Death… And Me

On Kentucky's side, his size had increased once again. By now, he was several times bigger than Rean and Roan. His blade-like feathers became sharper as the scales covering them became tougher. The crown of black and white feathers on Kentucky's head had also increased in size, now much easier to see. But above all, the Spiritual Energy and Elemental Pressure he gave off far surpassed his previous self.

"Who's the best? I'm the best! Hahaha!" Kentucky said out loud for the first time. As mentioned before, a Demon Beast gained the capability to think and use Spiritual Sense messages at Stage Five. At Stage Six, they were finally able to talk with words. On the other hand, Kentucky seemed to be always one realm ahead with his abilities, so he could talk at Stage Five!

"Kentucky, make sure to not talk in front of others from now on. It would be too weird if people found out that Stage Five Demon Beasts could talk, alright?" Rean warned, afraid that others might identify Kentucky.

Kentucky quickly nodded, responding, "Alright~! But now that I'm at Stage Five, I'm finally able to use Spiritual Sense without anyone finding it strange that I can do it." Obviously, he didn't want to be completely silent.

Rean nodded with a smile, saying, "That's good enough."

[Alright, how are your Soul Powers at the moment?] Sister Orb asked, waiting to see if it improved with their breakthroughs.

Rean took the Soul Measurement Crystal and put his hand on it before channeling his own Soul Power inside. Not too long after, the result appeared on the top of the crystal.

-Soul Power, 271-

Rean was quite satisfied with that. "Just two years of training, and I've improved by 102 points. Guess I've improved quite well."

Roan was the next one to check his Soul Power Points.

-Soul Power, 263-

"As expected, our Soul Powers follow a similar rate of improvement. It's just that you're the one with a Light Element Affinity, so you're ahead of me by a small margin." Roan seemed quite used to that already. He noticed that Rean's higher aptitude for Soul Power also pulled him together. Of course, he also cultivated his Soul Power diligently not to drag behind.

Kentucky then puffed his chest as he stepped forward, saying, "Hmph! Behold, the power of this god!" His wings, which were much bigger than the crystal, rested on it as the Minokawa channeled his own Soul Power inside.

-Soul Power, 319-

"Hahaha!" Kentucky laughed out loud. "See, see?! I'm the best demon bird ever!" Kentucky's Light and Dark Element then revolved around him as the Soul Power increased their flow and power. During these last two years, Kentucky had also become used to using his Soul Power.

Roan evilly smiled before asking, "Is that so? Then how about you and I have a little fall out here? I promise I won't hold back before this demon bird god."

Kentucky felt a chill on his spine as he took several steps back, saying, "Ahem...this demon bird god is just a puny little one, nothing worth mentioning. There's no need for you to waste your time with me." As strong as Kentucky might have gotten, he was still no match for Roan. He and Roan had battled many times in the Soul Gem Dimensional Realm, but he couldn't win against him even once. He had just made a breakthrough, but he doesn't even believe that he would be able to win.

"Hmph! Then stop with your blabbering." Roan then looked at Rean, saying, "We're ready. Liza and Luna already know what will happen as well. Use your Spiritual Sense Bending Skill and check the outside."

Rean nodded and used his control over the Dimensional Realm to open a very tiny opening between it and the outside world. He did the same thing back in the Dalamu Sect when he and Roan were looking for Malaka. Rean filled that small entrance between the two with his skill, trying to feel the presence of the old monsters' Spiritual Sense.

"Yes, here it is. Now we need to wait until their Spiritual Sense disappears. As soon as that happens, we need to go out and start taking all kids inside," Rean said with a serious expression.

Roan nodded as he turned back to Kentucky, reminding him, "Remember, the tunnel where all the Bloodline Trial Control Formations spans 43 kilometers long. I'm located at the very end of it, so that's where you'll appear. As soon as we step outside, you must fly as fast as possible in the direction of the entrance. No one here is faster than you even though we can all fly."

Rean also added, "During that time, Roan and I will focus solely on pulling all the kids inside the Dimensional Realm. The kids don't have any cultivation whatsoever, so they wouldn't be able to resist the pull. Nevertheless, there are a lot of them, so we can't waste time looking ahead."

Kentucky nodded, saying, "I know. The gap between the old monsters' Spiritual Senses are all based on luck. It might be replaced by someone else straight away or take a long time. Of course, I won't risk it and will try to reach the end as fast as possible."

[That's not all. There are many Zasfins guarding this place inside. Roan already found that even Saint Realm Zasfins are present. Rean's Light and Spiritual Sense bending Skills will still be active, keeping you out of sight. However, the moment the kids began to disappear in front of their eyes, they will definitely use Spiritual Sense and Soul Power to try and see what's happening. Once that happens, there is next to no chance of you still being able to keep yourself hidden. Speed is paramount.] Sister Orb reminded, also ready to help the twins pull the kids inside.

Everyone got ready as their Spiritual Energy Reserves reached their peak. Rean and Roan were already on Kentucky's back while the Minokawa kept his wings open, ready to flap with all his might. 

After some time, Rean's eyes glistened as he shouted.

"Now!"