Chapter 562: Then... left side it is?
Jian nodded and raised his hands in surrender. He had been searching for Alec and the others since he found out they were here but hadn't found a single clue about their whereabouts, except for their names engraved on the gates of some ancient tombs. It was like the group was here but not here at the same time.
Perhaps they were hiding because the Sacred Divine Land was currently very dangerous. The recent situation Jian and everyone around him had just experienced was a prime example of why the Sacred Divine Land was perilous.
He tied his tousled hair and looked up at the supreme rank individuals fighting above them. A bit tempted to enter the fight but knew he would just break his bones if he dared to even touch one of them. That's why he gazed at the silver-haired man.
"So... what are we gonna do?"
Xavier's eyebrow twitched at how easily Jian changed sides. The red-haired man had been following him around all this while, but now it was clear he wanted to follow Kyle and abandon him.
He grumbled inwardly; first Bia, and now Jian as well. Both of them had no loyalty. However, he didn't say anything because he knew staying with a stronger person like Kyle was safer for the duo.
Kyle tilted his head in a gesture of confusion, unintentionally not grasping Jian's intent.
"Of course, we go separate ways. I want to find some treasures and go into seclusion for a while to increase my divine energy stat. Yue and Nox will follow the other elves."
Jian's eyes widened slightly at his words. This bastard... but then he snapped his sharp eyes towards Xavier, who attempted to stifle his laughter but failed miserably.
"You want a beating?"
Xavier shook his head and quickly moved back from the red-haired man. Kyle, who had been thinking, spoke up before Jian could engage in a one-on-one with Xavier.
"Why don't you all follow Yue as well? I inadvertently assisted the elves, so I think they wouldn't mind more company. I have seen that you, Xavier, and the people with you guys have the ability to defend yourselves in danger. Therefore, I'm not concerned about all of you."
Yue looked at Jian.
"Yes, you can come along with me and Nox if you want to. There are some powerful individuals guarding the elves."
Jian rolled his eyes and exclaimed.
"I don't get it. Why isn't anyone questioning why Kyle can roam around solo while we have to stick together in a secure location? Aren't the dangers the same for him? Yue, aren't you going to ask him to stay with us?"
Right after he spoke, everyone looked at Kyle, who remained silent. The man simply grabbed a cloth from his mind space to clean the blood off the silver spear he had been using all this time.
Then they all turned to Jian with expressions that questioned whether he truly believed Kyle needed protection. Jian let out a disbelieving laugh.
"What? I know he's strong! But he's not strong enough to face a supreme rank! I don't think he should be allowed to go alone! Let's stick together. In the end, our final destination is the Gladiator Arena."
Kyle furrowed his brows.
"Don't fret about me. It's not that I don't wish to remain with everyone. It's because currently, there's an imbalance between my strength and rank. It's not good for my body. I need to increase my divine energy quickly to raise my rank."
"That's why I want to explore for treasures and seclude myself. Plus, if I do face danger, I know how to escape."
Jian narrowed his eyes at Kyle's body. He had noticed Kyle's rank and seen the latter's strength, which was a lot higher than his rank. So he knew the man wasn't lying. He thought for a minute and then nodded.
"Okay, do whatever you want. Just stay safe... wait, will Bia go with you?"
Kyle nodded without a word. It was evident that Bia would accompany him. Jian's eyes widened as he looked at the phoenix.
"Bia?? You are gonna leave me?"
Bia cringed at the words that came out of the red-haired man's mouth. She sneered.
-"This majestic phoenix has already been by your side a lot and saved your life many times. Just be grateful for that."
Jian's face fell, and Xavier's expression also revealed reluctance. They both wanted the phoenix to accompany them, but it was evident from Kyle's expression that he wouldn't leave Bia behind.
Jian and the other humans silently trailed behind Yue in mid-air as she and Nox began moving towards the direction where Wesley had vanished with the other elves.
Kyle followed the group until they reached the edge of the area filled with buildings, the exact place where Yue was residing with the other elves until the Gladiator Arena opened. Yue looked back at him with a smile and waved, indicating that he could leave now. Kyle let out a faint smile in return. Yue blinked as he shifted from his position and stopped directly in front of her. He gently wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her into a hug before placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Stay safe. Contact me immediately if you are in any type of danger."
Yue nodded with a flushed face.
"Hmm..."
In the distance, Jian, Xavier, and the two humans' face turned sour at the sight. They turned their heads away and flew towards one of the buildings in the area to locate a comfortable spot to rest. Having stayed in the forest since their arrival in the Sacred Divine Land, and following a strenuous battle, they were in need of rest.
Kyle observed until Yue and Nox also vanished behind Jian and Xavier before he caressed Bia's head.
"Bia... which direction should we go? Left or right? We have a couple of months before the Gladiator Arena opens. Let's catch up and also increase our strength, shall we?"
The phoenix shifted on his head.
-"Nope, not gonna choose. Your choice is a better option, you know? I am sure we would end up finding some treasures if we followed your directions."
-"So, choose yourself."
Kyle's lips curved upward. Truly, she knew him a lot. He extended his scent perception skill and gazed towards the left.
"Then... left side it is?"
The moment his words drifted in the air, he vanished from his location with Bia, and the duo began their search for treasures. As many as possible. That's how the rumors of a phoenix and a silver-haired man hunting and snatching treasures under the nose of others became famous throughout the entire sacred divine land.
Kyle's appearance had already become renowned when he effortlessly killed many transcendent rank demons and dark race individuals inside his ice domain. So when he and Bia began gathering treasures, they became even more well-known.