Krune's group was then brought up to the mountain. Melio entered a cave with them right after. Through their Divine Senses, they could tell that another Divinity Realm Green Talen Eagle was inside too.
Suddenly, they heard a voice coming from the end of a room inside that cave.
"Melio, why did you bring those cultivators here?"
Melio immediately stepped forward before saying.
"Gavei, you also saw their battle outside, didn't you? If you did, I believe you know why I did this."
It was then that another Green Eagle made its way out of the back. Krune's group could tell that Gavie's aura was stronger than Melio, which meant that this was the 5th Stage Eagle they sensed before.
Gavei then looked at Iem and Krune before saying.
"They are not part of our Green Talon Eagle Race. Chances are that the other powers won't accept it."
Melio shook his head.
"They will. There had been a few times when they used external help for other matters, so why would they stop us from doing so? It would be the same as telling everyone that they won't be able to use outsiders anymore. You know very well that they wouldn't do such a thing. In fact, I'm pretty sure that some of them will also employ external help."
Gavei narrowed his eyes after hearing that. Still, Krune's group had no idea what was happening.
"What are you even talking about?"
Gavei pondered a bit and then sighed. Finally, he began to explain the situation.
"I saw your power and speed outside. You are obviously much stronger than any common Semi-Divinity Realm cultivator or demon beast. I would like to ask your help with a matter of our race. Of course, I'm willing to pay well for it too."
Krune's group looked at each other and then back at Gavei.
"It depends. What is it that you need our help for?"
Melio answered that question.
"You heard about the Wind Essence Vein in our mountain from Jilan, right?"
Krune, Iem, and Sisan nodded.
"The thing we need your help with is related to it. I don't know if the place you came from is like our side, but all the Elemental Essence Veins here are basically occupied already. Not only that but rarely there is a change in those controlling it. However, our race is close to losing ours."
Let alone Krune's group, even Jilan didn't know that.
"Elder Melio, what do you mean with that? Why would our race lose our Wind Essence Vein?"
Melio sighed as well and then continued.
"I believe you know that already. In the past few decades, our race members received quite a few attacks from the other powers. You were a good example of it. The Heavenly Protection Sect attacked you just a while ago, right? Don't you think they were quite bold to do that so close to our territory?"
Jilan was taken aback. Still, she had to admit that other than herself, she heard that several other members of her race were attacked or killed too.
Noticing that Jilan understood his meaning, Elder Melio then proceeded with his explanation.
"The reason for our race to receive so many attacks like that is because we fell in power. Around 200 years ago, we still had at least twenty elders in the Divinity Realm. However, look at it now. We only have five remaining. All the others already perished or ran out of lifespan."
"Because of our decline, the other powers began to aim for our Wind Essence Vein—especially the powers without Essence Veins of themselves. We are already reaching our limit. Soon, those other powers with a similar number of Divinity Realm in their ranks will raid our mountain."
Krune's group immediately understood the situation. Still, they waited for Melio to finish his words.
"Still, there was a line of hope remaining. The fact is that the powers who are aiming at us have similar powers to us. Only if they band together would they be able to take us down. However, a problem would remain after that. Who should be the ones to take the Wind Essence Vein? It was then that they came to us with a proposal."
"Instead of starting a war between all the powers that want the Wind Essence Vein, why not decide it in a way that neither side will suffer much? Thus, they came up with the Wind Essence Vein competition. Each power who wishes to take the Wind Essence Vein would send a cultivator or a demon beast below the Divinity Realm to vie for it. The winner takes all while the others will agree to not touch the Wind Essence Vein for the next 200 years."
Krune's group nodded. It was exactly as they thought.
"So you need one of us to beat all the other competitors. Because the Green Talon Eagle Race is still similar in strength with the others, you obviously can participate as well. That also means that you at least have a chance of keeping the Wind Essence Vein and still guarantee another 200 years of peace."
Melio nodded.
"Yes. However, it will not be a direct confrontation. All the powers that have a use for the Wind Essence Vein are obviously specialized in Wind Elements and Laws. That being said, what do you think they are best at?"
Everyone immediately answered.
"Speed and swiftness."
Melio nodded once more.
"Correct. The competition will be largely focused on these aspects. Simply put, it will be a race with obstacles."
Immediately, Krune and Iem looked at each other. It was a lot simpler than they thought.
Still, Krune had to ask.
"Does that mean the competitors can't attack each other?"
Gavei, who was listening until now, shook his head.
"Of course not. You can still attack your opponents if you think it will help you reach the end ahead of the others. Consider the other competitors as part of the obstacles on the way."
Krune's group nodded.
"Very well, and what kind of reward will be in there for us if we win?"
Gavei smiled before saying.
"The vials of Wind Essence you got are not the best ones. We are also able to gather much purer Wind Essence. It's just that it takes a very long time to form. Usually, we would keep it to help those who want to enter the Divinity Realm. As Wind Related Demon Beasts, this kind of pure Wind Essence is very beneficial and increases the chance of breakthrough by at least 20%. Anyway, we are willing to give you three vials of it."
Luvile heard that as well and asked Krune.
"Tell him to show you the Wind Essence first. I can check its purity and see if it is worth the effort."
Krune nodded and did as Luvile said.
Gavei didn't mind and took a vial of Wind Essence from his spatial ring. He opened it and allowed Krune's group to take a look. Obviously, Luvile used his own Divine Sense to check it as well.
"Oh, it's not bad. The vials you got before were only 1/10 as good as the God Realm ones. However, this one has almost half of the purity. Although it can't compare with the God Realm Elemental Essences, it is still valuable in this Godly Path Realm. I think it is worth a try."
Krune remembered something after hearing it.
"Do these Elemental Essences have anything to do with your Purple Tribulation Lightning Essence?"
Luvile answered after pondered a bit.
"I won't say they are totally unrelated. However, mine and Harold's are created by ourselves, while these Eagle's ones are natural. Anyway, it doesn't matter much."
Krune smiled and then told Iem and Sisan that he would like to give it a try through a Divine Sense message. At the very least, these three vials of Wind Essence would be much better to acquire rewards than the ones they got from Jilan and Melio.
Neither Sisan and Iem had anything against it. After all, they entered the Silver Demon Core for the sake of treasures to trade for rewards outside. Since this one was this valuable, they were obviously going to take it.
After reaching a decision, they told Gavei.
"We accept. However, how long do we need to wait? Just so that you know, we can't stay more than one week here since we have more things to do."
Gavei couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Don't worry. The fact is that we could have started anytime already. However, our race kept finding excuses to delay it. We were already reaching our limit of excuses anyway. Now that you are here, we can simply contact the others and have the competition prepared straight away."
Krune and the others nodded. After that, they began to discuss who would take part in it. Sisan, obviously, already understood that both Iem and Krune were much stronger and faster than him, so he immediately stepped out.
Surprisingly though, Iem also gave up the opportunity.
"Aren't you the type who loves to fight?"
Iem nodded and explained through Divine Sense.
"I do. However, this is not a battle. It's a race. I can attack others, but ultimately, my opponents will try to escape to win the run. I don't have much interest in those who don't want to fight me head-on. Besides, your God Power is a Lightning Based type. At our current level, you are probably slightly faster than me if we go all out in speed.
Krune nodded. He is quite confident as long as it is only related to running. But it was then that he remembered something.
"Oh, right! Although this is a competition based on the main use of Wind Element, it doesn't mean we can't use other elements, too, right?"
Gavei nodded.
"Of course. After all, the majority isn't only good at Wind Element but other elements and laws too."
Krune couldn't help but smile.
"In that case, leave it to me."
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