Cultivation Through Artifacts

After killing all the Grit Eaters that craved for his death, Khal decided to continue his way toward the north as he planned in the beginning.

On his way, Rubie was still angry with him, but until they found out something rather interesting. On their way, they met a few First Stage Beasts akin to scorpions and as an atonement for what he did, Khal let Rubie kill and consume their Essence.

However, what neither he nor Rubie would have thought that the moment the Beasts were killed, no matter if Khal was a meter or a mile away, the Essence would always track him and melt into his body automatically!

Rubie even wanted to fly before the Artificial Beast Essence to make it melt into her body, but strangely as though it was a non-existent material it drifted right through her body and melted into Khal's body!

But luckily, not only they were the only ones stupified by this weird change of events but almost every spectator that watched this spectacle!

"What the hell is going on? Why does that bird try to consume the Beast Essence from its owner? She is just a mere summon hence if the owner gets stronger she will too, right?"

Similar questions popped up in the minds of people but soon all of those changed as a sudden realization hit them.

"Wait... What if that bird is not his summon at all but... A Tamed Beast? Did he tame a wild Beast? How?"

As this suspicion appeared in more people's heads, more and more spectators began to realize this was the truth.

"Now that I think about it, during his battle against the Grit Eaters his Cultivation Stage was on the Fourth Stage yet that bird is obviously still a Stage below his!"

"Yeah, I noticed that too. But that bird is only on the Third Cultivation Stage. At first, I thought it was a mistake from my side but now... That Beast truly seems to be a Tamed Beast!"

And as this sudden discovery appeared in everyone's mind, a new question arose that they neglected until this very moment!

What was Khal's real Talent then?

Some guessed the weapon in his hand was his Talent while some that didn't know about Beast Cores but noticed his crystal skin thought that was his Talent. There were even a few that said he didn't use his Talent and only used Secret Arts to fight!

But in truth, only a few knew what Khal's real Talent was as his power was a simple Sight Enhancing ability that was hard to see through the screens alone.

While spectators watched Khal's journey with keen interest, Khal himself continued to walk toward the north with Rubie still hovering above him in the skies.

Sometime later, after walking for a few more miles without any further crisis Khal stood atop a dune while his eyes opened extra wide.

"This... What?"

About a few hundred meters away from him, Khal watched as the desert abruptly vanished and what replaced it was a vast and green forest, with a crystal clear river flowing among the woods smoothly.

The sight was breathtaking and confusing at the same time, but it was exactly because of this feeling that deep inside Khal's heart a slight suspicion began to grow slowly.

Artificial Beast Essence that only he could consume, Transfer Station, and now this bizarre sight he never seen nor read about anywhere.

Was he still on the Southern Continent or was he somewhere else? Maybe he wasn't even on the same planet as Ephus but got teleported onto a completely new one? Or was he...

Inside Khal's mind questions one after another popped up while his suspicion in his heart grew bigger with each passing second.

"In one way or another, soon I will find it out." thought Khal and without hesitation walked toward the river.

Even though the Artificial Beast Essences were able to replenish his energy, they were incapable of reducing his thirst, especially under such a scorching heat!

That is why Khal strode quickly toward the forest to get something to drink from the river.

However, to his great surprise, the moment he put his feet from the desert into the forest the heat around him vanished in a flash whilst a pleasant cold breeze welcomed him.

"Yeah, it feels much better here," exclaimed Khal quietly as he watched Rubie land on his shoulder and enjoy the breeze with a merry complexion too. 

Walking to the river and checking that it was harmless Khal didn't hesitate to drink from the river and wash off the blood from his body.

After completely clean and refreshed, Khal stood up and looked around, but his face suddenly changed into a slight frown.

Except for the breeze that hit his face from time to time he could detect no Beasts around him nor could he hear anything else; it was quiet and peaceful.

But exactly because of this why Khal felt strange while also knowing something was not amiss and as a result, his grip gradually began to tighten around his weapon.

Crack!

"!"

Turning his head around, Khal's eyes narrowed and without hesitation waved his fan, firing several Essence Projectiles toward a bush in the distance.

Swish!

Bam!

"Argh! H-hey! Calm down man, calm down!" a guy in a crimson robe jumped out of the bush that Khal targeted, his hands above his head with shock plastered over his face.

"The fuck? You could have killed me there!" exclaimed the guy, showing a kind of angry expression toward Khal.

However, when Khal heard this his face remained indifferent, and pointed his weapon toward the guy, "Yeah, I could have. But unfortunately, I didn't."

"The fuck?" asked the guy, his face showing deep confusion.

Khal obviously understood what he thought and asked, "Did you forget where are we right now?"

The simple question made the guy lower his hands slowly and say, "Yeah, I know. But that doesn't mean we have to kill each other right away. We can still be allies you kn-"

"Thanks, but I'm perfectly fine alone." 

Swish!

Slash!

Without waiting for the guy to react, Rubie already flashed past the guy, slashing a deep wound into his shoulder.

"Eh?" the guy was surprised by this and lowered his gaze onto the deep wound, but his complexion paled right after he did.

"You... Wh... Grh...shr..." 

Even before he could have finished his sentence the guy suddenly collapsed while solid ruby-shaped blood fell out of his mouth and wound as he tried to speak but in all vain!

"He... Didn't hesitate at all!" Scarlett was shocked to see this as she thought Khal would falter the moment he needed to kill!

But he didn't! Not only that, he even killed the guy like a cold-blooded killer which dumbfounded not only her but everyone around the world!

Any participant that so far met with others and had to kill all hesitated as they didn't want to, yet Khal didn't! He murdered the guy without a second thought!

Jas who saw this scene seemed indifferent but his eyes couldn't help but flash with a mysterious light that never appeared in his eyes a long time ago!

"Kill or be killed. Getting allies? Did he go crazy?" thought Khal, even a slight sneer escaping his mouth.

The very first moment the guy appeared he was able to notice that he had hidden motives so that's why he didn't hesitate to kill. 

Unfortunately, the guy couldn't hide his intentions as good as Moras did hence he was able to see through him right away!

But to tell the truth Khal didn't want allies in this shitty tournament as in the end he will have to fight them in one way or another. That is why the best solution for him was to kill everyone while letting no one getting close to him!

One could survive in this tournament only if they were strong and trusted in no one!

"Let's get going..." said Khal to Rubie and without glancing at the corpse he walked away.

However, when his figure disappeared in the distance, suddenly the guy's corpse on the ground slowly began to form wide cracks and soon vanished into thin air in the shape of vibrating fragments...