rapid progress that he didn't even bother to conceal his tracks.

"The bodies! Damn it! I have the Astral Flame of Sacrifice! I could incinerate them in mere seconds!" Kai gritted out between clenched teeth.

Kai began to grow irritated, realizing how foolish he had been in the past month...

"Okay... Calm down," Kai exhaled deeply, "The mistakes have been made, and they can't be undone. All I can do is not make new ones... Besides, I've taken something useful out of this situation. In the end, I survived — that's what matters most!" Kai declared firmly.

Looking at himself, Kai realized it would be best to lie low in the ravine for a few more days. Afterward, he would head west and continue his development. He had only half a year left, and he had no intention of changing his plan. He would keep intensifying his strength at a rapid pace! Only now, he would add one small element to his routine — meticulous concealment of all his traces!

V.2 Chapter 212: Illusory Analysis Technique

Kai tried to carefully think through his next steps. But he came to realize that each time, unforeseen aspects were added to his plan. Reflecting on this, he grasped one thing... Nothing ever went the way he had planned!

"Fine, I'll focus on the main tasks. In all other cases, I'll improvise..." thought Kai, as he cautiously navigated the mountainous terrain.

He now tried to avoid any creatures so that their paths wouldn't even cross. It wasn't out of fear of the creatures' strength. Kai just didn't want to encounter that twisted duo again. The ideal scenario would be to start hunting once he'd moved far enough from their last meeting spot.

This had been going on for the second day now. All this time, Kai moved quietly and calmly along the perimeter of the mountain range, not venturing deeper. Still, he knew that even in these parts, the beasts were too powerful for him.

"So... I need to continuously build my strength. And also, try not to cross paths with those two..." thought Kai, grimacing slightly, "It would be nice to kill them. But for now, that's impossible..." Kai mused as he continued his journey.

In this manner, after several days, Kai arrived at his new dwelling place. It was still the same mountains, but Kai knew he'd moved a significant distance.

On the whole, Kai settled in well. He found a small fissure in the rock that shielded him from the rain and constructed a new stone shelter. When he wanted to rest, he'd shield himself with a large boulder, hidden from view. Though there wasn't much space, Kai was content.

As soon as Kai had prepared everything for himself, he resumed his hunting spree. Finally, he could return to consuming the blood of various creatures. In this territory, everything was indeed more challenging. The quantity of his hunting diminished, as Kai tired faster and sustained more injuries.

But weighing everything up, he was still ahead. The blood of the local inhabitants was much more nourishing for his lineage, and it energized him. Kai could clearly feel his strength growing.

On his first day in this area, Kai ran into major trouble. An entire pack of dangerous beasts spotted him. They looked quite ghastly. Their silhouette resembled large wolves, but it seemed as if they lacked fur and skin, exposing only raw muscles. In places, sharp bones protruded from them. Moreover, small toothed openings were scattered all over their bodies.

All of this presented a rather gruesome sight…

Kai had to employ the Torture King Mode again to escape the trap. However, things turned out to be a bit easier this time, for as he killed an adversary, Kai would immediately absorb them. This was a tactic Kai had stumbled upon by chance. He noticed that by doing so, he slightly mitigated the backlash from the Torture King Mode and somewhat overcame its effects.

Only after an incredibly tough battle was he able to fend them off and escape. It took Kai about two days to recover. During this period, he noticed something crucial... This region was extremely dangerous at night!

From his hideout, he observed whole packs of animals prowling as twilight set in. He had also encountered his previous foes during the night...

It seemed that Kai was exceptionally lucky. Had he been more careless, or encountered a new pack of animals on his way to the shelter, he might not have survived...

As a result, Kai hunted only during the day, and in the evening, he would carefully hide in the rock fissure. Kai even created a simple array to conceal his presence, a method that eliminated sounds and scents. Kai himself crafted all the visual camouflage. He acquired these skills while training under Master Mo.

The old man had talked a lot about such things. Though Kai had somewhat forgotten all this, thinking martial arts masters had more advanced techniques, it turned out that basic knowledge was always useful...

A week later, Kai made another delightful discovery. He figured out how to locate the lairs of nocturnal animals! They hid in shallow ravines scattered across the mountain range...

Any sane martial artist would avoid such places. Other animals would also prefer not to disturb these predators. But Kai was different...

He took a daring gamble, and when it worked perfectly, Kai started practicing it everywhere! Activating the Torture King Mode and unleashing his Astral Flame of Sacrifice, Kai would storm into the ravine like a lightning bolt! Many beasts didn't have the chance to react or wake up. And those who guarded the pack perished all too quickly!

A merciless slaughter ensued! Blood and body parts splattered against the rocky walls, painting them a crimson shade. In this environment, with his red tattoos and blood-soaked hair, Kai looked terrifying!

Because of the intensity of the killings and the absorption of blood, he greatly mitigated the backlash from the Torture King Mode. After each of these clearing operations, he needed only about three hours of rest.

Finally, Kai began to understand the power of his new ability better. It seemed that aspects of all the Kings absorbed by Kai were instantly awakened. However, now all of this was part of Kai himself! All his facets were elevated to a new level! But at the current stage, Kai felt the amount of power he could use was limited...

Yet even so, entering the Torture King Mode enhanced everything! Strength, reflexes, regeneration, bodily speed, decision-making speed, perception, and other facets. Kai even noticed that after activating this ability, some animals would freeze for a moment.

Pondering this situation briefly, Kai discerned the cause. The Lust Queen! It seemed even this trait had seeped into his body. He could plunge an opponent into a world of illusion for a brief moment. But in martial arts combat, even that was enough to kill the adversary!

As Kai had anticipated, his plans soon required adjustments...

He stopped hunting ordinary animals. Now, he constantly sought ravines with pack species. Upon finding them, a ruthless massacre ensued! No one was spared, not even the offspring!

At one point, Kai realized the nocturnal animal population had significantly dwindled around his dwelling. This was a cue to move on. Kai resumed his westward trek, and as time went on, he increased his pace more frequently.

Kai's power grew, and accordingly, the speed of his harvests also escalated. Kai's proficiency in the Torture King Mode progressed as well. He could now sustain it much longer. Everything depended on the intensity of blood absorption. If he continually absorbed it, he could maintain the mode for about half an hour.

However, he couldn't reduce the backlash time below two and a half hours. Even as he felt his power growing, the backlash duration seemed to stop decreasing.

Even so, for Kai, these were ideal conditions!

Now was one such moment. Kai wasn't a fool, and before settling down to rest, he meticulously incinerated all traces of the slaughter. He prepared a small concealment array and sat in a lotus pose.

"It's been about two and a half months since the encounter with the psychopath... I feel I've greatly fortified myself at the intermediate stage of the Cloud Sphere. What's more, I sense I'm starting to ascend higher. There's still quite a bit to go before reaching the advanced stage, but still... My rate of growth astonishes even me..." Kai mused with closed eyes.

Currently, Kai was in no way overestimating himself. He felt that the Invisible King's Torture Technique, combined with Kessia's lineage, worked wonders. Besides, Kai didn't forget about the Asura Hell.

When he secluded himself in a shelter for the night, it was the perfect time to train in the domains of the Kings. This allowed Kai to more thoroughly expend all his energy, and as a result, more quickly and efficiently process the energy he absorbed from the animals' blood during the day.

To Kai, it felt like he was now akin to a workshop in continuous operation. As if several craftsmen worked within him at once, each an expert in their field. Collaborating, they produced a high-quality product quickly and efficiently.

"At this pace... I might achieve it..." Kai pondered in solitude.

He realized that if he continued his harvest without reducing the intensity, he might be able to ascend to the advanced stage! Moreover, he began to feel that the strength of the enemies gradually ceased to be menacing. Kai estimated that in about half a month, he could try to ascend higher into the mountains.

Heading in this direction, one would get closer to the center of the Shadow Groves. Kai understood that if such pack animals existed here, there must be similar ones further up. In that case, his brilliant tactic would continue to work!

As he mulled this over, suddenly he heard footsteps above him. Kai immediately became alert.

He was currently in a ravine about five meters deep, shielded by a concealment array. But even so, he quickly pulled out a camouflage cloak from his ring and silently draped it over himself.

By eliminating various disciples in the Shadow Groves, Kai had acquired many interesting items. Most were not particularly remarkable, but that didn't mean they were useless. One such item was this cloak. It was just a piece of fabric that blended exceptionally well with the mountainous landscape.

Having draped the camouflage over himself, Kai instantly sharpened all his senses. He tried to discern from the footsteps what was happening above. Indeed, one could glean much from the sounds...

"These are humans, not beasts. Two of them... by their weight... It can't be!" Kai exclaimed in his mind, slightly shocked.

He realized that the weight of the people above closely resembled that of his adversaries... But he didn't want to believe that they could've tracked him down! Kai had been careful to cover all his tracks! For the past two and a half months, he had been taking more complicated routes. He didn't just go straight!

"Damn it!" Kai mentally cursed. This was because he recognized the voice of one of those walking above!

"Sister Elora, are you sure the rat went in this direction?" An irritated voice shouted, now carrying undertones of mild madness.

"Brother, you know how strong my perception is. And you're aware of my Illusory Analysis Technique," the girl calmly replied. "Though I can't be perfectly precise. But ever since we picked up his energy trail again... We've been hot on his heels." She added.

"Are you sure?! We're wasting too much time! We need to kill him!" The boy bellowed.

"Heforus, it's you who needs to kill him. I've told you countless times that we should turn back," the girl stated calmly, and at that moment, the footsteps stopped. "My technique can't just work whenever you wish. I need rest and recovery each time. Until I use it again, we won't know whether he's changed his trajectory or not. As you might have noticed, that's accurately what he's been doing this whole time," the female voice conveyed with a touch of annoyance.

"Damn! It seems she has some kind of tracking technique! And she's locating me by my energy... Covering my tracks is effective, but not enough..." Kai held his breath, analyzing the words echoing from above, "She said she doesn't know if I've changed the direction I'm moving in... Suppose... She can determine the direction I'm headed. But her ability has an irregular frequency..." Kai quickly processed the information.

"And when can you do it again?" The boy roared.

"Calm down, Heforus. I can only use the Illusory Analysis Technique again tomorrow," the girl responded with composure.

"Tomorrow?! It's already been three days! Are you mocking me?" He continued to shout.

"Yes! Thank you, you damn psychopath!" Suddenly, Kai cheered in his mind, elated.

This was information he hadn't even dared to hope for! Now, he had a rough idea of how often the girl employed her ability. He could deceive them!

"Throw them off with a false trail every four days? Easy!" Kai laughed aloud in his thoughts, "Of course, they're not idiots, and they'll realize something's amiss... I'll need to throw them off slightly and then dash ahead swiftly. If that witch loses my trail, there's no way she'll find it again!" Kai thought, wickedly smiling from his hiding spot.

V.2 Chapter 213: Sudden Idea

Seated in the gorge, Kai continued to conceal himself in his cloak and survey the surroundings. He now needed a way to get away from them.

Meanwhile, he pondered over the possible escape strategies. Kai had still not recovered from the "Torture King Mode". The aftereffects wouldn't let him rest for about another hour... Making a move anywhere would be virtually impossible.

"Hmm... If they are close to me, I might give myself away if I move. Escaping is possible only by using the Torture King Mode. But it will soon get dark..." Kai considered his options.

At that moment, a shout from above interrupted his thoughts.

"Damn it! Then what's the point of moving on?! We should wait for tomorrow!" A male voice exclaimed.

"Let's do that then. But this isn’t the right place. Let’s find somewhere safer," a woman responded without arguing.

It was clear she always yielded to her brother's will. Although she wasn't silent and did challenge him, the final decision was always made by the Silver Spear.

"What are you waiting for, Elora?! Let's go!" Another shout came.

"I just have a strange feeling..." Elora hesitated.

"Don't talk nonsense! Come on!"

"Alright, let’s head further west," Elora responded.

After this conversation, the sound of footsteps was heard again. The duo finally decided to move on. Luckily, they didn't choose to settle right there. Otherwise, that would have caused huge problems for Kai...

This time, the "Purple Illusion" might also participate in the battle. Even considering Kai's enhanced strength, getting out alive would be improbable. Last time, he just utilized the element of surprise. It won't work a second time... These two weren't fools; each of them was a Personal Disciple, with ranks nearing 150!

"Phew... Good thing they didn't stop right near me. That would have been incredibly unlucky!" Kai thought, still in hiding. "That witch has such keen senses... I need to be extra cautious," Kai reasoned.

He understood that if they spotted him, they would be on his tail. According to the girl, her ability would be ready by tomorrow.

In that case, staying here was out of the question. And if he decided to flee, he would have to activate the Torture King Mode again.

But there was a problem... Could he get far enough away? If they were on his tail, and she used the so-called "Illusory Analysis Technique"... They could locate him during the recoil! That would mean instant death!

"And what should I do? Running now isn't an option, as I might be spotted... Waiting until tomorrow is even dumber... It seems I have to move out at night, but then there are too many risks from nocturnal animals..." Kai debated with himself.

Such reflection made it easier for Kai to organize his thoughts and make more considered decisions.

"It seems there's no way out... I have to take the risk!" Kai ultimately decided.

He realized he had to move out at night. Beasts posed a tremendous risk, but they were also a threat to his foes. With his speed in Torture King Mode, he could effectively avoid encounters with the duo.

This danger could simultaneously serve as protection. All he needed to do was get a head start and, in the process, find a quiet place. After all, Kai would need to weather the aftermath...

Kai understood that this plan couldn't be considered reliable. But there were no other options at the moment... With this understanding, he sat calmly, shielded by his strange cloak.

Through a slit, he saw that it was starting to get dark outside. The last rays of the sun were turning red. This symbolized the slow approach of dusk. A little longer, and everything would plunge into pitch darkness. Kai didn't hurry and patiently continued to wait...

"Raar! Bam!" Roaring and thudding sounds echoed not far away.

This was a common scene in this region. This was how every night began. It signaled that nocturnal predators had started their hunt. Every evening, they battled for territory and prey. Such events would occur throughout the night until dawn!

"I have to move! Torture King Mode!" Kai suddenly shouted in his mind.

"Boom!" A wave of energy rolled, slightly startling the surrounding beasts. Along with it seeped an incredible bloodlust! This was a result of the developmental methods Kai had recently employed.

At that moment, Kai deftly placed his cloak into a spatial ring and started running! He didn't dash westward, where his adversaries were. He cut diagonally, heading northwest.

Kai purposely adopted this strategy. In doing so, he would be drawing closer to the center of the Shadow Groves. He knew that in Torture King Mode, even stronger beasts couldn't catch him. The same couldn't be said for his adversaries...

"Bam!" Suddenly, an explosion sounded about two hundred meters behind Kai.

"Damn it!" Briefly glancing backward, Kai cursed and then dashed forward without hesitation.

When he looked towards the source of the recent sound... He saw waves of blood-colored energy emanating from there! It was definitely the Silver Spear!

“What the hell did they stop just two hundred meters from the gorge for?!” Kai cursed to himself in thought.

Of course, he understood that the perception of the Purple Illusion was imposing. However, Kai had hoped for a much greater distance between them. He had counted on them moving further away during all the time he hid in the gorge... but that hadn't happened!

As soon as he stopped hiding and activated the Torture King Mode, they immediately detected his energy!

“Alright, I hope the beasts will assist me!” Kai shouted, sharply honing his perception and even invoking the Eyes of Essence!

If he can't gain enough distance, they'll track him down using the Illusory Analysis Technique. The consequences of that would be fatal!

“Stop right there, little rat!” A distant, maniacal shout echoed.

“Go to hell!” Kai shouted back loudly and immediately began to assess his surroundings.

He realized that even with his superior speed, he wouldn't be able to create the necessary distance. They'd catch up to him during his rebound! He needed to involve the beasts!

So, as Kai evaluated his surroundings, he wanted to find a pack of predators. If he could swiftly bypass them, they would shift their focus onto his pursuers. Although this duo was powerful, and these animals were no match for them, if such a tactic kept recurring, it would significantly delay them!

“There it is!” Kai exclaimed in his thoughts.

He spotted a cluster of about ten spiky, armored creatures ahead. This was precisely what he needed at the moment!

“Come here!” Kai yelled, instantly pulling out an object from his ring. But it didn't stop there; the object in his hands immediately flew straight at the beasts!

It was a fairly mediocre spear that Kai had taken from the corpse of one of his victims. In times like these, they proved useful.

“Good thing I collected this junk…” Kai mumbled, watching as his spear embedded itself into the neck of one of the creatures.

“Muuuug!” A deep roar erupted from the wounded beast. This act instantly provoked a whole chain of similar cries!

The entire pack instantly turned and charged towards Kai! It was clear that his action had greatly enraged them!

“Hahaha! Opting for suicide?!” Silver Spear shouted with loud laughter.

He and his Sister had been consistently tailing Kai. The gap hadn't become too large yet. They could still see and hear each other!

“Exactly! This is a gift for you! Damn psychos!” Without stopping, Kai shouted back, continuing to run head-on into the pack of animals!

The moment the distance between them shrank to just ten meters... Kai vanished instantly!

“The bastard! I will destroy you!” Silver Spear shouted.

“That's the Dance of Shadow Seals” interjected the running Purple Illusion from the side.

“I know that myself! Damn it, he left these beasts for us!” The man spat out the words in fury.

Kai, for his part, was unconcerned... As soon as he employed the Shadow Seal, he found himself several meters behind the pack of animals. He didn't stop and continued on his way!

From that moment, it turned into a bizarre chase where Kai would provoke virtually every creature in his path using the Dance of Shadow Seals and then bypass them.

Initially, the duo managed to keep up and follow Kai. But with each passing minute, the gap widened. At one point, Purple Illusion lost Kai's trail altogether.

However, trying to follow him, they still encountered hordes of enraged animals! Kai never ceased his nocturnal terrorization of the predatory creatures. He stirred up the entire mountain range in the region! At first, it was just isolated enraged animals. But when their numbers grew too large, they began to turn on each other! The situation turned into utter chaos!

In such circumstances, pursuit became impossible. Even the duo had to find a place to hide now. Various animal mobs began slaughtering each other! To intervene in their conflicts would be suicidal...

“I hate him... I hate him!” Silver Spear gritted out through clenched teeth.

“Quiet down, Heforus. We need to stay silent,” the girl sternly replied.

They took refuge in one of the vacant gorges, carefully observing the situation in the mountains...

Meanwhile, Kai continued to run full tilt! He knew that his Torture King Mode would soon end. This time, he wasn't using it for hunting. Kai wasn't consuming the blood of victims to mitigate the backlash. Recovering in three hours would be a challenge...

“Damn! So much blood...” Kai grumbled, looking displeased, “Well, it doesn't matter, the main thing is I got away from them. I can save this strategy for later.” he added with a wicked laugh.

Contemplating the number of victims that would fall in the slaughter among the animals, Kai continued his dash with a heavy heart. Whenever a creature died, its blood became suitable for enhancing one’s lineage. He tried to fathom how much blood he could absorb in this chaos! And he also wondered why he hadn't thought of this method sooner!

"I need to find a place now where I can rest and reactivate the Torture King Mode! I won’t be at peace until I've fully eluded them!" Kai thought, spotting a nearby suitable hiding place.

"Heh-heh… And then… Then I'll be killing sleeping predators by day, and inciting carnage by night! Their blood will be ceaselessly consumed by me!" Kai declared with a devilish smile, laughing wickedly!

V.2 Chapter 214: Massacre

After Kai managed to break free from the duo chasing him, he didn't stop. He continued to activate the Torture King Mode time and time again, constantly diverting his tracks in different directions. It continued ceaselessly, day and night. As soon as Kai recovered from the backlash, he resumed his journey.

However, he no longer initiated carnage among the beasts. That would only mark his path with blood, providing the enemy all the information they needed. Following a trail of animal corpses would make it glaringly obvious where he was headed.

Kai simply evaded each pack using the Shadow Seals. This was feasible because he never ventured too deep into the center. He continued moving along the perimeter of the mountain range. As it turned out, it almost connected with two others, forming a ring.

At that moment, Kai understood why this was referred to as a natural barrier. These mountains signaled that it was best not to venture further. Most likely, the masters of the Cloud Sphere had no business on the other side of the mountain range, the side closer to the center.

Recognizing all this, Kai calmly ran in circles, sometimes retreating to safer areas to recuperate. This also confounded his enemies.

Such a chase had been ongoing for about a week and a half. During this time, the Purple Illusion surely would have utilized her ability several times. However, pinpointing Kai's energy was likely impossible now.

At that moment, Kai was still in the same familiar terrain. They were mountains, although the rock here was darker. Moss was ubiquitous, peacefully coexisting with the stone surface. While it was still mountainous terrain, it was from another of the three mountain ranges in the Shadow Groves.

"I should have gotten rid of those freaks..." Kai mused, recovering from the backlash.

He decided this was the last use for escape. Now, it was time to return to training.

"Damn... Because of them, I lost almost two weeks..." Kai grumbled irritably, "Summing it up... A month in the cave, two and a half months of peaceful hunting, and about a week and a half of fleeing... Plus the days of rest in the canyon... I've spent nearly four months in the Shadow Groves! Damn it!" Kai cursed.

He realized that he had only about two months left before returning to the Shadows City. Lingering any longer would be dangerous. If he misses the Tournament, it would be a colossal failure!

"Alright... I need to look on the bright side. I've witnessed the method of inciting carnage. If I engage in this for a full two months... I dread to imagine my progress." Kai remarked with a sinister smirk.

His strength had grown significantly over the past four months. This increase was mainly due to the absorption of his victims' blood. If he were to prowl during the massacre of local animals, the influx of blood would be incredible. Moreover, his Torture King Mode would sustain for a much longer duration.

"Now, I more clearly understand the situation inside Asura Hell... If such an environment could be created in reality... Literally entire seas of blood..." Kai muttered, stroking his chin.

After witnessing the slaughter, he drew parallels with the landscapes inside Asura's Hell. Everything there was drenched in blood, in which mountains of corpses floated. Kai couldn't even fathom what would happen if someone with Kessia's lineage could absorb all of that...

He was undoubtedly right in thinking that in the Invisible King's Torture Technique, “incessant battles” referred to a bloody massacre! Slowly, everything began to fall into place in his mind.

"So, I need to make full use of the remaining two months... If I'm lucky, I might break through to the higher stages of the Cloud Sphere. Brother Shuo will definitely be surprised," Kai remarked with a smile, "And if I end up on the Island of Reincarnation... There will be many masters from other Sects. Killing them won't be such a sinful act... Heh-heh," Kai added with a malicious grin.

Thinking about this, Kai popped a few pills into his mouth and closed his eyes. He had decided that as soon as he regained his strength, he would embark on a harvesting mission.

A few days later, Kai realized that his new method was incredibly effective! The massacre seemed to open up a storehouse with endless supplies for him! Take whatever you want!

However, a slight drawback was discovered. If Kai arrived at the scene of a killing too late, where the blood had already been outside a body for a while... In such a case, he couldn't absorb it. It was as if the vital force of the blood had drained away... Without the support of the beast's heart, in the outside world, it could only survive for a short period.

Although this fact surprised Kai, he didn't fuss about it. There were enough beasts in this mountain range to facilitate continuous absorption. Kai began to almost ignore solitary daytime animals. Locating the lairs of predators and their group extermination was a far more efficient method. However, after such an endeavor, it became necessary to change hunting locations nearly every day.

For the subsequent month, sheer hell reigned on the mountain range. In his mind, Kai even joked that he had brought Asura's Hell to reality. All the mountains were soaked in blood, and the number of beasts rapidly dwindled.

Having developed a taste for it, under the cover of chaos, Kai also killed the masters who had arrived. In such mayhem, many of them would have perished anyway. Of course, this didn't justify Kai, but he couldn't care less in this situation. All he wanted was to rapidly increase his power. Alas, to do this, he had to act selfishly.

The world of martial arts masters was a harsh place. Generally, death was a ubiquitous and mundane occurrence. There was no room for pity or remorse. Had Kai been weaker, he would have given his life to the Silver Spear.

Why would this happen? Merely due to the whim of a stronger master! The Silver Spear had chosen Kai as its victim. And the most ironic part was that there was no objective reason for it!

The same was true for Kai's harvesting. At that moment, he was the stronger one, pursuing his brutal, selfish goals. As sad as it sounds, the strong devour the weak. This had once happened to Kai's kin as well...

Though such a fundamental truth of the world might seem unfair, it's what ensures the evolution of all living beings. The stronger or more adaptive ones continued to live. The weak either perished or became resources for the growth of the strong.

Yet when Kai pondered on this, he always reminded himself of another truth. No matter how strong you think you are, there are likely beings far stronger than you. This realization became most evident after discussions about the Patriarch of the Shadow Sect. For such a person, Kai wasn't even considered a resource. Just a pointless organism whose existence could end at the whim of another's thought.

The disparity was so vast that comparing it to a child unknowingly killing an ant seemed too flattering for Kai. Naturally, in this analogy, Kai was the ant...

Kai often pondered such things when reflecting on the Laws of the Sphere of Essence and the words he heard from various people. Therefore, he consumed all without remorse, both animals and humans!

If someone were to witness this, the nickname "Immortal Drunkard" would seem like a mockery to them! Perhaps he was drunk on blood! And this relentless harvesting revealed a terrifying fact — quenching his thirst was incredibly difficult!

With only about three weeks left of the allotted time, Kai knew he had to break through to the advanced stage. He felt that this moment was incredibly near! If it doesn't happen, there's simply no point in returning!

"Recently, there have been far fewer beasts around. It appears that everyone has noticed the oddities occurring nearby... They continue to stay in their dens even at night..." Sitting, Kai pondered, leaning his back against a rock.

The landscape around was terrifying... As Kai couldn't absorb all the blood in time, a large amount went to waste. Corpses lay scattered everywhere, with rivers of coagulated blood visible beneath them.

Yet, Kai himself was whole and unharmed. Not even a speck of crimson remained on him. All the fresh blood was instantly absorbed by his body!

Kai noticed that the animals themselves had started to fear venturing out for hunting. The past month, various parts of the mountain range turned into hell at night. Roars and sounds of slaughter echoed from every direction, continuing till dawn.

Initially, many animals perceived it as a territorial battle and actively engaged in combat. Now, they categorically refused to venture out. Most likely, they'd face the decimation of a significant portion of their pack, leading to a loss of their regional influence.

Animals also had their intelligence and instincts. It took them a while to choose a more effective strategy. If the packs of your rivals lose a significant number of their members, isn't it better to wait out the massacre and then just finish off the remnants?

Contemplating this, Kai smirked malevolently.

"You think I haven't caught on to your line of thought?" Kai thought with a cunning smile.

He had already devised a plan to smoke them out from their hideouts.

"If I just wait a few days, you'll think it's time to begin dividing territories. That's when I'll devour you!" Kai thought, rubbing his palms together.

At that moment, he decided to train in the Asura Hell to better assimilate the energy he had previously absorbed. Lately, he had paid little attention to this aspect of training. Consequently, a significant amount of energy hadn't yet been converted into his own.

As the sun slowly set, Kai decided not to hurry. He would wait for the beasts to emerge on their own. He wouldn't even need to provoke their massacre. They'd happily initiate it themselves. After all, they were predators, whose interests lie in claiming as much hunting territory as possible.

As Kai had anticipated, everything began in just two days!

Herds of animals tore at each other's throats, ripped apart opponents with their horns, and some even used their quills as spears!

Amidst the chaos, Kai absorbed the blood of every slain creature. The feast, which had subsided for a few days, resumed again!

"Good! Excellent! I believe I can break through!" Kai thought, navigating between the predators.

He felt the clouds in the Energy Center becoming denser and denser. Their movement too was becoming more abrupt. The entire cloud sphere revolved around the center at an impressive speed. Kai, felt that a breakthrough was just moments away! But analyzing experiences and the information from the Library, such feelings were often deceptive...

"More is needed! The final touch!" Kai almost maniacally shouted in his mind.

But then...

“Rooooom!” A prolonged, incredibly deep and resonant sound echoed! It was as if someone had blown into a colossal horn!

It seemed as though only the throat of a gigantic being could produce such a sound! The noise instantly deafened Kai! So much so that he collapsed onto his knees. The entire massacre also came to an abrupt halt!

All the animals were in terror! It seemed they were gripped by an instinctual fear! Each of them began to carefully and timidly retreat. And in the next moment, they scattered in all directions! Each animal bolted towards its lair!

“Doom... Doom... Doom!” Loud sounds echoed intermittently, and the ground beneath quivered!

"Damn! What the hell is that?!" Kai exclaimed in shock.

Looking towards the center of the Shadow Groves, Kai saw large flocks of birds suddenly taking to the skies! It appeared as if someone of gigantic proportions was approaching from the other side of the mountain range!

V.2 Chapter 215: Giant Turtle

"Something extremely dangerous is happening! We need to get out!" Kai shouted through gritted teeth.

Kneeling, he felt an immense pressure upon him. It seemed as if the air itself had become incredibly heavy! Yet, recognizing the unique gravity of the situation, Kai summoned all his strength, trying to stand up!

All his muscles tensed mightily, so much so that his entire body began to tremble! Overcoming the pressure, Kai stood and began taking slow steps, moving towards the exit of the Shadow Groves.

"Screw this! I need to get out!" A shocked Kai thought.

Until now, he had never felt such an energy pressure. The passage leading to the Astral City was also terrifying. But the sensations from it were somewhat different... What Kai felt already was oppression induced by another entity!

"Doom! Doom!" Loud sounds continued to resonate from a distance.

Kai felt as if he were in a race against death. Previously, he had fled from a duo; now he was running from an unknown creature. Only at this moment, the oppression was so strong that Kai couldn't even use the Dance of Shadow Seals. To do so, he needed to focus and create the mark in space.

But under the pressure of this entity, space itself seemed unstable. The Shadow Seal couldn't form, as it was instantly shattered. This had never happened before! Kai had never suspected that the environment itself could obstruct the use of techniques.

Kai pondered whether he should use the Torture King Mode. If he made the wrong choice, it could cost him his life. In this situation, you couldn't predict which option would be the savior.

"Damn! Not yet! If I can't break free from this field's influence... death awaits!" After frantically assessing the situation, Kai finally decided.

He continued to move forward... Only every step was incredibly difficult! It felt as if his body had turned to steel! And what was most dangerous was that Kai's pacing seemed to match that of the creature! Only the distance covered in each step was incomparable!

"What should I do?!" A shocked Kai exclaimed.

At that moment, he thought the best option would be to seek shelter! If he couldn't run away, then he needed to hide! Kai didn't hesitate and immediately halted. Moving somewhere now was also a bad choice. He needed to prepare a hiding spot right where he stood!

Realizing this, Kai swiftly crouched, and energy flared on his fingers. He frantically began drawing a concealment array. Although crafting a array under this pressure was difficult, at least it wasn't a Shadow Seal, which had to be created all at once.

With the array, it was simpler; Kai just needed to slowly finish it! And it truly didn't take him much time. As the sounds of footsteps, echoing throughout the vicinity, reached him, Kai completed the final element, and the array instantly activated.

Inside it, Kai began rummaging through his spatial rings. He was searching for something else... Anything that could assist in creating a shelter now was worth its weight in gold!

"Got it! This artifact should work!" Kai exclaimed, pulling out a small golden-colored leaf from the ring.

Without hesitation, Kai bit his finger, dripping his blood onto the leaf. He then promptly pressed it against his forehead. Without lifting his fingers, he infused the leaf with a fragment of his energy.

"Ssssh…" A sound resembling burning paper echoed, and in a blink, the leaf dissolved into the air.

It was one of the items crafted by Artifact Masters. It was a splendid item for masking one's presence and had cost a fair amount. Fortunately, when Kai was in the Library, he had read many diverse books. This helped him navigate the current situation better.

"I hope this will suffice... Luckily, I had at least one of these…" Kai whispered, wiping sweat from his brow, as he hid silently.

He had acquired this item from one of the slain masters in the Shadow Groves. That unfortunate soul's ring also held other interesting items, but none particularly useful for Kai. Even then, Kai had speculated that the man must've been an Artifact Master.

It was one of the primary crafting professions. However, at times, Artifact Mastery was even more intricate than Alchemy and Arrays. To craft certain items, Artifact Masters sought help from other craftsmen. For instance, the art of arrays was also utilized in this Concealment Artifact.

Typically, Artifact Masters dedicate almost all their time to honing their craft. Hence, on average, they were weaker than other martial arts masters.

When Kai had read about this in the library, he was somewhat surprised. Elder Ovian had mentioned that the current Patriarch was an Artifact Master. This didn't align with the information about their lacking combat prowess...

But currently, Kai didn't care about any of that! He watched as, in the distance, a massive silhouette began to emerge. It was simply colossal!

"What the hell... How..." Even in his mind, Kai couldn't find appropriate words to describe his emotions…

Before his eyes appeared a figure that stood nearly 200 meters tall! It was a massive, gray turtle! Yet, its entire shell was covered with sharp spikes. And its face looked very menacing! Just its mere appearance was enough to instill fear!

"Damn! What kind of beast is this?! Is this the source of that overwhelming power?!" Kai exclaimed in his mind.

He felt that the closer this behemoth got, the harder it was for him to withstand its pressure. One didn't need to be a genius to connect the dots!

"At what level is this turtle?! If all this pressure concentrates on one point... Like on me... It would be enough to instantly end my life!" Kai realized in horror.

At that moment, he took the situation even more seriously.

"Damn... I don't know if you exist. But Shuo mentioned you! If you're there, please help me!" In this desperate moment, Kai even recalled Shuo's tales about God. "Damn it! What am I even thinking?! This is nonsense! I need to find a way out, by any means!" Kai chastised himself.

Such behavior was uncharacteristic for him, but the sight of this gigantic beast momentarily threw him unbalanced. The turtle's pressure was truly terrifying!

“Thud! Thud! Thud!” The steps kept on and on.

Frantically, Kai watched as the beast approached. Its steps seemed slow, but in reality, it covered vast distances instantly! The closer it got, the more colossal it appeared!

"Unbelievable... What is it doing in the Shadow Groves?" Kai asked himself in astonishment. "Right... they said it's best not to venture towards the center..." Mulling it over, Kai answered his own question.

When he was told about the Shadow Groves, he learned that only the Elders traveled to its very center. Although Kai had heeded this advice and hadn't planned to venture further, now it seemed he had taken it too lightly.

"Damn... I might not truly comprehend the strength levels of the masters... If the elders can safely enter the core of the Shadow Groves, can Elder Brud or Kayus exert similar pressure?" Kai pondered, almost in a trance.

It's one thing to hear tales from an old man who claimed he could evaporate an entire lake. It's another to witness something of this magnitude firsthand...

Although the turtle hadn't shown anything extraordinarily unbelievable, its mere presence and pressure were enough to shatter Kai's preconceptions.

As Kai pondered, the gigantic beast suddenly came to a halt...

Seeing this, Kai immediately tensed up! He didn't know what to expect or how events would unfold... All he could think about was his concealment! Kai even held his breath, trying not to make a single sound!

The gigantic turtle stopped about half a kilometer from Kai. Even from that distance, he could distinctly see its body. It was just too big!

"Why has it stopped?" Kai wondered as he gazed at the creature.

It seemed that not only Kai, but all the animals in the vicinity, were preoccupied with this question. All were hoping the beast hadn't come for them...

Then, the creature's maw slowly began to open...

"Krak..." a sound echoed, as if rocks were being ground in enormous millstones. "Who... caused... this... disorder..." Slowly and disjointedly, incredibly loud and deep words resonated.

"What the hell?! It speaks?!" Kai exclaimed in complete shock!

He was so astounded that he nearly jumped out of his hiding spot. Only his survival instinct held him back. If he wasn't in danger, he would have shouted out in astonishment right now! Kai had read about such occurrences, but now he was in the Shadow Sect! This wasn't the Wild Beasts Steppe; there shouldn't be such powerful creatures here!

"Hmmr..." Another prolonged sound echoed. It seemed like the turtle was sighing from contemplation. But its voice was so deep that any sound it made ultimately turned into rumbling vibrations.

At that moment, Kai felt every beat of his heart. The tension was so high, it felt as if his brain was pulsating!

"The turtle is upset about the disorder! Damn! I caused that!" Kai screamed in his mind.

He didn't want to believe it, but his actions had provoked this creature! He literally made this turtle abandon its tasks and move to the outer side of the mountain! If it spots him, it will be the end for Kai. He'd be lucky if it happened instantly!

"Most likely, this turtle rules this mountain region... And in the past months, I significantly reduced the number of its subjects!" Kai thought, realizing the gravity of his actions.

Kai never imagined that his harvest could provoke something like this colossal creature. He never thought that someone might care about this region. After all, this was only the middle perimeter of the Shadow Groves.

"Thud! Thud!" Suddenly, the earth-shattering steps echoed again!

It seemed the turtle itself was puzzled by what was happening. After briefly assessing the situation, it started moving eastward along the mountain range.

That was the same route Kai had been following! He had constantly been moving from the east to the west!

"Please, go away!" Kai pleaded in his mind.

If this turtle truly continues on its path... Once it's gone far enough, Kai will bolt out of the Shadow Groves like lightning!

"Thud! Thud!" The sounds of steps continued, growing fainter with each passing moment…

She was really leaving! She hadn't noticed Kai! At that moment, he was incredibly relieved and happy! Kai didn't want to stay here for even an extra minute!

As soon as the turtle had moved far enough away, and the pressure of its energy began to decrease, he immediately got up and ran towards the exit of the Shadow Groves!

"To hell with it! I'll think about everything later! I need to get out of here fast!" Kai shouted, quickening his pace!

V.2 Chapter 216: No Mercy

Kai ran as fast as he could. But he did not activate his Torture King Mode. Currently, it was better to save his trump card for a dire situation.

After half an hour of running, Kai realized the giant turtle wasn't pursuing him. The sounds of earth-shaking steps had almost faded away. Only due to his sharp senses could Kai still feel slight vibrations beneath his feet.

The energy pressure of that gigantic monster had completely disappeared. Finally, Kai could run at his usual pace.

"Alright... that's enough of the Shadow Groves... I was due to return soon anyway," Kai thought, moving through a small forest.

He realized that he would not be hunting in the mountains anymore. And in the safer zones, these predatory animals didn’t exist. His strategy simply wouldn’t work there. Hunting solitary animals would be too inefficient, especially considering the experiences from the past months.

Kai had grown accustomed to consuming his victims' blood in torrents. If he hunted in safe zones where the beasts were weaker and without the possibility of causing mass carnage... it would simply be pointless.

"Damn! I was just a bit short! A little more, and I could have ascended higher!" Kai grumbled through clenched teeth.

He'd be lying if he said he felt no regret... After all, his level determined the chances of securing a spot in the expedition to the Island of Reincarnation!

Now, Kai pondered over his remaining options. Time-wise, he had about a month or two left until the Tournament. But Kai understood that he wouldn't find the finishing touch for his cultivation in the Supreme Fate Arena. Killing was strictly forbidden there!

Without killing, Kai simply couldn’t advance his lineage. This, in turn, significantly limited the pace of his cultivation's progression...

"What should I do now? Maybe..." Kai wondered.

At that moment, a rather malicious and cunning idea popped into his head... The only source of quality blood potentially available to him now was from martial arts masters!

"I'll have to engage in some not-so-noble deeds... I can stay in the Shadow Groves for a few more weeks. But the area is too vast... finding enough people will be difficult," Kai continued his inner dialogue.

The Shadow Groves were vast... If someone entered, it would be hard to find them after a day. Of course, unless you have methods similar to the Purple Illusion technique.

Although in a few weeks Kai would find a couple of people, it was not enough. Strong martial arts masters seldom came here. All the powerful ones immediately headed to the center of the Shadow Groves. But confronting them was also not an option. Kai simply wasn't their match, since mostly only the Elders ventured there. And even for the newly initiated Elders around 30 years old, Kai would definitely not be an obstacle...

"There's only one option... I need to track them right after they enter the Shadow Groves!" Kai suddenly realized.

Choosing a victim is easiest when you see them entering the area. You can instantly gauge the level of their cultivation. Moreover, you can follow them to a more secluded spot where no one would discover you.

Kai was somewhat hesitant about this method. After all, he didn't really want to kill indiscriminately. Among the victims could be genuinely good people. However, in general, every martial arts master had sins to their name. Almost none of them could be called righteous. This applied even to masters like Shuo...

Each had killed, and each was ready to trade another's life for their own. Now, Kai faced a moral dilemma. He tried to negotiate with his conscience, but it wasn't entirely successful.

"Alright... I'll decide based on the situation... Various people come here anyway. I'll observe first before killing..." Kai told himself, heading toward the gates through which he had entered.

Constantly moving along the mountain range, he had almost made a full circle. Now, the initial entrance was once again the closest to Kai's location.

He decided that he'd start by observing the newcomers and eavesdropping on their conversations. When people think they're alone, they often reveal very juicy details about their lives. Especially if it's a group of men...

If a person is cruel and ruthless, they won't miss an opportunity to brag about their dirty deeds. Paradoxically, such individuals loved boasting about their murders, assaults, and humiliation of the weak.

Such people aren't particularly missed when eradicated... They were no different from wild animals. However, it's not for Kai to judge... He didn't view his actions as something enjoyable, but if someone learned of them... Then even these scoundrels would wonder if Kai was really the pleasant guy he seemed at first glance.

In general, Kai didn't ascribe any particular moral color to his actions. He simply had certain boundaries. But he wouldn't chastise himself if he had to slightly overstep them.

When Kai decided how he would spend his remaining time, he promptly headed for the entrance. Naturally, he didn’t show himself to the guards and, overall, didn't approach too closely.

He was at just the right distance to sense a new batch of potential victims. And they didn't keep him waiting for long...

The first pair of people turned out to be just right for Kai. The two guys nonchalantly discussed their despicable adventures. One of them recounted how he had recently raped a Disciple-Assistant. Naturally, she could not oppose him, as he was the Supreme Disciple.

The other, laughing, also began to talk about his previous evening. Everything was similar, the same kind of rape... Only this man's preferences were different; he preferred guys.

Thus, Kai did not hesitate to take their blood for himself. He even did it with particular pleasure! To Kai, rape seemed like a very low act, unworthy of a martial arts master.

Kai's hunt continued for another two weeks, during which he consistently chose people for harvest. Credit where it's due: Kai really did not harm the majority of people. Thankfully, the frequency of people entering and leaving the Shadow Groves allowed this. If there weren't enough people, Kai would take the lives of even neutral individuals.

With each day, Kai felt the clouds in his Energy Center becoming denser and denser! Their speed increased, and they seemed more formidable. Kai felt that there was very little time left!

"In the next few days, I need to leave the Shadow Groves..." Kai murmured to himself.

At that moment, he sat on a tree branch, calmly sipping wine from a small barrel. It seemed that the journey was beginning to tire him... But it was more likely because he was recalling the slaughter in the mountains. His current hunt was nothing in comparison. By contrast, it felt too boring...

However, credit must be given to the blood of martial arts masters. From it, Kai absorbed much more energy. Although his lineage evolved slowly, reaching the high stage of the Cloud Sphere was still possible!

"What the..." Kai whispered and quickly began to climb higher up the tree.

A second ago, he had heard a noise in the distance...

Kai decided he should hide and carefully watch what was happening. Perhaps new victims were approaching...

"Heforus, you need to calm down. You've entered your unstable state again." A stern female voice rang out.

"We've wasted so much time! That bastard got away! And we barely escaped from the Mountain Keeper!" A male voice shouted.

It turned out to be the duo Kai knew well! Silver Spear and Purple Illusion!

Only now, they seemed to be in a far worse state... The recent days were clearly not kind to them.

"The Mountain Keeper? Are they talking about that gigantic turtle? Hahaha!" Kai suddenly laughed to himself.

He instantly grasped the general situation! It seemed these two hadn't given up on finding him and continued their search. While in the mountains, they encountered that turtle!

"It seems they were less fortunate than me!" Kai watched with a hint of malice.

It seemed that Silver Spear had suffered the most. His clothes were blood-stained, and judging by his gait, he wasn’t in the best of conditions. More accurately, he was in a critical state! Most likely, they had faced immense challenges trying to exit the mountainous territory.

"Heforus, your mental state is adversely affecting your injuries. You need to focus on yourself!" The girl shouted.

At that moment, her face showed faint traces of distress. Clearly, she was deeply concerned about her brother. It looked like she was on the verge of tears.

"Heh-heh... Luck is such a fickle thing, isn't it?" Kai thought, a cruel, predatory smirk forming on his face.

Without delay, Kai instantly activated his Eyes of Essence! Additionally, his energy, the Astral Flame of Sacrifice, and the Torture King Mode were at the ready! Kai was waiting for the duo to be directly beneath him!

"Now!" Kai screamed in his mind.

"Boom!" A powerful energy explosion sounded, and the entire tree top was shattered to splinters!

Holding daggers in his hands, Kai descended with lightning speed.

"What?!" Purple Illusion suddenly shouted.

Her perception was indeed sharp! Even in her state, considering such a sudden attack, she managed to react!

She raised her hand, and instantly a purple shield formed in front of her, transitioning into a defensive stance.

But alas… It didn’t help her! The duo was severely weakened. It seemed their energy had been near exhaustion even before Kai's attack. Given the size of the mountain range, they might have encountered that turtle just a few days ago!

"Crack!" The sound of shattering glass echoed as the barrier created by the girl disintegrated instantly.

At this point, she was utterly drained. Meanwhile, Kai had grown much stronger over the past few months.

He was now on the brink of the high stage of the Cloud Sphere! Moreover, he had now unleashed his full power!

"Boom!" Another explosion resonated.

From its force, the duo was instantly blown apart. Due to the impact, Silver Spear lost consciousness right away. His condition was truly critical!

In the last moment, Kai managed to catch his furious gaze. It seemed that at that instant, he loathed Kai with every fiber of his being.

"Stop! Please, don't! Spare him!" Purple Illusion cried, watching Kai approach her brother's body.

Hearing such audacious words, Kai paused in surprise. Slowly turning around, he coldly uttered:

"What the hell did you just say?" Each of his words seemed to push the girl deeper into a cold, dark pit. She felt as if Death's hand was already hovering above her.

Under normal circumstances, such a swift devastation would never have occurred. They hadn't anticipated Kai being here and found themselves in a particularly vulnerable state...

"I know how unfair this sounds! But my brother is sick! I couldn't influence him! Forgive him!" Purple Illusion hysterically began to plead.

It seemed that at that moment, she had lost all her composure and calmness. She had turned into a regular frightened girl. However, it was evident that her concern was more for Silver Spear than for herself.

Before, Kai had pondered their relationship. To him, it seemed somewhat unhealthy...

"Forgive him? Hahaha!" Kai laughed loudly, "You're as messed up as your reject of a brother!" He shouted with a malicious smirk.

V.2 Chapter 217: Return

Right now, he simply couldn't believe the words spoken by this girl. It was as if she had instantaneously forgotten that they had almost killed him earlier. And then they pursued him for several months. Moreover, all this time, the Purple Illusion hadn't lifted a finger to help Kai! On the contrary, she actively aided her brother in his actions!

"Please! Don't kill him! He's all I have!" The girl pleaded, starting to sob.

She stretched out her hands and began to create a purple barrier around the unconscious body of the Silver Spear.

But there was a problem... She had too little energy...

She managed to create only a small semi-sphere, which couldn't protect the entire body.

"Trash..." Kai coldly uttered, "Dance of Shadow Seals," he calmly pronounced.

Kai intentionally said it aloud, so the Purple Illusion could fully feel the moment of reckoning. In a split second, Kai was next to the body of the Silver Spear!

Naturally, he was right behind the barrier. His victim's body lay entirely at Kai's mercy. All the Purple Illusion's efforts seemed laughable. It was as if she desperately clung to the last, fading hope before her eyes!

The next second, there was a strange clap followed by the sound of breaking bones! Immediately after, blood mixed with flesh splattered everywhere! Kai's face was instantly stained crimson.

It was a blow that swiftly crushed the head of the Silver Spear! The Purple Illusion didn't even have time to react! Her brother instantly lost his life!

"No! You demon!" The girl screamed in horror and despair.

But it wasn't over... Before her eyes, all the blood of the Silver Spear began to be absorbed into Kai's body, simultaneously turning the headless body into a dry mummy!

Looking at her brother's body, she felt an incredible emptiness. It seemed that this sight had so stunned her that the Purple Illusion was left in shock!

Watching this, Kai didn't hesitate and again used the Shadow Seal, appearing directly in front of the girl's face.

"Shut your mouth, witch!" Kai sneered disdainfully, driving his dagger straight into her lower jaw, pinning her tongue to the roof of her mouth without killing her!

"Kgha... Kghaa..." Blood poured immediately from the sobbing girl's mouth.

"You'll be a perfect finishing touch! You chose the wrong person as your victim, and now you've paid the price. Goodbye, you two-faced vermin!" Kai coldly said, and with a swift movement of his other hand, cleanly beheaded the Purple Illusion.

All her blood immediately began to swirl in the air and then rushed into Kai's body.

At that moment, he even closed his eyes, savoring the process. Kai already knew perfectly well how this would end!

“Boom!” A resonating sound echoed from the wave of spreading energy. And at the center of this action stood Kai.

“He-he… High Stage of the Cloud Sphere!”He exclaimed with malicious glee.

Slowly opening his eyes, Kai looked at his hands and clenched his fists. By doing so, he couldn’t see any change in his combat power. It seemed he made this gesture purely on instinct.

Looking at the two mummies lying in opposite directions, Kai smirked malevolently.

“Who would've thought... How fortunate I decided to linger in the Shadow Groves!” Kai exclaimed spiritedly.

Thereafter, he calmly began to collect all the valuable possessions the duo had. They were Personal Disciples, and around 150th-ranked at that. The items they carried were far from mere trinkets. Kai didn’t want to miss out on such loot!

After a few minutes, Kai lightly snapped his fingers, and the two bodies instantly turned to ash. Then even the ashes vanished without a trace.

“A fitting end for the two of you.” Kai cheerfully remarked and moved on.

At that moment, he wanted to find a secluded spot and diligently cultivate the Invisible King's Torture Technique. Even though Kai had broken through to the High Stage of the Cloud Sphere, there was still much unassimilated energy from the duo in his body. He also needed to solidify his position at this stage.

Such practice was universally accepted among martial arts masters. It's best if, after a breakthrough, you meditate for several days and get accustomed to the new power...

There wasn’t an ounce of pity in Kai's mind for Silver Spear and Purple Illusion. Sometimes, people could thoughtlessly ruin others' lives, showing not an iota of compassion. But when they became victims themselves, they expected forgiveness!

Such a duality in behavior slightly surprised Kai. It was the first time he'd encountered such a thing. If he hadn't felt the mortal danger provoked by this duo firsthand... Perhaps, Kai might have even shown them compassion.

Similarly, Kai couldn’t care less about the duo's backstory or the reasons for their personalities. He was indifferent to the source of Silver Spear's mental instability and the unhealthy attachment and obedience of Purple Illusion.

Everyone in this world has their story. Everyone has their reasons for acting as they believe is right. But indifference towards others can exist as long as their story doesn't intersect with yours.

The brother-sister duo decided that their life path should cross with Kai's. Alas, the result was such that Kai severed that path…

At that moment, there was no time for hesitation and regrets. Many astonishing stories have been cut short, never reaching their conclusion. It's far better to focus on one's own!

All Kai was thinking about now was how to secure his position swiftly at the High Stage of the Cloud Sphere and proceed to the Shadows Sect. The tournament was supposed to commence in the upcoming months, and it'd be best if Kai didn't delay.

With this understanding, he meditated for about three days. Having finally absorbed all the energy, he decided it was time to return. So, he calmly headed towards the entrance gates.

"Good day, Immortal Drunkard!" One of the guards called out respectfully, instantly bowing.

"Hey, guys!" Kai chuckled in response.

As soon as the group of men saw him wearing the garb of a Personal Disciple, they immediately abandoned their tasks.

"You've been in the Shadow Groves for so long... The Mountain Keeper recently rebelled, we began fearing the worst," said one man, shaking his head in concern.

Coincidentally, he was among those who had ushered Kai into the Shadow Groves. He understood Kai had been there for about half a year. It was a considerable length of time.

"Oh, come on. I know you guys just thought about card games and booze." Kai laughed heartily, instantly unmasking the guards' facade, "I don't care for all this flattery, so you needn't bother," Kai added with a smile.

"Ha-ha..." the man chuckled awkwardly, "Immortal Drunkard is very insightful," the guard replied with a crooked smile.

"Listen, I have two questions right off the bat," Kai interrupted, "How much trouble did the Mountain Keeper cause? And how do I pay for visiting the Shadow Groves?" He inquired quickly.

"Uhm... Yes... Probably, many disciples were killed. The Elders have already gone to investigate the incident. I'm genuinely relieved you survived..." The guard said with a hint of sadness.

It seemed he was genuinely concerned. He didn't like seeing so many of his fellow disciples die in the zone he protected. Clearly, he was deeply devoted to the Shadows Sect.

"As for your second question, don't worry. We report directly to the Shadows Sect. When they get there, Reputation Points will be automatically deducted from you," the man added courteously.

"Thanks for answering my questions," Kai responded with a friendly smile, "Alright, guys, keep having fun, I'm off!" He laughed and dashed towards the Shadows City.

Since he didn't spot any carriages, he decided to reach one of the nearest villages and find fellow travelers there...

A week later, Kai finally arrived in the Shadows City. Now, he was approaching the territory of the Shadows Sect.

"Ah... I'm back." Kai exclaimed, taking a deep breath.

When he arrived at the first village, it turned out there were no guides available. All Kai could manage to get was a horse. He was briefly taught how to ride, but Kai struggled quite a bit.

That's why the journey took so much time. Only in the last few days had he finally gotten the hang of it and traveled comfortably.

"I need to head to the Palace of Shadows. I haven’t bathed in a hot spring for an eternity!" Kai daydreamed.

Upon entering the territory of the Shadow Sect, he calmly made his way to his home. Admiring the beautiful streets, Kai's spirits lifted. He was quite taken with the atmosphere of the vast Shadows City.

"Hey, Sister Iris..." Kai suddenly caught with the edge of his hearing.

At that moment, he felt all the hairs on his body stand on end! It was Taemi's voice. And evidently, she was with Iris.

"Looks like those two have gotten along quite well..." Kai thought, looking at the distant square.

With Kai's keen senses, he noticed them from afar. At that moment, the two girls were smiling and laughing sweetly. At first glance, it was clear that they had bonded quite well. One could even say they had become close friends.

"I wonder where Brother Kai has gone?" Taemi said with a hint of sadness.

"I don’t know… That… That…" Iris began, blushing and stammering.

It seemed she was recalling a rather spicy evening they had “spent together”. Whenever she thought of it, her face turned a deep shade of red. At times like these, she wished all those memories were just a bad dream!

"Not today..." Kai murmured with a grimace.

Without a second thought, Kai turned and used the Dance of Shadow Seals Technique. He decided he would take another route and calmly bypass the duo...

If they caught him, they would never let him go. Once before, Kai had fallen into such a trap. As a result, his entire evening went down the drain. Today, he genuinely wanted to relax in peace. Fortunately, he managed to get home without any adventures...

Lying in the hot water and shamelessly sipping wine straight from the barrel, Kai was in utter bliss.

"Ahh... This is good..." Kai exhaled after a gulp of wine.

That evening, he would not dedicate a single second to cultivation. He would even head straight to bed without meditating. He wanted to have a normal, human evening.

"I should find one of the Elders and ask about this tournament... If there's still time left, it might be wise to visit the archives of the Array Alliance and the Alchemy Alliance. Maybe I'll find something interesting there..." Kai pondered.

When he finally relaxed, he remembered that he had completely overlooked this point in his original plan. The Library had a limited number of genuinely useful records on Alchemy and Arrays.

V.2 Chapter 218: Array Alliance

When he finally settled down after returning to the Shadow Sect, the night passed seamlessly. Kai truly managed to rest after the relentless slaughter in the Shadow Groves.

At that moment, rays of the rising sun were already piercing through the windows...

Kai wasn't sleeping anymore; he was quietly getting dressed. Once he tidied himself up and looked in the mirror, he noticed subtle changes in his appearance.

"Hmm... Have I grown taller?" He murmured.

Before, Kai hadn't had a chance to see himself from a distance. But now, he realized his body and even his facial features had matured. If Kai's appearance before resembled a boy of 16-18, now he looked more like a 20-year-old. It seemed the lifestyle of a martial arts master led to faster physical development.

"For sure..." Suddenly, something clicked for Kai, and he instinctively reached for his chest.

He wanted to check all his indicators recorded in his glyph... As soon as Kai touched his chest and channeled a bit of energy into it, detailed information instantly appeared in his mind.

It read:

Name: Kai

Age: 15 years

Cultivation: High Stage of the Cloud Sphere

Status: Personal Disciple

Master: Shadow Elder Mo

Nickname: Immortal Drunkard

Rank: 245

Organizations: Alchemy Alliance, Array Alliance

Reputation Points: 33,536

"That's right! Indeed, I just turned 15 not too long ago!" Remembering this, Kai laughed.

Only now did he realize that, amidst the endless hunt, he had completely forgotten that an impressive amount of time had passed. He had spent about half a year in the Shadow Groves alone...

As Kai began to piece together various time frames, everything added up. A year ago, in the Time Tomb, he had turned 14.

"Time flew by so quickly... This year has been quite eventful for me," Kai pondered thoughtfully, "Well, like every year since I left the orphanage." Kai laughed carefreely and headed for the exit of his dwelling.

Kai didn't notice that his rank had risen again. In the past, after he defeated the Holy Flame, he secured the 271st place in the Personal Disciples' Rank. But now, he was already ranked 245th!

Most likely, this was due to his elevated cultivation level. Now, Kai was at the High Stage of the Cloud Sphere. The Patriarchs' Formation had automatically redefined his status.

In reality, such changes happened quite frequently; everyone reacted differently. There were masters who checked their rank daily because it was crucial for them. Then there were people like Kai, who generally didn't care about such formalities.

For Kai, only one thing mattered — making it to the Top 100! Once he could visit the Island of Reincarnation, he'd stop trying to raise his Rank altogether. To him, there was no point in doing so.

Presently, Kai was brimming with resources. Having spent time in the Shadow Groves, he'd amassed quite a collection. Even after accounting for all the expenses of his six-month-long hunt, Kai still had more than 33,000 Reputation Points.

Kai wasn't even sure what to spend them on. With the prospect of visiting the Island of Reincarnation looming before him, all other cultivation zones seemed pale in comparison. Currently, he had no interest in visiting them. He hadn't even once entered the training room situated right in his house.

Only if he fails to reach the Top 100 Personal Student Rank would he consider spending his Reputation Points on various training arrays.

Evaluating his developmental methods, Kai realized that standard supplementary territories and arrays would be pointless for him. With such a fantastic method as absorbing the blood of victims and their energy with it... Why bother sitting in a sealed room and slowly absorbing it from the outside?

This was yet another incentive to visit the Island of Reincarnation. The Sects of the Mysterious Sea Region maintained a sort of neutrality, if not an alliance. But one would have to be a naive fool to imagine a peaceful adventure in a forbidden zone.

In such places, everyone is out for their gain, and the Elders are no exception! They won't have the time to watch over the youngsters; they'll head straight to the deeper regions of the Island of Reincarnation. In such circumstances, every individual is on their own!

Such conditions were pure gold for Kai! Present would be only the strongest martial arts masters from the territories of the Shadow Sect, the Sword Sect, and the Spirit Fire Sect!

Of course, Kai harbored no illusions that he could go on a rampage in those places. After all, if he makes it to the Island of Reincarnation, he'd be one of the weakest representatives there.

In truth, he himself could become prey for a stronger disciple from one of the three Sects. But who's to say he couldn't finish off someone already wounded? If he gets a chance to encounter someone in a situation like Silver Spear and Purple Illusion... Those people would quickly part with their lives and become a resource for his advancement.

Currently, Kai calmly headed towards the Array Alliance. He hadn't visited it before. Mainly, he had many other tasks, and he absolutely didn't want to cross paths with Iris.

But now was a good time to meet with Elder Kayus and to read the archival texts detailing various arrays.

Most likely, as one of the Great Elders, Kayus should also be well-informed about the Tournament. Kai decided to combine business with pleasure.

Half an hour later, he finally entered a large, beautiful building. It, too, was designed in the style of the Shadows City, but its interior seemed more refined, and it was also very well-lit.

The entire area was vast, more like a square inside a building. Many people walked about, and in some spots, some were drawing arrays directly on the ground.

Groups constantly gathered around these artists, discussing something...

It seemed that this square served as a space for general discussion. Array Masters could showcase their work for everyone to see and share their opinions. They could also receive external feedback, which might inspire new ideas or provide food for thought.

In general, Array Masters also preferred working in solitude. But for that, there were private rooms. This place was for the purpose of exploring the paths of their craft...

Upon seeing this, Kai became immediately intrigued... It was a place where he could glimpse many fascinating things! Even without the archived works, he could learn a myriad of techniques here. For now, Kai's repertoire of possible arrays was limited. Besides the Alchemical Array, Kai could only create a few basic ones, like the Concealment Array.

"It's a pity alchemists can't do something similar..." Kai thought sympathetically.

The process of alchemy was indeed quite different. Having someone observe how you handle ingredients only risks one thing — losing concentration and causing an explosion!

However, Alchemists had a different advantage. They could record a recipe and the pill-making process on a scroll, and easily share it with someone else. If you practiced enough, you could replicate the pill.

But Array Masters couldn't do the same. Only masters in the Star Sphere began to have a better feel for a drawn array. Hence, such a square was absolutely essential. At the very least, each Array Master could elaborate more on a specific element. Or learn about something of interest to them.

Kai decided that he would first walk around and not approach the registration desk right away. He was curious to assess the situation.

"Eyes of Essence!" Kai mentally exclaimed.

Walking past many masters, he listened intently to their conversations. As it turned out, knowledge exchange was common among the Array Masters. Naturally, none of them instructed others in their personal innovations. Mostly, they discussed individual elements of arrays or different variations of well-known arrays.

There were also those who theorized about hypothetically possible arrays. Kai even overheard a conversation where a woman speculated about creating an Array that would allow a person to levitate. Although Array Masters had managed to create floating platforms, they all required a significant amount of energy and were integrated into even larger arrays placed on entire buildings.

Thus, making a platform hover outside of a building was impossible. She theorized about a micro-array that could be placed on clothing and would function without the auxiliary arrays of an entire building.

This intrigued Kai, and he even stopped to listen. But after evaluating the discussion and the arguments from various sides, Kai realized that this woman was quite inexperienced. An elder immediately pointed out nearly a dozen factors that couldn't be realized and named great Array Masters who had struggled with this idea for decades. But all attempts ended in failure...

Kai absolutely loved this atmosphere! He wandered around the square for so long that he didn't notice almost five hours had passed.

"Damn... I need to find Elder Kayus..." Kai suddenly remembered, "Enough. If I continue, I'll forget my goal again!" He mumbled to himself and headed straight to the registration desk.

A moment ago, he was again engrossed in an intriguing discussion. Had he not interrupted his curiosity, he would've been lost in thought again. Kai realized he wouldn't reach Elder Kayus this way, and maybe not even by tomorrow...

"Hello. Could you please tell me where to find Elder Kayus?" Kai asked with a smile.

"Welcome, Mr. Immortal Drunkard! Of course! Great Elder Kayus even issued instructions on this matter," the girl politely responded.

"Oh? What instructions?" Kai inquired with interest.

"If you were to look for him, immediately inform about his whereabouts. Even if he is busy," she explained with a smile.

"Elder Kayus is so considerate!" Kai laughed mischievously, "So, where is he now?" he added with a grin.

"He's in his personal training hall. Madam Azure Blade is also there. But I don't think she'd object to your presence," the girl replied politely.

As soon as Kai heard this, his face contorted instantly...

"Did I say something wrong?" the girl asked with a hint of anxiety.

"No, it's fine, don't worry. I just don't want to see Madam Azure Blade..." Kai replied with a hint of irritation, "Oh well, to hell with her... Can you lead the way?" he politely inquired, his smile returning.

"Of course! I'll call someone to assist you right away," the clerk responded respectfully, giving a slight bow.

She tactfully ignored Kai's earlier comments. It was evident she knew very well which matters to “overlook”.

V.2 Chapter 219: Elder Dalanar

After a brief conversation with the desk clerk, a young man approached them. He greeted them politely and asked them to follow him. On the way, he said nothing and asked nothing, just politely indicating the direction.

"Right this way. Have a wonderful day, Mr. Immortal Drunk!" He said respectfully and bowed.

"Thank you very much!" Kai responded with a smile. "Can I just go in?" He asked again.

"Yes. Elder Kayus said you can feel completely free in your actions." The young man replied and bowed once more.

Watching this, Kai didn't want to keep the employee any longer. He simply turned around and knocked on the large doors.

Kai didn't wait for a response, and immediately opened it after knocking. If he was asked not to stand on ceremony, he wouldn't!

At that moment, a spacious room of impressive size unfolded before him. It was filled with scrolls scattered in the corners and bookshelves near the walls. It seemed to embody “creative chaos”. Yet, the center of the room remained uncluttered.

Currently, two old men and a young girl were sitting there, with the girl drawing something on the floor.

"Hello, Elder Kayus!" Kai suddenly exclaimed.

"Oh! It's you, Kai! Where have you been hiding?" The elder replied loudly, turning around.

Seeing Kai at the threshold of his room, the elder quickly stood up and walked towards him.

No one seemed to notice, but as soon as Iris heard that familiar voice, and especially when Elder Kayus confirmed her suspicions, her face instantly flushed red. It was an involuntary reaction she couldn't control!

"Just wandering here and there," Kai responded with a smile.

"Hahaha! You scoundrel!" The elder chuckled, then suddenly became serious, "Kai... Your cultivation..." He said, looking astonished at Kai's Energy Center.

"Well, I didn’t wander around all this time for nothing. He-he." Kai smirked.

"Care to show me where one can wander like that?" Elder Kayus asked, looking Kai in the face.

"Elder Kayus, don't joke like that. You know it's pointless for you to wander in those places." Kai retorted.

"Hmm..." The elder sighed, shaking his head, "Alright, though I have something to say... But perhaps I'll keep silent." He said with a slight smile.

He had many questions and compliments he could direct at Kai. For instance, mentioning that Kai's martial arts talent was on par with his craftsmanship. Or marveling at the speed of his progress. But Elder Kayus was an old and wise man. He understood there are times it's better to remain silent and not dwell on certain matters.

"Thank you, Elder Kayus." With a grateful smile, Kai responded and gave a slight bow.

"Let me introduce you to my guest." The elder paused for a moment before turning around, his subject shifting.

He looked earnestly at Kai, as if pondering the necessity of the words he wished to convey…

"Forgive my sentimentality. I'll intrude on your affairs once more..." began Elder Kayus apologetically, "Though geniuses are rare, they are born once every few decades. I've seen it more than once..." he said with a hint of melancholy, "Remember what I'm about to tell you. A dead genius is no longer a genius." He remarked significantly.

After gazing at Kai for a few more moments, the elder patted him on the shoulder and smiled again.

"Alright, let's introduce you to my friend." Elder Kayus cheerfully proposed, leading the way.

"A dead genius is no longer a genius..." Kai repeated silently to himself. Nodding, he followed behind Elder Kayus.

The elder had lived for a considerable number of years. Even if geniuses appeared once every decade, it didn't mean they all became legendary figures. More often than not, they simply never reached such heights.

Many people, naturally gifted from birth, tend to become arrogant and overly confident. These traits often lead to their downfall.

Elder Kayus was hinting at this very fact to Kai. He feared that pride might also be Kai's undoing. He genuinely liked this young man!

Yet, Kai never saw himself as a genius. Until a certain point, he was just an ordinary child, albeit with an unusual maturity and mental stability. But that alone couldn't make one a genius.

What Kai had achieved was due to his persistent training. Continuously pushing through pain, torture, and fatigue, he kept moving forward. Though his techniques were remarkable, were they easy to cultivate? Could just anyone replicate such feats?

Whenever pride began to creep into Kai's thoughts, he was swiftly reminded of his place. The defeat by the Silver Spear came just in time... followed by pursuits in the Shadow Groves. All of it reminded Kai that he was far from what one might call “true strength”.

As Elder Kayus said, "A dead genius is no longer a genius". Even if Kai's potential was incredible, any mediocre elder could cut it short right now. It was crucial not to forget that.

"This is Grand Elder Dalanar. He is the Master of Iris," Elder Kayus introduced, pointing to a man with thick black hair and a hint of stubble.

"Pleased to meet you! My name is Kai!" He replied respectfully and bowed.

"Stop right there, young man! I already know who you are. Your Alchemical Array has caused quite a stir," the man replied with a smile, "I'm also pleased to meet you in person," he added warmly.

"Heh-heh..." Kai laughed amiably, "Elder Dalanar, you're giving me too much credit," he said, grinning.

"Oh? And why's that?" the man asked with genuine curiosity.

"Because, overall, I'm not that strong in arrays. I just marketed my knowledge very effectively. If you were to evaluate my skills, the Alchemical Array is almost the only thing worth noting," Kai explained with a crafty smile.

"Even if that's the case, it doesn't change anything. You just think in slightly different terms. For someone, creating such an array could be the pride of their life. Even if, in everything else, they are novices," Dalanar countered.

"But with that mindset, can you really achieve much?" Kai quickly retorted.

For some reason, an instant debate sparked between them. They hadn't even properly introduced themselves before they began trading arguments. And from an outsider's perspective, it didn't sound very constructive. It seemed they understood each other's points without much explanation.

"You're right in some ways and wrong in others," the man said with a smile.

"Don't mind him, Kai. Dalanar loves a good argument." Elder Kayus laughed, interrupting their conversation.

"You sound like you're any different," the man quipped, looking at Elder Kayus.

"Dalanar, now you want to argue with me too?" Kayus retorted, rolling his eyes.

"Why not? Hahaha!" the man exclaimed, bursting into laughter.

"I like you guys!" Kai joined in, laughing.

"Just great! You two getting along already?! Are you trying to annoy me?!" Kayus shouted in mock frustration.

"Come on, Elder Kayus, we're just joking." Kai chuckled, "Actually, I came to ask you something," he added, steering the conversation.

At that moment, no one was even paying attention to Iris. She sat silently, motionless. She seemed to wish she could turn to stone and become utterly invisible, at least until Kai left.

"Why did he come now, of all times?! If I speak up, the Master will immediately suspect something's amiss!" Iris thought in panic.

"A question? What might that be?" Kayus inquired with interest.

"To be upfront, I just want to try..." Kai began cautiously, "Could you tell me about the Tournament for selection into the Top 100 Rank?" Without hesitation, he posed his question.

"Kai..." Kaius's face suddenly shifted. But after a moment's reflection, it relaxed again. "Although... You've come quite far already," the old man mumbled.

It seemed that initially, just like Elder Ovian, he wanted to dissuade Kai from this idea. But upon realizing the progress Kai had made over the past six months, it didn't seem so outlandish anymore.

Although Kaius doubted Kai would make it to the Top 100 Rank, even a mere rise in position would be a remarkable achievement.

"Hmm... As far as I know, the Tournament is scheduled for about a month from now. The exact date will be announced a week before its start. The opening of the Island of Reincarnation is in two months," Kaius began to explain, "By that time, the top 100 Personal Disciples will have been determined, giving everyone time to journey westward," he added calmly.

"I see... Good thing I returned on time." Kai replied with a chuckle.

As it turned out, his speculation was correct. The Tournament was indeed approaching. He could spend the next few weeks diving into the Alchemy and Array Alliance archives.

"Do you aim to enter the Top 100?" Elder Dalanar inquired.

"Well... Nothing ventured, nothing gained," Kai responded with a smile.

"You'd do well to think this through," the man replied gravely.

"Is the Tournament that perilous?" Kai asked with a hint of skepticism.

"It's not about the Tournament, young man. It's about if you actually make it to the Top 100," Dalanar vaguely responded.

"And what's the issue with that? Can you explain?" Kai, still perplexed, inquired again.

It seemed Elder Dalanar was hinting at something. But Kai couldn't grasp the core issue. Why was it ill-advised to aim for the Top 100? Or was there another underlying problem?

"It's straightforward. Historically, the majority of individuals ranked between 100-90 perish. The Island of Reincarnation is treacherously dangerous," Dalanar stated gravely, "If you manage to get there... consider it a near certainty that you'll die. I understand this might not deter you. But don't think you're exceptional. Too many young ones like you have already fallen there," the man added sternly.

"I agree with Dalanar. Even if you're at Rank 90, once you step onto Island of Reincarnation, you'll be among the weakest there. And to be frank... even your own people might kill you," Kaius said, looking straight at Kai.

They were not blissful idiots, and they understood the true nature of things. The world of martial arts masters is brutal! There's no room for sentimentality! As long as you're on common ground, fighting for a shared cause, you are allies. But when personal interests become the sole pursuit, everything can change instantly... At that moment, you become mortal enemies!

It seemed they wished for Kai's star to remain safe for now, to shine brightly in the future. Only when he could face the majority of threats should the time for Island of Reincarnation come! To lose such talent in haste... That would be exceedingly foolish!

V.2 Chapter 220: Iris Failed Escape

The atmosphere in the room took on a slightly gloomy tone. It was clear that these Elders wanted only the best for Kai. Of course, there were also other selfish motives, like the Alchemical Array and Kai's overall potential. Most likely, in the future, he would be able to produce even more astonishing arrays. And this, in turn, would positively affect the development of the entire Array Alliance.

Still, Kai's safety was the primary concern. Young and impulsive individuals often want everything immediately. But almost always, such haste results in its own disaster!

"I understand what you are trying to say, Elders... And I am grateful for your candidness," Kai calmly stated, "But then I have a question. Which of the great martial arts masters achieved their position by cultivating in safety?" He asked with a smile.

Presently, the men's expressions hardly changed. They understood this all too well. The path of martial arts is not a place where guarantees exist. Almost the entire life of cultivators is about overcoming oneself and constantly battling external circumstances. Those who do not want to accept this simply stop or altogether deviate from this perilous path.

"Sigh... You're right, young man," Dalanar said with a somewhat melancholic nod.

"Pay no mind, Kai. We just become more and more sentimental with age. Hahaha," Kayus laughed heartily.

