The second mortal region was known as the "Devouring Sea." Something happened to everyone who wanted to sail the seas, and no cultivator returned alive after venturing a few kilometers away from the continent. To Alm and Bruno’s surprise, even divine realm cultivators visiting the planet avoided approaching the waters of the sea far from the continent.
Rumors and information from outsiders said that, on the opposite side of the continent on the planet, there was a small region with land, and in that place, a deadly power nullified all cultivation and Qi of everyone. Even the sea beasts living in the ocean stayed away from that place, forming their underwater cities very close to the continent, causing many problems for the people of the land.
The third place was in the far west, beyond the forest, and not even the Divinestone Clan had knowledge of what existed there, as they were too weak. However, a brief description of a huge and strange monolith intrigued them deeply.
The information came from the patriarchs of the major evil sects of the past, and they almost died looking at the monolith investigating it. According to the description of what they felt, Alm and Bruno concluded that powerful laws of the mind emanated from the monolith, something clearly associated with the divine world. Soon, the connection with the people of Montide became clear; they lived in a place in the forest, and this was an intrinsic power of their entire people.
The fourth place was as secretive as the world and abyss they were in. Located in the center of the continent, obviously dominated and hidden from everyone by the Three Extremes Sect. Some evil cultivators managed to infiltrate and bring information about this mysterious place. Inside it was a gigantic skeleton resembling a large insect that had tried to undergo a metamorphosis into something larger but failed. It was gigantic to the point of being unbelievable, and each part of the skeleton, and the insect’s head itself, was a "dungeon" in itself.
The old man didn’t know much more about the places, and even if they had more crystals, it wouldn’t make a difference. So, they asked if he knew about the history of the past wars on this planet.
The old man said he knew almost the same as everyone. There were two wars in the past on this planet; the second one was against the demons, and for all the cultivators from the outside, the rumor spread that the demons were eliminated. In the first war, there were only theories and fragmented records, but everything indicated that the demons were involved. However, it wasn’t a war of demons against other races; it seemed that they fought alongside other races against other demons.
The whale nodded and left the building somewhat satisfied. ’We definitely have to visit all the places, but we’re still too weak,’ Bruno commented mentally.
Alm nodded, adding, ’We’ll have the opportunity to investigate the abyss. After that, we need to think about how to go to the other places, especially the one under the Three Extremes Sect’s control.’
It was late afternoon when they left the building, joining Almin and Loeus, wondering why Ruri was more secluded inside a dormitory building. Almin looked tired as he explained that Ruri had hit a powerful cultivator, causing a great commotion. He then turned, and Ruri approached, bringing with her... ten Montide women. The whale looked astonished, turning to Almin and requesting a more detailed explanation.
"She heard rumors about an auction, and they were advertising that they would have rare slaves to auction. So, I innocently agreed to go," Almin sighed.
"In the end, it was these women, but Ruri only had enough to buy six of them. So, she put on a show, insulting the other buyer who took the other four and successfully lured him. After we left, that cultivator, seeing that we were weaker, attacked us. And the result, as you can see. We took all the women, and she even stole everything the cultivator had," Almin explained.
’Where does she stash these things?’ Alm commented mentally.
Bruno added lightly, ’It must be her negative influence; she clearly learned to think of sinister tactics...’
"Well... one more enemy or less doesn’t make a difference," the whale murmured, and Ruri smiled awkwardly as she approached.
Then, Almin commented, a bit worried, "But... this was an elder well-known to everyone. He’s an excellent merchant and negotiator, richer than the high elders. Rumors have it that not even the patriarch is richer than him. His influence and ability to mobilize resources are frightening; no one would dare do anything to him..."
The whale sighed, looking at the women who observed him with fear and apprehension. "That’s her mission; if she could do something to help her people, she must. If anything bad happens, we’re by her side to help."
Almin nodded, understanding but still fearful.
"Well, let’s go to the desert anyway; we can stop by the city and leave them there," the whale added and turned around.
That night, Bruno insisted on punishing Ruri for doing something dangerous that she alone couldn’t handle; if Almin hadn’t been with her, things would have gotten complicated. They slept outside the city, avoiding the elder’s retaliation. To their surprise, Ruri didn’t mind and was extremely radiant for having saved these women.
Everything happened strangely as before. When Ruri wanted to sleep, she clung to the whale, and the women looked at it in an extremely fearful and peculiar way. The next day, Alm complained a lot about having to carry several deadweights with him again. When Langrum arrived in the morning, Alm became even more agitated.
Langrum was accompanied by an entourage... of twenty men.
"I told you before that you could bring some from your harem as a joke," Bruno spoke in shock, looking at her.
Langrum just looked at the furious whale, and they noticed her gaze shifting to Loeus as if she wanted to hide this fact from him.
"Don’t be ridiculous; these are my slaves who have been with me for a long time," Langrum spoke lightly and looked at the new Montide women, relief evident in her.
"You’re leaving them in your city, right? I’m taking them... to set them free." A hint of regret escaped Langrum’s eyes quickly. "I won’t need them anymore, so I want to leave them in a safe place."
The whale and Almin were clearly shocked by those words. Langrum, since the first time they met in the entrance test, seemed to enjoy her harem a lot. She even flirted with anyone willing to add more men to it. The whale then followed Langrum’s gaze, and she frequently glanced at Loeus. Soon, things seemed to get much stranger in their minds.
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"You... just want to set a good example, right?" The whale murmured seriously.
"I don’t know what you’re talking about," Langrum replied, pretending not to understand.
The whale then sighed, offering sincere advice. "Just don’t get conquered and easily influenced. A master must assert themselves and keep the disciple on a short and firm leash, or it will be very embarrassing later."
Langrum then pointed at Ruri, who was talking to the Montide girls. "Oh, yeah? Alright, give me an example. I’m watching."
Bruno looked away in response. "Perhaps if the chance shows itself..."