96 The Extremes of Life and Death (1/2)
He had finally broken through into Essence Manifest - Earth. Although he was progressing extremely fast, to someone like Arnin who still needed to reach his previous life's strength, he wasn't even close to his goal. If anything, this was just his first step towards his previous state.
Arnin got up from his spot and when he looked at his current state, he was pleased. His skin seemed much more smooth, and even his hair reverted back to its usual ashen greyish black color.
All the blood stains on his body were gone and his height had also slightly increased. Although he still looked like a child, he now looked more like a seven-year-old.
His purple eyes roamed the area, quickly locating Canae and Sinfallel. When he looked at Canae, he noticed that her aura was also a little stronger and there was more vitality on her face. She seemed a little different from before, less depressed and more spirited.
'Seems like I am not the only one who made a breakthrough. This is good though; the more power she gains, the better it is for me.' Arnin walked passed the two girls as he headed towards the exit of the Body Torture Pillar zone. This zone wasn't much use to him, especially after his breakthrough. Plus, he needed to find some people to test out his strength.
Even though he felt that he was significantly stronger than before, possibly unmatched in the Essence Manifest realm, there were still people who might be similar in strength to him. He had high hopes that the people in the top ten could put up a fight and make him feel some pressure. He also hoped to meet the few that had already reached Elemental Formation and see how he would fare against them.
Soon, he left the last of the three zones. He had about two and a half months left until the end of the battlefield. Although he wanted it to end quicker, he knew that there was no way to make that happen unless of course, he killed every contestant until there were only a hundred left, but that was unlikely.
Since he had lots of time, he wanted to sharpen his skills, learn more about Essence Manifest, and try to earn a spot in the top ten or twenty. Although he wanted to play it lowkey, now that he broke through, he was willing to go against much stronger opponents. Plus, he was keen on fighting people from the top ten.
”Canae, where would most of the top ten gather?” Although he felt that one of the three zones would be the most likely locations, he was hoping to find another place where they would gather in the end. If there was such a place, he wanted to head over as soon as possible and wait for the strongest people to show up.
Hearing Arnin's question, Canae quickly spoke up. ”The Elemental River zone is the most likely place. When we went there last time, there might have been a few top ten cultivators around, however, we probably just didn't notice them.” Arnin fell into deep thought. He also felt that the Elemental River zone was like a beacon for strong cultivators, however, he never met anyone there that was strong enough to contend against. There was a chance of him missing them or them not being there yet, but he didn't want to go there just for such a chance.
Suddenly, an idea came to him. ”Does everyone know the general area for the center of this battlefield? Was it spoken about in the introduction before you guys entered?”
Canae shook her head. ”There wasn't any mention of the center since it was just a barren place like the rest of the battlefield. However, most people should know how to get to the center of the battlefield or at least the general area.” Arnin nodded his head as he began to ponder a little further.
”Was there a gate you guys entered from?” This time Canae nodded her head.
”There wasn't a gate, but there was a large area where everyone first gathered before separating.” Arnin's eyes glinted with a cold light.
”Lead me to that place, and spread the word that I, the Demonic Joker, am looking to fight the trash known as the top ten. If they don't come, then they should wait for me to find and slaughter them.” Arnin's words were loud enough that anyone in the vicinity could hear him. This was his goal. He wanted people to know about his intentions and spread the word for him. Of course, Canae and Sinfallel would also go and help circulate the news.
'Why should I go look for others when they can come and find me instead?' Arnin smirked slightly as he waved his hand. ”Go and spread the word. Make sure it spreads quick. Everyone should know that the top ten will be slaughtered by me and that I will be waiting for them at the place where everyone first arrived. All challenged are welcomed.”
Canae nodded her head, and so did Sinfallel. ”I will lead you to the location first. Sis, you go and propagate the rumor and meet us at the location later on. Make sure to be quick and to not mess with anyone beyond your level.” Canae warned her sister before taking the lead with Arnin following behind her.
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The gossip spread like wildfire. With Sinfallel shouting Arnin's words and even adding in her own exaggeration, people began to talk.
”Did you hear? The Demonic Joker is challenging the top ten!”
”He even called them trash and claimed the top twenty are beneath him. The Demonic Joker even said that he doesn't want to waste his time with them!”
”He is courting death for saying such things. Who does he think he is? Just because is a little famous and is able to kill a few people above his realm, he thinks he can fight the top ten?”
Back at the Cave Temple zone, Fxi had a smirk on his face when he heard the report from his people. ”Seems like he has guts. First, he slaughters my woman, then my people, and now he's calling me trash along with the others.” Although Fxi was not 'officially' in the top ten, or even the top twenty, he was not any weaker than the two groups.
He was a part of the group who hid their strength from the rest, revealing his power at the most unexpected times.
Fxi sneered before getting up from his spot, exiting the Cave Temple zone. ”Let's go and find this so-called Demonic Joker and see what he is truly made of. ” With a wave of his sleeve, he and his people vanished from their spot.
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In another location, a young girl who looked around the same age as Yinsi, possibly even younger, had a deep frown plastered on her face as she heard the report from a kneeling girl.
”That trash Joker or whatever thinks he can talk so haughtily here? Just where does he get his courage! Take me to where he is. Let me show him how to spell death slowly!” Her anger erupted with her extremely powerful aura, Essence Manifest - Heaven. In comparison to her age, such strength was considered amazing, almost monstrous.
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