"To be honest, I've long decided which path to take," Kai said with a smile, "My path only moves forward, and I don't care at what point it might end. If I can reach the very peak — wonderful! If I die in the process — so be it!" Kai laughed confidently.

There was no arrogance in his words, just complete conviction. It was evident this wasn't a childish fantasy or youthful extremism. These words came straight from Kai's heart. The heart of martial arts!

"Commendable... I'll remember your words and will watch your progress," Elder Dalanar said, looking intently at Kai.

"Pal, you're just not used to it. This guy loves to pull off something like that." Kayus said, breaking the slightly dramatic atmosphere and laughing.

The conversation between the three flowed quite casually. It was clear each one enjoyed the company of the others.

But they completely forgot that another person was still present...

Continuing to discuss various matters, Dalanar began to inquire about specific elements of the Alchemical Array. In turn, Kai did not play coy and openly shared everything he knew.

Overall, Kai understood that within the Shadow Sect, no one could replicate his array. Moreover, Kai's primary focus in life was not on Array Mastery. Thus, he didn't care about revealing the technology behind some of its elements.

Furthermore, as a result, he was establishing good ties with another of the Great Elders! In Kai's view, this was a far more valuable acquisition than the useless status of being the sole keeper of secrets.

Perhaps someone in Kai's position would consider this information to be the most crucial in their life, their own achievements that should never be shared!

Even Dalanar and Kayus were quite surprised that Kai answered their questions so candidly. Initially, they thought he would only provide some hints. But currently, things were different... Kai slowly drew with energy in the air, allowing them to see everything clearly.

These Great Elders already possessed a Spiritual Sea! This demonstration was incredibly valuable to them! They could genuinely grasp something from Kai's words and actions.

It was quite a funny situation… Everything looked as if Kai were delivering a lecture to these Great Elders.

For his part, Kai didn't mind at all. They asked him questions — he answered them. In doing so, he strengthened his relationship with the two Great Elders. In Kai's eyes, this was just wonderful!

Kai had many more valuable secrets worth keeping, such as the Sphere of Essence, about which he decided never to tell anyone. Compared to all this, individual elements of the Alchemical Array were merely a joke!

This exchange of information lasted about an hour. But that wasn't the end of it... Now, Kai started asking questions. Earlier, he had heard many interesting things in the Array Alliance plaza. Now, he had plenty of questions that intrigued him.

And who better to answer them than the two Great Elders?

Kai's knowledge about Array Mastery worked quite oddly. At times, he was an expert who could teach lessons to the Great Elders. Yet, in other moments, he was so incompetent that an ordinary disciple could mock him. Such a situation was undoubtedly not favorable…

Therefore, Kai decided that he would spend the entire month leading up to the Tournament on this. He would finally fill the gaps in the foundation of his knowledge. To start, he would spend two weeks in the Array Alliance. Then, he would move on to the Alchemy Alliance.

Kai understood that with his status, there would certainly be people who wanted to help him. In general, even one Elder Brud was enough. Moreover, alchemy was more flexible in terms of study. Much could be conveyed in written format. But most importantly, Kai had the residual memories of the Astral Emperor of Alchemy! All he needed to do was brush up on modern alchemical methods. Perhaps he might even discover something interesting!

Time slowly moved forward...

The trio had been talking for several hours straight. Kai was continually amazed and kept asking leading questions. It seemed his thirst for knowledge was truly insatiable.

Meanwhile, Iris had been slowly edging away this entire time... Finally, she quietly approached the door, pondering how she might sneak out...

"Why did he come here?! And why is my teacher sitting and chattering with that... that..." As she began to blush again, Iris thought.

At that moment, Elder Dalanar suddenly said:

"Listen, it's getting late... Since our conversation is going so well, why end it? Let's have some tea or perhaps something stronger?" The man inquired, looking at his companions.

"Exactly! I agree! What do you think, Kai?" Elder Kayus chimed in, supporting Dalanar.

"Honorable Elders..." Kai began solemnly, "If I can have some fine alcohol... How could I possibly decline?! Hahaha." Quickly changing his tone, Kai laughed heartily.

"Who would've doubted! You're the Immortal Drunkard after all! Ha-ha." Dalanar teased.

Saying this, he raised his head and looked towards the room's exit.

"Iris, call the guard!" He shouted.

At these words, the girl flinched as if she were a cat whose tail had been stepped on!

"Why?! Master, why?!" Iris mentally lamented.

But she didn't dare voice her thoughts and merely turned with a polite smile, saying:

"Understood, Master Dalanar. Please wait a moment."

Just as Iris turned and was about to open the door, a cheerful shout sounded from behind her!

"Oh! It's Lady Azure Blade! How did I not notice you earlier?" A familiar voice rang out.

At that moment, Iris felt as though she had frozen in place! She was overwhelmed by a storm of emotions! Anger, sadness, injustice, shame, offense! Yet, deep down, she had often wondered where Kai had been all this time. At her core, she realized she wanted to talk to him again. Even considering that awkward evening, she harbored no ill will towards him.

More accurately, all these negative emotions she felt were directed at herself. Iris fully understood that she was to blame for what had happened. But fully accepting it was rather hard!

"Ah… It's you, Kai... Hello…" With a forced smile, Iris awkwardly spoke.

"Come on! Relax." Kai laughed, "Call the guard and join us! We're not planning to leave yet!" He added with a smile.

"I'll kill him! I will kill…” Starting to seethe, Iris thought.

She understood perfectly that Kai was mocking her right now. Iris would have been incredibly happy if she could just go home and not participate in this feast!

"By the way, your stone act was magnificent! How did you manage to pretend to be still for so long?" Kai teased with feigned shock.

"Hahaha! Truly! Why did you do that? We're not blind," Elder Dalanar laughed heartily.

Hearing this, the girl blushed so intensely that the pulsing from her heartbeats echoed in her head. It felt like all the blood was rushing to her face!

"Master! You! You!" Stammering, Iris began to shout.

Currently, Elder Kayus shook his head sadly... It seemed that Elder Dalanar had similar problems with choosing the right words. In this, he and Kai were very alike. This duo didn’t mince words…

As a wise and old man, Kayus clearly saw what was happening here. But non-interference was his best choice…

"Come on, Iris! We're just joking! Come sit with us, I'll go get the guard myself!" Kai shouted with a smile.

He had enjoyed the situation quite enough. After that evening, teasing Iris became as delightful as teasing Taemi.

Seeing Iris's state, Kai realized it was better not to push her further. So he decided to calm her down a bit...

Without delay, Kai quickly stood up and moved toward the door. As soon as he approached her, he smiled and said:

"Hello, Iris. It's been a while! Don’t be upset; you know my nature. Sit down; I'll go get the guard."

Presently, the girl's heart began to beat a tad faster... This situation stirred even more turmoil in her emotions. But, surprisingly... Right then, she felt very good!

"Thank you, Kai…” A somewhat calmer Iris responded, heading straight to the elders.

Meanwhile, Kai didn't hesitate and quickly made his way to the halls of the Array Alliance. Finding the first staff member he came across, he explained the situation. It was simple, the Great Elders requested a dinner be organized for them. After these words, no further explanations were needed.

The staff of the Array Alliance knew their job very well. As soon as Kai returned, they hadn't even managed to discuss a single topic when a knock came at their door. Then people began to enter with various trays. Elder Kayus's table was filled in just a minute.

It could be said that the entire process took the Array Alliance staff less than twenty minutes. After all, high status does come with its privileges...

V.2 Chapter 221: Waiting Girl

As the evening progressed, Iris became increasingly relaxed. It seemed she was finally getting used to Kai's company and no longer blushed around him. A noticeable change had occurred: the girl was no longer mocking or pestering Kai.

Taking the initiative, Iris even independently began to refill the drinks for the Elders and for Kai himself.

Naturally, Kai couldn't miss the opportunity to ask why Iris wasn't joining them. But seeing her start to blush again, he simply changed the subject and continued his conversation with the Elders.

In reality, this conversation was also beneficial for Iris, even if Kai's initial questions were quite basic. As they delved deeper, the trio began to explore more complex topics, gradually shifting from simple questions to the realm of theory and hypotheses.

For instance, creating a flying platform was easy for the top Array Masters, but making a person hover was impossible due to the lack of sufficient energy. During the discussion, Kai pondered how to create an artificial source of massive energy.

Theoretically, such an artifact could power the array itself. Without it, transporting the necessary amount of energy stones was impractical. The quantity needed was so large that several wagons would be required. But then, how to make them fly as well?

Kai also considered the idea of absorbing energy directly from a spatial ring. He knew it was impossible but wondered if the Masters of Artifacts had ever attempted something similar.

The answer was obvious — of course, they had tried! But so far, no one has succeeded…

Thus, the night passed with them talking, debating, and laughing until dawn.

"It's time for us to leave, Iris," Elder Dalanar said calmly.

It was one of those moments when everyone says goodbye several times in a row. Finally, breaking this cycle, the Master and Disciples duo left Elder Kayus's office.

"Maybe you'll stay a bit longer?" the old man asked with a smile.

"Thank you, Elder Kayus, but I think I'll go too!" Kai laughed, slightly staggering as he followed out.

He was a bit drunk and decided it was time to head home. He planned to spend the next two weeks studying all possible information about the arrays. But that didn't mean Kai had to stay overnight at the Array Alliance. It was better to rest at home.

As Kai pondered this, a thought crossed his mind:

"Why the heck am I even paying rent if I've hardly spent any time there since joining the Shadow Sect…" he mused silently, moving under the rising sun's rays.

Although he walked in silence, his face was actively expressive. It was evident he was engaged in a continuous internal dialogue. Being slightly drunk made this behavior seem less odd.

Kai didn't hurry, and only after an hour did he finally reach the Palace of Shadows. At that moment, he saw a girl calmly standing at the entrance...

"Kai! It's really you!" the girl shouted, smiling happily as she rushed towards him.

As a martial arts master herself, it took her only a moment to reach him.

Seeing the girl, Kai instinctively opened his arms, catching her midair. Instantly, she was in his embrace...

"Hello, Taemi! What are you doing here so early? Hic..." Kai asked, hiccuping.

"Ha-ha. Your nickname suits you well," the girl laughed sweetly, her eyes a deep purple.

"You didn't answer my question... Are you waiting for me?" Kai asked suspiciously.

"Yes, I am!" the girl exclaimed joyfully, hugging Kai tighter, "Yesterday, Mera saw you at the Palace of Shadows entrance, and I rushed here right away!" Taemi declared proudly.

"Have you been waiting here for a day? And why outside?" Kai asked, somewhat stunned.

"Well... I'm not a Personal Disciple, so I'm not allowed to freely enter the Palace of Shadows. That's why I waited for you here." Taemi replied, smiling.

"Are you crazy? Do you realize I might not have returned for a whole week?" Kai asked, gently pushing her away by the shoulders.

"I'm not an idiot; I would've gone home! Actually, you're lucky! I was just about to leave!" Taemi pouted, "Why didn't you meet with me right away? You promised to go for a walk with me! Do you know it's been more than half a year?!" she exclaimed, visibly upset.

"Now, now, don't be angry." Kai smiled, patting her on the head, "I'm very busy, you know. I don't have the luxury of going out whenever I want," he added nonchalantly.

"Then ask the guards to let me visit you! I'll come by myself!" Taemi retorted, still upset.

"Why would you want that?" Kai asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I like talking to you... And I like you too!" Taemi blurted out, blushing, "As a friend! Just as a friend! Don't get any wrong ideas!" Realizing what she had said, she quickly tried to clarify.

It was clear that Taemi's fondness for Kai had only grown during his absence. She was genuinely thrilled to see him again. She felt that if she couldn't see Kai on her own terms, he might disappear again for a long time.

As she pondered, Taemi felt that Kai was like a phantom. He occasionally flitted into her life, leaving an indelible impression, then vanished. This was beginning to irritate her. She decided it was time to take matters into her own hands.

"Aren't you worried you might be misunderstood?" Kai teased with a laugh.

"Why would that be?" Taemi asked immediately.

"A young girl frequently visiting a young man... Don’t you think people might suspect strange relations?" Kai asked slyly.

In truth, he couldn't care less about what he had just suggested. He simply enjoyed teasing Taemi and seeing her embarrassed. Whenever he had a chance to do so, he would, especially with insinuations of a sexual nature, which were most embarrassing for a girl like her.

Taemi's face instantly turned red upon hearing Kai's words. But in her eyes, there was something odd... Instead of embarrassment or shame, she seemed to be in a confused daze, her eyes slightly shimmering.

It was as if she were conducting a complicated monologue in her head. Either she was trying to figure out what she was feeling and thinking, or she understood everything but didn’t know how to express it.

Earlier, when she blurted out that she liked Kai, she felt a sense of exhilaration and relief, as if she had long wanted to tell him. But then, she immediately started backpedaling...

"I'm such a fool! Why did I start saying I like him just as a friend! I wish he knew my true thoughts..." Taemi thought, confused.

"Taemi, why are you silent? Aren’t you bothered by such a possibility?" Kai teased again, trying to draw her out of her thoughts and back to the embarrassing question.

At that moment, she looked up at Kai... Her face was deeply flushed, and her eyes were even a bit watery. It seemed she was gathering all her courage to say what she wanted.

"If it's with you, I don't care!" she exclaimed in utter embarrassment, closing her eyes.

"What…" Kai gasped in shock...

He had not expected such a reaction from this beautiful, lively girl! He was just teasing her, provoking her to embarrassment... But he certainly did not anticipate this!

It should be noted that although Kai was not interested in romantic adventures, it didn't mean he was indifferent to beautiful girls. And certainly, instincts were not alien to him.

"But don't get the wrong idea! Even though I said what I said... I'm not ready for that yet!" Taemi exclaimed with all the determination she could muster, "It doesn't matter what you respond! Nor does it matter what you think of me! I like you, and I've liked you for too long for that to change in the future! So, just make me that damned pass, so I can visit you!" she said, with tears welling up in her eyes.

Hearing all this, Kai was instantly stunned! Such a thing had never happened in his life before! He had absolutely no idea how to react... Although he had connections with Solina and was quite free in his interactions with other girls... This was nothing like having to respond to a confession of love!

"Damn! What the hell is happening?! How should I react to this?!" Kai screamed in his mind.

He was completely caught off guard by the situation! It seemed to him that he had never felt so helpless, not even in life-threatening situations!

"Damn... What did my old man use to say?!" Kai frantically tried to remember, digging for anything that could help defuse the situation!

Currently, only the absurd stories of Master Mo could help! Even though all his tales seemed like proud fabrications, Kai didn't doubt that the old man was telling the truth. Lying was not in Master Mo's nature!

"My boy... Women come and go... Just be confident in yourself and follow your goal. If such behavior offends a girl, it's perfectly normal. It's far worse if, in trying to maintain good relations, you trap both the girl and yourself in illusions! That's much harder to escape from! Don't try to be good to everyone. In such matters, just speak your true thoughts!" Master Mo's words suddenly echoed in Kai's mind.

"Right! I need to do what, I think, is right and tell the truth!" Realizing how to proceed, Kai thought.

All this happened in Kai's mind in just milliseconds! In reality, Taemi had just finished her speech. Kai was only stunned for a moment!

Immediately after, his facial expression returned to normal, and he took a deep, slow breath...

"Alright, Taemi, just don't shout! I'll make you that pass." Kai said, laughing carelessly.

Hearing this, Taemi instantly relaxed and a wave of exhilaration rose in her heart. But then, she became slightly cautious... After all, Kai hadn't really responded to her confession!

But at that moment, Kai didn't remain silent, instead opening his mouth again…

"About your confession..." Kai began frankly, "You are an incredibly beautiful girl, and I do like you too. Nevertheless, to be honest, I don't know much about matters of love. I'm constantly focused on my path as a martial arts master... And that's probably never going to change," Kai said with a kind smile.

For some reason, hearing this made Taemi radiate with happiness! Seeing her reaction, Kai couldn't understand what the girl was thinking...

"Ha-ha! Thank you for responding, Kai!" Taemi laughed and threw herself into his arms again.

But this lasted only a second! Then she took his hand carefree and said:

"Let's go show me where you live, so I know where to come." Taemi said with a smile, "And about your words... I already know what you are like and didn't expect anything different. But I'm glad that you like me too! And most importantly — you didn't brush me off after my words! That's enough for me! Let's go!" she laughed and tugged Kai by the hand. At that moment, she radiated an aura of warmth and femininity.

V.2 Chapter 222: Self-Focused

Kai looked at the girl walking ahead of him, holding his hand. Her long, black hair beautifully swayed at that moment.

"Her hand feels so pleasant to the touch..." Kai thought, as he glanced at her small, well-kept feminine palm.

At that moment, Kai's conscience briefly awakened. He wondered if he was being too self-serving in his relationship with this girl. Although he genuinely liked her, Kai never really considered anyone as a romantic interest. He found it utterly uninteresting.

In essence, after Taemi's confession, nothing fundamentally changed in Kai's mind. He simply decided to be gentler with her and would try to support her if she needed help.

"Strange... It somewhat reminds me of how I perceive Brother Diso..." Kai thought, following Taemi.

In reality, there were only a few people Kai sincerely wanted to help. These were Master Mo and his Brother Diso. And recently, Brother Shuo had been added to that list... Although it seemed that the latter hardly needed it. The Lone Buddha was, after all, a free and detached person. He probably didn't need anyone...

At that moment, Kai felt something similar towards Taemi. It wasn't friendship, nor was it love. She was closer to entering the circle of people close to him. Although Kai didn't hesitate to use them for his purposes, he also gave them their due... It would be untrue to say that the relationship between Kai and Diso was selfless. But it was this very aspect that allowed them to quickly rise in the hierarchy of Border Beast City.

Contemplating this, Kai quickened his pace and caught up with Taemi. He looked at her and asked:

"Listen, Taemi... Why were you so delighted with my response? Overall, it's quite ambiguous." He said frankly.

Hearing this, the girl smiled slyly and replied just as frankly:

"From our first meeting, I realized that you were not quite ordinary... And when I met you again after several years, I was only further convinced of it. I feel a strange, but pleasant attachment to you. I understand that expecting the same from you would be foolish, as you are a wholly different type of person." Taemi explained without reserve.

It seemed that after her confession, she had completely stopped being shy. Now she had nothing to hide and was entirely free in her expression.

“You are someone who focuses only on yourself. With your behavior, you might offend some people... But are those really your problems?” Taemi asked with a smile, “I don’t know why, but I feel this trait of your character very strongly. And I like it! I didn’t expect you to respond in a way that mirrors mine. I just hoped you would understand my words correctly… And you did! Ha-ha.” The girl said happily.

Listening to her response, Kai didn’t quite understand what she was talking about…

“To be honest, I don’t understand the meaning of your words…” Kai said, looking puzzled.

“Hahaha!” Taemi burst into laughter hearing Kai’s response, “Basically, all you need to know is... I am glad that you allowed me to be by your side. I expect nothing in return.” The girl added with a sweet smile.

“But it’s strange… We haven’t spent much time together. Why do you want to be near me so much?” Kai continued to inquire.

Somehow, Old Mo's advice had worked… Kai decided to continue in the same vein and be completely honest with Taemi. He truly did not understand the motives of this girl.

“Yes... Although in reality, we haven’t spent much time together… But since our first meeting, I haven’t stopped thinking about you. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but when I saw you the second time, my feelings only intensified,” Taemi replied calmly, looking at Kai, “In fact, we've only talked a few times… But in my head, you've been there for several years!” The girl added, laughing.

At that moment, she openly shared all her emotions and thoughts with Kai without any embarrassment. Indeed, such candor requires remarkable courage! This level of honesty certainly deserves respect.

“I’ve been in your head for several years?” Kai asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes. After you were taken to the Border Beast City, I constantly thought about you. So, when I met you in the restaurant, I acted so oddly…” the girl admitted, slightly embarrassed, “Knowing you, you’ll soon disappear somewhere again. Therefore, I want to savor real interaction with you while you’re still here.” Taemi said with a smile.

“I still don’t understand… But I also enjoy spending time with Taemi. At least, with her determination, she has earned my respect. I should give her the due time and spend more time with her. After all, there’s still time before the Tournament, and constantly hanging around in the archives isn’t very healthy…” Kai thought, looking at Taemi.

“Thanks for trying to explain all this to me.” Kai said, laughing, “To be honest, I’ll have some spare time in the coming month. I’ll mainly spend the entire day in the archives of the Array Alliance, and in the evening we can walk. Or you can come to me, and we can talk there.” Kai offered candidly.

He wasn’t trying to hint at anything now. He honestly spoke about his immediate plans.

"Wonderful! Then, when I have time, I will come to you! And if we feel like it, we can go for a walk from there!" Taemi replied, beaming with happiness, "By the way, why only in the Array Alliance? Have you stopped liking alchemy?" The girl asked, a bit sadly.

"That’s right! You are an Alchemist too!" Kai suddenly laughed, "For the second half of the month, I plan to focus on the Alchemy Alliance archives. So, I might need your help!" He added, smiling.

"Hooray! That's wonderful!" Taemi exclaimed, radiant with joy.

"Although this is all a bit strange… And I feel slightly out of my element… But why not spice up my daily life? After all, Taemi isn’t as annoying as Iris. It's really pleasant to spend time with her," Kai thought and quickened his pace.

He decided that for the sake of experiment, he would try to spend more time with girls. After all, Master Mo had told many interesting stories about his adventures. And according to him, it was a very fun and enjoyable pastime.

No matter how much Kai denied it, Master Mo's upbringing had its effects... Both incredibly useful and not so much... For example, Kai's warped sense of humor and his manner of sardonic laughter. Now it turned out that as soon as Kai grew up, a similar interest in women also emerged in him. And it was not yet clear whether this was good or bad...

Although Kai convinced himself that he did this for Taemi and honoring her... In reality, he himself was not averse to spending more time with a beautiful girl. Even the way he teased Iris was the first sprouting of his character in matters of love.

His love of freedom and cunning also became elements of his way of interacting with girls. He intrigued and captivated them without direct influence. Everything was done leisurely and quite naturally.

It seemed that Taemi was the first to understand this and immediately accepted it. She had an instinctive attraction to Kai himself, so this trait also appealed to her. She consciously agreed to be under his sway and even told him about it.

Only, he had not yet fully grasped the meaning of everything Taemi tried to express. For now, he still lacked experience in such matters...

Thus, Kai walked home with Taemi. She calmly waited while he went to the hot spring and freshened up.

He wasn’t trying to hint at anything now but spoke honestly about his immediate intentions.

“Great! Then, when I have time, I will come to you! And if it suits us, we can go for a walk from there!” Taemi replied, her face lighting up with joy.

She asked a lot about Kai's affairs in the Border Beast City and about himself in general. Kai, for the sake of politeness, also learned various things about Taemi. She told him about her journey from Lord Flick’s Mansion to the qualifying tournament in the Moonshine Empire's Capital, and how she eventually passed the selection for the Shadow Sect.

Kai listened calmly and did not interrupt her. He started to recall Master Mo’s advice and actively use it. Similarly, he remembered Shuo's words… He had said that Kai needed to just remember what his interlocutor said and occasionally ask leading questions. And it turned out to work really well!

Taemi didn't stay too long, as she had her own matters to attend to. Kai asked the Palace of Shadows staff to prepare lunch and give Taemi permission to visit his house.

After they finished their meal, the girl said goodbye sweetly and left. Kai decided that he had rested enough during the conversation and could return to the Array Alliance.

Even without meditation, Kai’s body slowly absorbed external energy, gradually bringing him to an optimal state. The alcohol also slowly left his system. He was ready to train!

The next two weeks were quite peaceful. Kai spent his time in the Array Alliance, either studying their archives and findings or spending time in the square listening to discussions. Over time, he began to participate in them and ask various questions.

During this time, he became even more known among the Array Masters. Many were surprised at how quickly Kai was progressing in his knowledge. If initially, he asked many silly and obvious questions, by the end of the second week, his arguments could stump even the most informed opponents. This was aided by his additional knowledge of the elements of ancient arrays and a more in-depth understanding of energy.

Naturally, this worked both ways. Kai similarly lost many discussions. But each time, he accepted it gracefully and thanked his opponent. This quality became one of the key reasons he was respected in the Array Alliance square. Kai was a Personal Disciple and Elder Kaius gave him a high-ranking Array Master certification. But he never behaved arrogantly towards others.

Also, every few days, Taemi would drop by Kai’s place. Mostly, she came to his house on her own and waited for him there. When Kai returned from the Array Alliance, the girl was already sitting in his living room.

Over these two weeks, they noticeably grew closer. Kai continued to tease and embarrass her, even though it became much more challenging. Taemi, in turn, stopped falling for provocations as often. She became more open with Kai and started showing some care for him. For instance, Taemi might adjust his hair or clothes, or pour him more wine when his glass was nearly empty.

Kai also began to understand Taemi much better. Although he remained carefree, Kai started to realize the pleasure Master Mo had talked about. Kai had already experienced the pleasure of sex, but he discovered that there were other enjoyable aspects too. He even began to wonder how Iris would behave in such a role…

They also walked through the night city. Taemi had been here much longer than Kai and showed him many interesting places. It turned out that in many ways, Kai was still a country boy…

Slowly, this began to change, and Kai adapted to the true life in such a huge city. Kai preferred solitary cultivation or, for example, endless hunting in the Shadow Groves. But diversifying his life with such events was quite nice...

Time slowly passed, and Kai began to visit the Alchemy Alliance. As it turned out, this did not affect the frequency of his meetings with Taemi. She also had many of her own responsibilities and tasks as a Senior Disciple and an Alchemist. In fact, not even all Personal Disciples had as free a schedule as Kai. After all, living requires earning Reputation Points…

Kai, in turn, skillfully settled this issue in the first months of his arrival in the Shadow Sect. He might not have been as wealthy as most people in the Top-100 Rank. But overall, this was not of interest to Kai...

As long as he can continue to improve himself without spending time earning Reputation Points, he is satisfied!

His main goal is to break into the Top 100 Rank and gain the opportunity to go to the Island of Reincarnation! Just one more week and they will finally announce the exact date of the Tournament!

V.2 Chapter 223: Trio

The last week of Kai's relatively calm days passed at a measured pace. Mainly, as planned, he spent his time in the archives.

Over the last month, he had discovered many interesting things. As he had previously suspected, many things were identical to the memories of the Astral Emperor of Alchemy. In fact, they were even more primitive in comparison. However, Kai also found several interesting recipes and facts that were previously unknown to him, such as the process of assimilating pills and similar matters.

Furthermore, Kai became more familiar with the properties and types of various ingredients. After all, following the apocalypse, many things had changed...

He also found an intriguing work about the Spirit Fire Sect. It was said that almost all martial arts masters there practiced Alchemy.

In the capital of this sect, there was a forbidden area called the Solar Source. It was rumored to be saturated with fiery energy. In such conditions, various Earthly Fires were regularly born. Overall, this was a key factor in nurturing so many Alchemists. Without absorbing the fire, one could not practice this craft.

During all this time, Kai spent much of his time with Taemi. She even invited Iris to join them for walks several times. It seemed that they got along really well over the last six months.

Although Iris was constantly shy, she still attended these meetings. After all, Kai was an interesting conversationalist for her.

Presently, it was one of such evenings. Today, Kai finished his research earlier. The sun was just setting, and it was still quite bright outside.

The trio was sitting on an open terrace on the top floor of a building. It was a well-known and popular restaurant within the Territory of the Shadow Sect. Only members of the Shadow Sect could relax here. Naturally, payment was made in Reputation Points.

For Taemi, the prices were impressive, but for Kai, with his status, they were negligible. Since Kai didn't care about the points, he paid for their first dinner himself. This trend had become their habit.

At first, Taemi felt quite awkward about this situation... But when it happened several times, she realized that convincing Kai otherwise was futile.

"By the way, Iris, have you heard anything about the Tournament?" Kai casually asked, pouring wine for the girls.

Sometimes they supported Kai and also ordered drinks. But in general, after a negative experience, they drank very little. Both Taemi and Iris couldn't shake off the embarrassment from their first drinking session with Kai for a long time. They considered it the most embarrassing moments of their lives.

"To be honest, no... However, I've noticed that recently many of the Elders have been actively engaged in something. Perhaps the organization of the event is nearing its end?" Iris mused aloud in response.

"Hmm... And how is it usually announced?" Kai asked, sipping his wine.

"As far as I know, flyers are distributed throughout the Territory of the Shadow Sect. Then, one must register at the Palace of Shadows. Of course, this is only if you've achieved the status of a Personal Disciple," the girl replied, trying to remember.

"Sister Iris, how exactly is this Tournament conducted?" Taemi chimed in, joining the conversation.

The three of them looked quite harmonious together. The surrounding atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. It seemed that over the last six months, Iris had also become more reserved. She was no longer the spoiled girl she used to be.

"Generally, only people from the Top 250 register for the Tournament. But even so, it's mostly pointless," Iris began with a smile, "There will be a seeding among participants from Rank 250 to 101. Then, through a draw, you get an opponent... Only the top 10 can challenge the Top 100 Ranks," she explained in detail.

Iris herself was not in the Top 250 Rank. But it seemed that she viewed those hoping for a miracle as fools. It was clear that for someone in, say, Rank 190, participating in the Tournament was utterly pointless. Yet, as practice showed, almost all 150 people from the 250-101 Rank range would attend each selection.

To Iris, such a situation seemed like self-deception. But what irritated her the most... It was that all these people were not idiots! Then why did they bother participating?!

In reality, each of the Personal Disciples was already a genius in their own right. Such people tend to be self-confident. They often consider themselves the chosen ones, better than others!

"Is it difficult to get into those 10 contenders?" Taemi asked with interest.

As a Senior Disciple, she wasn't much concerned with all this. It was pointless for her. Even though many Core Disciples knew the rules, Taemi preferred to mind her own business, rather than keep track of the stars of the Shadow Sect.

"Considering that you're disqualified after two defeats... Everyone can have a different number of fights, depending on their luck. In general, the elimination of the excess happens quite quickly," Iris replied calmly.

It all made sense, after the first series of fights, half would be eliminated, unable to continue due to injuries. For some, after the first loss, only one chance for a mistake would remain. And as the circle of contenders narrowed, the others would be eliminated more rapidly.

"If the draw works in your favor, you might only have to fight a few battles. But overall, it's all quite pointless. If you're truly worthy of being in the top 10, it doesn't matter how many fights you have to go through..."

"Wow... That must be really tough..." Taemi said, a bit anxiously, glancing at Kai.

"What are you looking at me for? You know, I plan to make it into that top ten!" Kai replied with a sly laugh.

"Show-off! Just make sure you don't get beaten up too badly there!" Iris retorted somewhat irritably.

Previously, she had tried to persuade Kai to withdraw from the competition. She only calmed down after Kai's cunning remark. He had threatened to reveal her secret if she didn't stop her attempts.

"Kai, is it really that dangerous?" Taemi asked, visibly worried.

"What the hell, are you both drunk or what?" Kai exclaimed, rolling his eyes, "You're martial artists just like me. You understand the dangers of our life just as well. Since when have you become so anxious? In my short life, I've been in situations that make the Tournament seem like child's play! What’s going to happen to me? At worst, I'll get beaten so badly I'll need a few days to recover. It won’t be the first time!" Kai said, clearly annoyed.

He was slightly irritated by this trait in women. Although caring is nice... And in the past month, Kai had fully experienced this himself… But sometimes, the flip side of this care could become a hindrance.

Generally, men are more reckless and prone to risk. It's in their nature... Hearing himself being coddled, Kai would start to get irritated.

"I'm pursuing the pinnacle of martial arts. Without risk, it's impossible! I've long decided that difficulties won't stop me. If I die along the way, so be it!" Kai stated firmly.

"Don't talk like that!" Taemi exclaimed, upset.

"If you die, who's going to restore the Alchemical Array? At least teach me if you're planning on leaving us... Hah..." Iris said sarcastically, letting out a light, mocking laugh.

Though she behaved this way, Iris was also worried about Kai. She just didn't want to show or admit it.

"Enough, you’re driving me crazy… If you keep up this nonsense, I won't take you on walks anymore!" Kai said, laughing maliciously.

"As if we need it! Hmph!" Iris retorted proudly, smirking.

"He-he… But you like Iris, why won't you admit it?" Taemi teased, looking at Iris and laughing.

"Stop making things up!" Iris quickly exclaimed, her cheeks blushing slightly.

Although Iris had been quite calm lately, such remarks still managed to throw her off balance. It seemed that Taemi did this deliberately, just to tease Iris.

"Alright, let's finish eating and take a little walk..." Kai said calmly, picking up his utensils.

"Then to your place?" Taemi asked with an enthusiastic smile.

"No. Tonight, I want a break from you guys," Kai replied with a stoic face.

"Come on! At least for a little while! It's not even night yet!" Taemi pleaded with playful, child-like antics.

Iris didn't join in this conversation, pretending to be uninterested. She slightly lifted her neat chin and looked away. But in reality, she was listening intently, wondering if Taemi could persuade him.

Usually, when they went to Kai's house, they entertained themselves with card games taught by Taemi. Sometimes, Kai would take a book off the shelf, read it, and humorously comment on it. This created an atmosphere quite different from the usual. The girls really enjoyed relaxing this way. After a hard day filled with cultivation and self-improvement, engaging in such silliness seemed almost magical.

"I said no!" Kai retorted, avoiding Taemi's gaze.

"Please! Just for a bit! You haven't finished reading us 'The Rose and the Feather'!" Taemi continued to plead.

She grabbed Kai by the forearm and started rocking him back and forth, making it difficult for him to eat.

"I'll be bathing and walking around naked!" Kai said, turning around seriously.

Hearing this, Iris's face instantly turned red. Scenes from six months ago suddenly flashed in her mind! That evening, she had seen literally everything!

"Don't lie! You won't! We'll wait until you're done bathing, and then you'll finish reading us that book!" Taemi said with a sly laugh.

Over the past month, she had come to understand Kai's habits quite well. Taemi knew that Kai was close to agreeing. This wasn't the first time this had happened.

When Kai truly wanted to be alone, he spoke in an entirely different tone and used radically different phrases. In such moments, Taemi immediately understood that it was pointless to persuade him. In fact, when this happened, she didn't even try. It was a simple matter of respect for Kai.

"What's with the resistance?! Make up your mind already!" Iris exclaimed, turning around irritably.

"Why are you so energetic all of a sudden? You just pretended not to care! I caught you!" Kai laughed loudly, teasing her.

He deliberately played up the whole comedy because Iris still occasionally acted this way. Every time he caught her in it, she would instantly blush and start yelling.

"Idiot! If you don't want to, then we won't go anywhere!" Iris exclaimed, beginning to get angry.

"If you don't want to go, Sister Iris, then don't. But I'm going!" Taemi said with a cunning laugh.

"Taemi, you traitor?!" Iris retorted with a hint of offense.

"Traitor? There's no such thing here. Just two stubborn people, and I'm not one of them! Hahaha," Taemi laughed heartily.

"Maybe you're right..." Kai agreed, nodding his head in approval, "It seems Iris and that waiter both have pretty bad tempers... Ahh..." he added with a heavy sigh and a sad tone.

"Go ahead! You're always grumbling like a grumpy old man!" Iris shouted irritably.

"I was just raised by a strange old man. He was my Master... His name is Mo!" Kai said seriously, nodding, "That's why I grew up to be a young old man!" he declared proudly, lifting his chin.

"Idiot!" Iris exclaimed, slapping her forehead.

"Hahaha. Let's finish eating and go for a walk. And then to Kai's!" Taemi said, watching the whole scene with a sweet addition.

V.2 Chapter 224: Registration for the Tournament

The evening turned out to be quite enjoyable. After their walk, Kai eventually agreed to have the girls over. As usual, their plan to stay for just a little while didn't work out – they ended up staying at Kai's almost until dawn, their gathering ending only at sunrise.

At that moment, Kai finally went to take a bath and tidy up.

"Ahh... Good..." Kai exhaled contentedly.

He was quite relaxed now... Over the last month, some of his habits had changed. While he remained the same Kai, he had become more attentive to others. This was largely the result of advice from Shuo. Kai tried to listen and remember what others told him. And as it turned out, this approach really worked well.

Of course, Kai only used this method with people he found useful or interesting. In other cases, he continued to ignore the world around him.

Kai had been a very thoughtful person since childhood. People were amazed at how a child could think so sensibly and maturely. Many in this world live in terrible conditions, some even worse than Kai's... Hard times indeed create strong people. But children like Kai were rare. For many, such an environment broke them, rather than toughened them.

Even considering all this, sobriety and coolness of mind are not the same as life experience. Many things were still beyond Kai's grasp. The illusions of the Queen of Lust had shown Kai the variety of the world of carnal pleasures and delights. But she couldn't show the deeper, human feelings like friendship, loyalty, love, sacrifice, betrayal, the fickleness of human nature, and many others. All these things can only be earned by living life methodically.

Now was precisely the stage when Kai started paying attention to such things. And only now did he begin to analyze and evaluate them all. Lately, many phrases and stories of Master Mo started to make sense. Previously, they seemed to Kai like the ramblings of an old man.

"Spending time with Iris and Taemi is really pleasant... But still, pursuing the pinnacle of martial arts is far more interesting. I doubt I could ever give up my goals for a peaceful life with loved ones. It's just not for me..." Kai thought, lying in the hot water.

Such thoughts had been appearing in his head, not for the first time. And each time, they led Kai to the same conclusion... Kai wants to break through to the higher echelons of this world! Only then will he be able to find answers to many of his questions!

During his brief wanderings, Kai had "seen" at least two masters whose powers were beyond comprehension: the Astral Emperor of Alchemy and Kessia. Having learned the hierarchy of power on the Heavenly Continent, Kai was certain they were at the peak of the Core Sphere! Perhaps they had even touched the secrets of the Divine.

Although in modern times, it was believed that the Core Sphere was the final stage of a martial artist's development, it seemed that before the apocalypse, the overall strength of the world was much greater.

Even Elder Brud spoke of the words of the Patriarch of the Shadow Sect. In the Core Sphere, everything changes and simple absorption of energy no longer works. One must align with the properties of their Core, extracting only what suits them from the environment. Essentially, the current Core Sphere master acts on intuition, experimenting in an attempt to advance. What if they simply don't know the correct method? Or is it that in the conditions of the modern Heavenly Continent, the right approach is impossible?

"The Tournament should be happening any day now... If all goes well, I'll head to the Island of Reincarnation. What awaits me there is still unknown..." Kai pondered, "Looking too far ahead is foolish... But if everything goes as planned there, then I'll embark on a long journey. So, seeing Iris and Taemi often is just not meant to be." He thought, sipping his wine.

"He-he... Well, we'll see how it goes. No point in worrying about it now." Kai smiled and drained his glass in one gulp.

He was already thinking about his next moves. In essence, he had two options. Either he makes it into the Top 100 Rank, or he doesn't. If he fails, Kai would venture into the outside world.

Kai knew well that the Shadow Sect issued assassination orders. Taking such an order would allow him to travel to distant lands and see the world. It was a good way to gain more experience and also strengthen his lineage. In the outside world, he could find many more "targets", unrestrained by the laws of the sect they shared.

If he does break into the ranks of the lucky few, it won't change much. Upon returning to the Shadow Sect, taking an assassination contract would be just as excellent an option.

Either way, Kai wouldn't just cultivate peacefully within the confines of the Shadow Sect. At the first opportunity, he would embark on his own adventures. The idea of taking someone along wasn't even a consideration for Kai. In such a case, any companion would become a burden to him.

Kai's actions and decisions were quite extreme... It's unlikely that anyone would want to partake in what Kai had orchestrated in the Shadow Groves... Moreover, Kai had a lot he absolutely did not want to reveal to others.

It turned out that, in any case, his path was meant for him alone. He had to walk it by himself.

Kai understood this perfectly well. And this fact didn't seem heavy or sad to him. Solitude has many advantages; one just needs to have the right nature to see them. Or, alternatively, cultivate the necessary qualities within oneself…

For a complete person, solitude is never perceived as a burden. On the contrary, it's a time when you can talk to the only person who understands you and has been with you since birth. The person who shares every second of your life with you.

Kai was of the first type. He didn’t need to cultivate these qualities; his personality was inherently such. From childhood, he always kept a light distance from everyone. He wasn’t aloof or introverted. Simply, he felt great when alone with himself.

Indeed, these were some of the most important traits of a true martial arts master... Wholeness and self-sufficiency! Only such personalities could endure all the obstacles and privations of their path.

People always want different things... For example, money, power, women, family, friends, or to commit evil.

There were techniques that were cultivated through violence or many other despicable things. And it must be said, the masters who cultivated them correspondingly found pleasure in such acts. But even among them were true martial arts masters. What distinguished them from the others was only one thing — their self-sufficiency and self-awareness suppressed any external temptations!

Very often, even strong martial arts masters stopped on their path. The reason was that they were inherently incomplete... For instance, it was quite common for a master to find a woman who could make him happy. In such moments, they complemented each other like two halves. Overall, this is wonderful and not something bad. Not everyone needs to relentlessly move forward, ignoring everything else.

Only, an initially complete person doesn't need completion. They don't need a life partner, a friend, or other factors to fill a void in their personality. They are already complete, without the need for external help. No reason can make such a person stop.

Everything that drove them was the pursuit of their path and the perfection of their completeness. If one imagines that the personality of a complete person is a core, then life experience, various situations, and new ideas are the elements that make it up. The longer one walks the path, the more elements they acquire. Gradually, they replace some core elements with new, deeper ones... Thus, their core constantly becomes stronger and stronger. This is what it means to perfect one's completeness!

Kai was the person who was just at the beginning of this path. He was only starting to fully realize himself. And finally, the moment came when he began to replace some of the old, more primitive “elements”. A clear example of this was that Kai started to listen to and remember the words of people important to him.

All this was the reason he wasn’t too worried about Iris and Taemi. Although they attracted him and were slowly entering his circle of close people... They could not become part of the core. In any case, Kai would continue to walk his path alone, occasionally returning to them.

Understanding this, Kai made no promises and had no expectations of these girls. He was glad he had made this clear to Taemi. It seemed she accepted these words without hesitation. But what will happen in the future remains a mystery. People change, and life does not stand still.

To expect that they would wait forever while he reached the pinnacle of martial arts was mere self-deception... And Kai did not want to engage in such.

The sun slowly rose in the sky, nearing midday...

Only at this moment did Kai finally leave his home. He decided to head to the Alchemy Alliance again. Lately, he hadn’t found anything interesting there, but he had nothing else to do. He didn’t want to waste the day idly.

Stepping out of the Palace of Shadows calmly, Kai suddenly stopped...

"He-he! There it is! Finally!" Kai exclaimed happily.

He saw a large parchment posted near the entrance. It read:

“The Tournament starts in three days! To register, go to the Palace of Shadows!”

"And I'm already here! He-he," Kai laughed joyfully.

He immediately turned around and went to look for the guard. They would surely know where he needed to go.

And that was the case, the man immediately directed Kai to the right area of the Palace of Shadows. That's where all potential contenders were registered. Kai didn't wait and quickly headed straight to the specified location. He had been waiting for this for a long time!

Within a quarter of an hour, Kai finally entered a large, round hall. At that moment, there were many middle-aged Elders present. It was apparent that these Elders were not of the highest order in the hierarchy of the Shadow Sect.

They sat in a circle, receiving the people who arrived there. Since the flyers had been recently posted, there was a noticeable influx of Personal Disciples.

The atmosphere also differed significantly from the banquet, where everyone was merrily indulging and celebrating. Currently, each of those present was a competitor! The air was filled with the scent of combativeness and opposition.

Many understood that they had little chance of winning. But it's important to remember that at this Tournament, one could at least advance in Rank. This was also a good prospect, especially for impulsive young people who constantly tried to compete with each other.

Kai calmly joined the queue and paid no attention to the frequent verbal sparring. Many were now throwing loud phrases and provoking each other. In fact, this was also an element of strategy. Intimidating potential competitors always worked well.

"Hello, I'd like to sign up for the Tournament," Kai said with a smile when it was his turn.

"Welcome, Immortal Drunkard. Are you sure? After all, you are still quite young," the young man asked amiably.

All the present Elders had detailed information about all Personal Disciples. Considering their abilities, memorizing all this information was not a difficult task. The man at the table knew perfectly well that Kai was only 15 years old, and it would be much better to try the next time.

"Yes, I'm sure. In any case, why not try my luck?" Kai laughed in response.

"Ahh... You young ones, always so reckless. But there's nothing to be done!" the Elder smiled, "Alright, Immortal Drunkard, you are registered for the Tournament of the Hundred. Come to the Supreme Fate Arena in three days!" the man announced ceremoniously and immediately called the next person in line.

"Thank you!" Kai replied with a smile, bowed, and left without holding up the queue.

V.2 Chapter 225: Contenders' Platforms

The subsequent three days flew by rather quickly. During this time, Kai didn’t leave his home or meet with Taemi or Iris. He was preparing himself to be in optimal condition.

Kai constantly meditated and practiced the Invisible King's Torture Technique. He finally needed a personal training room. Although it was nothing extraordinary, it at least allowed him to stretch out well and use his combat skills without fear of inadvertently revealing them to anyone.

On the first day, he even activated the Torture King Mode twice. Kai wanted to ensure he knew the exact time limit for its use. Back in the Shadow Groves, Kai noticed a dependency on absorbing the blood of victims.

If he orchestrated a massacre and activated Torture King Mode, then he could last about half an hour. But this was on the condition that he continuously absorbed blood. Naturally, in the training room and at the Tournament itself, such an opportunity would not be available. Therefore, Kai decided to prepare thoroughly.

At first glance, the result seemed modest. Kai's limit was about 5 minutes. After that, there was a rapid decline in strength and merciless backlash... But considering the overall increase in strength from this ability... Those 5 minutes were a terrifying advantage.

In Torture King Mode, all of Kai's combat and non-combat aspects rose to a new level. Even his aura took on echoes of the Queen of Lust and the King of Horror. If an opponent wasn't prepared for such an attack, they could fall into an illusion! In real combat, this momentary confusion would likely cost them their life!

Perhaps this trait would be Kai’s trump card... He wasn’t so overconfident as to expect an easy passage into the Top 100 Rank.

If the Silver Spear had done something useful, it was to teach Kai a lesson about his budding overconfidence. This lesson came not just from his defeat in the Supreme Fate Arena, but also from his reckless hunting without covering his tracks.

Now, Kai approached the Tournament with much greater caution. It was not in vain that both the Elders and Shuo warned him of the dangers... However, it should also be noted that over the last six months, Kai’s combat potential had reached an entirely different level.

Firstly, he had advanced to the high stage of the Cloud Sphere.

Secondly, he had greatly strengthened a new, previously ignored aspect of his power – his lineage!

Although, after absorbing Kessia's lineage, Kai’s body had become stronger, and the King of Pain had pushed him towards understanding "impulses"... But this wasn't the same as what happened in the last six months. The Shadow Groves had provided an opportunity for qualitative change!

And most importantly, Kai was able to grasp his new ability, which he had discovered back in the Time Tomb at the Border Beast City! Not only that, he had noticeably increased the duration of its use.

Presently, Kai understood that he was more ready for the Tournament than ever!

Through the windows, the rays of the rising sun began to break through… Finally, the day of the Tournament had arrived!

"We're off! Heh-heh," Kai said to himself, looking in the mirror, "Perhaps we'll meet soon, Old Man!" He said with a smile on his face and headed for the exit.

This was one of Kai's secret desires. Although he had never spoken of it to anyone, he longed to see his grandfather. They hadn't seen each other for a very long time, and Kai was a bit worried about Master Mo's wellbeing.

Kai wanted to break through to the Island of Reincarnation and further enhance his powers! After that, his only priority would be to meet with Master Mo!

Even though Kai was far from being at a level where he could assist his elder... He was still one of the seven strongest people in the Shadow Sect, excluding the Patriarch himself! But Kai at least wanted to meet and ensure everything was alright with him. For now, that would be enough...

Stepping onto the street, Kai was a bit surprised. There were a huge number of people there! Usually, such a scene was impossible to witness so early in the morning.

"Right... It must be because of the Tournament of the Hundred..." Kai suddenly realized.

In fact, only about a hundred and fifty people participated in the Tournament, as most of the Top 100 didn't fight at all. Only a handful of them would be challenged.

Considering this fact, Kai completely overlooked that a huge number of people would want to watch this spectacle! Given the size of the Shadow Sect and the Supreme Fate Arena... Several thousand people were sure to come! The spectator stands alone could accommodate them, and considering that many wouldn't mind standing...

"It seems that the Tournament of the Hundred is really a grand event in the Shadow Sect..." Kai murmured to himself.

Casually walking through the streets, as always, he was oblivious to his surroundings. Mostly, the crowd consisted of Core Disciples. Seeing Kai, they would part in awe and let him pass. Only a few of the Senior Disciples dared to greet him. In turn, Kai smiled and responded to everyone who addressed him.

"Why is everyone greeting me? It's starting to stress me out a bit..." Kai thought, raising an eyebrow.

Lately, he really had begun to pay more attention to his surroundings and people. But it seemed that this only applied to those who interested him... Apparently, ordinary people didn't fall into this category...

Leisurely, Kai finally returned to the Supreme Fate Arena. He hadn't been here for more than half a year!

"Heh-heh… Shuo praised it so much, and I've only been here once!" Kai laughed out loud.

Approaching the guard stationed near the arena today, Kai quickly found out where he needed to go. As a participant, he naturally didn't need to head to the spectator stands. It turned out that special seats had been set up near the arena itself.

When Kai saw them, he was slightly surprised... Next to the spectator areas, there were two platforms with individual tables set up on them. It was customary to sit at these in a lotus position. Each table was adorned with various snacks and a few pitchers that piqued Kai's interest.

One of the platforms was more exquisite, and it was almost twice as high as the first one.

"Hello, I am the Immortal Drunkard, one of the participants of the Tournament of the Hundred," Kai said with a smile, addressing the staff near the stage.

"Welcome, Lord Immortal Drunkard! Are you familiar with the customs, or shall we guide you?" A charming young woman spoke with honor.

"To be honest, I have no idea..." Kai said, rubbing the back of his head.

"Alright, then please follow me," the young woman said with a smile and gestured towards the lower platform.

Kai didn't linger and calmly followed the young woman...

"It's great that such people exist... Without them, nothing would work..." Kai thought, looking at this worker.

At that moment, Kai noted to himself that although such individuals were not particularly prominent in the hierarchy of the Shadow Sect... They definitely deserved respect. They were like the unnoticed details that allow a larger structure to function.

"You probably guessed that this platform is for contenders from the 250th to 101st ranks," the young woman politely said, indicating the lower one.

"Ah... Of course... I guessed..." Kai thought to himself.

"The one above is for the Top 100 Rank," the young woman continued, pointing to the second platform, "How to choose your seat? It's simple!" she said with a smile, "Just sit in the seat that corresponds to your Rank! Each one is numbered!" The worker explained.

"Ooo... Everything is so well-thought-out..." Kai mused, observing his surroundings.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're currently at the 245th Rank?" The young woman asked politely.

"Yes, you're absolutely right!" Kai laughed.

"Then this way, Lord Immortal Drunkard!" The worker said politely.

She quickly led Kai to the right spot and showed him where he would be sitting for the duration of the Tournament of the Hundred. At that moment, there were already other Personal Disciples there. Kai was not the first to arrive.

"Listen... Sorry... But may I ask a bold question?" the young woman asked timidly.

Kai seemed to her quite open and good-natured, which emboldened her to pose this question.

"Of course. Why not?" Kai replied with a smile.

"You're ranked 245th, and that's already impressive! But aren't you scared to participate in the Tournament of the Hundred? After all..." she asked cautiously.

"I haven't fought in a while, so my rank isn't quite accurate." Kai confidently declared.

"But many of the participants are in the same situation..." the worker replied awkwardly.

"Yes, that's true. But how can I call myself a master of martial arts if I don't take risks? If I get soundly beaten... So be it! Hahaha," Kai laughed heartily.

"I understand! He-he," the young woman giggled sweetly, "I hope everything goes well for you! I'll be rooting for you!" she said with a smile.

"Thanks for the support." Kai winked in response.

He had become more adept at interacting with women lately. His constant communication with Iris and Taemi was bearing fruit.

After exchanging a few more phrases, the young woman politely bowed and quickly left. After all, she was at work and had her duties.

"245th rank, huh? Heh-heh..." Kai thought to himself.

He understood that from the outside, it might seem amusing. But Kai's progress over the last six months has been colossal! The Shadow Sect's system had only added 26 points to him through cultivation level advancement. But that wasn't the only aspect of his progress!

While he was pondering, he didn't notice a radiant figure quietly approaching him...

"We haven't seen each other for a long time, brother Kai," a calm voice sounded.

Hearing it, Kai instantly turned his head! Nevertheless, just as quickly squinted and shielded his eyes with his hand.

"Brother Shuo, the sun's rays are reflecting off your bald head!" Kai grimaced.

"Is that how you greet your Brother?" Shuo said emotionlessly.

While Shuo spoke, Kai slowly stood up. Now, he could comfortably look at the Lone Buddha.

"Hello! Long time no see, Brother Lone Buddha! Heh-heh," Kai laughed and warmly hugged the monk.

In turn, the monk also put his arm on Kai's back and lightly patted it. They were genuinely happy to see each other, especially after such a long time.

"Where have you been? I see you're already at a high stage..." Shuo said, looking towards Kai's Energy Center, somewhat surprised.

"As you can see, I haven't been idle!" Kai replied with a cunning laugh.

V.2 Chapter 226: Reaper of Fear

Assessing Kai's progress, even Shuo showed some emotion on his face. It was evident that this fact had quite surprised him.

While others didn't know the stage of cultivation Kai was at half a year ago, Shuo was different. He understood perfectly well that his Brother had overcome two barriers! From the initial stage to the middle and then again to the high stage!

"I was right to trust my intuition," Shuo replied calmly.

"What are you talking about?" Kai asked cheerfully, laughing.

Currently, Kai was genuinely happy to finally meet his Brother again. Although their relationship differed from the one he had with Diso, Kai still felt a deep connection with this bald monk.

"When you suggested we become sworn brothers, I sensed you were a rather unique person. Also, that you would achieve great things in the future. That's why I agreed immediately," Shuo responded calmly.

"So, that's how it is! So our brotherhood is beneficial to you only from a selfish point of view?!" Kai exclaimed with feigned anger.

"Stop it, you know that's pointless," Shuo replied calmly, "You're not a saint either and not free from selfish motives," he added with a slight smile.

The Lone Buddha was hinting that it was Kai who initially suggested they become brothers for selfish reasons. This was obvious to Shuo, but he agreed nonetheless. As it turned out, neither of them lost out. Each gained their own benefit, but most importantly, a true Brother.

"How smart you are..." Kai said with a sour face.

"I'm grateful to fate for that," Shuo replied modestly, nodding his head.

"For what?" Kai asked quickly, raising an eyebrow.

"For giving me such a clear mind," Shuo answered calmly.

"Yeah, yeah... Maybe you're confusing a clear mind with a shining head?" Kai asked with a sardonic smile.

"I have plenty of that too," Shuo affirmed.

"You're showing off quite a bit for a monk... Perhaps you started drinking too? Heh-heh," Kai joked, laughing.

"As always, only tea," Shuo replied calmly.

Their conversations were always quite amusing. Kai loved to constantly joke and tease during their talks. But Shuo was absolutely unflappable, which only spurred Kai on. But most importantly, each of them understood that it was all in jest.

"Ahh... Sit down next to me, we still have plenty of time before the Tournament," Kai said with a smile, gesturing to the seat beside him.

Although these tables were meant for individuals, Kai and Shuo didn't mind sharing snacks from the same plates or sitting a little closer together.

Kai suggested this right away because he wasn't allowed on the platform for the top hundred. Even though it was more spacious there, he didn't care about that. As long as they could sit and chat with Shuo peacefully, everything was perfect! Kai simply didn't believe anyone would dare to drive the Lone Buddha away.

Shuo calmly walked around the table and slowly sat down in the lotus position.

"What have you been up to all this time?" Kai asked casually and, with a polite nod, summoned a nearby worker.

"I've been training as usual. Mostly here, at the Supreme Fate Arena," Shuo replied calmly.

At that moment, the young woman approached, silently waiting to be addressed. She didn't make a sound, not to disturb the conversation of the two Personal Disciples, one of whom was among the best in the entire Shadow Sect!

"Could you bring us some tea, please?" Kai said with a smile and then turned back to Shuo.

They had barely spoken for a few minutes when a clay teapot was placed on their table, emitting an astonishing aroma. It was definitely one of the best varieties.

Although alcohol didn't greatly affect Kai's state, he decided not to drink it before the Tournament. So, he chose to support Shuo in his beverage choice.

"Aren't you sick?" Shuo asked calmly.

"Why do you ask?" Kai replied, puzzled.

"Something other than alcohol will be poured into your mouth?" The Lone Buddha asked with a slight smile.

"Get out of here! I'm not going to get drunk before the Tournament…" Kai waved off the idea and took the teapot to pour for himself and his Brother, "By the way, tell me more about today's event," he added, lifting the teapot.

"It's simple. Defeat all opponents," Shuo replied unemotionally.

"Wow! Thank you, Brother Shuo! You're so smart!" Kai responded with mock shock, "Give me more details!" he exclaimed, turning his gaze to Shuo.

"I was entirely serious earlier. Just get through everyone and break into the top ten, who have the right to challenge the Top 100 Rank," Shuo replied just as calmly, "Judging the current masters... I think you'll have about 5–6 fights," he added, giving an assessment.

Shuo was constantly fighting in the Supreme Fate Arena and had been in the Shadow Sect for a very long time. He was more informed about the level of strength of the current generation of masters. At this Tournament, the overall level of masters was quite even.

Although the seeding worked on the principle of randomness, the masters still had the right to lose. Considering all this, the scenario where half would be eliminated in 2–3 rounds was unlikely.

"Anyway, what does it matter how many fights there will be? Just need to do it," Shuo added, lifting his cup of tea.

"You're right, Brother Shuo… Essentially, I share the same view. I just thought there might be nuances I should know in advance," Kai replied, also lifting his tea.

"No. Overall, everything is quite straightforward, no hidden traps," Shuo said, shaking his head.

It seemed that the Tournament was indeed quite fair. Of course, one might be unlucky with the draw and face only the strongest opponents, which could lead to an early exit and a lower rank.

But Kai wasn't there to increase his rank. He needed to break into the Top 100 at all costs! In such a situation, complaining about an unfair draw was out of the question. Either way, one would need to challenge someone from the Top 100. Simple luck wouldn't help with that.

"Listen... Suppose I make it to the top ten contenders... Whom should I challenge?" Kai suddenly asked.

This information was critical to him! Kai didn't know his opponents at all! The Top 100 was a complete mystery... Perhaps there were those in the first hundred who seemed the weakest, but in reality, they were the ones not to be trifled with!

"Hmm..." Shuo pondered thoughtfully. "I must warn you right away, there will be no easy stroll. Even if you think there's a chance, every one of the Top 100 is forceful," Shuo began.

"It's logical to assume that one should challenge ranks from 100 to 90," Kai added.

"That's true. But there are pitfalls in this strategy as well," Shuo replied thoughtfully.

"What are they?" Kai asked, immediately interested.

"Following sound logic, everyone will want to challenge the 100th, 99th, 98th spots. In cases where multiple contenders challenge one opponent, a random selection will be conducted again," Shuo explained, looking at Kai.

"What are you getting at?" Kai asked, not understanding.

"Don't interrupt. In short, they will waste time while fighting against a weaker opponent," Shuo sped up his explanation, "But currently, the ranks are not quite relevant. The guys in the 100-95 spots have grown a lot recently. Your target is the 93rd spot," Shuo said calmly.

"Brother Shuo, explain in more detail, so I understand your logic," Kai asked, leaning in a bit.

"Currently, the 93rd spot is occupied by the Reaper of Fear. He's good, but due to his arrogance, he has significantly slipped over the past two years. This guy has reduced the intensity of his training and spends more and more time in brothels," Shuo elaborated, "While everyone else wastes time fighting for the 'easiest' opponent, you should choose the 93rd spot. I think you won't have any competitors, and you'll be able to pick the most advantageous opponent for yourself," Shuo explained in detail.

"Heh-heh... So, this is who my next victim will be..." Kai said with a sinister smile.

"Victim? Be careful you don't become one," Shuo interjected, interrupting Kai, "Although he's weakened, following my logic. But that doesn't mean he's an easy opponent. His methods are very cunning and dangerous," the Lone Buddha spoke seriously.

Lately, Kai had grown accustomed to viewing all his opponents as victims. This was a slight residue left over from the Shadow Groves. Although Kai had expressed himself in such a manner, it didn't mean he was arrogant or underestimated his opponent. After all, the Silver Spear had taught him a valuable lesson!

"I know, Brother Shuo. It's just a figure of speech." Kai replied, laughing.

"That's good to hear. Underestimating an opponent is one of the stupidest things one can do in a fight," Shuo added, nodding.

In truth, Shuo still wasn't quite convinced that Kai would succeed. Even though Kai was now at a high stage of the Cloud Sphere... His final opponent would be at the initial stage of the Gravity Sphere... Considering that everyone in the Top 100 was a genius in their own right, overcoming this gap would be incredibly difficult.

Naturally, Shuo's assessment was based on the abilities Kai had previously displayed. No one but Kai himself knew about the existence of the Torture King Mode. He had already decided that he would reveal this ability only if it was the final battle!

If he couldn't reach the top ten without the Torture King Mode, continuing to fight further would be pointless! With the backlash, he might not recover in time for the next match. Moreover, if his trump card was revealed in advance, it would no longer be a trump card.

"And do you know anything about my potential opponents?" Kai asked with a smile, shifting the topic away from the remark about the victim.

"There will be plenty of good guys participating. It will be difficult to single out anyone specific. As you see, there will be ten arenas, so the best strategy is to observe," Shuo replied unemotionally, glancing at the center of the Supreme Fate Arena.

At that moment, ten smaller arenas were set up there. It would be better to say that spaces for them had just been marked out...

This was done to save time. Too many contenders were participating in the Tournament. If every fight was conducted separately and consecutively, it could take an entire month.

"It seems there are barriers..." Kai murmured to himself, assessing the situation with his Eyes of Essence.

"Of course. This is to ensure that the energy from one fight doesn't interfere with another," Shuo replied calmly.

"Logical..." Kai nodded in agreement.

Everything was well-thought-out. The selection would be quick and efficient. None of the contenders would interfere with each other.

V.2 Chapter 227: Enchanting Flute

As Kai and Shuo engaged in their leisurely conversation, the sun slowly rose higher. More and more people began to gather at the Supreme Fate Arena. The spectator stands had been filled for some time, as many had arrived even during the night.

Nobody wanted to miss such a grand event. Today, they would witness the battles of the best disciples of the Shadow Sect!

Currently, there was a loud buzz around as several thousand people were simultaneously discussing, laughing, and arguing. All these sounds merged into a noise that spread throughout the area.

Contenders also began arriving in droves. The closer the start of the tournament, the more people arrived...

When almost the entire area for the lower-ranked contenders was occupied, Shuo stood up and left for his own spot. Their joint seating was beginning to inconvenience other Personal Disciples. Everyone understood who the Lone Buddha was and didn't dare utter a word against him.

On the contrary, this fact sparked strong interest in Kai's persona. This was not only among the contenders but also the spectators. Many took note of this fact. If Kai dared to converse so freely with one of the strongest Personal Disciples, especially one known for his reclusiveness... Many had the same thought:

"The Immortal Drunkard definitely deserves attention..."

"Boom!" Suddenly, a resonant and echoing sound rang out, as if someone had struck a massive gong.

As soon as this happened, all the disciples of the Shadow Sect instantly fell silent! This was astonishing as the entire noise ceased instantly!

"Welcome all contenders and disciples of the Shadow Sect! Today we conduct the traditional Tournament of the Hundred!" Suddenly, a rough, measured, and deep voice rang out.

The most amazing thing was that the voice was calm and not shouting. Yet somehow, it was audible throughout the Supreme Fate Arena! It seemed like some special technique or sound amplification method. Kai was encountering this for the first time... But looking around, he realized that this was not at all surprising for the others. There were very few people who were as surprised as Kai.

As Kai tried to discern where the sound was coming from... Suddenly, he noticed that an old man had appeared at the very center of the arena. Although his face showed his age, his hair and beard remained jet black, without a single gray strand.

"When did he manage to appear here? I didn't even notice any fluctuation of energy..." Kai thought, watching in astonishment.

An incredibly mysterious aura emanated from this man. It seemed much more imposing than any of the Elders he had seen so far.

"His aura is strange... He resembles Master Mo... He must be one of the Shadow Elders!" Kai quickly surmised.

"This Tournament of the Hundred pursues two main goals! The first is to gather current information about the ranks of our Personal Disciples. This will show how hard you've worked recently!" the old man declared sternly, raising a finger in front of him.

"The second and main goal is to select the Top 100 disciples for a journey to the Island of Reincarnation!" the old man proclaimed solemnly, raising a second finger.

As soon as these words were spoken, all the stands erupted into cheers and animated discussions. It was evident that this forbidden zone was an irresistibly desirable destination for any disciple of the Shadow Sect. Alas, the vast majority would never have such a chance...

Although everyone already knew the purpose of the Tournament of the Hundred, it still always evoked a storm of emotions in the crowd.

"I will not explain the rules, you all know them well enough," the old man said calmly, "Our Artifacts Masters, in tandem with the Arrays Masters, have created an auxiliary table. Light it up!" the old man shouted, looking to the side.

At that moment, a beam of light suddenly shot out from beneath the arena. It soared towards the Endless Waters, stopping opposite the spectator stands. But that wasn’t all; it instantly transformed into a large semi-transparent table.

Instantly, ten blocks appeared on it, five in a row. Each was labeled with an arena number. Within each block were two more numbers.

"Everyone who sees their number, stand up and go to the indicated arena. There will be no parting words! The tournament is declared open!" the old man announced in a solemn voice and disappeared in the same second!

"Hooray!" The crowd burst into jubilation!

Many spectators had been waiting for more than ten hours. Each was anticipating this grand event! Such events always touched some strange part of human nature, bringing the crowd to a state of ecstasy. Many disciples even began to take bets...

"Interesting method... I can figure out how they created the array to display the numbers. But this table... Without it, the array is useless. The Masters of Artifacts are amazing craftsmen," Kai thought, looking at the semi-transparent object hanging in the air.

He searched the information for his number, 245... But alas, Kai would not be fighting in the first batch. His number was nowhere to be found among all ten pairs.

"Well, then I'll observe some interesting opponents," Kai decided to himself and activated his Essence Eyes.

Thus, he could discern much more. Moreover, this experience would be very beneficial. Many of the spectators had also come here, not just for the spectacle. They wanted to witness the diverse variations of martial arts paths. The more you've seen, the more you can anticipate from an opponent.

It hadn't been ten minutes before the fierce battles began!

Kai calmly sipped tea and alternately watched each arena. He prioritized finding one where the fight would be genuinely interesting.

Time slowly moved forward, and the third batch of contender fights had begun… So far, Kai hadn’t seen anything interesting. All the opponents were strong, but only if considering the general level of martial arts masters... Kai, in turn, understood that they were no longer his rivals.

“Oh? Something interesting…” Kai suddenly thought, watching one of the arenas.

At that moment, a girl pulled a long, purple flute from her spatial ring.

“This is her weapon? Fascinating… I wonder how she will use it?” Kai observed with interest.

At that moment, her opponent, wielding a long one-handed sword, charged straight at her! The boy’s speed was pretty good... He quickly closed the distance and delivered a slashing strike!

But the girl was no slouch and swiftly made her move! She also struck, but with her flute!

"Damn! What's the point of the flute if she uses it as a regular weapon?!” Kai mentally exclaimed in shock. He hadn’t expected such a turn of events!

"Ding! Thud!" As soon as the two weapons touched, two sounds rang out simultaneously. And one of them sounded like a note from the flute!

As soon as this happened, the boy’s sword began to tremble, gradually increasing the amplitude of its vibrations. At one point, it seemed to wriggle like a snake!

The girl didn’t give him a second to react! She immediately delivered a kick straight to the boy’s chest, sending him flying!

As soon as the unfortunate swordsman tried to rise, the girl leisurely brought the flute to her lips... At that same moment, an incredibly beautiful melody sounded.

"Hmm... How does she do that..." Kai murmured to himself.

With his Eyes of Essence, he saw how the girl’s energy created something akin to waves and penetrated directly into the swordsman’s body...

The reaction of her opponent was swift... As he was almost standing up, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed onto the arena floor, now unconscious...

“What kind of girl is this?” Kai thought and quickly shifted his gaze to the information table, "131 Rank… This girl is very strong. Most likely, what she demonstrated is not even a third of her strength," Kai analyzed in his mind.

Finally, he saw something fascinating… Kai immediately marked the girl as a potential opponent. Most likely, as the selection of the top ten best narrowed down, the fights would only be with similar martial arts masters.

"The Enchanting Flute is indeed a formidable opponent…" a male voice sounded from behind.

"I agree, I hope I don't encounter her. They say her illusions are terrifying…" a female voice replied.

“So, the Enchanting Flute and her illusions... I’ll remember you. Heh-heh,” Kai thought to himself.

Behind him sat other Personal Disciples, and it seemed they didn’t much expect to make it into the top ten. Most likely, they came just to improve their Rank. Therefore, one could understand their reluctance to face such a formidable opponent.

Thinking this, Kai suddenly noticed a change in the numbers on the display board. Another fight in one of the arenas had ended. As soon as the previous contenders left, two new numbers appeared.

"Arena 7. 245 vs 177”

"Heh-heh... Finally, it's my turn,” Kai said with a wicked smile as he stood up.

"Ah... Tough luck for you, Immortal Drunkard," a voice said from the side.

"Why's that?" Kai asked, turning towards the source of the sound.

It turned out the speaker was a handsome young man. Smiling, he replied to Kai:

"Well, you know... There's a huge gap between you two. It's sad to get such an opponent in the first round. Anyway, good luck to you."

"Ah... You mean that. Thanks for the support!" Kai replied with a smile and headed straight for the arena.

The contenders were seated according to their ranks in the rating. This meant that, mostly, Kai was surrounded by the weakest of all contenders. Generally, judging by Rank, there were only 5 people weaker than Kai in the entire Tournament of the Hundred.

Therefore, the nearest neighbor’s support was understandable... The young man thought he and Kai were in the same boat.

Kai, for his part, wasn't too worried about this. He knew that his current strength was on an entirely different level. And his 245th Rank didn't accurately reflect the true picture.

As soon as Kai entered the arena, his opponent also appeared there. She was a tall and slender woman with impressive musculature. However, her appearance was quite rough, and she was not very neatly groomed...

Female martial arts masters also constantly fought and sustained damage to their bodies. But that didn't mean they had to look rugged. For instance, Iris or the Enchanting Flute were beauties. Fortunately, energy allowed maintain such physical beauty. But it seemed that this lady didn’t care much about her appearance…

"Kid, maybe you should just surrender? You're quite handsome, I wouldn't want to ruin such beauty," the woman said arrogantly.

"You ruined your own, so now you're taking care of others'?" Kai replied, raising an eyebrow.

"What did you just say, pup?!" the woman exclaimed, beginning to boil with anger.

"Attack. I have no desire to talk to you…” Kai responded, not even bothering to draw his blade.

The rules stated that as soon as both opponents ascended the arena, the fight was immediately declared to begin!

V.2 Chapter 228: Overwhelming Victories

It was evident that the brute was in a rage! It seemed that Kai had touched a nerve…

As always, Kai's ability was astonishing. His biting words always hit the enemy's sore spot directly.

The girl immediately lunged at Kai. As soon as she took her first step, she was enveloped in a dark brown color. It was clear that her attribute was elemental, most likely related to earth energy.

Approaching Kai, she delivered a direct blow to his face. As the blow flew towards him, Kai noticed the girl's hand covered in something resembling sharp stones.

"Bang!" A loud sound echoed as the blow hit the ground.

"Slowly." Kai calmly responded, having easily dodged.

The girl's blows were indeed impressive, but her speed left much to be desired...

"I'll squash you!" she cursed and lunged at Kai again.

"Boom! Bang! Boom!" A series of loud energy explosions began to resonate.

The arena was very sturdy; these blows couldn't even leave a scratch on it. This made the sounds seem even louder.

"Her physical defense is strong... Perhaps I should compare it with mine?" Kai thought, smirking maliciously.

After training in the Shadow Groves and developing his lineage, Kai's body had become even more robust. This opponent was perfect to test this.

"Fight, coward!" the brute yelled, delivering another blow!

It seemed she was very dissatisfied with Kai constantly dodging and not engaging her directly.

"As you wish!" Kai laughed and instantly stopped!

He quickly stepped his right foot back, assuming a fighting stance for stability. Then, he immediately punched back!

At that moment, Kai didn't even use his energy; he wanted to test his body! He struck, so their fists would collide directly in the air!

"Ba-boom!" Another loud explosion of energy occurred, and both opponents were thrown several meters apart!

Each stood on their feet, just slightly thrown back by the impact. Neither had visible injuries.

"Hmm... Slightly numb, but overall excellent." Kai evaluated with a smile, looking at his fist.

Using just his body, he calmly managed to block such a massive and heavy thrust. This showed how much his lineage development had strengthened him.

"How..." the girl gasped in shock, "You're finished..." she gritted through her teeth.

As soon as these words were spoken, her energy began to rise to a new level, her eyes turned red, and the silhouettes of two curved horns formed on her forehead.

"It seems I was mistaken... Her attribute is of an inherent type, not elemental... But no matter, it changes nothing." Kai thought with a smile.

Earlier, he had assumed that his opponent's technique was related to the earth element. But now, it seemed more likely to be of an animal earth type. This was suggested by the silhouettes of the horns and the red eyes.

"Prepare to die, pup!" the girl yelled.

"It's time to finish this..." Kai said lazily.

"Whoosh!" With the sound of slicing air, Kai instantly disappeared!

In the blink of an eye, appearing behind the girl, he delivered a devastating blow directly to the back of her head! Kai did not hold back, and just before contact, he even covered his fist with destructive energy. Everything was done so quickly that she couldn't even react!

"Thud!" A loud and crisp blow of the fist against the girl's skull sounded!

She was immediately pressed into the ground! It was a very harsh landing! The incredible sturdiness of the arena couldn't soften the impact of the fall!

"Kha!" Bouncing slightly off the floor, the girl cried out briefly and then immediately lost consciousness...

