Everyone started to attack the protection formation and the entrance together. Still, let alone damaging it, the barrier and the gate didn't even tremble.
"Keep doing it, we might force it to use all its energy if we don't stop."
Still, after three hours, everyone finally ran out of Spiritual and Elemental Source energy. Unfortunately for them, the protection formation was still standing there as if nothing happened at all.
Haro couldn't help but comment.
"I guess this settles it. We have no other choice other than wait for the Elemental Path Realm to close so that we can ask our elders."
As disappointed as everyone could be, that was really the case for them.
"What are we gonna do now?"
Krune came forward with his team and said.
"I guess we will just keep looking for more Elemental Flowers. As I mentioned before, those are very important for us."
The other groups that were not part of the explorations teams also decided to do the same. After all, the Elemental Flowers were really the reason they came here in the first place.
Haro then commented.
"Alright, but as I did before, I will keep a member of my group with you just in case. I hope you understand our predicament."
Krune agreed with it.
"Not a problem for me. As long as they don't want our Elemental Flowers, we are pretty much fine with whatever."
Just like that, the teams separated, and everyone started to look for Elemental Flowers as well. Since in this place there were no demon beasts, everyone was soon able to collect quite a good amount.
Still, there were just so many flowers for every team. With no demon beasts defending, the stronger teams started to target the weaker ones for their flowers as well. The only exception was the Explorer teams that had several Late Stages Divine Soul Realms and Krune's group that had a member of each exploration team following him. Weirdly enough, Krune became one of the most powerful groups without having to pay anything for it.
Time passed, and soon, the 18 days' time was up. Just as the elder of the Elemental Sect mentioned, their marks activated, and everyone was teleported outside. Krune's group was obviously teleported back to the Elemental Sect Field together with Haro and the other groups who participated.
Krune looked around and noticed that only about 60% of the numbers that had entered the Elemental Path Realm came back this time. Whether they died to demon beasts, died to other groups, or simply lost their marks, he didn't know.
Krune put those thoughts on the back of his mind and let out a sigh of relief. He soon returned to his human form as well. Only then his Tribulation Lightning Layer disappeared. When Haro noticed that, he immediately found out Krune's real cultivation.
"Core Formation Realm?! Are you for real?!"
Just as he was about to go ask what was happening, the elders of the Elemental Sect asked him for his report.
Haro knew that there were more important things to take care of first, so he immediately started to organize his thoughts. Right after, he sent a Divine Sense Message with the entire story of what happened inside this time.
At first, the elders' eyes lit up. This was the first time they found anything other than the Elemental Flowers. But when they heard the rest of the story of how they couldn't find a way into the buildings, they fell into contemplation.
"Buildings with the Major Cores names, but not a single one could be open."
"We need to think about a way to do that next time the Elemental Path Realm opens. Since the journey was finished there, they will probably start there again as well next time. But what can we use to open them?"
"We can try to make a few tokens with our wills to send a few attacks at our level."
"Because you are new in the elder council, you probably don't know about it. It is indeed possible to enter with things like those. But doesn't what our members inside do, those items never activate there. Simply put, anything that has a strength higher than the Divine Soul Realm can't be used there."
"Let's gather the other powers to a conference to decide what to do. With the six together, we might be able to find a way."
Finally, one of the elders changed the topic.
"Alright, but there is one thing we should check first. The guy who first opened the protection barrier with his laws. Where is he?"
Haro nodded and then pointed to Krune in the distance.
Krune was talking with another elder of the Sect about the flower delivery.
"Space, Time, and Destiny are not of much use for me at the moment. So I would rather keep the Five Main Elements and the Dark and Light Higher Elements. I'm soon to enter the Divine Soul Realm, so I want to use and comprehend these kinds of law too."
The elder looked at Krune, or better, Jolk, and commented.
"You are being too greedy. Let alone learn the Main Five Elementals Laws, I wonder if you will even be able to learn a single one before you reach the Soul Forging Realm. You should stick with the Elemental Flowers only."
Krune just smiled and didn't explain.
"It's okay. I will just give up those three Laws and sticky with what I said. I know that Space, Time, and Destiny are worth a lot more than the Elemental ones, so make sure to calculate it when receiving the flowers."
The elder didn't mind. They, too, prefer to keep the Special Flowers instead the Elemental ones, even if it means the Higher Elements of Light and Darkness. Thanks to that, Krune was able to keep the biggest majority of the Elemental Flowers while giving up the rest. It was apparent how much more important Space, Time, and Destiny were for the Elemental Sect.
The elders who talked with Haro heard all of that. But that wasn't what they were impressed about. The problem is that they can totally tell what cultivation Jolk has at the moment.
"Haro, are you certain it is him?"
Haro nodded.
"Yes, he is the demon beast that hid inside the Purple Lightning. Only after leaving the Elemental Path Realm did I finally see that he is only in the Core Formation Realm."
The elders were taken aback. They have never seen a Core Formation Realm able to use so many laws. It's not like there aren't Core Formation Realm geniuses who can comprehend one Law or two, but they can't remember one with as many as Krune.
"Check his information. Someone like him is bound to have a fearsome background."
Soon, that elder received a report.
"What?! He is guarded by the Wisp Protection Law?! Are you sure?"
The subordinate nodded.
"He has been added in it around half a year ago. There is no mistaking it."
That elder couldn't help but sigh, a wisp in the Wisp Protection Law isn't someone they can touch.
"Anyway, I thought I would be able to convince him to join our Sect with the right price, but it seems like it was a foolish idea. Too bad, though, it's such a pity that he is a wisp. Someone with that talent would definitely soar in the skies in the future. Unfortunately, his life span won't allow him to do that."
The other elders nodded as well. Still, this Elemental Path Realm aperture wasn't bad. After all, inside of that place with the buildings, there were several times more Elemental Flowers, which means that they will make quite a fortune this time around.
Krune finished his exchange and seemed to be in an excellent mood. After his was Feifei's time. She, too, did the same thing, but she decided to keep as many Destiny Type Flowers as possible. In exchange, she gave up Space and Time. Of course, she knew that the ordinary elemental flowers were also crucial for her level. So she made sure to keep some of them too.
One by one, the cultivators and demon beasts delivered their flowers to the elders of the Elemental Path Sect and left afterward.
Krune and Feifei gathered with their team one last time after that.
"Well, I guess this is it, you guys better be careful out there."
Rarol laughed and then brought his communicator out.
"Let's exchange numbers. If I get some nice opportunity, I will give you a call."
Tinnian and the others did the same, and soon, they all exchanged their numbers. After that, Krune invited everyone to eat in a restaurant in the city close to the Elemental Sect. Everyone enjoyed their company one last time and finally bid their farewells.
Krune and Feifei then went to the nearest teleport formation and teleported away form the Planet. Next time Krune sees this place, it will be when he has entered the Soul Forging Realm.