Death... and me

Once the journey started, Roan took the chance to ask. "How long do you think it will take?"

Carion immediately answered, "If everything goes well, around two months. Of course, although I know a relatively safer route, it doesn't change the fact that it's still dangerous. I don't know what will happen on the way, so it might take much longer. If we're lucky, it can take a lot less time."

Roan nodded in response. "That's fine. I just wanted to have an idea."

In the first two days of travel in the Under Desert Sea, Carion was successful in avoiding most of the issues. Of course, Rean's skill played a huge role here. However, they also noticed that the concentration of aquatic demon beasts began to increase. Not only that, but their level did as well. There were rarely any Stage One Demon Beasts in sight, except for the very young ones. Mostly were already at Stage Two or Three.

On the third day, things had already gotten a lot more complicated. Kentucky, Rean, and Roan's eyes suddenly narrowed. A strong Divine Sense swept the area they were in, only being redirected by the Divine Sense bending skill. "Initial Stage Transition Realm," said the twins at almost the same time.

Carion and Briget's attention were obviously piqued. "Really? Where?"

Rean then pointed at the floor on the ground, where it was possible to see a cave entrance. "It's coming from inside there. Also, it's approaching us fast."

"Can it feel our presence?" Briget asked in response.

Rean shook his head in response. "No. It's using something else other than Divine Sense to locate us."

Suddenly, Luan called their attention. "So many! There are a lot of Divine Energy spheres coming from that same tunnel."

Sure enough, as soon as Luan said that, the tunnel filled with aquatic demon beasts. They were all from the same species. "It's the Blade Tail Sharks!" Carion exclaimed, identifying the demon beasts in one glance. "There must be a king between them that's leading the group."

Roan took out his scythe after that. "It doesn't matter. Are we going to fight or try to outrun them? Most of those Blade Tail Sharks are only Stage Two and Three. There's only one there that might cause some trouble, which is the one at the Initial Stage of the Transition Realm."

Carion shook his head as he took out a pair of spears. "No can do. Blade Tail Sharks can communicate with other aquatic demon beasts much faster than we can run away. If we try to escape, we will only encounter more and more swarms along the way. That's a pretty common ability for aquatic demon beasts in the Under Desert Sea."

Rean also took out his sword after that. "That makes sense. The idea is to prevent cultivators from Treavin from fleeing to Pol Continent. It's understandable that the Under Sea Kingdom arranged this Under Desert Sea to have a lot of reconnaissance-type aquatic demon beasts. They don't want to let anyone escape." Rean was right. In any other place of the Pol Continent, it would be very hard to find this many reconnaissance-type aquatic demon beasts.

Suddenly, a voice echoed through the water. Obviously, it was only possible through the help of Divine Energy. "Do you think you can hide here? In the Under Sea Desert, concealing abilities don't work against me." It was then that a huge Blade Tail Shark appeared from the same tunnel, followed by quite a few Stage Eight and Seven sharks of the same species. "My children, attack! Bring their corpses back so I can have lunch."

*Shua!*

As soon as the order came out, all the low-level Blade Tail Sharks launched in the direction of the twins' group. Carion and Briget narrowed their eyes but didn't panic. Carion was close to the ground at this moment, so he immediately dove down and stood on the wet dirt. As soon as the mob reached Carion's range, he began his assault. "We need to finish this quickly before we catch the attention of even more aquatic demon beasts."

The earth on the ground began to take the form of hundreds of earth spears, which Carion launched against the sharks.

'Earth Spikes!'

Although it was a very simple skill that most Earth Affinity users could use, it was very effective due to the difference in cultivation between Carion and the shark. As for the ones who passed by his barrage, he ended them with his real spears.

Briget, on the other hand, was a Lightning Affinity cultivator, so she stayed with her Purple Lightning Eagle. The two seemed to have fought together before as the Purple Lightning Eagle fed Briget with its own Lightning Element.

Rena could tell that Briget was going to use some attack in the area, so he quickly jumped back from the eagle and went close to Kentucky.

'Lightning Field!'

Purple and blue lightning quickly spread several meters around Briget and the eagle. All the Stage Two and Three Blade Tail Sharks who got close were immediately electrocuted to death almost instantly.

The eagle's eyes became even sharper as it dove into the enemy's ranks, knowing that his and Briget's Lightning Ability would kill everything on their path.

Nevertheless, Rean could tell that Carion and Briget's massacre was far from making any meaningful change. There was simply no end to the Blade Tail Sharks coming their way. 'They're being controlled by that Transition Realm Blade Tail Shark. If we don't get rid of him quickly, this will never end.'

It was then that Rean noticed something. 'By the way, where's Roan?'

Kentucky, who was just watching Carion and Briget's performance, shrugged his shoulders. 'Where else? He obviously doesn't care about those small fries, so he went for the king.'

Rean sighed when he heard that. 'He just has to have all the fun, huh. Oh well, whatever. Kentucky, protect Falangia and the others. There are a lot of sharks coming our way as well. I'll help Carion and Briget since they're our guides.'

Kentucky nodded in response. 'Sure, just go ahead.'