Watching this, Kai calmly turned and walked back to his place. People from the Hall of Medicine rushed onto the stage, swiftly taking the girl away.

In the last six months, all aspects of Kai's combat power had soared to a new level. Previously, Kai probably wouldn't have been able to knock her out. He wouldn't even have been able to deliver such a fast blow. Although the Shadow Seal allowed him to appear instantly behind an opponent, it didn't speed up the attack itself. With good reflexes, an opponent could block such an attack.

When Kai returned to his place, a guy beside him simply smiled, nodded, and congratulated Kai. It seemed he now realized they were in entirely different leagues. Probably, Kai didn't come just to increase his Rank.

Although the 177th place couldn't be considered a contender for the top ten, Kai defeated her too easily. This showed that he hadn't even slightly revealed his potential.

Pouring himself some tea calmly, Kai felt the gazes from all around. He ignored the looks from the spectators. He was only interested in potential opponents.

"Understood... About fifty have taken note of me. Probably, these are the disciples who will be fighting for the top ten." Kai thought, smiling.

Such a reaction from those around was completely normal. Earlier, Kai himself had acted similarly, assessing the Enchanting Flute. It's just that not everyone had as keen a perception as Kai. He, in turn, could almost precisely name each person who considered him.

Unfazed by all this, Kai continued to watch the battles on stage. Time slowly passed, and the sun leisurely moved past its peak. In a few more hours, it would start to get dark... But the tournament wouldn't stop for that; the fights would continue even at night!

In the last few hours of combat, Kai noted a few more interesting people. But so far, the most memorable were the Enchanting Flute and White Fang. This was a guy who was a Beast Tamer. He didn't fight alone but with a team of three large wolves.

This wasn't prohibited, as beasts were part of a master's strength. A tamer's skill depended on two factors: how strong the beasts he could tame were, and how many. White Fang could control three at once, which was entirely to his credit!

Kai saw such a strange fighting style for the first time. It seemed that the Beast Tamer himself tried to avoid direct confrontation with the opponent. He constantly stayed behind his beasts, giving them mental and verbal commands.

This was also one of this guy's cunning tricks. Sometimes, he shouted a command, but the beast did the exact opposite! It seemed that, in truth, all commands were only mental. But in this way, White Fang could confuse his opponent. Even if you know about this trick, in fierce combat, it can play a cruel joke. A moment of confusion can cost dearly…

While Kai pondered this, his turn came again. He saw his opponent and immediately felt a bit disappointed...

"Arena 3. 245 versus 223."

Although Kai had earlier defeated Rank 177, for the convenience of the tournament, the entire ranking would only be updated after its end. In fact, Kai already held the 177th place. But his participant number remained the same.

When Kai stepped into the arena, he saw a swordsman opposite him.

"Will you fight, or would you rather surrender?" Kai asked calmly.

"Are you joking?! Of course, I'll fight! Don't underestimate me… Agh!" The guy started shouting but suddenly stopped and spat out a big mouthful of blood.

Kai interrupted him instantly… He used the Shadow Seal and appeared right in front of his opponent. Without even using energy, he delivered a brutal blow directly to the guy's solar plexus. Because of this, the swordsman immediately collapsed onto the arena floor.

"As soon as we stepped into the arena, the fight began. I started talking to you just to find out if you wanted to fight." Kai said nonchalantly, "Shall we continue?" He asked calmly.

"N… No. I surrender…" Barely breathing, the guy replied, lying on the ground.

At that moment, the swordsman could no longer move properly and needed time to stabilize his breathing. It was clear the fight was over. Continuing it would have been self-torture.

"Alright! Sorry for hitting you so hard." Kai said kindly and carelessly walked back to his seat.

Thus, Kai's second fight was utterly uninteresting. But this was normal, as the seeding in the Tournament of the Hundred worked on the principle of randomness. If Kai truly ranked around 245th, his first fight could have been considered unfair. That's why Kai's neighbor sympathized with him at that moment.

Evening fell, and the entire Supreme Fate Arena shone brightly! Everything was arranged so that the system of arrays and glowing stones created a sufficiently bright environment. From the direction of the Endless Waters, a slight darkness penetrated, as that side was not covered by walls. But this did not hinder watching the fights in the arenas.

Kai's third fight was even more pointless. He faced a girl ranked 238th. She surrendered immediately and didn't even try to fight him. Perhaps if she hadn't seen his first fight, she might have thought he could show mercy to a girl. But her predecessor had lost too cruelly…

The night continued, and the number of potential contenders dwindled... Many participants had already been eliminated from the Tournament of the Hundred. Gradually, all contenders became more and more skilled. Assessing the situation, Kai speculated that cases like his second and third fights should no longer occur. With his next opponent, he would have to struggle.

Now, Kai was watching another very interesting guy... It was a technique Kai had also never seen before. Even Shuo hadn't spoken very elaborately about it...

A strange, pale guy ranked 128th was known as the Decaying Puppeteer. His nickname alone made it clear what he specialized in. As with White Fang, he mainly fought, not with his own hands.

This guy controlled a peculiar puppet resembling a large person with two pairs of arms, each holding different weapons. It was a rather odd method of combat…

Currently, the second fight in the sequence of the Decaying Puppeteer was unfolding on stage. Unfortunately, he hadn't yet encountered a suitable opponent to reveal his full potential. As with everyone, Kai paid special attention to... Even he himself was in a similar situation…

"It seems I'll have to learn about their combat power in battle... Enchanting Flute, White Fang, Decaying Puppeteer, Thunderous Ram, and that strange swordsman... Prince of Wind..." Kai pondered.

These were all the people who had made the strongest impression on Kai. Although there were several other quite strong Personal Disciples, this group of five seemed not only powerful but also unique! In Kai's opinion, they would definitely be in the top ten...

V.2 Chapter 229: Unsuitable Opponent

The competition at the Tournament of the Hundred was incredibly fierce. Kai dispatched each of his opponents with little effort. However, few regarded him as a contender for the top ten. He was one of those Personal Disciples about whom little was known.

Some had seen his fight with the Holy Flame and Silver Spear that day. And at the banquet, many remembered him as the Immortal Drunkard... But this did not reveal his combat potential.

In turn, all but the Prince of Wind were very famous among the Personal Disciples. Kai himself noticed the latter. Most likely, he was as much a dark horse as Kai himself.

This strange swordsman simply hadn't had worthy opponents yet. He won against everyone effortlessly. But with the help of the Eyes of Essence, Kai noticed that his energy control was incredible! He compressed and thinned it to a remarkable degree, thereby enhancing the sharpness of his sword. His last opponent could have lost his hand if the Prince of Wind hadn't stopped in time.

Kai even pondered this technique and whether he could create an imitation of it... After all, it was a quite ingenious way of using energy not to try to replicate.

Apart from this swordsman, there was also a very famous brute named Thunderous Ram. He was ranked 109th and on paper was one of the strongest. Although there were other Personal Disciples from ranks 110-101, they did not seem as strong to Kai as this giant.

Overall, this was one of the functions of the Tournament of the Hundred... To update the data. The old Rankings simply could not show the real state of affairs. Some progress faster, while others stagnate. Thus, a picture emerged where Enchanting Flute at rank 131 looked more formidable than the guy at rank 110.

Thunderous Ram used quite unconventional weapons. He had a huge shield in his left hand and a clawed glove covering his entire right hand up to the elbow. It seemed to be made of something like metal...

At the same time, he had an elemental attribute related to the thunder type. Covering his weapon with lightning, he became an even more dangerous opponent. Fighting him was very unpleasant...

Currently, Kai continued to sit and drink tea... There was a lull in interesting fights, and he had time to reflect.

"Hmm... Each of these five, except Thunderous Ram, is at a high stage of the Cloud Sphere... The latter, in turn, is already at its peak." Kai calculated in his mind.

Kai understood that ideally, he should avoid clashing with any of them... He wanted to advance to the Top 100 with minimal effort. After all, his most formidable opponent would be the 93rd ranked - the Reaper of Fear. Until that moment, it was better to conserve as much energy as possible. Moreover, his opponent would be in the Gravity Sphere…

Kai was not a brainless idiot who only craved endless battles. They would be of no use to him. In the Tournament of the Hundred, he couldn't kill his opponent. Yet, he was very eager to reach the Island of Reincarnation. Thus, the best strategy would be to breeze through all the weaker opponents and go all out in the battle with the Reaper of Fear.

"Im... Immortal Drunkard..." A timid voice sounded from the side.

It seemed that his neighbor tensed up a bit when he realized the difference in their strength. After this Tournament of the Hundred, they would be in wholly different weight classes. The guy who spoke had already been eliminated from the tournament and would rank at most around 230th place.

"Mmm?" Turning around, Kai responded inquiringly.

"Your fight..." The guy said, lowering his head slightly and pointing to the board.

At that moment, Kai immediately understood what was happening and turned towards the scoreboard.

"Arena 10. 245 vs 131"

"Ah... Just as Shuo said, it won't be an easy stroll..." Kai mused, looking at the information, "Thanks for telling me." He said with a smile, thanking his neighbor.

"It's nothing. Good luck." The guy replied, watching Kai stand up.

"Hmm... This should be interesting..." Kai thought as he walked out to the arena.

At that moment, his opponent also arrived at the spot. It was the Enchanting Flute, ranked 131st in the Ranking. She was a beauty with strict facial features and a cold gaze. Her hair cascaded down almost to her waist.

"Greetings, I am the Immortal Drunkard. You're one of the strongest here... So, I hope for an interesting fight!" Kai said with a laugh, looking at the beauty.

"You, too, are not a simple opponent. Shall we begin?" The girl replied coldly.

Hearing her response, Kai instantly drew his blades. He did not take it easy with this Enchanting Flute. Underestimating such a master could lead to an immediate loss.

"Let's begin!" Kai said with a malicious smile and lunged into the attack!

"Ding! Thud!" The situation that Kai had observed in his opponent's first fight immediately repeated.

"Tough..." Kai thought, nimbly dodging the girl's leg strike and bouncing back.

Although the exchange of blows was identical, there were differences. The Enchanting Flute couldn't repel Kai with her strike!

"You still did what I needed." The girl said with a smile similar to Kai's malicious one.

As soon as she spoke, the air from her lips entered her strange weapon. A beautiful melody instantly filled the area! For everyone around, it posed no danger, as the barrier limited the energy's penetration outside.

But Kai observed how the energy in the form of waves approached him. The speed was incredible! And most importantly, it was impossible to dodge! Kai saw that this energy spread everywhere the melody reached.

Seeing this, Kai quickly sealed his hearing with his energy.

"Thump!" Kai felt something stir in his consciousness.

"What the…" Feeling a slight dizziness, he thought.

"It won't help you. The sound penetrates directly into your body." Reading the lips of the Enchanting Flute, Kai understood her words, even though he couldn't hear her.

"Sure?" Kai smirked maliciously and instantly released his energy outward!

"Boom!" A moderate pulse of energy resonated around.

Kai didn't call forth all his energy to its maximum, just enough to expel the girl's energy from his body. Kai's attribute was incredibly destructive and intimidating. If foreign energy dared to enter his range, it had better be prepared…

Kai's dizziness vanished in the same second!

"You're quite something." Frowning, the flute-wielding girl said, and lunged at Kai again.

"Ding! Ding! Ding!" A series of clear strikes mixed with the notes of the flute resounded.

The girl continued to attack relentlessly, and Kai defended fiercely. It seemed that the Enchanting Flute was skilled not only in playing but also in fencing! Her abilities were at the highest level. This strange flute seemed no worse than a real sword. Moreover, it created terrifying vibrations!

"Damn! If not for my physical strength, my fingers would already be broken!" Kai realized, fending off the attacks.

Every time he made contact with the girl's flute, a terrifying vibration spread through his arms. It continued to spread not just through his weapon but also affected his entire body!

"Maybe you'll surrender?" The girl snarled.

"Go to hell!" Kai shouted and kicked at the Enchanting Flute's chest.

But at that moment, something strange happened… Kai felt as if all his movements became incredibly slow… The Enchanting Flute easily dodged, stepping aside, and in her next move, she came up close to Kai!

"What the hell?!" Kai thought, confused! He saw his foot still slowly delivering the strike. It seemed as if he was subject to a different flow of time.

"Exactly! An illusion! Through the vibrations, she literally transmitted sounds directly into my body!" Kai suddenly realized.

Every exchange of attacks with this girl ended not just with simple damage to Kai's body. She was slowly and imperceptibly trapping him! Even during the first fight of this Enchanting Flute, the Personal Disciples behind Kai had mentioned that her illusions were incomparable!

At that moment, Kai saw the girl simultaneously close some holes on the flute… And then, swiftly, she struck directly at his forehead!

"Dinggg!" A prolonged and soothing sound resonated in Kai's mind.

Such a strike was damaging directly to his mind! Any martial arts master who took such a hit... would likely not regain consciousness for several days...

Looking at the girl, Kai's eyes began to slowly roll back... He lost consciousness! But most surprisingly, he did so while standing! Kai's body stood utterly motionless, even his breathing was very slow and strange... It seemed like he had entered a deep trance!

"I told you to surrender. Now you won't be able to continue in the Tournament of the Hundred at all!" The girl said coldly.

She calmly held her flute with one hand, still pressed against Kai's forehead...

But just as she was about to remove it, Kai's eyes suddenly opened! And his energy exploded with even greater force!

The Enchanting Flute's pupils instantly narrowed, feeling incredible danger! Her consciousness screamed for retreat! But now, she was too close!

Kai's next move was almost lightning-fast! With one hand, he forcefully hit the girl's wrist, knocking her weapon away so that the flute immediately flew out of the arena! With the other hand, he grabbed her slender neck, lifting her off the ground! At that moment, the girl's hand hung at a strange angle… Kai had disarmed her and broken her wrist!

"But... How?!" The girl exclaimed in shock.

It seemed that Kai had greatly frightened her now. She knew how powerful her last attack was. If she had already executed it, then even a superior opponent would be defeated! That's why she relaxed in the last seconds of the fight. The Enchanting Flute was completely confident in her victory; otherwise, she would have never been caught so easily.

"You're unlucky with your opponent, darling. Your illusions are nothing to me!" Kai said with a demonic smile.

At that moment, his terrifying bloodlust manifested! In half a year in the Shadow Groves, this aura had undergone significant changes… When Kai truly got into the mood, it induced primordial fear in the opponent! His energy and bloodlust turned into an overwhelming suppression!

"Wait, I!" Before she could finish, Kai immediately delivered an extremely brutal punch to her stomach! "Kgha! Bwaa!" The strike instantly made the Enchanting Flute vomit!

"Wanted to surrender? What were you offering me? To surrender, or to be unable to continue fighting at all? Well, it turns out you also didn't manage to surrender! He-he." Kai sneered maliciously, watching as the girl lost consciousness. "That was interesting! Thank you! Hahaha!" Kai laughed heartily, carelessly tossing the Enchanting Flute's body onto the arena.

V.2 Chapter 230: Elder Traen

As soon as Kai did that, the entire scene literally exploded with exclamations! At this stage, almost all duels were between strong competitors. But the Enchanting Flute was watched by an exceedingly large number of people, as she was idolized by many disciples!

Also, at that exact moment, there were no top-tier fights on the neighboring stages. Therefore, almost all attention was focused on Arena 10.

Kai's victory, especially in such a tyrannical manner, was something incredible! At the beginning of the fight, almost no one would have bet on his victory. Although he seemed strong, he didn't appear to be a threat to the Enchanting Flute!

"How did he overcome her illusions?! What the hell?!" shouts were heard from the stands.

"This guy is a dangerous opponent…" many Personal Disciples were discussing among themselves.

It seemed that all the attention of the Supreme Fate Arena was focused on him.

"Damn... That's all well and good, but if it weren't for the Astral Flame of Sacrifice, I would have lost… I need to be more cautious." Kai thought, walking to his spot.

At the last moment, Kai realized that his opponent was attacking with her most powerful technique. And obviously, it would be based on illusions!

However, such a method always affected the mind and consciousness. And these two aspects were governed by a martial artist's Spiritual Sea.

But Kai's Spiritual Sea was entirely fused with the Celestial Flame! Although it was limited by Kai's cultivation level. But it wasn't something that even a master of the Gravity Sphere could bypass.

When the flute approached him, Kai instantly transported himself to the realm of his Spiritual Sea. At the thought, the entire spiritual space flared up with black-violet flames!

The next moment, Kai saw a rift appear in the sky, through which numerous giant birds penetrated into his Spiritual Sea. Just one look was enough to understand how sharp their claws were. All of them immediately headed downwards, beginning to torment Kai's consciousness.

Kai instantly realized that this was a consequence of the Enchanting Flute's technique. Most likely, this was how her illusions worked. Masters below the Star Sphere couldn't enter their Spiritual Sea and protect it. They couldn't even imagine that such damage was being inflicted on their minds. Thus, illusory techniques were very treacherous and dangerous for them.

But in Kai's case… It was futile!

The Astral Flame of Sacrifice incinerated them faster than they could even get close to the Spiritual Sea!

This fact proved fatal for the Enchanting Flute. She could never have imagined that someone could withstand her technique.

In fact, she will most likely be able to continue her fights. Although Kai was quite harsh with her, the Hall of Medicine was capable of working wonders. If they manage to get her back on her feet before her next fight, everything should be fine. Her wrist should heal enough for her to be able to move her fingers by then.

As Kai calmly made his way to his seat, about two dozen Elders were sitting in a hidden space. Each was considered one of the highest in the hierarchy. Along with them was also the one who announced the opening of the Tournament.

"This boy has abnormal mental defense. Is it innate?" The elder calmly said.

"I can't answer that, Elder Traen. Although I've studied this boy quite well… He's still very mysterious. Just like his Master." Another elder replied with a smile.

This was Elder Ovian. As one of the key figures in the Palace of Shadows, he was also obliged to be present here. Moreover, he had a lot of diverse information about the participating Personal Disciples.

"I agree. Mo has invested a part of himself in the boy, and it shows." Elder Traen nodded in agreement.

It seemed that he already knew who Kai's master was. This elder, like Master Mo, was a Shadow Elder. And that meant he was one of the strongest in the entire Shadow Sect.

"I must say, when he told me he would try to enter the Top 100 this year… I didn't give it any thought." Elder Ovian stroked his beard, "After the Tournament of the Hundred, he will be one of the strongest, aside from the Top 100. At 15 years old… It's simply an astonishing result! I can't even remember the last time this happened…" Elder Ovian mused.

"Hmm… You are wrong." Elder Traen interrupted.

"Oh? Please enlighten me, Lord Traen." The elder asked with a slight confusion and interest.

"The boy hides much. Not only is his mental defense strong… Even his body is strange. And that energy he exhibits…" the elder frowned slightly, "In general, I don’t have an answer. Although there are many unique attributes, they still have some patterns. In my hundreds of years, I've seen a lot... But the attribute this boy shows truly deserve to be called unique." Elder Traen added thoughtfully.

"And how would you characterize it?" Elder Ovian asked, listening to the words of the legendary Shadow Elder.

"I don't know… Nowhere in nature have I encountered such a law type. It seems it shouldn't even exist. But if to sum it up, it's concentrated destruction and fear." Elder Traen replied vaguely.

"Hmm… Isn't there something similar on the Island of Reincarnation?" Elder Ovian suddenly asked, reminiscing.

Hearing this phrase, Elder Traen's eyes instantly widened! It seemed that he also recalled something. And when he drew parallels, indeed, there appeared to be some similarities!

"Maybe you are right, Ovian… I can't say it's identical. But the atmosphere of those places is certainly the closest to this boy's energy." The elder said, as if rummaging through memories, "Now even I am curious to see if he will make it to the Top 100." Elder Traen added with a mysterious smile.

Naturally, Kai had no idea that such a conversation was taking place. He calmly watched the continuation of the fights in the arena. Fortunately, almost all the remaining contenders had impressive abilities. Finally, Kai had no time to be bored, as something interesting was constantly happening.

"Logically considering and assessing the number of remaining contenders… I should have one more fight. And finally, I can calmly make it to the top ten." Kai thought with a smile.

Overall, everything was going very well. Although he was unlucky to meet one of the formidable opponents, fortunately, her specialization was useless against Kai. He managed to do what he wanted, namely — to conserve his strength and his trump card!

"I hope everything continues in the same vein…" Kai murmured to himself, "Oh? This will be interesting! He-he." Kai suddenly perked up.

A second ago, he looked at the tournament table and saw that a very interesting fight was about to start! White Fang against the Decaying Puppeteer!

Kai instantly perked up and directed his gaze to Arena number 3. That's where this battle was supposed to take place!

He found it very intriguing! Both opponents fought not directly, but through their “charges.” Their duel was sure to have an interesting outcome.

As soon as the thin and pale guy entered the arena, he immediately spread his palms to the sides, and a strange monster-like puppet with two pairs of arms appeared before him. In turn, the guy with thick, tousled white hair immediately entered with three wolves.

"Kill!" White Fang coldly commanded, and his beasts instantly lunged into the attack!

"Hm." The Decaying Puppeteer snorted dryly and waved his hand.

The demon immediately struck with one of its weapons, which resembled a whip! The first strike was successful! It cleverly wrapped around the neck of the first of the charging wolves!

"Tear the second one!" White Fang yelled!

In the same second, the second wolf quickly changed its target and a bit into the taut whip, instantly severing it! It tried to free its "companion."

"Idiot." The pale boy disdainfully said and smirked wickedly.

The demon doll's mouth opened and swiftly shot out a copious amount of green liquid! It literally sprayed into the air, falling to the ground in a dense rain!

"Fall back!" White Fang exclaimed in shock.

He saw how the liquid spread mid-flight, creating a large impact area! If he didn't act fast, two of his wolves would be engulfed in this filth!

Hearing this command, the second wolf instantly began to retreat! But just as this happened, White Fang felt the first wolf inexplicably standing still!

"First, fall back! Quickly!" White Fang shouted again. But then he noticed a small stream of blood flowing from the wolf's neck, "Scum... I hate these damned puppeteers..." he hissed through his teeth and also began to distance himself as much as possible.

The thing was, at the end of the whip was a small, sharp blade that, upon coiling around the victim's body, would embed itself into the flesh. Naturally, it was also kindly poisoned by the Decaying Puppeteer...

"Psssh!" A blood-curdling, hissing sound echoed!

As soon as the green liquid landed on the petrified wolf, it seemed to start melting! But what was astonishing was that it looked more like the decay of wood. It appeared that the liquid heated certain parts of the body to such a temperature that they began to burn!

Seeing how he lost one of his wolves instantly, White Fang did not give up! He swiftly ran towards the enemy and dispersed his pets for an attack from two flanks! Meanwhile, he charged straight on.

Although White Fang was not strong in close combat, his opponent was also not renowned for this ability.

Seeing this, the Decaying Puppeteer quickly crossed his arms over his chest! His demon immediately leaped backward, almost closely shielding its master.

"Hold them off!" White Fang shouted! Seeing his wolves pounce on the demon from both sides and latch onto its beard, White Fang smiled. He was now running head-on towards the doll! And just as he was about to attack... He vanished!

In a second, he appeared behind his opponent, striking with a hand that now resembled a clawed paw!

"Shadow Seal! And, it seems, his attribute of inherent type too!" Kai exclaimed in his mind.

At that moment, Kai immediately understood what White Fang had done! He had used one of the techniques of the Shadow Sect, which Kai himself also knew — the Dance of Shadow Seals!

As soon as the hand reached the puppeteer's body, blood splattered instantly into the arena! White Fang's attack pierced the body of the strange, skinny guy!

"Too early to rejoice..." Kai thought, seeing the energy of this skinny guy start to stir strangely.

"Tsk... Fool!" The pale young man spat out blood and firmly grasped White Fang's hand that had passed through his shoulder. Fortunately, he managed to deflect the blow at the last moment, ensuring the safety of all organs.

As soon as he said this, in some places his skin seemed to split along the seams, creating gaps!

"Paaaf! Shhh!" A strange popping sound echoed, sounding like an explosion! Only it didn't bring fire with it! It brought a large cloud of purple smoke that spread out over the nearest ten meters!

V.2 Chapter 231: Thunderous Ram

The entire arena erupted in exhilaration! Although the fight between the two was literally lightning-fast, it was also incredibly intense! Events rapidly followed one another.

Everyone watched with interest to see what was happening on the stage... They were curious about what was happening under the cloud of purple smoke.

As the smoke slowly dissipated, it began to reveal the scene to the audience...

Surprisingly, in the last ten seconds, nothing had changed. There stood the Decaying Puppeteer and White Fang, the former's shoulder still pierced by his opponent's hand. Blood dripped slowly from it onto the arena.

"Even its color is strange... The techniques of this skinny guy are truly unique. It seems like the end for White Fang," Kai thought, observing the situation.

The blood of the Decaying Puppeteer was an unnatural, greenish color. It appeared as if the blood itself was toxic. Kai became curious about the methods this guy used to achieve such an effect...

If Kai's assumptions were correct, White Fang had been poisoned the moment his hand entered his opponent's chest, even without the cloud of purple smoke.

While Kai pondered this, the puppeteer finally began to move in the arena.

"Kgaah!" he exclaimed and made a sudden forward movement, wrenching his shoulder from White Fang's grip!

At that moment, more of the strange blood spilled onto the ground... It must be said, the spectacle was quite brutal, considering the Decaying Puppeteer didn't even wince. His next words only confirmed Kai's earlier supposition.

"You've lost, pup. My blood and mist are forceful, even individually. But you know what's even more amazing?" the puppeteer asked, smirking and looking into his opponent's eyes. "When they work in tandem, their effects literally multiply. I see your pets are also not having a good time..." he added, turning away.

At that moment, the two wolves were still clinging to the thighs of the large doll with their teeth. Only upon closer inspection, it was clear that they were simply paralyzed... White Fang was in an even more lamentable situation...

Now, he glared angrily at the Decaying Puppeteer, blood beginning to seep from all his orifices. He stood in the same pose as during the attack. It seemed that his entire body had turned to stone, and looking at his muscles, one could notice they were twitching and incredibly tense. Most likely, the toxin was causing terribly strong spasms!

"Tsk-tsk-tsk... Poor thing can't even surrender..." the puppeteer said sadly, shaking his head, "Well, I'll be magnanimous and help you out," the skinny guy with the dangling arm said, smiling.

Having said this, the Decaying Puppeteer calmly approached White Fang and struck him. But the manner of the blow was very arrogant and demeaning… He simply hit with the back of his hand, as if delivering a contemptuous slap. It seemed as though he didn't even want to touch his opponent!

In White Fang's eyes, incredible fury was evident! But he could do nothing about it now…

His petrified body simply flew back and fell to the ground. It was more like someone had toppled a stone statue.

"How theatrical... Heh-heh," Kai laughed.

He had greatly enjoyed this fight. Although in his opinion, the Decaying Puppeteer had over-dramatized a bit at the end. But overall, Kai found his fighting style amusing. It was far more interesting than the early battles in the Tournament of a Hundred.

"It seems that even his body is some sort of puppet... He's also modified himself. This could explain the reaction to the wound, as well as that ability when his skin seemed to split along the seams..." Kai analyzed, watching the puppeteer leave the arena.

The entire arena at that moment roared in admiration! This fight had indeed stirred everyone up.

"A strong opponent. And very unpleasant in battle... I wouldn't want to cross paths with him," Kai concluded in his mind.

Though he wasn't afraid of fighting the Decaying Puppeteer, he well understood that his opponent's methods were very treacherous. At this stage, Kai couldn't use all his hidden trumps! And in a fight with this puppeteer, that could prove difficult...

But at that moment, Kai's thoughts were again interrupted by his neighbor.

"Immortal Drunkard, you're up again..." the young man said respectfully.

"Oh?" Kai came out of his thoughts, turning to the scoreboard.

It turned out he wouldn't have to wonder long about who his next opponent would be...

"Damn. Seems like my luck isn't great today... Tsk..." Kai clicked his tongue, slightly annoyed.

The information on the display read: "Arena 4. 245 vs 109"

"Is someone there specifically choosing my opponents?! Why can't I just calmly make it to the top ten contenders by knocking out weaklings..." Kai pondered lazily, calmly heading to the arena under his number.

"Well, anyway, there are at least two good things about this... First, I'm not against fighting such an interesting opponent. Second, this should be my last fight. Overall, I need to win and not reveal the Torture King Mode..." Kai continued reasoning, stepping into the arena.

"What are you daydreaming about, pup? Hahaha," the burly man asked, bursting into laughter.

"Hmm... He's already at the peak of the Cloud Sphere... I wonder what would happen if I absorbed him?" Kai thought with a slight smirk.

In reality, Kai was a bit unfocused at the moment. This was because the Tournament of a Hundred had been going on for over a day. For the most part, nothing particularly interesting had happened. Moreover, leaving the arena, even if one had already been eliminated from the tournament, was not permitted, as it was considered a major disrespect to the authority of the Shadow Sect.

Many people simply entered meditation and used the time wisely. It was logical, but Kai did not do so. Even observing the weaker fighters was very beneficial for him. He could see various techniques, combat methods, attributes, and more.

Those who had spent years in the Shadow Sect had seen all this a hundred of times. Their observation turned into a very dull spectacle… But for Kai, it was the complete opposite. He had gained a lot of valuable knowledge in this short time.

Because of all this, Kai was a bit distracted…

"Are you ignoring me? Look, at this rate, you'll lose in a second!" Thunderous Ram shouted loudly.

As soon as Kai heard this, he finally snapped back to reality.

"Ah... Sorry, I was a bit lost in thought." Kai said, turning his gaze to the big man.

"It's okay, they say it's beneficial. Though I haven't checked. Hahaha," Thunderous Ram joked self-deprecatingly, "So, are we going to fight or not?" he asked, looking at Kai.

"Of course! I've already made you wait!" said Kai and immediately pulled out two of his daggers.

However, he didn't rush into the attack. He waited for his opponent to also draw his weapon. After all, Thunderous Ram had shown respect earlier and waited for him.

It seemed that this big guy was quite a nice fellow. Kai couldn't explain it exactly, but when he met such people, he immediately knew he could be friends with them. It was the same with Diso, as well as with Shuo. Although, currently, he and Thunderous Ram were opponents.

Thunderous Ram swung his arms, and two large objects appeared in the air!

"Doom!" A loud and resonant sound of impact echoed!

It was the sound of a shield falling! Just from that, one could tell how heavy it was! The second object, Thunderous Ram skillfully caught and quickly put on his left hand. It was a clawed, iron gauntlet!

"I've seen your fights. Sorry, but I won't be lenient," said the big man, picking up the shield, and immediately after, a surge of energy was released!

"Doom! Bzzzz!" The big man's body was instantly flooded with energy with the attribute of lightning!

It looked as if small lightning bolts were moving all over his body! But that wasn't the end of it... Slowly, they all began to converge into two separate points, namely — his hands.

Since his strange weapons were there, the lightning instantly transferred onto them! The weapons immediately shone and even began to emit a bit of light.

"You have good weapons, Thunderous Ram!" Kai praised his opponent.

"Thank you! The Smiths' Alliance made them especially for me! They not only conduct the energy of lightning, but also amplify it! So be careful! Hahaha!" Thunderous Ram shouted.

While speaking, he lovingly looked at his shield and gauntlet. It seemed he truly adored his weapons. Kai's praise only pleased him.

But right after his words, he raised his head towards Kai and charged forward!

"Boom!" The sound of a thunderous impact rang out!

In the blink of an eye, the big man moved through space, appearing next to Kai! But he didn't stop there, continuing his movement!

Kai was slightly taken aback! Although he had seen this technique from the stands, only by experiencing it himself did he realize how terrifying it was!

"Doom!" A muffled sound rang out, and Kai was thrown back several meters!

Luckily, at the last moment, Kai activated his energy and impulse to the maximum! Rolling in the air, he instantly landed on his feet.

"Fast! My hands even went numb! Need to adapt to the speed! Or not… This won’t do…" Kai quickly analyzed the situation.

It was astounding how such large size and heavy weapons could work in tandem with such, literally, lightning-fast speed! Until Kai adapts to his opponent's movements, he needs to keep moving!

Thinking this, Kai didn't wait for the next strike! He immediately created a Shadow Seal, and moved to another part of the arena. Then again, and again! Kai did this at different intervals, moving around the arena randomly.

"Hahaha! Trying to confuse me?" laughed Thunderous Ram, pausing, "I must admit, you’re succeeding. But how long will your energy last? Hahaha." He continued to laugh, asking.

"Though I have plenty of energy, he’s right..." Kai thought, without responding.

At that moment, he instantly appeared behind Thunderous Ram and delivered a powerful blow directly to his lower back!

"Hah," emitting a short chuckle, the energy of the big man instantly spread throughout his body, then transferring directly onto Kai!

Because of this, his strike and speed slightly slowed. Alas, this was enough for Thunderous Ram's counterattack! Turning around, his shield again slammed into Kai, throwing him several meters to the edge of the arena.

As he got up, Kai looked at his hands again.

"Damn, the force of the blow, and these lightning strikes... When I take damage, I can't feel them for several seconds..." Kai thought, rotating his fists to stretch his wrists.

At that moment, he realized even more clearly that the fight would be much more interesting than he had previously anticipated.

V.2 Chapter 232: Fascinating Confrontation

This big man was indeed a formidable opponent! Not only that, it seemed he hadn't even shown half of his combat potential yet.

Kai was in a slightly difficult position... He couldn't stand still, as he was yet unable to track the speed of the strange shield attack. If he didn't move, he would immediately get hit by the opponent.

But if he kept using the Dance of Shadow Seals... He would just deplete his energy! Even if Kai had enough energy for several hours of such intense movement, it wouldn't change anything.

It all came down to the fact that Kai couldn't attack, as he immediately received a strong recoil from the lightning energy. But also, he was unable to keep running away forever.

"I need to figure something out... The effect of this lightning on the body is very strange," Kai analyzed, constantly using Shadow Seals, "Damn... Theories alone aren't enough, I need to experiment." Kai decisively said.

The next moment, he clenched his daggers and charged into the attack again! And again! And again!

"Boom... Boom... Boom..." A series of thunderous sounds constantly echoed across the arena! Each one was characterized by Kai being thrown to the edge of the arena.

Although it looked very odd from the outside, as if a man was banging against a closed steel door. It seemed that all of Kai's actions were utterly useless. But Kai himself didn't think so!

He needed to understand the power of Thunderous Ram more clearly!

These attacks had been going on for several minutes already. But for every attack of Kai's, the big man managed to react and counter at the last moment.

"He hasn't used his gauntlet yet... I need to be more careful," Kai mentally said, preparing for the next attack, "Dance of Shadow Seals!" Kai shouted in his mind.

At that moment, the same scenario repeated. Almost at the last moment, Thunderous Rams energy shot lightning at Kai, slightly restricting his movements. And immediately after, there was an attack with the heavy shield!

"Boom!" Another sound of thunderous impact rang out!

Landing at the edge of the arena, Kai looked at his hands and slightly smiled. It seems he had finally figured something out...

"This strange numbness... I got it! The lightning spreads throughout the body and strikes every part of it. It's like micro-lightning flowing through the body... It seems that the impulses work on a similar principle..." Kai pondered, examining his hands with the Eyes of Essence.

Observing his body at the moment of the Thunderous Ram's attack, Kai realized that the energy with the thunder attribute penetrated his body and then spread throughout his entire system. However, the greatest damage was still inflicted at the initial point of contact.

"As if the further it travels, the less concentrated it becomes… Can I redirect it using impulses?" Kai suddenly pondered.

At that moment, an interesting idea struck him. If these two phenomena operate on similar principles... Perhaps at the moment of Thunderous Ram's strike, Kai could distribute all the lightning throughout his body. Then there wouldn't be a single point of highest concentration. Also, during the attack, Kai wouldn't be paralyzed for that moment needed by the opponent for a counterattack!

"I need to try it! But I also need to limit the incoming thunder from outside!" Kai exclaimed in his mind.

"Stuck in thought? Realized it’s all in vain and decided to give up? Hahaha!" the big man laughed loudly.

"No, just preparing a surprise for you! He-he," Kai said with a mysterious laugh.

As soon as these words were spoken, a loud sound resonated!

"Doom!" Black energy instantly spread across the entire arena! And following it, the Astral Flame of Sacrifice flared up!

Kai decided to go all out! If he understood everything correctly, this way he could somewhat limit the power of lightning around Thunderous Ram. Now, before entering Kai's body, the lightning had to first overcome a barrier of fire and destructive energy.

"You decided not to waste time and quickly use up all your reserves?" the big man said with a smile.

"Talk less." Kai retorted fiercely and instantly moved close to Thunderous Ram.

"Boom!" The scenario repeated, and Kai was thrown back again!

Only… This time, his expression seemed entirely different… He was smiling!

"It works... Indeed, I can use the impulse to redirect this lightning." Kai thought and charged into the attack again!

"Boom… Boom… Boom!" A series of thunderous impacts began again, shaking the entire Supreme Fate Arena.

Now, almost all the stands were watching this fight. Even the elders, hidden from all eyes, were discussing these two. With such a spectacle, all other arenas simply paled in comparison.

"Do you think the boy can break through Thunderous Rams defense?" asked one of the gray-haired men calmly.

"Hmm... Judging by the fight, I don’t think so. The Immortal Drunkard is very persistent, but that simply isn’t enough," another elder responded, shaking his head.

"What do you think, Elder Traen?" Ovian suddenly asked with a slight smile.

At that moment, the Shadow Elder seemed deeply thoughtful... He was closely observing all of Kai's movements and actions. He didn’t even try to hide his interest from those around him...

"You are all wrong. Just keep watching," Traen replied calmly, without taking his eyes off the arena.

Hearing such a response, the elders did not argue and simply turned their gaze back to the arena. It could be said that in such matters, they trusted Elder Traen even more than themselves.

Presently, the frequency of Kai's attacks became more and more intense! Although initially unnoticed by anyone, after a few minutes... even the ordinary disciples could tell that Kai had sped up! It was obvious, as he finally started landing counterattacks!

"How are you..." Thunderous Ram said in slight confusion.

He was now in a bit of shock, as he was unable to parry all of Kai's attacks! Now, he occasionally missed the non-serious thrusts of his opponent! Although he managed to avoid most of the strikes, small cuts finally began to accumulate on his body!

"So, big guy? Did you want to play a game of endurance?" Kai laughed and charged into the attack again!

In the last few minutes of experimenting, he had finally understood how to use the impulse properly to distribute the thunder energy. Now, the paralysis was so insignificant that it didn't give Thunderous Ram an advantage.

"Well, okay, weakling..." the big man said, a bit angered.

Immediately after, he leaped almost to the edge of the arena!

"It seems he's changing tactics..." Kai thought, watching the big man.

And the next moment proved Kai absolutely right... Thunderous Ram shifted his shield to his back, securing it there. Since the defensive weapon was enormous, it seemed like the big man had turned into a turtle.

But that wasn't all, all the energy from the shield slowly began to flow into the gauntlet. Because of this, it started to literally glow blue!

Now, Thunderous Ram's back was securely protected, and attacking from behind would be absolutely unprofitable! Even considering that the shield was not covered with lightning energy, it was impossible to break through it!

"Well, pup? I'm ready to use my strongest technique! If you want to live, then surrender! If not, then don't delay and attack!" the big man roared loudly. It seemed he was provoking Kai into a frontal attack!

Until this fight, Thunderous Ram had not yet used his gauntlet. Although it was always worn, it was more to prevent underestimating the opponent. But in practice, he hadn't used it yet... It seemed he had switched to much more radical methods.

"Why is he rushing like that? Or does he think I'm an idiot? Such a childish provocation won't work on me," Kai thought, smiling.

In that case, using old methods would be foolish. If Kai charges in with a Shadow Seal, he wouldn't have an effective method of retreat. And the strike from that gauntlet could be far worse than the one with the shield.

Realizing this, Kai simply charged forward! He used only the strength of his legs! But even so, the speed was immense!

"Idiot, you should have surrendered! You're done for!" Thunderous Ram bellowed and struck forward!

At that moment, his hand glowed even brighter with lightning! It seemed that the clawed gauntlet took on the semblance of a beast's maw! But that wasn't all... As soon as the strike was made, all the thunder energy transformed into a massive dragon! It surged forward! Its entire body was made of pure lightning!

"An energy manifestation!" someone from the Personal Disciples' stands shouted! It was one of the weaker representatives.

"No. Thunderous Ram is not yet at the Gravity Sphere. It's the result of his cultivation technique, not a true energy manifestation," someone explained from the side.

Even so, this move seemed absolutely terrifying! As the dragon flew forward, chains of lightning shot out in all directions! And all of it was heading straight for Kai! At that moment, even his hair began to rise strangely! It seemed that the entire environment was saturated with lightning!

"Damn! Good thing I also changed strategy!" Kai shouted in shock!

He barely managed to react to the speed of this technique! Fortunately, he had prepared a Shadow Seal in advance!

"Ba-boom!" An explosion of incredible scale immediately resounded! Even the incredibly sturdy arena slightly trembled! The collision of the thunder dragon and the arena's barrier created a real cascade of thunderous explosions!

From the outside, it looked like Arena number 4 had become a glowing hemisphere! The barrier, holding this chain of explosions within, did not let it exceed its limits!

"What about the Immortal Drunkard?! Can he even survive?!" someone shouted from the stands.

"Terrifying… How can one withstand such a blow? Poor guy… Serves him right!" Various exclamations were heard from all around.

Everyone continued to watch the arena, but the storm of energy did not subside! It wasn't even clear what was happening there now!

Only after about ten seconds did everything begin to slowly fade away… And finally, the spectators got a view of the arena.

"Where's the Immortal Drunkard?! Did he get incinerated?!" one of the spectators shouted in shock. But when he looked at the opposite side of the stands, he realized something was off…

This person was sitting in such a way that he could see Thunderous Rams face, but not his back!

"He's alive! Damn it all!" Similar exclamations began to spread from the other side of the stands.

All the people in that area observed how Kai had literally clung to Thunderous Ram's shield and was hanging on it! He had literally protected himself with his opponent's weapon! But on closer inspection, something seemed off…

"Why hasn't he let go of that shield yet?" puzzled questions began to arise.

V.2 Chapter 233: Unexpected Resolution

Kai continued to hang on the shield, gripping it tightly! From the side, it looked very strange!

"Ha... Ha..." Thunderous Ram breathed heavily.

It seemed he was also not in his best condition... That attack was too terrifying. It was obvious that he had expended a tremendous amount of energy on it!

He hadn't shown it before, but as soon as Kai adapted to his thunder... The big man realized that his opponent would simply wear him out methodically. Thunderous Ram had his weak points, and endurance was one of them. Naturally, it would have been foolish to reveal and show this to the opponent...

Therefore, he pretended to be full of energy and capable of maintaining his thunderous defense for a very long time. But that was not the case... That's why he quickly resorted to this terrifying, final attack!

"Damn pup... Did you decide to hide behind my back? But, it seems you underestimated the power of my lightning... Ha..." Thunderous Ram said exhaustedly.

As soon as he said this, all the spectators understood the problem! Kai was paralyzed! He simply couldn't move or unclench his fingers!

"Damn it! Faster! Work!" Kai screamed in his mind!

During that terrible storm, an incredible amount of lightning energy penetrated his body! He used the impulse to the maximum, constantly distributing it throughout his body! At the same time, he used his own energy to destroy the lightning within.

But alas, Thunderous Ram's attack was so powerful that too much lightning had accumulated in his body. Kai was busy neutralizing it! Until he neutralizes most of it, he won't be able to move!

"Damn! It's so good the big guy can barely move either!" Kai exclaimed and continued to frantically direct energy to every corner of his body.

"Although... I... can't attack you... I can lie down... Ha... Haha..." Thunderous Ram said, gasping and laughing.

As soon as he said this, he began to sway back and forth... He wanted to fall on his back and crush Kai! Although it seemed funny, in the current situation, it could really harm Kai! All his energy was focused on neutralizing the lightning.

"Dangerous... Come on... Just a little more!" Kai screamed in his mind, watching as he and Thunderous Ram began to sway together.

Thunderous Ram's shield was not a simple earthly weapon. It was incredibly heavy! Even a dozen mortals could not lift it! If Kai is crushed by such a weight, the outcome would definitely not be good.

The entire arena was in slight shock at such a turn of events... Earlier, this fight looked incredibly destructive! But now... Now it looked like a fight between two weaklings... All the spectators understood this, but still, the spectacle was quite pitiful…

"Eh... The Immortal Drunkard is definitely a terrifying opponent. It's a pity he will lose in such a humiliating manner… It's even slightly disgraceful..." one of the Personal Disciples said, shaking his head sadly.

"Don't talk nonsense. We don't live in a fairytale world. No matter the methods, a victory is a victory, and the same goes for defeat. We can't compete with the Immortal Drunkard... If his defeat is shameful, doesn't that mean we are even more pathetic?" A girl replied, looking at the boy who had spoken earlier.

"Sorry... I think you're right..." The boy who had spoken first replied, a bit embarrassed and thoughtful.

At that moment, Thunderous Ram made his final forward movement. As soon as he leaned back, he would fall under the weight of his shield! And the one to cushion his fall would be the immobilized Kai!

All the stands watched with mixed emotions... It was clear to everyone that the fight would soon end.

"Forward…" the big man said, "And back…" he added, stretching out his words.

As soon as this phrase was uttered, the balance was finally broken, and he slowly began to fall on his back. Everyone watched, holding their breath. If not for the fights in other arenas, there would have been complete silence.

"Ba-boom!" A loud sound indicated how heavy that shield was.

At that moment, all the stands froze in anticipation...

"Well done, Brother Kai," Shuo said with a barely noticeable smile, calmly watching the fight.

But he was praising Kai not for a good fight, but for the fact that his Brother had won!

To everyone's surprise, at the last moment, Kai managed to break free from the paralysis and use the Shadow Seal. Now he stood a few meters away from the lying Thunderous Ram, breathing heavily...

It was evident that this fight had not been easy for him...

"Damn... It's so good, I didn't have to use the Torture King Mode! I still have a chance to make it into the Top 100!" Kai squinted one eye and smiled crookedly.

"Son of a bitch... Did you break through? How…" Thunderous Ram said with effort, lying on his back, "Okay, I give up," he added heavily.

"And you're not even going to try to continue?" Kai asked in a tired voice, slowly approaching the big man.

But he did so without any arrogance. When Kai approached, he extended his hand to Thunderous Ram, offering help.

"What the hell for? I can barely move as it is. Hahaha... Khah-khah!" The big man said and coughed.

At the same time, he caught Kai's palm without hesitation and began to rise with his help. It seemed he accepted defeat with dignity and had no objections.

"Alright, big guy, let me take you to your place," Kai said, supporting Thunderous Ram by the side.

This scene appears quite comical, as Kai, only reaching his chest in height, faced the towering figure. In the mortal world, it would seem impossible for Kai to offer any help, given their stark difference in body size.

Yet, each of them was a master of martial arts. Even lifting someone of such formidable size wasn't beyond the realm of possibility.

As it happened, Kai held the brute by his side, while Thunderous Ram leaned on his head. Due to their proportions, this was the only comfortable position.

"Hahaha. Immortal Drunkard, you're like my personal stand!" the brute laughed.

"Yeah, a stand that beat you. Are you that pathetic?" Kai retorted, tilting his head up to meet the brute's gaze.

"Come on, don't be upset. I'm just joking…" Thunderous Ram replied guiltily, noticing Kai's tense expression.

"I couldn't care less about you taking offense! It's just that I'm not in the best shape, and you're damn heavy!" Kai responded, gritting his teeth.

Even in everyday life, Kai couldn't care less about others' jokes or thoughts. And now, more than ever! He still hadn't expelled all the lightning from his body. His entire system was slightly confused and numb.

Kai decided to help the brute not out of kindness, but for some reason, he took a liking to the guy. He seemed straightforward and simple. Kai usually liked such people and respected the strength of an opponent.

Reflecting on his fight, Kai realized he could have won more decisively with the Torture King Mode. But that didn't mean he underestimated his opponent's combat merits. These thoughts prompted Kai to act this way and offer help.

"Ah... Since childhood, I've been told I'm too big," the brute said with a smile.

"Poor future wife of yours…" Kai commented, straining.

"Why's that?" Thunderous Ram asked, slightly alarmed.

It seemed he was genuinely concerned about this aspect of life, uncharacteristic for martial artists who usually pursue only cultivation.

"How's she going to feed you, huh?" Kai teased.

"Hmm... I have a lot of money! Maybe we'll just eat out?" the brute pondered.

"And if she wants to show her love by cooking for you? She'd have to spend an eternity in the kitchen." Kai continued, stirring the pot.

Seeing Thunderous Ram seriously fall for his jokes, Kai decided to add fuel to the fire.

"What should I do then?! How will I ever find a woman for myself? Who would want to be with me?" the brute exclaimed, as if in despair.

"Damn, Thunderous Ram, what's with you? Can't you take a joke?" Kai asked, looking up again.

"Phew... So you were just kidding? Hahaha." The brute let out a relieved laugh, deep and hearty.

"Of course..." Kai replied, rolling his eyes.

"But I will find the right woman, right?" Thunderous Ram quickly double-checked.

"How would I know?!" Kai exclaimed, himself not feeling at ease.

"Hmm…" The brute sighed heavily, deep in thought.

He seemed a bit upset... Witnessing this, Kai was somewhat shocked. This massive man was behaving like a child! This dissonance even surprised Kai.

"Tch! You'll find a girl! Relax!" Kai reassured him.

"Hahaha! Great! If the Immortal Drunkard says so, then I believe it!" Thunderous Ram cheered up instantly.

"Why the hell?" Kai asked, puzzled.

"Well... You're just a good-looking guy. Probably have a lot of experience with this stuff…" the brute replied, nodding approvingly.

"Okay... Let's end this conversation, and I'll just quietly get you to your place…" Kai said, grimacing. His harmless joke had steered the conversation into strange waters, and he wanted to end this dialogue as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the arena was bursting with ovations and chatter. Although the fight's ending was somewhat ambiguous, the battle itself was spectacular!

Many from the lower Top 100 Rank were now closely watching Kai. They didn't consider him their adversary yet, but it was likely one of them would face him in battle.

Considering the seeding and how the fights were unfolding, Kai shouldn't have any more opponents. This meant that as soon as the top ten were determined... The most critical part of the Tournament of the Hundred would begin!

At that moment, many elders were also discussing the fight. Their knowledge and vision were far deeper than others. They fully understood how brutal Thunderous Ram's last attack was. Almost no one in Kai's place could have remained conscious! And considering Kai wasn't a master with a thunder attribute, even more so!

"Elder Traen, please enlighten us." one of the elders asked with a smile.

"The boy has a strange technique. It seems to strengthen his body... At the beginning of the fight, he didn't quite understand how to act properly. But then, using this ability in tandem with his energy, he began to destroy the lightning directly in his body... A remarkable method..." Elder Traen replied thoughtfully and with sincere praise.

V.2 Chapter 234: Familiar Energy

It seemed that even the Shadow Elder himself did not fully understand how to regard this strange physical ability. Traen had roughly guessed how exactly Kai neutralized the lightning within his body. But the method itself was too unconventional! The elder had never seen anything like it before.

Just one resistance with energy would definitely not have worked. Kai was a bit weaker in terms of cultivation level. Plus, the Thunderous Ram attack itself was terrifying. He literally put all his energy into it and released it in the blink of an eye.

"Elder Traen, even considering that the boy managed to hide... Doesn't it seem strange to you..." the elder tried to formulate his phrase, "Not only did he not lose consciousness... But he even managed to completely free himself!" one of the Elders blurted out in shock, interrupting Traen's thoughts.

"Well, first of all, he didn't completely free himself. Just enough to gain the ability to use the Dance of Shadow Seals. Secondly, the secrets of the younger generation are not our concern," Traen replied sternly.

The Elder who had spoken earlier immediately panicked and quickly said, "You misunderstood me! I'm not such a petty person!" he said a bit offended, "I just don't understand the nature of this ability and didn't want to say it out loud. After all, I don't want to appear the most foolish in this room." He added honestly, with a slightly crooked smile.

"Don't worry, I don't understand it either," Traen answered calmly.

"Could it be his attribute? An inherent type?" the red-haired man quickly asked.

He seemed to be one of the youngest in the room, as he looked relatively young. He didn't even have a beard, which was rare for this room.

"Hmm?" Traen hummed inquisitively, shifting his gaze to this man.

At that moment, it was difficult to understand his motives. Each of the Shadow Elders was somewhat eccentric. However, given their status and power, this was forgivable.

"Well… I mean, maybe his inherent type attribute. And as a result, when using it, the boy's body acquired some unique characteristics," the man explained more clearly.

"You're wrong. You're strong, but you're a complete failure when it comes to reasoning," Elder Traen said bluntly.

"Ha..." the red-haired man laughed awkwardly, "Why is that?" He asked with interest.

"Because the energy of the boy is wholly different, and its attribute is different. If you had listened to our conversations with Ovian, you would know this," the elder replied sternly.

From the outside, it looked as if a grandfather was scolding his wayward grandson. Although the elder spoke quite sternly, there was no arrogance or aggression in his voice. On the contrary, there were slight notes of care.

"Oh, come on, Master Traen. Eavesdropping on others' conversations isn't exactly proper. Ha-ha," the red-haired man joked, laughing.

Hearing this, the elder did not continue, but simply turned his head and looked again at Kai.

At that moment, Kai was already helping Thunderous Ram to sit down and was returning to his seat. Although to others, Kai seemed to be in a relatively good condition... Traen could clearly see that Kai urgently needed to deal with the residual lightning and recover to an optimal state. He even wondered why this boy was so calm.

The elder simply did not understand how strong Kai's regeneration was. Such a level should not exist in the Cloud Sphere. Moreover, this was a regeneration of an entirely different type. It worked not by energy, as is customary in the world of martial arts masters, but originated from the flesh.

"Elder Traen, about that energy..." Ovian, sitting nearby, started.

Now even he was slightly wary... But it seemed that all the others were quite calm. As if they hadn't seen what Traen and Ovian had noticed.

"Very similar... Ovian, don't spread the word about this yet. Apart from the Patriarch and the five Shadow Elders, you were the only one there," Traen replied, switching to communication through energy.

This was a method available to those with incredible control over the energy flow. They could calmly send their thoughts directly into the mind of their interlocutor. For all those around, nothing would seem to be happening. It was a bit different from how Kai once communicated with Kessia.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think about it. But the energy in those gates was very similar... Is the Patriarch planning to go deeper into the Sacred Land again? Will other Sects join?" Ovian asked mentally.

"It's not known yet. I think only the main forces will dare. Last time there were too many casualties..." Traen replied candidly.

"The old crow and Boyan will definitely not miss such an opportunity. Hahaha," Elder Ovian joked.

"Ovian! Show some respect! After all, they are equals to our Patriarch!" Traen said with mild indignation.

"That's just between us. Stop being angry. What about the boy? Maybe it would be useful to take him with us?" Ovian changed the subject.

No one around noticed this conversation. At that moment, the elders were chatting with each other. And Elder Traen, from the outside, just looked thoughtful...

"Let everything take its course. I don't want to make decisions on such matters. If he manages to break into the Top-100, then we'll consider it. In any case, even if he doesn't make it now, he will have the chance to go to the Island of Reincarnation next time. Naturally, if he doesn't die before that..." the Shadow Elder said calmly.

"I understand. Should we report this to the Patriarch?" Ovian asked with interest.

"Not yet, he's in deep cultivation. We'll tell him when he comes out," Traen replied in a commanding tone.

While all this was happening, Kai sat calmly with his eyes closed. At that moment, impulses along with energy were constantly moving throughout his body. Just a bit more, and he would neutralize all of them. Only then could he finally start restoring his body.

"Good that I won after all. Now, I don't have to fight another battle and can rest peacefully..." Kai thought, maintaining even breathing.

Due to the loss, Thunderous Ram, like the others, did not lose his chance to enter the top ten contenders. They just had to fight more battles. If they could get through them all and then play the replays, they would then get their desired place.

For Kai, such a scenario was highly undesirable! The more strength he conserved, the better. Or rather, he just didn't want to reveal all his trump cards to everyone! The fewer fierce battles he fought, the less he would show. Thus, the person Kai wanted to challenge would be less prepared for the fight!

In fact, as soon as Kai was in a calm environment, within an hour all the lightning was expelled. Regeneration immediately began its work. After spending almost half a year in the Shadow Groves, his lineage had become much more powerful. This, in turn, also increased the speed of recovery.

While Kai was busy with all this, the number of contenders was dwindling... Among the lucky ones who secured their place in the top ten were Kai, the Prince of Wind, the Decaying Puppeteer, and a guy nicknamed the Golden Snake.

In fact, the last one wasn't forceful. Kai had watched him a bit, but he was definitely weaker than even White Fang. It was just that the guy was extremely lucky with the draw and opponents. However, luck is also one of the resources of a martial arts master.

At that moment, the final replays began, and fierce battles ensued. Each of the contenders gave their all! And after some time, the fifth contender was determined. It was Thunderous Ram!

Fortunately, the subsequent battle after Kai's wasn't soon, and he managed to recover quite well. Although he wasn't at his peak, his opponent turned out to be much weaker than Kai...

The longer it went on, the fewer spots in the top ten remained.

Finally, no miracle occurred, and the remaining five spots were taken by White Fang, Enchanting Flute, and three other contenders. Overall, each of the Personal Disciples that Kai had noticed made it to the finals.

As soon as the last fight ended, Shadow Elder Traen appeared in the center of the Supreme Fate Arena.

"Attention! The main selection has finally ended! All your ranks will be updated and actualized by tomorrow, as the observing Elders need to analyze all the conducted fights. Also, the verdict of the Patriarch's Formation will be taken into account!" the elder announced calmly.

What continued to amaze Kai was that this voice could be heard everywhere!

"The ten contenders who get the chance to challenge the masters from the Top 100 Rank have been determined. Now, I will announce their list! They are the Immortal Drunkard, the Prince of Wind, the Golden Snake, Thunder Ram, the Decaying Puppeteer, Enchanting Flute, White Fang, Sweeping Spear, Fiery Fist, and the Silent One," Elder Traen solemnly counted.

As soon as this was announced, the entire arena exploded in a storm of applause! The Tournament of the Hundred was indeed an enormous event in the Shadow Sect. Over these few days, all the disciples had relaxed to their heart's content.

The ordinary disciples were especially joyful. For them, even those who simply had the honor of fighting in this tournament were legends. Not to mention such figures as Kai. Moreover, they saw those Personal Disciples who occupied the top spots of the entire Personal Disciples Rank!

For many of them, these would be memories that they would carry with them throughout their lives!

That's why the crowd was so jubilant! They were literally in a historical moment of their lives! The Tournament of the Hundred of the incredibly powerful Shadow Sect was definitely something to tell the grandchildren about!

"Quiet!" Traen shouted, instantly calming everyone present, "There will be a one-day break before the next stage! The top ten contenders need to rest, so the fights are fair. Of course, you can go home, but I think nobody will do that." Elder Traen smiled and instantly vanished again.

As soon as the elder disappeared, the crowd started shouting again! Many whistled, many clapped and shouted the names of their idols. Over the days of battles, many had their favorites. Such behavior is an integral part of human nature.

They themselves could not participate and fight, but when a contender they liked won… It felt like a personal victory to them! That's why people loved such events.

Most likely, even if Kai doesn't make it into the Top 100, he won't be able to walk around the Shadow Sect territory in peace after the tournament... His newfound fans simply won't let him pass! One should not underestimate the size of the Supreme Fate Arena... Even if just a tiny part chooses Kai as their idol, it will already be a huge number of people.

Naturally, as always, Kai couldn't care less about all these things. He had already returned to his optimal state and did not need a whole day of rest. So, as soon as Elder Traen left and the formal part of the Tournament of the Hundred was paused, Kai rose from his seat.

But he did not head for the exit of the arena, as it would also be inconvenient for him to return home. He was heading towards Shuo! If there was spare time, why not chat with his Brother?

"How are you feeling, Brother Kai?" asked Shuo, with a barely noticeable smile, watching the approaching figure.

"You didn't even give me a chance to greet you first. He-he," Kai laughed in response.

V.2 Chapter 235: Invisible Attribute

The duo quickly turned Shuo's table into a suitable place for a gathering. Perhaps earlier many would have been displeased that Kai ascended to the arena for the Top-100 Personal Disciples. But now, even if he doesn't ultimately defeat the summoned opponent, no one would oppose his presence.

People understood that he was still quite young and hadn't been in the Shadow Sect for very long. Yet, even in such a short period, he had already shown remarkable results. Everyone well understood that, give this guy about a year, and he would surely enter the Top 100.

It could be said that even if he did nothing, this would happen naturally. Upon reaching a certain age, a whole tier of Personal Disciples would change their status to Elders or take other positions in the Shadow Sect's hierarchy.

"You still haven't answered the question about how you're feeling," Shuo said calmly.

At that moment, Kai was leisurely pouring tea, its aroma spreading several meters around.

"And what could be wrong with it? I'm perfectly fine!" Kai replied laughingly and carefree.

"What about your body? You're much stronger than half a year ago," Shuo asked slowly, looking at Kai.

"Just decided to bulk up a bit," Kai replied with a sly smile and a wink.

It was clear that he wasn't serious and was just hinting that he didn't want to talk about it.

"Alright, let's not continue. What have you decided? Will you follow my advice?" Lone Buddha changed the topic.

"Of course, Brother Shuo. Who else can I trust here, if not you?" Kai laughed in response.

At that moment, they discussed the opponent Kai should choose. Earlier, Shuo had recommended challenging the 93rd place — a Personal Disciple known as the Reaper of Fear.

According to Lone Buddha, this guy had been overly indulging in entertainment and carnal pleasures in the last two years. Such a lifestyle surely wouldn't bring anything beneficial for his foundation.

"By the way, I've been thinking about it. Maybe his cultivation technique is based on all kinds of indecencies? That's why he's been doing all this in recent years?" Kai asked, raising his cup.

In this world, there were entirely different masters. Kai realized this even more clearly when he attended the Tournament of Hundred and watched the various fights. Indeed, there were many unique specimens here. Even the so-called Decaying Puppeteer was astonishing in his own way.

Therefore, Kai was very curious whether the Reaper of Fear was one of the masters of the “evil” path. When Kai thought about this, he involuntarily came to the conclusion that he himself might be counted among them. Mass slaughter, torture, and blood consumption certainly weren't something good…

"No. He is a master specializing in various weapons," Shuo replied, shaking his head negatively.

"Hm? Can you elaborate a bit? It's totally unclear," Kai asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe I misspoke..." Shuo paused to think, then continued, "He's a Master of Artifacts and loves creating various small mechanisms. But overall, the purpose of each is to be a weapon," he explained in more detail.

As soon as Lone Buddha said this, Kai seemed to realize something. Earlier, he had observed a similar combat style in one of the arenas of the Tournament of Hundred. A girl was constantly pulling out various items from her spatial ring and using them against her opponent.

"I've seen something like that..." Kai said thoughtfully.

"Possibly. But this guy is on a thoroughly different level. Besides his Artifacts, he's strong in his own right, and his attribute are of a Unique Type," Shuo replied, taking a sip of tea.

"Brother, can you just finish your sentences? It's getting annoying to extract information from you bit by bit," Kai said, a bit irritated.

Shuo was quite slow and calm in his way of speaking, so the pace of the dialogue was always leisurely.

"We're not rushing, are we?" Lone Buddha replied with a light smile, "But alright, I won't torture you." He added calmly.

"Thanks..." Kai replied, slightly grimacing.

"His attribute is visually unnoticeable, that is, invisible. Because of this, detecting the energy flows is nearly impossible," Shuo explained calmly, "In addition, he's a master of the Gravity Sphere and can use Energy Manifestation. His manifestation is more formless, enveloping objects. He can literally throw his scythe at you and change its trajectory in mid-air. But the most important thing..." he said, pausing, "If he covers an object with energy, it becomes invisible. Thankfully, this has serious area limitations. He can't cover himself," Shuo explained in detail.

"The scythe?" Kai asked, interested.

"That's what surprised you? Did you listen to anything I said before?" Shuo asked in a brotherly, instructive tone.

"Well, it's a pretty rare weapon..." Kai said with feigned admiration, "Brother Lone Buddha... Have you forgotten about my innate ability?" His expression changed instantly, revealing a cunning smile.

At that moment, Kai looked quite malevolent. And his smile had a strange, sinister cunning.

But as soon as Shuo heard Kai's words, he immediately realized he had overlooked a very important fact. His brother was incredibly sensitive to energy! When he had recommended choosing the Reaper of Fear, he hadn't even thought about this. But now it seemed that this was indeed the perfect opponent for Kai!

"Because your ability is so unique, I overlooked it..." Shuo said self-deprecatingly, shaking his head.

"So what about his attribute?" Kai asked with a malicious smile.

"He wields two scythes, which he's not averse to throwing at his opponent. Using energy, he invisibly sets up various traps and artifacts. Since his energy is invisible, it's incredibly difficult to track in the heat of battle. That's who your opponent will be," Lone Buddha explained seriously, "Do you think this will be a problem for you?" Shuo asked with noticeable interest.

Now, this fight really seemed to awaken genuine anticipation in the bald young man. Previously, he just wanted victory for his Brother. But now, this battle could become fascinating from a unique strategic perspective.

"We'll see. I can't say anything for certain yet. But most likely, my ability will definitely be helpful" Kai said thoughtfully.

He already knew that no matter what attribute the Reaper of Fear had, it was energy, which in turn consisted of those strange symbols that Kai could see with the Eyes of Essence.

"I'm almost certain I can trace every movement of this guy. Of course, it won't be an easy stroll, as I've never fought a Master of Artifacts before... Moreover, his cultivation is higher than mine. But one could say that I'm his natural enemy..." Kai thought, simultaneously smiling maliciously.

"Put on a simpler face and don't underestimate your opponent," Shuo joked, "Let's move on to more pleasant topics. What have you been doing all these six months? Where have you been?" he asked, changing the subject.

At that moment, Kai immediately returned to reality and began telling Shuo about his adventures in the Shadow Groves with a smile. Naturally, as always, Kai embellished the story a bit. After all, if anyone heard the real story, they would never believe it. And telling such a thing wouldn't be wise. After all, Kai had killed quite a few disciples of the Shadow Sect...

The conversation continued and continued, slowly turning into a nocturnal feast. Kai even decided to drink some wine. Considering the battles would continue only in the morning, there were no problems. For an organism like Kai's, expelling these toxins in a few hours was not a problem.

At some point, several other Personal Disciples from the Top 100 even approached them. Previously, no one had approached Lone Buddha, but they remembered the simple and candid Immortal Drunkard well. Seeing how comfortably these two were chatting together, some wanted to join.

Naturally, Shuo didn't care about this. And Kai carefreely agreed, feeling that these people came with no ill intentions. Whether it was Kai's carefreeness or his character, it allowed him to quickly connect with others. The gathering lasted until sunrise...

Then at one moment… That mysterious old man reappeared in the arena!

Over the night, all the smaller arenas had been dismantled and removed. Now, the Supreme Fate Arena regained its usual appearance. Also, the Masters of Arrays had strengthened the protective barrier, so the energy from the battle wouldn't harm the spectators.

"Greetings to all present! The final part of the Tournament of Hundred begins! I ask the ten contenders to come to me!" the old man announced loudly.

Hearing this, all the named, including Kai, immediately rose and headed straight to this Elder. In a few moments, each of them was already in place.

They didn't line up in any particular order or circle. They simply approached the old man at random.

"Here's a sheet for each of you!" said Elder Traen, and small parchments appeared in the air, flying into the hands of each contender, "Write down your nickname and the nickname of the person you want to challenge. If several contenders choose the same opponent... You'll have to fight for the right of precedence. Or give up and choose another," the old man explained and smiled slightly.

It seemed he knew exactly what would unfold next. He had lived a very long time and had seen such a scene more than a dozen times. Before the main part, there would be a few more battles between the contenders!

"Start writing, my time is very precious! You can even use your blood," the old man said arrogantly.

At that moment, many took out brushes from their spatial rings and began to write. But there were also those who actually bit their fingertips and used their blood. Among them was Kai...

But he did it not for show. He simply had no brush or even ink with him...

"Immortal Drunkard challenges the 93rd place – Reaper of Fear," Kai wrote and handed the sheet to the old man.

"Hm? Boy, you're not one of the timid," Elder Traen remarked, taking the sheet.

At that moment, some were still making decisions and observing what others were writing. After all, it's better to have just one fight to give it your all.

"Well, what to do, that's the world we live in. He-he," Kai replied jokingly.

"How's the old grump Mo doing?" Elder Traen suddenly asked.

As soon as Kai heard this, he was quite surprised. It seemed he didn't show as much respect to his Master as others did. But at the same time, it didn't seem like he was being disrespectful. Rather, it was more akin to friendly teasing.

"Master Mo is fine. But honestly, I haven't seen him for a very long time. I'm actually thinking of visiting him after the expedition to the Island of Reincarnation" Kai replied with a smile, respectfully.

He had realized that this old man was likely also a Shadow Elder, which meant he was equal to his Master Mo! To such a person, Kai felt only sincere respect!

V.2 Chapter 236: Evasion and Traps

At the outset of the Tournament of the Hundred, this old man struck Kai as profoundly enigmatic. He exuded an incredible power that seemed expertly concealed within himself. Such an aura could only emanate from masters of the highest order.

"Hm? Are you so certain you'll reach the Island of Reincarnation?" Elder Traen asked with a slight tease.

It seemed he wanted a better grasp of this young man's character. After all, he was a student of a Shadow Elder, just as he was.

"I'm not naive enough to be completely certain of anything. But isn't self-doubt a poor reason to enter the Tournament of the Hundred?" Kai asked rhetorically, smiling.

"Good answer. Alright, I'll watch your fight," the elder said with an approving nod.

Having said this, he looked at the other contestants and simply extended his hand forward. Instantly, all the sheets swiftly flew out of the candidates' hands towards him. It appeared he already knew everyone had finished choosing their opponents. Indeed, the perception skills of a Star Sphere master were incredibly high. He could likely effortlessly gauge almost everything happening in the entire Supreme Fate Arena, including the stands.

"So! I announce the results!" the elder boomed, "Four have chosen the Personal Disciple at the 100th place! Two have chosen the 99th place. The 98th place was also chosen by two!" he said mockingly.

He seemed to view such a strategy as flawed. The only ones who made a choice he deemed correct were the Immortal Drunkard and the Prince of Wind. Each of these two had chosen a higher-ranked opponent. But in doing so, they ensured only one battle where they could truly give their all!

"Therefore, 'playoffs' will be held for these positions," the elder explained, "The first fights will be with the Personal Disciples at the 95th and 93rd places! How will you decide the order?" Announcing this, Elder Traen posed the question, first looking at Kai, then at the Prince of Wind.

Naturally, they wouldn't fight over this, as there was no advantage to be gained. What difference did it make to fight now or a bit later?

"I don't particularly mind either way, what about you?" Kai asked with a smile, turning his gaze to the Prince of Wind.

This guy was quite charming. He had a handsome appearance and long, blue hair. Also, a long sword always hung on his belt, which he didn't stow away in a spatial ring, unlike Kai who always did so.

Previously, Kai had observed each of the Prince of Wind's battles. The Prince's style justified his nickname, as it seemed his attribute was also related to the air. Using the Eyes of Essence, Kai even spotted an interesting method of energy use — covering his weapon with it while thinning it at the edge. This way, the weapon became much sharper and faster, as the air created less resistance.

But Kai wasn't sure if he could replicate such a technique with his energy. It might be an advantage exclusive to those with a wind-related Elemental attribute.

Hearing Kai's response, the young man pondered briefly before replying:

"It doesn't matter to me either. Let's make it fairly conditional… Let chance decide. Great Elder, may we have our two sheets?" asked the Prince of Wind politely, bowing.

This guy seemed very strict but tactful. In all his actions, there was clarity and directness. It appeared that his very personality was connected to the weapon he wielded.

“A true swordsman must be like this…” Kai thought, looking at the blue-haired boy.

As soon as he received the sheets, he quickly folded them, hid them behind his back, and shuffled them. After a few seconds, he looked at Kai.

"Immortal Drunkard, choose which hand," he said dryly.

It was clear that the Prince of Wind knew exactly which sheet was in which hand. But since Kai was choosing, it was all fair. This could indeed be considered a conditional chance.

"Left! He-he," Kai laughed, responding. He liked this guy's methods.

"Then please go ahead! And I'll have to observe your fight first. Good luck," the Prince of Wind replied with a light smile.

After his words, he calmly extended his hand forward and opened his palm. Naturally, he didn't lie, and there lay Kai's sheet.

"Decided! The first fight begins! The Reaper of Fear versus the Immortal Drunkard! The second fight will be between the Poisonous Fox and the Prince of Wind! The replays for the opportunity to fight will follow, or someone might change their decision," Elder Traen announced solemnly and vanished instantly!

At that moment, the entire Supreme Fate Arena erupted again with ovations! The spectators had been waiting for this for a whole day! Finally, the final and most interesting part of the Tournament of the Hundred was beginning!

But at the moment, Kai was preoccupied with something else…

"His movements are simply incredible... It was cool even from a distance, but seeing it up close..." Kai mused thoughtfully.

Elder Traen seemed like some sort of ghost! Kai even wondered if this was the Dance of Shadow Seals?

“I haven’t worked on developing my movement technique for a while... I think when I enter the Gravity Sphere, I should train in using the next stage. The third stage is characterized by the ability to create several long-term marks and move quickly between them. This could be a very useful skill…” Kai continued his contemplation.

Only now did he remember that he would soon be able to try learning the third stage of the Dance of Shadow Seals.

While all this was happening, Kai didn't notice that all the other contenders had left the arena. At that moment, a furious young man was approaching him... It was his opponent!

The style of the Reaper of Fear was quite peculiar... He no longer wore the cloak of the Personal Disciple, only black trousers and a bare chest. Yet, his name's hieroglyphs were still on his chest, only in the form of a tattoo!

The guy had long, black hair, which was in a rather disheveled state.

"What the hell are you calling me out for?! Did you have no one else? I was having a great time and didn’t want to fight!" the young man protested loudly.

Only at that moment did Kai finally turn his attention to his opponent and assess his appearance.

The guy's face was also quite peculiar... There were dark bruises under his eyes. And when he spoke, fangs, noticeably larger than his other teeth, were visible. In some ways, he was even attractive.

