Death... and me
chapter-2028

"Seems like it will grow just well as long as we keep the fertile soil and the flow of Light Element," Rean looked at the sprouts with a smile on his face.

In fact, things were going even better than he expected, in Hrux's opinion. "It's impressive how they are turning out to be even better than the trees in the pockets of Light Element in the Underworld. I can tell that their quality far surpasses any of the wood I brought with me when I entered the Swamp of No Return."

Clita agreed with him. "Indeed. Their properties' value will last much longer once they fully grow. Of course, it will take at least 70 to 80 years for that to happen. Not that we lack time. It's not like we can leave this place anyway. This will at least guarantee that our settlement will no longer have problems with the Dark Tide."

Rean was happy to hear that. He could tell why the Underworld Bright Trees they planted were of better quality than those outside. First, the Swamp of No Return had a several times higher concentration of Dark Element. As for the Light Element, Kentucky and Rean were providing it. Naturally, their Light Element was of the highest quality, different from the Light Element forcefully packed in those Underworld Tree Forests.

Rean then brought a piece of equipment from the Soul Gem Dimensional Realm and passed it to Hrux and Clita. "Now that the trees started to grow, there isn't much of a need for me having to be by its side all the time. Just pour your Divine Energy inside this bracelet, and it will gather Light Elements from the surroundings. Kentucky or I only need to come every few days to purify the Light Element absorbed by the trees."

Hrux quickly nodded. They had already heard from Luman about this new type of equipment that appeared in the outside world. "No problem."

After that, Rean and Roan went to see Luman, who was having fun with the girls in the settlement. The twins saw how he truly didn't care whether they were part of his Lakure Race or female Devils. As long as they had nice bodies, he would pester them nonstop. Well, he wasn't forceful, though. Also, a lot of the girls didn't mind appeasing the needs of such a powerful Space-Time Realm cultivator. "Ahem... Luman, are you free at the moment?"

Luman looked at the twins and laughed in response. "Hahaha! Sure, sure!" He then looked at the girls on his side. "You four can go back to your own things. I have to talk with these friends here." The females nodded and quickly left the room, leaving only Luman and the twins inside.

"So, I heard it from Hrux and Clita. The Underworld Bright Trees seem to be growing very well. Those trees will obviously give seeds in the future, which we can use to grow even more of them. Seems like we won't need to worry about the Dark Tide from several millennia at the very least." He was obviously very happy to find out that one of his worries was now gone.

"You flatter me too much, senior Luman. I did that because it was beneficial to both of us," Rean answered.

Roan, on the other hand, didn't want to waste time with pleasantries. "Leaving that aside, Rean, Kentucky, and I will start to train around the settlement territory. Since we can't leave, we can only cultivate and get stronger in case the chance to escape this Swamp arrives. That being said, I would like to ask something."

Roan's expression then turned serious. "Do you know how much of a difference there is between the time flow in this settlement and the outside world?"

Rean and Roan already knew that Luman was at the Peak Stage of the Space-Time Realm. He definitely would be able to tell more or less how much that difference was.

Sure enough, Luman's expression turned serious as well. "I know. In this Swamp, the further you get to the center, the higher the difference is. I'm not sure how far into the Swamp my settlement is located. However, I believe it should be at least halfway to the center since I spent many decades lost here. This location where we are at the moment is one with the highest disparity in time considering all the places I've been before." Finally, he told them a number. "If my perception isn't being disrupted, then the difference in time flow in this settlement is between 19 and 23 times."

That meant at least 19 years would pass in this settlement before a year passed outside. "I say between 19 and 23 times because the flow of time changes now and then, especially when the Dark Tide is approaching."

The twins weren't surprised by the change. This was an environmental issue, not some formation with a specific directive. Just like how the seasons passed and temperatures changed, this Swamp also had its moments with high and low flow of space and time. Still, they were surprised at how fast it was. "At least 19 times... That's sure a big difference."

Of course, Roan only saw it as an advantage. "That will give us a lot of time to train without having to worry about what is happening outside." The war for control of the Northeast side of the Realm of Gods would take a long time to start, let alone in this place. "Rean, we will start our training. I intend to stay here for at least 200 years."

Rean was taken aback for a moment. One must not forget that Rean's age wasn'1t much different than that. "That's... quite a long shot."

Roan didn't seem worried. He had already lived for countless years as a Death Spirit, so 200 years was pretty much the blink of an eye for him. "Stop complaining and focus on your training. With our lifespan, 200 years is nothing. I will also have Luan come out to do the same. This environment is perfect for it."

Luman was obviously more than happy to hear that. "Is that so? Then you are very welcome to stay here. Now then, if you don't have anything else to discuss, I have some little girls to entertain." He quickly left after that, though.

"Sigh..." Rean could only sigh in resignation. But then again, he knew that Roan was right. "Fine, 200 years it is."