Chapter 502 - First Attack
While they made their way to the intended destination, a question popped up in Wano's mind as he didn't understand how their group would resolve it.
"Aren't you afraid of being caught by an enemy at the Nascent Soul Realm? They do have many of those red crystals, that's true. However, they seem to be pretty important to the Lakure Race cultivators. It wouldn't be surprising if they had a few of their high-level cultivators guarding them."
Roan shook his head as he replied.
"Don't worry, we have a way to find out if one of them appears. If that happens, we can retreat straight away."
"What?!"
Wano was taken aback.
"How can you find that out?"
Roan faintly smiled but didn't answer. Obviously, it was Rean's Hidden Radar skill. Contrary to how the cultivation world worked, Rean can feel the other party's Spiritual Sense. It became more potent the higher their cultivation level was. A Nascent Soul's Spiritual Sense might be impossible for Wano and others at his level or below to feel. But for Rean, that would shine like a bright sun.
That's how they were going to select their targets. A Nascent Soul Realm's Spiritual Sense could cover several kilometers. That would give them enough time to escape if Rean detected them. Of course, that would only work if the Nascent Soul expert was using his Spiritual Sense. If the enemy suddenly decides to not use it, then even Rean won't detect it. However, Rean's group still had the option to escape into the Dimensional Realm if such a thing happens. Well, the chances of that happening were low since using Spiritual Sense was considered common knowledge.
Because they made their base far away, their group took quite a few hours to arrive. However, the ray of lights in the sky and especially Kentucky's restlessness proved that they were getting close.
Roan then looked at Rean.
"Let's start."
Rean nodded as Light Element quickly gathered around him and Roan. Soon after, the light began to bend around them as Rean's group disappeared in thin air. Rean was the primary user of the skill, but Roan could use Light Element as well. With the two working together, they could cover more than just themselves in that camouflage skill. Of course, Spiritual Sense would also be bent around them now.
Calina and Malaka were already used to that. However, Wano was really shocked by what he saw. He was the last to be enveloped in the skill, so he saw how everyone simply disappeared in front of him before he was also dragged inside. Only inside Rean's skill could he see their group's presence.
"Impressive! However, what will you do about Spiritual Sense?"
Rean smiled before saying.
"Sight is far from being the only thing my skill can conceal. Don't look down on Light Element users."
Roan ignored Wano's surprise.
"Let's go."
Their group quickly moved in the direction of the Red Crystal while Rean made sure to pay attention to the bending of Spiritual Sense. Eventually, they found the first one.
"There is at least one Core and Soul Fusion Realm cultivator guarding the crystal. I can feel his Spiritual Sense."
Roan, Calina, and Malaka nodded as they continued to move forward. Wano became more and more surprised since he couldn't feel anything at all. Well, that made sense. At Wano's cultivation level, he should feel other Core and Soul Fusion cultivators' Spiritual Senses. But because Rean was bending it around them, it wasn't touching his body. Naturally, he couldn't feel it.
After some time, they saw another one of those open fields where the crystal was placed. Sure enough, the Red Crystal continued to absorb the earth's energy while sending it to the valley. From afar, Rean's group began to move slower and slower since nothing could aid the camouflage.
Wano then put those thoughts on the back of his mind as he prepared for the battle. Rean's group wasn't the only one who wanted to use the Lakure Race for training, after all.
"The guy with the red robe should be the Core and Soul Fusion Realm enemy, right?"
Rean looked at Wano with a surprised expression, asking.
"You can tell?"
Wano smiled in response as he replied.
"It's just experience. However, you should pay attention to that woman on the left side of their group. I think she's hiding more under her plain facade."
Rean narrowed his eyes. At the moment, all he could tell was that the woman was not using Spiritual Sense, so he couldn't judge her level.
Roan then looked at the woman before asking Rean.
"Can you tell their levels?"
Rean pondered a bit before saying.
"Not all of them are using Spiritual Sense. But from those who are, I can tell that we have one Core and Soul Fusion Realm cultivator there at least. It's the same one Wano mentioned. As for Core Formation cultivators, there are at least nine of them. However, the ones not using Spiritual Sense might be at that level as well. The rest seem to be weaklings at Foundation Establishment or below. Their job is obviously to keep the Red Crystal working, so they shouldn't be a problem."
Roan nodded.
"We have the element of surprise. Here's the plan..."
Roan then used his Spiritual Sense and told everyone's job as they crept closer.
"This is the limit. We have too many of us inside my Light and Spiritual Bending skill. If we get closer, they might notice. Everyone, get ready."
Wano immediately assumed an attack stance. Rean, Roan, and Malaka soon did the same thing. As for Calina, she stayed behind them, ready to give support. Of course, Kentucky was ready to take flight. Without any need for words, they attacked!
Roan's sword gathered Dark and Light Element as he shot forward.
'Death Style, Third Form, Three Claws of the Dragon!'
Rean, on the other hand, tried something new. Light and Fire Element converged around his sword as he followed Roan.
'Life Fire, Flame Emperor Slash!'
He came up with this technique after reading Zuan's Yang Energy Techniques, which he obtained in the last war. Zuan's primary affinity was fire, so his cultivation technique skills were really good for it. Once Rean fused it with his Light Element, he created a White Fire much stronger than the combination of Wind and Fire Element. The fire consumed Rean's Yang Energy and Light Element as it burned stronger than any other Fire Element user at his level.
'Flow of the Dragon Staff!'
'Glacial Icicles!'
Calina and Malaka had gone out on missions together for many years now, so they could work better together than they could with Rean and Roan. Malaka ran forward as many icicles shot out like bullets by her sides. However, Malaka didn't seem to mind. She totally trusted Calina's ability to support her.
'One Sword!'
Wano was the fastest one, though. With his cultivation, it was simply difficult for anyone in Rean's group to beat him. However, he did not head for the Core and Soul Fusion guy. Instead, he aimed at the Core Formation Realm enemies. Not only him, but everyone did the same thing.
Roan's plan was simple. They knew that they would always be at a disadvantage in terms of numbers, so they used the element of surprise to their advantage to reduce the enemies' numbers as much as possible.
After some time, the Core and Soul Fusion Realm enemy finally noticed Rean's group.
"Enemy attack!"
However, it was too late. Rean's group was way too close to them when they came out of the Light and Spiritual Sense Bending skill.
*Swish, swish, bang, boom!*
*Ahhhh!*
Split and broken corpses flew everywhere as Rean's group swept through the enemies' ranks. In a single wave, four Core Formation Realm cultivators died before they could even react.