Kai also noticed that his opponent already held two large, meter-long scythes in his hands. Though these weapons were more akin to scythes than spears in shape.

"Sorry! I was told it would be interesting to fight with you!" Kai laughed in response.

"Let me quickly flatten you and go back! My girls are waiting for me! If it weren’t for the rules, I wouldn’t even come to this damn Tournament of the Hundred. Tch!" grumbled the Reaper of Fear.

He really looked very uninterested in this fight. And it seemed he didn’t consider Kai a serious opponent. His manner of speaking was quite arrogant.

"It seems Shuo was right. At this rate, this guy will turn into trash..." Kai thought and immediately activated the Eyes of Essence.

But as soon as he did, he was momentarily stunned! The true intentions of the Reaper of Fear were revealed to him.

"He-he... This guy shouldn’t be underestimated, I almost believed him..." Kai thought, becoming serious and self-ironic.

What he saw now was astonishing... It seemed that the Reaper of Fear used something similar to the methods of the Prince of Wind. Shuo had said that this was his type of Energy Manifestation. He could envelop objects with his energy. Only with the Eyes of Essence could Kai notice the trick!

He saw how small spheres flew out of the strange young man's spatial ring and were instantly covered with his energy! Then, they moved very slowly through the air, careful not to create even a hint of a breeze... But most importantly, there were already more than ten of them in the vicinity!

Due to the peculiar attribute of this young man, and likely some special technique, he made these objects invisible! They didn't even cause any visual distortions in space!

“He started doing this the moment he stepped into the arena! And what exactly is this? Is there any point in pretending that I don't know about them?” Kai rapidly analyzed the situation.

At that moment, he quickly drew his black daggers and released his energy outward!

"Doo-Doom!" A small wave of black energy rolled across the arena. But it was evident that Kai wasn’t using all his power.

Considering the whole situation and the unconventional opponent... It was better to play it slow, revealing one card at a time. It was unclear what to expect from this Reaper of Fear.

"Excellent! Let's finish this quickly!" the strange young man yelled maliciously, immediately hurling his scythes towards Kai.

It must be said that their speed was truly terrifying!

Kai didn't hesitate and quickly leaped to the side! In doing so, he maneuvered in a way that avoided all the "traps" flying in the air.

For now, he had to move very believably, as if it were just luck. Kai knew well that this couldn't go on for long, as his opponent was no fool. He would realize that Kai was somehow detecting his artifacts.

As soon as Kai moved out of the line of attack, he immediately felt what Shuo had mentioned. The scythes changed their trajectory and continued to fly after him! Through the Eyes of Essence, he saw that this was also energy manipulation. It seemed the Reaper of Fear was indeed very skilled in this!

Because of this, the fight turned into a relentless pursuit of Kai!

"Why isn't the Immortal Drunkard attacking? Don't you think he's moving a bit strangely? The Reaper of Fear threw away his weapon, why doesn’t the Immortal Drunkard close in?" Various questions began to emerge from the stands.

But almost immediately, other disciples who roughly understood what was happening started to respond. They had either seen the Reaper of Fear's battles before or had heard about him. After all, he was one of the top 100 Personal Disciples!

"Just keep watching. He's called the Reaper of Fear for a reason. Soon he will drive the Immortal Drunkard to despair..." one of the spectators explained.

At that moment, Kai continued to dodge and observe his opponent with his peripheral vision. More and more of these "spheres" were filling the surrounding space.

"Damn, he's deliberately choosing such trajectories for the scythes to trap me! Moreover, these incomprehensible flying artifacts aren't staying still either!" Kai thought rapidly.

"Enough of this!" suddenly yelled the Reaper of Fear!

At that moment, one of the scythes slightly altered its trajectory! But instead of hitting Kai, it struck one of these traps!

"Qing! Bang!" As soon as they touched, a massive explosion resounded instantly!

V.2 Chapter 237: Shield of Terror

As soon as the explosion occurred, all the stands erupted in jubilation! Finally, something interesting was happening! To the ordinary spectators, it seemed that Kai was just aimlessly running around the arena. But those who understood the methods of the Reaper of Fear thought differently...

This young man loved to corner his prey slowly with traps, gradually inflicting damage with his artifacts. Due to his attribute, he could make objects invisible. And if moved very slowly, they couldn't even be detected by the movement of the air. Usually, after spending enough time in such a battle, opponents would start to lose confidence. They feared making an extra step in any direction, as there could be a trap! But the scythes of the Reaper of Fear never stopped and didn't offer such a luxury as rest. Now Kai was also experiencing this strategy firsthand!

Naturally, Kai instantly used the Dance of Shadow Seals when he saw the scythe head towards the "sphere". Although he didn't know exactly what to expect, it was clear that it was better to retreat to a long distance.

"So that's what it is! He somehow infused them with a large amount of energy and brought it into a fragile harmony. If it's disturbed, it explodes!" Kai suddenly realized, breaking out in a light sweat.

At that moment, he observed dozens of such "spheres" surrounding him. With the Eyes of Essence, he could easily dodge them. But there was a problem... The explosion had a large blast radius! Simply dodging wasn't enough! If he couldn't get far enough away, he would still get caught in it!

"How did you dodge that, kid?!" yelled the Reaper of Fear, seeing his opponent unharmed.

From the very beginning, he had assessed Kai adequately, with all the arrogance being just a front. But now, he has become even more cautious. As Kai had anticipated, this young man must have suspected something...

"And why should I answer you?" Kai laughed, and immediately lunged towards his opponent!

Kai realized that continuing to hide his ability to detect traps was pointless. Earlier, he hoped for a surprise attack. But now, such an outcome was definitely not going to happen...

He swiftly flew straight towards his opponent, dodging all the incoming traps on the way! At that moment, the scythes of the Reaper of Fear were just turning in the air, flying back to his hands.

"Think you're the smartest? Khe-he," sneered the young man, swiftly waving his hands!

If Kai hadn't had the Eyes of Essence, he would have only realized something was wrong by the movement of the air. The Reaper of Fear threw about ten needles, each coated with his energy, and each flying towards a "sphere"!

As Kai was about to take a step back and leap away, he realized that the scythes were flying straight at his back! It seemed he had fallen into a trap! In front were explosions, and behind were sharp blades!

"Damn it! He's a very dangerous opponent! Why did Shuo recommend him if he forgot about my ability?!" Kai mentally exclaimed in frustration while preparing a Shadow Seal.

He understood that without the Eyes of Essence, the fight would have been incredibly difficult! It just so happened that Kai was an unfavorable opponent for the Reaper of Fear. In addition to his unique sensitivity to energy, Kai had the Dance of Shadow Seals, making it very difficult to trap him!

"Bam! Ba-bang! Bang!" A cascade of flashes and thunderous sounds erupted!

It seemed that some of the explosions even affected the spheres that had not been hit by the needles. As a result, everything was instantly engulfed in fire and a storm of chaotic energy. If someone had been at the epicenter, they would have been in serious trouble…

Since Kai hadn't anticipated this, he started preparing the Shadow Seal too late. In the last moment, Kai felt the tips of the blades slowly entering his back. Fortunately, he managed to teleport just in time!

But he didn’t retreat... He teleported directly behind the Reaper of Fear!

"Don't space out!" Kai yelled, striking with his daggers directly under his opponent's ribs!

He saw his blades nearing the body of the Reaper of Fear. Just a bit more, and he would inflict the first wound on his opponent!

But at that moment…

"Doom!" A resonant sound rippled through the surroundings!

Kai's body instantly froze in space! He was just a little bit short!

"What the?! When did he manage that?!" Kai mentally exclaimed in shock.

At that moment, he quickly surveyed the surroundings. Kai realized that around them, forming a perimeter, were ten small diamond-shaped objects! And most importantly, they began to emit a strange glow.

"During the explosion?! Damn!" Kai cursed.

It seemed that the Reaper of Fear had scattered these artifacts right after throwing the needles! He had anticipated Kai's next move and prepared a trap one step ahead!

When they activated, a strong suppressive field was created. This formation made the entire space feel incredibly heavy. Kai couldn't even move a finger!

At that moment, he watched as one of the scythes returned to the Reaper of Fear. In the other hand of this young man shone the same diamond as in this strange formation. Seeing all this, Kai roughly understood what would come next... But the worst part was that he couldn’t use the Shadow Seal! It was just like with the Guardian of the Mountains!

As soon as the bare-chested young man caught his scythe, he delivered a lightning-fast strike! And he didn’t hold back, aiming straight for Kai's neck! A malicious smile hung on the Reaper of Fear's face.

"Got you!" he exclaimed.

"You're celebrating too soon!" Kai mentally retorted.

"Bah!" Another powerful explosion occurred!

A burst of enormous energy and black fire erupted, interspersed with little purple sparks. It was a tandem of the Astral Flame of Sacrifice and Kai's destructive energy!

Although he couldn't use techniques... Nothing prevented him from unleashing all his power!

At that instant, the Reaper of Fear was almost up close to Kai. Avoiding the explosion was impossible! In turn, Kai directed all the fire at his opponent, limiting the blast radius with those ten diamonds. He wanted to disrupt the formation!

"Bam! Ba-bah!" A new series of explosions followed immediately! Kai's fire affected the remaining spheres!

Because of all this, chaos reigned in the Supreme Fate Arena! The explosions made it impossible to see what was happening! Even the protective barrier trembled! The whole arena held its breath! But the next second, two charred figures flew out from both sides!

Landing on his back and recovering from the momentary shock, Kai began to slowly stand up. It was evident that this wasn’t easy for him... Now, he too flaunted his bare torso like the Reaper of Fear.

From the opposite side of the arena, the Reaper of Fear also rose, holding a scythe in one hand and a crumbled artifact in the other. The tips of his hair were smoldering, and injuries were visible on his body.

At that moment, the strange pressure from the trap of the artifacts disappeared. Kai could move freely again... Smoke and fire slowly dissipated, and neither rushed to make the next move. In the previous exchange, both had sustained serious damage...

"It seems I seriously underestimated the Personal Disciples from the Top 100... If Shou says this guy is one of the weakest... what level are the others? It's not even about the level of cultivation... but about combat methods and strategy... Even when I was trapped in the suppressive formation, those spheres continued to surround me," Kai thought, breathing heavily.

It seemed that the Reaper of Fear had watched Kai's battles... He knew about the powerful fire in his arsenal. Therefore, he specifically surrounded him with additional explosive traps. He didn't expect that even in such a situation, Kai would decide to release it and be at the epicenter of the explosion. If he had faltered, then the fight would have ended instantly! One of the Elders would have stopped them, as that scythe strike could have easily killed Kai.

But because the Reaper of Fear made a wrong assumption, he ended up in the same situation as Kai. He was caught in his own trap!

Kai, confident in the resilience of his body, wasn't worried about losing immediately. Yes, he had taken significant damage... But that didn’t mean he couldn’t continue the fight!

The stands were shrieking with delight! The battle seemed truly intense! Previously, many were confident in the Reaper of Fear's victory. But now… it seemed that both opponents were quite evenly matched!

Even the elders, hidden from public view, watched this fight with interest.

"This guy keeps surprising me. Where did Mo find him? He's strange..." Elder Traen remarked, watching Kai.

"With my modest understanding, I too couldn't comprehend much. I thought you might..." Elder Ovian said in admiration.

"I don't know how this guy lived... But he has many interesting methods. If he continues to grow... In the future, the Shadow Sect will have a very powerful Elder!" Traen said, beginning to smile.

Each of these elders had their honor, and they didn't covet the inheritance of the younger generation. Moreover, it was already useless to them... But if they supported him, then they would strengthen the overall power of the Shadow Sect. Having lived so long, even waiting a decade didn’t seem like a long time to them.

"Khe... He... You're crazy, kid!" the Reaper of Fear gasped and coughed, cursing.

The smoke in the arena finally completely cleared...

"Go to hell! You're no better!" Kai retorted, gripping his daggers.

Looking at them, Kai thought to himself:

"Master Mo, it won't be long now... Soon, with the daggers you gifted me, I'll carve out a place for myself in the Top 100!"

As soon as Kai thought this, he immediately lunged into attack! He was ready to deliver the final blow! Around him, swirls of black energy and fire began to coil again!

"Don't force me!" the Reaper of Fear roared in rage!

He was badly injured and had spent almost all his prepared artifacts in the last explosion. After all, they had to be made in advance, and he didn’t have an infinite supply. Continuing the fight in the old manner was no longer possible!

As these words were spoken, a strange semi-sphere instantly appeared in front of the Reaper of Fear! It was hollow inside, with a handle for holding, and the outside was covered with long spikes! It was large enough to hide half of the Reaper of Fear's body. Moreover, it had many holes through which he could see what was happening outside.

"That's it! No way!" someone from the stands exclaimed.

"What is that?!" a second person quickly asked.

“The Reaper of Fear's personally crafted artifact! The Shield of Terror! If the Immortal Drunkard gets hit by it, he'll be reduced to nothing but a pool of blood!”

At that moment, the Reaper of Fear raised his hand to catch the Shield of Terror. He quickly covered half of his body and began to infuse the artifact with energy. At that moment, it started to glow with a strange blue light!

V.2 Chapter 238: You Are Quite Cruel

Those who understood what was happening instantly broke into a sweat! The Shield of Terror truly lived up to its name! Once it was sufficiently energized, it would shoot its spikes in all directions. But each of them wouldn't be just a simple melee weapon!

This artifact was one of the main defensive weapons of the Artifact Alliance. But the Reaper of Fear had significantly improved it. Even a master at the Gravity Sphere level would instantly die if hit by it!

At that moment, even Shuo, who was watching, clenched his fists slightly.

"I hope the Elders will be in time... I didn't think he would use this method," thought the Lone Buddha instantly.

Although it was clear that every contender would do everything to reach the Island of Reincarnation, there would also be serious consequences for murder. The Shield of Terror was one of those items that couldn't be controlled. If the Elders didn't protect Kai in time, he would die instantly!

Elder Traen had already prepared a Shadow Seal in advance. As soon as he saw the item, he realized the situation had turned dire. But it seemed he was still waiting for the last moment... He wanted to see if Kai could show something more!

All these thoughts in the minds of the spectators happened in a fraction of a second! At that moment, on the stage, Kai was rapidly flying towards his opponent, who was almost done charging the energy!

Taking another step, Kai literally soared towards the Reaper of Fear! Instantly, he was almost within a meter's radius of his opponent.

"You're finished!" the Reaper of Fear roared loudly.

All the spikes on the Shield of Terror began to contract slightly. Another second and they would surely fire! Kai was almost up close... At that instant, everyone in the stands held their breath! It seemed that all the sounds of the world had just vanished...

"Torture King Mode!" Kai roared mentally!

"Doom!" At that instant, his hair instantly turned crimson, and bloody lines spread all over his body.

A colorless wave of airs burst from Kai's body! At that moment, many weaker masters in the stands seemed to fall into a trance... Their eyes became empty, as if they had lost consciousness for a moment...

But the one who felt the terror of direct pressure was the Reaper of Fear!

In that second, even the Shield of Terror slightly trembled. It seemed that the young man slightly loosened his grip! The glow also dimmed a bit... For a moment, he interrupted his attack!

"Enjoy the Illusion of the Lust Queen! You like that, don't you? He-he!" Kai thought maliciously, with an evil smile.

"What the..." the Reaper of Fear exclaimed sharply, jerking his head!

He regained his senses! He had lost his mind for just a moment, but that was more than enough!

At that moment, Kai had already dived under the spherical shield. Even if the spikes fired, they would no longer pose a threat to him!

As Kai had anticipated, the ability to plunge the victim into a world of illusions was simply marvelous! It's worth noting that in these illusions, they didn’t find bliss. Rather, they experienced a ruthless murder by the object of their desire.

And the Reaper of Fear was no exception! When you unexpectedly experience something like that, even upon returning to reality, a slight confusion awaits.

"You're finished!" Kai yelled with a maniacal, predatory smile.

In Torture King Mode, the aura he emitted was simply terrifying… It especially harmonized well with Kai's energy. The Reaper of Fear's forehead instantly broke out in sweat! As ironic as it sounded, he felt primal fear or even terror!

At that second, Kai understood that without absorbing blood, he wouldn't last long. He needed to finish it!

As soon as he thought this, he immediately grabbed the Reaper of Fear's hand, holding the Shield of Terror.

"Crack!" The sound of breaking bones echoed!

Those sitting in certain seats could see what caused the sound… In that instant, the Reaper of Fear's hand twisted at an unnatural angle…

In Torture King Mode, Kai's physical strength became simply terrifying. After the last exchange of blows and enduring the aftermath of the explosion, Kai's energy was almost depleted… But this didn't mean he couldn’t use the strength of his body!

He wanted to grab his opponent's hand just to prevent him from escaping. But Kai hadn't anticipated his physical strength to be so great. He broke the Reaper of Fear's bones with such ease, as if they were dry twigs!

Of course, a significant factor was that the Reaper of Fear had invested almost all his energy into the Shield of Terror. Now, he was almost defenseless…

"I surr..." Just as the Reaper of Fear began these words, a loud sound of impact and breaking bones resounded!

"Bam! Crack!" A horrifically unpleasant sound spread throughout the area…

Although everyone here was a master of martial arts and had seen many cruel things, such situations still made many wince or squint slightly.

The Reaper of Fear's body literally flew backward, crashing into the protective barrier! Since he was originally bare-chested, now everyone could witness the consequences of the blow… His chest was literally caved in…

Even before he could fall, he was immediately caught by people in white clothes!

"Crack! Aaaaa!" The sound of crunching and the Reaper of Fear's scream echoed again.

Those from the Hall of Medicine swiftly set some of his bones and stuffed a handful of pills into the Reaper of Fear's mouth. Another peculiar old man also appeared in the arena, beginning to check the Reaper of Fear's condition.

After that, he turned to Kai and, with a malicious face, released his energy outward.

"Doom!" The entire space trembled, and Kai instantly fell to his knees!

Even in Torture King Mode, he couldn't move an inch! It was a sensation even more brutal than from that turtle! A trickle of blood immediately flowed from Kai’s mouth...

"Boy, you are quite cruel..." the old man spoke menacingly, slowly approaching him.

"My... opponent... no better..." Kai managed to say through clenched teeth.

"He wanted to surrender, but you didn't give him a chance. I think you need to be taught a lesson similarly" said the old man, raising his hand.

But as soon as he did this, a huge, violet hand materialized in the air! Instantly, it slammed down!

"Bam!" A terrifying impact resounded!

From this, Kai was instantly sent flying off the ring, shattering the protective barrier to pieces! The spectators in the stands screamed, not understanding what was happening!

"Has someone attacked the Shadow Sect?!" one of the Personal Disciples yelled.

"No! Look!" another quickly shouted.

A cloud of dust was swiftly blown towards the Endless Waters! At that moment, before everyone's eyes, the destroyed arena was revealed! The fact that this incredibly sturdy flooring had turned into fine rubble was simply incredible! Previously, no matter how destructive the techniques displayed by the disciples were, they couldn't leave even a scratch!

At that moment, the huge, violet hand was still present on the stage. Under it was the old man pressed down! But nearby stood another one! He was the one who had announced the Tournament of the Hundred!

"Know your place, Jugo! Be grateful that I didn't kill you for such frivolous actions! The restoration of the arena will also be at your expense! Get out of here!" Elder Traen loudly commanded in a stern tone.

The next second, the violet hand began to dissolve into the air. From under the debris, the beaten old man started to emerge. One of his arms hung unnaturally. It appeared he hadn't escaped with just minor injuries… He quickly lowered his head and, without saying a word, vanished. Meanwhile, medics continued to attend to the Reaper of Fear.

Kai, lying at a distance, had already canceled the effects of Torture King Mode. He felt that a little more, and he would start to feel the backlash.

"Damn... That old man must have been the master of the Reaper of Fear... Could my elder be that strong?!" Kai thought, watching Elder Traen with one eye.

He had only briefly felt that terrifying pressure from the Reaper of Fear's master. And Kai understood that the master was still holding back. Otherwise, Kai would have died instantly. Yet, Elder Traen crushed him with just one move!

Elder Mo was also a Shadow Elder. This meant his strength should be equal!

"Amazing... And they are just fooling around. Their true strength is carefully hidden. How can I help Master Mo if I am so far from his level..." Kai thought, breathing heavily.

At that moment, people from the Hall of Medicine also rushed to him and began examining his body. If anyone said that Kai was fine, it would be a lie... Even without the backlash, his body had many internal injuries and fractures. The explosion had not left him unscathed; it had inflicted serious injuries, just not considered during the fight.

"We will take you to a ward. Don't move," one of the medics said politely, carefully placing Kai on a stretcher.

"Damn... I hope my victory won't be denied?" Kai thought, turning his head.

Just then, Elder Traen calmly announced:

"The winner is the Immortal Drunkard! He earns the right to visit the Island of Reincarnation and enters the Top-100 Personal Disciples! Congratulations to him!"

As soon as the elder said this, the entire stand erupted in ovations! They had witnessed not just a fight, but even a clash between Elders! It was truly a spectacular sight!

Moreover, many began to learn information and realized that Kai was only 15 years old! Breaking into the Top-100 was indeed a significant feat! It couldn't be said that this had never happened before. But it was also not an ordinary event! This Immortal Drunkard would definitely be among the top masters of the Shadow Sect someday. And that meant he was definitely worthy of respect! Ideally, one should strengthen relations with him before he becomes unattainable...

"Phew... At least no adventures here. It’s even good that this elder showed up..." Kai thought and calmly closed his eyes.

He was already starting to feel the consequences of the backlash. So, he decided to just stay still and rest peacefully. Kai was somewhat glad that he had publicly taken damage from an Elder. This way, he could attribute his condition to that. He didn't want to publicly show the downside of his trump card. Otherwise, adversaries might take advantage of it in the future...

"Next fight! Poisonous Fox versus Prince of Wind! But first, wait a few minutes!" the elder announced loudly.

As soon as he said this, he raised his hands upward... At that moment, the air itself began to distort! And the temperature of the surroundings seemed to flare up! But surprisingly, this was limited only to the boundaries of the arena and did not affect anyone in the vicinity.

"Crack! Crack!" The sound of stones crunching echoed!

In the next moment, all the shattered boulders that were once the arena began to split and compress. Right before everyone's eyes, the entire arena was transforming into a surface that, while not perfect, was generally smooth and even.

V.2 Chapter 239: Beautiful Day

As Kai was carried on the stretcher, he continued to watch the scene. For him, it was an intangible event!

"He's not even exerting himself! Just with the pressure of his energy, he managed to compress all that solid rock! What level is his true strength?!" Kai thought in shock.

At that moment, he once again realized that he shouldn't underestimate these seemingly kind old men... It seemed that until he went to the Island of Reincarnation, he wouldn't grasp the difference between them. Apparently, the world of the Elders was a completely different realm...

"Create a new barrier. Now, a regular one will suffice to withstand the blows of these youngsters," Elder Traen said loudly and vanished instantly.

As soon as this happened, about a dozen Array Masters ran onto the Supreme Fate Arena. They immediately began drawing various array elements, each responsible for their own section.

But this was no longer of interest to Kai, who closed his eyes and rested peacefully.

"Finally, I'm one step closer to fulfilling my desires. I wonder how many more steps will be required? He-he…" Kai thought, lying down with a smile.

At that moment, he was genuinely happy! One could say that he had been working towards this goal from the moment Elder Ovian told him about the Island of Reincarnation. The fulfillment of his wishes indeed felt quite pleasant!

"Damn, it's only my second time in the Supreme Fate Arena, and I'm being carried out on a stretcher again. Thankfully, at least I'm conscious this time..." Kai continued to reflect with an ironic smile.

Checking his body with his energy, he noticed many fractures in his bones and internal ruptures in his muscle tissue. His condition wasn't great, even before the master of the Reaper of Fear appeared. But as soon as Kai felt the pressure of even a fraction of the Elder's energy, his condition worsened instantly...

From the outside, it might not have looked so terrible. But even seconds of that pressure were enough for Kai to realize the horror of the situation...

Fortunately, Kai's regeneration was on an entirely different level. As soon as he recovered from the backlash of Torture King Mode, his body would heal quite well on its own. Then, he would just need to rest and stimulate impulses in his body. It might not even take Kai several days. After all, his lineage had greatly strengthened over the past six months.

"One could say I was very lucky... It's a pity I won't see the fights of the other contenders. The Personal Disciples in the Top-100 are truly terrifying. It's just that the methods of the Reaper of Fear were conditionally useless against me. But even so, I took quite a beating..." Kai pondered as he felt the sway of the stretcher.

He fully understood that there was a considerable amount of luck in his victory. Perhaps other opponents were even stronger and had different methods. Then, Kai would have had to rely only on the 5 minutes of Torture King Mode, which would have been a very risky approach. However, the entire idea of participating in the Tournament of the Hundred was quite presumptuous.

“Master Mo, your disciple is making good progress. Wait for me a little longer, after the Island of Reincarnation, I will head straight to you!” Kai firmly thought to himself and finally decided to rest.

His victory became a major sensation! Even before the start of the next fight, many were already fervently discussing the event. Kai was the dark horse that no one had really expected to win. But now, his name was being mentioned everywhere! Especially in the minds of ordinary disciples, he hadn't just entered the Top-100. He defeated the 93rd place!

Naturally, they didn’t have as deep an understanding of the situation as Shuo. They took the rankings literally. Because of this, Kai's victory seemed even more stunning.

The tournament continued in its course, and nobody postponed it to restore the arena. After all, martial arts masters fight in various conditions. Uneven surfaces were certainly not an obstacle for them. It even added more spectacle!

As Prince of Wind and Poisonous Fox entered the arena and everyone discussed the new fight… Elder Traen sat with a serious face, frowning. It seemed he was deeply pondering something.

He wasn’t concerned about Elder Jugo's actions. Traen was too old, and he had seen many similar situations in his life. Human emotions were quite predictable, and Jugo had already learned a lesson for his unacceptable behavior…

“Elder Traen, is something troubling you?” Ovian asked through thought transmission.

“And you?” Traen calmly replied.

“Kai’s last technique... What was it?” Ovian asked in return, shifting his gaze to his interlocutor.

“I have no answer. I’ve never seen anything like it… The lad's overall strength surged instantly. But do you know the inconsistency?” Traen asked mysteriously.

“I would be truly grateful if you would enlighten me,” Ovian responded, his face showing unmistakable interest.

It appeared that Ovian treated Traen with incredible respect and reverence. He always respectfully sought the opinion of this Shadow Elder. In turn, Traen was not averse to conversing with an intelligent person.

“At the moment of that ability, his energy didn’t change at all. Also, neither the amount nor the concentration increased…” the elder paused, “The question is, where did all that strength come from?” Traen asked seriously.

As soon as the elder spoke, Elder Ovian's eyes instantly widened. It seemed he only understood when it was pointed out. Indeed, what Traen said was true!

"Besides that, his appearance changed. And the way he plunged those around him into illusions just with his aura… This… To put it mildly, these are very strange methods…" Traen continued thoughtfully, "Honestly, I want to see Mo. He must understand more than we do. Because I, frankly, don't understand a damn thing," the elder said candidly, with a slight swear.

“Elder Traen, you know about my ability to understand people… I’m sure that Kai is definitely not our enemy. Even at our first meeting, I roughly understood what kind of person he was. Since then, my opinion hasn’t changed," Ovian interjected, interrupting Traen’s thoughts.

It seemed he was afraid that the formidable elder might misunderstand something. Although the chance was slim, Ovian still decided to stand up for Kai. He really liked the young man...

"What are you talking about? Do you think they didn’t inform me of all the information about him? He gave that massive array of letters practically for free. If he were a spy, then what kind of enemies could so easily throw around such gifts? The answer is obvious — those who are far stronger than us!" Traen responded seriously, dispelling Ovian's concerns.

“But there are none, the power balance of the Heavenly Continent is well maintained," Ovian continued, defending Kai.

"Exactly. So don’t worry, I don’t suspect him of anything. It’s just that for the first time in many years, I have real curiosity. At times like these, I even regret that I don’t break my principles," the elder replied seriously.

He was hinting that he wouldn't meddle in Kai's affairs or sniff around his abilities. For Traen, such behavior would be incredibly shameful. The Great Shadow Elder spying on a 15-year-old fledgling! Unacceptable!

“Elder Traen, I’m glad you are such a person," Ovian said with a light smile, "By the way, you slightly misunderstand what kind of person Kai is. If you're truly interested, ask him directly. He will answer you if there’s an opportunity. If it’s a deadly secret, he won’t be offended because you politely asked. Just do it the right way," Ovian subtly hinted.

"Really? Hmm… Maybe I will try," Traen replied, a bit more animated.

As all this happened, Kai was already in the Hall of Medicine. Coincidentally, the same strict woman came to examine him. She grumbled a bit while assessing Kai's condition. But when he hinted that it was a consequence of his own techniques, she calmed down a bit. After all, in the world of martial arts masters, there were many forbidden techniques that inflicted damage on the user.

Kai understood that after lying down for half a day, he should be in a conditionally normal state. So he didn't worry much and lay there with a content smile.

"Kai!" A sudden excited female cry rang out!

Following this, two girls rushed into the room. Their faces were filled with unmistakable worry!

"Oh, it's you..." Kai said wearily, "I told you I would make it into the Top 100! He-he-he..." Trying to laugh, Kai coughed heavily.

"How are you? Are you badly injured?" Another anxious female voice sounded.

But to his surprise, this time it wasn't Taemi... Iris was no less agitated by everything that happened in the Supreme Fate Arena.

"Calm down... Better congratulate me and leave. I need to rest, you know!" Kai replied, laughing playfully.

"Answer Sister Iris’s question! Don't be stubborn!" Taemi exclaimed a bit angrily.

Her words were slightly sharp due to an excess of emotions and anxiety.

"I'm fine! I just can't move for the next few hours, but then I'll be okay." Kai reassured the girls calmly.

Hearing this, Taemi immediately felt relieved. Only then did she realize her previous reaction was slightly exaggerated.

"Phew... You scared us..." Taemi said, shaking her head in relief.

"Agreed... Seeing you on a stretcher isn't very nice. Sister Taemi was really worried about you," Iris chimed in, nodding.

"Sister Iris, don't shift all the responsibility onto me! You almost cried at that moment! So be honest with yourself!" Taemi retorted playfully.

"You! You..." Iris began, turning red, trying to respond.

"Alright, alright! Stop, girls! You flew in here like a damn hurricane! I was lying in absolute peace until you started this ruckus!" Kai said with feigned irritation.

Hearing these rather harsh words, the girls weren’t offended. Over time, they had come to understand this side of Kai's character. They knew he just had that manner of speaking.

At that moment, the strict matron entered and loudly said:

"I told you, you could only make sure he's okay! Visiting time is over, you have one more minute!" Saying this, she turned around and left.

Hearing this, the girls became a bit sad, but rules were rules.

"Alright, Kai, we're leaving! Please let us know as soon as you recover!" Iris said firmly.

"Wait, can't you move at all?" Taemi interrupted Iris to ask.

"Yeah, I can't... Why?" Kai asked, not understanding.

As soon as he uttered these words, Taemi brazenly approached him and kissed him!

"We're going! Ha-ha!" The girl giggled sweetly and carefreely ran out of the room.

"Hey! You took advantage of my defenselessness! That's illegal!" Kai called after her. Although he was a bit stunned by the surprise, he wasn’t overly bothered by such trivialities. He even found it pleasant.

However, Iris continued to stand still, as if turned to stone from shock! She seemed completely unprepared for her friend's action.

"Iris, what about you? Aren’t you going to take advantage of my defenselessness? He-he," Kai teased, laughing.

Hearing this, Iris clenched her fists, took a step forward, and also kissed Kai!

"Idiot!" she exclaimed embarrassedly and ran out of the room.

"What a beautiful day today! He-he," Kai said, lying down with a satisfied smile.

V.2 Chapter 240: Mysterious Connection

Lately, Kai had begun to understand girls on a much deeper level. This was because he had started to put into practice the advice of Old Mo. Stories that previously made no sense to him started to take on new meaning.

"It turns out my old man really knows his stuff about these matters... It's weird, especially when I remember his wrinkled face..." Kai thought as he rested.

At that moment, he still sensed the faint fragrance of the girls in his room, along with the satisfaction of saying goodbye to them.

"I wonder when the expedition to the Island of Reincarnation will start? Honestly, I can't wait to go there," Kai mused, smiling to himself.

He was also curious to find out which of the contenders would also break into the Top-100. After all, they might need to join forces in the Sacred Land.

While Kai planned to "hunt" alone, initially, it might be better to move in a group. Otherwise, he could again become a target, forced to run away. And that was something he definitely wanted to avoid. Overall, however, he was leaning toward individual adventures.

"Anyway, I'll find out soon enough. No point in racking my brain over it. Actually, I might even try to sleep." Kai chuckled to himself and closed his eyes.

Lately, due to his level of cultivation, Kai didn't need much sleep. He increasingly replaced it with meditation. Just a few hours were enough for his body and mind to recover. However, sleep could still be pleasant. Unfortunately, Kai usually didn't have time for such frivolities. Luckily, now he could sleep with a clear conscience.

Kai recovered from the effects of the Torture King Mode by late afternoon. Still, he didn't rush to wake up and lay in bed until the next morning. Only the fresh rays of the rising sun woke him up.

Upon opening his eyes, he first checked his body's condition. As Kai had anticipated, his pulses and lineage were already hard at work on regeneration. Observing this, he slowly sat up, still feeling a slight pain. Naturally, for Kai, this was just a trifle. Sitting in the lotus position on the bed, he began to eagerly absorb energy from outside.

Less than half an hour had passed when the strict woman came in for a check-up.

"Turn around, Immortal Drunkard," she said sternly.

It seemed she was entirely unconcerned with his status as a Personal Disciple. Only now did Kai realize that the woman's own identity was probably no less impressive. That's most likely why she allowed herself to behave in such a commanding manner.

Kai wasn't bothered by this; he calmly turned around and removed his clothing. The woman, in turn, placed her palm on him and infused a bit of energy into his body.

"As always, your regeneration is frightening. In principle, you can go home now. Or do you want to stay a few more days?" she asked calmly.

"Thank you very much, but let's say I'll head home," Kai replied with a smile, respectfully.

"Alright, then let me make you fresh bandages, and you can be free to go. Just notify me before you leave," the woman said, nodding calmly. "By the way, you have visitors. They will come in after the examination," she added calmly.

"Okay. Thanks," Kai responded, not giving much importance to her words.

He didn't want to bombard the woman with questions and interfere with her work. So, he just calmly waited until the end of the procedure. As soon as she left, two elders entered the room.

"How are you feeling, Kai? And yes, congratulations! Hahaha," Elder Ovian entered, laughing loudly.

It was evident he sincerely and openly meant it. Just half a year ago, he had hinted to Kai that even trying wasn't worth it. He didn’t believe Kai had even the slightest chance of entering the Top-100... But now, everything was the opposite!

Seeing the two, Kai quickly got up and respectfully bowed. Although he didn't need to observe such formalities with Ovian, Kai understood the status of the second elder!

"Greetings, Elders! To what do I owe this honor?" Kai greeted politely.

"Elder Traen wanted to meet you, to see you up close, so to speak," Ovian replied with a smile.

Hearing this, Kai became slightly cautious, but didn’t show it outwardly.

"Pleased to meet you again, Elder Traen! I must admit, you are the first Shadow Elder I have seen in the Shadow Sect. Of course, my Master Mo doesn’t count," Kai said with his characteristic carefree smile.

"Likewise. You showed an outstanding result, so allow me to congratulate you as well," Elder Traen said, looking intently at Kai.

"You overestimate me, Elder Traen!" Kai laughed in response.

"No need for false modesty. Your regeneration is terrifying. It's not something that a master at a high stage of the Cloud Sphere should possess. You are a very interesting young man." Traen said candidly.

"He-he... What can I do, even if I wanted to hide this fact, I wouldn’t be able to. Especially in front of masters of your level..." Kai replied, as if hinting at something.

Nevertheless, Kai was very cautious and didn't want his secrets to become a subject of serious interest...

"Don't worry, I have no need for your possessions. Death isn't too far off for me, and I have no chance of breaking into the Core Sphere. So, your secrets are of no use to me," Elder Traen said, slightly rolling his eyes.

He really didn't want Kai to misunderstand him, and especially not to suspect him of any ulterior motives.

"Sorry, it's just a reflex." Kai replied nonchalantly, scratching the back of his head. "After all, every master of martial arts guards their secrets," he added with a smile.

At that moment, the old man slightly furrowed his brow, as if making a difficult decision for himself.

"Is something wrong, Elder Traen?" Kai asked, noticing the old man's odd reaction.

"No... Everything's fine. But I wanted to ask you a few questions. I'm ashamed to admit, they are about your abilities. Which directly contradicts what I've just said," the elder confessed. "If you absolutely don't want to answer them, that's no problem. Just say no, and I'll never bring up the subject again," Traen added, looking earnestly at Kai.

Considering the old man's words, Kai didn't think he was being deceitful. Especially since he had saved him before. So, he decided to at least hear his questions.

"Ask your questions, Elder Traen. If I can answer, I certainly will," Kai replied respectfully with a smile.

Hearing Kai's response, the elder relaxed slightly. At least, it was evident that Kai didn't think of him as a dishonorable old man.

"Firstly, what attribute do you possess? As for the second question, you should be able to guess it yourself, let's not speak it aloud," the elder hinted.

Even before the Tournament of the Hundred, Kai had anticipated such a scenario. He was very lucky that during his fight with the Reaper of Fear, he only displayed the Torture King Mode for a short period. He hadn't revealed his full potential, and most importantly, he didn't show the consequences of the backlash!

"Hmm…" Kai pondered, "To be honest, I'm still trying to figure it out myself. My energy is very destructive and instills an instinctive terror. I don't know its clear aspects and properties," Kai admitted openly.

He really had no leads up to this point. Of course, there was Kessia, but now, she was of no help.

"The second... It's an ancient legacy. But it was passed down to me directly. It's not a cultivation technique or something that can be transferred or acquired. I can't say more than that," Kai added seriously.

The Torture King Mode was a very peculiar method, especially in a society where everyone utilized energy. For someone with perception at Elder Traen's level, the strangeness of the method was immediately noticeable.

"I understand you. Thank you for giving me an answer," the elder replied with a grateful nod. "Regarding your second question, I won't ask anything more. But about the first... Perhaps, I have seen something similar to your energy," Elder Traen suddenly revealed.

"What?!" Kai exclaimed involuntarily!

At that moment, he was completely taken aback. He had met someone else who might know something about his energy!

"I see you weren't lying about not knowing yourself. Hahaha," Elder Ovian said, laughing and easing the atmosphere.

In fact, Elder Traen was closely observing this moment. In Kai's spontaneous reaction, he also realized that Kai wasn't lying. Deceiving such a wise man as Elder Traen was almost impossible. Even if Kai were a top-class actor, fooling Elder Traen would be unfeasible.

"Elder Traen, would you mind telling me something about it? Honestly, it's one of the mysteries that constantly haunts me," Kai said with unmistakable interest.

"Of course. Earlier, you also showed respect to me," the elder calmly replied. "Kai... On the surface, the Island of Reincarnation might not seem like what it really is. The Sacred Land is not on the island itself. There’s only a spatial rift there," Elder Traen began to explain.

"A spatial rift? What is that?" Kai asked, not understanding.

"Our entire environment consists of space. There are places in the world where it's torn. Thus, by passing through these rifts, you can find yourself in a wholly different place in a matter of seconds. Spatial rings work on a similar principle," Elder Ovian interjected, explaining.

"Exactly. And such a rift exists on the Island of Reincarnation. It, in turn, leads to forbidden lands teeming with danger... Youngsters like you travel only on the outskirts. Old folks like me explore the depths!" the elder continued, "In fact, it's much more complicated, but I can't properly explain the whole essence to you right now... The thing is, a decade ago, we found a very strange place in the depths of the Sacred Land. That time, a huge number of people died, including members from each of the three sects of the Mysterious Sea Region," Elder Traen explained in a roundabout way.

Listening to all this, Kai couldn't understand what all this conversation was about and how it related to his attribute.

"But how does this relate to me, Elder?" Kai asked, not understanding.

"The energy reigning in those places is very similar to yours!" the elder replied loudly and seriously.

Hearing this, Kai was stunned! Energy of his type existed in the forbidden land of the entire Mysterious Sea Region? And how did it end up outside?

"Can I go there?!" Kai immediately exclaimed his question.

"No. Even the pressure of the energy in those places is lethal for you. You're still too weak!" Elder Traen immediately dismissed Kai's idea. "But I'd be lying if I said I don't have hopes for you in the future. I also very much want to uncover the secrets of those places," the elder honestly admitted.

Hearing all this, Kai's eyes lit up! Finally, he had received another piece of information! Moreover, he was already moving in the right direction! It turns out that even someone alive had seen something similar... This greatly eased Kai's moral burden. It's far more disheartening when only masters who died thousands of years ago know about the nature of your power...

"By the way, where are you from? Who are your parents?" Elder Traen suddenly asked.

Hearing this question, Kai smiled slightly melancholically.

"Hehe... I wish I could say that I know. But honestly, I've long since stopped caring about all that," Kai calmly said. "I grew up in an orphanage... The only living relative I have left is Grandpa Mo," Kai replied to Traen, completely serious.

V.2 Chapter 241: Life Frames

As soon as these words flew from Kai's lips, Elder Traen looked at him with a certain understanding.

Previously, the old man thought that perhaps this young man had some impressive origin. With such a past, it would be possible to learn more about his abilities. But, as it turned out, Kai grew up in an ordinary orphanage and was an orphan.

"Sorry to keep asking about this..." Traen began again.

"It's okay. This topic doesn't really bother me." Kai laughed, reassuring his interlocutor.

"Can you tell me where your orphanage was located? Also, do you know how you ended up there?" the old man asked curiously.

It seemed he was hoping to find some leads in this information...

"No problem," Kai said with a smile, "I was found on a small raft, literally washed ashore. It was there that the woman who raised me throughout my childhood, and was essentially my mother, found me."

"And about the location? Or is that a secret?" the elder quickly asked again.

"No, it's no secret. The orphanage was in the Moonshine Empire, on the border with the Empire of the Ghostly Halberd. To be more precise, my village was in the domains of Lord Flick. Truth be told, I killed him, so I don't know who owns them now," Kai replied with a smile, candidly.

At that moment, there was no point in hiding such a fact. As a Personal Disciple in the Top-100, he already held a status above any high official in the Capital of the Moonshine Empire. Moreover, as harsh as it might sound, nobody cared about people like Lord Flick. To these elders, he was no different from an ordinary insect.

"Hmm..." Elder Traen mused thoughtfully.

It seemed he was pondering something in his mind, going through various possibilities... The old man's face occasionally changed, as if he was having a mental dialogue with himself.

"Is everything all right, Elder Traen?" Kai asked curiously.

"Eh..." the old man sighed heavily, "Yes, everything's fine. I was thinking about various variations of your origin. But alas, most likely, you were indeed born of mortals," he said, as if searching for the right words.

"Sorry, but why are you so interested in my origin? Is there any sense in it?" Kai asked, not understanding, "On the contrary, I like that I was born a commoner and can be completely free." he added proudly, laughing.

"I was just hoping to find some clarification of some of your abilities for myself. But perhaps, I need to stop with this. Sorry again for intrusively meddling in your affairs and past," Traen replied calmly.

It was logical to assume that Kai's strange body, or the unclear type of energy he possessed, might somehow be connected to the heritage he received from his parents. But as it turned out, there was no such heritage. Here, the discussion was about the heritage of cultivation techniques or secret family methods. The attribute of energy and its type are not inherited.

In general, if a dozen masters cultivate the same cultivation technique, their type of energy and attributes will be very similar. At the very beginning, they could even be called identical... But as cultivation grows, differences will emerge depending on the understanding and perception of the technique, as well as the personality of the master himself. Starting from the Energy Manifestation and beyond, the differences will become more and more obvious.

"I'm in a similar situation as you." Kai laughed.

"In what sense?" Traen asked, not understanding.

"When I heard about that strange place, the Island of Reincarnation, I also became interested in what was happening," Kai replied candidly.

"Everything in its own time. I think we will definitely find an answer someday; we just need to wait a little," the elder replied seriously.

"Elder Traen, what's a little time for you is half a lifetime for a young man! Hahaha!" Ovian joined the conversation, jokingly.

"Hmm... I had forgotten about that..." the elder mused.

"Listen, I constantly think about this, but I never asked directly..." Kai suddenly interrupted the elder's contemplation, "How long can you live?" he asked bluntly.

Earlier, he had also answered quite personal and intimate questions. Therefore, he did not hesitate to ask such questions now. Although it was somewhat naive, Kai still expected a similar attitude towards him.

"You sometimes surprise me..." Ovian replied with a smile, shaking his head.

"Why is that? Can't one ask about such things?" Kai asked, not understanding Ovian's reaction.

"That's not the point. Sometimes you can understand and talk about very deep concepts. But at the same time, you don't know basic things. Ha-ha..." Ovian laughed, "Okay, let me briefly tell you," he continued calmly.

At that moment, Kai's curiosity was fully piqued. Such information was indeed useful. It's just that Kai usually had more important matters to attend to and always forgot to read about this...

"Let's start from the beginning... You understand how hard life is for commoners. Their life lasts on average 40–50 years...

Then come the Warriors, who because of better nutrition and endurance, live on average 60 years.

Cultivators, supported by energy, in turn can easily live up to 80–90 years.

The subsequent spheres dramatically increase lifespan. Even in your case, you can feel the difference in self-perception between the Cultivator stage and the Cloud Sphere.

Thus, the Cloud Sphere grants you about 120 years. The Gravity Sphere is more dispersed, as masters usually travel a lot during this period and encounter dangerous situations. But if we talk in dry numbers, on average, it's from 170 to 200 years," Elder Ovian explained calmly and methodically.

"And what about people of your status?" Kai asked, curious and slightly shocked.

"Hmm… Masters of the Star Sphere can live up to 350–400 years. Naturally, if they don't die somewhere in the process. And also, it all depends on what stage of the Star Sphere you're at. If you're just at the beginning, you might not even reach 350..." Ovian answered calmly, "For instance, I am 283 years old, and Elder Traen has already crossed into his 33rd decade..." He answered honestly.

Hearing this, Kai's jaw dropped slightly... He understood that these elders were long-lived, but he hadn't thought they were that old!

"How old is my master then?!" Kai suddenly exclaimed.

"Mo is about 30 years older than me," Elder Traen said, shifting his gaze to Kai.

"Wow..." Kai uttered, astonished...

Previously, he thought Master Mo was about a hundred years old. But it turned out to be far more astounding. Such a number didn't even fit in his head! But in the next moment, he remembered that there was also a higher sphere!

"But what about the Patriarch?! How long do masters of the Core Sphere live?!" Kai asked, even more shocked.

At that moment, the elders even began to smile. They were somewhat amused by Kai's fervent reaction. Such moments seemed to bring them back to the atmosphere of ordinary life.

"Again, in this case, it's all situational... Higher masters risk much more by exploring forbidden zones of our world. But if we assume they don't encounter deadly obstacles, they can live up to 1000 years!" Elder Ovian declared solemnly...

"A whole 1000 years... Unimaginable..." Kai said, shocked and contemplative.

He felt like he was being pranked or misled. But considering the personalities of these elders, Kai understood they were telling the truth!

"Anticipating your next question. Our Patriarch is just over 650 years old. He's considered quite young among patriarchs," Elder Traen said calmly.

Listening to all this, Kai's face twisted slightly...

"Young at 650 years? What the... Is this why Kessia said I was too ridiculous in my knowledge? Hmm... And what do they do all this time? Though, if I could live that long, I would learn so much interesting stuff..." Kai mused, as if in a trance.

"I understand that this might shatter your worldview a bit. But even at the Star Sphere stage, sometimes you have to retreat into secluded cultivation for 5, if not 10 years. So, it's not all fun and games," Elder Ovian said, noticing Kai's reaction.

Hearing this, Kai remained in a trance for a few more seconds, then shook his head and calmly said:

"Alright. Perhaps it's too early for me to think about this. By the way, what about the Tournament of the Hundred?" Kai asked, changing the subject.

"Excuse me, I have to leave now, so Ovian will answer any further questions. Thank you again, Kai, for answering my questions honestly," Elder Traen said with restraint.

"No problem! Thank you, too!" Kai replied with a smile.

As soon as he said these words, the elder nodded and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Let's continue. Ha-ha," Ovian laughed, "Besides you, two more candidates made it through. Want to guess who?" the elder asked.

"I think that swordsman named Prince of Wind. Not sure about the other one," Kai replied with a smile.

Kai was almost certain that this Prince of Wind was forceful. He was even glad that he hadn't had to fight him before the final battle. He wasn't sure he could have concealed his Torture King Mode in such a case.

"You're right. Besides him, Thunderous Ram also made it through," Ovian confirmed Kai's guess.

"Oh? Good for him. He seemed like a pretty decent guy," Kai responded candidly.

"The tournament turned out to be quite spectacular. Actually, three candidates making it into the Top-100 is an excellent result. Usually, only one makes it through," the elder explained.

This showed that, as it turned out, the overall strength of the candidates was higher than usual. This made Kai's achievement even more significant according to the Shadow Sect disciples.

"By the way, when does the expedition to Island of Reincarnation start?" Kai suddenly remembered to ask.

Hearing this, the elder pondered for a moment and answered:

"In about a week, the Patriarch should emerge from secluded cultivation. After that, he and the Heads of the Sword Sect and the Spirit Fire Sect will inspect the state of the barrier. As soon as they figure out the right time, all participants will be informed."

"Wow... So it turns out the Heads themselves will make all the decisions. I thought they didn't get involved in such matters," Kai replied thoughtfully.

"If it's not about Island of Reincarnation, then indeed, elders like me handle all the organization. But in those places, only Core Sphere level masters can understand what's going on," Ovian explained briefly.

"I understand, Elder. Thank you for answering my questions!" Kai laughed and thanked him.

After that, they exchanged a few more phrases, and Elder Ovian left to attend to his own matters. Kai also decided that he could get ready to head home. He just needed to inform the strict manager about it before leaving.

V.2 Chapter 242: Shadow Sect Patriarch

From the moment Kai returned to his personal quarters, time flew by quite fast. A few days ago, the Patriarch of the Shadow Sect finally set off for the Island of Reincarnation. This was reported to all a hundred Personal Disciples, so they would be ready to move out at any moment.

In the last week, Kai didn't spend much time training. Mostly, he was busy buying various provisions. His experience with the Astral City had taught him that it was better to stock up with a huge amount of food, water, and wine.

Fortunately, he had the ring of the Astral Emperor of Alchemy, which had a huge capacity. Before this, he even unloaded of all the junk he had collected in the Shadow Groves.

It turned out that in the Shadow Sect there was a strange institution, one Kai had never thought about before. It was a serious structure, similar to the Bureau of Groceries in the Border Beast City. The only difference was that you brought your items there and paid for their safekeeping. You could even leave your money there to retrieve it at another branch.

In fact, a similar financial structure existed in the Border Beast City as well. It's just that Kai usually wasn't interested in such things. All matters of this nature were automatically handled by Diso. But alas, he wasn't around now. When Kai arranged for the storage of his items, he felt a bit sad that the Fatso wasn't there with him.

Also, out of curiosity, Kai visited the Blacksmiths' Alliance to check out the assortment of weapons for sale. But it turned out that the quality of Kai's own blades was the highest. Although they didn't have additional properties like Thunderous Ram's weapons, they were incredibly durable and sharp, and conducted energy very well.

Kai hadn't thought about this before... But it turned out that Master Mo had given him really valuable weapons! Although they were not unique or legendary, they were very practical! Realizing this, Kai mentally thanked his old man once again.

Thus, he filled his spatial rings only with everything necessary. And the remaining time he spent with Iris, Taeimi, and Shuo. Naturally, they didn't meet all four together. Shuo preferred Kai's company alone.

The attitude of those around Kai had also changed significantly. If previously everyone just occasionally greeted him respectfully while passing by, now they literally stepped aside and whispered. Now he was not the new, almost unknown Personal Disciple. He was the Immortal Drunkard number 93 in the Rank of Personal Disciples! Moreover, he was only 15 years old, and after the Island of Reincarnation, he could become even stronger! Most likely, in the future, he would become a Senior Elder!

Although this would happen someday and only if he lived long enough... But almost all martial arts masters preferred to plan their moves ahead. Making the right friends in youth was an essential factor for future standing.

If Kai soared, then his surroundings would rise with him. Life often demonstrated how this law worked...

In turn, Kai remained indifferent to all the people around him. In fact, he really only engaged in dialogue with a few people. Mostly, they were also close to the Top 100 or already in it. Before visiting the Island of Reincarnation, many tried to establish relations with a larger number of participants. After all, it's easier to survive dangerous situations when there are reliable people around.

Therefore, when people approached Kai with such intentions, he did not avoid conversations. For him, it was also beneficial, and Kai understood this well.

In the last week, Kai further expanded his understanding of Island of Reincarnation. Shuo told him that it was literally like being transported to another world. Where exactly the spatial rift of the Island of Reincarnation led, no one knew. But it was clear that they were in a different place...

Shuo said that those territories were not lifeless. They were inhabited by various creatures not found in the external world. Everyone called them differently, with the most common names being beasts, demons, and monsters...

When Kai heard the word “demons”, he instantly became alert. The Astral Emperor of Alchemy had told him that before the cataclysm, they constantly fought with demons.

At that moment, Kai even wondered if these beasts were descendants of those mysterious demons. But after hearing a more detailed description, Kai concluded that this was not the case. They were not as intelligent as humans. Unless, their race had simply degenerated over the last tens of thousands of years.

Shuo also mentioned that, according to estimates, the forbidden zone was a circle. To reach its core, one needed to advance a hundred kilometers. But there was a critical nuance...

Disciples were allowed to move only within a 30-kilometer perimeter! And that was the critical point that must not be crossed. Ideally, one should only explore a 10-kilometer zone!

According to Shuo, starting from 30 kilometers, there was a huge natural formation, or so-called natural array. If someone without the perception of the top Elders or the Patriarch enters it... They will never return!

Making even one step beyond the forbidden line, you instantly find yourself in the zone of influence of the array. In the forbidden zone, you face various dangers... Illusions, deadly traps, dangerous enemies, and disorientation. It seemed that even space itself became twisted in those places. Simply stepping back and leaving the bounds of this formation was not an option!

Usually, the entire expedition to those terrifying places is led by the Patriarch. He literally guides every subsequent step of the entire group. In the outside world, a hundred kilometers is nothing for a Core Sphere master. But in the forbidden zone, one must move very cautiously, which could take a lot of time...

Also, one aspect that wasn't entirely clear to Kai was the mechanism for leaving the Island of Reincarnation. If everyone scattered in different directions, how would they return? How would they be able to regroup?

It all turned out to be elementary, yet how it was implemented remained unclear... Entering the Sacred Land of the Mysterious Sea Region required colossal efforts, but there were no obstacles to exit.

When Kai heard this, he didn't understand why then there wasn't a permanent expedition inside? Or why not organize a mini-city inside, consisting of the best masters? It all seemed very logical...

But it wasn't that simple... As the barrier's power strengthened, the natural pressure of energy inside also increased! And the 30-kilometer zone also began to expand its area of influence. When the barrier becomes fully active, anyone inside can be considered dead! And this even applied to Core Sphere masters!

Therefore, when representatives of the Mysterious Sea Region began to feel the increase in pressure, they immediately tried to leave the Island of Reincarnation. Usually, this happens a few months after entering. But there is no specific time; one must react to the situation.

When Kai learned all this, his interest in the Island of Reincarnation soared to a new level! It seemed that even considering the strange things Kai had seen, it would be something he had never encountered before!

The Astral City was spectacular, but it was built by humans. But nature, in turn, managed to create such an incredible and vast formation! Kai couldn't wait to see it... Especially with the help of the Essence Eyes!

Thus, a few more days flew by, which Kai constantly spent with the two girls. It seemed that they were quite worried about him. Every time Kai went somewhere, he disappeared for a long time. But in this case, the problem was much deeper. For the 93rd place, the chances of dying were very significant…

Of course, Kai was not at all concerned about this, and he openly declared it. Iris and Taeimi understood this, so they didn’t even try to persuade him otherwise. They knew how foolish an idea it was. In his place, they would not have refused either.

One day, at dawn, someone knocked on Kai's door. It was one of the workers of the Palace of Shadows.

"Good morning, this is for you. Please read it immediately. It's an order from the Patriarch!" the young man declared solemnly. After that, he bowed quickly and ran off somewhere…

Unfolding the note, Kai felt an incredible energy emanating from it! The text read:

"Proceed to the western exit of the Shadows City. Then, continue 15 kilometers to the west. You have two days to arrive at the gathering place."

"It's starting!" Kai exclaimed with a sparkle in his eyes.

Saying this, he immediately rushed out of his dwelling and sped towards the designated location at full speed! Kai spared no effort and constantly used the Shadow Seal. To be late at such a moment would be complete idiocy!

Similar events were happening throughout the Shadow Sect. Not only Personal Disciples, but also Elders, began to move out from different places.

Although they were given two days to assemble, within a day and a half, all the announced participants were in place. As soon as the last participant arrived, everyone was enveloped by a terrifying wave of energy!

But it wasn’t oppressive to them. It could be said to bring everyone into instant awe and obedience. It seemed that this feeling originated from the very nature of humans. Even Kai was not exempt from these sensations! He, too, was in complete shock!

He had never felt such an aura before! Even the Guardian of the Mountains was a joke in comparison to this! What was more surprising was that this terrifying energy did not harm him!

At that moment, a person appeared in the sky... He stood there completely calm, and the wind could not even stir a corner of his clothes.

"The Patriarch of the Shadow Sect! He is really standing in the air! It's like those frescoes in the Astral City!" Kai exclaimed in his mind, utterly shocked.

But what was astonishing was the appearance of the Patriarch! He looked like a serious man of about 45 years old. His face was not covered in a beard, and his hair was short. The color of his hair and eyes were coal-black, and sometimes it was difficult to tell where he was looking.

"The Elders said he was over 650 years old! I didn’t imagine him like this..." Kai thought, stunned.

Standing in the air, the Patriarch kept his hands behind his back. His musculature was impressive, but he didn’t appear bulky. He was also quite tall. Even his posture expressed complete dominance over everyone beneath him.

"Greetings to all followers of the Shadow Sect. We are embarking for the Island of Reincarnation" sounded a very even and deep voice, "Once we arrive, it will be too late for a briefing. So I'm telling you in advance... Try to stay in groups and not die. This time, almost all the Elders will accompany me into the depths of the forbidden zone. Therefore, the struggle for the external regions is entirely up to you. Do not dishonor the Shadow Sect!" the Patriarch commanded in an authoritative tone.

As his voice rang out, everyone instinctively bowed their heads and dared not make a sound! The feeling was more like being addressed by a deity... All that the people felt now was awe and obedience.

"This is incredible... The Patriarch is unimaginable!" Kai thought, also bowing his head.

"All the necessary people have gathered. We moved to the City of Iron Leaf. Transportation has been prepared there for all of us," the Head of the Shadow Sect ordered.

"We obey the Patriarch!" almost in unison, declared all those present.

As soon as these words were spoken, the Elders immediately moved forward, indicating the direction. And right behind them ran everyone else!

The journey to the Island of Reincarnation had finally begun!

V.2 Chapter 243: Almost In Place

To reach their destination, a considerable distance had to be traversed. The Shadows City was situated at the far east of the Shadow Sect’s territory, while Island of Reincarnation lay in the Mysterious Sea, bordering the west.

As the Patriarch had ordered, they first arrived in the City of Iron Leaf. There, about 250 riding animals, somewhat resembling horses but significantly larger and more robust, were prepared.

Upon seeing this, Kai thought to himself:

"How fortunate I am to have learned horseback riding… It would have been uncomfortable to ask Shuo for help…" His gaze shifted to the bald man, and Kai couldn’t help but grimace.

Shuo was also part of this expedition. They stuck together for more enjoyable companionship, as they both liked spending time with each other. Their relationship continued to intrigue the surrounding Personal Disciples. Yet, having seen something similar during the Tournament of the Hundred, they paid it no mind. It seemed that this aloof monk had finally found a friend…

Present were the Top-100 Personal Disciples and just over a hundred Elders. However, the main force comprised several dozen Senior Elders and three Shadow Elders. Clearly, the Patriarch was regarded as an entirely separate entity.

Once everyone had their own riding animal, the journey resumed. It was estimated to take several weeks, despite everyone being high-order martial artists who never tired, and despite the incredible stamina of these large horses. The journey was still going to be very long!

The Patriarch, in turn, simply vanished. It was clear that he had no need for horseback riding…

Discussing this with Shuo, they concluded that the Patriarch would likely teleport short distances and wait for them at certain points along the route. A few days later, they found they were right.

As they crossed a vast plain and began to approach a forest of gigantic trees, the Patriarch reappeared. He gave some instructions to the Shadow Elders and vanished again.

These characters were also quite interesting. One of them, Elder Traen, was already known to Kai. The other two were named Suda and Okubo.

Elder Okubo was a rather large and hefty old man, with a noticeably protruding belly. His features were friendly, and his gray hair spoke of the weight of years he had carried. However, looking at how the 650-year-old Patriarch appeared, Kai was no longer sure about anything…

In turn, Elder Suda appeared younger. He resembled a mortal of about 50-55 years, his face still free of deep wrinkles. He had a lean figure and well-developed muscles. But what distinguished him most was the color of his hair. It was red, but with a shade closer to crimson.

In their behavior, it was evident that both recognized the supremacy of Elder Traen. They made no attempt to confront him, though it couldn’t be said they were submissive to him. Rather, it seemed more a matter of their respective natures… Elder Okubo appeared kindly, while Elder Suda seemed utterly indifferent.

They continuously made their way towards the destination at such a pace. It should be noted that this journey was much faster than the trip from Border Beast City to the Shadows City.

Firstly, they had incredibly fast and enduring horses.

Secondly, there were no wagons with provisions and such, as everyone here could afford spatial rings. While not as capacious as the Astral Emperor of Alchemy's ring, buying several ensured enough space.

Thirdly, no one in their right mind would dare cause trouble or delay this monstrous group! It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that these 250 individuals could easily decimate the Capital of any of the Four Empires.

When mortals saw them, they fell to their knees, thinking they were some kind of superbeings. Even while keeping their energy under control, the aura of these top martial artists made an indelible impression on those around.

They hadn’t even seen the Patriarch yet… In such a case, they would have unhesitatingly believed that a Deity had descended upon them!

Thus, after a couple of dozen days, they arrived at the shore of the Mysterious Sea. It resembled the Endless Waters, but the waves seemed calmer. And the color of the water was a pleasant shade of emerald. The scenery was truly mesmerizing!

They stopped here for a few days to replenish their provisions and give the Patriarch some time. He needed to clarify some details with other Heads. Most importantly, they needed to coordinate the exact date of arrival and ensure that each of the Sects was ready for the departure.

They also waited for representatives of other forces from the Shadow Sect’s territory to finally catch up. Representatives from all four Empires, as well as some Family Clans, slowly arrived. During these days, the Port City literally blossomed on a new scale!

When the Patriarch of the Shadow Sect finally returned, everyone was in place. In total, about 700 martial artists had gathered, which was a very impressive number! Similar numbers would be present in the ranks of the other two Sects.

"Forward!" commanded the Patriarch, and all the ships instantly hoisted their sails!

They were to reach Island of Reincarnation by sea, a journey that, fortunately, would take only a few days.

"This water is so mesmerizing…" Kai mused, looking over the ship's side.

"Honestly, I don't share such enthusiasm. But the color is more pleasant than the Endless Waters," Shuo replied emotionlessly, standing nearby.

"I wonder how deep it is?" Kai asked, suddenly intrigued.

"I heard it's about 400 meters deep…" came a deep voice from the side.

As it happened, Thunderous Ram was on the same ship with them. Though not friends, Kai had made a good impression on him, and the feeling was mutual. Thus, the burly man had approached them a few hours earlier of his own accord. After all, traveling was much more interesting with pleasant conversations. Especially since Kai had some very fine wine!

Naturally, the two men were already enjoying the wine. Shuo, on the other hand, simply stood by. He didn't want to bother brewing tea in such a chaotic setting.

"Wow… Are there beasts down there?" Kai asked, taking a sip of wine.

"I don't know… I only heard about the depth…" the bruiser replied somewhat sheepishly.

"There are. But they're a different type of beast. It's said that truly dangerous creatures dwell in the depths. They just have no reason to come to the surface," Shuo interjected, clarifying the matter.

"Lone Buddha, you're so smart…" Thunderous Ram said, somewhat surprised.

"Onaga, maybe you're just a bit slow?" Kai teased.

Earlier, they had introduced themselves by name, so Kai felt comfortable addressing the big man directly.

"But you didn’t know that either, so you're no better than me," Thunderous Ram replied, missing Kai's joke.

"That's true, Onaga, I'm no better than you! Forget about it, let's just drink!" Kai said, steering the conversation away with a smile.

Despite Kai's fondness for teasing others, for some reason, he didn't feel like poking fun at the burly man. Perhaps because Onaga didn't always grasp the essence of what was said, losing the flavor of the joke…

The trio continued to spend carefree days with conversation and drinking until land appeared on the horizon. As soon as one of the Personal Disciples saw it and shouted out, everyone immediately turned their attention to the horizon.

Under normal circumstances, all present were quite serious individuals and difficult to impress. But at that moment, everyone was in anticipation and couldn't hide it!

Nobody was concerned about the potential dangers awaiting them. What mattered most were the benefits they could reap!

Island of Reincarnation was filled with various natural resources and natural artifacts. One could only imagine what might develop in a place left untouched for a thousand years, especially in a location overflowing with natural energy!

Additionally, many man-made items could be found there. After all, the best masters of the Mysterious Sea Region had perished there for generations, and not all of them were found or looted. Many died in traps or failed to overcome the monsters.

With enough luck, one might stumble upon someone else's spatial ring. And the items inside could be preserved for hundreds, even thousands of years! There were tales of rings so ancient that the space within them had already disintegrated.

This led to the speculation that the forbidden zone had been visited thousands of years ago, perhaps even by the predecessors of the three Sects of the Mysterious Sea Region…

"Thud!" A dull sound of impact against wood echoed.

At that moment, the ship finally docked, and everyone began to disembark. The process was quick and methodical. Within half an hour, everyone was assembled before the Patriarch, who hovered in the sky!

The members of the Shadow Sect stood in front, with representatives of the controlled forces behind.

Surveying the landscape, Kai marveled at how beautiful the island was… It was covered with dense vegetation and the weather was very pleasant. Beneath their feet was fine sand.

"We're heading to the Residence of the Mysterious Sea. Everyone, follow west!" the Patriarch commanded sternly and flew off at a visible speed.

"We obey!" everyone belonging to the Shadow Sect shouted in unison.

At that moment, they were not divided between those directly from the Shadow Sect and those who were not. In this expedition, they were conditionally on the same side. Naturally, in the forbidden land, one could always expect a stab in the back. But still, it was easier for a large group of people to rally around common, unifying criteria.

Island of Reincarnation was quite impressive in size. It wasn't some tiny patch of land. After two hours, they reached a huge building! It was massive not only in area but also in height, intertwining gray, black, and red colors, all crafted with incredible skill!

It seemed to be constructed from three separate sections that joined into one central part! And they had just arrived at one of these. When Kai looked closer, he noticed that above the massive entrance was the character "Shadow."

"The principle is somewhat clear… Quite a symbolic concept…" Kai thought to himself with a smile, observing the majestic building.

Even a fool could understand that this Residence of the Mysterious Sea symbolized the union of the Shadow Sect, the Sword Sect, and the Spirit Fire Sect. Each had its own separate section.

"Halt," came a commanding voice. "We are now heading to the Shadow Residence. Tonight, there will be a grand banquet in honor of the opening of Island of Reincarnation. But know this, conflicts are forbidden! At least, until we enter the barrier," the Patriarch added ambiguously.

"We understand, Patriarch!" Again, almost in unison, the people of the Shadow Sect exclaimed.

Right after that, everyone calmly headed towards the huge gates. Beyond them lay their personal Shadow Residence.

V.2 Chapter 244: Swordsman and Holy

Some of those present had been to these places before and were not so surprised. But for those visiting Island of Reincarnation for the first time, the experience was somewhat shocking.

Overall, one couldn't say that the Residence of the Mysterious Sea could compare with the Palace of Shadows or other majestic structures of the Shadow Sect. It was simply a huge building, which, amidst such dense vegetation, looked very strange, yet captivating.

What surprised the arrivals most was the interior design. It seemed to intertwine different styles. Elements of the Shadow Sect's style were noticeable, but there were also others. And whoever designed the interior and architecture of the Residence of the Mysterious Sea had skillfully combined them.

"Somewhat flashy, but I like it," Kai commented, observing the surroundings.

"Still, our cultures are somewhat different. It's sometimes difficult to reconcile them," Shuo said calmly.

"Lone Buddha, what are you talking about?" Onaga asked, slightly puzzled.

After arriving, the trio continued their journey together. They had agreed to split up only after entering the forbidden zone of Island of Reincarnation. After all, everyone was there to seize their own fortunate opportunities.

Naturally, it's safer in a group, but there are finds that can't be shared. Moreover, among all present were only geniuses, accustomed to believing in their own uniqueness. Such people do not accept direct subordination to anyone. And in a group, this is impossible…

"See the strict, angular, and rather restrained decorative elements?" Shuo responded with a question to the question.

"Well, yes... I guess..." the bruiser replied, examining the surroundings.

"These are the influences of the Sword Sect's style. What resembles our Shadow Sect, of course, is the influence of our style. In turn, these rounded columns and lush, bright fabrics belong to the Spirit Fire Sect's style," Shuo began to explain.

As he listened to Lone Buddha's explanation, the bruiser simply scratched his chin and looked around.

"Onaga, forget all this nonsense! There's a banquet tonight! Imagine the alcohol there must be if there were three Patriarchs in this place!" Kai exclaimed with a broad smile, changing the subject.

"Exactly! You're right, Kai... And there should be various dishes! I just thought about it, and I can't wait..." Onaga drooled, getting excited.

"You're not entirely right, Kai," Shuo interrupted their conversation.

"Why's that? Aren't they supposed to throw a grand feast?" Kai asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Lord, can you only think about alcohol?" Shuo said calmly, "I wasn't talking about that. I was talking about the Patriarchs," he added.

"What's wrong with them? Brother Shuo, speak plainly, you sometimes annoy with this intrigue building," Kai said, rolling his eyes.

Shuo indeed had this peculiar, unhurried manner of speaking. After all, he had been raised among monks...

"There are two Patriarchs and one Matriarch if one can say so. In the Sword Sect, the leader is traditionally called the Supreme. In the Spirit Fire Sect, it's the Holy Flame," Shuo explained in detail.

Kai hadn't thought about it before, but after Shuo's words, many things became clear. After all, there were huge distances between the three Sects. And they had each formed over thousands of years under different influences. Therefore, it was expected that not only the traditions but also the names of positions in the hierarchy would be different.

"I hope their Elders are called Elders? Otherwise, my head will explode…" Thunderous Ram asked, frowning.

"No. In the Sword Sect, they are called Guardians. In the Spirit Fire Sect, they are Priests or Priestesses," Shuo replied emotionlessly, "But on Island of Reincarnation, it's considered that the titles are equivalent. That is, you can call the elders of other sects Elders. Similarly, calling our elders Guardians or Priests is also not bad form," the monk continued explaining.

Shuo had been to these places before, so he knew much more than Kai and Onaga. Now, he acted as a sort of mentor, teaching the naive newcomers.

"It's amazing... The stronger I become, the less I understand. Even our Mysterious Sea Region is incredibly diverse and interesting. I would very much like to visit the other two Sects, but besides them, there are many other territories…" Kai thought to himself while listening to Shuo.

He didn't realize how his thirst for knowledge and truth was increasingly permeating his personality. Even his desire to travel the world was one form of expressing this trait of Kai's. It seemed he was somewhat like people such as Kar Yorma, who dedicated their lives to exploring the mysteries of the Heavenly Continent. Kai just had a different approach... He believed that without the power making him the strongest in the world, all other actions would be futile.

"Why are you daydreaming? We're going this way," Shuo suddenly said.

Kai was so lost in thought that he almost missed the turn...

The Shadow Residence could easily accommodate all the arriving people. The Personal Disciples and Elders of the Shadow Sect even received personal rooms for each representative. Apart from them, only the leaders of the four Empires and Clans were accorded this privilege. Everyone else was settled in common rooms. But even there, the level of comfort was of the highest standard.

Kai was surprised by the large number of staff in the Residence of the Mysterious Sea. Following Shuo's explanations, it turned out that they were permanent residents here. These people maintained cleanliness and order daily, naturally preventing uninvited outsiders from entering.

Though no one in their right mind would dare to intrude on the shared territory of the three hegemonic sects, the world was full of people devoid of such sense. Occasionally, "enterprising" individuals would arrive, hoping to profit.

After everyone settled in, there were no activities until the evening. Mostly, representatives from outside the Shadow Sect roamed the corridors, marveling at the incredible surroundings. Indeed, even the main palace of the Moonshine Empire wasn’t as astonishing. For many ordinary masters, everything in this place was fascinating.

As the sun began to set, all members of the Shadow Sect gathered in front of the large gates. Their placement indicated they led to a communal area. In the previous hours, everyone had made themselves presentable, following the Elders' instructions. They were not to present themselves in a poor light.

The Patriarch stood before them all. Currently, he was not in the air... Were it not for his aura surpassing all, one might think he was just another Elder.

"The Sword Sect and the Spirit Fire Sect are ready! Let's enter!" the Patriarch commanded loudly and turned towards the gates.

"Boom!" As if by his mere thought, the gates swung open instantly!

A bright light struck the eyes of everyone standing behind him, accompanied by wonderful music! The crowd moved forward in a disciplined manner.

As they entered the common hall, many were dizzy with awe. The size of the room was gigantic. Everything was crafted with incredible skill. Black, silver, and red colors were intertwined everywhere! Columns along the sides were so large that not even a dozen people could encircle them!

In the center stood a massive, wide column rising tens of meters high, adorned with incredibly beautiful carvings. Only upon closer inspection did Kai notice a massive round table and three large thrones atop this column. It seemed to be a designated pedestal for the Sect Leaders.

