Elliot and Leah turned to look at each other, unsure of how to answer. Elliot thought for a while before replying to John's question.
'"We're not from around here, as I'm sure you can tell, but that's all we can say on that matter unfortunately."
John was disappointed at the vague response but understood them nonetheless. Everyone had their secrets, John included. After some silence, the group started talking about various things, including John's origins and the Fenix Clan itself.
After a while, silence descended on the group before Leah suddenly spoke up.
"John, since you're from the Fenix Clan, do you happen to know about anything related to a special realm?"
"Leah!" Elliot suddenly spoke up and gave her a meaningful glare. The purpose of their mission from their sect was to remain top secret.
John narrowed his eyes at Leah's question.
'Special realm? Are they referring to the pocket realm? How do they know about it, and why are they looking for it?' John couldn't help but be internally shocked at Leah mentioning the pocket realm.
From what John knew, the pocket realm was supposed to be an absolute secret known only to the various clans and sects that surrounded it. Each clan and sect had strict laws regarding the pocket realm, and as such, no one was allowed to let outsiders know about it. If news of the pocket realm was known by the outside world, who knew what the other powers on the continent would do to get their hands on it. To keep it an absolute secret from the world, only the involved clans and sects knew about the realm. In fact, speaking about the realm was punishable by imprisonment or death in many cases, depending on the severity of the offense.
Although John had no idea how Elliot and Leah knew about the realm, it was clear that they had found out somehow. Not only that, but based on their cultivation level at their age, it seemed as though the power behind the two of them was potentially even stronger than the Fenix Clan.
'I should let father know about this matter when I return.' John sat there in silence for a moment before responding to Leah.
"No, sorry, I've never heard of such a thing around here." John kept his response brief and simple to reduce the chance of slipping up and accidentally hinting towards its existence.
"Hmm, that's too bad" responded Leah with a disappointed look on her face. She was hopeful that John would know something so they could wrap up this mission of theirs, but his response squashed those hopes.
"Although they don't seem like bad people, I still don't know what power they come from." John was thinking about his next steps to take.
His spatial talisman was used up, and so he no longer had an assurance of escape if he ran into another situation like last time. He also promised his father that he would return as soon as he used the talisman.
'I guess this is where my journey ends for now.'
John became slightly depressed. This journey had explosively increased his strength, and so he was not ready for it to end quite yet, but he had no choice unfortunately.
"What do you plan on doing next, now that you're healed? Would you like to travel with us for a bit?" Elliot suddenly inquired.
John was surprised by the sudden question and the offer to travel together. He thought about it for a while, wondering if he should head straight back home or join them on their offer.
"What direction are you heading?" asked John. As long as they were traveling in the same direction, John wouldn't mind staying in their company.
"We've been traveling west so far, and plan on doing so for the next few thousand miles" responded Elliot.
'West for a few thousand miles? That should take me past the Fenix Clan.'
John thought about it for a moment before accepting the offer. If he could travel with Elliot and Leah, then based on their cultivation level, he should be pretty safe. They were also traveling in the direction he was going, so it all worked out well for him.
"Well, it's pretty late tonight, so let's get some sleep and head out in the morning" said Elliot. John agreed and fell asleep right away, still exhausted from all the recent events that had happened.
…
A long ways away, a group of five young boys were riding on beasts on the main road towards the Dreadel Kingdom. They were all donning blood red robes, which had an image of a blood red sun setting behind a mountain range embroidered on the back of the robes.
"How much longer do we have until we arrive in the Dreadel Kingdom?" asked one of the boys.
All the boys looked over to the oldest of the group. He had long black hair and a small scar on his left cheek, making him look quite fierce, and had a late Mist Creation cultivation.
"It should be another month or so before we arrive. We will meet Elder Holde there" responded the boy.
"What are we doing in the Dreadel Kingdom anyways? This seems like a waste of time" responded another boy.
The scarred boy looked towards the one who had just spoken. "The Elder told me that this is in regards to the recent movements of our sect. We are going to the Kingdom to improve our relationship, as well as spar with their princes to exchange pointers."
"Oh, I see, so this is in regards to our preparations regarding the Fenix Clan and Varis Clans?"
"That's right, as soon as we take care of both of those clans, we will have dominion over the pocket realm as well as the surrounding thousands of miles of land. Also, I've heard rumors that this involves that sect, but I'm not too sure."
"That sect?" asked one of the boys before his eyes widened. "Are you referring to the Crimson Devil Sect?"
The scar faced boy nodded his head and continued. "Like I was saying, these plans are most likely according to that sect. We are just helping set up all the relevant pieces for when the time to strike comes. I'm also guessing it's the reason why Jason arrived at our sect recently."
Although the scar faced boy hated Jason, he had to admit that the boy was frightening beyond all description.
"With him entering the pocket realm, everything will only belong to the Crimson Valley Sect" thought the boy as he continued traveling towards the Dreadel Kingdom.
…
Two weeks later.
John slowly opened his eyes as an excited expression appeared on his face.
"My body cultivation dantian is now in the late Mist Creation realm."