Death... and me

"You must understand that our race becomes easily influenced by these virtues if we stay close to people for long. However, we also need them to increase our level. In the end, the spirit races' cultivations are all a mess," said the Big Kibin. "However, Kibins aren't very common, so we prioritize our race's prosperity. Feeding on virtues and prioritizing the ones important to you is key to our development. That's why I'm sending him with you."

Roan looked at the big Kibin and asked, "What stops you from just capturing us and then having your kid feed on our virtues in safety?"

The big Kibin snorted when he heard that. "Ha! Are you really asking me that?"

Roan couldn't help but faintly smile after hearing that question. "At least you know that living in safety will eventually bring about demise." Simply put, living in safety wouldn't help with one's development. It's as Roan always reminded. Real-life experiences were essential for training. Naturally, he has lived up to this standard with Rean and Kentucky. Obviously, the big Kibin understood that as well.

The Big Kibin nodded. "You are very experienced yourself, and so are your brother and Minokawa. That's not something you'll acquire by living under your father's house all your life." He then added, "Anyway, without feeding on virtues, our Kibin Race finds it very difficult to cultivate. That's why I'm sending him to you. Whether he likes it or not, that's his only option."

The smaller Kibin shook his head, saying, "But I don't mind being weak forever... no one can do anything to us in the continental barriers anyway. Why does dad keep insisting on this? Can I simply not?"

Suddenly, some kind of multicolored light came out of the big Kibin, hitting the smaller one.

*Ouch!*

"Dad! It hurts!" Obviously, that was some kind of low-damage attack that dealt a lot of pain.

The big Kibin snorted as he said, "Hmph! Obviously! However, this is nothing compared to what I'm gonna do to you if you keep complaining. I already told you our race can't share the same souls when we feed on virtues. That's why it's so hard to find people and demon beasts with the right qualities. As for safety, this is just an illusion. If the real powers decide to enter the continental barriers and get rid of us, they totally have the strength to do so. Without strength, we will just get wiped out. Now, you will do as I say. Before you reach that level, you are not to come back. Oh, and one more thing. If I find out that you ran away... hehe!"

The small Kibin felt a chill on his back and immediately nodded after that. "Alright! Alright! I'll go, okay? I'll go! Sigh... why must my life be such a struggle?" Suddenly, the small Kibin transformed into a ray of multicolored light and shot in Luan's direction. Rean and Roan narrowed their eyes when they saw that but didn't try to intervene. They could if they wanted as the light wasn't much faster than themselves. That showed that the small Kibin's strength was more or less equal to their own. It's just that it didn't seem like the light was trying to harm Luan.

The light then disappeared into Luan's forehead before a small Kibin mark appeared in there. That didn't last long, though. That mark also disappeared a few moments later.

Roan then looked at the big Kibin and asked, "Didn't you say it would feed on our virtues? Why did it enter my disciple's forehead?"

The big Kibin responded, "It will feed on your virtues. All it needs is to stay close to you all, and that Sacred Eye kid is a perfect choice. We continental barrier spirits have a mix of all elements running in our bodies. With that said, the kid doesn't have any Elemental Affinity. His affinity is space, which could be said to be neutral. This is perfect for keeping our own elemental balance. Otherwise, you would need to visit the continental barrier quite often."

Everyone knew about the importance of their own elemental affinities, so the small Kibin's choice was indeed the best one.

Rean was happy about that, though. "That's more than welcome. Now we can finally pass through continental barriers with the Kibin's support. Though, can you tell us a little more about your son's strengths? Can he fight? If yes, how good is he?"

The big Kibin immediately shook his head, saying, "He cannot fight outside the Continental Barrier. At most, he can't fight more than a few hundred kilometers away from it. With that said, you won't be able to get his help while traveling through the continents. Of course, if the need for fight appears while traversing the continental barriers, then he can fight at the level of a Transition Realm cultivator."

Kentucky was surprised to hear that. "Doesn't that make your race quite vulnerable, then? You did say the real powers can enter it, after all."

The big Kibin shook his head. "It's only temporary. Once he reaches a certain level, he'll be able to live outside the continental barrier as normal Spirits do. But until then, take good care of him."

"You keep saying 'that level' all the time. What level is it? Void Tempering? Maybe higher?" Roan asked.

The big Kibin nodded, saying, "Much higher than that. In any case, you don't need to worry about his cultivation. He can deal with it on his own. Just so you know, he won't steal anything from you, including Divine Energy. He doesn't need it. In a certain way, it's as if he isn't even there until you need him in the continental barriers."

Of course, the big Kibin could tell what everyone was thinking. "Do you think our race's cultivation is weird? Hehe! That's because you haven't seen the other sentient continental barrier spirits. Our own could be said to be quite blessed already."

*Tremble!*

Suddenly, the entire area began to shake as the currents became even more chaotic. "Oh! It seems like they really did it. Oh well, whatever." The big Kibin then looked at the twins' group and told them, "You should go now. I look forward to seeing my son in the future."