Kai even wondered how they managed to transport dishes and drinks up there for these terrifying monsters of the Core Sphere…

This hall truly inspired awe and reverence! Everything here screamed of grandeur!

The atmosphere in the hall was further enhanced by the playing music. In various points of the immense room, groups of people with musical instruments stood. It appeared there was a clear logic to their arrangement, but Kai couldn’t discern it. Each of them played in unison with the others, creating an almost magical atmosphere.

Looking ahead, Kai saw a similar group emerging to their left. People dressed in strict gray garments led the way. On closer inspection, these clothes occasionally glinted with silver, suggesting they were no ordinary fabric. Considering the status of these people, this was unsurprising...

Another distinctive feature was the swords, which were not in spatial rings. Each of the masters proudly carried theirs.

Leading this group was an old man with a huge sword on his back. His figure was quite lean, and his face expressed complete impassivity. Notably, he had no beard, which was somewhat atypical for elders of the Shadow Sect.

"That must be the Head of the Sword Sect... The Supreme!" Kai exclaimed with undisguised admiration.

Such individuals always commanded incredible respect from him! The best of the best, who had also managed to reach the pinnacle! This stern old man was literally one of the world's strongest martial arts masters.

"I wonder how things are with the Spirit Fire Sect?" Kai suddenly thought, shifting his gaze to the distant right corridor.

The same scene unfolded there... But the people of the Spirit Fire Sect were dressed in red garments. Moreover, their clothing was quite revealing… The women exposed much of their bodies, which was even a bit provocative for the Shadow Sect. This also clearly showed the difference in their cultures...

Kai noticed that these people emanated an incredibly dense fire energy. Activating his Eyes of Essence, he confirmed this. Almost all the two hundred people ahead were cultivators specializing in fire attributes and techniques. It seemed that those at the back were representatives of the Spirit Fire Sect’s controlled forces, including cultivators of different types.

Observing them, even Kai was a bit astounded. The ranks of the Spirit Fire Sect contained many strong and incredibly beautiful women! But the next moment, Kai’s gaze shifted to the woman leading them…

"What the... Is this a joke?" Kai muttered to himself.

At that moment, a hand from the side covered his mouth.

"Do not utter words whose weight you cannot bear," Shuo said ambiguously.

"Thank you, Brother... It slipped out unintentionally," Kai replied gratefully, throwing Shuo a questioning glance.

"The Honorable Holy Flame is a woman of incredible beauty," Shuo said, uncharacteristically for him.

"Not just incredible... Her very existence puts to shame all the beauties of this world," Kai exclaimed in admiration.

He didn't know what exactly Shuo was doing, but decided to trust him and play along. The main nuance, however, was that there was no particular falsehood in Kai's words... The Head of the Spirit Fire Sect was simply an unparalleled woman! Complementing her image with her incredible aura, she literally eclipsed everyone around!

What surprised Kai and provoked such a strange reaction at first... was that the Holy Flame looked like a twenty-year-old girl! But Kai knew very well that she was incredibly old!

Thinking about this, Kai again shifted his gaze to the Head of the Spirit Fire Sect. Her straight, red hair cascaded almost to her knees. Her traditional garments revealed a flat stomach and slender waist. On her forehead was a small red mark, resembling a flame.

The hair of the Holy Flame somewhat resembled that of Kessia. Only, Kessia's hair was closer to the color of fresh blood, while the Holy Flame's was the color of burning flame…

V.2 Chapter 245: Sunshine And Rays

Kai was struck by the fact that the Holy Flame was the second most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life. Naturally, Kessia held the first place for him.

After looking for another moment, Kai decided to avert his gaze and not allow himself any more indulgence. It seemed that earlier Shuo had warned him to be cautious in this matter.

All three groups calmly moved towards the center until the three Leaders met each other. This truly was a legendary moment for all present. Seeing three Core Sphere beings in one place was unimaginable!

The combined power of everyone here was simply staggering...

"Greetings to you, Patriarch. Greetings to you, Supreme," the incredibly sweet voice of the Holy Flame sounded first.

Her voice made not only the men's but even many women's legs tremble. It was as if a Goddess was speaking, before whom one wanted to kneel.

"Happy to meet you again, Holy Flame," the Patriarch of the Shadow Sect said, slightly bowing, "And you too, my friend," he added with a light smile to the Head of the Sword Sect.

This was the first time the people of the Shadow Sect had seen such a reaction from their Patriarch. Previously, this man was more associated with a Deity, who had no equals in this world.

"Even these monsters are not devoid of human emotions... All three seem to have superb relations. Or so it seems at first glance," Kai mused, listening to their conversation.

"You know it's mutual. Shall we begin?" the Supreme replied in a hoarse voice.

"Supreme, we will give you the honor of opening the ceremony," the Holy Flame said respectfully.

As soon as these words were spoken, the old man nodded, and the trio simultaneously ascended into the air. They soared above the huge column, overlooking all the strongest people of the Mysterious Sea Region.

"I want to welcome the young sprouts of the three Sects. Some of you have already been in our Sacred Land. But some are here for the first time," the Head of the Sword Sect solemnly said. "Let's not pretend, many of you will likely become mortal enemies in the Sacred Land. My subordinates might kill you, but you will take many lives in return. Such is the world of martial arts masters..." the old man said frankly, "But keep in mind that good connections are also an important factor in your influence. This evening exists to try to lay the foundation for that. In the future, the strength of the entire Mysterious Sea Region will depend on you. Today we are all one, so leave conflicts for later," he added calmly, his hands behind his back.

Hearing all this, the atmosphere in the room became slightly tense... People from different sects began to look at each other, evaluating potential competitors. A palpable spirit of competition hung in the air.

"The old man from the Sword Sect is really straightforward... I wonder what abilities he possesses? That sword also doesn't seem ordinary…" Kai thought, analyzing the words of this legendary swordsman.

"The Supreme always despises lies," the Holy Flame said with a charming smile, "The Sword Sect Head spoke the truth. All present are geniuses of their generation. Each one of you is a competitor to another. But try to suppress your pride; it will help you in the future. Even among us three, conflicts sometimes arise. But as you see, we stand before you calmly, symbolizing the unity of the Mysterious Sea Region. Perhaps among you are our successors. In a few hundred years, you must preserve this tradition and remain united, no matter what!" the Holy seriously added.

As soon as her intoxicating voice sounded, all the passions seemed to instantly subside. Her words were instinctively perceived as a command, a command everyone wanted to follow voluntarily.

"Ahem-ahem," the Patriarch of the Shadow Sect coughed dryly, taking over, "Enjoy this evening to the fullest. Tomorrow we all head to the Sacred Land, and your future will be uncertain. This time, most of the Elders, as well as the three of us, will venture deep into the forbidden zone. There will be no one to protect you in a critical situation. Your fate is in your own hands," the Patriarch said seriously, "The end of my words marks the beginning of the celebration. Let's start!" the Head of the Shadow Sect solemnly declared.

Everyone below shouted in unison! After the words of the three legendary masters, everyone was highly spirited. Although they had instilled quite a bit of fear at first, each person present was confident in themselves!

There were many tables set up randomly in the hall. It seemed designed to prevent splitting into three separate groups. Representatives of different sects would have to sit with each other.

As soon as the trio of leaders took their places at the top of the huge pedestal, everyone else also began to look for where to sit. Loud conversations and noise filled the air. Those who had already found their places didn’t hesitate to start feasting, adding laughter to the overall atmosphere.

Kai, Shuo, and Onaga also went to the nearest table. Overall, they didn’t care where to sit... Of course, as soon as they sat down, two of them started drinking!

"Ho-ho! What strong wine!" exclaimed Onaga, rubbing his nose after downing a glass.

"But the most important thing is that it's delicious!" Kai added with a laugh.

"The tea, as always, is top-notch. I must admit, in the Shadow Sect, I can't find anything like it. It originates from the lands of the Sword Sect," Lone Buddha praised, swirling his cup in hand.

Surveying the setting, Kai noticed that almost everyone from the Sword Sect drank only tea. It seemed they had a somewhat biased attitude towards alcohol. He even wanted to joke about whether the Shuo temple had roots there, but Kai decided not to voice this sarcasm.

"Ooh! Isn't that the bald brother? How are you? May I sit next to you?" a voice came from the side. But for some reason, it didn't sound very friendly...

Turning his gaze, Kai saw a strange guy approaching their table, his hair resembling that of the Holy Flame. It seemed like a distinctive trait of an entire clan. Many from the Spirit Fire Sect had such features... Beside him stood two other guys and three girls, all dressed quite revealingly.

"Hm?" turning around, Shuo inquired, "Ah, it's you. No, you can't. I'm here with my friends," Lone Buddha replied calmly.

"As always, you're impenetrably dumb. I don't give a damn about your opinion. Understand? Khe-he," the guy laughed and sat down opposite Shuo, followed by the others.

Assessing those sitting opposite him, Kai realized that this redhead was on par with Shuo in terms of strength... The others were about at the level of Fear Reaper or perhaps Onaga. As the Elders had warned, he was now one of the weakest in this place.

These five people around the redhead behaved like obedient subordinates. Perhaps, this guy from their Spirit Fire Sect thought Kai and Onaga were similar.

"Bahar, who are these clowns?" one of the six asked.

"Aaa... This is my respected friend — bald Shuo! We have old scores to settle..." the redhead said maliciously.

It seemed that he and Lone Buddha were enemies. At least, that's what this Bahar thought. Considering Shuo's character, he couldn't care less.

"Listen, did you come here to spoil the atmosphere or what?" Kai said, rolling his eyes.

Such childish provocations didn't work on him either. Onaga didn't even understand what was happening and calmly continued drinking his wine.

"People like us can't spoil the atmosphere! You should be grateful that Bahar chose to sit at your table!" one of the girls said arrogantly.

It felt like she was not just a protégée. She literally idolized this redhead...

"Is that so?" Kai said, raising an eyebrow, "Thank you, oh great Bahar! Thank you for gracing us with your presence! Your hair literally symbolizes fire! You're like the sun that has brightened our gloomy day!" Kai began to shout with a ceremonious tone.

This was done in such a way that some at the neighboring tables started paying attention to the commotion.

"See! They're just clowns! Hahaha." A guy from Bahar's entourage laughed, assessing Kai's praises.

Waiting for the entourage to finish laughing, Kai turned his gaze back to the redhead and said:

"Listen… Can I call you Sunshine? Then each of your pathetic lackeys will be a Little Ray! How's that? Because I really like it! Hahaha!" Kai said with an incredibly kind face and burst out laughing loudly.

As soon as Kai said this, many people nearby couldn't hold back and also giggled. The faces of those sitting opposite contorted instantly! As always, Kai's innate ability was astonishing…

"Look! The First Ray! The Second Ray!" Kai cheerfully said, pointing his finger at each of Bahar's lackeys in turn. "Ooo! And this is our Third Ray! He-he." Kai continued, laughing.

"Bahar, you started this. Alas, my Brother, this is not the man to provoke," Shuo said, shrugging his shoulders and speaking unemotionally.

At that moment, "The Fourth Ray" got seriously angry… His face literally expressed rage and a thirst for murder!

"Bam!" The sound of palms hitting the table echoed! The guy stood up and pointed at Kai...

"Let's go outside and see if you can repeat your bold words after I've trampled you into the mud!" he said arrogantly.

"Go trample your mother, buffoon. I'm here drinking with my friends, why the hell would I need to go anywhere with you?" Kai said with disdain and turned to the big guy to pour him more wine.

Kai was not usually so categorical. But this guy only provoked disgust in him. Kai respected the strong, or at least independent people. But those who voluntarily serve others... He would not spare them!

"You… You!" Unable to find words from anger, he tried to articulate something.

"Listen, Fourth Ray… Just fuck off from here and take your Sunshine with you," Kai said, turning his gaze to Bahar.

Hearing this, the redhead simply raised his hand, signaling his lackey to shut up. However, there was no anger on his face. Initially, he seemed quite provocative, but a man equal to Shuo couldn't be that simple.

"And I like you... Rest assured, if I meet you, I'll kill you without delay. Better hope for luck, kid," Bahar said with a malicious smile, "The same goes for you, Shuo," he added coldly.

"As you say, Bahar," Shuo replied nonchalantly and continued drinking his tea.

Without saying another word, the entire company stood up and began to leave calmly. Only the Fourth Ray turned around, and looking at Kai, he ran his finger across his neck.

"You shouldn't have interfered, Kai. This guy is strong, and he really will be looking for you," Shuo said, turning his gaze to Kai.

"Does he have nothing better to do?" Kai replied carelessly.

"In the Spirit Fire Sect, the customs are a bit different. They tend to organize groups and alliances. Bahar has quite a few disciples under him, and they will gladly search for you," Lone Buddha explained calmly.

"Well, what can you do... I've already done what I've done. Let's talk about something more pleasant. Let's continue drinking! He-he," Kai said, changing the subject and instantly becoming more cheerful.

V.2 Chapter 246: Black Arch

At this moment, Kai wasn't overly concerned with the situation involving these strange guys. Perhaps he had reacted improperly, responding in such a crude manner, but Kai simply couldn't tolerate pathetic people like the Fourth Ray. Moreover, they had rudely insulted his Brother.

Entering the Sacred Land, everyone would focus on increasing their strength and seeking fortuitous opportunities. Indeed, almost all who returned safely underwent significant transformations. Kai would only have trouble if he truly crossed paths with those wretches from the Spirit Fire Sect.

Such minor conflicts were commonplace, yet none escalated into anything more serious. After all, there were no fools daring enough to defy the orders of the three chiefs. But this didn't mean that intimidating potential rivals was off-limits.

There were people who fell for these provocations. Others, like Kai, reacted similarly. But there were also many who interacted in a friendly manner, constantly inquiring about customs and ways of life in each other's homelands. Many found it quite interesting to discuss the differences in their cultures.

It must be said, the people of the Spirit Fire Sect were rather free-spirited... Their women could flirt openly with men, taking the initiative into their own hands. This somewhat embarrassed the representatives of the Sword Sect and the Shadow Sect. It seemed as if they had somewhat swapped roles.

At that very moment, something similar happened with Kai. He decided to get another barrel of wine, not wanting to wait for service. As he picked up the wine, a tall girl approached closely from behind.

"Hello, cutie. Why are you alone? Maybe I can keep you company?" A seductive voice sounded from behind.

Kai felt a shiver run down his spine. He couldn't quite explain his feelings. The girl's voice was indeed enticing... But the very fact that someone was literally making a move on him... was a bit disconcerting...

Turning around, he saw an attractive girl about twenty years old with a stunning figure, even slightly taller than him...

"Keep me company? In what way?" Kai asked with a crooked smile.

One could say he simply didn't know how to behave in such a situation...

"Hahaha. You really are cute..." said the girl, adjusting Kai's hair behind his ear, "We can start with a drink and then see. The night is long..." She replied with a slight bite of her lip, hinting.

"Well... Don't be offended... But I don't think you can keep up with me in drinking," Kai said, scratching his head apologetically, "So, I'm not interested in your offer." Kai said carefreely and tried to step aside.

But it wasn't going to be that easy!

"Bang!" The sound of a palm striking the wall rang out.

The girl swiftly blocked Kai's path. It seemed her interest had flamed even more intensely in her eyes.

"You're very interesting. I want to have you. Think about it, I can offer you protection in the Sacred Land," the girl candidly said, winking at Kai.

In truth, Kai had already noticed the cultivation stage of this girl. It appeared she was also one of the top members of the Spirit Fire Sect. Perhaps in terms of power, she was roughly equal to Shuo and Bahar.

But upon hearing the girl's words, Kai's mood shifted slightly.

"Is this some kind of joke? Who do you think I am?" Kai asked seriously.

In such moments, he became quite intimidating. Through his carefree demeanor, an aura of suppression and a thirst for blood began to emerge. Indeed, Kai's training methods and life experiences had left their mark on his personality. Those crimson eyes began to instill fear...

But seeing this, the girl's face lit up with happiness!

"You're just adorable!" she nearly shrieked with joy, "Sorry for being so rude before. Usually, this always works. Ha-ha," she laughed, apologizing, but still didn't withdraw her hand.

"Maybe because you're far stronger than them? They're probably just afraid to refuse you," Kai replied coldly.

"Oh? You think so?" the girl said with feigned surprise, "Well, perhaps."

"Are you going to let me pass, or keep blocking my way?" Kai asked calmly.

"I'll let you go if you agree to have a drink with me!" the girl replied with a sly smile.

"Pff..." Kai scoffed disdainfully and vanished instantly.

Kai had realized that this conversation was leading nowhere. Therefore, even before asking his question, he had already prepared a Shadow Seal. Considering the radius, he could move to and the number of people in the hall... Finding him wouldn't be so easy.

"Brother Kai, why did you take so long?" Shuo asked, looking at the approaching Kai.

"Just got bothered by some nutcase," Kai replied, smiling again, and placed the barrel on the table, "The girls from the Spirit Fire Sect are quite peculiar..." he added, sitting down.

In fact, it was more the girl's manner of communication that Kai disliked, rather than the fact of the role reversal.

"Not just the girls, but the guys too. All representatives of the Spirit Fire Sect are similar in this regard," Shuo explained, pouring himself some tea.

"Yeah... It appears that the Sword Sect is their complete opposite..." Kai observed, looking at the people with swords.

Wherever he looked, among the people in gray robes, only a few were rowdy. It could be said that this was more of an exception to the rule. The rest behaved quite calmly and composedly.

"That's right. Almost everyone in the Sword Sect practices the way of the sword. Its foundation lies in tranquility and justice, which contradicts temptations," Shuo replied calmly.

"But what about those who drink? If they've made it to the Island of Reincarnation, they must be the best. How then did poor swordsmen achieve this? Is the way of the sword flawed?" Kai asked skeptically.

He didn't quite understand the rejection of alcohol and other temptations if others could achieve similar results with these temptations.

"Take a closer look. Don't you notice anything?" Shuo hinted.

As he said this, Kai fell silent and began to closely analyze the more unrestrained disciples of the Sword Sect. He tried to find the reason that the Lone Buddha wanted to point out.

"Exactly! That's it..." Kai exclaimed in realization.

At that moment, he noticed that all those people carried not swords, but other types of weapons. These could be maces, hammers, spears, or other weapon types.

"In the territory of the Sword Sect, and even within the sect itself, there are branches of other types of weapons. Naturally, a spearman doesn't need to follow the way of the sword. I think that's obvious," Shuo added calmly, adjusting his sleeves.

This evening once again expanded the boundaries of Kai's perception of the world. Indeed, today he saw two completely different cultures of behavior. One very restrained, the other too open. Kai even felt glad that he was born in the territory of the Shadow Sect. At least there was a conditional balance...

By morning, the Patriarch, the Supreme, and the Holy Flame announced the end of the celebrations. They instructed everyone to rest and be ready by noon tomorrow. At that time, all the masters of the Mysterious Sea Region would head to the entrance of the Sacred Land.

Kai calmly bid farewell to Shuo and the drunken Onaga, and headed to his assigned room. Meanwhile, he didn't forget about that strange girl from the Spirit Fire Sect. Therefore, Kai decided to move using the Dance of Shadow Seals. This way, he safely reached his destination. Today he even decided to sleep a little, instead of his usual meditation.

"Tomorrow begins another important phase... I don't want to jinx it... But I wonder how surprised Master Mo will be? After all, I'll return to him much stronger!" Kai chuckled contentedly, lost in his thoughts.

Kai often reminisced about his grandfather. He genuinely wanted to see him, especially after such a long time. He understood that, for Master Mo, these few years probably didn't seem long. But for Kai, it was a huge part of his life! And it was Old Mo who had granted him access to this life! If not for him, it was unclear what Kai would be doing now...

The only thing that saddened Kai was the possibility of healing his elder. Now, he was no longer that naive child. He understood that given Master Mo's status, he could afford the best medicines and pills. But apparently, it was all in vain… Now, even the idea of healing sounded foolish.

"Alright… No point in thinking about it now, let time show. Presently, I need to focus on my development. Only this way can I increase the chances!" Kai resolved and went to sleep.

Not waiting for noon, many began to gather in the common hall at sunrise. Everyone was eager to head to the Sacred Land!

Kai didn't wait until the last minute either and arrived early. Soon, Shuo and Onaga joined him. But the trio knew well that in the next few hours they would have to split up again. The spatial rift was a rather unstable thing. Entering it, everyone would be scattered around the outskirts of the Sacred Land. Thus, those who wanted to move as a group had already established a meeting point and a waiting time.

"Greetings to all! The Sacred Land will be opened today!" Suddenly, a solemn voice rang from above.

Looking up, everyone saw the three chiefs standing in the air. In the next moment, each of them released a ball of energy, which flew towards this huge pillar. As soon as these clumps of energy landed on the corresponding thrones, the entire column trembled.

And at that very moment, it began to descend! Going underground, it formed a huge circular staircase!

"Wow! What a beautiful mechanism..." Kai exclaimed in slight shock.

"Let's go, Brother Kai," Shuo said, interrupting his Brother's reverie.

The heads of the three sects began to descend into the newly formed funnel. And behind them, followed all the people of the Mysterious Sea Region.

As they descended, they saw a huge and spacious cave. Right in the middle, there was a massive black arch. And if you looked closely, it seemed that the space inside it was slightly distorted…

"Holy smokes… What is this?" Onaga asked, stunned.

"This is the entrance to the Sacred Land of the Island of Reincarnation… Something interesting is about to happen…" Shuo said mysteriously.

"Doo-doom!" At that moment, an incredible surge of energy sounded!

For some people, their heart rhythm even skipped a beat for a moment. But it was astonishing that this pressure didn't affect them in any other way...

When Kai looked into the distance, he saw how the three chiefs ignited their energy... It scared even him. This energy was terrifying to even behold! It seemed to oppress the onlooker with its grandeur. It was as if a mortal feared to raise their eyes to the Emperor, lest they offend him! Kai decided that in this situation, he wouldn't even use the Eyes of Essence!

V.2 Chapter 247: Oppressive World

Overcoming this strange sensation, Kai tried to raise his eyes and look from under his brow. After all, something grand was about to happen! Such a spectacle isn't seen every day... It could be said that almost no one gets to witness it! Three of the strongest masters in the world were about to display a part of their abilities!

At that moment, two huge balls of fire ignited in the hands of the Holy Flame, and large flaming wings appeared behind her!

In turn, the Supreme extended his hand to the side and his sword autonomously flew out of its sheath, then landing in his palm. The aura of the elder instantly changed… When looking at him, it felt like his sword was already in your flesh, a millimeter from your heart! If he wished, your life could end at any moment. When he raised his sword above his head, it began to radiate silver energy of colossal strength.

"Patriarch, we are ready, begin," said the Holy Flame in a sweet voice.

"Yes," the Head of the Shadow Sect said shortly and waved his hand.

As soon as he made this movement, a dark-blue sheet appeared in front of him. It was several meters in size and entirely inscribed with some script. The material of the sheet itself was also not entirely clear.

"What is this?" Kai thought with interest. Every action of these monsters was something astonishing to him.

"Fshuh!" The sheet shot out at an incredible speed, embedding itself in the barrier!

"Doom!" A resonant sound echoed, and golden script began to spread across the entire barrier, forming various patterns.

"That's right! Our Patriarch is a Artifacts Master! This must be one of his creations!" Kai suddenly realized.

He had been told about this before… But seeing just the aura of the Patriarch, Kai had completely forgotten that he was also a craftsman of incredible level!

As soon as the script finished forming its pattern, the Patriarch of the Shadow Sect also raised his hand. Now, a huge scythe made of dark-blue energy, almost black, was slowly forming in it.

"Elders, attack!" the Patriarch commanded majestically!

A moment… And…

"Doo-doo! Doom! Zzz!" A simply incredible symphony of sounds and colors erupted!

Kai, like the people standing next to him, were instantly thrown back several meters! They were all blown away by the explosive wave! At that moment, several hundred Elders-level masters attacked! Just one of them was equal to that enormous turtle!

"Damn! How are we still alive?!" swore one of the disciples who had arrived here for the first time.

"Calm down. The Elders had prepared a protective array in advance," someone from the crowd replied.

"Amazing… Even the residual energy, weakened by the barrier, is so strong!" Kai thought in shock, listening to those around him.

At this moment, various techniques were hurled towards the black arch. It's important to remember that all the elders had Energy Manifestation. This made the spectacle even more surreal! There were diverse beasts, weapons, creatures, or strangely shaped objects... And all of them were trying to tear through the passage to the Sacred Land!

And it didn't stop... Such a barrage of attacks had been ongoing for several minutes...

At a certain point, the Supreme clenched his fist, signaling the next step.

"It's time!" he bellowed hoarsely!

As soon as these words were spoken, a gigantic strip of silver color flew towards the barrier! And behind it followed a firebird of the same size and a dark-blue scythe trailing ghosts! The three chiefs also made their move!

Even before the attack of the three chiefs commenced, Kai fell to the ground just hearing the Supreme's words... He did not want to test what would happen next!

"Shss-Vuum..." A sound resembling tearing fabric echoed, simultaneously absorbing all other sounds in the space...

And then...

"Bang!" A simply grandiose explosion sounded, carrying with it a blinding flash of light!

At that moment, all of Kai's senses were already sealed with energy! But even so, he understood the full horror of the joint attack of the three old monsters! He felt an incredible pressure on himself!

Naturally, it wasn't unbearable, as it was limited by the protective barrier. But most importantly, the chiefs specifically attacked in a way not to harm their followers. The top-level individuals like Shuo could stand on their own feet, unaffected by the remnants of energy. But the likes of Onagi, who couldn't react in time... They would have to spend several hours recovering...

"Shhhsh..." Suddenly, a loud sound like a swift wind was heard. The residual energy of the elders suddenly weakened and rapidly began to disappear!

Feeling this, Kai opened his eyes and looked into the distance. In the middle of the arch, a huge dark rift hung. It was very strange because it seemed to distort space. Kai had never seen anything like it.

"The Sacred Land is open! Priests, Elders, and Guardians will go with us. And you, young sprouts... Try not to die!" Turning to the crowd, the Supreme commanded in an authoritative tone!

As soon as these words were uttered, the trio of Chiefs immediately dashed into the rift. In turn, all the elders also did not wait and followed them!

"Well then, good luck to you guys. He-he." Turning to his companions, Kai said.

"Take care not to die, Brother Kai," Lone Buddha calmly replied.

"You too, Brother Shuo," Kai retorted with a smile.

After exchanging a few more words with Onagi and Shuo, Kai dashed forward!

"I wonder what the transition feels like?" Kai mused, flying into the massive rift that hung in the air.

For a second, Kai felt like he was back in the Domain of the King of Fury. He felt nothing! But then...

Light, smells, a gust of wind! This abrupt change brought a slight disorientation. But quickly adapting, Kai swiftly drew his daggers and landed on solid ground. He immediately began to analyze the situation.

Everything around was in black-brown tones, with a gray sky overhead... This setting seemed a bit oppressive... Kai found himself in a flat landscape, in some places, he even saw small brick mounds. It was as if there was once an ancient city here, now only ruins...

"What is this... This isn't how I imagined it..." Kai muttered in slight dissonance.

Realizing that there were no immediate dangers in the vicinity, Kai stood up and decided to walk around a bit. He even decided to activate his Eyes of Essence to check a few things.

"The energy here is incredibly dense... But there are no hidden masses..." Kai thought leisurely as he walked.

He decided to activate his Eyes of Essence frequently. After all, it was much easier to find something useful this way. Concentrated energy would definitely emanate from valuable objects...

"Hmm... These are strange laws here... Although I haven't seen such before, this energy is 'written' in scripts similar to those in the outer world," Kai mused, "It's different from what I have... Perhaps Elder Traen made a mistake in his assumptions? Or maybe only in the core of the forbidden zone, there's something similar to my energy?" Kai continued to ponder as he walked.

Earlier, the Shadow Elder had told him about a strange place where energy similar to his exists. This greatly encouraged Kai, but he understood that he shouldn't immediately take everything as truth. So far, he had found more of a refutation than confirmation.

"He-he..." Kai suddenly laughed, "If you drenched this place in blood and corpses, it would remotely resemble the Asura Hell." Kai cheerfully said.

Although the surrounding environment was different, there were also similar elements. For some reason, this fact amused Kai. After all, the Asura Hell wasn't a real place, whereas the Sacred Land was. Thus, Kai felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

"So, I'm probably on the outskirts... I'll start by scouting the area, then head deeper in." Kai decided and dashed forward.

As he moved, he had not yet noticed anything unique or interesting. Everything was quite lifeless and gloomy. The only remarkable aspect was the incredibly dense surrounding energy. Even without seeking adventures, simply cultivating here would bring immense benefits! But naturally, such an option was of no interest to anyone...

"From below!" Kai mentally exclaimed and instantly used the Shadow Seal!

"Boom!" A thunderous noise erupted, and from beneath the ground, a creature resembling a human emerged. However, it was made up of bare bones and muscles, with long bony claws instead of the last phalanges of its fingers.

"Beginning of the Gravity Sphere... The first opponent and already so tough!" Kai thought warily.

Kai didn't hesitate; he immediately released his energy outward!

It seemed the monster accepted the challenge and began to emit energy from its body too. However, it manifested strangely. It appeared as if it was oozing blood, slowly trickling down its claws.

"Better not mess around and go all out," Kai thought upon seeing the enemy's reaction.

In that instant, the Astral Flame of Sacrifice flared around his body! Purple sparks scattered everywhere, and black flames danced over Kai's body.

"What's with you?" Kai suddenly asked, noting the enemy's ambiguous reaction...

Strangely, the monster froze in place! It seemed to be experiencing fear! And this only happened at the moment when Kai displayed his fire!

"Interesting..." Kai said with a mysterious smile.

Seizing the moment of the enemy's confusion, he lunged at it in an attack! Appearing directly in front of it, Kai struck with both hands, but only one was engulfed in flame...

"Raaar! Raaaa!" The creature let out a terrifying howl, thrown back several meters by the blow!

As soon as it got up, it immediately started running away! And its speed was very impressive.

"You won't escape!" Kai shouted and gave chase!

He didn't want to let go of such valuable prey! The blood of a creature from the Gravity Sphere would surely not be superfluous...

"I definitely saw how its right side was severely burned... That's where the Astral Flame of Sacrifice was deployed. The left side didn't receive noticeable damage..." Kai reasoned as he pursued the creature.

Thinking this, Kai didn't hesitate and swung his hand, sending forward a wave of black fire that instantly enveloped the fleeing creature!

"Kyaaa! Raaar!" Terrifying screams were immediately heard!

As soon as the monster came under the attack of the Astral Flame of Sacrifice, it was literally paralyzed with pain and terror! It couldn't even continue to flee! Seeing this, Kai didn't delay and used the Shadow Seal! Bursting into the flames, he delivered an instantaneous strike, decapitating the opponent!

Immediately, brown blood began to swirl in the air, forming a crimson sphere. As soon as the last drop left the monster's flesh, it all rushed into Kai's body!

"Bang!" A resonant sound echoed in Kai's head, and he continued to stand with closed eyes...

"Incredible!" After a few seconds, Kai exclaimed in amazement!

He felt that this blood was incredibly nourishing for his lineage! Yet, it was also saturated with energy! Most likely, this was due to the sheer density of energy in the Sacred Land. It was natural that creatures living here were similar to their environment.

"Damnation take me! This single monster brought me as much benefit as a whole day of hunting in the Shadow Groves! I'm sure at this rate, I'll break through to the Gravity Sphere!" Kai mentally shouted in complete shock.

He already understood that the creatures in this place were far stronger in body and energy. Absorbing them, Kai gained an incomparable amount of benefit! Even if he doesn't find lucky chances... Simply hunting here is already enough!

V.2 Chapter 248: Unwanted Familiar

Having spent not even a day in the Holy Land of the Island of Reincarnation, Kai had already found obvious advantages for himself. The beings in these places were indeed strange...

After killing his first victim, Kai encountered several more. All of them looked more like humans than beasts, though he also met something resembling a large beetle.

Strolling and examining the surroundings with the Eyes of Essence, Kai was deep in thought...

"Why are they so terribly afraid of the Astral Flame of Sacrifice? I'm not complaining, of course... But still!" Kai mused, his expression changing occasionally.

The reaction of the first monster could have been a mere coincidence... But Kai tested the fire on all subsequent creatures. Each of them was terrified by the presence of this entity within Kai. It was clear there was something special about it.

"Hmm... In the Shadow Groves, even much weaker beasts weren't afraid of the Astral Flame of Sacrifice. It's as if it suppresses these guys at the instinctual level. What's so different about the inhabitants of Island of Reincarnation compared to the outsiders?" Kai murmured, trying to get to the bottom of it.

Kai had earlier noticed that the place where he was, was called the Holy Land of the Mysterious Sea Region, and Island of Reincarnation was just the entry point. Some also referred to it as the Forbidden Lands, but mostly, this pertained to areas where disciples were not allowed to enter. However, Kai preferred to call it as he had initially become accustomed to. So, he continued to refer to it simply as Island of Reincarnation.

"Could it be the nature of the Astral Flame of Sacrifice itself? Its most terrifying aspect is its influence on the soul or spirit... When I heard the story from the Astral Emperor of Alchemy, I didn't fully grasp what he was talking about... It was only after Shuo's tale about his faith that I started to understand." Kai continued to mutter, "But these creatures are made of flesh... And they are full of energy. Could they really be so concerned about their souls?" Kai suddenly speculated.

Previously, this property wasn't so noticeable, due to the limitations of Kai's power. In battle, his fire served only as an additional weapon. Definitely terrifying, but not to such an extent... But it seemed that the local inhabitants didn't share this opinion...

"Well... Screw it!" Kai shrugged, "Maybe I should run around? I think that way I'll have more chances to find something interesting. Or to devour a few more victims." Kai chuckled evilly and dashed forward.

As always, he decided to postpone deep thoughts until he had additional information.

In this place, there was neither day nor night, the sky was perpetually a dull gray, lifeless and unchanging. Although there was no celestial body illuminating it, the light remained at the level of a cloudy day, making it difficult to gauge how much time one had spent there.

Martial arts masters had a good sense of time's flow. Thus, Kai knew that he had been in the Sacred Land for about two days. In that time, he had consumed a considerable number of beings, all terrified of his Astral Flame of Sacrifice! Kai hadn't even needed to use the Torture King Mode! Analyzing this, he understood that dealing with such formidable opponents would have been much harder otherwise.

But that didn't mean no one tried to resist. In his last fight, Kai had also sustained a serious injury. He fought an amorphous mass of flesh, constantly sprouting sharp protrusions from its own body. Kai had never seen such a form of life before...

"At this rate, I'll soon ascend to the peak of the Cloud Sphere! And then, the final leap to the Gravity Sphere awaits! Although, it's usually the most challenging obstacle…" Kai mused aloud.

At that moment, he emerged from behind a large boulder, which seemed like a fragment of what once was a rock...

"Hmm?" Kai thought to himself, abruptly stopping.

Just then, he saw three members of the Spirit Fire Sect about a hundred meters away, recognizable by their red clothes. Two girls and a boy...

Upon closer inspection, Kai couldn't believe his eyes... A malicious grin instantly spread across his face!

"Interesting... Very interesting..." Kai uttered, continuing his observation.

The trio stood as if turned to stone. It would have seemed strange, had Kai not possessed the Eyes of Essence!

Noticing the flow of energy underground, he spotted a peculiar creature, more like a plant. Its main body was buried deep underground, but its "roots" extended for tens of meters in every direction!

In a second, the three were fervently discussing something! Assessing their position, Kai realized they were standing in areas free of these "roots."

"Perhaps I should pay a visit to my old acquaintances." Kai chuckled malevolently and began to walk forward…

This was another reason for his mocking laugh earlier. The trio were lackeys of Bahar. As Kai was on the outer perimeter and had not yet ventured deep, it was inevitable he would encounter some martial arts masters. But to meet exactly those he needed... and in such a delicate situation...

"Ooh! Isn't that Brother Fourth Ray! How's it going, buddy!" A loud shout suddenly came from a distance!

The trio whirled around instantly! And as they saw the source of the sound, their faces contorted with emotion, particularly the boy whom Kai had been mocking.

"Why the sour faces? Tired?" Kai asked with a friendly smile, approaching close to the reach of the underground creature.

Surveying the scene, he noticed several mummies lying around. These corpses were not only of the masters from the Mysterious Sea Region but even the native inhabitants.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" the boy snarled, "Get lost, or we'll squash you!" he threatened with undisguised arrogance.

Watching this charade, Kai didn't even know how to react to such a farce...

"Really? Is that so? Then I'm waiting, Fourth Ray." Kai laughed, "Look how obedient you've become, even accepting the nickname I gave you," he continued, further irritating his opponent.

He understood that the trio was trapped. Likely, they would stand here until someone from the Spirit Fire Sect found them. Apparently, they had already tried to escape on their own, and the results were scattered around…

"Listen… Don't provoke us..." the boy said through gritted teeth.

He was still trying to maintain a superior stance. But even a fool could see that something was off. As for Kai, he even knew which step could be fatal for them.

"Interesting, how does this monster devour them? Our methods are quite similar... Hah-hah," Kai thought with a devilish grin.

He was already considering different possibilities... If this monster constantly absorbed the blood and flesh of other creatures... How much valuable essence had it accumulated? If Kai could absorb it, it would be a significant event!

"While it doesn't surface, I can't accurately assess its level... If it's already at a high stage of the Gravity Sphere... Then, even with the Astral Flame of Sacrifice, nothing can be done! I'll have to leave..." Kai planned, almost in a trance.

Although Kai could see the energy flows underground... Until the creature made its move and emerged, determining its level was impossible!

"Are you stupid? Get the hell out of here! Or come and fight me like a man!" Fourth Ray shouted in rage.

It seemed he decided to switch tactics and lure Kai into a trap. In this case, the boy would win either way. If Kai left, he would be at peace… But if he decided to approach… It would be an even more favorable outcome.

"Hmm… Do you think you're trying to provoke me?" Kai asked, feigning ignorance and rubbing his chin in doubt.

Seeing such a reaction, the boy was a bit disconcerted. He wasn't sure how to respond to keep Kai on the hook.

At that moment, Kai noticed one of the girls was in a state of panic. She was so frightened that she wasn't even paying attention to the dialogue on the side.

"Heh…" Kai smirked devilishly.

And vanished!

He instantly teleported right next to the girl! She literally felt his breath near her ear!

"Goodbye!" Kai said coldly and pushed the girl in a certain direction!

She didn't even have time to react! Her overall state and Kai's sudden appearance didn't give her a moment to think! At that moment, she was already hurtling forward, landing on the brown soil!

"Afet! Noooo!" screamed the second girl.

"Fshuv! Fshuv!" Two loud sounds of slicing air rang out!

From beneath the ground, two gray roots shot up at lightning speed, wrapping around the girl's body! They were covered in long, sharp spikes!

As these protrusions penetrated the girl's flesh, her body began to wither before their eyes! Her blood drained from her body at an incredible speed!

"Wow! It really does absorb blood! And it's in the middle of the Gravity Sphere! Hahaha!" Kai laughed inwardly.

"You bastard! I'll destroy you!" Fourth Ray suddenly roared, his body engulfed in red flames! He shot towards where Kai was!

"Too late…" Kai smirked and vanished again, reappearing beyond the monster's tentacles' reach.

"Boom!" An explosion sounded, but Kai was no longer there!

He stood watching the remaining duo as if they were fools. He wouldn't pity any of them… They were the ones who provoked him first, moreover, Shuo made it clear that he was one of their targets. If he were in a similar situation, they wouldn't have spared him either. Kai had long understood that all potential enemies must be eliminated at the first opportunity! Pity for them was a bad end in the future!

"Coward! You're just a pathetic coward!" Fourth Ray screamed in anger.

Hearing these shouts, Kai's expression slowly changed, and he returned to his usual demeanor. He no longer had any interest in mocking them…

"Why are you silent?! Do you have any honor at all?!" the boy continued to shout. It seemed he was not entirely indifferent to that girl…

"Shut the fuck up," Kai said coldly, "Better think about your last will, as I'm about to destroy you," he added with a terrifying thirst for murder.

When Kai entered such a state, it truly instilled terror in the hearts of those around him! At the Tournament of the Hundred, he hadn't had the opportunity to show this, as killing was prohibited. To demonstrate such a dense bloodlust, one must truly desire the death of their enemy! Your will to kill must be unwavering!

"Try it! You think we'll just let you do that?!" the boy yelled back.

V.2 Chapter 249: Fire Scares Them

Watching the continuously screaming boy, Kai just maliciously smiled. This Fourth Ray still didn't realize whom he had provoked. He thought he was in relative safety, confident he could easily counter Kai's Dance of Shadow Seals. But Kai's methods were quite extreme... Predicting his next move wasn't easy!

"Hahaha! Just die quietly and become a snack for my snack!" Kai laughed loudly, releasing all his energy along with the Astral Flame of Sacrifice!

"Boom!" A loud burst of energy erupted, creating a small explosion around!

The whole area was instantly flooded with a terrifying black energy!

It seemed the boy realized what Kai's next step would be! This sent him into a sudden sweat. But the worst part, he had no way to retreat!

"Wait! Stop!" The boy's tone changed as he yelled.

But it was too late...

"Ba-bang!" Concentrating all his energy, Kai powerfully punched the ground!

This action sent a huge amount of soil flying into the air! Along with it, the duo from the Spirit Fire Sect were sent flying. This place lacked the reinforcing array like the Supreme Fate Arena... It couldn't withstand such powerful strikes!

They watched in horror as a huge root system, converging in the center, was revealed below them. There, lay a round wooden object, several meters in diameter. But at that moment, a huge eye appeared on it, intently watching the people above!

"Sshh! Sshh!" The creature's tentacles started flying straight at the duo, slicing through the air mixed with clay.

At that moment, they were completely defenseless! Though they tried to summon their energy and repel the attack... It could only work against a few of the attacks. Unfortunately, they didn't have a movement method like Kai's Dance of Shadow Seals. They simply couldn't dodge the attack in mid-air!

"Bastard! I'll destroy you! Ghaah…" The boy yelled, until one of the tentacles pierced right through his chest.

The same happened to the second girl… She was in such despair that she didn't even say anything. Her face only showed pure horror and the unwillingness to die. But alas, they were not given that option... Instantly, only two dried-up mummies remained!

The monster dealt with them in the blink of an eye. It seemed incredibly angry now! Probably, preparing such a quality disguise took a lot of time. And Kai, in turn, destroyed it without any remorse.

At that moment, the spiky roots flew towards him! But as soon as they touched the Astral Flame of Sacrifice, they instantly shriveled!

"So you're afraid of me too? Heh-heh!" Kai exclaimed in delight.

It seemed the monster had no desire to continue fighting with Kai. It rapidly began to burrow deeper, vanishing before his eyes!

"Damn! You won't escape!" Kai shouted, slightly panicking.

He definitely didn't want to lose such a valuable specimen! This monster was literally a treasure trove of blood for him!

"Torture King Mode!" Kai thought, activating his power.

"Bang!" A loud sound emanated from Kai's body, his hair instantly changing color! Simultaneously, his entire body was covered in crimson markings.

Kai decided not to hold back! If he missed this chance due to excessive caution — that would be absurd!

"Ba-boom!" Another strike of incredible power resounded!

With increased strength, Kai instantly caught up to the creature and struck its main body directly! But this was no ordinary blow; he infused the Astral Flame of Sacrifice directly into the monster's body!

At that moment, the tentacles wrapped around Kai's body, attempting to absorb him! But Kai instantly disappeared, reappearing a few meters away, thus avoiding capture!

"Bang!" Another explosion sounded from the impact!

Kai's body blazed with fire in tandem with energy, all of it relentlessly pouring into the body of the strange creature!

"Scre-ee!" Suddenly, it even started to shriek! Nevertheless, it didn't last long... Instantly, the monster's body finally burst into flames. It rapidly died, and at the very last moment, exploded into pieces!

As this happened, huge streams of blood rushed into Kai's body! It seemed that the monster had indeed accumulated terrifying reserves over the years of its existence!

"Ba-bang!" Kai felt his brain and entire body pulsating!

It was incredible! Steam even began to rise from his body! At the same time, Kai quickly focused on his Energy Center... At that moment, he saw tiny, barely noticeable black droplets forming in the dense clouds! They had not yet started to converge in the center of the Cloud Sphere, but it was definitely a symbol of the peak of the Cloud Sphere!

"Unbelievable!" Kai exclaimed in shock!

He felt a tremendous mass of energy continuing to pour into his body along with the blood! He wouldn't be able to process it all, even in several days! He had already broken through to the peak of the Cloud Sphere, but there was still a lot of energy left over!

"The Torture King Mode will soon end, I need to find shelter immediately! I'll revel in this later!" Kai suddenly realized.

Swiftly glancing around, Kai moved from one corpse to the other, collecting all their valuables. Then, he calmly burned their bodies to ashes and vanished.

These people were the top of the young generation in the Mysterious Sea Region. They surely possessed many valuable items, and not taking them would have been the height of foolishness...

As soon as Kai did this, he dashed towards the cliff from which he had come. There were several similar spots nearby. Passing by earlier, Kai had noticed something resembling a depression or a crack.

Most likely, he could settle down there, especially considering his enhanced Mastery of Array. Now, Kai could create a rather impressive concealment array. It was unlikely that anyone other than an Elder could detect him... This was also one of the reasons he wasn't afraid to use the Torture King Mode within the Sacred Land. After all, this place was full of dangers, and being immobilized here meant a terrifying, even fatal outcome!

As Kai ran, he forgot that he hadn't even concealed his Astral Flame of Sacrifice and his energy...

"Hmm? What's this?" Kai suddenly pondered, feeling a slight increase in the strength of his fire...

It was an almost imperceptible change... Only due to Kai's incredible sensitivity could he detect it. This had never happened before! He had incinerated hordes of beasts in the Shadow Groves, but the fire had never reacted this way!

"Something strange is happening with the Astral Flame of Sacrifice... And all these creatures are incredibly afraid of it... It's definitely connected!" Realizing the patterns, Kai quickly concluded.

As soon as he turned the corner, he indeed found a small fissure in the rock. Quickly penetrating inside, Kai began to draw an array around... Ten minutes later, it was finally completed, and the fissure ceased to exist visually! From the outside, one would only see a smooth rock surface... And there was no trace of Kai's energy.

At that moment, the backlash began to manifest... He managed to find shelter just in time for his period of incapacity. Falling on his back, Kai simply closed his eyes, allowing himself to rest.

Thanks to absorbing such a huge amount of blood, the backlash was significantly softened. Just three hours later, Kai was able to move again, but he didn't rush to leave.

Sitting in the lotus position, Kai absorbed and processed all the energy accumulated from the blood. He estimated that it would take several more days for this. Naturally, he was now in the Asura Hell. Only in this way could he deplete his energy and fully absorb and process what had accumulated after killing the monsters.

Day by day, Kai felt more and more strange orbs forming in his Cloud Sphere, composed of his energy. However, they were still too small to begin their descent to the core. But Kai could definitely say – the Gravity Sphere was within arm's reach! If he could absorb a dozen more such creatures, he would surely make it!

Or there was always another option… Absorbing martial arts masters! It wouldn't be as beneficial in terms of lineage, but in terms of cultivation... A breakthrough would be guaranteed!

At that moment, Kai didn't know whether these strange tree-type monsters were rare. But considering how many he had absorbed, finding someone similar wouldn't be easy. Even if this species was common, it didn't mean that each one had grown to such enormous sizes.

"How lucky I am to have come here! If I had stayed in the outside world, I can't even imagine where I would have found such opportunities!" Kai thought, still in a bit of shock.

Now, several spatial rings lay in front of him. He decided it would be a good idea to check and sort through them...

"Let's see what interesting things we have here..." Kai thought to himself and started rummaging through the rings.

It must be said, all the rings he saw were much less capacious than the ring received from the Astral Emperor of Alchemy. But even so... Looking at the contents, it was obvious that these disciples really brought only the most valuable items with them.

"These guys are known for their Alchemy..." Kai muttered, pulling out various bottles filled with pills, "Oh? These daggers are pretty good... They'll serve as spares..." Kai continued to examine the rings.

Ultimately, he found numerous truly useful pills. He wasn't kidding when he thought they might even be useful to him. Also, a pill recipe book was a significant find. But most importantly, several scrolls describing secret concoctions!

Kai didn't feel much interest in the wealth of these guys from the Spirit Fire Sect. But anything related to hard-to-access knowledge... That was definitely very useful!

As Kai pondered the usefulness of the found recipes, he began to examine the last ring...

"What's this?" he murmured with interest.

He pulled out a strange scroll that resembled those shown by Fabian from the Border Beast City.

"This isn't from the Spirit Fire Sect... Most likely, they found this here!" Kai suddenly realized.

He quickly unrolled the scroll and began reading it with interest. The longer he read, the more astonished Kai became!

"This is a recipe for life-extending pills! This can't be! And this..." Kai muttered in shock.

The scroll was written in an ancient language, describing herbs from a long-gone world! Modern masters wouldn't even be able to read this recipe! But Kai was a different case altogether... And most astonishingly... Some of these herbs were in the garden of the Border Beast City! Once, Kai himself had prepared the soil for them in the Tower of Origin!

V.2 Chapter 250: Natural Formation

At that moment, Kai was incredibly grateful for the circumstances and his own ingenuity. He had managed to bring out of the Astral City what no longer existed in the modern world. And moreover, he had recreated these herbs in a special garden.

However, when Kai finished reading the entire list, his mood slightly shifted…

"Some ingredients are in the Border Beast City… Others can be replaced with modern equivalents… But these..." Kai pondered, somewhat disheartened.

In the list, he saw ingredients that even in the memories of the Astral Emperor of Alchemy were considered very valuable and rare! It seemed that Kai's joy was premature... Creating such pills might now be impossible.

"Well… The main thing is that extending life is possible! If I work hard enough, I might be able to find substitutes. After all, my promise is achievable, and it's not just a child's fantasy! Grandfather Mo, I will definitely help you!" Kai declared resolutely, clenching his fists tightly.

Although Kai didn't want to admit it, sometimes he was haunted by the thought of the impossibility of fulfilling his promise. When he bid farewell to Master Mo, he had no idea what the world beyond the shelter and forest was like. It seemed to him that curing the old man wouldn't be too difficult…

But this lasted until Kai realized the place his old man held in the hierarchy... Only then did he understand that everything was much more complicated than he initially thought. But now, he had obtained the most important thing — hope! Even if it was impossible to recreate the pill from this ancient recipe... It didn't matter! The main thing was that such a method existed!

Kai was already pondering the history of this place... The so-called Sacred Land harbored many artifacts of antiquity. Some might attribute this to losses of the previous generation. After all, generations had been coming here searching for adventure. But Kai had substantial reasons to think otherwise…

The Astral Emperor of Alchemy had spoken of a previous civilization and the cataclysm that destroyed everything. Also, from Kar Yorma's words, the Imperial Beast seemed to know something similar. Seeing this recipe on an ancient scroll made from strange material, Kai became even more convinced of his hypothesis. The names in it and the script itself did not belong to contemporaries.

"The Island of Reincarnation is very strange... And the most interesting thing is in its center! Damn!" Kai exclaimed with slight irritation.

He understood that venturing into that zone would be tantamount to his death. The natural energy in those places had created myriad arrays, indestructible or undecipherable by anyone below the Star Sphere. But even for them, it would be a tough ordeal, especially without the help of the Patriarch. Besides, the energy itself in those areas exerted constant pressure on martial arts masters.

“Well, this is beyond my understanding for now. In principle, I've already gained plenty of useful things.” Kai laughed and finally emerged from his shelter.

He decided to make his way gradually deeper, wanting to gauge at which point further advancement would become unsafe. So far, he hadn’t found any artifacts on the fringes. To an ordinary person, there seemed to be nothing of value in this area. But Kai had the peculiar Kessia Lineage and a fire feared by all the local inhabitants, which brought him immense benefits even on the peripheries of the Island of Reincarnation.

Kai’s immediate plan was simple: to break through to the Gravity Sphere! If he managed that, advancing deeper would pose no problem. In that case, he would no longer be among the weakest!

Thus, the harvest began anew!

The deeper Kai ventured, the stronger the monsters inhabiting the area became. However, the benefits from absorbing them also increased significantly! Kai managed to absorb three martial arts masters, two of whom were weaker than him. Activating Torture King Mode, he managed to kill them without serious injury.

The situation with the third master was a bit more complicated... He was in the middle of the Gravity Sphere, but exhausted from battles with monsters. Kai, on the other hand, using the Astral Flame of Sacrifice, set several nearby creatures on this guy. All he had to do was finish him off and absorb him.

With each passing day, Kai felt the energy in the clouds becoming denser. The Cloud Sphere itself constantly rotated, and the clouds within it churned ceaselessly. It seemed as if it might rain at any moment! Naturally, this was only a visual sensation. There would be no rain.

Kai moved nimbly across the plains, observing the surrounding landscapes. Naturally, the Eyes of Essence constantly sought something useful. And at that moment, Kai suddenly stopped...

“What is this...” he pondered...

This was the first time he had encountered a natural formation! Their main array was concentrated in the forbidden zone, but sometimes they were found outside as well. This was also one of the reasons why the Island of Reincarnation was so dangerous! An ordinary person simply wouldn’t notice the traps.

"If a natural formation has emerged, it means there is a source of concentrated energy here!” Kai mused with a smirk, observing a strange, withered tree standing straight at the center of the formation.

At that moment, everything was clear to Kai! If he could find a way through the array, he might obtain something incredibly valuable! And he was the one truly capable of executing this plan!

Approaching closer, Kai saw a massive cluster of energy under the tree. It must have been growing for an unimaginable amount of time!

Objects capable of creating a protective array around themselves usually absorbed energy and evolved over centuries! At some point, they would develop minimal beginnings of consciousness. These were more primitive instincts than deliberate actions... But still!

Kai learned about such things in the Alchemy Alliance. As incredibly rare and valuable ingredients, such objects were described there... There were legends that if left for thousands of years, such an entity could gain consciousness and transform into a semblance of a living being!

Kai even asked Elder Brud about this, and he confirmed that in the depths of the Island of Reincarnation, one could indeed encounter such beings. But the most terrifying part was that these creatures were as powerful as the masters of the Star Sphere! Moreover, they were far better acclimated to the terrain, so the best strategy was to avoid any confrontation with them.

Brud also mentioned that sometimes these creatures could deliberately hunt human masters. From their perspective, these humans appeared as uninvited guests who had come to rob their home!

Fortunately, such beings definitely did not dwell in Kai's current area. Remembering this, Kai understood that this object would undoubtedly be very useful!

“If I obtain it, I can almost certainly absorb a massive amount of energy! Maybe I can even make a breakthrough?” Kai thought, sitting near the edge of the array.

Carefully examining the patterns of the formation, Kai observed the movement of energy within…

“Very interesting… This formation really doesn't seem man-made… The patterns and scripts are slightly chaotic, yet they maintain a clear balance. If I avoid stepping on these parts... And at the same time, move in a spiral, winding around this tree…” Kai began to formulate his plan of action.

With the Eyes of Essence, it was as if he constantly had a treatise with answers to all questions at hand. He just needed to spend time finding the right information and draw the correct conclusions.

The moment Kai was about to step towards the formation… A wave of energy washed over him! And it was decidedly hostile!

At that moment, several people were rapidly approaching him, and he recognized a few of them...

“Stop right there, pup!” came a haughty shout.

“Bahar?! What the hell?!” Kai exclaimed in shock and instantly turned to run in the opposite direction!

Kai wanted to flee, but he saw a strange, thin man emerging as if from thin air on the other side, clearly also from the Spirit Fire Sect.

“Damn it! I was being followed! How did I not notice him with the Essence Eye?! Can this guy completely hide his energy?!” Kai mentally exclaimed in utter shock.

This was the first time he had seen such a masterful stealth technique! It seemed that the enemy had the ability to completely conceal his energy, even its slightest vibrations. This was the first time the Essence Eyes had failed Kai!

“What to do?! I can’t escape! Definitely…” Kai thought rapidly, finding the only possible solution!

He immediately jumped back and then made several more moves in a spiral trajectory! Without hesitation, Kai leaped straight into the natural array. It was about fifty meters in radius, so there was plenty of room to maneuver!

Naturally, this wasn’t a salvation for him... If they wanted, they could attack from a distance, or wait for him to come out himself. In any case, it was a deadly trap, just a matter of time!

“Decided to give up? Hahaha!” Bahar laughed loudly as he approached, “Well done, Gunzo, your abilities are indispensable.” he praised and threw the thin man a small bag.

As soon as the man caught it, he immediately took out several pills and threw them into his mouth. While doing this, his hands shook convulsively, and madness gleamed in his eyes.

“Why do you want me? Got too much time on your hands?” Kai asked coldly, trying to buy time.

“I told you, if we meet, I will destroy you! And not only that, you even decided to kill my subordinates!” Bahar said with undisguised contempt.

“Where did he learn that?!” Kai thought in slight shock.

“Want to know?” the red-haired man said, as if reading his mind, “Let this be the fulfillment of your last wish. Hahaha!” He laughed loudly, mocking Kai.

It seemed that at that moment Bahar was fully enjoying the situation. Probably, he wouldn't have even come here just because of the killing of his lackeys. Previously, Bahar had learned that Kai was a friend of the Lone Buddha. To miss such an opportunity as killing Shuo's friend would be a criminal waste!

“Let it be so,” Kai said coldly, as if agreeing with Bahar's previous statement.

“See this guy?” Bahar said with a smile, pointing at Gunzo, “He’s a special slave of our sect. They’re raised on pills, but they don’t cultivate at all. You might say they are just ordinary mortals. Khe-he…” he chuckled maliciously, “Someone like him is incredibly useful as a spy! With the help of a concealment artifact, they become virtually invisible to masters like us!” Bahar explained proudly.

“So, that's it! I couldn’t detect him because he had no energy at all!” Kai realized, mentally exclaiming.

The slaves were constantly fed pills, making them dependent on them... But in return, they gained enough strength to keep up with a martial arts master… A very cunning method!

“Almost every one of our groups is accompanied by someone like him. When my men fell into a trap, Gunzo went for help. But imagine his surprise when he returned and saw you killing my subordinates!” Bahar said maliciously.

“So, he was constantly following me, leaving you clues? Smart.” Kai said emotionlessly…

He understood that now was not the time to panic. The situation was very delicate… Most likely, as long as he was inside the array, they couldn’t kill him... But that also didn’t mean he could escape!

V.2 Chapter 251: Cunning Against the Crowd

Hearing Kai's remark, Bahar smiled maliciously...

"Exactly… Based on the descriptions given by Gunzo, I immediately knew who he was pursuing. I just couldn't ignore you, had to greet you personally! Khe-he." The red-haired man mocked, sneering at his victim.

"How magnanimous of you. Sunshine." Kai retorted coolly, showing no trace of fear on his face.

"See, you've resigned yourself. Decided to crack jokes before death?" Bahar responded indifferently.

At that moment, a timid and uncertain voice came from the side...

“M… Master… This guy has a strange ability…” Gunzo suddenly said.

“Oh? And what might that be?” Bahar turned, showing interest.

Kai’s face tensed slightly at this... But in such a situation, he understood that it wasn’t the most critical problem. In the world of martial arts, there are countless techniques. At most, they would think that Kai was a cultivator of the “evil” path.

“Killing animals, he absorbs their blood, turning them into withered mummies…” Gunzo said with unmistakable reverence and servility.

It was evident that he and those like him were slaves not just physically, but also spiritually… Seeing this, Kai unconsciously thought that he himself had a rather good childhood…

“Hm? Absorbs blood?” Bahar responded, surprised but not overly enthusiastic, “And how did that saint Shuo allow himself to be friends with you? Huh?” Turning to Kai, he shouted with a smile.

“That's none of your concern.” Kai replied calmly.

Hearing this, the man and his lackeys burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! You’re too bold for someone preparing to die!” Bahar mocked, holding his stomach and laughing.

“And what makes you think I’m about to die? Your stupidity combined with your arrogance is starting to irritate me.” Kai retorted with unmistakable contempt.

Seeing Kai’s behavior, Bahar started to get slightly angry. It was usually enjoyable to taunt a victim cornered into despair. But Kai, in turn, was still hurling insults back!

“Danal, prepare him for a proper conversation.” Bahar ordered dryly, looking indifferently at Kai.

In his perception, Kai was already in his grasp, just not yet broken. And that's what he was about to do…

Danal, who had recently reached the middle stage of the Gravity Sphere, had higher cultivation, so logically, he should easily handle Kai. At that moment, his gait radiated arrogance.

"Jester... Even if I had to fight you, you'd pose no threat at all. But I won't even need to move... I'll just watch the effect of this array." Kai mused with a stone face, watching the boy approaching him.

He didn't want to give his enemies even a hint of doubt. It would be much better if this boy simply died. One less enemy is always good!

Arrays, especially unusual ones like natural arrays, were a very mysterious phenomenon. Without a skilled Array Master, you couldn't even detect it! And in the Spirit Fire Sect, nearly everyone was fundamentally an alchemist... How could they possibly discover anything?

"Kneel, loser!" The boy arrogantly yelled and took another step forward!

As soon as his foot touched the ground...

"Kgaaah!" The boy shouted and clutched at his chest!

His hands trembled... They dug deeper into his own flesh! Blood began to seep from his clothes! It seemed like he literally wanted to tear himself to pieces!

"Aaaaa! Aaaa! Help me!" An intense scream tore through the surroundings!

It seemed he was conscious, yet unable to control his body! As he recovered from the initial shock, he realized the horror of what was happening... He was literally tearing himself apart!

"Danal! No!" Swore one of the disciple of the Spirit Fire Sect, running forward.

"Stop!" Bahar loudly yelled, ordering the girl to halt.

"But... But Master Bahar!" The girl pleaded, tears welling up in her eyes.

"He's trapped in a natural formation trap! That damn pup led us here! Don't touch Danal!" Bahar quickly yelled, warning the girl.

"Aaaaa! No! Lord!" The boy's agonizing moans sounded again, "Krgh! Crunch!" Another horrifying sound followed...

In that instant, Danal tore out his own rib!

"Aaaaa! Damn, it hurts! Kill me!" The boy cried out, beginning to sob.

"Tch!" Bahar gritted his teeth and grimaced slightly.

At that moment, he swiftly waved his hand, and a reddish fiery sphere flew out. In mid-air, its shape began to morph into a lion's head. Its speed was definitely impressive!

"Bam!" A small explosion sounded, and Danal's body was thrown forward!

His trajectory was such that he landed a few meters from Kai. By then, he was already dead...

"Terrifying... This array will surely deter anyone who even tries to penetrate it. After witnessing this, no one would want to experience such on their own skin." Kai thought, looking at the boy's tear-stained face and torn chest.

At that moment, even he was in mild shock… After all, such a spectacle was far from pleasant, even considering all of Kai's experience in the Asura Hell.

"Scum! You've killed another member of the Spirit Fire Sect!" The girl who had tried to save Danal suddenly screamed.

"Me? It seems to me that he was killed by your stupidity. Especially the stupidity of your leader!" Kai retorted with disdain, "By the way, thanks for the treat, Bahar!" Smiling a devilish smile, Kai exclaimed.

As these words were spoken, blood began to flow from the body lying on the ground, serenely gathering in the air. Watching it, Kai even made a theatrical gesture with his hand, as if beckoning it to himself.

In reality, there was no need for this. But the more psychological pressure exerted on the opponents, the better. With this gesture, Kai showed his calmness and impunity. He was literally devouring their friend, right before their eyes!

Instantly, all the blood rushed to Kai's chest area, completely penetrating inside down to the last drop. Kai immediately felt how beneficial the blood of a master at the middle stage of the Gravity Sphere was for him! Even without processing this energy, a part of it had already penetrated into the Energy Center, thickening the clouds inside.

"What are you..." the girl stammered in shock, "I will destroy you!" She declared in rage, and immediately lunged into attack!

But at that moment, Bahar appeared next to her. Instantly, he caught her by the throat! Such a grip even lifted the girl off the ground! Now she was literally hanging from the hand of the red-haired man.

"Have you forgotten your place? Earlier, I ordered you to stop... If you dare to disobey another order, I'll kill you! So, shut the fuck up and don't interfere!" He harshly said and flung the girl away with impressive force!

"Hahaha! Like master, like dogs!" Suddenly, mocking laughter was heard in the distance.

Kai was very pleased with the situation. If everything continued in this vein, they would kill each other. Of course, this was just a jestful assumption. Clearly, this Danal was very close to the girl. Hence, such a violent reaction followed. All the other lackeys didn't even move without a command.

"And I underestimated you. How did you get in there, huh?" Turning his gaze to Kai, Bahar asked.

"What, are you an idiot? Why ask something to which I won't answer?" Rolling his eyes with disdain, Kai replied.

"Try me. Maybe then I'll even let you go... After all, such arrays don't appear out of nowhere." With unmistakable interest, hinting, Bahar spoke.

It seemed that at that moment, he wasn't too concerned about Kai's life. Naturally, he wanted to take her for amusement, and to spite Shuo… But if using Kai, he could obtain the essence that created this array… It would be dozens of times more beneficial!

"Go to hell. I'd rather wait until you kill each other off! Heh-heh," Kai replied with a malicious smile, refusing the offer.

"No? Then no!" Bahar shouted, losing his temper.

It was obvious that even if Kai had helped him, he wouldn't have kept Kai alive. There was simply no sense in it… And Kai understood this perfectly. If a lion assures you that it has good intentions... it doesn't mean sticking your head in its mouth is a wise decision!

As soon as Bahar's words were spoken, his hands burst into flames! He instantly made two strikes, directing oddly shaped spheres towards Kai.

"Damn... They are going to attack after all!" Kai cursed in his mind and instantly used the Dance of Shadow Seals.

With the Eyes of Essence, he knew which areas were safe to move to and which were not. But that wasn’t enough... He also needed to understand which movement trajectory was the correct one.

Theoretically, if Kai kept dodging and they kept attacking… At some point, they would learn the map of safe zones! Only in arrays, things worked much more complicated! From a certain point, the path is open only to a few others. Cross the wrong line and you're dead!

Earlier, during the disputes between the disciple of the Spirit Fire Sect, Kai had already contemplated this. In a situation of endless attacks, he couldn't keep dodging. He simply didn't have enough speed to create Shadow Seals!

Considering the criticality of the situation… Kai found only one desperate way out – a breakthrough to the next level of the Dance of Shadow Seals! Kai understood that under normal conditions, this would require breaking through to the Gravity Sphere. But the essence of the technique lay in drawing Shadow Seals... And what, if not the Eyes of Essence, was the universal key to them?

Dodging a strike, Kai instantly moved to another point. But as soon as he did, several more fire lions were launched at him.

"Damn! At this rate, I really won't keep up!" Kai exclaimed and disappeared again!

In all this, there was only one plus. It was noticeable that Bahar was trying to attack with incredible caution. All the actions and laws of the array were completely unclear. Perhaps his careless attack would provoke a reaction from the array, which would be deadly even for him! In such cases, there was no room for jokes!

"Hey you! Come with me! But attack very cautiously! Try not to disturb the natural formation!" Bahar immediately gave instructions.

It seemed that he had finally decided to destroy Kai. Although Kai knew how to move safely within the array, he certainly couldn't leave it. Eventually, Kai would slip up… For Bahar, this was a no-lose strategy!

V.2 Chapter 252: Ring of Fire

As soon as Bahar issued his command, all members of the Spirit Fire Sect began to attack! A dozen varied attacks were immediately hurled at Kai!

It was evident that each attack was based on the fire attribute, and their colors were quite diverse. Although even Kai's fire did not have a natural color in the understanding of mortals.

Seeing this, Kai rapidly analyzed the situation using the Eyes of Essence and found the most advantageous point for movement. He tried to conduct the analysis immediately after his previous move. Thus, he had only a brief moment to assess the natural formation.

From this moment, a grueling struggle began for Kai. The constant attacks didn’t give Kai a moment to breathe. As soon as he moved, he had to prepare the next Shadow Seal. Fortunately, after breaking through to the peak of the Cloud Sphere, Kai’s energy capacity had slightly increased, and continuing to use the Dance of Shadow Seals wasn’t something extraordinary.

But ultimately, the balance of energy was disrupted. He was spending it faster than he could absorb… Therefore, at some point, he would still reach exhaustion. After that, only one outcome awaited him…

Realizing this, Kai tried to provoke an expansion in the interval between the enemy’s attacks. Due to the size of the natural formation, there was a possibility to stretch the enemies around the perimeter. In such cases, they had to change their position to be able to respond to Kai's movement.

If Kai appeared at a great distance from them, he would have more time to react. After all, an attack takes time to reach its target.

“Tsk… We’re just wasting time… Everyone spread out and take positions around the perimeter! Each of you is responsible for your sector!” Understanding Kai's simple plan, Bahar quickly ordered.

“We obey!” The red-haired man's lackeys immediately responded.

Without a word, they chose their locations and dispersed. It seemed that all these people had long been working as a team. Achieving such coordination is very difficult… Usually, it requires years of joint adventures.

It seemed that in the Spirit Fire Sect, there were indeed different orders and traditions. At first glance, they seemed more inclined to develop teams rather than individuals. But upon closer inspection, the team was just a certain fodder for its leader. Perhaps such methods were even more merciless than those of the Shadow Sect…

“As soon as he appears near you — attack immediately! Don’t give him a second to think!” Bahar shouted in a commanding tone.

Watching this, Kai tensed up even more.

"Damn… I've already read about the next stage of the Dance of Shadow Seals. But how can I practice it in these conditions?! This won't do… There are too many of them!" Kai cursed in his mind.

At that moment, he was frantically pondering variations in his actions. The enemy’s attacks were relentless.

A few minutes later, a strange glint appeared in Kai's eyes. It seemed he had come up with something… He began moving through different sectors, carefully observing each opponent. He was studying them!

"Those two guys should be the easiest targets. It seems that through the development system of the Spirit Fire Sect, their low-ranked are weaker than ours," Kai analyzed carefully.

He noticed that the people who were supposed to be equal to the Thunderous Ram were significantly weaker… More like the level of the White Fang and the Enchanting Flute, rather than the Reaper of Fear. In turn, Bahar was roughly equal in strength to Shuo. While Kai didn’t fully understand why the situation was such... the main thing was that it was so!

Considering Kai's increased strength, they shouldn't be serious opponents for him. Only before, they were all together.

"It seems you underestimated me, red-haired… Turns out, your order couldn’t be more timely! He-he." Kai thought, beginning to feel amused.

Externally, he showed no sign, but in his mind, Kai was already forming a plan for further action. In the last half hour of continuous running, Kai had already well-studied the paths in the natural array. Now he could calculate routes in advance, giving him more time and opportunities.

Unnoticed by all, he began to gradually approach the borders of the array… He had already spotted two people who were slightly distracted. It seemed they perceived Kai as a little animal trapped in a snare. They didn’t feel any threat from him, at least because there were many more of them.

Just at that moment, Kai appeared in the sector of one of the guys. Naturally, he immediately attacked with his technique, and as always, Kai instantly disappeared. All masters of the Spirit Fire Sect had long been accustomed to this pattern...

"Zabu!" Suddenly, a cry was heard from the side!

"Ah?" Surprised and confused, the guy reacted.

"Die!" A cold voice was heard from behind, causing the guy to break out in sweat instantly!

"Bang!" A loud impact sounded, and the guy was thrown several meters forward!

Kai decided that first, he needed to reduce the number of masters of the Spirit Fire Sect. If Kai had to fight them in direct confrontation, it would be impossible... After all, he would have had to struggle with each of these people. But now, Kai had a unique advantage at his disposal — the natural formation!

As soon as Kai eliminated that guy, he again moved within the limits of the array and began continuous movements!

"Aaaah! No!" A soul-chilling scream was heard again!

Before the eyes of all present, the recent scene unfolded again… The guy was tearing himself to pieces!

"Kill! Kill!" He screamed incessantly.

"Bahar! We must try to pull him out, otherwise that bastard will absorb his blood! I don't know the mechanism, but it will surely allow him to keep running from us for longer!" One of the members of the Spirit Fire Sect suddenly shouted.

It seemed that, aside from Bahar, this was one of the strongest in the group. He quickly made the right assumption. But orders here were given by Bahar. Moreover, they didn't know if the array would affect them if they touched Zabu.

At that moment, there were only two options. The first was to let Kai absorb the guy, thereby allowing him to strengthen. The second was to take a risk and try to extract Zabu from the limits of the natural formation. But in the second case, there was a risk of losing another fighter...

"Rari, pull him out!" After a moment's hesitation, Bahar shouted.

The girl he was addressing immediately pulled out her weapon from a spatial ring. It was a long red whip — a weapon not typical for the Shadow Sect.

This girl was one of the masters near Zabu. Therefore, she was given the order. Rari simply had the opportunity to do it quickly.

Without delay, her whip flew forward, binding the screaming guy by the waist! Everyone watched this action attentively… Bahar even felt a little relieved, it seemed that the array did not attack the girl. She just had to pull the guy out of the action zone.

But at that moment…

"Kghah!" Blood spurted from the girl's mouth, and her eyes began to be clouded with a white haze…

Without saying a word, she took a step forward… And then another… The girl named Rari, as if in a trance, continued walking straight into the limits of the formation.

"Damn! No one touches her!" Bahar gritted his teeth.

At that moment, another loud cry was heard, but this time it was female… Practically, they had already lost three masters in such a short span of time! If you also consider Fourth Ray and his companions — the losses were colossal!

"Hahaha! Is your sect named so because you, like moths, fly to the fire? Don't you know it only brings you death?" Kai taunted the enemies.

Now he was incredibly happy! He couldn't even imagine such a favorable outcome! This girl was not among the weakest, and Kai didn't know if he could kill her that easily.

"Time to act!" Kai shouted in his mind.

This was the best opportunity for the next step! The entire group of the Spirit Fire Sect was in shock! They certainly hadn't expected a master of the Cloud Sphere to inflict such huge losses on them…

Kai didn't hesitate and appeared behind the second guy he had chosen as his target. But instead of striking, Kai quickly grabbed him from behind and pushed off the ground, flying forward together. This way, the guy definitely couldn't dodge!

It was a slightly risky move, as Kai would also be affected by the natural formation. But at the last second, he once again employed the Dance of Shadow Seals and moved to a safe zone.

"Damn, are you idiots?! Everyone, retreat from the array!" Bahar lost his composure and shouted.

