Death... and me

Chapter 3867: We Will Take Part

The Martial Gathering quickly arrived, and all the powers of the Surute Region set forth to meet in the country of Verjansy. Some used teleport formations, others decided to take it easy and fly there in their airships. There were no Spatial Gates, though. In this region, Space-Time Realm was a cultivation that a scant few had, and you wouldn’t find a single Divinity Realm. How could they waste their time moving youngesters around?

However, a few of them would be in Verjansy Country to watch the gathering. You could say that was more of a display of strength from the top powers of the Surute Region than genuine interest in the gathering itself. After all, the gathering was made for the young, not for them.

Rean was in an airship on the way to Verjansy when he asked through the connection. ’How do we approach this gathering?’

Roan went straight to the point. ’What else is there? Beat your opponents down, that’s all. Just make sure not to make it look too easy.’

’But...’ Foliana couldn’t help but ask, ’what about the difference in cultivations? We are in the Nascent Soul Realm and Stage Five, but the top geniuses of our region might have already reached the Saint Realm. After all, my master said that the only limitation for this gathering was age. No one above twenty can take part in it. We are pretending to be around thirteen years old right now, aren’t we? The top ones near the age of twenty are definitely much further ahead.’

[There is no need to worry about it,] Sister Orb quickly jumped in. [I obviously checked everything upfront. Yes, you are correct. The only limitation for taking part in the gathering is being twenty years old or younger. However, the fights have their own limitations of cultivation as well.]

[There will be a separation between cultivations. Those at the Nascent Soul and Stage Five can only fight others at the same level. The same goes for those with lower and higher cultivations.]

’So that’s how it is!’ Foliana sighed in relief. ’Then it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.’

[Oh, but there will be exceptions,] Sister Orb didn’t stop there. [If you want, you can apply to enter the competitions of a realm higher than yours. So, don’t be surprised if you suddenly see some Core and Soul Fusion Realm cultivators appearing in your battles. On the other hand, you can also apply to take part in the competitions for the Soul Transformation Realm youngsters.]

’We will not do that,’ Roan immediately warned everyone. ’If we were in the Peak Stage of the Nascent Soul Realm, we might be able to fake it. However, we are in the Middle Stage, and if we suddenly began to win against those in the Peak Stage of the next Realm, that would be way too much.’

’I don’t think the powers backing us would let us challenge the higher realm participants anyway,’ Kentucky commented. ’From the looks of it, killing is permitted, and no one will want to lose their top disciples.’

’True,’ Roan nodded.

Roan knew that the powers they had joined were not the top ones in the Surute Region, let alone on the continent. So, as long as they come out on top within their own cultivation realms, that would already be enough to catch a lot of attention without sounding too ridiculous.

"Roan, Tanxan," Elder Ruriklin suddenly called out. "I’ve watched the two of you closely in the last three years. I checked the recording on your CDs every time you two went out on a mission or just left to explore the world. I have to say, you two are bound to create some waves in this gathering."

Roan and Tanxan looked at him. They knew Ruriklin wouldn’t have come here just to say that. "But?"

"But... I’m considering taking you two out of the gathering and letting you just watch from the sidelines." Sure enough, Ruriklin had other plans.

Roan narrowed his eyes. If that happened, then it would take longer for other powers to notice him. "Let me guess. You are afraid that if we showed our strength, we might put ourselves in danger. The Hazin Clan isn’t exactly a huge power in Surute, and the emergence of two experts of our level wouldn’t be seen with good eyes by the big ones. We might become targets for assassination."

Ruriklin was quite surprised that Roan understood the situation. "So young and already so smart. Yes, that’s precisely the case. I’ve spoken with the Clan Leader, and he agrees it might be better to leave you two out. I won’t lie, after everything we have seen, you are definitely the best prospect we have in our Clan at your age. But, at the same time, you are too young, thus, too weak."

Roan noticed something. "Since you came here to ask us about it, that’s because you haven’t made up your mind yet, right?"

"Yes," Ruriklin confirmed. "At the end of the day, you won’t be able to run from danger forever. Not participating would only delay your inevitable rise in the rankings. That’s why I’m giving the option. You can sit down this time and cultivate for longer without worries. That will give you a better chance of survival. Or you can go out there and blow everyone’s minds, but you must accept the risks involved with it. Of course, as the saying goes, with bigger risks come bigger rewards."

Roan’s answer was obvious. "If that were the case, none of the powers would bring any of their geniuses to the gathering anymore. Elder, hiding will bring us nothing."

Tanxa agreed. "He is right. We are young, but we aren’t idiots. The cultivation world is just like that. Besides, with so many participants taking part in this gathering, we can’t possibly be the only ones making waves, can we? We accept all the risks."

Ruriklin sighed. Then, he touched Roan’s forehead, passing him an order. "Your Soul Binding Contract was passed to the clan, and thus, to me. I hereby relieve you from the restraints of the contract."

As soon as he said that, the dummy soul created by the system that had received the Soul Binding Contract dissipated. Together with it, so did the Soul Binding Contract.

Roan didn’t expect that. "Why?"

Ruriklin got up, shrugging. "If you don’t die, you will definitely reach a cultivation realm where you can break the contract on your own. I would rather have a disciple who stands with the clan of his own volition than one being forced by the contract. Now, I will ask again. Will you take part in this gathering, even though you have no more ties with us?"

Roan’s impression of that elder improved quite a bit at that moment. "Contract or not, we are here to make a name for ourselves. We will take part in it. Might as well have the clan’s name on our backs while at it."

"Good!" Ruriklin was satisfied. "Then get ready, because we are almost there."