Those guys looked at Krune with an embarrassed expression.
"Well, we just thought that it would be safer to travel together."
Although they said that, they couldn't tell what Krune was thinking. In his wisp form, there is no such thing as facial expression.
"I see, you are not wrong in thinking like that. There is no doubt that the other planets contestants are moving together too. This way, they would even be able to stop the enemies from trying to take the gate from them and even let weaker friends go ahead first. Some might even decide to simply attack other teams to get rid of the competition straight away."
Everyone nodded, they really thought about that before. So the best option was really to keep together, there is strength in numbers, after all.
Krune then continued.
"But the most we can do is help you until you get to the next level door. Once you enter a slot, you can only protect yourself. Also, if you fail to protect yourselves in the slot, no one here will give up our slots to come out and help you fight for the chance of getting another slot."
Suddenly, Krune received a Divine Sense message from Yusa that made his eyes lit up! So he immediately let her talk.
"Krune isn't wrong, but I guess there is still a way to help you with that. We can let you enter the slot first and stay there alone for the necessary ten minutes. During that time, we can simply stop anyone from entering it and challenging you. Of course, as long as the ones attacking weren't too strong. What do you say?"
Krune still remembers those guys' scores during the elemental test. Although they can be considered the top of the Makui Planet, they are indeed quite weak when put together with the Geniuses of all other planets. Without help, they won't be able to secure slots for too long.
But there was one thing that they thought about.
"Why would you protect it outside? Can't you just enter the slot with us and wait inside for those ten minutes? After that, you just need to leave it."
This time, it was Arlan who talked, and he even laughed at that.
"We are talking about the Divine Path Sect Entrance Exam, do you think they would permit something like that? Chances are that both contestants will be sent out since no battle occurred. Remember, this is a test, not a walk in the park."
Everyone nodded their heads, it would be way too easy otherwise. Still, having Krune's group defending outside would be very good already.
For a second, their eyes lit up! But soon after, they noticed that something was fishy. Why would Krune's group go that far to help them? They looked at Yusa and then asked.
"What are your conditions?"
Yusa smiled and then said.
"Every time we stay guard for you guys outside, you will pay us one five thousand Rank Five High-Quality spirit stones. Of course, this is the price for the entire batch, which means you all together. There are thirteen of you here, if you share the costs, it shouldn't be too hard with the powers backing you up back in the Makui Planet."
Yusa then continued.
"There is also an individual price. If the majority decides that they will not need help protecting themselves, but one or two of you still wish for it, the cost is one thousand for that person or demon beast. What about it, not a bad deal, right?"
Krune nodded at every word said by Yusa! Sprit stones! They make the world go round! Arlan, Lofa, and Tasier might not lack spirit stones, but Krune's group absolutely does! Krune then looked at them and said.
"Don't think that we are robbing you. Arlan, Lofa, and Tasier already paid a lot of spirit stones to receive our teachings. Now they are strong enough to defend their own slots. Otherwise, they would have to pay too!"
Lofa, Arlan, and Tasier nodded their heads, they have definitely paid over ten thousand already, especially Tasier. He spent no less than twenty thousand with Krune's teachings. Although it wasn't all high quality, the spirit stones were all at rank five, at least. Except for Arlan, Tasier and Lofa are quite fortunate already. It is thanks to the fact that they are also part of the Mercenary Guild Alliance that they got it cheap.
Those guys then looked at someone in their group. It seemed like he was the strongest outside of Krune's group, so they more or less thought about him as a leader for the moment. Arlan knew him as well, he is a Core Formation Realm cultivator of his Divine Swords Sect. He is also like Shinja and Yusa, having achieved that realm before the age of forty. His name was Joty Marcat.
In fact, he was one of the few who still had some confidence in defending his slots against the enemies even without help. But he also has to think about the big picture and to have someone defending his slots from outside would obviously be the best option. As for the payment, it shouldn't be hard to fork it if they join forces to share the burden.
"Very well, but we will decide when we need help or not."
This is a problem of interest. Joty knows that Krune's group comes from the Yule Continent, which is indeed a lot poorer than the other continents. Not to mention that since Arlan and the others also paid before, it couldn't be considered unjust anymore. First of all, no one is obligating them to pay for anything. As far as everyone is concerned, they can very well leave right now and go parted ways.