The flurry of attacks stopped instantly, leaving only the terrifying sounds of three people… Watching such a scene was, to put it mildly, difficult…

"Perfect… Aside from Bahar, there are only six left. But killing the rest won't be that simple now. Especially since they will keep their distance. But now, there's a chance to practice the next level of the Dance of Shadow Seals…" Kai thought with a slight smile, watching the unfolding scene.

At that moment, no one dared to attack Kai, they were waiting for Bahar's instructions. He, in turn, stood with a complex expression on his face. Although the system of the Spirit Fire Sect was different, he would have to answer for the losses…

Watching this, Kai moved closer to the screaming. Pulling out several unnecessary daggers, he emotionlessly threw them directly at those in agony. In fact, at that moment, no one objected to him ending their suffering.

As soon as this happened, all the blood from their bodies flowed towards Kai.

If it weren't for the overall situation, he would have even closed his eyes to savor the moment. Each of these three was a sufficiently strong master! Kai felt his body and Energy Center filling with energy.

"I'm sure that the breakthrough is very close! I need that essence under the tree… If I can get it, I'll definitely break through to the Gravity Sphere!" Kai exclaimed in his mind, his eyes shining.

"Everyone, calm down and step back a few meters from the edge of the array! Don't let yourself be fooled and lured into the area of action! This bastard has taken too many lives, now we simply must destroy him! Continue to attack, but remain vigilant!" Bahar quickly ordered.

This time, he himself approached the edges of the array. Earlier, he thought his subordinates would be sufficient. But now, things had gone too far…

"Attack!" The red-haired shouted fiercely.

As soon as these words were spoken, a flurry of explosions resumed. But due to the loss of several masters, their frequency was much less. Finally, Kai had more freedom in his movements!

"Puppy, do you think you can win a battle of endurance?! Let's find out!" Bahar arrogantly shouted at Kai.

At that moment, behind him, a strange ring of fire blazed up! It seemed he was getting serious about the matter. Slowly, within this ring, the silhouette of a lion's head began to form.

This was Bahar's true Energy Manifestation! The temperature in the vicinity instantly rose by several degrees.

"Think you'll scare me with that? Heh-heh." Kai sneered, and his body, in the blink of an eye, was covered with a thin layer of black fire.

V.2 Chapter 253: Accelerating the Dance

Kai's body instantly blazed with the Astral Flame of Sacrifice. The pressure from Bahar's Energy Manifestation immediately ceased to affect him.

But as soon as this happened, the faces of all the members of the Spirit Fire Sect changed instantaneously! They seemed to feel discomfort and terror at an instinctual level. Their sensitivity to fire was far greater than that of any master from the Mysterious Sea Region.

At that moment, Bahar himself froze... Gazing at Kai, he couldn't comprehend what was happening. He knew many types of Spiritual Fire, but such as this, he had never seen before! Moreover, Kai's fire seemed incredibly powerful!

And this was not just with Bahar, but also with his followers. Like people at a stage similar to the Personal Disciples of the Shadow Sect, they had immense resources. Each of them possessed their own type of Spiritual Fire. But now, all of them were breathless...

"Kid... What kind of fire is that?" Bahar asked in mild shock.

"Are you going to attack? If not, get the hell out of here." Kai retorted contemptuously, ignoring the redhead's question.

When Bahar heard this, it seemed as if incredible fury awakened in his eyes. He understood that Kai would never provide an answer, unless caught captive. But with this natural array, such a thing was impossible… And most likely, even if they destroyed him, they still wouldn't be able to approach the body.

Of course, there was the option to wait for one of the Elders and ask for help. But this time, almost all of them had gone deep into the Island of Reincarnation. Presently, the outer perimeter was the place of the Core Disciples. Or more precisely, the place of the masters of the Gravity Sphere.

"Kill this bastard!" Bahar snarled through his teeth.

"Bam! Bam! Bam!" Once again, explosions from energy impacts began to sound at regular intervals.

Using the Eyes of Essence, Kai had learned to absorb energy at an incredible speed. Considering that he had absorbed three masters at the initial stage of the Gravity Sphere... This short conversation had given him enough time to recover. Now, Kai was able to continue these exhausting runs for a very long time.

Just then, he teleported to a new point and immediately sensed danger! Bahar joined the attacks! He was much faster and more skilled than the others… It seemed as if his Energy Manifestation was closely monitoring Kai's movements, reacting faster than Bahar himself.

Meanwhile, Bahar didn't control a specific sector; he simply attacked whenever he could react. In this way, he introduced an element of unpredictability into Kai's escape route.

Witnessing the attack, Kai immediately teleported to a different spot. But before doing so, he felt a strong heat near him.

"Bam!" An explosion echoed at the spot where he had stood just a moment ago.

"Damn... I need to start forming two parallel seals. Otherwise, even reducing the number of enemies, I won't be able to survive!" Kai thought, glancing at the slightly charred edges of his sleeve.

The battle raged on and on… Neither side wanted to give in, each confident in their endurance. During this period, Kai didn't even respond to his enemies' provocations. His face seemed incredibly focused. Bahar was somewhat surprised by this, as initially, Kai hadn't appeared so calm and concentrated. Though, it was not surprising, considering the situation he was in.

All this time, Kai was actively trying to create a second Shadow Seal. But, he was unsuccessful… Creating a seal in one place, he couldn't concentrate in an entirely different direction. It felt like trying to look in two different directions at the same time.

But Kai's efforts weren't entirely fruitless. In such critical conditions, the speed of creating his Shadow Seals noticeably increased. Initially, his attempts to create a second one slowed him down, and he nearly got wounded several times.

"How can I do this?! Damn! I can't look in two different directions!" Kai cursed in his mind, dodging another attack from his enemies.

It was quite amusing, but it seemed that some of them were really starting to wear out. After all, their attacks were energy-intensive, while the Dance of Shadow Seals was not so costly. At the beginning of the path, even a one-time use of the Shadow Seal was a complex process, but now, everything was different...

"It feels like my sensory perceptions are just hindering me." Kai thought with a strained face.

But as soon as this sudden thought emerged in his head, Kai's eyes instantly brightened!

"Exactly! I need to do the opposite! Hahaha!" Kai laughed inwardly, outwardly showing only a slight smile.

He realized that he shouldn't rely on the sensory organs of mortals! They only confused Kai, as if he was trying to solve a complex problem with primitive tools.

"I should assess my surroundings using energy and perception! It's not for nothing I underwent torture in the domain of the King of Fury! Heh-heh..." Kai thought, displaying a malicious smile.

At that moment, Kai extended his perception around him and even closed his eyes for a second… He already knew almost all the safe zones, so there was no need to examine the structure of the array.

"Bam!" A new explosion sounded!

Teleporting again, Kai reappeared elsewhere with his eyes closed, slightly bewildering the fatigued masters of the Spirit Fire Sect. Kai didn't prolong what his enemies considered a farce. A second later, he calmly opened his eyes. He had just been tuning in… It was necessary to limit other senses to sharpen his perception.

At that moment, Kai allowed himself only sight and energy perception. After all, he couldn't abandon the Eyes of Essence in such a situation.

"Heh-heh…" Kai chuckled with a devilish smile.

He had already tried to create a parallel Shadow Seal. And it was going much better than before! Finally, Kai had found a method that worked for him. As soon as he managed to create the second seal, he could bring back all other sensory perceptions. The most important thing was for Kai to feel the right mechanism.

"Damn it! He's even smiling! Push harder, we must kill him! This guy's body holds many secrets. At the very least, we critically need to seize that black-violet flame! If we do, I assure you, the Priests won't punish us!" Bahar shouted with undisguised fury in his eyes.

He never thought that some guy could cause them so much trouble. Deep down, Bahar was beginning to regret ever starting this. But now, it was too late to retreat! He had lost many disciples under his command… But this strange fire of Kai's could be a saving grace for him. It could become a quality gift for the Priests... A sort of ransom!

"You want to catch me?! Come on, push harder, you pathetic fools! Now I'll show you what speed is! Hahaha!" Kai laughed loudly, deliberately provoking.

"Increase the intensity!" Bahar yelled in rage.

"Bam! Bam-bam! Boom!" The explosions resumed with even greater frequency.

But at that moment, Kai wasn't too worried about it… In his soul, he was incredibly happy! Earlier, he had almost managed to accomplish what he had planned!

A new round of battle began! All the masters of the Spirit Fire Sect kept up the pace, constantly going all out. But after an hour, they noticed something strange… It seemed that Kai didn't weaken like them, at one point he became faster! And it was a noticeable increase in speed!

"Bahar, what is this?!" One of the strongest followers exclaimed.

Watching Kai, they saw how at one moment, he began to vanish simply. It seemed that he even lost the window of thought for reaction. He moved through space so fast, it was as if he was in two places at once!

"I don't know… Khalis, what's your opinion?" Suddenly, to everyone's surprise, Bahar asked his subordinate's opinion.

Khalis was the second strongest in the group, and Bahar respected his sharp mind. Usually, Bahar relied only on his own judgments. But in this situation, it seemed one head wasn't enough...

"We're essentially in a trap... And it's difficult to admit, but we cornered ourselves into this..." the young man said with a complex expression, "Our people are getting exhausted, and at some point, they'll need to rest. But then, that bastard will regain his strength. And if we work in shifts, we won't be able to exert enough pressure to wear him down." Khalis spoke with slight nervousness, "We lost this battle when we made a series of stupid mistakes at the beginning. Somehow, he's very adept with this natural formation... The enemy has a natural advantage in the environment of battle. It's a deadlock..." Khalis added frankly, without any pretense.

"What do you suggest?" Bahar asked, frowning.

"Let's try to attack until we're exhausted. Perhaps this guy's endurance is just a bluff. But if he lasts longer, continuing is pointless. Better to accept punishment from the Priests, but in the process, find many other useful things. Stuck here for weeks, we'll lose even more..." Khalis replied calmly.

Hearing this, Bahar's face changed slightly... It seemed he was weighing the pros and cons, trying to make the right decision.

"Tsk..." Bahar clicked his tongue, "Fine, we attack until exhaustion! If we lose the battle of endurance, then we leave!" He shouted, giving the command!

"We obey!" The disciples of the Spirit Fire Sect unanimously responded and continued to attack.

They spared not a drop of their energy. This battle had already tired them out... Most likely, it wouldn't bring them anything useful. Currently, they also understood that if all this ended, they would calmly leave searching for adventures.

Of course, there were those who thought differently... Like the girl who lost her beloved at the beginning. But she had no say in the matter.

The longer the battle went on, the faster Kai became! This further undermined the confidence of the entire opposing group. And understanding what was happening was also impossible. Hardly anyone could have guessed that in such a critical situation, Kai decided to break through to the next stage of one of his techniques...

"Hahaha! Wonderful!" Kai rejoiced in his mind.

Now, he wasn't creating just two seals, but about five. He fully grasped the system and mechanism, now it was only a matter of refining it. For the moment, creating more than five was beyond him. But it's important to consider that he was under a constant barrage of attacks.

At one point, Bahar's voice sounded…

"Stop!" Bahar commanded loudly, then paused, "We have lost this battle... But if we meet you outside this formation... Believe me, I won't hesitate to tear you to pieces!" Bahar said coldly, staring at Kai.

"Thanks for the treat." Kai responded just as coldly, casually gesturing towards several desiccated corpses within the natural formation.

"Let's move deeper, closer to the forbidden zone!" Bahar declared irritably. He quickly turned and ran forward, followed by all the others!

Watching the backs of these guys, Kai waited for the moment they would disappear from sight... As soon as this happened, he instantly collapsed to the ground.

"Phew... That was close... My energy is almost depleted, but still, I turned out to be more enduring. That red-haired bastard... Tsk!" Kai spat out venomously, looking irritably into the distance.

V.2 Chapter 254: Root Absorption

Sitting on the ground, Kai observed the four seals hanging within the natural formation. He wanted to clarify one important aspect...

"About a minute then. Excellent!" Kai praised himself.

He was watching as the last Shadow Seal disintegrated in the air. It turned out that its "lifespan" was approximately a minute, which was more than enough.

Sitting amidst the array, Kai felt mixed emotions. This wasn't the first time he had experienced something like this. The situation was somewhat similar to when he was chased by the Silver Spear and the Purple Illusion.

"Until I reached the Cloud Sphere and joined the Shadow Sect, such things didn’t happen to me... Although Master Mo warned me about this, I thought it was just an exaggeration. But it turns out, I was just too weak for anyone to take interest in me." Kai thought, sitting in a safe zone.

It seemed that the further he progressed on the path of martial arts mastery, the more often he would encounter situations of this kind.

Kai only stood up after sitting for about half an hour, having restored his strength to a sufficient level.

At that moment, he began to continuously create seals at different points within the natural array. He was curious to see how many Shadow Seals he could create in a calm environment when no one was disturbing him.

"Five... Six... Seven..." Kai counted in his mind.

"In total, 12 Shadow Seals — that's my limit! When I try to create more, it doesn’t work. Just not enough control... But even so, this is incredible!" Kai said with a satisfied face.

Kai was glad that he had managed to advance to the next level of the Dance of Shadow Seals. One could say that this life-and-death situation even helped him in this. Recently, he thought that after breaking through to the Gravity Sphere, he would need to work on this. But fate arranged it so that he achieved it much faster!

Reflecting on this, Kai's gaze shifted to a withered tree. It seemed completely detached from the surrounding world. While a whole battle raged around it, the tree calmly and serenely observed, and just as serenely claimed the lives of those who dared disturb its peace.

Naturally, the tree itself had no relation to the array. It was all about the entity hiding in its roots!

"Well then... Time to deal with you." Kai chuckled maliciously and began to move in a specific spiral pattern.

The hardest part of fighting such creatures was getting close to them. Mainly, that's why they erected such terrifying arrays around themselves. Kai knew that it could put up some resistance. But he decided to use what scared all the inhabitants of the Island of Reincarnation — the Astral Flame of Sacrifice!

Approaching the tree, Kai calmly extended his hand and released a wave of black fire. This was done serenely, yet the wood burst into flames instantly! This was no earthly flame; it would instantly incinerate it to its very roots!

As soon as the essence sensed danger, it panicked immediately. Kai watched as this mass rapidly began to move. It seemed eager to jump out of the ground as quickly as possible. It didn’t understand what was happening, only feeling an instinctive fear!

"Pop!" A quiet sound of rising soil echoed.

In the next moment, a strange green lump shot out, trying to escape from the Astral Flame of Sacrifice. It was so scared that it didn’t even consider its surroundings. It didn't think that someone could penetrate the array undetected and wait for it.

But as soon as it happened, Kai skillfully caught it and twisted sharply!

"Crunch!" A quiet sound was heard, as if someone had broken a dry twig.

"Even I didn’t think it would be this easy..." Kai smiled, looking at the object in his hand.

It resembled an old root, shaped somewhat like a human figure.

"Incredible, it's just brimming with energy!" Kai thought in shock, observing the root with his Eyes of Essence.

Kai didn’t delay and quickly pulled out a stone box from his spatial ring. It was one of the items he had picked up. They were used to prevent the dissipation of energy, typically for very rare ingredients or pills.

As soon as Kai destroyed the consciousness of this entity, effectively killing it, the natural formation began to collapse. Kai was fully aware of this, surveying the area. Now, the surroundings were no longer his safe zone...

He decided to postpone absorption until he found suitable shelter. That was his priority!

Contemplating his next strategy, Kai turned to leave. But then, his figure froze...

"Torture King Mode!" Kai declared with a smile.

"Thud!" A dull sound emanated from his body.

"How could I forget about you again? Heh-heh." Kai chuckled maliciously, turning in a certain direction.

At that moment, a hundred meters from him, a figure began to materialize, losing its invisibility right before his eyes.

It was a spy from the Spirit Fire Sect, undetectable by energy sensing. However, under the influence of the Queen of Lust, he couldn’t escape. Especially since he wasn't even a cultivator... He would remain in illusions until the Torture King Mode ended.

"Oh! Seems like they were extra cautious." Kai expressed slight surprise, smiling.

In the opposite direction, two similar scenes were unfolding. They had left three spies behind him! But to their misfortune, this proved to be futile against Kai.

He didn't delay, knowing that soon he would be facing the backlash of his technique. Kai quickly killed all three and completely incinerated them to ashes! There was no sense in absorbing them. Their lineage and energy were mere trash!

Once all preparations were complete, Kai ran towards the safest outskirts. He needed an absolutely safe place! He was planning to break through to the Gravity Sphere!

A day later, Kai was already sitting in a securely protected shelter. He had recovered from the backlash and even restored the energy balance in his body. His psychological state was also at its peak.

"Let's begin!" Kai shouted, taking the root out of the box.

The absorption process was straightforward... It worked just like with energy stones. You could simply hold it in your hands and absorb directly.

"Thum-dum!" Kai immediately felt a strange pulsation in his Energy Center.

It was filling up with energy to the brim! So much so that it started to cause pain! Kai immediately dived into his Energy Center to carefully observe and monitor the process.

Kai saw waves of green energy appearing in the space, uncontrollably heading towards the Cloud Sphere. As soon as it touched Kai's energy, the latter instantly suppressed the intruder and transformed it into its own kind! The clouds began to swirl faster and faster. Their density also rapidly grew... Kai had the opportunity to watch as droplets in them gained mass. Just a bit more, and they would start falling straight to the center of the Cloud Sphere!

"Tough... But I need to absorb everything, to the last drop!" Kai exclaimed in his mind.

The relentless absorption of the root's energy began. No matter how much he absorbed, it seemed endless! This item truly appeared to be very rare. The Island of Reincarnation was aptly named!

If Kai hadn't experienced the Invisible King's Torture Technique, one could say he was being tortured now. But in contrast to his previous experience, this could only be called "bearable."

A few days later, a sudden change appeared on Kai's exhausted face! It seemed he had finally achieved something!

"There it is!" Kai exclaimed in his mind!

In the clouds, the strange droplets finally reached their critical mass! And at that moment... They plummeted down! These particles were incredibly small, even joining together they couldn't create a visible droplet. But now, all of them were moving to one common point!

Kai watched as a barely visible bead of black liquid began to form at the very core of the Cloud Sphere. But it seemed still incomplete! He needed to push a little more! Once it reached the right size, it would become the foundation of the Gravity Sphere! This element would attract “droplets” on a permanent basis. At that point, even controlling the process wouldn’t be necessary; it would become autonomous!

He continued to sit in the shelter for several more days. And suddenly...

"Ding!" A resonant hum rang in Kai's head, touching every chord of his soul!

He couldn't explain the feeling... But following this, his whole body was engulfed by a wave of incredibly dense and powerful energy. Most astonishingly, Kai realized that this was his own energy!

At that moment, a spherical black droplet, the size of a grain of rice, finally appeared in his Cloud Sphere. Just looking at it, one could feel the immense power it held, and the same strange atmosphere as Kai’s own energy!

"I did it! Hahaha!" Kai leapt to his feet, shouting in utter elation, "Now I am in an entirely different realm – the Gravity Sphere!" Kai continued to rejoice.

Looking around, he realized that all his senses had sharpened again. It was a qualitative transition! And this was not to mention the increased volumes of Kai’s energy! Its density, quantity, and saturation also reached a new level. But most importantly – the control!

Without wasting a second, Kai immediately began creating Shadow Seals! Their creation was lightning fast! Moreover, it taxed Kai’s energy reserves far less than before.

After a short while, he exclaimed in shock:

"I created 35 seals! And I've just broken through! My control over energy has undergone a qualitative metamorphosis!" Kai was incredibly astonished!

He expected an increase in strength, but didn’t anticipate it to be so powerful, even at the initial stage of the Gravity Sphere. It can be said that Kai had just broken through the barrier... He needed about a week to stabilize in it… But it wasn’t so difficult with the strange root at hand, which still contained a considerable amount of energy.

"Wait... In the Gravity Sphere, I should be able to create an Energy Manifestation... But how do I do that?" Suddenly finding himself puzzled, Kai pondered.

It seemed he had slightly overlooked this aspect... Most likely, it should be mentioned in the Invisible King's Torture Technique. But after some thought, Kai decided that first he would stabilize in the new sphere, and only then would he deal with everything else!

"The most important thing is that I am definitely no longer one of the weakest on the Island of Reincarnation. It's even intriguing to know how much my strength has increased. I should venture deeper towards the forbidden zone... Heh-heh." Kai chuckled maliciously.

At that moment, he was eager to test his new abilities!

V.2 Chapter 255: Asura Hell Domain

Time moved leisurely forward as Kai continued to absorb the strange root. After a week, he finally drained its last drop of energy and felt that he had firmly established himself in the Gravity Sphere. Now, at 15, such an achievement was considered quite exceptional! Even terrifying, one might say.

At that moment, in his Energy Center, within the Cloud Sphere, hovered a black bead, now slightly larger than a grain of rice. To it, tiny droplets of energy produced in the clouds were slowly but continuously flying. This was the true manifestation of the Gravity Sphere! Once this bead became too large, it would instantly absorb all the clouds and collapse, leaving only a star in the Energy Center.

Feeling this, Kai opened his eyes and covered his palm with energy. Now it was even darker and more menacing than before.

"There are even more of these inscriptions now..." Kai muttered, evaluating with his Eyes of Essence.

Alas, he had still not encountered anything similar anywhere. Kai had hoped the Island of Reincarnation would reveal something supernatural, but so far, he had seen nothing extraordinary. Yes, this place was inhabited by rather strange creatures and the environment was mysterious. But the inscriptions that made up all the energy inside were identical to those in the outside world. Nothing like his own energy!

"So, what about the energy manifestation..." Kai muttered and pulled out an ancient scroll from his ring.

Unfolding the Invisible King's Torture Technique, Kai suddenly noticed that a new section had opened for him. Previously, when he looked at this section, everything seemed meaningless.

"Domain... So..." Kai mumbled, scanning the scroll.

The new information seemed to deeply intrigue him. So much so that he seemed to enter a trance. He read silently, trying to understand everything the technique stated.

"That's it!" he suddenly exclaimed, almost jumping in surprise.

At that moment, he finally finished reading the new information. As Kai had suspected, it detailed the method of energy manifestation, among other things...

Firstly, further cultivation should continue with the same methods: killings and absorbing victims. In this aspect, nothing fundamentally changes.

Secondly, it turned out that each master cultivating the Invisible King's Torture Technique had their individual Asura Hell. The foundation of each was a part of the innate traits and the character of the martial artist. This also affected the complexity and ferocity of the Asura Hell. Alas, Kai didn't know any gradation, so he couldn't assess how complex his own Hell was.

In the last part, it was explained why the previous information was necessary. It directly related to the Energy Manifestation! The Asura Hell became your own Energy Manifestation that you could project into reality!

Although it consumed huge amounts of Kai's energy, it allowed him to send everyone straight into it! Those who entered the Asura Hell Domain would immediately plunge into an illusory world where they would be killed and tormented! Most importantly, the victim would expend real energy during this ordeal.

All that was needed was to release the maximum amount of energy while aligning with the sensation of entering Asura Hell. Previously, Kai wouldn't have understood how to do this. But having advanced to the Gravity Sphere, his control over energy and even his mind had moved to an entirely different level. When he read this line, he immediately wanted to try it out.

But he stopped as he read the next line...

"The Asura Hell Domain is just the seed you must plant. From it will grow five pillars. Pillars that will instill terror!"

"Five pillars... Will my energy manifestation develop further in the future? Or did I misunderstand something?" Kai said, confused.

It seemed that the scroll implied that the current Asura Hell Domain was just the beginning. When he advanced to the next level, this domain would undergo a metamorphosis...

After some more thought, Kai decided not to dwell on it and quickly stood up. He had more pressing matters at hand. He wanted to try manifesting the Asura Hell Domain! Currently, he was in an underground shelter, so no one would definitely see him...

Standing upright, Kai closed his eyes and tuned into the feeling of entering Asura Hell. This was his first time attempting to use this ability, so he needed to prepare.

"Asura Hell Domain!" Kai shouted, opening his eyes.

"Boom!" A wave of black energy instantly spread, sweeping through the space of the cave!

Huge streams of energy began pouring out of Kai's body! And the next moment... As if materializing out of thin air, silhouettes of mountainous corpses appeared everywhere, and something unpleasant and squelching underfoot. On closer inspection, it seemed that deep pools of something crimson had formed beneath him. And the air was saturated with the smell of fresh blood!

"What in the..." Surveying the surroundings in complete shock, Kai exclaimed.

Everything within a 15-meter radius of him had transformed into his Asura Hell! It wasn't as realistic as in his mind. Still, this ability seemed utterly terrifying!

For now, Kai didn't know its exact impact on opponents. But he already had an approximate idea of what would happen to them.

Continuing to observe the surroundings, Kai even forgot about balancing his energy...

"Cough!" Suddenly, Kai coughed and collapsed onto his knees!

"Damn... I got distracted and almost used up all my energy..." Kai said with a wry smile.

Everything was as stated in the Invisible King's Torture Technique... The Asura Hell Domain, a unique Energy Manifestation, consumed an incredible amount of resources from the Energy Center. Fortunately, it didn't have a backlash like the Torture King Mode... Restoring energy was much easier than lying immobile for several hours.

"So, about a minute... I wonder what would happen if I combine the domain with the Torture King Mode? Heh-heh." Kai chuckled maliciously, imagining his increased combat power.

For now, Kai's energy was sufficient only for a minute of sustaining the Asura Hell Domain. This was an incredible enhancement of his combat power, based on energy rather than physical strength, as in the case of the Torture King Mode. But there was also the possibility of deploying both simultaneously!

"I've only been on the Island of Reincarnation for about two weeks... But my overall strength has incredibly increased! Hahaha." Kai laughed with undisguised admiration.

After that, he decided to stay a little longer. Kai wanted to test the tandem of these two abilities...

And it turns out, he made the right decision... As soon as the Torture King Mode was activated, the Asura Hell Domain instantly took on more realistic features! It seemed that the ability itself was significantly strengthened. He also felt his blood literally boiling, and his muscles filling with even more power.

However, the backlash from the Torture King Mode was even stronger than usual... But it was definitely worth it! The overall increase in combat potential was terrifying!

Kai didn't want to overestimate himself... But feeling all this, he even thought that now he could fight on par with Shuo! Of course, only when both abilities were activated. He wouldn’t be able to win definitively, simply because there wouldn’t be enough time.

As soon as Kai rested, he left the shelter and headed deeper into the Island of Reincarnation! Now, he wanted to absorb stronger monsters, and not just them...

After everything that happened to him, Kai decided he wouldn't be too merciful towards the masters of the Spirit Fire Sect. Naturally, every martial artist could embody evil, not just the members of the Spirit Fire Sect... But Kai was only concerned about his personal situation; he didn't care about overall morality!

"The hunt has begun... Soon, we'll feed you even more." Kai said with a devilish smile, feeling the black bead slowly filling with new energy.

As he ventured deeper, the monsters he encountered became stronger. But the Astral Flame of Sacrifice proved indispensable here. Killing new, more formidable opponents, Kai felt indescribable pleasure!

His lineage and energy were developing by leaps and bounds! Kai didn't know how to categorize the gradation of bodily development, but he definitely felt it becoming stronger.

Lately, he often thought about Kessia. She was the only being who could have clarified many interesting things. But even now, entering the Spiritual Sea, Kai saw only the lifeless crimson book…

Having gone fifteen kilometers deep and spending a week in endless hunting, Kai finally noticed martial artists…

"These are people from the Sword Sect… Should I?" Kai pondered, watching from a distance.

So far, he was unsure how to approach these fellows. At the banquet, they had even appealed to him somewhat… Kai wasn't certain how to act. These people were also at the initial stage of the Gravity Sphere. Assessing them, Kai knew he could definitely kill these two guys.

"Oh… Now this is exactly what we need!" Kai smirked suddenly.

He saw four masters in loose clothing approaching them from a distance. These were definitely people from the Spirit Fire Sect! Kai wouldn't even give a second thought about their fates…

Trying not to attract attention, Kai began to get closer to assess the situation. With his new speed of creating Shadow Seals, he moved rapidly. In recent days, he had even adopted this technique as his main method of travel. Instead of simple running, Kai constantly created Shadow Seals.

After a few minutes, the four guys from the Spirit Fire Sect arrived where the two from the Sword Sect were.

"Greetings, brothers! Why the long faces?" the guy in red clothes said with a smile.

"Don't ask stupid questions. You came here with ill intentions," one of the swordsmen replied calmly.

"We haven't found anything interesting. So, better leave us alone," added the second swordsman.

"Nothing interesting? Well, we'll take whatever you've got! Hahaha!" the guy from the Spirit Fire Sect laughed loudly.

All the others laughed along with him. It seemed like another group of these bastards, creating problems for others.

"It's strange that alchemists can be so vile… I thought all alchemist societies were more like the Sect of Astral Flame…" Kai thought, observing them.

Before, Kai had the impression that a sect based on a specific craft would be more ethical than one based on strength. But it turned out that it made no difference at all.

"You know our laws of honor. We would rather give our lives in battle," one of the swordsmen replied seriously.

"Wonderful! Then your end is near!" one of the guys in red clothes said with a malevolent grin.

But then, seemingly out of nowhere, like a ghost, a guy in black attire appeared among them…

"Hello! Heh-heh," he said with a friendly intonation!

"Boom!" A deep sound echoed, and black energy instantly spread through the space! A wave of black energy literally rolled over the ground, engulfing everyone in its dominion! Kai manifested the Asura Hell Domain!

It spread only fifteen meters around Kai. The guys from the Sword Sect were not caught in its range... They just stood there, in shock, watching what was unfolding before their eyes...

V.2 Chapter 256: Underground Cave Network

Upon appearing among the four masters of the Spirit Fire Sect, Kai did not delay. He himself was eager to finally see his new ability in action!

As soon as they entered the Asura Hell Domain, their eyes seemed to lose focus on reality. It was as if they were mentally and emotionally transported to an entirely different world. But in reality, silhouettes of mountains of corpses appeared, and the air was heavy with the scent of fresh blood. Even the boys from the Sword Sect heard it! And this was despite them being outside the domain's influence.

Suddenly, each of the masters of the Spirit Fire Sect began screaming and hurling attacks uncontrollably in all directions! They seemed to have completely lost their minds! And they spared no effort, sending various attacks flying in every direction! The force of these movements was maximal, but they were very clumsy… Dodging them posed absolutely no problem.

Kai, in turn, simply moved using the Dance of Shadow Seals and observed this scene.

"Now I understand how the Asura Hell Domain works… Simply magnificent! I've already thought of several interesting applications! With the right approach, one can create incredible chaos and slaughter!" Kai mused with a devilish smile on his face.

Using such an ability, especially in the enemy's tight formation… It would be simply terrifying!

"Alright, ten seconds have passed, time to wrap this up!" Kai thought to himself and quickly moved behind one of the boys in red.

In a flash... And he was already dead! In just a second, the same happened to all four victims. Naturally, their blood immediately flowed out and headed towards Kai's body, and the Asura Hell Domain began to slowly dissolve…

Kai understood that the swordsmen had their own honor. If he saved them, even though they didn't ask, these two would not attack him. But still, it's better to conserve one's energy and not waste it needlessly. Even this short battle had already used up about twenty percent of Kai's energy. Naturally, after absorbing the energy of the four Gravity Sphere masters, Kai would quickly recover it all and more.

Watching how Kai, with a devilish smile, absorbed the blood of the four boys, the two swordsmen tensed up even more. This opponent scared them even more than the previous quartet…

Kai calmly approached each of them, collecting their spatial rings and tossing them into a small bag tied to his belt. Alas, they can't be placed in another spatial ring, as the distorted spaces would conflict and simply destroy each other... Hence, Kai used a normal, human method to store them.

Having finished this, he snapped his fingers, and all four corpses burned to ashes in the blink of an eye…

"Alright…" Kai quietly muttered to himself…

He observed his surroundings with keen attention. With the transition into the Gravity Sphere, his senses had sharpened even more. Although Bahar said it was impossible to notice spies, that only applied if you were unaware of their existence…

Suddenly, Kai swung his arm and sent a wave of fire in a specific direction! The attack was wide enough to cover a large area. It was clear that Kai could not pinpoint the exact location of the spy. He simply felt someone's presence from afar. This even startled the two swordsmen, until they realized the attack was aimed in a completely different direction!

"Aaaah!" A short scream echoed, of a person instantly consumed by the black fire.

"Guys, you owe me one! Those bastards from the Spirit Fire Sect love to tail us with spies." Kai laughed, turning to the swordsmen.

At that moment, they were in mild shock… Although they were ready to calmly face death in battle, Kai's actions had still astonished them. In their eyes, he looked like a God of Death and Destruction.

Kai's methods were very peculiar… And the atmosphere he emitted, especially after his breakthrough, was simply unbearable! It evoked a primordial fear at the instinctual level. Coupled with this, he drove his enemies into madness, then absorbed their blood… To put it mildly, these were not very kind methods of action…

"Are you from the Shadow Sect?" one of the swordsmen asked, bewildered, "Oh! Forgive my manners! Thank you for the help!" The young man quickly exclaimed and bowed deeply.

His partner also bowed immediately.

"You are so kind… What if I decide to kill you too?" Kai asked with a smile.

"That doesn't matter. Even if we die, it doesn't mean we shouldn't be grateful for the help." The swordsman replied calmly.

Kai pondered for a moment… The philosophy of these words was beyond his understanding…

"Why thank someone who might soon kill you? Just because he saved you from previous killers? Strange…" Kai thought, puzzled.

"By the way, Brother… He mentioned a spy…" one of the swordsmen suddenly said.

"Right! That's how they always found us! Those bastards, with their limited entry quota!" One of the boys cursed.

"Thanks again… Immortal Drunkard!" The young man paused, looking at Kai's chest.

They were well aware of the tradition of the Shadow Sect. Hence they immediately addressed him by the name of the character on his chest. This was a respectful gesture on their part.

"It's nothing… Anyway, be careful and occasionally check your surroundings. I almost died because of this." Kai laughed and decided to leave.

He liked these guys, and Kai didn't want to kill them. It was just his spontaneous desire... Kai sometimes felt an immediate liking for someone from their first conversation. The same was true with Thunderous Charge.

"Listen... You're from the Shadow Sect. But I've never heard of a master like you from there..." one of the swordsmen suddenly said.

"Yes, I'm new." Kai replied carelessly.

"Really? Hmm..." the young man said, somewhat incredulously, "Anyway, you're forceful... Would you be interested in a joint expedition? Plenty of people from the three sects have gathered..." the swordsman suddenly suggested.

Kai didn't fully understand what he was talking about, but it sounded very interesting. A joint expedition, directly inside the Island of Reincarnation? Quite a strange concept in Kai's understanding... But he could always hunt later, so why not learn more about this gathering of masters from the Mysterious Sea Region?

"An expedition? What about it?" Kai asked with interest.

"It's simple. A deep network of underground caves has been discovered, and now, near the entrance, numerous people have gathered." The swordsman replied quickly.

"They haven't been explored in the last few hundred years? And why so many people?" Kai asked, puzzled.

"Um... You really must be a newcomer..." the young man said awkwardly, "After each opening of the Island of Reincarnation, something changes... It seems that this time, a passage to a previously unknown place has appeared. It sometimes happens..." the swordsman began to explain.

"About your second question," the second swordsman chimed in, "A group tried to enter, but only a few people came back. There are many strong monsters and natural formations... That's why they told others about their discovery. This way, more people can be attracted for the exploration. If everything goes well, everyone can gain immense benefits!" the second swordsman explained briefly.

At that moment, Kai finally began to understand. If during the closing of the Island of Reincarnation everything is filled with natural arrays and chaos reigns inside, it's no wonder that the landscape could change in some places! And if something sealed for hundreds of years was uncovered... It would be a treasure trove!

Naturally, besides treasures, there would be an incredible number of dangers. But usually, this only spurred on martial arts masters. And Kai was among them!

"Are you also going there?" Kai asked with interest.

"No," they shook their heads, "We have our own plans, our potential is a bit short for the dangers of that place." The swordsmen replied honestly. They were quite candid even with themselves.

"I understand you… Maybe then you can tell me about it? I'd love to go there. Consider it a payment for saving you." Kai said cunningly, winking at the swordsmen.

Hearing this, the swordsmen even seemed pleased. This confirmed that Kai had no malicious intentions. Most likely, they could continue their adventures in the Sacred Land without worry.

"Yes, of course!" the swordsman said with a smile, "It's very difficult to navigate here by the cardinal directions, as they simply don't exist. But if you go that way, you should reach the destination in about two days." He replied, pointing in the right direction.

"Hmm… So, heading closer to the forbidden zone… Interesting..." Kai thought, smiling.

"Thank you for the information! Alright, good luck to you guys." Kai laughed and quickly headed in the indicated direction.

Hunting was good, but it wasn't what the Island of Reincarnation was famous for. For others, hunting didn't offer the same benefits as it did for Kai. This meant that these areas were full of other amazing things. Moreover, the swordsmen mentioned strong monsters there. And that meant there would be plenty to feast on.

Kai didn't rush; he methodically moved forward, killing everything in his path! Sometimes he had to pause due to injuries or using the Torture King Mode or the Asura Hell Domain. But eventually, he finally arrived at his destination.

The entire journey took Kai about five days. But he understood that the entrance to this cave wouldn't close, even if the entire group gathered and went inside… Therefore, he didn't care how he got in, alone or in a team.

Arriving at the camp, everything was pretty much as he had anticipated. There were many tents set up, and places left for campfires. However, the number of people there was quite sparse...

It seemed that all the main forces had already embarked on the expedition, leaving behind those who would guard the camp. Overall, only the weakest representatives of the Mysterious Sea Region were present. Looking around, Kai didn't even see direct disciples of the three sects, only representatives of secondary forces.

Looking into the distance, Kai saw a large crater opening through the brown soil. Without fuss, he calmly headed in its direction. Kai didn't mind entering alone and not being part of a group.

As Kai approached the entrance, a shout came from ahead!

"Stop!" shouted one of the three guards standing near the crater.

They were three Gravity Sphere masters. Only their origins were from secondary forces. On the chest of one of them was the emblem of the Moonshine Empire. Seeing this, Kai already had a rough understanding of the situation...

Ignoring the command, Kai continued to approach the three guards standing near the cave entrance.

"Are you deaf or what?! Stop! This isn't the outside world, if you disobey orders, I'll kill you!" One of the three guards, standing at the entrance to the caves, yelled out.

"I won't take part in this…" the young man from the Moonshine Empire muttered, frowning. It seemed he didn't want to obstruct Kai, recognizing him from the Shadow Sect.

"Disobey orders? Who the hell are you anyway?" Kai said calmly, moving behind the young man, "Disappear." He said coldly and made a slight hand movement.

In the next moment, the young man's head was already severed from his body! And the blood slowly stretched towards Kai, entering the huge crater.

V.2 Chapter 257: Stalking in the Shadows

Having killed one of the guards, Kai calmly continued on his way. It seemed as if he had previously made no superfluous movements and hadn't touched anyone. The two remaining guards were in total shock! They were so engulfed in fear that they dared not even breathe!

These guys were also on the Gravity Sphere, but the difference in strength was insurmountable... After all, direct members of the three sects were on a completely different level.

Kai was not overly concerned with this outside situation... He was now examining the interior of the cave. He had just entered, but already sensed the smell of antiquity and dampness... Kai didn't fully understand how to explain this. But he felt that these caves had not been trodden by human feet for far too long.

“Hmm… What is this? Are they called stalactites? But where does the water come from...” Kai pondered, moving slowly.

The space inside was very vast; a whole crowd could easily pass through this place. Huge stone cones, resembling sharp fangs, hung from the ceiling... Overall, the atmosphere was quite oppressive.

“Drip... Drip…” The sound of water dripping from the ceiling echoed...

“Life in this cave goes on in its own way... This is vastly different from what happens on the surface,” Kai mused as he continued deeper.

He had already taken precautions and activated his Eyes of Essence. The last thing he wanted was to encounter a natural formation, especially after experiencing the terrifying effects of one...

Half an hour later, Kai confirmed his fears. He saw two humanoid statues in the middle of the passage. Naturally, beneath their feet was a small outcrop. Its chaotic nature made it clear that it was also randomly created by nature.

“Hmm... Such a thing is difficult to replicate... Damn…” Kai muttered to himself, walking around the outcrop.

At that moment, he wondered if he could draw something similar. He concluded that in theory, it was possible. But it would require a tremendous amount of time and practice...

“Someday I’ll undertake such a task... After all, the Art of the Outcrop was created by observing natural arrays. Yet, no one has ever replicated them precisely. I'll be an innovator! Heh-heh,” Kai thought jokingly, smiling as he moved along.

Suddenly, he spotted a carcass in the distance... By all appearances, it was already dead...

“What is this?” Kai murmured with interest, cautiously heading in its direction.

Approaching closer, Kai was able to make out the corpse more clearly. It was an animal, resembling a huge ape. Its fur blended very well with the cave surroundings. It seemed to be one of the native inhabitants of this place.

“Pity, the blood is already spoiled... Tsk…” Kai sadly remarked and continued deeper into the tunnels.

Assessing the state of this ape, it had been killed about a day ago. Theoretically, the group ahead had already cleared all obstacles. If Kai hurried, he could catch up with them in half a day. But for now, he wasn't sure if he should do that…

“Hmm… Perhaps it's better to observe from a distance? I can play the role of a scavenger!” Kai thought, a devilish smile appearing on his face.

It seemed that Kai, as always, had concocted some not-so-nice plan… The group ahead had no use for the corpses of these monsters, they were after something truly substantial! But Kai was different… He could gain immense benefits by absorbing blood!

“I'll let you do all the dirty work for me! Hahaha.” Kai laughed and then dashed forward at full speed.

He didn't delay, following a trail of corpses. There were many different forks in this cave, but it seemed that the group of masters from the three Sects never split up. Most likely, they were led by some experienced tracker…

As Kai had anticipated, after half a day, he finally found the first relatively fresh corpse. It had been killed just a few minutes ago…

“Let's see how nourishing you are for me!” Kai thought with a malicious smile, and the blood from the ape's body immediately began to flow out.

Its color was quite dark, with a barely noticeable bluish tint. It seemed slightly different from the blood Kai regularly absorbed. He even hesitated for a moment… But as soon as the first stream of blood was absorbed, Kai was pleasantly surprised…

“Wow… This is powerfully potent! It seems equivalent to a master at the initial stage of the Gravity Sphere… No, even more... almost a master at the mid-stage of the Gravity Sphere!” Kai realized in shock, feeling a large amount of energy entering his Energy Center.

Simultaneously, Kai felt his muscles continuously becoming firmer… Yet, they did not lose any elasticity!

At that moment, Kai even pulled out his dagger and, without a second thought, slashed his arm! He created a cut that immediately exposed the white bones! But as soon as this happened, the wound began to heal before his eyes. Within a few seconds, there wasn't even a trace left!

“What the hell… When did my regeneration reach such a terrifying level? Breaking through to the Gravity Sphere, I didn't even notice how much my physical strength had increased…” Kai murmured, astonished.

Only now did Kai realize how far he had advanced... And most amazingly, it had required an incredibly short amount of time! The blood of the local inhabitants seemed much stronger and purer. Kessia once said that bloodlines also have their own hierarchy. And the stronger the bloodline Kai absorbed, the stronger he would become!

"Alright, let's move forward…" Kai told himself and continued deeper into the caves. But now, he was much more cautious, trying to completely conceal his aura and energy.

The further Kai went, the more fresh corpses he found... He unabashedly absorbed every monster he encountered! This was what he meant by playing the role of a scavenger!

"This is like a feast! At this rate, I’ll reach the mid-stage of the Gravity Sphere!" Kai thought excitedly.

Of course, he was exaggerating a bit, but the truth wasn't far off. Along with the blood, Kai's Energy Center continually received an influx of dense energy. His Cloud Sphere didn't delay and instantly converted everything into black energy, then produced barely noticeable droplets.

It seemed that upon entering the Gravity Sphere, all processes of working with energy also greatly accelerated. Now, Kai didn’t need to sit down to process all the accumulated energy. The need for concentration remained only in cases like with that strange root… Even on the Gravity Sphere, it was difficult to process such entities, especially at a fast pace.

If things continued in this vein, Kai would indeed experience a complete metamorphosis on the Island of Reincarnation… If he reached the mid-stage of the Gravity Sphere while still being a 15-year-old boy... That would be a truly grandiose result! Other masters would struggle to find an explanation for such rapid progress.

"Jing! Ba-bang!" Suddenly, the sound of a battle echoed from afar…

"It seems I've caught up with them… But perhaps, I won't join in…" Kai thought with a wicked grin.

His current strategy was too advantageous for him... Doing nothing, yet progressing by leaps and bounds! One would have to be a fool to pass up such an opportunity!

Therefore, Kai calmly continued to follow the group ahead, brazenly absorbing the blood of all creatures killed in fierce fights. It was a pity that the corpses of slain martial artists weren't left lying on the road... The comrades of the unfortunate ones preferred to take their ashes with them.

Meanwhile, Kai day after day absorbed the generously provided “gifts"... Over the last few days, Kai had managed to discern who was in this group. Although he dared not approach too closely, there were sections where a fairly clear view opened up.

It turned out that there were about a hundred people at the level of Personal Disciples in the group. Among them were people Kai was well acquainted with, as well as some he was not so familiar with.

Pleasantly, the group included Shuo, Onaga, and several others from the Shadow Sect. Kai had exchanged a few words with some of them. This was a usual scene before the start of an expedition and during the journey to the Island of Reincarnation.

But apart from them, there were also Bahar with his followers and that sickly girl who had tried to cling to Kai... The Sword Sect was also present, as evidenced by a group of swordsmen in silver garments.

“Hmm… By my estimates, we should soon approach the forbidden zone... I wonder, will the underground cave also begin to show endless natural formations?” Kai thought interestedly, finishing the absorption of another creature. This one, however, was more like a strange reptile…

Kai didn’t know if they could bypass the restrictions of the forbidden zone by passing underneath it… He was eager to find out… And they were about to approach it.

“Oh? Has the argument started again?” Kai thought with a smile, attentively listening to the sounds ahead.

"What’s up, baldy? We've already dealt with your buddy, so you’re next." Bahar said arrogantly.

"I don’t think my brother's fate ended so easily. So why don’t you go talk to a wall instead." The Lone Buddha replied emotionlessly, while balancing a staff in his hand.

As always, his imperturbability was at the highest level. He seemed the worst type of personality for provocation. Shuo didn’t react to it at all... Kai knew this side of his Brother well, as he himself had constantly faced this emotionlessness.

"We’ll see when we get out of the Island of Reincarnation." The redhead snarled.

"I see your circle of friends has shrunk? Something happened?" Shuo asked calmly, raising his head.

"None of your business. They are on another mission." Bahar replied gruffly, frowning.

"Aaa… I see… Well then, alright." Shuo responded indifferently, lowering his head again.

At that moment, one of the Sword Sect members interrupted them.

"Enough with the quarrels. Let’s finish our break and move on. By my estimates, we’ll reach the forbidden boundary in two days." The tall swordsman said restrainedly.

His hair and eyes were slightly bluish, and his face expressed some kind of humility and nobility. Representatives of the Sword Sect were indeed slightly different... One could say that the Shadow Sect had more in common with the Spirit Fire Sect than with the Sword Sect.

"I agree with you, Aoki. Let’s move forward." Shuo replied, hiding his staff in a ring and responding in a friendly manner.

"It seems that this Aoki is a decent guy… Otherwise, Brother Shuo wouldn't show him such respect. And his strength is not to be underestimated... Most likely, he is on par with Bahar and Shuo…” Kai assessed, observing from a distance.

But at that moment, the swordsman suddenly turned around! It seemed as if he sensed someone's gaze on him!

"Hey you! Stop hiding and come out!" Aoki commanded in an authoritative tone, swiftly drawing his sword!

V.2 Chapter 258: Forbidden Zone

It seemed that the perception level of this swordsman was terrifying! As long as Kai didn't give him direct attention, he managed to stay hidden. But as soon as Aoki sensed a foreign gaze on him, he immediately discovered the spy!

At that moment, Kai realized that continuing to hide in the shadows was no longer an option... However, he had already managed to thrive quite well. And the forbidden zone was approaching soon...

“He-he, I've been found out!” Kai said calmly, laughing as he emerged from around the corner, “Looks like I've finally caught up to you.” He added with a smile.

Overall, no one could know whether he was telling the truth or not. But if one were to consider different scenarios, it seemed quite illogical to be trailing behind everyone. Moreover, hiding behind someone else’s back was a rather ambiguous action... Especially considering that each of the present individuals was quite proud.

“Who are you?” Aoki quickly asked, pointing his sword towards Kai.

“Don’t worry, he’s my sworn brother. He’s under my responsibility,” Shuo replied calmly, signaling the swordsman to put away his weapon.

At that moment, Shuo looked intently at Kai, not at his face, but at his Energy Center... It seemed that the monk couldn’t quite believe what he saw. His brother had already entered the Gravity Sphere! Moreover, it appeared that he had already firmly established himself there!

“Ooo! Brother Shuo, it's you! He-he,” Kai laughed and used a Shadow Seal to avoid making everyone wait for him.

In the next instant, he appeared beside Shuo and Onaga. But as if noticing for the first time, he turned to Bahar with a happy face.

“Wow! What an incredible group of personalities here!” Kai exclaimed with a wide smile, “How are you, Bahar? Has your pathetic group not perished yet? Seems I didn’t trim it down enough... Tsk-tsk,” he said, shaking his head sadly.

This bastard had almost sent him to the afterlife. Feeling his current level of strength, Kai was confident he could escape from this red-headed man. But besides that, he was also surrounded by several strong individuals from the Shadow Sect. No one would start a fight under such conditions, as it would be sheer suicide...

Hearing this, Bahar’s face contorted almost instantly. It seemed that at that moment, he wished to tear Kai to pieces!

“So that’s what happened... Brother Kai, there's no need to mock the weak…” Suddenly, one of the Shadow Sect disciples spoke up.

He was a guy known as the Spirit Creator, also ranking in the top ten of the Glory Rating. At that moment, he deliberately addressed Kai as a brother, thereby creating a strong sense of unity among the masters of the Shadow Sect.

"Alright, let's end this farce," Aoki interjected, cutting off the squabble, "We move forward. Settle your personal scores outside, but for now, spare us your vendettas." He spoke restrainedly and walked ahead.

Following him, the rest of the Sword Sect members proceeded. Bahar also didn’t wait any longer and, after casting a furious glance, followed the swordsmen. In this situation, he certainly wouldn’t find any honor, it was better to ignore Kai...

"Thanks for backing me up, guys." Kai laughed and thanked the disciples of the Shadow Sect.

"It’s nothing… But how... Why are you already in the Gravity Sphere? When did you break through? How?!" exclaimed the Spirit Creator, somewhat shocked.

"Brother Kai, I have the same question," Shuo added with equal interest.

This Spirit Creator had a rather ordinary appearance. Short brown hair, dark green eyes, and a fairly average build. The only distinctive feature was his thick eyebrows.

Now, he and everyone else wanted to know how Kai had advanced so quickly in cultivation.

"I just got lucky... Bahar and his dogs cornered me into a deadly trap, but I was lucky to survive and even found something useful..." Kai said with a malicious smile, "As it happened, several of them died in that trap, unlike me!" Kai added and laughed.

"Hmm... Well! Fortune favors the bold. So, congratulations on your discovery!" said the Spirit Creator without a hint of envy, "Alright, guys, let's move with the others!" He exclaimed, waving his hand.

As soon as this command was issued, all members of the Shadow Sect moved forward. It seemed that this guy had taken on the de facto leadership of the entire group. Seeing the reaction of those around, it didn’t seem like anyone objected.

"Listen, Brother Shuo..." approaching the Lone Buddha, Kai said, "What about Aoki? Is he strong?" He asked with interest.

"You never change. Maybe first you'll tell me more about how you entered the Gravity Sphere?" Shuo replied in return.

It seemed that he wasn’t satisfied with the answer Kai gave to the general speculation. Shuo wanted to know more...

"You know about my ability..." Kai said softly, "Well... With its help, I managed to decipher a natural formation and lure those bastards inside. When several of them died, they left me alone," Kai began to explain further.

"And then what?" Shuo asked with interest.

"What do I see? Our unflappable monk is interested? He-he," Kai replied with a sneer.

"Don’t tease," the Lone Buddha replied emotionlessly, cutting off Kai’s jokes.

At that moment, rare emotions finally appeared on his face. Although Kai wanted to savor this moment, he decided to continue his story.

"In the center of the array was a powerful entity. Naturally, risking my life, I managed to capture it." Kai proudly stated, puffing out his chest.

"I see... Well done, Brother Kai." Shuo sincerely praised, patting Kai on the back.

It was evident that he was genuinely happy about his brother's progress. He was simply curious earlier about the methods Kai used to achieve it. Shuo had long realized that this guy was not a typical person and would likely continue to surprise in the future.

"Thanks for the praise! Coming from you, it sounds even nicer!" Kai teased, "So what about that swordsman?" he asked again.

"You can consider him the strongest in the entire younger generation of the Mysterious Sea Region. Aoki is at the peak of the Gravity Sphere..." Shuo replied respectfully.

"Wow... How old is he?" Kai asked, surprised.

"He must be about 30 years old. This is his last visit as a student. Next time, he will come as a Guardian," Shuo answered promptly.

Now everything fell into place. It seemed that he was not only the strongest among those present but also the eldest. Moreover, if Shuo said Aoki was the strongest, Kai would not dare doubt his words.

"So, the peak of the Gravity Sphere at 30 years? Hmm…" Kai thought to himself, looking at the swordsman's back, "If I can develop at similar rates, I'll surely surpass him! But the Island of Reincarnation won't be open forever... I wonder, can one find a place with similar monsters in the outer world?" Kai pondered silently, moving calmly behind the group.

He understood that during this visit, he had not yet reached the limit of his potential. But even considering that he might get an incredibly rare chance... His limit was the middle of the Gravity Sphere! And even that was a rather fantastical option...

In that case, he would need to look for hunting grounds in the outer world... Kai had an idea to return to the Wild Beasts Steppe. But he did not yet know whether it was a suitable option or not. Perhaps he could find a more suitable place.

"Well, when I go to Old Mo, I'll ask him... He must know something," Kai thought, with a slight smile on his face.

He understood that the Invisible King's Torture Technique was one of his secrets. But would it be a problem to share this with his Master Mo? After all, it was he who gave Kai this incredible technique. Who, if not he, deserved to share a part of the burden of Kai's secret?

Sometimes, being the sole keeper of secrets was quite challenging... Kai definitely wanted to tell Old Mo about the apocalypse and his progress in the Invisible King's Torture Technique. The only thing Kai would take to his grave was the Sphere of Essence!

"What are you pondering about?" Shuo suddenly asked, snapping Kai out of his reverie.

"Just reminiscing about my old man." Kai laughed in response, "By the way, what's the purpose of this expedition?" he immediately followed up.

"Honestly, there's no specific goal. We wanted to explore and see if there was anything useful here," Shuo replied calmly.

"And did you find anything?" Kai asked with a smile.

"Yes, overall, we divided quite a few valuable ingredients and resources among the Sects. But in the process, we found a more intriguing objective..." Shuo said, shifting his gaze to Kai.

"You want to take a look at the forbidden zone?" Kai asked with a sly smile.

Shuo understood that Kai had figured it out on his own. But since he asked, he decided to answer...

"Yes. Aoki hypothesized that there might be fewer natural formations underground. If so, we could try to move forward. If his assumptions are correct, we could find things far more valuable to us," the Lone Buddha answered seriously, "By the way... That's the case, your ability will be very useful to us," Shuo implied.

"Wouldn't it be a problem to demonstrate it?" Kai asked cautiously.

"See that girl ahead? She has an ability similar to yours. But in my opinion, she's no match for you," the Lone Buddha honestly replied, "If we propose your candidacy, you'll be under not only our protection but also that of the Sword Sect. They all follow Aoki. It could be a smart move... Of course, if there really are far fewer natural formations underground than above," Shuo added emotionlessly.

"Hmm... That does make sense..." Kai thoughtfully replied, calculating possible outcomes in his head.

Eventually, as the group anticipated, two days later they arrived at a large expansion inside the caves. At that moment, they were all abruptly stopped by Aoki.

"We've approached the forbidden zone. Now, everything depends on Kisha's capabilities. Let her look and give her opinion," Aoki commanded loudly.

Listening to this, Kai activated the Eyes of Essence and began to observe attentively. He immediately noticed that just ten steps away from them, a field started, literally strewn with natural formations! But he didn't see the conglomeration of arrays he had been told about.

Kisha, in turn, calmly approached the arrays and began to carefully assess them... Her eyes were closed. It appeared she had her unique methods of action.

"There's no joint formation here! This is indeed an easier passage!" the girl suddenly exclaimed in shock, opening her eyes!

"What's the overall situation?" Aoki immediately asked with unmistakable interest.

"Umm... I think the Guardians will reward us generously for such an important discovery!" the girl said with a slightly awkward smile.

"I see..." Aoki replied, frowning instantly.

The swordsman understood what the girl's words meant... They couldn't proceed any further!

But at that moment, a figure calmly walked past them. It was a young man, his face expressing the utmost nonchalance! Naturally, it was Kai! And he was heading straight into the cluster of natural formations!

V.2 Chapter 259: Unique Guide

Witnessing this, Aoki and Kisha were instantly dumbfounded! They watched as some reckless young man voluntarily headed towards an area swarming with natural arrays!

"Boy, stop! You have no idea what you're doing!" Kisha shouted in shock, trying to reason with Kai.

"Ah, don't worry! I'll figure it out here on my own! He-he," Kai laughed cheerfully and calmly took a step forward!

To the astonishment of all, a white-haired young man, without a second thought, stepped into the natural formation! Everyone anticipated his tragic fate... No one could even imagine how such a reckless person had managed to make it to the Island of Reincarnation.

"What the..." Kisha gasped, her jaw dropping...

This strange guy had indeed entered the formation... But he continued to walk forward calmly! Yes, his pace was quite slow, and he occasionally stopped to examine the ground... But still, he was moving forward!

After a few steps, Kai finally turned around and with a smile said:

"Well? How do you like it?" he laughed merrily.

At that moment, many still hadn't grasped what had just happened... Perhaps the natural formations hadn't started yet?

"Lone Buddha, you said this is your Brother?" Aoki asked Shuo, turning to him in disbelief.

"Yes. He's not quite a typical person. Sometimes he likes to pull stunts like this," Shuo calmly replied, as if he hadn't seen anything out of the ordinary.

"Basically, my abilities are similar to this girl's," Kai said smiling, looking at Kisha, "But it seems that my sensitivity is even sharper. Moreover, I'm quite a skilled Array Master," Kai stated calmly.

He had deliberately chosen such an extravagant method to demonstrate his abilities. Otherwise, they might not have even given him a chance to show what he could do. After all, believing that someone could so calmly enter a natural formation was not easy...

"Do you have something to propose?" Aoki asked, observing Kai's behavior. He noticed that at that moment, Kai was watching the group and not offering his help.

"In general, it's all clear. I'm interested in going deeper, but there might be opponents there beyond my capabilities. Also, I have a conflict with Bahar and his dogs," Kai confessed, "So, I can be your guide in exchange for protection and a share of the found items," Kai explained with a cunning smile.

In reality, he was just extremely eager to see what lay within the forbidden zone. Checking it from the surface was surely impossible... The elders said that the energy in those places was incredibly oppressive. It could rapidly exhaust a master of the Gravity Sphere, and if one were to fall into a trap... Their fate would be dire! But evaluating these caves, it seemed that things were much more comfortable here.

"I agree," Aoki quickly responded, "Bahar, during this expedition on the Island of Reincarnation, don't even think about killing this guy. Understood?" he said firmly, turning to the red-haired man.

At that moment, Bahar's face was noticeably contorted... It seemed that rage was bursting from within him! But he couldn't say anything...

"I understand... I suppose I'll have to finish off the kid later, in the outside world," Bahar spitefully said, looking at Kai with hatred.

In Bahar's eyes, Kai was not a worthy opponent. Yet, he had managed to cause an incredible amount of trouble just in the first weeks of the expedition! Such a thing had never happened to Bahar before. Now, he hated Kai even more than Shuo.

"Thanks, Sunshine!" Kai teased.

"Alright, stop it," Aoki seriously interrupted, "We need to move together, so it's not the time for quarrels. Either lead us or don't waste our time with nonsense," the swordsman stated bluntly.

It seemed that Aoki had a quite firm and straightforward character. His manner of speaking was somewhat reminiscent of the Supreme's. That old man also spoke the truth bluntly and didn't care about the thoughts of others.

It was noticeable that Aoki had no patience for meaningless chatter and verbal sparring. A man of action, so to speak...

"Fine, no problem." Kai casually replied, disregarding Aoki's sharpness, "We need to move a hundred meters forward, then the large array ends. It seems that we can bypass it from there..." He said, standing on his tiptoes and looking ahead.

Now, they were near a relatively narrow tunnel. Hence, the formation completely blocked the way... But a bit further on, there was a significant expansion.

Kai saw how the ground was covered with circles inscribed with energy. But in some places, they didn't connect, so one could proceed at a reasonably calm pace.

"Do you mind if I call you by a nickname or your name?" Aoki asked, walking towards Kai.

"Immortal Drunkard or Kai, whichever you prefer," he replied with a smile.

"You can also call me Aoki," the swordsman nodded, "We're lucky to have someone like you, Kai. Kisha wouldn’t have managed," he added frankly.

"Sorry..." the girl said timidly from behind him.

"Don’t worry, I’m also an Arrays Master," Kai winked at the girl, "Alright, follow my steps exactly!" Kai shouted and quickly returned to the starting point.

After all, he had already taken a few steps earlier, so it was necessary to show everything from the beginning...

Following that, the entire group lined up and began to follow Kai, heeding all his instructions. Directly behind him was Aoki... It was a kind of safeguard in case someone suddenly attacked.

Though it seemed that Aoki bore a huge responsibility, the most dangerous role rested on Kai’s shoulders. The swordsman was even surprised at how calmly Kai behaved. Without a trace of fear on his face, he took step by step, sometimes even leaping over larger distances. During these moments, Kai explained that even the trajectory of the jump had to be precise.

"Aaa!" Suddenly, a horrifying scream echoed!

One of the Sword Sect disciples miscalculated his jump and was literally bisected in the air! But it didn’t end there... As soon as he fell to the ground, his body began to decompose right before their eyes... as if the process of decay had been accelerated hundreds of times!

"No! Aa... Ah..." After brief screams, the cave fell silent again. There was not even a puddle of blood left from the boy...

"I told you, you need to follow my movements exactly! If you don’t want to share his fate, you better take this seriously," Kai said nonchalantly and took the next step.

Only at that moment did everyone present realize how serious everything was... If Kai wanted, he could quickly break away from them and leave everyone in a deadly trap! They didn’t even realize the moment they had unconditionally entrusted their lives to this guy!

Until that moment, they thought it wasn’t that terrifying... But it turned out to be the opposite. They had indeed entered the forbidden zone!

"Everyone, strictly follow the instructions of the Immortal Drunkard!" Aoki shouted sternly and continued following Kai.

At that moment, Bahar’s facial expression was far from pleasant. He finally understood how Kai had tricked him the first time... And now, he had to entrust his life to this kid...

"Damn, if it weren’t for Aoki... I could have led this bunch of bastards straight to their ancestors..." Bahar thought to himself, slowly moving forward.

He was already looking for the right moment for revenge...

Just then, Kai made the last jump and, in a rather calm manner, walked forward. Finally, they arrived at a more spacious part of these stone labyrinths. As Kai had said, in this place, there were small gaps between the natural formations. They were like natural pathways…

"You can move freely within ten meters of me!" Kai shouted, "No enemies in sight yet..." he murmured softly, surveying the surroundings.

"Well... For them, the arrays are just as dangerous," Aoki calmly responded, approaching Kai.

"What's the plan going forward?" another familiar voice asked, coming from a bald guy.

Shuo had also crossed the formation and decided to join the conversation with the two...

They needed to decide whether they wanted to proceed further or return back.

"Kai's abilities are remarkable, so as long as he wants to move forward, I won’t turn back. Anyway, we can't get back without him. Now everything is in your Brother's hands," Aoki said with a light smile, looking at Shuo.

"I'm eager to see what lies ahead... so I don't want to turn back," Kai confessed openly, "We can vote. If anyone wants to return, we can wait, and I'll show them the way back," Kai quickly suggested.

He understood that moving a large group took much longer. Moreover, many might not want to venture deeper. After all, a dead genius is no genius! It's one thing to fight in a 30-kilometer zone, but entering the forbidden zone was something entirely different!

"I understand, Kai..." Aoki replied quietly.

He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and stepped forward. It seemed to be a habit of this swordsman. He was always ready!

"So! This is your last chance to back out! Declare your intentions now while it's not too late, and Kai will lead you back! Beyond this point, you won't have a choice!" Aoki declared loudly.

At that moment, many faces indeed wore complicated expressions. It seemed they were weighing the pros and cons... Seeing how quickly the Sword Sect master died, many contemplated the potential risks and rewards...

"I want to return!" a voice suddenly rang out from the crowd...

To everyone's surprise, it was Bahar! Being one of the strongest, this seemed like a very odd decision. His words quickly undermined the confidence of those who were hesitating with their choice...

"Hm? Didn't expect you to be the first," Aoki responded frankly.

"I have too bad a relationship with this scumbag. I'm not comfortable with a situation where my life is in his hands," Bahar replied with disdain in his voice, looking at Kai, "Aoki, you said you'd lead us back. Will you keep your word?" the red-haired man asked coldly.

It seemed he didn't want to ask Kai for anything. Bahar knew the value of a true swordsman's word. So, he decided to use it to his advantage, framing the situation in a way that suited him. Now it seemed like it was Aoki leading them out, not Kai...

Hearing this, the swordsman turned to Kai with a complex expression on his face. None of those present were fools, and they all understood the games Bahar was playing. Aoki, not wanting to insult Kai in such a way, first wanted to know his opinion.

"If you come with me and guarantee my safety, then there's no problem," Kai replied calmly, looking at Aoki, "Getting rid of this cowardly trash will be a pleasure for me." Kai said with reciprocal disdain.

"Be careful, boy... One day, I'll make you answer for all your words," Bahar retorted, hatred in his eyes.

"Hahaha! I'd like to see that!" Kai laughed loudly upon hearing Bahar's words, "Aoki, let's lead our girls to the exit. I know you don't like to waste time," Kai mocked and fearlessly walked towards the passage from which they had come earlier.

"Follow me, Sunshine! And don't forget your rays... He-he," Kai said disdainfully as he passed Bahar, publicly mocking and belittling him.

V.2 Chapter 260: Death Trap

As soon as Aoki and Kai led Bahar out, it could be said that the group split. Besides Bahar, there were a few others who wanted to leave this expedition beyond the forbidden line.

Overall, no one judged them, as the risks were at their maximum... Even if you're a genius, it doesn't mean you're obliged to engage in every adventure.

Those who decided to stay were just calmly sitting and talking to each other. Those who knew Shuo even approached him to learn more about Kai. After all, such unique talents were quite rare.

Not everyone here was seeking enmity... As the heads of the three sects said, useful connections are part of a martial artist's future strength. Abilities like Kai's were too useful not to try to establish a relationship with him.

Even Star Sphere level people sometimes embark on journeys around the world. In such cases, people knowledgeable in arrays are worth their weight in gold. If at such an age, he can calmly navigate the forbidden lands of the Island of Reincarnation... What will he be capable of in the higher spheres?

While people were calmly chatting, Kai’s figure appeared around the corner, followed by Aoki. But that wasn’t the end... All the others were returning too!

"What the hell?! Why the heck did everyone come back?" one of the masters of the Spirit Fire Sect exclaimed at that moment.

As soon as everyone saw this scene, it became clear that things had taken an unexpected turn. But it wasn't yet clear how bad this turn was... However, the faces of Bahar and the others were too disheartened...

"Aoki, what happened there?" a girl from the Sword Sect calmly asked.

At that moment, Kai hopped back into the safe zone. His face was quite serene. It seemed that he wasn't bothered by the surrounding situation at all. But that was understandable... In these arrays, he was like a fish in water, unlike the others!

Stepping behind Kai, Aoki walked a bit forward and stopped near those waiting. The whole crowd watched him intently... They were expecting at least some explanation!

Taking a deep breath, he said:

"We underestimated the power of the forbidden zone... At the exit of the passage, there is no usual cave. There's only an insurmountable abyss. Kai said..." the swordsman explained, shifting his gaze...

"It's not an illusory array. After our entry, the space distorted... There really is a true abyss. We can't bypass it," Kai replied with an ambiguous expression on his face.

Hearing this, some people tensed up a bit. But overall, everyone remained calm... After all, the people gathered here were not ordinary. Each of those present had been in life-and-death situations before. Everyone understood that panic wouldn't help in this case.

"So, are we trapped?" a tall girl asked, puzzled.

It seemed she had already forgotten about Kai, but he remembered her well. She was the first girl who had tried to "pick him up"...

"It depends on how you look at it. We can still move forward," Kai calmly replied.

Hearing all the information, people began to exchange glances and engaged in heated discussions. Each was trying to make the most accurate assumption and forecast. A collective decision had to be made...

"Could it be not just about space, but also about time? If we wait, might the passage reopen?" one of the swordsmen suddenly suggested.

"Maybe. But you might be wrong..." Aoki pondered, "What do you think, Kai? Now it all depends on you," he added seriously, looking back at Kai.

At that moment, Kai was fully immersed in his thoughts... It seemed he was deciding what would be best to do...

"Damn... If it weren't for Shuo and Onagi, I would have already pushed forward without a second thought about the rest of them. If there are monsters here, they won't break through the formations!" Kai thought irritably, "We won't return this way... The only option left is to move forward!" he concluded firmly.

Watching him, everyone simply waited quietly...

"Hmm... We need to move forward," Kai replied, exhaling deeply, "If anyone wants to stay, that's your right. Overall, I think those I led back earlier will remember the route. You can stay," he said, glancing at Bahar.

Martial artists of their level had quite extraordinary minds. Even seemingly foolish people like Onaga were quite insightful in combat and critical matters. They had surely memorized the route of this short passage...

"I won’t. I’m coming with you," Bahar immediately refused.

"But Bahar..." a man near him timidly interjected.

It seemed he didn’t want to move forward and was trying to persuade his boss. After all, there was a chance that the passage would open soon.

"Are you an idiot? If the passage never opens, then what? Will you risk leading the way deeper into the caves?" the red-haired man asked irritably, posing a series of rhetorical questions.

If they lost a guide like Kai... Then they would be in a real, inescapable trap!

As soon as the guy heard this, he immediately fell silent. He understood this, but he was also afraid that Kai might betray them... After all, their group was in the most enviable situation...

"Shall we continue?" Aoki asked, ignoring these disputes in the background.

"Follow me! Last warning to be cautious!" Kai shouted and turned around.

He understood that in the current situation, there was no point in protesting against Bahar's company. It wasn’t the time yet... So, he calmly moved forward.

In this area, they could move more freely... Thus, the pace of movement noticeably increased! It seemed like the whole group was on an entertaining excursion. Yet, all they focused on were the steps of the one leading them...

"Look! That’s a…" Suddenly, a scream came from the middle of the column.

As soon as this happened, everyone immediately turned around, looking in the direction pointed out by a girl from the Shadow Sect. There, peeking out from behind a rock, was a small white flower... But on closer inspection, it seemed that small fireflies were flying around it!

"It's the Holy Flower of Luck! No way!" a guy from the Spirit Fire Sect exclaimed.

These guys were skilled alchemists, so they understood various ingredients much better. Hearing this name, many were in awe! This flower was beneficial even for the Elders! Its value was simply incredible!

Earlier, while moving through the cave outside the forbidden zone, they had already found various valuable ingredients... But an item of this level was a first encounter! Its properties were very beneficial for strengthening the Spiritual Sea and overall perception.

"I'm first!" a man from the Spirit Fire Sect yelled greedily. It seemed that only representatives of their Sect understood the true value of this item!

"Stop!" Kai shouted quickly.

Hearing this, the man turned around with a smile and said:

"Want to lead me, kid? We've been moving too smoothly... There must be no arrays here anymore! Hahaha," he laughed mockingly.

Looking at this fool, Kai just rubbed his nose and replied:

"Want to die, go ahead. Honestly, I'm already fed up with idiots from the Spirit Fire Sect," he said indifferently.

"Don't be foolish. Get back in line," Aoki ordered sternly, then immediately turned to Kai, "Your demands?" he asked, without explanations.

Kai liked people like Aoki. It was straightforward to deal with them. He immediately understood the situation and how to negotiate.

"I won't be greedy. Let all finds be kept with you, as the person with the most authority and sense of justice," Kai said with a smile, "If we survive, seventy percent will belong to me. The primary right of choice is also mine." Kai dictated his terms with a malicious laugh.

Hearing this, many were simply shocked! This guy was too brazen! But that was only at first glance...

"Go to hell!" the guy from the Spirit Fire Sect yelled furiously and instantly rushed towards the flower.

But after traveling a few meters, he suddenly froze...

"Poof!" There was an instant pop, and the man's body was literally torn into small pieces!

This happened so swiftly that no one even had time to react! At that moment, everyone present was covered from head to toe in the blood of the man.

"Hahaha!" Kai laughed loudly, watching this. His laughter was somewhat eerie...

Under everyone's gaze, Kai calmly walked towards the flower...

"Oh, by the way... Don’t worry about the blood... He-he," he said maliciously and continued moving forward.

No one understood what he meant... But in the next moment, all the blood on their bodies slowly rose into the air and flew towards Kai! He absorbed every last drop!

Kai was no longer much concerned about hiding this ability...

First, Bahar and his lackeys had already seen it. So, this information was likely already in the hands of the Spirit Fire Sect.

Second, it was obvious that not many from this group would survive...

Third, those who survived would be in debt to Kai.

Weighing all the pros and cons, Kai realized that now was the perfect time to be brazen and indulge himself! In the eyes of everyone around, this young man at the initial stage of the Gravity Sphere was becoming more and more terrifying... And it wasn't his cultivation stage that was oppressive, as many here were stronger than him. It was his abilities and the oppressive aura!

Everyone perfectly understood that their lives were now in his hands... But whose hands were these? At that moment, no one doubted they belonged to a demon!

