Is That A Wisp?

Krune knew that he would gather a lot of attention when he wins the race, but that was supposed to happens around the last 100 to 200km of the track. Now, however, everyone noticed his existence.

Back where Gavei was watching the competition, everyone around looked directly at him. Gavei, obviously, was even more shocked than anyone else. However, he didn't show it on his face. His Green Talon Eagle Race had been on a decline for so long, so how couldn't he lose his chance to brag.

"Hmph! What are you looking at? Did you forget how long my Green Talon Eagle Race has existed? We obviously still have our own trump cards. You just wait and see; this race is far from over!"

Although some felt that there was something else behind his words, the majority couldn't help but believe it. After all, it is true that the Green Talon Eagle Race had been quite big in the past. It wouldn't be all that strange if they had some contacts that helped them find Krune. Of course, Gavei, more than anyone else, knew just how ridiculous that notion was.

'Holy Shit! He pulverized the Repulsive Formation! If he is already this strong, then how strong is that Sisan guy at the 9th Stage of the Semi-Divinity Realm? They must be disciples of other Celestial Organizations from outside our territory. Otherwise, how could he be so heaven-defying?!'

Of course, that thought only passed through Gavei's mind. He didn't say it aloud.

Back in the race, all the eyes paused on Krune for a few moments. Those who made fun of him in the past were even a little happy that they didn't try to pull any trick against him. However, that silence only lasted a few seconds. With the Repulsive Formation gone, everyone quickly came back to themselves.

"The formation is gone. Let's go!"

Immediately after, everyone dashed forward once more. As for Krune, he only sighed and continued on his way as well. Erven's group was too far ahead, so they didn't see what happened. After all, both Divine Sense and naked vision were incredibly limited in this place. Nevertheless, they only opened another 10 or so km of distance. With Krune's Mental Energy Perception Range, they were far from escaping it.

Krune kept moving together with the back group while keeping the 10km distance from Even's group. It's just that this time, no one had any intention of touching him.

Suddenly...

*Boom!*

One of the volcanos on the way erupted. It was so sudden that three of the surrounding competitors didn't have time to move away. In the end, they were reduced to ashes.

"It was not me!"

The others who were around looked at Krune, puzzled. It was just an eruption. They all knew that such things happened all the time in this place. Obviously, it wasn't Krune's fault.

Krune noticed what he had done and instantly felt embarrassed. Poor Krune was so traumatized that he automatically tried to defend himself when he heard an explosion.

"Cough, cough... Just joking."

Purple Lightning covered his body, and he disappeared ahead in a flash of purple light. He was too ashamed to stay there anymore.

The Lavagator Race has put an obstacle every 100km. So now and then, Krune's party would catch up with Erven's group. After all, They would always be the first ones who needed to find out how to surpass it. By the time the rest arrived, they would more or less know what to do already.

Erven's group didn't mind, though. In their eyes, if someone tried to pass ahead of them, they could simply try to get rid of them.

Krune was also a lot more careful during the next ones. He refrained from using his Purple Tribulation Lightning, trying to overcome those formations with his other elements. Turns out that he was really overthinking in the past. With his other elements alone, it was enough to succeed, especially when he already knew how to do it by observing Erven's group.

Just like that, the first 1000km was gone. However, Krune soon noticed that Erven's group completely stopped a little after the 1000km obstacle. Obviously, the other competitors also noticed it when they got closer there.

The reason Erven's group stopped wasn't because of a formation or anything like that, but a natural barrier. At this very moment, several volcanos were in the middle of eruptions. The area inside was a death zone. Worst of all, the range of the outbursts went further than the path provided for the competitors to use. If they tried to go around, they would deviate too much from it. As the elders of the Lavagator Race mentioned before, those who left the path would be disqualified. Thus, Erven's group and the rest were now stuck at this place.

The problem was, it didn't seem like the eruptions would stop anytime soon!