Arlan, Lofa, and Tasier didn't say anything. They don't need the spirit stones to start with. They also know that Yusa was speaking on behalf of Ao, Krune, and Shinja. So they are free to do whatever they like during that time.
Krune then said.
"Very good, you will come to understand that this wasn't a bad decision at all. Even if you don't join the sect, you still have a huge chance of reaching the later parts of the tests."
Krune's group then moved to the previous door that Krune spotted with his Divine Sense. After arriving there, he could see that quite a few slots had been taken by other cultivators, but there are still quite a few free.
Krune's group then moved close to send those guys ahead first when suddenly, another three teams appeared in front of them. The leader of that alliance looked at Krune's wisp form amazed, he has never thought that he would see a wisp in this place. But nonetheless, that wasn't the reason why they blocked Krune's team path, so he quickly regained his composure and said.
"Those who want to use this door will have to pay a fee. One thousand Rank Five low-quality spirit stone per head. Otherwise, get the hell out!"
Let alone Krune and Yusa, even Ao and Shinja's eyes lit up at that moment. They aren't thinking about sell door slots like them. Krune's group idea was a lot more practical than wait for contestants to come. They will simply beat anyone in front of them. After that, they will ask for spirit stones. If they don't pay, they will cripple their cores and dantians. Nothing will happen to their bodies outside, but their chance to enter the sect will be gone.
"Brothers, what a great idea you just had! But let me ask you, how exactly will you collect the payment?"
That was the only thing puzzling Krune at the moment, and that is why he hasn't made a move yet too. Otherwise, he would have already crushed those guys there and then. Joty Marcat's group issue is different, they are from the same planet, so they can't simply flee from the debt. Not to mention that their Sect, Clans, or whatever reputation would also be on the line.
The guy only thought that Krune wanted a guarantee, so he said.
"In the illusory realm, everything that you possess is also replicated inside. So the blood contracts are also part of it. As you probably know, blood contracts put restrictions on the soul, and you are inside the illusory realm in soul only. That means that even an illusory blood contract is still effective against your soul."
Krune's group nodded. It really makes sense now that they thought about it. Krune then looked at the three teams in front of him, a total of thirty-four cultivators and demon beasts. He then moved forward and said.
"Very well, each one of you has to pay one thousand Rank Five high-quality spirit stones. Otherwise, we will cripple you, and that will be the end of your exam."
The guys from the other teams were taken aback. Suddenly, they burst in laugh.
"A wisp has just threatened us! Can you believe that?"
"Let alone that, look at the numbers of his group. He thinks that they can deal with all of us."
Their leader was a lot more serious, though. For him to say that in this situation, he must have some confidence or be an idiot. He refuses to believe that an idiot would be able to arrive at the Divine Path Sect entrance exam, though. He then sent a Divine Sense message to everyone.
"Pay attention, something is not right."
Immediately, all the laughs stopped, and everyone spread their Divine Senses. But other than Krune's team, there wasn't a single other team around. Krune felt their Divine Sense scanning everything and then said.
"You don't need to look, we don't have any support behind us. So, are you giving the spirit stones, or should we beat you first for you to understand."
If Krune could be in his human form now, he would definitely be showing an evil smile. But that wasn't necessary, that is because Ao and the others were doing it in Krunes instead. In Arlan and Tasier's case, they don't need spirit stones, but they welcome a fight like that with open arms. Lofa and Mina just sighed, though. But they stepped forward to help nonetheless.
The only ones a little apprehensive were the second group. But they gritted their teeth and stepped forward too, it will be of no use if they don't even have the guts to take a group battle like this. Not to mention that their deal with Krune's group was for them to stop other contestants from fighting for their slots. There was nothing there about protecting them while they are outside.
But to their surprise, Krune's group had no need for their help. Krune alone could deal with at least ten at once, even without the Tribulation Lightning. As for Ao and the others, they might not be as strong as Krune, but with their strength alone, they could still take quite a few by themselves.
Of course, the reason why they could deal with these three teams' alliance is that they aren't strong to start with. If it was an alliance of three top-ranked worlds, things definitely wouldn't be this easy. Krune's group still remembers Boen during the Elemental test, who had similar elemental control even without the Myriad Energy Meridians.
But there is very little chance of finding a group like that, especially one asking for spirit stone. Contestants from those places would never lack spirit stones to start with. In the end, Krune's group is a rare poor, and strong team at the same time.