Passing by the desiccated mummy, Kai calmly approached the flower and deftly plucked it. He didn’t delay and quickly took out a jade box from his spatial ring. Within seconds, the flower was sealed...

"Don’t worry, I know a bit about alchemy... So, I handle ingredients carefully! This flower will be compensation for your distrust in my abilities! He-he," Kai said with a devilish smile, "So, do you agree to my terms?" he added slowly, standing amidst the deadly array.

Watching him, everyone was literally speechless. At that moment, even Bahar began to regret crossing paths with this madman...

"I think we have no choice..." Aoki replied thoughtfully, "Overall, if you want, you can abandon us. The most I can do is kill you instantly," he added with a slight hint.

This swordsman was certainly one of the smartest among those present... He perfectly understood the situation. Therefore, he immediately warned Kai not to even think about abandoning them. Knowing this swordsman's character, it was clear he wasn't joking. If he said he could kill Kai instantly, he meant it!

Aoki's words quickly calmed everyone down... They finally remembered that they were not Kai's hostages. It could be said that they were in a mutual power dynamic with each other... They would have to make concessions to Kai, but at least the situation had become more balanced!

V.2 Chapter 261: Mysterious Skeleton

Upon hearing the swordsman's words, Kai remained unfazed. He had already anticipated something like this. Aoki was incredibly strong... It seemed he was gradually reaching the level of the Elders. Even with the Torture King Mode, Kai couldn't be certain of a successful escape.

But most importantly, his friends were here. Abandoning them wasn't the best option… Kai had some principles, after all.

Moreover, he decided he would unceremoniously and ruthlessly absorb the energy of every fallen master. Overall, if they could escape this trap, Kai stood to gain immensely!

"I understand perfectly, Aoki," Kai replied with a smile, moving towards the group, "If it were only that bastard Bahar here, I would've left you long ago," he added frankly.

His terrifying trait was now exposed; there was no longer any point in hiding anything. As soon as Kai returned to the front of the column, he calmly announced, "Let's move, guys! We need to escape by any means, or these resources will be of no use!" he laughed cheerily.

Some were amazed at how carefree Kai could be in such a critical situation. Their future was utterly uncertain. The only consolation was the delayed closure of the Island of Reincarnation... They still had plenty of time.

At that moment, even Shuo looked at Kai differently, as if seeing a new side of his personality. But this didn't make the Lone Buddha change his opinion about Kai. On the contrary, Shuo found even more reasons to respect his Brother.

Thus, the group continued their journey... They didn't move fast, but they weren't slow either. To their delight, the white flower wasn't the last valuable item they found... They started finding incredibly rare items almost every quarter of an hour. The group even agreed to slow down and pay more attention to their surroundings…

Kai didn't stand aside either… He carefully assessed these vast caves for energy density. This had greatly helped him in finding items over the past few days… Kai found several things that would have gone unnoticed by the group.

As they had agreed earlier, all finds were passed directly to Aoki. He even had a separate ring for this, where all the finds of this deadly expedition were stored. Mostly, it was Kai who went after the items, as reaching them was incredibly difficult. At that point, no one questioned his share... Even Bahar behaved obediently and caused no trouble.

The martial arts world is quite cynical. Everyone had calculated that with such a frequency of rare finds... even a 30 percent share divided among all would be considered an incredible yield! But that wasn't all... In the last few days, two more people had died. It could be said that a conflict arose between them, and through carelessness, they were destroyed... Everyone understood, the fewer people there were, the more would profit!

And, in the end, they could rob Kai! If they escaped and Kai lost Aoki's protection... It would be a very convenient moment for everyone else.

Kai, in turn, did not hesitate to absorb the blood of the departed. He felt more and more distinctly how the black bead in the Energy Center grew larger and denser. The energy of martial arts masters seemed more suitable for absorption. But pondering this, Kai also noticed other, barely perceptible changes…

The more diverse beasts and monsters he absorbed, the faster the processing and assimilation of their energy became. It seemed to be somehow connected to lineage…

Time slowly moved forward, and the group had been moving through the caves for over a week. They couldn't say for sure which direction they were heading, as they realized the space in this place was convoluted. But they knew for certain they weren't walking in circles...

The environment in the cave had noticeably changed. It seemed even the very rock around them had become different. At this point, everything was made of light gray stone, and in some places, there were small glowing bodies of water. Overall, this section of the cave could be called gorgeous!

Recently, they found a body of water that wasn't under the influence of the masses. Although it wasn't too deep, it was expansive enough to accommodate the entire group of people. After checking several times, they found no dangers... It turned out the water shone due to an atypical bottom. It was completely strewn with colorful glowing stones.

"It's amazing that ordinary water can be present in such a place," Kai remarked calmly.

"Well, I wouldn't say it's ordinary. It does contain a bit of energy," Aoki replied, stroking his chin.

"Let's agree that by our standards, it's ordinary," Shuo added emotionlessly.

Over the last week, Kai had gotten along quite well with Aoki. The swordsman was straightforward and sensible. Kai, in turn, also directly stated his own desires and thoughts. Therefore, they quickly found common ground.

"Hey! Let's take a break! By the way, we can wash up here!" Aoki exclaimed enthusiastically, beckoning everyone else to join him.

"Can we bathe? Yay!" Suddenly, a tall girl from the Spirit Fire Sect shouted in excitement.

She immediately dashed towards the water. What surprised everyone from the Shadow Sect and the Sword Sect was that she started stripping off her clothes on the move. It appeared that the girl was doing it without any second thought, leaving absolutely nothing to the imagination! At that moment, a view of her fully naked body was presented to all.

"What the hell…" Kai uttered, slightly taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise.

Though the girl and her figure were stunning, Kai was somewhat put off by her behavior. After all, he was raised in a different culture... Such actions seemed a bit wild to him.

Kai thought this was just a quirk of that one eccentric girl, but he was mistaken! All the others from the Spirit Fire Sect followed suit!

"Even though I've known the masters from the Spirit Fire Sect much longer than you, I still can't get used to it," Aoki replied, shaking his head calmly.

At that moment, Kai felt a warmth emanating from the water. He took a closer look and saw a strange sight... The crowd of naked people was heating the water! They were literally creating a handmade hot spring!

"Well... Screw it... If the water's warm, I might as well join in..." Kai muttered to himself and began to undress, although he wasn't as radical as to strip completely.

Just as he was about to enter the water, the tall girl shouted:

"Nope! You can't do that! The Spirit Fire Sect has already occupied this body of water, so our traditions apply here! Either strip and enjoy the bath like everyone else, or wait your turn! Hahaha," she laughed loudly, pointing at Kai.

"I advise you not to worry about it," came a calm voice from the side.

At that moment, a naked Aoki walked past Kai and leisurely entered the water...

"Damn it... What the hell are we even doing? Tsk!" Kai rolled his eyes and also undressed.

Overall, Kai didn't really care. It wasn't the first time he'd been seen naked... It's just that the overall atmosphere was slightly odd. It took some getting used to. Many decided to wait and bathe later. Some men from the Shadow and Sword Sects joined in too. However, the women from these two sects preferred to wait their turn. In their case, such behavior seemed utterly unacceptable...

Thus, the group decided to stop here for some time. After all, it was the first sufficiently spacious and comfortable place they had found in the last week.

Stepping out of the "hot spring," Kai decided to take a walk around the area and see what was interesting. He was the only one who had the opportunity to move around freely.

Just at that moment, Kai noticed something strange lying behind a huge boulder. However, his Eyes of Essence couldn't detect any energy in that place…

"I should check it out… Nothing else to do anyway…" Kai thought to himself and strode forward, crossing the expanse.

As soon as he went around the boulder, Kai's eyes lit up! There lay a skeleton! And not just that, on its wrist were several spatial rings!

"Damn it! What a find!" Kai exclaimed in his mind!

He realized that in this case, he could quietly claim all the finds for himself! And they might be on an entirely different level!

Looking around cautiously, Kai quickly took one ring… then another… and another!

Standing with a thoughtful expression, Kai suddenly shook his head and said with mixed feelings:

"Well… What was I even expecting? Heh-heh." He laughed self-deprecatingly.

After a long time, these rings had turned into mere costume jewelry… Their hidden spaces had long since collapsed…

"Well, at least the skeleton is quite amusing…" Kai muttered to himself.

The bones of this ancient master were not purely white… In some places, they shimmered with a golden luster. It seemed somehow connected to the techniques that the ancient master cultivated.

Without ceremony, Kai calmly picked up the skeleton and walked towards the group. It was surprising that all the bones were still intact! Even though the spaces in the rings were destroyed, the bones were still strong!

"What the…" one guy from the group exclaimed…

He watched as Kai approached them, carrying a skeleton in his arms! Seeing this, everyone immediately became agitated and quickly stopped what they were doing! This find seemed quite extraordinary…

"Kai…" Aoki said, with a thoughtful expression.

"Boom." A dull sound echoed as the skeleton landed on the ground.

"The rings are long destroyed, this poor guy spent an incredible amount of time here…" Kai said, and immediately tossed the rings to the swordsman, "But on the bright side, we are not the first people here… Though it's unclear if that's good or bad." Kai pondered aloud.

After a quick inspection of the rings, Aoki simply threw them to the ground. There was no point in keeping them. Seeing the swordsman's reaction, everyone realized that Kai was telling the truth.

"Maybe we're getting close to something… And I really hope that something has an exit…" Kai said vaguely, "Let's rest and then continue moving… We need to be vigilant. If we find a few more skeletons ahead, it might indicate an exit!" Kai said seriously.

Hearing this explanation, Aoki immediately nodded... He was reasoning in a similar vein. Previously, they hadn't encountered anyone, but if they start now... It means there's another entrance to the caves! And if so, it must be ahead!

"It seems our chances are increasing," one of the Sword Sect's swordsmen commented.

"We can't be certain of that..." Shuo suddenly interjected.

"What do you mean?" the Sword Sect guy quickly asked, hearing the monk's words.

"If there is an exit, it most likely leads to the surface of the forbidden zone... Surviving there is an even more challenging task. Of course, all our hopes are on Brother Kai," Shuo calmly explained his stance.

"Let's first verify our assumption, then we can deliberate. It's pointless to guess in advance," Aoki quickly reassured everyone.

Listening to all this, Kai thoughtfully rubbed his chin... It seemed he was also trying to find the best way out of the situation...

"I suggest we wrap up the rest and move on..." Kai murmured thoughtfully.

Hearing these words, everyone quickly agreed and began to gather their belongings. Finally, they had at least a hint of a way out of the caves. What happens next is another question... But as they say, problems should be addressed as they arise!

V.2 Chapter 262: Ancient Diary

None of the group members delayed. In just about ten minutes, everyone was ready to proceed. Kai, in turn, took his place at the head of the column again.

"Alright, let's move!" he declared with a hint of anticipation.

Looking into the endless tunnel ahead, the group began to move deeper. No one knew how far they had already gone...

"What if we end up on the surface of the forbidden zone?" Kai mused to himself.

Currently, he wasn't paying much attention to potential finds. All he was looking out for were natural formations. The other group members, however, heightened their vigilance, carefully observing their surroundings...

No one really knew what to hope for... But thankfully, after a day and a half, they found what they had been longing for... Another skeleton! Kai quickly ran to check it out.

But when he returned, his face bore a slightly strange expression... Seeing this from a distance, none of the group members could understand what was happening. It was only when Kai threw the skeleton at their feet that their faces also contorted...

"What the heck is this..." Bahar uttered in mild shock.

"Notice that I didn't even remove the rings," Kai hinted at something, "Though the clothes have long rotted away... But by the rings, one can tell he was a martial arts master," he added significantly.

"Yes, but... How? This is not a human!" one of the girls exclaimed in astonishment.

At this moment, everyone could observe the skeleton lying at their feet. At first glance, it looked human. But looking at the skull, one could see small spikes on the head and three eye sockets! This was definitely not a member of the human race!

"I'd say it's just a skeleton of an ancient monster... But the rings directly contradict that," Aoki said with a heavy expression, "Kai, have you checked them?" he quickly asked.

"No. I leave that right to you," Kai responded calmly, gesturing towards the skeleton.

The swordsman immediately approached the body and crouched beside it. There were only three rings in total on its hands. But Aoki was extremely cautious; he didn't want to damage anything...

While all this was happening, Kai stood immersed in his thoughts... One could say he was the least surprised of them all.

"This looks like one of the types of demons I saw in the frescoes of the Astral City... Was the Island of Reincarnation visited even before the times of the Apocalypse? Or were they hiding there from the chaos of energy? No one among the living knows about the demons... Which means they have long been extinct..." Kai pondered, utterly baffled by what was happening.

He was indeed truly interested in finding answers to these questions… But for now, any speculation was just his hypothesis. However, the fact remained a fact... Demons once dwelled inside the Island of Reincarnation! Most likely, they had long since perished… Otherwise, the Sects of the Mysterious Sea Region would have discovered them during their thousands of years of expeditions.

Just at that moment, Aoki was removing the last ring. The previous two were no different from mere junk. It was all the same as with the first skeleton. Too much time had passed...

"There! It works!" the swordsman exclaimed in shock.

Such a reaction was utterly uncharacteristic of his composed nature. It perfectly showed how agitated he was now!

"What's in there, Aoki?!" shouted the tall girl from the Spirit Fire Sect.

At that moment, everyone was eager to know what this ancient ring concealed, especially considering the mysterious skeleton of its owner.

"Hmm…" Aoki frowned, "There's only dust inside… Although the ring hasn't collapsed, the items were long destroyed by time…" he explained, clearly disappointed.

"Dump everything out, we might find something!" Bahar impatiently shouted.

Kai was entirely uninterested in the ongoing events… He was fully absorbed in his own thoughts and theories.

"Thud." A soft sound echoed as clouds of dust poured out of the ring.

"There's something! I told you! Hahaha." Bahar suddenly screamed, rushing towards a small stone box that had fallen to the ground.

He carefully picked it up and began to open it… At that moment, everyone watched intently, holding their breath!

"Wait. There might be a trap!" Aoki cautioned.

"No, I don't feel any arrays imposed on this box," Kai calmly replied, looking straight at Bahar.

As soon as these words were spoken, Bahar froze! When Kai said it was fine… It immediately made him doubt Kai's words!

"To hell with it! Open it yourself, we'll share it later anyway! Hmph!" Bahar exclaimed irritably and threw the strange object straight into Kai's hands.

"You're so delicate…" Kai teased and promptly opened the box.

Every present member craned their necks, watching Kai's every move. They wouldn't miss even an extra finger twitch! Everyone was hoping for an incredible treasure… After all, it had been so well hidden that it survived an unimaginable amount of time! Even Kai himself was curious…

"A book?" Kai raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

"A book? What kind of book? Is it a cultivation technique?!" one of the group members blurted out instantly.

At that moment, Kai didn't respond, but carefully took out the book. It looked very mediocre… It seemed like something taken from the collection of a wealthy mortal. It was definitely not some technique...

Kai calmly opened it and looked at the first page…

"Ancient language! It somewhat resembles the language of the Astral Emperor of Alchemy... But I'm sure I can understand some of it!" Kai exclaimed in his mind!

Externally, however, his expression didn't change… Kai, with a puzzled look, stared at the worn book, unsure of what to say to the crowd.

"Umm… It seems to be some kind of ancient diary…" Kai said with a silly expression, "You can take a look, but please be careful. Afterward, I want to try to decipher something." He cautioned, handing the book to Aoki.

The swordsman quickly glanced at the page and even started flipping through others… But his thoughts were clearly written on his face. Obviously, Aoki understood nothing!

"This is very strange. An entirely unknown language and an incomprehensible skeleton…" Aoki said, deeply impressed, "It feels like we don't know a part of our world's history… Of course, I've read some works of researchers from the Heavenly Continent, but never took them seriously." He added, almost in a trance.

Now, something similar was happening with all the masters in their group. Each one couldn't afford to miss the chance to look at this book. Somewhere deep inside, they hoped it was an ancient heritage, meant to choose its successor…

But as soon as they examined the book themselves, they realized it was indeed just a simple diary.

After a few minutes, everyone had closely examined this strange find. Finally, it returned to Kai's hands. The interest of the people faded instantly… They were hoping to find a treasure! They didn't care about historical secrets and all sorts of nonsensical riddles.

"Kai… You said you'd try to decipher it. Can you do that?" Aoki suddenly asked.

"I spent some time on the border with the Wild Beasts Steppe… In those places, I learned a bit of the ancient language from a researcher named Fabian. And as I see, it somewhat resembles the script in this book…" Kai replied with a completely sincere face.

Of course, he was lying… But it wasn't far from the truth, so he wasn't worried about suspicions. And judging by the reaction of those around him, no one really cared about this information.

"Good," Aoki said interestedly and nodded, "Alright guys! Let's take a short break!" He quickly commanded.

It was evident that Aoki was genuinely interested in the diary and the skeleton. It seemed the swordsman's mind was not averse to the thirst for knowledge. In this regard, he and Kai were somewhat alike.

Kai took the diary and calmly stepped away from the group, sitting near a rock… He opened it and began to read.

After some time, Shuo, along with Aoki, approached him.

"Well? What did you find?" Aoki asked with interest.

"Hmm… It's complicated… I only understand the context…" Kai said with a complex expression on his face.

At that moment, Kai wasn't lying… These writings were different from the language of the Sect of Astral Flame. There were only some similarities... As Kai tried to make sense of it, he realized what this demon was trying to convey. But he hadn't unraveled all the nuances…

"Will you share it with us?" Aoki asked again, curiously.

"You could say it's a chronology of the days before death," Kai replied seriously, "Something about the end of the world and the turmoil of the world's energy. And also… About a pre-death union with the human race!" Kai added with feigned shock.

Having skimmed through the demon's diary, Kai roughly understood the situation. It seemed that one of Kai's assumptions was somewhat accurate. The Island of Reincarnation, particularly the Sacred Land, was part of an ancient land that had endured the Apocalypse. Apparently, at that time, not only humans but also demons were present in this place!

But as he read, Kai also realized something that again raised questions in his mind. It seemed that the demon referred to the Sacred Land as part of a continent. Before the Apocalypse, it was not a separate space requiring a portal to access! This mysterious land was part of the outer world!

"Very strange… How could such a huge piece of the continent be engulfed in a closed space? Maybe that's why there is such dense energy and so many natural formations here? If we assume that the energy chaos was suddenly confined in a closed space… Could it have settled in the form of countless arrays?" Kai pondered, sitting near the rock, simultaneously making various conjectures.

His words held a certain logic. If one were to assume that this was the case… Then human masters only found the entrance to the Sacred Land after the rebirth of civilization. And over thousands of years, it became the birthplace of countless useful artifacts. Also, ancient beasts evolved into entirely new species, adapting to the harsh environment. Moreover, this environment was abundant in energy!

"The end of the world? In what sense? Human civilization began about 20-30 thousand years ago… I haven't seen any records of such a cataclysm…" Aoki mused, trying to piece together the overall picture.

Nevertheless, he didn't possess the knowledge that Kai had. Things that seemed obvious to Kai were incredible and wild for others…

"Aoki, remember the skeleton," Shuo said calmly, commenting on the words about human civilization. The existence of non-human masters already contradicted Aoki's judgments. Presently, everything seemed not so clear-cut…

V.2 Chapter 263: Underground Ruins

Hearing Shuo's words, the usually composed Aoki was visibly shaken...

"Exactly! That master wasn't human! It can't be..." Realizing what Shuo was implying, Aoki said in shock.

"Don't jump to conclusions... I told you, this demon talked about a union with the human race," Kai interjected, cutting off the swordsman's thoughts, "Do you see what I mean? Human civilization also existed back then. It's just that the thirty-thousand-year-old period might not be the birthdate of civilization. We were just beginning to rebuild after the so-called end of the world!" Kai explained his hypothesis in detail.

"Then... What about the demons?" Aoki asked, as if enlightened by Kai's words.

The whole situation seemed to have thrown him off balance. He was so agitated that he even lost his usual mental stability. Though, it was understandable... His entire understanding of the world order was crumbling before his eyes! The feeling of having lived in illusions for years was not pleasant...

"Well... It seems they couldn't survive that cataclysm..." Kai replied with mixed feelings.

He indeed leaned towards this conclusion. After all, there had been no mention of the so-called demons since then. Even people like Kar Yorma hadn't written about them...

Previously, humans, demons, and beasts shared the world. But now, the entire Heavenly Continent was occupied by humans. Besides, there was the Wild Beasts Steppe and the Wasteland of Savages. The latter could also be considered part of the human race...

Thus, only two forces remained in the world. Apparently, the energy cataclysm hit the demon race particularly hard. They were less fortunate than the other two races...

"Humans and beasts live to this day..." Aoki murmured thoughtfully.

"Hmm... And to this day, we continue to kill each other," Shuo suddenly said, lost in thought, "The diary mentioned that the two races united only in the face of total annihilation. That means, before that, they were at war..." the monk continued aloud, "If we assume that the demons were weakened too much after that catastrophe... Why would our ancestors resist the temptation to completely destroy them?" he posed the rhetorical question, concluding his thoughts.

"Brother Shuo is right... If I had the chance to destroy an enemy, I would do it without hesitation. Apparently, our ancestors weren't very different from us..." Kai added with a wry smile.

At that moment, Aoki's face showed mixed emotions... He was a true swordsman, who walked the path of the sword. In his heart and mind, there always resided a sense of justice. From his perspective, the ancestors of the human race had acted very dishonorably... He understood all the pros and cons of such a decision. But complete genocide... That was quite difficult to accept!

"Let's preserve this diary and hand it over to the Heads. I hope they can make more sense of it. I wouldn't want to jump to conclusions," Aoki replied, regaining his composure, "All that we know for certain now... There was another civilization before us that survived an incredible catastrophe. And also, that there were so-called demons who were also a sentient race," he firmly added, nodding confidently.

It seemed he wouldn't accept Kai's theory until he knew for sure. However, everyone had the right to their own judgments...

"Do you think they know about this?" Shuo suddenly asked.

"I haven't heard any of the Guardians mention anything like this... But perhaps the ancient monsters of the Core Sphere level know something. They have been exploring the forbidden zone much, much longer!" Aoki emphasized, repeating 'much' twice.

"Logical. I must admit, now I'm curious too," Shuo said unemotionally, "But let's continue our journey. If we all die here, our curiosity will be meaningless," he calmly added, reminding his companions of their situation.

At that moment, Kai picked up the stone box. He carefully placed the diary inside and stood up. They needed to move on; in this case, Shuo was absolutely right...

"Alright, let's move on. Secrets are useless to the dead!" Kai joked, laughing cheerfully.

"You have quite a dark sense of humor, Kai," Aoki responded, shaking his head disapprovingly.

"You're just not used to it. Brother Kai is always like this," Shuo said calmly and patted the swordsman on the shoulder.

Thus, the group continued their journey. They delved deeper and deeper into the caves, and day replaced day...

The only consolation was the potential loot if they survived. Throughout their journey, they had gathered many rare ingredients. These were not only herbs and various minerals. The group occasionally found small pools, the size of puddles. Only these contained not ordinary liquid, but concentrated energy. There was even one that was encased in ice. The variety of finds was very extensive...

In such moments, the people of the Spirit Fire Sect were incredibly useful! They always had special tools at hand for collecting and preserving ingredients.

In time, Aoki had to wear more and more rings, as the space in the old ones ran out. This situation greatly boosted the overall morale of the group. They would never have acquired so many valuables in the external, safe perimeter…

As for the persona of Kai, things were ambiguous… Although everyone grew closer to him and were glad that he was their guide,, there always remained one frightening nuance… Sometimes, the group lost people, and Kai shamelessly consumed the blood of each one! This horrified everyone present!

In turn, Aoki simply ignored what was happening. It was clear that he opposed such behavior with the deceased. But in this situation, they had no choice… Although Kai seemed like a rational person, at the same time, there was a part of him that was eccentric. When you depend on such people, you don't really want to argue with them…

"I feel that in a few more years, you'll become my adversary," Shuo said with a barely noticeable smile.

At that moment, he was walking right behind Aoki and naturally, addressing Kai.

"Brother Shuo, make sure you don't fall behind! He-he," Kai replied teasingly and cheerfully.

"That's possible. But then, you'll need to be careful. I'll be catching up," Shuo joked emotionlessly.

"How did you two even become brothers? You're completely different," Aoki asked with interest and a slight misunderstanding.

Walking in a column, he was between them. Therefore, it can be said that he participated in their conversations, even though Aoki never asked for it. It can be said that nobody really asked him...

"I liked his baldness."

"He seemed strong to me."

The two guys in black robes answered simultaneously.

"Yeah... I better not have asked," Aoki replied with a light smile.

They had been in the caves for several weeks. During all this time, they had grown quite close. Even people like Bahar had calmed down and behaved quite politely with the others. After all, until they get out, they're all in the same boat…

Just at that moment, they emerged from around another corner. It was visible that the cave was turning again…

But as soon as Kai took a few more steps forward, he suddenly stopped...

"Another complex array?" Aoki asked with a smile.

This happened with certain regularity. Sometimes, Kai needed to stand and assess the correctness of the path. After all, every natural array was unique.

"No... Better!" Kai suddenly shouted, "Guys, get ready to hold your jaws; otherwise they'll drop!" He yelled even louder.

It was obvious that at that moment, Kai was incredibly happy! Kai's emotional range was quite diverse, but such an outburst was rare for him. He, like everyone else, was tired of the endless wandering in the caves.

Kai often thought it would have been better to hunt within the safe zone and consume the blood of anyone he came across. In the last few weeks, his progress would have been very impressive!

"What's there?!" someone in the crowd shouted.

Everyone was instantly energized! There were few reasons for Kai's reaction... Most likely, it had something to do with an exit! Kai moved forward, and everyone immediately followed him.

And as it turned out, their assumption was correct! As soon as they came around the corner, a light appeared in the distance. And this glow was definitely not from the glowing stones!

"Kai, just be careful, don't rush. It would be foolish to die at the very end," Aoki warned with a slight apprehension.

"Of course... I understand," Kai quickly replied, and moved forward.

"Damn! Finally, these damned caves will end!" Kai exclaimed irritably in his mind.

He was eager to find out what awaited them ahead...

And the result did not disappoint them... The wait was definitely worth it! As soon as they emerged from the tunnel, an incredible sight unfolded before their eyes!

They were still underground… But if you looked high up, there was a round hole in the ceiling. And through it, the gray sky was visible!

But the most astonishing thing was not this... They were in the middle of a huge circular space, several kilometers in diameter! As if a deep pit had been dug in the earth's crust for an entire city!

"My God... What are these ruins?!" one of the girls exclaimed in shock.

Wherever you looked, incredible structures were carved into the walls! And on the several-kilometer expanse, there were traces of destroyed buildings and streets...

If you looked closely, it seemed that these giant columns and statues in the earth's crust were once incredibly beautiful. But after so many incredible years, they had managed to retain only their general form... All the details seemed to have been erased by time!

This space was slightly different from the caves. The rock was a slightly different color... It was somewhat greenish, mixed with gray. All this created a very impressive picture.

"Look there! Look at the holes in the walls!" one of the group members shouted.

As soon as this phrase was heard, everyone immediately looked in the indicated direction. Through small holes, it was visible that there were cavities in the wall that smoothly rose to the ceiling. Such holes spiraled up to the very top.

"It's a staircase! It's definitely an ascent to the surface! Yesss!" a guy from the Shadow Sect immediately shouted, clenching his fists in joy!

His reaction was supported by a flurry of new shouts! At that moment, everyone was incredibly happy! They had at least found an exit to the surface! No, more than that, it actually existed!

In turn, Kai was also thrilled, but at the same time, he remained silent. He understood that this was just the beginning of new trials…

"I don't want to interrupt the fun. But let's look around and try to get outside. Kai, how's the situation? Do you feel anything?" Aoki asked quickly, calming the crowd.

"In these ruins, the situation is better... There are far fewer natural formations," Kai said thoughtfully, "Overall, we can stop maintaining formation. But it's better not to stray far from me." Kai calmly answered, carefully looking ahead.

"I wonder, was this a city of humans or demons? Or perhaps, it was a shelter like the Astral City? The statues are so old that it's even unclear which race they depicted..." Kai pondered, observing the ruins of the ancient city.

V.2 Chapter 264: Dangerous Plan

These ruins were incredibly old, and considering their state… They had suffered far more than the Astral City. But this was to be expected, as there had been access to it from the outside. Moreover, this enclosed space had endured a far greater impact during the cataclysm.

The group moved forward unhurriedly... Although Kai said they could move relatively freely, at that moment, no one broke the column formation. They understood that it was not yet time to relax.

The atmosphere around was quite peculiar and evoked conflicting feelings. On one hand, there was a sense of past grandeur, but also sadness due to the ruin and decay. Weathered walls of destroyed houses, time-eroded reliefs and frescoes, and once gigantic statues, which were now destroyed...

The depth of the city and the evenness of the circle in which it was built were also astonishing. Such a thing was unlikely to have been created by nature. Upon reflection, it all boiled down to the fact that this was the work of an intelligent being...

"This is incredible... I wonder if any of our sects could build something like this?" a girl asked in shock.

"We have some cities in dead volcanoes. But such scales... Someone literally dug all this out!" a boy from the Spirit Fire Sect replied, astounded.

"Did those demons do this?" the girl asked again.

"Not sure..." Kai suddenly said and pointed in a certain direction.

At that moment, everyone's attention turned to another skeleton found behind the wall of a ruined house. Most importantly, it was human...

"Come on... I don't understand anything anymore..." a master from the Shadow Sect said, rubbing his eyes and bridge of his nose in confusion.

Everything that was happening now was completely out of the ordinary. Each new discovery shattered the previous assumption. Even Kai began to doubt his theories...

"How could ancient primitive people build something like this?!" one from the group exclaimed in shock.

"It's simple. Maybe they weren't primitive?" Aoki calmly replied, "Alright, let's check this one too." Not waiting for a reply, the swordsman said.

But alas, it was all in vain... The rings had long been destroyed, and there was nothing useful...

"Why are there so few remains in such a huge city?" one of the boys asked as the group moved through the city streets.

"Are you an idiot? These guys were definitely at the peak of the Star Sphere, if not in the Core Sphere. There can be no other explanation for why their bones are still intact... Do you think all the residents of this city were at their level?" Bahar shouted contemptuously.

He was speaking to one of his lackeys, hence his harsh manner. After all, the stupidity of a subordinate casts a poor shadow on the master…

In this way, the group continued on towards what appeared to be an enormous temple carved into the rock. It was from there that one could ascend via a staircase. It seemed to be a unique entrance to the city, merged with a special building.

Although the purpose of this temple was unknown, Kai understood that it most likely held some sacred significance. After all, these ancient people or demons had an entirely different culture.

As they moved along, they found skeletons of ancient masters several more times. Only near one did they find something useful — a severely time-worn, ancient sword. Upon seeing it, Aoki's eyes literally sparkled!

Aoki declared he would forgo his entire share of the loot if he could have that sword. Considering the sword's condition and Aoki's status, no one objected.

"Is it valuable?" Shuo asked as the group neared the immense temple in the rock.

"Not now... But I'm confident I can restore it!" Aoki replied with certainty. "I don't know how to explain it properly… But my swordsman's heart felt a kinship with this sword. You should know how rare that is." He added, with a certain reverence, addressing Shuo.

This so-called feeling of closeness was one of the most coveted for masters specializing in a specific weapon. That's why people from the Sword Sect always carried their swords with them. It was one way to forge this connection!

However, what Aoki felt was far more valuable! Such spontaneity can only be experienced by a true swordsman under very fortunate circumstances... Some remarkable swordsmen never find their weapon in their lifetime.

"Then, I congratulate you, Aoki. I think you'll soon become an even more extraordinary person," Shuo congratulated in his characteristic manner.

"That's if we survive! He-he," Kai interrupted their lofty phrases with a laugh.

"You know how to keep spirits up," Aoki replied with a smile, calmly.

Just then, the group arrived at the massive entrance, before which colossal columns stood. It seemed that even if they all joined hands, they could barely encircle one of them. Looking at such large structures made one's head spin…

"No arrays, let's go in," Kai said calmly, and stepped forward.

Before their eyes, an impressive scene unfolded! It could be said that this place once resembled some kind of Avenue of Glory... as in front of them lay a long corridor, flanked by huge twenty-meter statues.

Although all were worn, some even destroyed... Looking at some of them, it was clear they held weapons in their hands. These were definitely warriors! Martial arts masters!

"It seems this isn't a temple… It's a building that glorified the heroes of this city," someone in the crowd said.

At that moment, many began to converse and discuss the surroundings. Although most were indifferent to the mysteries of antiquity, that didn't mean they were indifferent to such a grand spectacle. Reading a worn diary is one thing; witnessing an ancient city with one's own eyes is entirely different.

Finally, they saw a large staircase at the end of this hall. Once they ascended, the circumstances would take a new, unexpected turn. If they ended up on the surface of the forbidden land, things would become quite complicated...

Realizing this, Aoki turned to everyone and loudly said:

"So! We need to discuss our next steps!" he announced, drawing attention.

Hearing this, everyone immediately fell silent and became much more attentive.

"We're likely to end up in a forbidden zone... Even the pressure of the energy there will be a hindrance. But we have two significant advantages," Aoki said, pausing for emphasis, "By estimates, only about a month has passed since the start of the expedition... So, the first advantage – the pressure shouldn't be unbearable! And the second – we have Kai, who will help us avoid traps!" he exclaimed, boosting the group's morale.

Aoki truly was the type of person born to be a leader. In fact, he had been the de facto leader of the group from the beginning. And no one tried to challenge his authority... Such respect can't be earned by strength alone!

"But what about monsters? We're lucky there aren't any in the caves, but..." suddenly interjected a tall girl from the Spirit Fire Sect.

It was a valid question... The caves seemed too narrow and filled with natural arrays. Living in such conditions wouldn't be very comfortable. Even the inhabitants of the Sacred Land had chosen to avoid it... But the surface of the forbidden zone was a different matter altogether!

"Akilah is right. We need to work out a combat strategy," suddenly, spoke up Bahar.

They weren't saying this to create confrontation within the group... Considering their knowledge of the forbidden zone, their chances against powerful monsters were slim. If they encountered a monster of the Star Sphere level, it would likely be the end for them.

"This is a problem..." Aoki said gravely, understanding their situation.

"I have a suggestion," suddenly said Kai, with a mischievous smile, "Bahar, remember how we toyed with your guys near the array?" he teased, addressing the red-haired Bahar.

"What are you trying to say?" Bahar coldly responded with a question of his own.

"I mean to say, if no one makes mistakes and reacts quickly, the arrays will become our protection! We'll move only through them! No safe paths!" Kai replied earnestly.

Hearing this, many widened their eyes in surprise! It was an excellent option! No one had thought of this before, as such a method of action was deemed impossible. Normally, everyone would think about how to detect and bypass the arrays. Intentionally moving through them seemed like madness. But that's only in the usual case!

"Exactly! Kai, you're right!" the swordsman exclaimed, understanding what Kai meant, "They say the creatures in the forbidden zone are very sensitive to energy. Thus, they can somewhat bypass all natural formations. But that doesn't mean they're safe from them! If we move directly through the deadly arrays, everything might become much simpler..." Aoki nodded, acknowledging the idea.

"This should work! I knew there was a reason I liked you, ever since that banquet! Ha-ha." A tall and attractive girl spoke in a teasing tone.

Hearing this, Kai's face immediately contorted!

"Damn! So she hasn't forgotten?! If it were up to me, I would have devoured all of you..." Kai thought in slight irritation.

It turned out that he had disliked the masters from the Spirit Fire Sect from the very beginning. Although during his time wandering through the caves, Kai had seen many good guys from this sect, he still had a certain prejudice against them...

"So? Does everyone agree with this plan?" Kai asked calmly, ignoring the tall girl's words.

"Yes!"

"There won't be a better option!"

"Definitely!"

A dozen approving voices echoed instantly. It seemed that everyone liked this idea. From an outsider's perspective... everyone now felt they were in a rather advantageous position. Some even thought that on their next visit, they should immediately team up with Kai and head to the forbidden zone. This guy was a universal guide!

"Then it's decided! Kai, lead us!" Aoki said with a smile, nodding to Kai.

Nodding in response, Kai turned and led the group forward again. The staircase ahead was incredibly long... It would probably take several days to reach the surface.

"Things are becoming even more favorable... On the surface, it will be different. There, you won't be able to constantly rely on me for safety! Just standing in the array won't work for you, and retreating will be difficult! One wrong step, and it's over for you!" Kai thought with anticipation.

Because he was leading, no one saw the devilish smile on his face…

If they are attacked while in the array, they will have to dodge. Not everyone will react, and as a result, not everyone will survive! This way, Kai will soon have a massive influx of fresh blood! Moreover, the monsters killed will also not go to waste!

"The fun is just beginning!" Kai thought eagerly with anticipation.

V.2 Chapter 265: Forced Decision

Kai was already eagerly anticipating the journey across the surface of the forbidden zone. His only concern was the pressure of the external energy, as its level was still unknown. But overall, Kai had no fears regarding this. This wasn't the first time he was walking on the razor's edge...

As initially expected, it took them a whole three days to get close to the surface. Naturally, they moved at a moderate pace, since they occasionally encountered natural formations that blocked their path. Under normal circumstances, they would have traversed this staircase much faster!

At that moment, they were standing on a small plateau. Such plateaus appeared periodically, as if marking different floors of this path. In front of them, they could see the gray, overcast sky... Just a hundred meters more and they would finally be outside.

Already at this point, everyone began to feel the so-called pressure... It was somewhat akin to the suppression exerted by a more powerful master. When he released his aura and energy, the weaker couldn't even move. Fortunately, what they were experiencing now was milder.

"It's tough, but bearable..." Aoki said, squinting as if listening to his body.

"Yes. But it's not so easy for the weaker ones," Lone Buddha calmly added.

At that moment, people like Onaga were in a more pitiable state... They continued moving, but sometimes they needed to rest. It seemed their energy was being depleted much more rapidly than usual.

"And how are you?" Aoki suddenly asked, turning to Kai standing beside him.

Currently, he looked quite well. At first glance, his real condition couldn't be precisely understood...

"Fine. I can endure it, so I don't need constant rest," Kai replied with a light smile.

This feeling of suppression had been increasing since the beginning of their ascent up the staircase. On the last day, Kai had experimented a lot with this sensation...

"This isn't energy suppression... It's the very nature of this energy that's having a negative effect. I'm beginning to understand what Elder Traen meant..." Kai thought, standing contemplatively, waiting for the other group members to rest.

Using the Eyes of Essence, Kai saw that the closer they got to the surface, the more energy of a certain type there was. And oddly enough, its properties were very similar to Kai's attribute...

"Strange... This is definitely not my type of energy, but it feels very familiar," Kai continued to ponder.

To his dismay, two days earlier, he realized that the "script" in which this energy was "written" differed from his own. As always... It was also composed of the same type of script as all the energy outside the forbidden zone, and even in the external world.

Due to this, Kai realized that he had once again lost an important clue! This was not the place where his energy originated, nor where he could discern its origins. He was only perplexed by one thing... The energy in the forbidden zone was incredibly similar to Kai's attribute. It could be said that they were almost twins...

Kai still held on to the hope of the place Elder Traen had spoken of. Perhaps it was there he would find the answers... But it was unknown when he could get there... Several years remained until the next opening of the Island of Reincarnation. But first, he needed to survive...

"This energy is difficult to absorb... As soon as it touches mine, they seem to stop functioning. Or ignore each other... What the hell?!" Kai mused, snapping his fingers as if in a trance.

Each snap was accompanied by a manifestation of a tiny fragment of his energy. Kai watched attentively as the two energies interacted. They quickly mixed, slowly turning into a common mass. Kai observed how his script slowly changed under the external environment. But when he absorbed external energy, it was rewritten under his influence...

"What the hell does this mean? I don't understand... It seems like everything depends on the amount of each type of energy in the environment... Whichever is more, takes over. Meanwhile, the other side offers no resistance." Kai thought and walked over to the wall.

The group had just stopped for a break. Everyone understood that before emerging onto the surface, they needed to fully restore their strength and reach an optimal state. Kai decided he would also sit quietly and rest.

Overall, he was quite pleased with this strange discovery... The energy of the forbidden zone didn't affect him much, which significantly increased his chances of survival.

"More and more mysteries... And this girl is still asleep! Seems like she could tell a lot..." Kai thought with slight irritation.

Kessia was one of those people Kai often thought about. While everything was clear with Old Mo, and Kai knew how to meet him... With this little devil, it was all mysteries...

"Alright... We'll figure it out later..." Kai said to himself, scratching the back of his head, "The main thing is that I have even more opportunities to enjoy the victims who have been using me for several weeks." He thought, beginning to smile wickedly.

Thus, several more hours passed until the whole group decided to move on. At that moment, everything escalated to a new level of danger! But there was no other way out! They had chosen this fate themselves when they decided to continue moving deeper into the caves…

The group quickly assembled and within a few minutes, they finally saw light! After such a long period underground, even the unpleasant and gloomy sky was a huge delight!

"Hooray! How wonderful!" one of the girls exclaimed joyfully, but then quickly covered her mouth with her hands, "Sorry..." she added in a whisper.

At that moment, she received only disapproving looks... Of course, everyone in the group was incredibly happy about this event. However, they had previously agreed to maintain silence...

Dangerous monsters roamed the surface, and the last thing they wanted was to provoke them...

As soon as they looked around, they saw endless plains... They were now standing near a huge hole in the ground. But from a distance, it seemed to merge with the horizon.

This city was not easily noticeable... Even from the sky, it was doubtful anything could be seen through the hole. Perhaps it had been undiscovered for thousands of years, and they were the first from the three Sects to ever reach these ruins.

"And where to now?" Kai suddenly asked.

Hearing this question, many were stumped... If the landscape had been more diverse, they might have had something to orient themselves by. In this enclosed space, there was no sun or stars, not even day or night...

"Do we head back in the opposite direction?" suggested one of the disciple from the Shadow Sect.

"Don't forget, the space in the forbidden zone can be confusing. When we entered it, we might have already been transported to a different part of the Sacred Land," Kai replied seriously.

At that moment, he was not joking or trying to manipulate the situation to his advantage. Kai genuinely did not understand which direction to move in... The space inside was convoluted; they couldn't even be sure they had been moving in a straight line. Possibly, after each turn, they were constantly transported to different parts of the forbidden zone.

"We need to think fast. The pressure has noticeably increased on the surface, and many are struggling to endure it," Bahar suddenly said, pointing to his followers.

Many of them were contorting from the effects of the strange energy. Overall, they could still move, but with the emergence onto the surface, the situation had significantly worsened...

Even those who were relatively coping with the pressure had strained expressions on their faces... As they had anticipated, now everything would be even more dangerous!

But at that moment, the tense atmosphere was broken by the voice of the tall girl.

"Listen, I might say something stupid... But we can only rely on the elders," Akilah cautiously suggested.

"What are you implying?" Bahar asked, frowning.

"Without the elders, and especially a master of the Core Sphere level, we can't escape. As we wander through this convoluted space, the pressure will kill us. If we find where all our Priests have gone… We have a chance!" she replied earnestly.

Until they emerged onto the surface, they didn’t realize how unrealistic their hopes of escaping on their own were. Feeling the full force of the pressure, their fate became clear. Relying solely on themselves would lead to a dismal future!

"Your words make sense. But how do we find them?" a girl from the Shadow Sect quickly asked.

The problem of orientation in space hadn’t disappeared... And how to fix it was utterly unclear. Presently, a correct decision was urgently needed! If not found, some were ready to return to the underground city until they figured something out.

"I have a suggestion…" Suddenly, a voice sounded from the front of the column.

It was Kai, who until now had been silent, trying to think of a way out. As everyone turned their attention to him, he calmly said:

"There is a landmark, and it's quite dire… The force of the pressure!" Kai said with a complex expression on his face.

Hearing him, some began to guess what he was getting at...

"The forbidden zone hinders those trying to escape. But it does not oppose movement deeper inside!" Kai hinted, "If we navigate by the increasing sensation of pressure, we will definitely reach the very center! That's where our elders should be!" He quickly laid out his idea.

Thinking this over, Kai was reluctant to voice such a proposal... He didn’t care about the lives of those around him. Yet, there was one person he did care about, and that was Shuo. Besides, he wanted to save the lives of Onaga and Aoki if possible. Although he didn’t consider them friends… These people had certainly become more than mere acquaintances.

By proposing a journey to the center of the forbidden land, he was pushing everyone towards death. Given Kai's situation, this only brought him benefits! Not so for the others…

"I agree with Brother Kai," a calm voice sounded from the side.

The first to support Kai's idea was the one whose life he was most concerned about... But in some way, this validated his decision.

"Likewise. It sounds at least reasonable. No other options seem to be forthcoming," said one of the strongest swordsmen, after Aoki.

At that moment, more and more people began to express their support. Everyone realized how dangerous their venture was. But also, without a trace of fear, they accepted it. Now their lives were at stake!

"Decided! Then let's act according to the joint plan of Akilah and Kai!" Aoki commanded at a moderate volume, "Kai, let's make a small circle to understand in which direction the pressure intensifies." the swordsman firmly said, turning to Kai.

"Alright. Let's start by heading there. It seems we won't have to go in circles…" Kai nodded seriously in response and pointed in a direction.

It appeared he had already determined from where the most energy was emanating. The Eyes of Essence saw a high concentration of destructive energy in the distance...

V.2 Chapter 266: Elders Camp

Hearing Kai's phrase, Aoki didn't immediately grasp what he meant. But lately, he had grown accustomed to trusting Kai's judgments. Therefore, he simply remained silent and nodded calmly. Thus, the group set out behind Kai without objections.

Naturally, Kai sensed the sources of this oppressive energy. And one didn't need to be a genius to understand where the center of the Sacred Land was...

Kai moved straight through natural formations, deliberately avoiding "safe paths". There was no clear understanding yet whether they were truly safe...

But after a few hours, a new, previously unnoticed problem emerged for everyone... The current arrays were much more powerful! To navigate through them, it sometimes requires not only following in someone's footsteps, but also seizing the window of opportunity to step.

Just at that moment, one of the guys hurried... His step was precise; he perfectly replicated the movement of the person in front of him. But alas, it was already too late!

"Shls..." a nasty, squelching sound rang out, and the guy's body simply split in half... "Crackle..." followed the sound of falling.

Immediately after, all the blood from his body began to gather in the air and flew towards Kai. At that moment, he didn't care how it looked to others. Moreover, everyone around had already gotten used to such things...

"I know you don't like this. But in the current situation, it sustains my strength. And your lives directly depend on it," Kai said calmly, "So, if you die, be prepared for your blood to serve the good of the group." Kai said this utterly seriously and continued moving.

Hearing his words, many experienced conflicting feelings. In this situation, they even somewhat agreed with Kai. Such is the nature of people... As long as it doesn't concern their own skin, they won't strongly object. Especially if the death of another ensures their own life!

It seemed that Kai finely sensed this atmosphere and skillfully manipulated the public mood. Now, everything looked as if Kai wasn't a villain — he was a benefactor! And those who died weren't victims — they gave their lives for the common good!

Naturally, there were people who instantly saw through the falsehood... But in such conditions, they didn't care... The main thing now was to survive! If it meant sacrificing even half the group, they wouldn't bat an eye. The fact that they had been so united over the last few weeks meant nothing. First and foremost, they were martial arts masters... And their world is incredibly competitive and cruel!

After a few days, one of the guys cried out in despair:

"Let's at least follow the paths a little! Many can't take it anymore!"

Upon hearing this, the entire column halted. Indeed, if one paid attention, it was noticeable that many were in a bad state. And besides, the column of people had noticeably thinned out...

Kai was very pleased with this development. He had devoured each deceased with great relish! The black bead in his Energy Center was growing larger and larger...

"What do you say, Kai?" Aoki asked seriously, surveying the condition of the group.

"You're in charge here, you decide. Don't shift the responsibility onto me," Kai replied emotionlessly.

"Hmm..." The swordsman mused with a troubled expression.

Kai's response was very astute, as it now absolved him of any responsibility regardless of the outcome. Whatever Aoki chose, the blood would be on his hands!

Kai liked this swordsman, but that didn't mean he would forgo his own benefit... And at that moment, Aoki had walked into such a predicament on his own.

"Aoki, we can't remain in such concentration constantly! The environment is already exhausting us enough!" pleaded one of the girls from the Sword Sect.

It seemed she was well acquainted with Aoki, as her address was quite informal. This created additional pressure on the swordsman... After all, the heart of the sword obliged him to act rightly. If it were up to Kai, he would have already nudged everyone except his friends closer to the afterlife... Or kept only the strongest and Onaga...

The swordsman stood with a grim face. It was evident that the decision did not come easily to him... Aoki was no fool and understood perfectly which option would provide him the best chances of survival. But at the same moment, he could not betray his way of the sword...

"I have decided," he declared firmly, "Kai, lead us along the paths... As soon as we rest a bit, we'll return to the original strategy." Aoki said quickly.

"As you wish, Lord Swordsman." Kai replied with a sly smile, and began moving again. But this time, he shifted the direction slightly to the side, diagonally.

"I wish I had your optimism," Aoki responded, shaking his head sadly.

"Well... Overall, I'm in the best position. If I face danger, you must protect me. If we encounter an opponent too strong, I have the best chances of survival. So why should I be sad?" Kai said carefreely, continuing to move forward.

Kai understood that things were not so simple, but it was better to maintain a superior position. Most likely, if he were left alone, he would not stand against the local inhabitants... He also needed this group, at least its strongest members. Everyone else was just expendable material, which could become a decent nourishment for him…

Witnessing the actions at the front of the column, many were relieved. Even the strong masters sighed in relief. Almost everyone wanted to take the paths, as the current movement was incredibly exhausting. After a few days, it had become literally unbearable!

And soon after, the group's morale genuinely improved! The journey along the safe paths was far more comfortable... They even managed to make a proper stop and rest. In such a critical situation, no one was too proud to use pills, consuming them without any qualms. If the chance of survival is minimal, impurities are the least of your worries!

But within a day, they encountered new problems... They were confronted by a group of strange beings, resembling rotten people wrapped in gray rags. Initially, they caused tremendous terror in the group! All because they could fly!

But upon closer inspection, it was realized that they were only at a high stage of the Gravity Sphere. Naturally, this was a formidable force... However, it was not the Core Sphere! Fortunately, there were only three of these monsters...

Only with Kai's astute coordination did everyone manage to spread out relatively safely and fight the enemies. In such conditions, no one spared their efforts, quickly overpowering these beings. But naturally, there were losses... In exchange for the three monsters, five masters perished.

The only one who came out ahead was Kai... But for some reason, he wasn't happy...

Only now did he truly realize that he needed to watch over the lives of the group! Without it, he would also die instantly! If flying monsters appeared, they could ignore some natural arrays. In such a case, he wouldn't be able to defend himself against them comfortably.

"This was dangerous... I feel that even without instigation and deliberate traps, I will get enough blood..." Kai thought, wiping sweat from his forehead.

Previously, he had deliberately chosen more difficult routes to feed on the weak. He thought that by moving through arrays, he was in complete safety. Kai reasoned that he could do the same with the monsters as he did with Bahar... But reality turned out to be much more merciless.

"I take my words back... My situation isn't much better than the general one..." Kai admitted, still recovering from the battle.

"It seems so, Brother Kai," Shuo said calmly. At that moment, he was breathing heavily, slightly altering his usual unshakable aura.

"They're quite tough. But it seems that your fire greatly helped us," Aoki added, also breathing heavily.

During the battle, Kai did not hesitate. Although he couldn't fight on equal terms, he was certainly not superfluous! He understood perfectly that they were all in the same boat…

"Agreed. They were forced to constantly dodge and be distracted. If we survive, I owe you one," said the swordsman named Kaba very seriously.

He was the second strongest in the younger generation of the Sword Sect. Usually, Kaba was silent and didn't participate in general conversations. One could say that he only spoke when necessary.

"Let's first find our elders... Because even I am now unsure of our success... He-he," Kai joked, lightening the mood.

"Guys, is everyone okay?" Aoki shouted, addressing the surviving group members.

"We have some wounded, give us half an hour!" Bahar shouted back, taking out pills from his ring.

At that moment, he and Akilah went towards the disciples of the Spirit Fire Sect. In this expedition, they were among the strongest representatives of their sect. Therefore, they took on the role of seniors. Even if they survive, they would be questioned for every life they lost! It seemed that the Spirit Fire Sect was very strict about this...

Time slowly moved forward, day after day... Far from the group of the younger generation, there was another... These were all the old monsters of the Three Sects! But their overall condition was also not the best... Many of the elders were injured, and at that moment, were actively healing their wounds.

Their surroundings resembled the ruins of a once-huge city! Everywhere lay crushed, gray stone blocks. In some places, remnants of huge columns and other ancient artifacts protruded... Perhaps, once upon a time, the city's scale even exceeded the Shadows City!

All the elders were on a kind of stone plaza, equipped as a small camp. It seemed not just a resting place, but a whole defensive point. Although it wasn't massive, it was quite sufficient for these four hundred people...

Near a large bonfire sat many people, but at the very center were the three Leaders.

"Report! What happened during our absence?" The Supreme demanded in a stern manner.

From his words, it seemed the three Leaders had just arrived and discovered the pitiful state of their subordinates.

Hearing this question, three people also stepped forward. Among them were an elder and two middle-aged women... This was Elder Traen, the Guardian from the Sword Sect, and the Priestess from the Spirit Fire Sect. All of them were roughly equal in power and status. It seemed they were recognized as the second in command among the group of elders.

"If no one objects, I will speak," Elder Traen said dryly, pausing briefly... "The monsters have become even stronger than during our last visit. As soon as you went to explore the Abyss, they immediately attacked!" The elder briefly explained the situation.

"It's not surprising... After all, they consider the Abyss their sanctuary. They rarely approach it themselves," responded the Holy Flame with a captivating and mesmerizing voice. "And what about the Monster Leader?" she asked immediately afterward.

"We don't know... He wasn't in this attack, but most likely, he is close to breaking through to the Core Sphere!" Traen replied with all seriousness.

"Such rapid progress for a monster. It's only been about two hundred years since they started causing us serious problems. It's a pity we can't track down their lair," the Head of the Shadow Sect said, frowning and stroking his chin.

"And how did it go for you, Patriarch?" Elder Traen asked respectfully.

"So far, without result. This time, even the Holy of Fire suffered a serious backlash. But there's still enough time before the closing of the Island of Reincarnation. In a few days, we will make another attempt," the Patriarch of the Shadow Sect answered openly.

V.2 Chapter 267: Kai Strength

It seemed that only the masters of the Core Sphere ventured to the so-called Abyss. And all the elders remained here, guarding the entrance against the monsters' interference.

The Sect Leaders needed maximum concentration... If hordes of monsters disrupted them, it would ruin all their plans. To the trio, all the monsters were mere nuisances, posing no threat to their lives. But the problem was not there...

If the monsters distracted them and delayed time, at some point, the Sacred Land would begin to close. In such a case, even the Core Sphere masters would have to leave to avoid being trapped in a deadly snare.

Such a failure had befallen them last time! Moreover, they did not anticipate and were not prepared for such a strong resistance from the monsters. That's why, in the last foray, each of the Sects of the Mysterious Sea Region suffered huge losses!

But this time, they were far more seriously prepared! The only problem was that they could not locate the monsters' lair and preemptively destroy them. With the power of three Core Sphere masters, it wouldn't have been an incredible feat. But each time, the monsters burrowed into the ground and evaporated...

The most dangerous among them was the so-called Monster Leader. It was an intelligent creature that effectively managed whole hordes of its subordinates. He was not foolish, so he waited until the Leaders began their endeavors near the Abyss.

Every time, sounds of strikes from the Core Sphere masters echoed in the distance... The Elders already expected a new wave of monsters. Over the past weeks, this had become a certain tradition...

"Although I did suffer a backlash... I feel like the pressure of the Abyss has lessened a bit..." the Holy Flame pondered in response.

"Yes. But it's not our doing. It's been this way since our arrival," the Supreme quickly added.

"You're right, my friend. But it only works in our favor... Perhaps this time, everything will work out," the Patriarch of the Shadow Sect replied, nodding, "After all, the potential benefits are unimaginable..." he added with determination in his eyes.

The so-called Abyss was almost at the center of these ruins. It seemed to have opened right in the middle of the city, destroying everything around it. Naturally, this was only a presumption. For the ruins were so ancient that their condition could simply be the result of time's action...

The Abyss was a half-kilometer, pitch-black hole. Its properties seemed incompatible... It simultaneously absorbed everything around it and, at the same time, ejected massive amounts of destructive energy.

This attraction was dangerous even for the masters of the Star Sphere. If any of the elders got too close, they would be instantly drawn into it! Only the fearsome beings of the Core Sphere could resist this pull. Therefore, they regularly came to the Abyss, trying to explore it...

The motivation of the trio of Leaders was clear... They were seeking ways to advance in cultivation. People who had reached the pinnacle of the world never settled for a ceiling. Previously, they had already overcome a boundary that seemed unreal to everyone else. There was an innate confidence in their uniqueness in them. And only places like the Sacred Land could give them clues and inspiration...

This Abyss was a sign that they were not all-knowing and all-powerful. And that meant there was potential for growth!

"Holy Flame... I still don't understand, why do we need such sacrifices?" the Priestess humbly asked, standing near Elder Traen.

"Don't think that we are selfish," the Supreme suddenly replied, "Secrets of this magnitude hold benefits for all. If they offer us a tiny, almost ghostly chance to discover new peaks... Then for you, they offer a tremendous potential for breakthrough into the Core Sphere!" the old swordsman added, utterly confident in his words.

Considering the character and principles of the Supreme, no one doubted his sincerity. Revolutionary discoveries affect not just the pioneers, but all subsequent generations.

"You all know why our Sects hold dominant positions in the Mysterious Sea Region..." hinted the Patriarch, "Numerous techniques and artifacts were miraculously born from the Abyss. Then, what might be hidden inside it?" rhetorically asked the Head of the Shadow Sect.

One of the secrets entrusted to those at the Elder level and above was the existence of the Abyss. It had been noticed several times that with massive outbursts of terrifying energy, items were born from it. Not always was it something useful... But sometimes, these were incredible treasures!

There were many theories and assumptions about its nature. But the main one was that it was akin to a spatial ring. It seemed that those who founded these ruins were on an entirely different level... The previous Leaders of the three Sects agreed that it was a spatial repository, holding all the treasures of this city.

But, for unknown reasons, all its inhabitants died, and the repository existed peacefully for millennia... And at one fine moment, the balance of space was disrupted! Only, this wasn't a small ring, but a far more massive construction. This incident created a new rift in outer space, forming an endless hole.

The source of this terrifying energy in the Abyss and the reason for its occasional expulsion was unclear. There were some theories about this, such as the possibility of an incredibly powerful artifact being trapped inside. Securing it could elevate the knowledge and strength of the Core Sphere masters to an entirely new level! Besides, there must be many other wondrous things inside... If the Mysterious Sea Region could gain control of it, they might become stronger than the Holy Empire, perhaps even surpassing the Samsara Temple!

"In any case, we still have time before the Sacred Land closes. Use our best pills for recovery," the Holy Flame ordered with a resonant voice that instilled awe in the listeners.

"Understood, Holy Flame! We will do so!" the woman quickly replied and bowed.

After all, the Spirit Fire Sect was a leading force in alchemy. Even with a lost limb, if the master managed to preserve it, there was a possibility of restoration. And this wouldn’t take much time!

However, if the limb was completely lost, the situation was more complicated... It would take several weeks, and the regrown limb would be weaker than the original. Only after several years of energy infusion and training could one regain their former strength. Therefore, even with the pills, no one wished to sustain such severe injuries.

Naturally, all this was only possible with the use of the finest pills. Each was incredibly valuable.

"Thank you for this, Holy Flame," the Patriarch said, nodding gratefully with a deep voice.

"We are all in the same boat now," the Holy Flame replied with a radiant smile.

The discussion continued, and only after an hour did everyone begin to disperse for recovery. Even the Leaders went to their specially equipped quarters, resembling huge tents. They, too, needed to put themselves in order and restore their energy.

Currently, tens of kilometers away from these elders, a group led by Aoki and Kai was moving. But now, their ranks were significantly thinned... Of all the people, only about thirty survived. Fortunately, Shuo and Onaga were alive... Overall, this was due to Kai's prioritization of movement advice.

During the monsters' attacks, this was of utmost importance! Knowing where to step and where not was literally lifesaving!

Every one of the survivors was heavily battered... Some were in critical condition. Considering the injuries and the increased pressure of energy, the next attack would almost certainly be their last.

For several weeks of wandering on the surface, they repeatedly found themselves on the brink of annihilation. Several times, they miraculously spotted monsters that were beyond their strength. In such moments, a lightning-fast escape ensued! If anyone lagged the group, their fate was only imaginable...

“Damn it... Will we even get out of here?!” Kai cursed in his mind. Even his mood was quite foul now...

The condition of his body also left much to be desired... Numerous injuries that couldn't heal because he constantly needed to use energy for other purposes. Even Kai's impulses were in an exhausted state...

"Stop! Not these damn bugs again!" Kai exclaimed with a grimace, immediately stopping the group.

He saw ahead, under the ground, many clusters of energy buried. A few days earlier, they had wandered onto a similar area, awakening these creatures. The result, to put it mildly, was not the best...

"Then let's go around..." Aoki said with a heavy expression on his face.

Presently, no one in the group was in a good mood. Not even an optimal one!

“The only thing that pleases me is my cultivation... But what good is it if I die in this damn Sacred Land!” Kai continued to curse in his mind, simultaneously indicating a detour.

Lately, Kai had absorbed a tremendous number of beings. Because of this, he felt he was almost at the midpoint of the Gravity Sphere! Such a rate of development was simply ludicrous! Even Kai himself doubted whether he had fallen into an illusionary array. Could everything that had happened since entering the caves just be a figment of his imagination? After all, his psyche was severely exhausted...

“In my body, there is a lot of unprocessed energy. And I don’t even have time to deal with it! If I could just sit in peace for at least a week…” Kai continued his mental monologue.

He sensed that he had real chances for a new breakthrough! All he needed was to process the energy accumulated in his body.

"It's amazing how well you're holding up. Is it because of your absorption ability?" asked Kaba, the second-strongest swordsman, calmly.

"Actually, yes... I also wanted to ask that question..." Aoki immediately supported.

Usually, such questions are taboo in the world of martial arts masters. But in this situation, it wasn't even clear if they would survive... What etiquette was there to speak of? Moreover, they had experienced too much together recently…

Now, even the mutual hatred between Kai and Bahar had faded into nonexistence... There simply wasn't time to think about it! Kai would have liked to concoct a cunning plan and throw the red-haired one into danger... But he didn't have the time to even guarantee his own survival. In such moments, hostility was not just put on the back burner, it was completely paused.

"To be honest, I don't know. Right now, nothing makes sense..." Kai replied, shaking his head wearily.

One could say he wasn't lying... Kai understood that it was due to his peculiar energy, which seemed to ignore the external. But naturally, he chose not to divulge this.

Listening to this conversation, Shuo remained silent. Of course, he had his own assumptions. He had seen Kai's energy multiple times and even fought against it. The Lone Buddha couldn't help but notice the similarities...

"Alright, I apologize for poking my nose into your business..." Kaba apologized.

"It's alright, I just don't understand anything myself," Kai replied, rubbing his forehead, "I don't like to complain... But I'm sick of this Sacred Land!" Kai exclaimed with undisguised irritation.

"Did you decide to voice the collective opinion?" Akilah asked with a wry smile, jokingly.

"Ah? What's that?! Look over there!" Just during the conversation, a stunned cry interrupted the general discussion.

All the group members had been constantly staring at the ground, carefully following Kai's every step. Over the past weeks, this had become their habit. But, as soon as the whole group raised their eyes... They saw something incredible! In the distance, on the horizon, silhouettes resembling ancient ruins were visible!

V.2 Chapter 268: Disciple on the Horizon

Gazing into the distance, everyone observed something resembling the destroyed walls of a huge city. This immediately shocked everyone! Apart from those ancient ruins underground, they had found another set! And these seemed far more vast and majestic!

"Incredible... What is that?" Akilah asked in undeniable shock, almost making an unconscious step forward. Fortunately, a boy standing behind her quickly pulled her back.

"Considering the direction... That's where we're headed, right, Kai?" Aoki asked, placing his hand on Kai's shoulder.

At that moment, Kai silently looked into the distance. He was not an exception, in fact, he stared at the horizon much longer than the rest! After all, he was the one assessing natural formations and potential paths for movement and retreat. This required incredible concentration, constant and uninterrupted!

"This..." Kai also muttered, just as shocked. It seemed he was astounded by what he saw... "We definitely need to go there. The elders must be there!" Kai exclaimed suddenly, but his face expressed certain confusion...

Hearing his words, all the remaining group members instantly revived in spirit. This was the best news in a very long time. But at that moment, no one dared to shout and rejoice... Until they found the Elders, they could die at any second.

While everyone’s faces showed joy, Shuo was deep in thought... After all, the Lone Buddha understood Kai better than the others. Despite being completely different people, they were Brothers.

"Kai, do we have problems?" the monk asked in his characteristic unemotional manner.

These words instantly dampened the enthusiasm of all who had been rejoicing...

"Yes. Those ruins are emitting an immense, even unimaginable amount of oppressive energy! In a few kilometers, the pressure could become unbearable! Its concentration is incredibly dense!" Kai said with a complicated expression.

Analyzing the situation, Kai couldn’t see any good way out... Most likely, none of those present could withstand the pressure near the ruins.

It seemed that the Abyss was releasing a massive amount of destructive energy into the air. But afterward, it methodically dispersed and spread throughout the Sacred Land. In contrast, the surroundings of the ruins were different... They were thoroughly saturated with it!

Although no one could see this, with the Eyes of Essence, Kai literally saw a dense, black fog around the destroyed walls!

"Is it that bad?" Kaba asked, clenching his teeth.

"Not just bad... It’s impossible to get to the ruins." Kai replied seriously, plunging the group into despair.

In Kai's mind, various options constantly swirled. He knew he could try something... After all, it seemed that the destructive energy somehow ignored him. Maybe he could manage to reach the ruins and find the elders.

"Damn... If it weren't for Shuo and Onaga, I would just lead everyone to slaughter! Of course, I wouldn’t want to abandon Aoki either..." Kai thought, almost in a trance.

While the whole group was in a stalemate, Shuo intently watched his Brother.

"Kai, do you have some kind of plan?" the Lone Buddha asked seriously.

Presently, a decision had to be made... To reveal a part of his secrets or to sacrifice his Brother.

"Damn it..." Kai clenched his teeth, resolving himself, "Hell! What am I even thinking about?! Sacrificing Shuo is too much!" He immediately shook his head, cursing mentally.

The situation was extremely tense, prompting various thoughts... Even the most radical and inhumane ones. But still, Kai had his principles. He always valued his close ones, and he didn't have many...

After a moment of confusion, Kai collected himself and quickly said:

"There is one option," he replied firmly, "You must stay here, and I'll go for help." Without explaining further, Kai added.

"You're planning to ditch us, you b...?!" Bahar almost yelled, almost slipping into curse words, stopping himself at the last second... He understood his life depended on the person he was accusing.

"I don't have to explain myself. If you'd like, come with me, I'd be only too glad," Kai retorted contemptuously, effectively shutting Bahar up.

"Kai, but why only you? Especially since you're not the strongest in our group. How do you plan to withstand the energy pressure?" Aoki asked, puzzled. Although he didn’t believe Kai would abandon them, his proposal seemed absurd.

"There are two reasons. First — I can move much faster without the burden of you and a dozen battered cripples," he said ruthlessly, "And the second — it's my energy." Saying this, Kai waved his hand, and his palm was covered in black energy.

Kai had already demonstrated his energy in fights with monsters. But it was mixed with the Astral Flame of Sacrifice. The most important thing was, during the battle, there was too much chaos to pay attention to it. Moreover, the strange, oppressive feeling from Kai's energy merged with the general surroundings.

But now, everyone could clearly feel and see his energy, blazing on his palm.

"This... You know what kind of energy pervades the forbidden zone?!" Kaba exclaimed in total shock.

"No. I only know it's very similar to mine. That's why I can withstand the pressure much better. Most likely, my attribute is very similar to the surroundings," Kai revealed openly.

In such a situation, there was no point in hiding it. Truthfully, it couldn't be said that Kai revealed his secret, as he himself didn't fully understand what that secret was. Rather, he voluntarily disclosed one of his advantages, making himself more vulnerable.

Observing Kai's energy, various theories emerged among the group. But also, they felt that his plan might work...

"I don't care about your secrets. If you get us out of here, I'll take them to the grave with me!" a female voice suddenly exclaimed. To everyone's surprise, it was Akilah.

"Screw it... If two know, then everyone knows," Kai quickly replied, "So, Bahar? Coming with me? I'd be happy to drag you to the other side!" Kai teased, laughing contemptuously.

Hearing these words, Bahar simply turned his head and remained silent. In such a situation, he was powerless. Previously, he had reacted too quickly without thinking it through.

"Okay. Then we rely on you again! Thank you!" Aoki said, nodding with sincere gratitude.

As these words were spoken, Kai began to move to different points around the group. This initially puzzled everyone until they realized what he was doing...

At each spot where he appeared, a scorched trace of his feet was left. Kai covered his feet with the Astral Flame of Sacrifice and moved to safe points with the easiest accessibility. Those that required a specific trajectory of jump or a window of opportunity, he did not mark.

After a few minutes, they were surrounded by about fifty different points. And a few dozen meters from them, Kai even released the fire and scorched a small area several meters in diameter... Now, the group had space to move around!

"There are no natural arrays there, you can wait for me within its limits. If attacked, move only to the points I have marked," Kai quickly instructed, as if giving orders to his subordinates. At that moment, it seemed he took over the leadership from Aoki and assumed it himself. "I hope I survive... And I hope when the elders come to get you, you'll still be alive too," Kai calmly said, and without waiting for a response, used the Dance of Shadow Seals!

The group saw Kai's figure appear ten meters from them and then disappear again. Kai began his journey towards the ancient, destroyed city.

"Damn... I hope I can pull this off... Maybe I should have waited a bit longer and absorbed a few more masters?" Kai thought, periodically moving.

Sometimes, he had to stop to assess the next step. Without the group, he moved much faster, but it didn't mean he would reach the city in the blink of an eye…

After half a day, Kai finally reached an area with an incredible density of black energy. He literally saw, just a dozen meters away from him, how the black fog thickened...

"Well then... Let's try!" Kai declared with a certain anxiety, and casting aside all thoughts, he moved straight into the fog!

"Boom!" A rumble echoed in his head!

Instantly, Kai felt an incredible pressure on his body! It felt like he was about to be crushed!

"Damn!" he yelled, and instantly released his energy, completely covering his body with it!

And as soon as this happened, almost all the pressure disappeared! Surprised by this abrupt change, Kai even jumped up. Previously, he had resisted, straining every muscle in his legs and back to not fall to his knees. As soon as the suppression disappeared, Kai straightened up like an arrow, leaping a meter into the air.

Landing on his feet, he bewilderedly inspected his body, assessing its overall condition...

"How can such incredible pressure be ignored... Just a second ago, my body was literally being pressed into the ground!" Kai said, utterly bewildered.

But as soon as he thought about it, he noticed that his energy was being consumed faster than usual... He immediately realized the reason! Because he was releasing his energy into the external environment, it was instantly being absorbed by the fog!

"No time to wonder!" Kai shouted and sprinted forward!

Although he could ignore the effect of this pressure on himself, it was costing him a tremendous amount of energy! If he didn't reach the elders in time, even he would die in this strange fog!

At that moment, the three Leaders were intensely discussing something, slowly flying over the ruins of the city. It seemed they had a new idea... They were preparing for a new excursion that would take place tomorrow.

"I worry that our plan might be futile. The monsters are also constantly besieging our followers. I don't want to lose masters of the Star Sphere," the Supreme said calmly.

"Maybe we should try to break through directly?" the sweet voice of the Holy Flame suggested.

"No, it's futile. You know that two generations of Patriarchs ago, the Ancestor of the Sword Sect entered the Abyss. After that, there were no further reports," the Patriarch replied in a deep voice.

"That's true. But what if we unite?" the Holy Flame asked thoughtfully.

"What if we perish? Leave the Mysterious Sea Region without three masters of the Core Sphere?" the Supreme asked seriously, turning his head, pointing out the absurdity of the suggestion.

"Ah... I know you're right. But still, I wish..." the goddess said with a melancholic smile. But she instantly fell silent, her expression changing abruptly.

"What's the matter, Holy?" the Patriarch asked, confused, noticing the woman's reaction.

"Asai... Either I'm going mad, or your disciple is approaching the walls of the city..." In shock, the woman even lost her polite manner of speech and addressed the Patriarch by his first name.

V.2 Chapter 269: Three Sects Pride

Hearing how this incredible woman addressed him, the Patriarch was greatly surprised. This trio had known each other for centuries, but they always maintained formal address. Such informality usually only occurred in critical situations, or in scenarios that were extraordinary...

"My disciple? What are you talking about, Holy Flame?" asked the Patriarch, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

But at that moment, the old swordsman also looked towards the walls of the destroyed city. His face instantly took on an expression of surprise.

"Impossible..." he uttered briefly and immediately dashed forward!

With such speed, he could reach the city limits in a matter of seconds. Seeing this, the Patriarch and the Holy One did not delay and followed the old man.

As soon as the Patriarch turned around, his calmness instantly turned to bewilderment. Each member of the trio saw something that seemed impossible in reality. Heading their way was a young man at the level of a disciple, moving through the terrifying energy of the Abyss and myriad natural formations!

The Supreme initially thought it was an illusion created by the monsters, a peculiar provocation for unknown purposes. But as soon as the old man stopped a few hundred meters away, he immediately realized that the running boy was unmistakably human! Moreover, he was only in the Gravity Sphere!

"Asai! What kind of devilry is this?!" the Supreme demanded, turning to the newly arrived Patriarch.

At this moment, Kai continued to move through the fog, putting his last strength into maintaining a shield of energy. He was fortunate to have a lot of unprocessed energy reserves in his body, previously absorbed. A small part of it constantly replenished his reserves, allowing Kai to remain in shape for longer.

But now, he was on the brink... The last meters would likely be the hardest to overcome...

"Not far from the ruins now! I need to reduce the layer of coverage to optimize energy loss..." Kai thought tensely, looking at his feet.

