Is That A Wisp?

Lucio noticed Krune's expression after his request, so he sent him a Divine Sense Message.

'What's wrong? Do you think you would lose?'

Krune shook his head.

'That's not it.'

After that, Krune went through the entire situation for Lucio to hear.

'To think such a thing happened... However, you're right about one thing. They didn't challenge you because they knew that Liriu and Heavin entered the Soren Ruins. It was most likely just a coincidence. Still, the fight itself isn't a coincidence. You know that, right?'

Krune nodded.

'Yes. This trade route dispute started so that they can test my strength. After all, I did show off a little when I defended Joty against the Tribulation. They also selected this trade route since it would affect the Divine Path Sect. It was to make sure I wouldn't refuse.'

Lucio agreed with Krune.

'Exactly. I also know your real combat power, so I know it wouldn't be a problem for you. That's why I came here to ask you to accept. But now, perhaps it will be better for you to refuse and go help Liriu and Heavin. The Sacred Lands will have to send someone else as their representative.'

Krune couldn't help but ask.

'But would it be okay? That's quite an important route, right? What if they lose?'

Lucio shrugged his shoulders as he replied.

'It's important, but it's not like it will last forever. Our Divine Path Sect has existed for much longer than one Chaos Cycle. Back then, such a trade route didn't exist, but we were still strong. I refuse to believe that our sect would collapse just because we lost it. Besides, this trade route affects everyone in the big four, so the other powers would definitely join together with us to overcome this problem.'

Krune couldn't help but sigh. His Master and the Divine Path Sect had done a lot for him in the past. Unfortunately, he can't wait here for that thing.

The Sacred Lands' representatives also kept asking him to participate in this fight. After all, Krune was still the main representative in this matter.

'Krune, leave it to me. You and Feifei can go.'

Suddenly, another Spatial Gate appeared as an old man stepped out.

'Master!'

'Grandmaster!'

Turns out, it was Lani. 

'Grandmaster, are you sure? You're pretty close to your Ascension Tribulation. Would it really be okay?'

'Krune is right, Master. You should focus on preparing for the Tribulation.'

Lani shook his head in response.

'Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Although I don't have a Heavenly Fragment, I do have a major Divine Soul, just like you and Lucio. Other than that, my Elements Regulation Technique reached culmination a long time ago, and I'm even better than Lucio at that. I also have the Myriad Energies Techquine and the Chaos Meridians. Last but not least, this is the perfect opportunity to test the Purple Flame Staff Krune made for me.'

Lani's expression then turned serious as he spoke.

'This is your Grandmaster and Master's orders. Go do whatever you have to do. Lucio will also go with you. As for the fight, you don't need to care about whether we win or not.'

Krune and Lucio were taken aback by Lani's attitude. At least for Krune, it was the first time he saw his Grandmaster acting that domineering, not leaving any room for discussion.

Suddenly, Luvile's voice entered Krune's mind.

'Don't underestimate him. Now that he has all these perks on his side, his real power is not something anyone can defend against.'

Krune was surprised by Luvile's comment. Still, since Luvile also vouched for his Grandmaster, then he would believe it.

Krune and Lucio then bowed to Lani.

'Yes, Master!'

'Yes, Grandmaster!'

Krune then looked at Feifei, who had been waiting on the side. She knew that it was a hard decision for Krune, so she didn't want to intervene.

"Feifei, let's go!"

Feifei was taken aback, so she immediately asked with a Divine Sense Message.

'Is everything okay?'

Krune nodded.

'Don't worry, my Grandmaster will take care of everything. Oh, and one more thing. My Master will be coming with us.'

Feifei was surprised to hear that but smiled in the end. Looking at how confident Lucio and Krune's expressions were, she thought they had a reason to believe Lani.

'Alright, let's go to the Soren Ruins.'

Krune then opened a Spatial Gate and entered it with Feifei and Lucio.

"Wait!"

The representatives of the Sacred Lands didn't know what to do, so they could only follow. After all, they were told that they must convince their Luvile Universe Heavenly Competitor to participate. However, Lani immediately stopped them in their tracks.

"There is no need for you lot to follow them. They have something much more important to do, so Krune can't participate. But there is no need to worry. This old man will take the burden."

