Death... and me

Rean agreed with Tuvaru on that point. "I was already expecting it anyway. Well, thanks for the Golden Peak-level badge. That will save quite some time for me."

Tuvaru didn't mind, waving his hands as he replied, "It's fine. In exchange, how about you tell me a little more about these runes of yours? Of course, if it's some deep secret, just ignore my request."

The runes Rean used were quite simple ones from the Circuitry System and wouldn't really make much of a difference if others figured them out. Then again, Rean quite liked Tuvaru's easy-going behavior, which was a rare find in an expert of his level. "Sure, let's just say I'm using the time I saved to teach you about them."

A few hours later, Rean finished giving an explanation and a few examples of how to use those runes. At the same time, Tuvaru showed why he was a Divine-level Formation Master. Surprisingly, he was able to help him slightly improve the already polished Circuitry Runes and their usage. With that, Rean didn't end up being the only one offering something. "Well, I guess this pretty much sums it up."

Tuvaru was very satisfied with the results. "I can even think of a few ways of using these new runes in my Divine-level formations." He then looked at Rean and said, "Thank you. Such knowledge is worth more than any amount of Divine Stones in my eyes."

It was then that he thought about something. "By the way, where are you going? Since you came from somewhere as far as Huring, Pol Continent shouldn't be your only stop, right?"

Rean nodded in response. "I'm trying to reach Jhiod as there's something I need there. Well, I'm really far away, and it will take many years to arrive there."

"Jhiod?!" Tuvaru was shocked by that information. "Indeed... I would be surprised if you could get there in a hundred years' time, especially since teleport formations are prohibited in the humanoid races' islands. My advice to you is that you should reach the Void Tempering Realm before leaving Utari City. At least you'd be able to fly and have some meager control over spatial powers."

Rean shook his head after that. "That would take way too long. Just reaching the Peak Stage of the Transition Realm would probably take me a few decades."

"De-decades?" Tuvaru was taken aback as he asked, "Don't you mean a hundred years at least?"

Rean shook his head as he told him, "Not really. I have the confidence to reach that level much faster than others. In any case, I won't wait until I reach the Void Tempering Realm. I have a Demon Bird, so I can fly already, even though I can't use spatial powers."

Tuvaru didn't try to stop Rean. "Well, I still think it would be suicide to venture the seas without being at the  Void Tempering Realm, at least. However, if you want to go, I'm not gonna stop you."

Rean then took the opportunity to ask, "By the way, Senior Tuvaru. Do you know a way of making use of the teleport formations in the undersea cities?"

Tuvaru immediately shook his head as he replied, "Although there are exceptions, you won't be qualified. Only important aquatic demon beasts are allowed to use those, and each teleport formation is heavily guarded. Just so you have an idea, if we attack Salt Canyon City, we would be wiped out by the forces protecting the formation."

Rean sighed in response after that. "That hard, huh?" Of course, Rean was curious. "However, what are those exceptions you talked about?"

"Subordinates of the Sacred Undersea Kingdom," Tuvaru said in response.

Naturally, that piqued Rean's attention. "You mean there are people from humanoid races who are subordinate to the aquatic demon beasts?"

"Exactly." Tuvaru nodded. "They have pledged loyalty to the Undersea Kingdom and had to go through many tests to be accepted. Besides, only those at the Void Tempering Realm or above can try to join the kingdom."

Rean then thought about something. "What about using one of those subordinates to get us teleported away?"

Tuvaru pondered over it for a bit before nodding. "That might be possible. However, such subordinates are very rare. In fact, it would be a lot easier to find an aquatic demon beast related to the Sacred Undersea Kingdom and get their help. After all, due to how difficult it is to become a humanoid subordinate, none of them wish to risk their positions."

Rean couldn't help but sigh after that. "Well, do you think I can find anyone related to them in Salt Canyon Undersea City?"

Tuvaru was just about to answer when suddenly, someone barged into the room like a storm. Naturally, that made Tuvaru quite displeased. "Can't you see we were in the middle of a test? You better have a good reason to enter this room before we were finished."

"So-Sorry, Guild Master. However, there's an aquatic demon beast from the Sacred Undersea Kingdom in your office. They wish to speak with you immediately," the worker replied as they apologized. "It seems like the Under Desert Sea's continental barrier has started to regain its strength."

"What?!" Naturally, Tuvaru was shocked to hear that. With that, the news about the under Desert Sea had finally arrived at Utari. "I'm heading there right now."

Tuvaru then pointed at Rean and told the worker, "He already passed the Golden Peak-level Formation Master test. Arrange a new badge for him to take."

"Yes, Guild Master," the worker answered straight away. "Sir Rean, right? Please follow me so I can prepare your new badge."

Of course, Rean was very interested in the aquatic demon beast. "Senior Tuvaru, wouldn't you let me meet this demon beast from the Sacred Undersea Kingdom? He might be the right person for me to get to use the teleport formation in Salt Canyon Undersea City."

Tuvaru shook his head in response. "Better not. Come see me later, and I'll let you know if the guy will stay in Utari or not. It's not a good idea to mix issues, especially after such a thing happened to the Under Desert Sea." Tuvaru didn't wait for Rean to say anything else and immediately left.

Without much choice, Rean could only follow the worker to get his new badge. Of course, he hadn't given up yet. 'I better tell Roan.'