Fabio then got close to the twins as they didn't need to seal their cultivations. They weren't the only Peak Stage Soul Transformation Realm cultivator there, but their numbers were definitely the smallest. "What do you think about it?"
Roan glanced at him before giving his opinion. "This place has a huge concentration of Divine Energy, so everyone's abilities will be a bit stronger based on that. My doubt is whether we have the strength to challenge the top countries at the same cultivation level."
Fabio nodded in agreement. "I'm pretty sure you two can do that. However, Regio and Samanta are different. As you've already seen, they're weaker than you in similar conditions."
Rean was surprised to hear that. "Wait, you're talking as if Milina is stronger than them."
Fabio smiled in response. "In normal situations, she wouldn't be. However, did you forget what I said about her race?"
Only then did the twins remember. "Right! Although she has only half the bloodline, her body has that weird ability to store Divine Energy. Cassia is sealing everyone's cultivations, not their races' traits. She obviously can't do that to Milina either, since this ability is her race's trait."
"Exactly. Milina is indeed stronger than average cultivators, but she can't compare to you, Samanta and Regio. Let alone the top geniuses of the top countries like Huring. But now, even though her cultivation will be sealed at the Peak Stage of the Soul Transformation Realm, the fact still stands that she can still use the same amount of Divine Energy as a Saint Realm cultivator." Fabio seemed quite hopeful for that branch family descendant. "Simply put, Milina's extremely lucky to have you two to help her reach this place, and even more so when the rules for this battle were decided."
It was then that Rean remembered something. "Right! She's very fat, as you can see. However, after the Yin Death Zone test, I could tell that her weight was no different than ours. How come?"
Fabio then explained, "That's also a trait of their race. The 'fat' that you see is not real body tissue. It's mostly Divine Energy Storage. Do you remember when I said she would be at the very top in tests that demanded high amounts of Divine Energy? That's why." Fabio then laughed as he continued, "Hahaha! You have to see how she looks when there's no Divine Energy stored in her body. She's quite a beautiful girl, you know?"
Rean and Roan looked at Milina and found it hard to believe. "Well, if you say so..."
Everyone then had their cultivations sealed and waited for the battles to start. Meanwhile, the countries' guardians talked with their participants as well.
"I feel like killing you all, but I have to admit the tests you got so far had little chance of concluding the task I gave you," Gille told them. "However, there is no escape anymore. In these battles that are coming, I want you to make sure that Roan will lose. Just make sure you don't cripple him, as I need his Dark Element Affinity."
Gille then gave a cold smile as he continued, "I don't need to tell you what will happen if you end fighting him and lose, right?"
Hedoi and everyone else nodded in response. They knew that Gille wasn't joking around.
The Huring Country, however, completely put Roan's existence behind their heads. "Now that those filtering tests are over, only strength will make the difference. That being said, forget about those twins. They are not your real opponents. Pay attention to Volava, Tenke, Klacks, Holang, and the other top countries. They are your targets this time around. You've probably heard of that girl called Liana and her Pure Yin Body, right? She is someone you should pay even more attention to now that you'll fight at the same cultivation level."
Everyone from Huring Country that was still in the competition nodded. "Yes, Elder Safran!"
On Tenke's side... "Liana, Givaldi, Viola, you three have the best hopes of succeeding. Though, don't feel too bad if you don't make it. Put your lives as first priority. That's all."
"Leave it to us, Lady Jamilian." Surprisingly, one of the names she called was Givaldi, one of the very few men in their entourage.
Similar scenes happened everywhere until finally, Cassia called their attention. "Alright, what comes next is the battles. Last time, we had people draw lots and pick 10 cultivators to fight one by one. This time, things will be different. We will use group battles up to five people. With that said, you can ally with whoever you wish. Even other countries are not out of the question."
Those words surprised most people. Some loved it while others hated it. In any case, they know that the rules can never be changed.
Rean and Roan were quite surprised to hear that as well. They thought they would have to fight people one by one, which was definitely the best choice for them. "Tch... such bullshit."
Samanta narrowed her eyes in response. "What? Do you think we're not good enough?"
Roan nodded without even thinking twice. "Yes."
Samanta felt like giving Roan a beating. "Hmph! I still don't know if you're as strong as you pretend you are. I might be much better than you, you know?"
Regio immediately shook his head. "You definitely aren't." It was a short phrase, but it convened all his thoughts. He knew the difference between himself and the twins.
"Oh, yeah? Then, I don't want to join forces with you anymore. I'll go look for another team!" Samanta was fuming, obviously.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Rean quickly intervened. "It's not like you don't understand the ice block's personality. Just ignore him, will you? Let's make a group with the five of us. It's perfect! The five survivors from Fabio's group! How good is that?"
"Why should I do that if he thinks I'm weak?" Samanta asked in response.
Rean then explained, "It's not that he thinks you're weak, but that we are much better when fighting alone. However, in this group battle, having help is definitely better than not having it."
Samanta narrowed her eyes and looked at Roan. "Do you also think that it's better to have me in the group at least?"
Roan pondered in silence for a bit and nodded in the end. "Probably."
Rean felt like crying already....