The guys were taken aback. In the end, they could only contact their Sacred Lands and see what they should do. The Sacred Lands were also lost. After all, it was the Universes' powerhouses that controlled Dalin until a few years ago that asked for it. Without any other choice, they also contacted them.

"What?! Krune's Grandmaster, the Ancestor of the Divine Path Sect? What the hell are you doing? We have no interest in this fry."

"Wait! This might be a good opportunity. Since he's Krune's Grandmaster, we can use him."

"Indeed. We already succeeded in calling Senior Phantom Blade out. Just have him crush this Lani or whatever, and Krune will eventually appear. At that time, Wally won't be able to do anything since it wasn't us who went after Krune."

"Hum... That might work indeed."

"Very well, just tell the Sacred Lands in the Luvile Universe to accept this Lani's idea."

"He's just a simple old man at the Peak Divinity Realm from a small sect in the corner of the alliance. What can he do anyway? I also say to let him battle."

"Does everyone agree with this?"

The Leaders of all Universes' powerhouses nodded.

"Yes!"

Sure enough, the Sacred Lands accepted Lani's participation as Luvile's Universe representative in the fight for the Trade Route between the two Universes.

Lani, on the other hand, wasn't surprised by that.

'Hmph! So you really only wanted to test Krune. Otherwise, the Sacred Lands would definitely not let me fight in his place since they think I'm weak.'

Lani's combat intent soared as he laughed.

'Hehehe! Good! Let's see what you can do against the new me now.'

Krune, Feifei, and Lucio didn't know what was happening, but they trusted that Lani could deal with it. That being said, Krune enveloped everyone with his Purple Tribulation Lightning as they broke into another Universe. That way, no one would be able to detect their presence while they traveled to the Soren Ruins.

Sure enough, Luvile's Tribulation Lightning Layer was perfect for this kind of thing. During the entire travel, Krune's group hasn't been stopped even once by each Universe's powers.

Suddenly, a new Spatial Gate appeared several thousands of kilometers away from the Soren Ruins. From inside, three figures appeared surrounded by Purple Lightning. Naturally, they were Krune, Feifei, and Lucio. Following that, the Purple Lighting Layer disappeared.

Krune's group then used their Divine Sense to envelop the region. Only then did they understand just how huge this place was.

"Holy shit! Even though it's all ruins floating in outer space, it still has enough area to fit several solar systems inside."

Lucio agreed with Krune.

"Indeed. I've heard of this place before, but seeing with my own eyes is totally different."

Fefiei also commented.

"That's not all. Our Divine Senses can envelop its extension, but it can't penetrate it. There is some kind of barrier preventing our Divine Senses from getting closer."

"Well, this was supposed to be a forbidden zone where even Peak Divinity Realm Cultivators and Demon Beasts can die, right? It's definitely bound to be anything but simple."

Lucio then commented something else.

"However, it wasn't supposed to look like this..."

Krune's group looked as the ruins themselves shone like waves. It gave them the feeling that it was somewhat alive. However, it had never happened before.

"There are a lot of cultivators and demon beasts outside as well. No, this number should mean nothing. The ones that already entered are definitely many times higher."

"It can't be helped. Everyone knows that the Soren Ruins still hides many wonders. Now that it has started to act like this, it obviously attracted many eyes—especially those who came to look for better opportunities to cross their own Ascension Tribulation."

"In that case, we should expect a lot of Peak Divinity Realm old monsters in there."

Krune then showed a determined expression.

"Anyway, nothing will happen if we wait here. Let's go inside."

Feifei and Lucio nodded.

"We can enter from any side you wish. The Soren Ruins doesn't have anything like one main entrance. Any point you choose will have similar levels of danger... or so says the record that I read about the Soren Ruins."

With that said, Krune's group flashed there. The other cultivators and demon beasts waiting outside saw them passing, but no one tried to stop them. Many were there only to recover their energies before entering again. Some just couldn't make their minds to enter, while others were waiting for their companions or things like that.

Krune's group quickly found a passage for themselves. However, as soon as they entered, Krune noticed something.

"Hmm? Is this...?"