Death… And Me

Malaka had no problems entering the Late Stage of the Core Formation Realm. Breaking through a stage was definitely much easier than a realm, after all. Not to mention that Malaka used the same cultivation technique as Calina, which had been further revised by Roan. The only things spent during that breakthrough were the Rank Two Spirit Stones.

Roan then nodded after that, satisfied.

"That's about it. Qia said that she would need around another year to breakthrough into the Core and Soul Fusion Realm. Rean and I will need two years to do that, at the very least. Agis had just recently entered the Late Stage as well, so he will take much longer to reach the Peak of the Core Formation Realm. Chances are that Malaka will get there first due to her Elemental Affinity and this world's environment."

Everyone nodded after hearing that. That more or less wrapped everything they needed to know. From now on, they needed more Spirit Stones. 

"Alright, let's go to Fhanzen."

Once again, Frandin was ignored. Well, he was used to that already.

Their group had gathered because they were close to Fhanzen City in Gorea Country. Without wasting time, they went to the city. Of course, Agis, Malaka, and Calina were sent into the Soul Gem Dimensional Realm. Rean and Roan stayed out, though. After all, they had to follow Frandin.

At some point, Rean's group noticed a few Zasfin cultivators here and there, which showed that they were getting close to the city. The further they went, the greater the movement. Finally, they were able to see the city walls in the distance, especially the thin layer of the Protection Formation. Like most cities in this world, the city used the formation to protect against the weather instead of attacks.

By the time they got to the gate, there was already a giant queue of Zasfins and their humans waiting to pay the fee to enter. As always, Rean could see humans being mistreated by everyone, but he knew he couldn't do anything about it.

Roan, on the other hand, was more interested in the city itself.

'As expected of a City bordering a Bloodline Trial. It's at least ten times bigger than Kastran City.'

Frandin agreed with Roan.

'I believe Fhazen has at least two to three million Zasfin and humans living inside. This is considered a very big city in our world.'

Rean then put the thoughts about the humans behind before adding his piece.

'That's a good thing. I will have no problem selling the Earth High-Level weapons I made in the auction. The only doubt is if they will try to do something to us because Frandin is this weak.'

One must remember that the previous auction house tried to tail Rean and Frandin after they left.

Roan shook his head, though.

'It shouldn't be a problem. Because of its proximity to the Bloodline Trials, the rules in the city are probably very strict. This is directly connected to the Imperial Household's face. At the very least, they won't try anything against us while inside the city.'

Rean and Frandin nodded.

'That's good, then.'

Eventually, Rean's group arrived at the gate, where Frandin had to pay Spirit Stones for him and the twins to enter. Since they were already there, Rean took the chance to have Frandin ask.

"Sorry, sir. Would you mind telling me where I can find an auction house?"

The guard nodded and explained where it was located. Or better yet, where 'they' were located. Because of the city's size, there was more than a single auction house there.

Rean's group then continued on their way to the city center.

However, they failed to notice that someone's Soul Power had been covering the entrance of Fhanzen City all the time. As mentioned before, Rean's Light and Spiritual Sense bending skills didn't work on Soul Power. Also, because the one using it couldn't be seen, it couldn't be blamed that they didn't notice anything.

"They're here!"

Immediately, the guy got up and ordered the subordinate on his side.

"Go tell Senior Jamil that the prey has appeared."

The subordinate quickly left. Following that, the man began to follow Rean and Roan from afar. He heard from Jamil that Spiritual Sense was useless against the twins, so he kept using his Soul Power. Fortunately for him, he was at the Peak Stage of the Core and Soul Fusion Realm. Not only that, but he had a high Soul Power and a Rank Two Bloodline Mark. That allowed his Soul Power to spread for over 100 meters. With that, he followed Rean's group without ever seeing them with his eyes directly.

However, after walking a few kilometers, Roan narrowed his eyes.

'Something's off.'

Rean immediately looked at him and asked.

'What do you mean? Are we being watched?'

Roan nodded.

'How?'

