Chapter 544: End of Second Phase (2/2)

”I told you before, I also have a treasure here that can hide us from Divine Sense.”

Hanan also added.

”Me too. You don't need to support the entire burden.”

Krune shook his head, though.

”I'm not sacrificing myself here. It's just the Tribulation Lightning Layer is an ability of mine, not a treasure. I'm much more comfortable using it than any other thing. I'm doing it for my own good too, so just bear with it.”

Krune wasn't lying. He was really doing it for his own good. Sure, he would spend more Soul Energy than Laka and Hanan. However, would their Anti-Divine Sense treasures be better than Luvile's Purple Tribulation Lightning? Krune hardly believed so. That being said, he preferred to use his own method. As long as it increased both his and his group odds, why not?

Laka and Hanan looked at each but didn't say anything else. Since Krune insisted on doing that, then so be it. It is not like it is a bad deal for them, either. They will be able to save a lot more soul energy that they might need to use it the end. That was especially so for Laka himself.

Of course, as much as they hid from Divine Sense, they couldn't do so against Nightmare Demons. That being said, they kept running from them all the time while avoiding bumping into other groups. Just like that, the time continued to pass as more and more competitors died or gave up. It wouldn't take long for it to finish.

-Number of participants remaining: 1050.-

When only 50 more eliminations were remaining, the rate of deaths suddenly dropped. But no one found it surprising. After all, attacking each other now would most likely not bring any results. Because of that, everyone began to rely on their remaining Soul Energy while they fled from Nightmare Demons.

Surprisingly, it took two entire hours in an environment with almost countless Nightmare Demons for the last 50 to be gone. A common trait in those last 50 was that most of them died instead of giving up. They were so close to passing to the next phase, so they simply didn't want to leave.

-Number of participants remaining: 1000.-

Suddenly, All the Nightmare Demons inside Krune's Mental Energy Perception disappeared together as if they had never been there. A few seconds later, everyone's vision blurred as they woke up back into their bodies.

The pods then emerged from the Light Pools, and their doors opened. Krune's group looked around with their Divine Sense and could tell that there was really a 1000 cultivators and demon beasts remaining. Sure enough, the advantage in numbers of demon beasts disappeared. Now, 539 were cultivators, while 461 demon beasts made up the rest. It was easy to count since Demon Beasts always had different auras from humans.

Kruna, Laka, and Hanan looked at each other and then smiled. It was evident that they passed the test. In fact, it was easier than they thought. Well, the fact that all three were much stronger than most of those at their cultivation level also played its part. But the real main reason was Krune's Mental Energy, which no one could have counted with.

It was then that all the survivors received a Divine Sense message from Norzulun.

”Congratulation! You all passed the Soul World test and are now qualified to take part in the third phase.”

A lot of the participants began to cheer when they heard that. Unlike Krune's group, the majority was really on their wit's end by the time the second phase was over. Now that it was confirmed, they couldn't help but be happy.

”Alright, the third phase will start in a week. Use this time to recover your bodies and souls. Of course, for us outside, it will be only one hour. There is a Time Formation under you all that will accelerate time, so use it as you see fit. Obviously, any fights during this time are forbidden. Anyway, that's all for now.”

A few seconds later, everyone noticed that the Laws around them began to accelerate. It was evident that they entered a Time Formation. No one paid much attention to it, though. Instead, they sat down and took several healing pills that they had prepared for this competition. Some had body injuries from the Ice Maze while others had Soul ones form the Soul World. Nonetheless, there wasn't a single participant unprepared for both situations.

Whether in Soul or Body, Krune wasn't injured, though.

”Well, I guess I'll make something to eat.”