Death... and me

Surprisingly, the crack led the group several hundred meters down. As they moved in deeper, the mist slowly transformed into the snowstorm that Hurio mentioned before. How could they not understand? It wasn't a mist that they were seeing inside the cliff, but the clouds that formed the snowstorm.

Eventually, they reached the end of the crack, reaching the first level of the depths. At some point, Rean's group lost sight of the Dragon Tail Brotherhood people. It wasn't that they descended faster, but because the snowstorm made it really hard to see.

However, Rean and Roan didn't care too much about that part. Instead, they were paying attention to each other's faces, as the blue mark that Hurio and Lilia mentioned slowly took form on their foreheads. Of course, the same thing happened with Lilia and Hurio. As for Kentucky, it was there as well, but because of his feathers, they couldn't see it that well.

'Sister Orb, can you identify what this thing is?' Rean asked.

[I'm already doing that. Fortunately, it's happening in your body, so it's a lot easier to check. From what I can see, this isn't just a mark made to freeze you once it finishes forming. Instead, it's a kind of semi-sentient mark.]

'Semi-sentient?' Rean and Roan did not expect to hear something like that. 'Does that mean we can talk to it?'

[Not exactly. It's better to say that this mark has received its own orders and will follow it to the letter. It isn't wrong to call it a puppet if you wish to. It's just that it's made with the freezing energy of this place instead of materials.]

Roan understood after that. 'The mark is the puppet's body.'

[Exactly. Of course, this is just an analogy. Well, as long as you understand.]

Rean couldn't help but ask after that. 'Does that mean it has another objective than simply turning anyone who lasts here for a month into ice?'

[I would say it's quite possible. Sadly, I can't tell what kind of orders it received. All I can say is that the freezing outcome is just one way of fulfilling its objectives.]

'The question is what other objectives it has. The fact that it starts to disappear as soon as we leave this place means that we have to do something here, right? Something which has a time limit of one month,' Rean could not help but say.

However, Roan shook his head, telling Roan, 'No. Anyone would have thought about it in the past. Always a month to freeze, so the cultivators definitely have something secret to uncover in this place. However, I think the objective isn't here.'

Roan then looked at Hurio and Lilia and asked, "Hey, after we pass through this first level, how long would it take to reach the second and third level after it?"

Hurio pondered over the question for a bit before saying, "With our current speed, around three weeks to arrive at the second level. Then at least a week to pass through it. The third level would be another three weeks away. Why?"

Roan immediately closed his eyes and began to ponder in silence. 'Those times are based on a careful journey. However, if we use Kentucky's full speed and replenish his Divine Energy with Divine Stones, we can definitely make it to the second floor in a week after leaving this place. With that, we would have four weeks to make it through the second level and reach the third one. Once again, it'll be several times faster if we use Kentucky's full speed.'

Roan then looked at Rean for a bit before saying, 'We need all three marks. Our time limit is one month.'

Rean was taken aback to hear that. 'Doesn't that mean we'll have to stay in this snowstorm for almost a month before leaving?'

Roan nodded after hearing that. 'Yes. First, let's head to the exit of the first level. However, I won't go out. Instead, I'll stay here for twenty-nine days until my mark is almost fully formed. Then I'll have those days to get the other marks.'

Rean could tell that Roan was up to something, asking, 'You're thinking the top ten powers are most likely doing the same thing, right?'

'Exactly.' Roan didn't deny. 'Well, it also explains why the Dragon Tail Brotherhood split their forces. No, to be more specific, I'm almost 100% sure that all the top ten powers' disciples did the same thing. They want to guarantee that at least one or maybe a few of their members will arrive at the third floor with their marks.'

Rean then had an idea. 'It's easy to confirm whether it's true or not. All we need to do is stay close to the group we saw earlier and see if they'll also delay their stay in this place or not. After all, although there are many entrances, the first level is the same for everyone.'

Hurio didn't know what the twins were discussing, nor did he care. He was trying to gather the clues so that he could guide their group through the first level as fast as possible. "Alright, I think I know where we should go now."

Lilia immediately said the same. "Me too. Did your analysis point towards the north-northeast?"

Hurio nodded and turned to the twins. "Let's go. Be careful. This snowstorm hides a lot more than you can think."

'Death Style, First Form, Stellar Piercer!'

Suddenly, a ray of black and white light zipped beside Hurio's ear.

*Clang!*

The sound of metal hitting a hard surface immediately rang out before an object pierced the ground next to Hurio's leg. Hurio couldn't help but feel a chill on his back as he looked at the huge icicle on the ground. Neither his Divine Sense nor his Soul Power Scan detected the thing at all. It was as if the icicle was part of the snow flying around. He couldn't tell the difference at all. "That... was close."

Rean then patted Hurio's shoulder and told him, "You said it yourself, be careful."

Hurio, obviously, had to ask. "How did you notice this icicle?"

"How else? I just so happened to be looking in the right direction," Rean answered with a smile. "Anyone, make sure you keep an eye on your surroundings. Don't just rely on your Divine Sense since it's kind of useless here."