Krune looked at that scene ahead and shook his head.

"This was definitely made on purpose. The route selected will force us to pass through that death zone. If I'm not wrong, we should receive a message anytime now."

Luvile agreed with Krune.

"The others probably can tell that as well. Still, we have nothing to worry about. As long as you use your shields and my Purple Tribulation Lightning for protection, you can definitely overcome this obstacle. Not to mention that heat has little effect on you with your perks."

Krune, of course, knew that. However, others didn't.

Suddenly, everyone in the competition received a Divine Sense massage.

"For those waiting in front of the eruptions. It will not stop anytime soon. According to what our Lavagator Race knows, this kind of phenomenon lasts at least three months. At the moment, only three weeks had gone by, which means you will have to wait at least another two months to proceed. Of course, the competition will not last that long. That being said, those who wish to win this race will have to enter this zone. Otherwise, you might as well give up here. Anyway, that's all. Good Luck."

Sure enough, it was as Krune and a few others already expected. 

Not too surprisingly, Erven's group also had the confidence of being able to pass it. However, they didn't go ahead. That obviously puzzled Krune. But not only him, the powers outside that knew that Erven's group was part of the Celestial Sky Organization were also feeling the same.

"Why is Erven not going through it?"

"What about Trando? Is something wrong with him?"

"Xoen, Pordol, and Larks seem to be having the same issue."

"There must be a reason for it other than the eruptions."

As Erven's group waited, some of the cultivators and demon beasts saw a chance in it. If they could pass that region now, they would pull far ahead of those who were afraid of entering. Not to mention that some of them were also proficient with Fire Element and Laws, so they immediately rushed inside.

It was then that another group with five cultivators/demon beasts arrived in front of the Death Zone.

Seeing that, Erven's group finally showed some reaction.

"Oh, Wagando! I wondered how long you would make me wait."

Those who knew about Erven were taken aback. They had seen this new group entering the competition, but no one paid much attention to them.

Wagando, who had just arrived, couldn't help but shrug his shoulders.

"So you noticed me in the end, uh?"

Erven snorted after hearing that.

"Did you even try to hide it? Your Sword Intent was overflowing from the very start. As expected of the Celestial Weapons Organization, you guys are really masters of weapons."

Wagando laughed out loud.

"I can't deny that. Haha!"

"We wanted to give your group a sense of victory and smash you at the end, but it seems like our plan won't work anymore."

Erven nodded.

"It wouldn't work to start with. Anyway, what are you doing here? You are quite far from your Celestial Weapons Organization territory, you know?"

Wagando nodded.

"Indeed. We got tired of roaming inside our territory, so we decided to take a look outside. It was then that we received some information that you guys decided to participate in some secular world competition. We thought that it would be fun to give you a surprise, so here we are. Of course, whether you believe it or not, that's up to you."

Erven didn't totally believe what he said indeed. Still, he ignored it and then looked at the eruptions zone ahead. At the moment, he was more interested in what was going to happen during this race.

"Mind if we start the real competition now? It had been too dull so far, so I'm looking forward to seeing what your group can do."

Knowing that trying to hide would make no difference from this point onwards, Wagando accepted Erven's idea.

"Very well. Let's do it!"

Suddenly, Sword Qi began to dance around his body as if forming a protective barrier. Right after, Wagando rushed inside the eruptions zone as if nothing was happening there.

His companions also took their weapons out and used their own techniques to protect themselves. Then, they followed Wagando inside.

Of course, Erven and his group didn't fall behind. They, too, activated their own abilities and stepped inside the death zone. 

As for the people watching outside who knew Erven, they were all confused. They didn't know what Erven was talking to that other group since they used Divine Sense messages. Still, for a member of the Celestial Sky Organization to be that affected, they at least had an idea of who those newcomers might be.

Krune, on the other hand, didn't know anything.

'Oh, everyone is finally entering. Seems like I can enter too then.'