Death... and me

The twins’ group was able to stay out of trouble on their way to the second level’s entrance. They also traveled faster so that they would make it there in a week or so. Although there was no time limit for the Dragon Wing Marks, it was better to guarantee it. However, unlike the first level, the second level only had a single entrance. It was exactly at the second level’s entrance where they ended up finding a lot of cultivators again.

Hurio looked at the crowd ahead and immediately recognized them. “Look, it’s the cultivators from the top ten powers and a lot of those who followed them.”

However, Rean also noticed something different, saying, “You’re right to say that. However, look at their numbers. There are a lot less this time.”

“It can’t be helped,” Roan said in response. “That first floor was very dangerous with those weird icicles and the ancient formations around. If you pay attention, you’ll see that although the top ten powers’ disciples decreased in number, they lost way fewer members than the cultivators that first followed them.”

Rean nodded after hearing that. “Most likely, the top ten powers’ disciples separated after they got close to the first floor, just as we predicted. The rest of the cultivators obviously don’t have as many tools to avoid dangers compared to them. Well, it might be that the rest of them haven’t arrived yet. For example, I can’t see the Dragon Tail Group we stole the Dragon Wing Marks from.”

Hearing that, Kentucky could not help but say with a Divine Sense message, ‘Speaking of that group, look who’s coming from behind.’

Rean’s group immediately looked in the direction Kentucky pointed at. At first, they couldn’t see anything since their eyes weren’t as good as Kentucky’s. However, it didn’t take long for them to notice a shadow in the distance, taking on the form of a Demon Bird. Naturally, that was the Demon Bird the twins’ group saw that Dragon Tail Brotherhood group used to move around. ‘So they’re here. That’s convenient. There’s a good chance they’ll think we stole their Dragon Wing Marks. Once they see the marks on our foreheads, they’ll quickly think that we’re not the culprits.’

Lilia then gave a warning. ‘That would be good. Nevertheless, let’s keep our guards up in case they have some other way to detect your Dragon Wing Marks.’

Everyone nodded in response before they landed in the midst of the crowd. Since there were many cultivators who weren’t part of the top ten powers here, they deemed it okay to stay for now. In any case, it was a good spot for the Dragon Tail Brotherhood people to see them.

Naturally, the cultivators around noticed the arrival of Rean’s group, but they didn’t seem to care. As for Hurio and Lilia, they tried to find their own people there, but it was useless. Mira’s group couldn’t be found at all.

Eventually, Rean’s group heard Celso’s voice once again. “Found you!” Celso’s group headed to where the twins’ group were, ready to attack at any time. However, Rean’s group, who had their backs at Celso and company, finally turned around to see them.

Celso’s group suddenly froze on the spot. That’s because they could see nothing more than the normal round marks on their foreheads. Not only that, but it seemed that their marks wouldn’t take more than a few days to disappear, showing that they left the first level way before Celso’s group did. The timings simply didn’t match if that was the case. “You…”

“Oh! Good to see you again, brother. We met at the entrance of the first level, didn’t we?” Rean then came forward and extended his hand, wishing to compliment Celso.

“I…” Seeing Rean’s unconcerned look and friendly behavior, Celso didn’t know how to react for a moment. However, he quickly calmed down and paid close attention to the round ice-blue mark on Rean’s forehead. He then looked at Roan and the others and could tell that they all looked the same. That meant Rean’s group left the first level at the same time.

Celso then looked at his team members and asked, ‘Can you see anything wrong with their marks?’

Wrigal was the first one to shake his head. ‘No. It truly looks like the normal freezing mark.’

Barcelona then added, ‘Wait, it might be some concealment ability. Let me check it out.’ She then took out a piece of equipment that looked like a mirror before she pointed it at Rean.

Rean showed a puzzled expression in response, asking, “Is there something wrong?”

“We lost something important to us, and this mirror can help us find it again. Just stay still,” Barcelona replied.

Rean pretended to not understand what was happening and nodded. “No problem. However… we haven’t seen you after we entered the first level, though.”

Barcelona smiled after hearing Rean’s words. “If so, you should have nothing to fear.” She then poured her Divine Energy into the mirror, which shone with an ethereal energy that covered Rean’s body for a moment. Eventually, it went back to normal, and the reflection in the mirror looked the same as before. She also did the same thing with Roan and the others, but the result was the same. “This… the mirror didn’t find anything wrong with them.”

Celso couldn’t help but sigh in resignation. Obviously, it was just a coincidence that Rean’s group met them at the entrance of the first floor. He knew the power of that mirror Barcelona used. He didn’t believe Rean would be able to conceal the Dragon Wing Mark if there was some concealment skill being used. “Sorry, it seems like we were mistaken.” Celso then shook hands with Rean as Rean previously intended.

Rean smiled in response, saying, “It’s fine. However, would cultivators who aren’t part of the top ten powers try to steal something from you? I truly find it very hard to believe.”

Indeed, Celso’s group had considered that option before.. Now that they saw Rean’s group had nothing, they truly thought that some other group from the top ten powers had done it.