But, just as he was about to place his foot on the next point... His foot just brushed the air underneath!

"What the...?!" Kai exclaimed in shock and strain.

Looking down, he saw himself rapidly rising from the ground, soaring into the air! This genuinely startled him! Of course, like Master Brud, he wanted to fly... But not in such a situation!

But as soon as Kai raised his head and started to survey his surroundings, all his anxieties were swept away... He saw three people of the Core Sphere, who were watching him with strange expressions.

"I'm saved! God, thank you! This damn Sacred Land, it's been driving me crazy..." Kai thought in elation, in his mind.

Seeing himself flying towards the trio, Kai quickly examined himself... With his Eyes of Essence, he saw that he was literally held up by foreign energy. But it was surprising that it was invisible to the naked eye.

Previously, Kai had seen each of the Leaders use their energy at the entrance to the Island of Reincarnation. It seemed that its invisibility was not due to an attribute, as in the case of the Reaper of Fear. Rather, the energy control of a Core Sphere master was too skilled.

Understanding the situation, Kai stopped releasing his own energy. As he expected, nothing dire happened. Now he was under the protection of these three... In just a few seconds, Kai was almost near them.

None of the elders had time to say anything, as Kai, still in midair, shouted first.

"Greetings to the Triad of Leaders! The Personal Disciple of the Shadow Sect – the Immortal Drunkard, pays his respects to you!" he yelled, bowing his head down.

From the side, it looked slightly comical, as Kai couldn't bend over. Only his head was lowered.

"Hahaha! Am I hallucinating?" The Holy Flame suddenly laughed clearly and softly. It seemed she was genuinely taken aback by this situation.

But she wasn't the only one in such a state... Even the Patriarch was in disbelief. Normally, this serious man showed no emotion on his face. The situation unfolding before the trio's eyes seemed like a deception...

"You are a disciple of the Shadow Sect?" the Supreme asked skeptically.

"Yes, Your Excellency! It's all recorded in my glyph!" Kai replied briefly and with incredible respect.

He understood that for these three, he was just an ant. If they suspected him of anything, he would simply cease to exist, in the literal sense of the word. He would evaporate from this world instantly!

"Supreme, he's not lying..." the man said, examining Kai from head to toe, "I have many questions. But the main one – how did you get here?" the Patriarch asked sternly, turning to Kai.

"Reporting to the Patriarch! The younger generation of the Mysterious Sea Region found an entrance to the caves and embarked on an expedition. It so happened that we unknowingly entered a forbidden zone! There are many losses, but I am not the only survivor! The rest are about twenty kilometers from here," Kai reported very briefly, without unnecessary information.

He knew that these three didn't have time to listen to the entire story of their journey. Therefore, Kai briefly outlined the main nuances. In such situations, brevity is far better than tedious explanations.

"Who's left behind?" the Patriarch asked in a deep voice.

"Mainly, only elite disciples and a few weaker ones survived," Kai replied clearly, not even mentioning names like Aoki, Bahar, and Shuo.

"The Supreme, the Holy Flame, we need to go there. It will help us better understand the situation," the Patriarch quickly turned to the two Heads and declared.

"Agreed."

"Agreed," the duo exclaimed almost simultaneously.

As soon as this was said, everything around Kai began to blur! Caught off guard by such a swift change, he couldn't even grasp what had happened! This was due to the speed at which the Heads began to move in the direction Kai had indicated.

"I was in a fog for about a day… They must be alright… Only now, there will be a plethora of questions for me…" Flying over the endless plains, Kai pondered with mixed feelings.

While the prospects of rescue were unclear, it seemed he was ready to do anything to survive… But as soon as he felt safe, he realized he would have to account for his sensitivity to natural arrays and his own energy...

"Well… Elder Traen already knows about the energy, so there should be no problems there… I've been sensitive since childhood, and I absorb blood because I'm a cultivator of the 'evil' path. That settles it!" Kai quickly summed up the concocted legend in his mind.

If they can't dodge the interrogations, then a simple and acceptable explanation is needed. Of course, no one would believe Kai, but it's unlikely the elders would force a young man to reveal his secrets. That would just be absurd...

Just a few minutes later, Kai felt his flying speed begin to slow down…

"Still, the flight is simply amazing! I wonder what it's like when you control it yourself?" Kai thought in awe.

In the last minute, he stopped worrying about the previous questions. Kai decided to let the situation take its own course… Thus, he could focus on the incredible sensation of flying. It really was something that words couldn't describe. Those who have never felt it can't comprehend the magnitude of the moment…

"These are indeed my sprouts..." the Supreme muttered with a slight frown, stopping about fifty meters above Kai's group's resting place.

"And mine..." the Holy Flame exclaimed with wide-open eyes.

At that moment, no one in the group noticed that three Heads had appeared in the sky above them. Each of the disciples was in an incredibly depressed state. Kai had left, and it was unclear whether he was alive or not… If it's the latter… Then they were indeed facing a terrifying fate!

"Shuo... If your six have betrayed us... Believe me, I'll give my life to destroy you!" Bahar shouted irritably, clenching his teeth.

"Bahar, shut up! You've already annoyed everyone! It's not fun without you!" Akilah exclaimed, in a light fury, indignantly.

It seemed that in the last day of absolute misunderstanding of the prospects, the situation had significantly heated up. Everyone was literally on pins and needles, starting to snap at each other...

"Shuo, do you think Kai will make it?" Aoki suddenly asked.

"Undoubtedly. Even if not, I'm sure that Kai will do everything in his power," the Lone Buddha replied calmly and confidently.

"What the?! Eeeh!" Suddenly, a scream was heard from one of the girls, who began to rise into the air.

No one even had time to react when, one by one, others began to ascend. But as soon as they looked up, their despair instantly turned to bliss!

"It's the Holy Flame! It's our Holy Falme!" one of the disciples of the Spirit Fire Sect almost cried out.

"Look, Bahar! It's Kai!" Akilah stretched out the words, "Because of your damned character, we all had to listen to your whining for a whole day!" The tall girl shouted with contempt.

At that moment, everything that had built up over the past weeks began to come out...

"Silence," the Patriarch said sternly, immediately cutting off all conversations. His words seemed irrefutable and were accepted as law.

As soon as the remnants of what was once a large group rose into the sky, the Supreme addressed them.

"Introduce yourself. I see you're the strongest of my younger generation," the old man said calmly.

"Greetings, Your Excellency! My name is Aoki!" he replied with the deepest respect.

"How did you end up here?" followed the next question from the Head of the Sword Sect.

"Briefly or in detail?" Aoki quickly asked back.

"In detail. We've already heard the brief version," the old man replied calmly, stroking his chin.

It seemed that the Patriarch and the Holy Flame supported the candidness of the one being questioned. If assessing honesty, then the best masters in this aspect are the swordsmen of the Sword Sect.

"Reporting. Initially, we found an opened entrance to underground caves. Then we assembled an expedition from all who were willing, and went to explore. At a certain point, we approached the boundary of the forbidden zone. Because the guy behind you had incredible innate abilities, we were able to pass through natural formations," Aoki explained honestly, in one breath, "We broke the prohibition and decided to continue. But after some time, some decided to return..." the swordsman continued.

Aoki went on and on, accounting for the smallest details. He definitely had no chance to lie to his Supreme!

As the three Heads listened, faint traces of pride occasionally appeared on their faces. They realized that these young sprouts had made their way independently! This was not mere coincidence! Those who survived would definitely become a strong support for the power of the Sects. They just needed to wait for them to grow. Such was the mindset of these elders of the Core Sphere.

The elders continued to listen... And only when they heard the phrase about the end of the world did their faces slightly change...

V.2 Chapter 270: Patriarch Audience

The tale of the apocalypse did not seem to greatly surprise them. It appeared they were already familiar with such a theory, or had suspicions of their own. However, the existence of an underground city noticeably piqued their interest…

Only after hearing Aoki's entire story and a moment of silence, the Heads decided to respond.

"A worthy generation. You've passed through a real trial and have now become stronger. However, alas, your adventures come to an end. Until the closure of the Sacred Land, you will be under our care. We cannot take you beyond the forbidden land," the Supreme praised in a restrained and stern manner.

"It's a pity that so many promising disciples died. But it's a natural process, nothing can be done about it," the Holy One of Fire said softly, looking at her disciples and shaking her head.

It seemed that each of the elders tactfully avoided any comments about Kai. Firstly, he wasn't their disciple, and they didn't want to offend the Patriarch. After all, they had an alliance of three Sects in the Mysterious Sea Region. Secondly, even the masters of the Star Sphere were ashamed to meddle in the affairs of the young. But most importantly, these elders had witnessed too many wonders in their lifetime... Such things simply couldn't surprise them.

The most they felt was a slight envy towards the Shadow Sect. It was clear that a formidable opponent had emerged in their ranks. Of course, right now he was just a defenseless ant... But his potential alone spoke volumes...

"Let's head to the camp. I think you all need some rest," the Patriarch calmly said and, turning around, flew towards the ruins of a huge city.

"Tell Traen to bring you to me. You have two hours to rest," the Patriarch's stern voice suddenly echoed in Kai's mind.

Hearing this, Kai said nothing, merely nodding inconspicuously.

"Damn! I was just glad the old men didn't care about me! But it seems I was too quick to conclude!" Kai mentally cursed, following the Patriarch's voice.

Kai's expectations were twice deceived, so now he felt mixed emotions... He seemed ready for such a conversation, yet at the same time, he was not...

The three elders in the Core Sphere swiftly flew through the air, providing the younger ones with one of the most wondrous experiences of their lives. Considering they had just escaped death's clutches, it was impossible to contain their smiles and joy. They did not shout with delight, only because it was inappropriate in front of the Heads.

Within minutes, they saw the tent camp approaching, two hundred meters in diameter. Though calling it a tent camp was a stretch, as it mainly consisted of spacious marquees. Around the perimeter stood several elders from the three Sects. It appeared they were serving as guards…

It simply didn't make sense... Masters of the Star Sphere standing guard! But then again, they probably rotated in shifts. Also, a semi-transparent dome was visible, protecting the camp.

"Hmm... That's a protective array. And it's of a very high level! But why do a group of these elders need such formidable protection? Is the overwhelming energy that harmful to them?" Kai exclaimed in his mind, assessing the situation ahead.

The first thing that came to Kai's mind was protection from the strange energy that permeated this city. After all, if it's possible to shield oneself from it, why not do it?

As the Patriarchs began to descend, carrying several dozen juniors with them, all the Elders were flustered! They couldn't understand what was happening... How had their Heads managed to rush beyond the forbidden zone and retrieve the juniors? And most importantly, why?

As soon as everyone landed, an elder familiar to Kai appeared before the Patriarch. Trusted people also approached the other two Heads.

At that moment, Kai exchanged glances with Elder Traen. And it must be said, he had never seen such a strange expression on the face of this stern man.

"Prepare a tent for the young sprouts. Their adventures have ended, so you can divide them among the three camps," the Patriarch ordered calmly.

It seemed that he wanted to divide this group based on their Sect affiliations. This was logical, as they certainly didn't need squabbles among the fledglings, which would only cause disturbance and create chaos.

"Understood, Patriarch! Disciples of the Shadow Sect, follow me!" Elder Traen shouted sternly.

Similar commands were shouted by two women, calling members of their Sects to them.

All the elders looked curiously at the newcomers. Each had many questions, but they tactfully refrained from asking them. Most likely, they would soon learn the whole backstory of this unusual, almost unreal situation.

"Hello, Elder Traen. In two hours..." Kai began, speaking from a distance...

"I know," the elder interrupted calmly, "So, we'll stop here! I'll provide you with tents, set them up yourselves!" The elder loudly commanded and took out a small ring from a pouch on his belt.

He quickly pulled out several folded massive bundles, throwing them to the ground. It seemed that this ring held a multitude of things intended for expeditions.

"These marquees should be enough for you. Behave quietly and don't get in the way. This is a dangerous place, so even here you can die. However, your situation is now much better than in the recent past. Rest," Elder Ovian said quickly and disappeared.

But before that, a brief phrase echoed in Kai's mind:

"Come to the landing site of the Heads in two hours."

But Kai hadn't even had time to gather his thoughts when a loud exclamation was heard!

"Thank you, Kai! I don't know how we would have survived without you!" a girl from the Shadow Sect shouted with sincere gratitude. And she was one of the strongest representatives of the younger generation!

"I agree, Brother Kai. Thank you for saving us," Shuo added with a barely noticeable smile.

It seemed that the Lone Buddha had never doubted Kai during this time. They had communicated during every break and exchanged words while on the move. Shuo had intentionally stayed third in the column, right behind Aoki.

At that moment, practically every disciple began thanking Kai. If, as the elders said, creating useful connections is essential, then Kai had achieved impressive results in this matter!

This became even more apparent when, after an hour, disciples from the Spirit Fire Sect and Sword Sect began arriving at the tent of the Shadow Sect. Each of them came to thank Kai.

Aoki was one of the first to arrive, and he also informed that in two hours they would gather to divide the findings. After all, they had found a vast amount of useful things!

It seemed everyone was still recovering from the shock, as they hadn't even remembered this. Only the swordsman's words reminded everyone of another incredibly pleasant matter!

Yes, their adventures in the Sacred Land were over... But their findings had exceeded all expectations!

To Aoki's surprise, Kai said he couldn't come and trusted Aoki to handle the division. Let him decide which items would remain in Kai's share. Especially since his percentage was much larger than the others. But at that moment, there was no one who would object to such a distribution. The fact that Kai decided to share at all was incredible.

Also, Kai quickly mentioned what items he was not interested in. Almost all alchemy ingredients were on this list. To Kai's great regret, nothing found suited that ancient recipe...

It seemed that the problem of curing Elder Mo remained unresolved... The scroll was essentially useless. Its only benefit was that Kai confirmed the existence of such pills.

During their journey through the forbidden lands, Kai had even asked Akilah about it. Although she was strange and wild for Kai, she was still a pleasant conversationalist. But eventually, it turned out that even the Spirit Fire Sect did not have such developments.

The closest thing was the Youth Pills. But they did not extend life, they just provided a cosmetic effect of rejuvenation. It seemed that most women of the Spirit Fire Sect used such medicines.

After resolving all these nuances, Kai calmly went to restore his strength. Before meeting with the Patriarch, he needed to get himself in order. And less than two hours remained...

"Alright, time to go," Kai thought to himself and opened his eyes, coming out of meditation.

At that moment, a large part of Kai's energy was restored. Finally, he began to process the energy accumulated after absorbing victims. But now, it was time to meet with the Patriarch!

As soon as Kai arrived at the designated place, Elder Traen appeared beside him. He simply nodded silently and began walking ahead, indicating the direction to Kai. Within a minute, they were approaching a large black tent.

They entered without warning or unnecessary noise, it was clear they were expected...

Upon entering, Kai saw a rather simple setting. At a large desk, the Patriarch sat, calmly observing the guests.

"Younger greets the Patriarch!" Kai said respectfully and quickly knelt down.

"Alright, you can stand up," the man said in a deep voice, "Now, tell me in more detail. How did you manage to lead this group out, and how did you withstand the pressure of the Abyss's energy?" he added seriously.

"Responding to the first question!" Kai quickly began, "Since childhood, I've been very sensitive to energy. So much so that I can remotely sense the structure of an array. Therefore, I am also a Master of Arrays. This helped me lead the group through safe paths. But still, we lost many people... My skills are imperfect!" Kai explained with utmost confidence in his words.

"Hmm... Such skills will bring countless benefits to the Shadow Sect..." the man said, rubbing his beard with interest.

"Patriarch, they already have," Traen interjected, "The Alchemy-Enhancing Array is the work of the Immortal Drunkard," the elder quickly added.

"Is that so? Good... Very good..." the man repeated twice, "But answer my second question. It's more delicate," the Patriarch said suspiciously, looking at Kai.

It seemed that at that moment, he was trying to see right through Kai...

Just as Kai wanted to reply, Elder Traen spoke first.

"Patriarch, actually, I've already investigated this phenomenon. But I didn't think Kai would make it here during this opening of the Island of Reincarnation. I thought to wait until the boy grew stronger and take him with me next time," the elder quickly replied.

"More details," the Patriarch demanded sternly, turning his gaze to his subordinate.

"During the Tournament of the Hundred, Ovian and I noticed something strange... The energy of the Immortal Drunkard is incredibly similar to the energy of the Abyss. Therefore, I immediately interrogated this lad," Elder Traen honestly explained the situation and his conclusions.

"Excuse me for interrupting," Kai said apologetically, bowing, "I've already checked, and this strange oppressive energy is not identical to mine. But!" emphasizing his point, Kai spoke clearly, "They are incredibly similar! So much so that most of the pressure doesn't affect me! All I feel when I release energy... is that it's absorbed with incredible rates!" Kai explained with complete sincerity.

He realized that in this case, it was better not to lie and to tell the truth. Moreover, perhaps the Patriarch could shed some light on what was happening...

V.2 Chapter 271: Abyss

Kai understood that he is currently knowing and comprehended too little... Especially about the so-called Sacred Land, its origins, and its strange energy. For some reason, the Patriarch called it the energy of the Abyss, which was unclear to Kai.

As Traen and Kai explained, the Patriarch slightly frowned...

"Show me your energy," the man ordered curtly.

Kai didn't hesitate and immediately covered his palm with black, flaming energy. A slight atmosphere of suppression and terror appeared in the tent, similar to the one outside the protective dome. Naturally, for these two monsters, Kai's pressure simply didn't exist...

"Interesting. Indeed, very similar... Now I understand better how you managed to approach the city walls. Though it's surprising that you had enough energy..." the Patriarch said intently, watching Kai, "It seems we have a promising young man in our ranks." he added, with barely noticeable sparkling eyes.

"His Master is Mo," blurted out Elder Traen suddenly.

"Hmm?" Raising an eyebrow with slight surprise, the Patriarch said, "So, it wasn't in vain that I allowed him to leave for an indefinite period. In return, he has sent us a very valuable student." he added, showing a faint smile.

It seemed he had already taken notice of Kai and knew how to use him for certain purposes. To attract such attention from the Patriarch at such a young age... It seemed that Kai's influence and connections were becoming broader and broader, slowly surpassing even the middle-ranking elders.

"Do you know the origin of your cultivation technique?" the Patriarch suddenly asked.

The question sounded quite harsh... But in such a situation, Kai's life was literally in the Patriarch's hands. He had no option but to answer...

"No. I come from an orphanage, so I think it's clear from whom I received it..." Kai replied with a slightly cold intonation.

In such moments, he couldn't be maximally polite and fully suppress his dissatisfaction with the question. Such things were hated by any martial arts master. Kai was one of those people who, under threats, would take their secrets to the grave rather than reveal them to others.

"Don't take it to heart. I don't need anything you have. But the answers could provide incredible benefits for the entire Mysterious Sea Region." Ignoring Kai's behavior, the Patriarch calmly replied, "I think you need to come with me to the Abyss." he added quickly, and immediately rose from his chair.

As soon as this happened, Kai's figure once again soared above the ground.

"Patriarch..." Elder Traen said, slightly bewildered.

"Calm down. He is under my protection." The Patriarch stated firmly and exited the tent, dragging Kai along.

Instantly, everything before Kai's eyes blurred! He was moving through space at a tremendous speed! Below his feet, he saw views of once-majestic streets, now lying in ruins...

At one moment, Kai felt all his hair stand on end! Even under the Patriarch's protection, his body experienced a shock! He looked into the distance and saw a huge black hole in the ground!

"What is this..." Kai muttered in astonishment.

"This is likely where your technique originated from," the Patriarch replied, not hiding anything.

At that moment, the Abyss lay before Kai's eyes! They were now at a certain distance from it. If you looked closely, within a hundred meters of its edge, the ground was very flat... There were no ruins! It seemed that the Abyss absorbed everything that came too close to it.

"My technique came from there? Patriarch, what do you mean?" Kai asked, completely shocked and confused.

Naturally, he had already begun to guess what the Patriarch was trying to tell him. But still, all the details were unclear.

"The entire city itself is an ancient artifact. And it perfectly shows that our understanding of history is imperfect. Most likely, a more powerful civilization existed before," the Patriarch replied slowly.

It seemed that although he was confident in his words, he did not know the backstory in such fine detail as Kai... But, as expected, the world's strongest did not believe in the 20-30 thousand-year history of humanity. They have the opportunity to see facts that directly contradict this statement.

Without waiting for Kai's reaction, the Patriarch continued:

"We assume that the Abyss is an ancient spatial repository undergoing destruction. But inside, there are still many things that can shed light on history. And most importantly... These things can provide an opportunity for the growth of the entire civilization! If we can open it... We will gain incredible benefits for the entire Mysterious Sea Region!" the Patriarch exclaimed with undisguised enthusiasm.

"But what about my technique?" Kai asked tactfully.

"During the closing of the Island of Reincarnation, the Abyss emits large streams of energy. And with it, various things... Do you guess where Mo got your technique from?" the Patriarch asked rhetorically, glancing sideways at Kai.

"So that's it! Master Mo got the Invisible King's Torture Technique from this Abyss! And then, he went into seclusion to try to cultivate it... Most likely, he also got his injury inside the Island of Reincarnation!" Kai suddenly realized, exclaiming in his mind.

Finally, a piece of the puzzle fell into place, offering Kai at least some answers!

"So... Do I have a certain affinity with this place?" Kai asked in shock and bewilderment.

"That's not necessarily the case..." the Patriarch ambiguously replied.

"Oh? Why is that?" Kai asked, becoming even more confused.

"It's likely that the overwhelming energy is not emitted by the Abyss itself... But something inside it. It's that with which you have an affinity," the Patriarch explained unhurriedly.

"The Abyss... Something inside it... The Invisible King's Torture Technique and the book where Kessia is sealed... How is all this connected? Some things became clearer, but others are still shrouded in mist... And how to open this Abyss? Is it even possible?" Kai's mind raced with dozens of questions, plunging him into deep thought.

But now, at least, it became clear how so many interconnected things appeared in one region. Most likely, they were inside the Island of Reincarnation and slowly spread throughout the Mysterious Sea Region.

The Crimson Book was lost because Kessia needed someone with a Spiritual Sea, but not an old man. She promptly killed all the others! Therefore, everyone tried to get rid of this unwanted and cursed item... Thus, the Book of Kessia slowly descended to the very bottom.

Perhaps that's why it was linked with the Invisible King's Torture Technique. But then, why did she show such contempt for the name of the Astral Emperor of Alchemy? Wasn't he one of the strongest before the civilization's demise?

All these reflections streamed through Kai's consciousness... Although he continued to feel perplexed, at the same time, he felt a slight relief. After all, he had received some answers... And this meant that he had made progress!

"I brought you here to make you understand my intentions. What is hidden in the Abyss will help us all," the Patriarch interrupted Kai's musings.

"But why are you telling this to someone as young as me?" Kai asked, coming back to his senses with genuine confusion.

"It's simple. You have immense potential, and I believe you realize it. Also, you have an affinity with this energy. If my generation cannot unlock the secrets of the Abyss, you will be one of those on whose shoulders this task will fall! For the Shadow Sect to continue its dominance in the region, it needs strong followers. But now, it's still too early to talk about this," the Patriarch explained in a deep voice and turned towards the camp.

He had learned everything he wanted. And even tested Kai a bit... The Patriarch had shown Kai what he should aspire to and pointed out his uniqueness. Such things help cultivate geniuses, and the Patriarch understood this well. Of course, he had his own selfish goals, but that's how the entire world of martial arts masters operated...

Overall, the leaders roughly understood that this time they would fail again. They couldn't open the Abyss, despite the organized Elders who provided them with peace. Most likely, their approach was wrong...

But seeing Kai's abilities... If in decades, he can break through to the Star Sphere... That could change everything! Perhaps he will come up with fundamentally different ideas, based on his unique energy. The Patriarch understood that he was ready to wait not just a decade, but even a century!

As soon as Kai was returned to the camp, the Patriarch and Elder Traen left, discussing the underground city.

It seemed that they decided to change their strategy... They had an idea of where the hordes of local inhabitants might be hiding. If the elders could find their lair, then the monsters faced extinction! If there were no monsters, then not only the Leaders but also the Elders could work over the Abyss. It's like opening the passage to the Island of Reincarnation. Perhaps they lacked the final push!

Assuming that the underground city discovered by the group of disciples was not the only one of its kind... Then it was clear where the monsters had settled!

Thinking about this, Kai was only saddened by one thing...

"Damn! Why can't I go with them? It's literally rivers of blood! How much would my lineage improve? What a loss..." Kai thought sadly, shaking his head, "Well, at least the interrogations ended well. Moreover, I clarified some things for myself..." Kai continued his monologue.

But at that moment, his thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice!

"Catch, Kai!" Aoki shouted cheerfully.

As soon as Kai heard the shout, he turned around. A small bag, with something jingling inside, was already flying towards him. Catching it, he quickly asked in response:

"What's this, Aoki? Did you finish so quickly?" Kai asked, perking up.

"You cleverly dumped everything on me. It was tough, you know," the swordsman replied with a smile.

"Oh come on. You were the group leader, so everyone's used to listening to you. Don't be modest," Kai teased with a smile.

"The discussions were intense... They fought over every item, and don't even get me started on negotiating the prices," Aoki said, shaking his head tiredly, "Inside are three rings, where your share lies," he added with a smile.

"Thank you so much, Aoki!" Kai sincerely thanked the swordsman, looking at him.

He didn't even check the contents, as he was fully confident in the honesty of this guy from the Sword Sect. If Aoki consistently showed this trait even at the brink of life and death, it was unlikely he would decide to deceive anyone now.

"It's me who should thank you. I survived and got my sword, all thanks to you," Aoki replied warmly, looking at the sword hanging at his waist.

After exchanging a few more words, the duo said goodbye and headed to their respective tents. Kai decided that his first priority would be to recover to the peak of his strength. Then, he would see what was left in the three rings...

"If I process all the absorbed blood and energy... I'll be close to the middle of the Gravity Sphere! And if there's something useful in the rings... Maybe I'll even make another breakthrough! Heh-heh," Kai thought, returning to his mischievous smirk in anticipation.

V.2 Chapter 272: Massacre

At that moment, Kai was sitting calmly in a spacious tent allocated to the disciples of the Shadow Sect. They had purposely divided the entire area with partitions so that no one would disturb each other. Moreover, Kai had drawn an energy-concealing array around himself. Now, he wasn't particularly worried that his energy surges would surprise anyone.

For several days now, Kai had been absorbing the accumulated energy in his body. In turn, it constantly moved to the Energy Center and was processed by clouds. The black bead in the center was growing larger and larger... Initially, the size of a grain of rice, it was now slightly bigger than a pea.

The surrounding atmosphere had changed... It seemed just a bit more, and its attraction would reach a new level.

This meant only one thing — the middle of the Gravity Sphere was close!

Kai diligently and painstakingly processed everything that had accumulated over the long journey. He felt not only an enhancement in cultivation, but also his body growing stronger before his eyes! He even pondered over what gradation of physical strength existed... If the Invisible King's Torture Technique was cultivated in Kessia's homeland, then she definitely must know something.

Also, Kai went through all the items in the rings provided by Aoki. There were quite a number of useful items he could use in the future or simply trade them for something else. Even the Elders would be interested in some of them...

But what was needed most at the moment was a flask with milky-colored liquid. They found it in one of the dead-end passages in the caves. There was a glowing ice block, inside which this liquid was contained.

It was concentrated energy of the ice attribute, which had accumulated there for a tremendous amount of time. None of the Sects in the Mysterious Sea Region specialized in such an attribute, so there was no fierce battle over this flask. For some, it could even be harmful, for instance, for masters from the Spirit Fire Sect. After all, the fire attribute would immediately conflict with the energy of ice...

Kai also had no affinity with the ice attribute. But, fortunately, his energy was too overwhelming! It absorbed everything indiscriminately and transformed it into something similar! Although Kai could only absorb a small part of this ice energy due to the difference in types, it should be enough for him!

Earlier, he had several mental debates, deciding whether or not to use the liquid in this way. After all, it was very wasteful! Kai was literally throwing away a large part of the liquid for no benefit!

But eventually, he concluded that he already had plenty of riches he wasn't using. It was better to quickly build his strength and earn something even more valuable in the future. If you fret over every treasure, you'll never get to use them...

With these thoughts, Kai opened the flask and immediately drank it all, to the last drop!

"Kghah!" Kai coughed, gasping for air and clutching his throat.

At that moment, he felt his throat icing over, and even his body temperature dropping... But Kai didn't rush to resist it, understanding that for a greater effect, he needed to wait. If he tried to neutralize this pain, he would also destroy most of the beneficial substance. Kai was waiting for this energy to get closer to the Energy Center...

Enduring the pain and feeling his skin crack in some places, Kai continued to wait. The cold literally began to harm his body. This is what happens when you try to assimilate an overly concentrated, and most importantly, foreign element.

"Now!" As soon as Kai saw the icy energy in the area of his Energy Center, his entire body flared up with black energy!

As soon as this happened, the pressure on Kai's body instantly lessened. He began to greedily absorb all the blue energy that was streaming into him, trying to freeze the Cloud Sphere.

But it was futile... Kai's black energy, like a predator, pounced on the intruder and immediately began devouring it. The clouds in the Energy Center started producing black droplets at an immense speed.

"Perfect! That should be enough!" Kai mentally exclaimed and continued the struggle.

The process of absorbing the energy lasted more than three days. It was neither an easy nor a fast process... But the result was definitely worth it!

Kai's black bead suddenly pulsed slightly... At that moment, it became a bit larger than a pea! This was the stage in the middle of the Gravity Sphere! The droplets in the clouds further increased the speed of their creation and flight to the center.

At that moment, Kai still had some icy energy left, and he continued to absorb it... But now, he noticed a slight change... The bead was not increasing in size as fast as before. Absorbing energy, it became stronger, but its size no longer changed. It seemed that now it was increasing its density, not its volume!

After a few days, Kai emerged from the Shadow Sect disciples' tent. There was some hustle and bustle around, and the elders were rushing about the camp, fervently discussing something. It seemed that everyone was preparing for something…

Not understanding what was happening, Kai calmly went for a walk to figure things out… After a while, he saw Shuo standing nearby, also observing the commotion.

"Greetings Brother Shuo! Is something interesting happening here?" Kai asked with a laugh.

Hearing the voice beside him, Shuo slightly smiled and turned towards Kai.

"Greetings Brother Kai! Right now, here…" he began to explain, but quickly fell silent… "What's with your cultivation?" he asked with shock in his eyes.

He understood what was happening, but couldn't believe it… Kai had broken through to the Gravity Sphere only recently, but again he made a small breakthrough! Such cultivation speed was simply demonic!

"And what about it? Heh-heh," Kai replied, pretending to be clueless. He wanted to tease Shuo a bit.

"I am almost at the peak of the Gravity Sphere. And I expect to enter the Star Sphere in about a decade… It's just that…" Shuo, showing uncharacteristic emotions, mumbled.

"I told you I'm following in your footsteps. Brother Shuo, at this rate, I'll definitely surpass you!" Kai provocatively stated.

He rarely had the chance to joke with Shuo, so he tried to seize every opportunity. And the current situation seemed like the perfect moment. Kai wasn't worried that he might offend the monk. Over the course of their acquaintance, he had gotten to know this guy's character quite well.

"It seems you're right. This is indeed an astonishing speed," Shuo sincerely praised Kai, without a trace of envy, "If you become the Patriarch, take me into the Shadow Elders," he joked in his usual emotionless manner.

"Only if you prove worthy!" Kai teased back.

"Could it be otherwise?" the monk replied with a slight smile.

After these words, Shuo looked intently at Kai. He seemed to be deep in thought about something… Only after a few seconds did he calmly shake his head and say:

"It seems the Elders have decided to do something about the monsters. I heard that there are whole hordes of them and they keep attacking the camp… Recently, the Patriarch, the Supreme, and the Holy Flame went somewhere…" Shuo explained thoughtfully.

As soon as these words were spoken, a loud explosion was heard in the distance!

"Do-doom!" Even the ground under their feet trembled slightly!

"What's happening?!" Kai exclaimed, instantly on alert.

At that moment, all the Elders quickly drew their weapons and ran to the perimeter of the camp. It seemed they were ready for a fierce battle!

Seeing this, Kai didn't hesitate; he immediately followed the elders. Naturally, he didn't get too close, maintaining a distance. Shuo also didn't want to wait on the sidelines and followed suit.

"What the hell..." Kai almost dropped his jaw in astonishment.

"My God..." Shuo also expressed shock, catching up with Kai at that moment.

On the horizon, a several-thousand-strong army appeared, consisting of the most diverse monsters. Some of them were familiar to Kai, but the majority were entirely unique.

This mass roared and instantly charged towards the camp! Kai saw that among those monsters were even some at the Star Sphere level! They were far fewer than the Elders... But this did not make the situation any easier, as the number of monsters at the Gravity Sphere level was simply countless! Such a force was incredibly formidable! Even the elders would have difficulty fighting them all!

"Head deeper into the camp if you don't want to die. But try to observe. What you will see today will open your eyes to the world," a dry voice sounded near Kai and Shuo.

They hadn't noticed, but Elder Traen had appeared beside them, ordering them to leave. It seemed something legendary was about to start! This was why these elders had been so agitated in the last few minutes...

Hearing this, Kai and Shuo just respectfully nodded and quickly ran away. But along the way, Kai suddenly exclaimed.

"Shuo, let's go to that pillar! We need to see what's happening on the battlefield!" Kai shouted and ran towards a half-destroyed stone pillar.

Even in its dilapidated state, it was several dozen meters tall. Drawing his daggers, Kai began to nimbly climb up! Shuo also didn't delay and started scrambling up after him. He didn't use weapons, only his energy-infused palms.

As soon as Kai reached the top and turned towards the battlefield, he saw a staggering scene! The monsters were running towards them... But from such a height, it seemed like a whole river, sweeping away everything in its path. Moreover, this stream was spreading out like a net, it was not uniform.

"They know the location of the natural formations!" Kai exclaimed in astonishment, looking at the scene before him.

This horde was moving straight along the free paths! They didn't step on the territory of the formations at all. That's why their movement was so strange and resembled a net.

"They're about to clash!" Shuo loudly exclaimed, watching as the Elders began to summon their power and also moved forward!

And at that moment…

"Ba-baam! Zzz! Bang!" An incredible cacophony of diverse energies exploded!

The diverse energies of the Elders spread out for tens, hundreds of meters around! Moreover, some energies amplified each other! Various Manifestations of Energy also began to appear all over the field! The Elders immediately began to push back an entire horde, and it consisted not of ordinary animals!

"This is incredible…" Shuo uttered in astonishment.

Even the usually calm Lone Buddha was in complete shock.

Monster blood flowed like a river! Watching this, Kai's heart began to beat strangely, and his body pulsated... He felt like he was ready to leap into the fray right now!

"What's happening to me?! Is this a reaction of my lineage?!" Kai thought in bewilderment, assessing the strange reaction of his body.

He understood that this thirst came not from his greed, but it was physical! He wanted to absorb all this blood flowing on the ground! Only his understanding that even the residual energies from the battle would ensure his instant death held him back!

"I've never experienced anything like this before…" Kai thought warily, pressing his palm to his heart.

V.2 Chapter 273: Bloody Madness

Before the boys' eyes, a battle of incredible scale unfolded. It was truly a majestic event! Each of the old men present was in the Star Sphere. Their Energy Manifestations were vast and varied!

Literally, every attack by the human masters struck vast spaces. But at the same time, the monsters were not idle either… Though they lacked intelligence, their instincts were much sharper. Also, the strongest of the monsters created something akin to an Energy Manifestation. Mostly, it was an image of themselves, created from energy.

All these streams of energy collided in the air, creating massive explosive waves. At that moment, Kai and Shuo instantly crouched down and clung tightly to the post under their feet, for they could have been blown away…

“Bang! Bang!” The endless explosions on the battlefield continued.

Kai's heart literally leapt out of his chest in time with these explosions... It was so uncomfortable that Kai felt as if his entire body itched. The muscles of his whole body began to tense involuntarily...

“What the devil is this?! Is this my lineage reacting?!” Clenching his teeth, Kai thought in astonishment.

This thirst was truly unbearable… He even began to be distracted from the legendary spectacle before him. All that now troubled him was blood! Not just blood… but entire rivers of blood!

“Kai, are you okay?” Noticing his Brother's strange behavior, Shuo asked.

“Yes… Everything is fine… I'm just a bit shocked.” Kai replied, forcing himself.

“It seems the old men are pressing the monsters.” Observing the horizon closely, Shuo remarked.

“I never imagined they possessed such power…” Clenching his teeth, Kai added.

The old men delivered devastating blows to the army of monsters, but they kept pressing on. Among them, there were also forceful representatives... Sometimes, their counterattacks struck the human masters. But eventually, there were fewer strong monsters.

“Raaar!” Suddenly, a roar of deafening loudness sounded! Even Kai and Shuo instinctively covered their ears with energy.

At that moment, a fairly massive red monster appeared in the distance. Two huge horns protruded from its head. In its hands, it held some ancient two-handed axe, and its entire body blazed with gray energy.

As soon as this horned creature appeared on the battlefield, everyone was enveloped by a rather overwhelming energy!

“This is the Monster Leader. I heard the Elders talking about it!” realizing what was happening, Shuo exclaimed in astonishment, “They said he is close to breaking through to the Core Sphere… But these are just rumors…” The monk continued to explain.

As Shuo was telling this, the red monster demonstratively raised its axe above its head...

Swoosh!

“Hush! Bang!” The sound of the air being cleaved was heard, followed by a massive explosion!

The Monster Leader's axe sent forth a massive arc of gray energy. It mercilessly swept across the entire battlefield! He spared, not even his own subordinates!

Just as this energy was about to strike the positions of the human masters, an old man, familiar to Kai and two women appeared in front of them!

Elder Traen instantly spread his arms, and beside him materialized a large human figure, created from purple energy! It resembled the old man himself, but at a younger age. As if it were a projection of himself! Immediately after this, a huge Crimson Bird and an incredibly beautiful green sword flew past him.

This was a joint attack of three people at the level of Shadow Elders!

As soon as the four energies collided, Kai and Shuo were blinded by a bright light! And the next second, they felt a sense of weightlessness… They were instantly blown away by the explosive wave!

“Bang!” Only after that, a deafening crash sounded, causing the boys' lungs and all internal organs to ache! This explosion was truly monstrous!

“Kha-kha! Kgaah!” Trying to catch his breath, Kai coughed gaspingly.

“What was that… What kind of power is this?!” Holding his head in shock, Shuo exclaimed.

At that moment, even he was not in optimal condition. He might be considered the top of the younger generation, but it didn't mean he had ever witnessed battles of such scale.

“Let's get back!” Kai yelled, running back to the pole. He quickly began to climb the pole. Now, even his bloodthirst had vanished for a second.

Without a word, the two quickly scrambled to the top, and looked around in astonishment… The battle continued! But it seemed that the Elders had taken substantial damage, as the line of monsters was approaching closer and closer…

“Kga-ka-kag!” A strange, grunting laugh sounded from afar! The Monster Leader was laughing! One might even say he was exulting!

But suddenly, all this merriment was interrupted by a dry, elderly voice.

“Had your fun? Now taste true power.” The old man said calmly and composedly.

It was the Supreme! Now, he calmly stood in the sky and watched the battle... In that instant, the face of the Monster Leader changed rapidly! It seemed he did not expect such a turn of events. The Head of the Three Sects should not be here!

At the indication of a slight wave of the hand, the Supreme's large sword soared into the air. And as soon as the old man lowered his hand, the huge blade silently cleaved through the air…

It seemed as if the whole world paused for a moment... All sounds vanished, even the movement of blood in the bodies of those around them halted. The heart of every living creature awaited the old man's next move, not daring to precede him...

“Sssh!” A short, sharp sound was heard!

“Bang!” Immediately afterward, a resonant crash rang out and the earth trembled!

Before Kai and Shuo's eyes, an unreal scene unfolded... They could not believe what was happening...

The battlefield literally split in two! The Supreme's strike actually created a narrow and deep canyon! Moreover, its walls were perfectly even! Every monster caught in the line of the attack instantly died... Not even a hint of their existence remained...

“Shuo, what the hell was that?!” Kai asked, trembling slightly in shock.

Even considering his usual composure and self-confidence... Kai would be lying if he said he wasn't scared right now...

“I don't know. But I'm relieved about one thing.” Shuo said, still in a trance.

“What's that?” Kai asked, not taking his eyes off the split, unconsciously.

“That the Supreme is on our side... Hah…” Shuo replied with a strange chuckle.

Hearing this response, Kai wasn't in the mood to laugh...

"Is this the power of a master at the Core Sphere?! I didn't even feel his energy! What kind of attack was that?!" Kai thought, shocked.

During the Supreme's attack, there was only a short, ordinary swing of the sword. No Energy Manifestations, not even ordinary traces of energy, as in the case of opening the Island of Reincarnation. Back then, the old man showed it in his attacks. But as it turned out... His true power lies far beyond those weak attacks!

At the last moment, the Monster Leader managed to dodge. Or perhaps he was allowed to...

“Raaar!” Another ferocious roar of the red monster sounded, and the entire horde instantly turned and fled.

But as they ran, their bodies were slowly absorbed by the ground! In some strange way, they were buried with incredible speed. Previously, everyone thought it was some kind of strange concealment technique or illusion. However, after the younger generation's words about the underground city... The elders had their own vision of the situation!

“Want to leave?” The Supreme asked with unwavering will.

“We're after him. Counting on another Heavenly Slice.” Suddenly, another imposing and bass voice sounded.

Beside the Supreme flew the Patriarch and the Holy Flame, deciding to pursue the Monster Leader. If he led them to his lair, the Supreme would open the way to it. Another sword strike, and simply digging in won't do!

“Forward, after the Heads!” Elder Traen shouted, along with several other of the strongest Elders.

Upon seeing that the Heads of the Mysterious Sea Region had arrived, the monsters immediately began to retreat. This opportunity couldn't be missed! The human masters wanted to destroy as many of them as possible! The more they killed now, the fewer problems there would be in the future!

Kai and Shuo's two still perched atop the pole… They watched as the Elders chased after the monsters. They moved across corpses that carpeted the battlefield like a net. Moving in this way, they didn't need to worry about natural formations. Although the formations didn't pose a great danger to the Elders anyway. But still, mass formations required time to navigate. But now, there was no time for that. Immediate action was necessary!

Seeing people and monsters retreating from the city walls in a mix, Kai's eyes glittered with greed. But it wasn't just that… His body was screaming with the desire to head to the battlefield! He was drawn to the rivers of blood! So much so, that he was ready to risk his life. And finally, the danger had passed!

“I'm going, Brother Shuo!” Kai shouted, and instantly used the Dance of Shadow Seals.

“Where? Wait!” Shuo yelled after him, unable to stop Kai.

Moreover, when the Lone Buddha saw the direction of Kai's movement, he realized he couldn't follow him. The suppressing energy would simply destroy him! Only Kai could survive in those conditions!

Rushing towards the mountains of corpses, all of Kai's thoughts seemed to dissolve... Now, he was more like a beast than a human! He didn't notice it, but at that moment, he had already activated Torture King Mode... It was an instinctive, unconscious action.

Releasing his energy outward, Kai quickly jumped off the half-destroyed city wall. And as soon as he landed... He was stunned by the smell that instantly hit his nose... Fresh blood! Rivers of fresh blood!

Like a demon, Kai lunged forward, and all the blood near him began to rise into the air and absorb into his body! Dozens, hundreds of monsters from the Cloud Sphere and the Gravity Sphere!

“Thump-thump!” A loud pulsation echoed in Kai's chest. His heart seemed to revel in ecstasy!

“Kill! Kill! He-he.” As if losing his mind, Kai uttered in a frenzy.

At that moment, more and more blood poured into his body! The red tattoos on Kai's body became denser and denser. They even began to emit a strange, frightening glow.

Kai's Energy Center was also in chaos! It seemed that even his energy couldn't keep up with suppressing and absorbing the volumes that were now pouring into its domain. Therefore, the energy slowly began to penetrate all other corners of his body.

Kai had completely lost his instinct for self-preservation... He didn't even consider that not all the surrounding bodies were dead. Among these carcasses, someone dangerous could easily be hiding...

But at that moment, Kai was utterly unconcerned about this... Moreover, with such a vast amount of blood, his Torture King Mode seemed virtually endless! Kai didn't feel the approach of any backlash; on the contrary, he only felt the strengthening of his body and combat power!

With the remnants of his sanity, Kai understood perfectly that these rivers of blood had a limited useful lifespan... Despite his desire, he couldn't consume the entire battlefield. The blood of the monsters would soon spoil. He needed to absorb as much of it as possible! But even so, these were simply unimaginable resources for the development of his lineage and cultivation!

“Hahaha! Anyone who stands in my path will be destroyed! There is only me, and my victims!” Cackling loudly in ecstasy.

V.2 Chapter 274: Sweeping the Allies

In Kai's body, immense torrents of the monsters' thick blood were ceaselessly infused. Fearlessly, he raced over the corpses, not pausing for a second. At that moment, Kai had a specific goal… To find the corpse of a creature from the Star Sphere! What would happen if he absorbed the blood of such a powerhouse?

There was a need for haste, as some of the blood had already lost its power and didn't rise into the air when Kai passed by. Yet, even considering this, Kai's Energy Center was filled to the brim. Not just it, but every cell in his body was brimming with energy, becoming a miniature power storage.

It seemed that Kai's body simply wasn't meant for such volumes… It was still too early for him to receive such an abundance of sacrifices!

“Where is it all going?! Anyway, it doesn't matter! Hahaha!” Kai laughed in a demonic manner and continued running forward.

Even through his madness, Kai noticed that despite the overflow, the blood continued to be absorbed. The process was unstoppable…

At that moment, the surrounding energy couldn't deplete Kai's strength. Even though it tried to suck everything out, the influx of energy from the blood was still much higher.

“There it is!” Kai exclaimed excitedly, looking into the distance.

He saw a large carcass lying ahead. It resembled a strange giant, with five eyes. If not for these features, one might say it looked almost human...

During the fierce battle between the masters of humanity and the monsters, this giant demonstrated immense power and attack strength. Kai realized this was exactly what he was searching for… A Monster of the Star Sphere!

Without a moment's delay, Kai moved closer to the giant. At that moment, blood began to flow from the huge body… But it moved much slower than usual…

“Obey me!” Kai shouted in fury.

His emotions were in disarray, his thirst for blood clouding his mind! Kai eagerly watched as the blood slowly streamed towards his body…

It seemed that claiming the powerful blood wasn't as simple as he had initially thought… Absorbing the blood of a creature much stronger than yourself was a difficult task. As if the blood had its own pride… It didn't want to submit to the weak!

Seeing the blood stretching towards him, Kai didn't wait but reached out his hand to meet it.

“Thump-thump!” A heartbeat sounded, pulsating straight into the brain!

“Kgh!” Kai coughed, spitting out a large gulp of blood and falling to one knee!

“What the hell?!” Kai cursed in anger, quickly stopping the summoning of the giant's blood.

As soon as a tiny drop penetrated his body, it began to destroy him from the inside. Although Kessia's lineage suppressed it in mere seconds, Kai still felt a substantial backlash.

“The blood is strong! But my body is fragile!” Kai uttered with some disdain, looking at his palms.

He realized that even with this incredible lineage, Kai's body had its limits. Yes, his flesh was constantly growing stronger... But for now, he was too weak to handle the power of a master of the Star Sphere! It was much too rich and tyrannical!

Understanding this, Kai quickly stood up and dashed in another direction. If he couldn't absorb the strongest, he would make up for it in quantity! There was still time, and plenty of blood!

Kai absorbed everything to the last drop... The longer it went on, the more insane he became... Currently, even his eyes turned completely red. Strange, inhuman growls began emanating from his mouth. The remnants of his sanity were leaving him...

This continued and continued until Kai realized that the surrounding blood no longer obeyed him. After all, it had its "lifespan"…

“Spoiled?! I need fresh!” Kai exclaimed with a devilish smirk, looking towards the camp...

He already knew where to get more blood. And this realization boded nothing good for the disciples of the Mysterious Sea Region Sects...

At that moment, Shuo stood on the city wall, enduring the pressure of the energy. Due to the surge of energy into the heavens, the energy density in the city itself was bearable. This destructive energy only began to settle a few kilometers from the walls. The Lone Buddha tried to discern Kai's current location. Earlier, he had seen something strange, but it seemed to him that it was one of the surviving monsters... But when Shuo looked again, he saw Kai running towards him.

But now, he looked quite odd. Shuo had seen this ability and appearance before... Only, Kai's facial expression was too wild. He didn't look like himself!

“Brother Kai, what's wrong with you?” Shuo called out, somewhat incredulously.

His instincts were heightened, so he instantly drew his staff. The Kai approaching the wall was not himself...

“Could it be a monster disguised as Brother?” Shuo quickly surmised.

At that moment, Kai leapt high, almost reaching the height of the wall… And at that very instant… Vanished!

“Behind!” Shuo thought swiftly and summoned his golden shield!

Shuo didn't hold back, unleashing his Energy Manifestation! It was a golden Buddha statue with dozens of hands! Without even turning around, he instantly blocked Kai's attack.

“Bang!” A loud explosion sounded from the impact! From such a blow, Shuo was instantly thrown several meters forward, catching himself at the last moment on the edge of the wall.

Due to his incredible defense, he didn't suffer serious injuries… But even so, with a single strike, Kai had flung him away! And this was while being protected by the Buddha statue!

“Don't interfere, monk! Naturally, if you want to live! Hahaha.” Kai laughed arrogantly and dashed towards the camp.

Hearing this, Shuo immediately jumped onto the wall and looked in the direction of the fleeing Kai! However, he didn't pursue him. The situation seemed very strange…

“Where does such strength come from? I'm not even sure I can withstand him…” Realizing the incredible truth, Shuo muttered to himself.

“Ba-bang!” An incredible explosion erupted near the camp! It seemed a fierce battle had begun!

“Bang!” Another explosion sounded, and red flames engulfed a large area!

In shock, Shuo tried to analyze the events unfolding in the distance. But in the next moment, he saw someone's figure thrown into the air. And then, another followed!

The Lone Buddha understood that there was no time to delay! He immediately ran towards the flying figures. They weren't flying like masters of the Core Sphere. It looked more like someone had forcefully thrown their bodies into the sky.

“Bang!” Another loud explosion.

Moving at full speed, Kai noticed that Aoki and several others were approaching him. Among them were several young generation masters who were top-ranked.

“Lone Buddha, what's happening?!” Aoki exclaimed in shock.

“I don't know! Brother Kai seems possessed!” Shuo replied on the run and continued forward.

The surrounding energy was already pressuring them. But fortunately, people like Shuo could withstand this pressure. All the masters running alongside him were also roughly at his level. Disciples like Onaga didn't dare step outside the protective array of the Elders.

They didn't slow down, and Shuo didn't even ask what happened in the camp… As soon as they turned the corner of a destroyed building, a horrifying scene unfolded before their eyes…

There stood Kai, in the guise of the Torture King, his arms elbow-deep in blood... In one of his palms, he held someone's heart…

“My God…” One of the Shadow Sect disciples uttered in dismay.

At that moment, at Kai's feet, lay Bahar's body torn in half! Everything around was in chaos and ruin, indicating a fierce battle that had taken place just minutes before. Kai's body was also covered in numerous wounds, but they were healing right before their eyes!

The heart in Kai's hands began to shrivel, followed by the pieces of Bahar... He was doing what all these disciples had grown accustomed to. Only now, it looked far more terrifying!

“If he dealt with Bahar so quickly... We might have a problem.” Aoki slowly drew his sword, stating.

“Asura Hell Domain.” Kai uttered calmly, not even turning to face the group.

Hearing this, no one understood what Kai had just muttered... But in the next instant, he appeared right in their midst!

“Trmbl!” A sound of pulsation rang out, and they were instantly engulfed in black energy.

Only a few managed to react and retreat! Among them were Shuo and Aoki! But the fate of the others was dire...

Each of the masters began to scream and attack the air! Due to their proximity, they started striking each other! Even those with the ability to resist were in a stupor. Though they didn't attack, they couldn't move either!

“Shuo, we must stop him!” Aoki shouted and instantly struck! But he didn't attack Kai, instead striking off to the side.

Seeing this, Shuo didn't hesitate, moving directly up to Kai, calling upon all his energy. His staff began to glow with golden light, and from six points on his forehead, light poured forth!

As soon as he entered the Asura Hell Domain, Shuo struck Kai in the chest with all his might! And with that, the Buddha statue also struck!

From such a blow, Kai's body was instantly thrown back, falling under Aoki's direct attack! The swordsman's technique sliced straight through Kai's chest, altering his trajectory.

“Smack!” An ancient stone door shattered into splinters, and Kai flew into the semi-destroyed house.

Fortunately, as soon as this happened, the Asura Hell Domain also vanished, releasing everyone from the world of illusions. But even in that short interval, many sustained serious injuries…

“I couldn't break his bones! Where does Kai get such terrifying strength?!” Aoki exclaimed in shock.

He hadn't held back, expecting to immobilize Kai in one move. Only it turned out that he managed to cut only his flesh…

“I don't know myself. Earlier, he only showed this ability for a second... But now, he seems to be on an entirely different level!” Shuo stated seriously, gripping his staff.

Now he understood that he was obligated to stop his Brother. Otherwise, he might cause irreparable harm. It seemed that he had stopped perceiving even him as a friend! This was completely atypical behavior for Kai! As if his very personality had changed!

While all this was happening, Kai lay in the semi-destroyed house... And on the floor, blood slowly spread.

“What the... What's happening? Have I returned to the shelter? Wasn't I... Wasn't I just...” As if in a fog, Kai tried to comprehend.

“Exactly!” He suddenly exclaimed, forcefully pushing himself off the floor, soaring several meters upwards and landing on his feet.

“Why is such rage burning in my chest?! What's happening to me?! Where am I?!” Kai instantly cried out, realizing all his recent memories.

As soon as he thought about it, foggy images of the last hours of his life began to emerge in his mind... From the moment he visited the battlefield, his mind was clouded by a terrifying thirst for blood! All instincts screamed about only one thing — the consumption of insignificant victims!

“Damn! What is this madness?! Why did this happen?!” Kai shouted to himself, trying to resist the rage inside!

V.2 Chapter 275: Bait

Kai's consciousness was slowly returning to him, but for some reason, he couldn't quell his thirst for blood...

“Where does all this energy in me come from… Absorbing so many victims is unsafe... I'm an idiot!” Kai cursed in his mind.

At that moment, he tried to stop the Torture King Mode. But to his surprise, he couldn't! His body still didn't fully obey him! Predator instincts lived separately from reason!

“The Third Law of Eternal Will. Will exists in everything living and non-living, it's an intangible entity that sets in motion all the laws of existence!” Kai stated firmly, seizing control over his body through sheer willpower!

It was very difficult, but he managed to take the first conscious step! And then a second!

Now, outside on the street, many masters were on high alert and in full battle readiness. If not for the lightning-fast reaction and synchronicity of Shuo and Aoki, many of those present would have already died. Kai seemed to be a completely different person... Previously, he was also slightly frightening, but there was a carefreeness and indifference to others in him.

But now, he more resembles a demon who revels in killings! And the most frightening thing was that he indeed had the power for it! Individually, they were no match for him! Bahar was a clear example of this...

“He's coming out!” Aoki yelled and instantly took a combat stance!

Just at that moment, Kai emerged from the destroyed door. His hair was still red, and his entire body was covered in tattoos...

“S... Stop!” Raising his hands, Kai shouted through clenched teeth.

As soon as everyone heard this, their hearts calmed down a bit... Earlier, Kai didn't respond or react to their words at all. Moreover, Kai's face had changed. Now it showed the presence of consciousness and humanity.

“Are you controlling yourself, Brother Kai?” Shuo asked seriously, also assuming a combat stance.

They still didn't trust him...

“Yes... But not completely... Brother Shuo, Aoki... Can you keep me under control for a while?” Kai asked with difficulty, “It seems I was unaware of the downside of my ability. Presently, I barely control my thirst for blood.” He added, breathing heavily.

“Gato, stay with me! Ruri, you too! Everyone else, go get treated!” Aoki instantly commanded, summoning two masters to his side.

It seemed that he believed Kai, but decided to involve more masters, so that in the worst case, they could restrain him. After all, Kai had previously shown incredible abilities.

“It's good that your consciousness has returned. But not everyone was fortunate enough to wait for this moment…” Hinting at something, Aoki said, glancing at the torn body of Bahar.

Watching the fragments, Kai recalled some foggy scenes from his memory. He realized he had ended the life of the red-haired bastard. It seemed that Kai's subconscious had chosen him as the first victim.

“I can't say I'm overly saddened. I would have killed him eventually anyway.” Kai responded with as much indifference as possible.

Flickers of rage and wildness were still visible in his face. Therefore, his normally carefree words now had a slightly different tone.

“Brother Kai, what's happening to you?” The Lone Buddha asked seriously, not releasing his staff.

“I absorbed too much blood, and the thirst simply overtook my mind!” Kai said with a hint of aggression.

“Thankfully, you didn't kill me, at least.” Shuo said with a slight smile, a bit relieved.

He even started to joke, realizing that Kai had indeed regained partial control over himself. This significantly eased the situation...

“I'm also truly grateful for that. Otherwise, I wouldn't have forgiven myself.” Kai said through gritted teeth.

The atmosphere finally began to return to normal... Although several weapons were still pointed at Kai, everyone communicated quite calmly. They even started joking, teasing Kai. The masters from the Spirit Fire Sect didn't grieve much over Bahar's fate. After all, he was the head of one of the factions... This meant that in the Spirit Fire Sect, he was their direct competitor.

Just as Kai was responding with his joke... Another loud explosion resounded from the direction of the camp!

“Bang!” A deafening sound was heard, and even the ground shook!

“What now?! What's happened again?!” A boy from the Shadow Sect exclaimed in anger.

“How are you?” Aoki asked Kai seriously, looking intently at him.

“Better... Let's go! If I start losing control, I'll warn you right away!” Kai shouted seriously and was the first to rush towards the camp!

Seeing this, the others didn't hesitate either! It seemed that this day wouldn't bring them any peace. Unlikely that someone else had gone into a rage and started destroying the camp. So there was only one possibility... They were under attack! The only question left was — how powerful was the enemy?

The whole group ran at breakneck speed. Kai was one of the first, constantly pulling ahead of the others. After all, he was still in the Torture King Mode. Kai carefully analyzed all the processes occurring in his body. Since he didn't feel the approach of backlash, he could more keenly sense his strength.

As he utilized the Dance of Shadow Seals, Kai instantly appeared in the camp square. Before him, a terrifying scene unfolded… A gravely wounded monster stood there. It was about three meters tall, resembling a bald griffon with membranous wings. Its skin had a strange reddish hue.

“Damn... Onaga…” Kai muttered through clenched teeth.

At that moment, he saw the torn bodies of several disciples from the three sects, each lying near the claws of this creature…

Behind Kai, other disciples who were following the camp also appeared. They, too, were confronted with this gruesome sight. Many recognized their friends and subordinates...

“It's the monster that recently broke through to the Star Sphere!” Exclaimed one of the leaders of the Spirit Fire Sect, shocked.

As these words were spoken, everyone's faces quickly turned to unpleasant grimaces. They were no match for this creature! Absolutely no match!

“Don't panic. It's severely wounded, and one of its paws is missing!” Aoki quickly rallied everyone, “We need to attack together!” He firmly added.

“Brother Kai, your offensive power is immense. Will you take the lead?” Placing a hand on Kai's shoulder, Shuo asked seriously.

He also saw Onaga's body... Although he wasn't particularly attached to the good-natured giant, they weren't strangers either.

“Let's go!” Kai shouted, immediately using the Dance of Shadow Seals.

Among them were several guys at a high stage of the Gravity Sphere, but it was definitely not enough… Their only hope was that the beast was in too pitiful a state.

“Asura Hell Domain!” Kai thought, appearing near the strange creature.

As soon as this happened, the monster immediately sensed the fluctuations of foreign energy and roared wildly.

“Raaar!” A wave of sound spread, and Kai was instantly thrown aside! He didn't even manage to touch the enemy with his domain!

It seemed that this bald griffon had infused his terrifying energy into the sound. Even when it was almost depleted, he was much stronger than these young warriors!

“Whooosh! Bang! Ba-bang!” Immediately after Kai's attack, a series of diverse attacks were launched at the monster!

Kai distracting it by creating a moment of confusion for the monster. At that moment, Shuo and the Spirit Creator quickly closed in on the enemy. The hands of the golden statue grabbed one of the creature's legs, trying to break it, while the other was entwined with strange, translucent snakes.

While this was happening, Aoki was already above the griffon, delivering a lightning-fast strike with his sword! In that instant, the silhouette of a lush tree with massive roots flickered behind him!

Even before landing, Kai watched this coordinated attack! Meanwhile, he was preparing another Shadow Seal!

“Whoosh! Bang!” The sound of air being sliced rang out, and a light arc from Aoki's sword struck the monster's neck.

At that moment, right beside the monster's head, Kai reappeared, striking with both hands simultaneously! They plunged directly into the enemy's eye sockets! He had managed to wound the monster!

But as soon as they rejoiced over this successful attack, the monster roared again, and its entire body flared up with purple energy! It swiftly flapped its wings, scattering everyone in different directions!

“Raaar!” Another roar echoed, inflicting additional damage on all the disciples!

It seemed that as soon as it summoned its energy, the sound attacks reached an entirely new level! Even Kai coughed up a large gulp of blood! It's important to remember that he was in the Torture King Mode at the moment! The others fared even worse...

“Bang! Screech!” Kai's back hit the ground several times, tossing him upwards, unable to stop his flight!

“Damn it! We can't beat him!” Kai cursed in his mind.

Even such a weakened monster from the Star Sphere was terrifying. It was on its last breath, but even so, it easily scattered all the strongest disciples of the Mysterious Sea Region…

Apparently, after the humans' counterattack, when the monster regained its senses, it decided to take revenge. And the only suitable targets were the novices of the Gravity Sphere level... Unfortunately, many had been injured by Kai earlier. They weren't ready for a new attack. Many died instantly!

Opening his eyes, Kai saw the monster heading towards Shuo... The monk, in turn, was unconscious. The last attack had severely injured him!

At that moment, Kai felt something strange… He was scared! He was scared that Shuo might die!

“Hey you! How are your eyes doing?! Should I just rip them out entirely?!” Kai yelled, as if out of his mind.

After the joint attack, the monster's eyes were indeed severely damaged. And as soon as it heard Kai's provocative shout, it instantly turned its head! Although it didn't understand human speech, it wasn't stupid. It sensed the aura of this man… He was the one responsible for the monster's blindness!

“Raaar!” The griffon roared again, sending a sonic attack and launching Kai into flight!

Even being prepared for the attack, Kai couldn't dodge in time! But as he flew, he was already contemplating various scenarios in his head…

“It's useless to fight… I can only run! He'll be slowed down because his vision is impaired! Damn it... Can he navigate using energy?! Damn!” Kai cursed in his mind, stabilizing himself in mid-air and deftly landing on his feet!

“Want to kill me?! You won't succeed!” Continuing to provoke, Kai shouted and bolted forward with all his strength!

“Let's see then! Who can better withstand destructive energy! Me, or you?!” Kai mentally exclaimed and dashed towards the Abyss.

This was the only option for salvation... Lure the monster closer to the Abyss! The strange severely wounded griffon would likely be destroyed by that energy! Meanwhile, Kai was full of strength, as he still harbored immense energy reserves.

As soon as Kai's words sounded, the monster roared and chased after him, demolishing all the semi-destroyed houses in its path! Its navigation was slightly impaired, giving Kai a chance!

“Catch me if you can, bastard! Ha-ha-ha!” Kai laughed arrogantly, continuing to run away.

In reality, though, he wasn't feeling that jubilant... If caught, he likely wouldn't be able to escape again!

V.2 Chapter 276: Caught Off Guard - End of the 2 Volume

"What am I doing?! Damn!" Kai mentally exclaimed, continuing to race through the devastated streets of the ancient city.

At that moment, he barely understood the motives behind his actions... Kai had always been more self-centered, and doing something for others was not in his nature. The last time he had acted this way was back in the shelter.

After those events, Kai never risked his life for someone else. And for some reason, right now, he had decided to save Shuo. It seemed that seeing the torn body of Onagi had somehow impacted him. And seeing that Shuo could be next, Kai decided to shift the focus onto himself.

"Thank goodness, I have an incredible amount of strength right now! I didn't even know I could stay in the Torture King Mode for so long... Who were Kessia's ancestors?!" Kai mentally exclaimed.

For some reason, at that moment, all sorts of inappropriate thoughts kept creeping into his mind...

Imagine an army of masters who can continuously be in a state similar to the Torture King Mode... What would their enemy feel during the attack? Rivers of blood and masters who absorb it, constantly becoming stronger. No one would surely want to fight against such...

“Boom!” The sound of an explosion rang out, and fragments of a shattered building and small debris flew past Kai.

The monster was catching up to him! Even considering that Kai had damaged the enemy's eyes, and that it was near death... It was still capable of catching up to him!

“Damn it... Where does all this strength come from! Just die already!” Kai yelled out and continued to use the Dance of Shadow Seals.

At that moment, he dared, not just run straight. He was constantly finding strange routes, trying to confuse the enemy. Narrow spots through which only Kai could slip were especially useful. In such moments, he had the chance to gain a few extra seconds to again increase the distance between them.

Jumping into a large building, Kai decided to cut directly through it. But he immediately felt an incredible danger!

"Damn!" He mentally cursed and at maximum speed used three Shadow Seals in a row!

Kai retreated diagonally, deviating from his previous trajectory. And at that moment, it became clear why...

“Ba-Boom!” A huge wave of energy literally swept the entire building off its path! It didn't stop there but continued rolling forward.

Even in such a critical state, the Star Sphere monster managed to destroy almost an entire street!

"What is it capable of at the peak of its powers?!" Assessing with a sideways glance, Kai pondered in shock.

Earlier, he had seen the elders of the Mysterious Sea Region fight. Their power was truly terrifying. But still, Kai had thought that this griffin no longer had such abilities…

The chase continued relentlessly, and Kai kept moving towards the Abyss. Earlier, with the Patriarch, it had taken almost no time to get there. But now, everything was entirely different…

These ruins were enormous! And considering the monster on his tail and their overall speed... Kai wasn’t sure he’d even reach the destination in a day!

Fortunately, the pressure of the energy kept intensifying... This was the only chance to exhaust the enemy. After all, for some reason, monsters didn’t live in these ruins. This meant that they too feared the pressure of this terrifying energy!

At that moment, Kai observed how quickly his energy was depleting...

"It's fine... I really absorbed too much blood. But now, at least I have the chance to quickly expel it. My mind is becoming clearer and clearer..." Kai thought as he continued to move through convoluted routes.

“Ba-boom!” Another explosion echoed behind him.

No sooner had Kai escaped one danger than another found him... It seemed he was beginning to get used to life-and-death situations. Old Mo had warned him about this, but Kai hadn’t taken it so seriously.

Life in the Moonshine Empire and even in the Border Beast City grounded him to the mortal world... People in those places were interested in wealth and glory. But crossing into the Shadow Sect changed everything... All his desires transformed into an overwhelming thirst for power and the suppression of his rivals.

Moreover, the chance of encountering something much stronger than yourself greatly increased. Usually, it was such situations that claimed the lives of geniuses... That's why many in the camp were now dead. They dared to enter the forbidden zone! But many didn’t even make it to the camp... Initially, there were about a hundred, but now only about a dozen remained...

The only hope for survival was hiding in the Abyss! Kai once again decided to compete in endurance! But the opponent was of a completely different order...

“Ch-doom! Doom!” Sounds of destruction of buildings, which had barely survived, kept echoing.

But at that moment, Kai finally felt something pressing on him for a second. His energy expenditure increased manifold! The pressure of the Abyss grew!

"I must be getting close!" Kai mentally exclaimed and used the Shadow Seal again.

Flying into the zone where Kai had previously been, the monster also hesitated for a second... It seemed to acutely feel the changes in the environment. But Kai had enraged it too much for it to simply back off! Most likely, this griffin was already a goner, so it might as well take the arrogant human down with it!

The pursuit went on and on, with the pressure gradually increasing. At certain moments, the pressure jumped to a new level. But Kai was still able to resist. One could say that even he was in complete shock now.

"What in the world?! It feels like a hidden space has opened in my body, where all the absorbed blood is stored!" Kai sincerely marveled, observing how the energy seemed to constantly come from nowhere.

Kai didn’t understand what was happening, but he clearly recognized the strangeness of his sensations. They were identical to those from absorbing blood. Therefore, he speculated that all the blood he had obsessively absorbed outside the city walls was somehow preserved... This was the only explanation...

Each time he felt his energy slowly beginning to deplete, his heart would pulsate, and his body would fill with energy again!

Though now was not the time for this, Kai stealthily checked his body. But, unfortunately, he noticed nothing unusual... He didn't understand the nature of this ability and his own lineage. It seemed even the Patriarch knew nothing of such a thing. There was only one conclusion... After the apocalypse, knowledge of this concept had completely vanished from the world...

“Bang!” a strike sounded near Kai, “Raaar!” And immediately, the monster's roar followed.

“Kghah!” Kai coughed up blood, as he was thrown to the side!

As soon as he touched the ground, a new wave of violet energy was already flying towards him. But in the instant it was about to hit him, Kai disappeared. This had happened several times already, with the monster periodically catching up to him.

"How fortunate that the Abyss is working!" Kai silently thanked fate and continued to run forward, wiping the blood from his mouth.

It seemed that the overwhelming energy really worked. This griffin had worn itself out considerably... This was obvious after assessing its recent attacks. These waves of energy were getting weaker each time. Even the creature's roar could no longer stun Kai for long.

However, this was understandable, as with the Eyes of Essence, Kai saw an incredibly massive column of black energy connecting the earth to the heavens. And the texture of this entire spectacle resembled incredibly dense clouds of black smoke.

There was so much energy that it seemed like the space itself was distorting... Kai had already seen the Abyss, but from above... Only upon standing before it did he realize how massive it was. It was dizzying...

"How much longer will he chase me?! Damn... I need to hold out until the Patriarch returns!" Kai mentally exclaimed and slightly altered his escape trajectory.

At that moment, he realized that getting any closer would be dangerous. The best option was to buy time. If he continued to run around and exhaust the enemy, sooner or later, someone would come to help! All he needed was to win a little more time!

It seemed that the beast had figured out Kai's intentions, and thus, it became even more furious! Something resembling a bundle of violet fire flared on its forehead...

"Damn! It's planning something!" Kai instantly realized and tried to change his direction.

“Shhhsh! Baam!” With lightning speed, everything in the vicinity was blasted into rubble! The monster's energy became so concentrated that it literally gained density!

“Khe! Kgeh!” Kai coughed, lying under the debris...

In that instant, he had managed to jump away... But still, the residual energy from the explosion caused him significant damage. Even with his regeneration, recovering quickly would be quite difficult... The situation was far from pleasant...

"Damn, even the Astral Flame of Sacrifice doesn’t intimidate it... It's too strong!" Gritting his teeth, Kai pondered all possible options.

Naturally, he had already tried to use his fire several times. After all, it had instilled an instinctive terror in the inhabitants of these places. But apparently, for now, it was too weak for the Star Sphere monster.

As the Astral Emperor of Alchemy had said, the fire was limited by Kai's own level. Moreover, the development of the fire itself also required careful attention...

Analyzing this, Kai suddenly realized something!

"They fear for their souls! Exactly!" Kai thought to himself, "I don’t know the difference between them and the beasts in the Shadow Groves, but these guys are definitely more cautious..." He thought, while pushing himself up from the ground, trying to stand.

It seemed that the monsters of the Island of Reincarnation were careful with their souls. Kai didn’t understand how it worked, so he assumed that in this place, it was much harder to acquire a soul. Although it sounded foolish, he had no other hypothesis. And at that moment, only ridiculous thoughts came to mind.

"I need to run! What good is this revelation if I die!" Kai exclaimed and quickly shifted through space!

And at that moment, another deafening explosion followed!

“Ch-doom! Vsshh!” The shockwave again caught Kai and threw him aside.

It was as if he was being tossed around like a rag doll. Each time he landed, something broke! The last attack was particularly brutal!

"Damn... Kgaah!" Kai groaned heavily and spat out another mouthful of blood...

But just as Kai was about to run again, the scene before his eyes stunned him... At that moment, he realized that he was truly on the brink of death!

Just a hundred meters away from him, the entire body of the monster began to glow with violet light! And with the Eyes of Essence, Kai immediately understood that this was horrible news! This was not an attack!

"It wants to take me with it!" Kai exclaimed in shock, and, digging his hands into the ground, pushed himself forward with all his might!

He was instantly drenched in sweat! But this was not the time to think about it, he needed to get as far away from the explosion as possible! The monster realized that it wouldn't last much longer, so it decided to use a final, suicidal move! It decided to detonate all its energy!

Kai ran forward without looking back, creating Shadow Seals as fast as he could! Time seemed to slow down before his eyes…

At that moment, he saw a light shining from behind and felt something pushing against his back…

“Ch-Doom!” Kai heard for a moment, but then everything in his head rang out! His head and all internal organs were practically bursting from the pressure!

The only things saving him were the Torture King Mode and his abnormal regeneration! Kai felt as if his back was stripped to the bone! The blast of energy was incinerating everything in its path!

"Damn! I must endure!" Kai screamed in his mind, clinging to life with his last strength.

"Thump-Thump!" A pulsation thundered in his chest!

As soon as this happened, Kai's heart started pumping a huge amount of blood into his body! Following this, the pressure and pain from the wounds instantly decreased! All of Kai's tattoos glowed!

"Thank you, Kessia! Your lineage has saved me!" Kai shouted in his mind, literally feeling as if he was being pulled from the jaws of death.

But at that instant… His gaze became vacant…

"No..." Kai thought, petrified.

Enduring the pressure of the explosion, Kai didn't notice that he had been flying too long… The shockwave had thrown him too far… Now, he was being pulled into the Abyss!

But as soon as Kai realized this… Swirls of black energy were already engulfing him! The last thing he saw was the blood of the monster following him. The power of his lineage was still at work...

"Damn it..." Kai thought in the last moment, before darkness completely enveloped him.