'I don't know. I have no proof other than my instincts. However, I'm sure that we're being watched.'

Rean didn't doubt it. Roan had seen way too many events like these when he was a Death Spirit. Roan's instincts were far from something Rean could match.

'Hmm... I don't feel anything within my Radar Skill. There are many Spiritual Senses around us, but none of them seem to be repetitive, nor is any of them following us.'

Rean was a lot better with that skill of his, but even he couldn't feel anything. However, Rean and Roan immediately understood why that was.

'Soul Power!'

Still, why do they know that one must use Soul Power if they wanted to follow Rean and Roan?

'Could it be because of what happened in Kastran City?'

'That's hard to say. Perhaps, using Soul Power to watch over those who enter the city is the norm.'

'I find it hard to believe, though.'

Roan agreed with Rean.

'I think the same. Let's go to that alley.'

Rean's group then entered an area with less movement before they grabbed Frandin's arm and burst forward.

'Life Style, First Form, Enhancement!'

In a flash, the two disappeared ahead. To make sure they wouldn't catch anyone's attention, Rean also used his camouflage skill. That being said, no one could see their group's movement unless they were using Soul Power as well.

Sure enough, the man following the two immediately reacted.

"Fuck! How did they find me?"

Nevertheless, he was a Peak Core and Soul Fusion Realm Zasfin Cultivator. Although Rean and Roan were fast, he wasn't the least bit slower. Nonetheless, that was more than enough for the twins to find out who was following them.

'Peak Core and Soul Fusion Realm. Someone with cultivation like that is bound to be known in this city.'

'Correct. That means...'

Roan couldn't even finish his sentence when the twins' vision suddenly turned red.

'Killing intent!'

Right in front of them, another Zasfin cultivator had appeared. Just like the one following them, this one was also using Soul Power to see where Rean and Roan were located.

"Where do you think you're going?!"

The guy immediately pounced in the twins' direction as he brandished the halberd in his hands. Earth and Water Element gathered around his body. After that, he unleashed his skill together with his Soul Power.

'Mountain Strike!'

Frandin's face went pale in response. If that strike connected, he would be instantly pulverized. The guy in front of him wasn't hiding his Late Stage Core and Soul Fusion Realm cultivation. That wasn't something Frandin's body could ever fight against.

However, Rean and Roan coldly smiled when they saw that. Immediately, they brought out their White and Black Stars before they struck right back at their opponent. 

Their hairs changed color as Light and Dark Element gathered around the two. Not only that, but the White and Black Swords increased the amount of Elemental Energy even more. Right after, they assumed a jumping stance.

The Zasfin in front of them was flying in their direction with his attack. Little did he know that he had just put himself in the worst position possible.

Eventually, Light Element burst out of the twins' legs as they soared against their enemy. For the first time in years, the Fourth Form of the Death Style had appeared once again.

'Death Style, Fourth Form, Soaring Dragon!'

Rean's camouflage skill disappeared as the twins became two black and white dragons ascending to the skies! The man was taken aback but didn't panic. In his eyes, there was no way two Core Formation Realm could fight his Mountain Strike head-on. Let alone that they were humans. Most of Zasfin looked down on humans, and he wasn't an exception.

"Die!"

However, what happened next made his face far paler than Frandin's. His Soul Power, together with his Earth and Water Element, was pierced through like a hot knife on butter. His own halberd didn't fare any better. It was only a piece of Earth High-Level Equipment. If it was only Roan or Rean, it could resist the strike. 

However, the twins attacked together while exchanging elements. They were finally fighting together after a very long time. Last but not least, there were also Rean's newest Earth Peak-Level Swords, the Black and White Stars. From the moment he decided to fight the twins alone, his fate was decided.

*Swish, swish, swish!*

Spiritual Energy, Soul Power, Elements, the halberd, and finally, the man's own body was bisected, not giving him the chance to defend himself at all!

'Impossible!'

That was the last thought he had before dropping dead on the ground.

Rean and Roan then landed on the roof of a building before looking around. This time, all the Zasfins saw what happened.

"We need to leave."