Krune really didn't want to get involved in it. It was then that he had an idea.
'If Ao can escape, then so can I!'
"Tribulation Lightning Movement, 50%!"
Brummm!
Mina didn't even have enough time to react. In just a second, Krune had already disappeared from her vision. She didn't even know how to think about that, she just wanted to make a few questions and ask for help, but the guy disappeared like a ghost.
'No, first of all, is that the speed that a Foundation Establishment should have? Even I, as a Core Formation cultivator, can't get even close to that!'
While in his human form, using more than 30% of Tribulation Lightning to move causes damage to the body. But Krune could only think one thing.
'Worth it!'
Krune only used it for a few seconds anyway, so he didn't get too much injured. After returning to his room, It only took him around 30 minutes to heal himself. Krune then pondered about what to do and decided to keep stabilizing and reinforcing his foundation for the day.
---
The next day, Krune was walking in the alchemist hall direction when he bumped on Mina again. Still, just as he was about to escape once more, he noticed that she had already caught Arlan. Mina noticed Krune and decided to try to talk to him this time too. She didn't let Arlan escape her grasp, though.
Noticing that Arlan was together this time, Krune decided to wait and see what happens. Especially because of his pleading eyes. Krune didn't want to disappear suddenly like a certain someone. Mina then came close with Arlan and asked.
"Why did you run yesterday? Am I some scary monster?"
Krune looked at the pitful Arlan and then said.
"Cough, cough. I was just a little scared that a Core Formation cultivator suddenly grabbed my shoulder. I thought something bad was going to happen, so I run. Sorry about that."
Mina, of course, didn't believe for even a second. But they don't know each other to start with, so she didn't point it out.
"Anyway, this idiot over here is my fiance. Can you help me convince him to accept the marriage?"
Arlan immediately retorted.
"I told you hundreds of times, it's too early! We had both agreed about it back then, so why you keep insisting on this?"
Mina just repeated the same answer again.
"I'm just protecting what is mine, what if other girls try to take you there? I can't let it happen."
Arlan then said once more.
"You don't believe me at all!"
Mina shook her head.
"What if they have a way to seduce you with some charming technique or whatever? Considering the scope of the Divine Path Sect and the powers behind those girls, it is totally possible to happen."
Arlan didn't give up, though.
"But you are going there with me anyway! So why are you so afraid?"
Mina just snorted.
"This is this, that is that."
Krune felt like he was watching some show. After they started talking, his presence had been completely forgotten. He didn't know if he should leave or stay. First of all, would they even notice if he left? Only after a few minutes of comes and going did they finally remembered that Krune was still in front of them. It was then that they asked.
Arlan and Mina immediately paid attention, and Krune then said.
"Have Arlan sign a blood contract not to betray you. Any skill of charming technique will be useless since anyone bellow Divine Soul Realm can't go against it."
Arlan and Mina didn't know what to say, but Krune still continued.
"It does resolve both your issues at the same time. While Arlan wouldn't need to marry for the time being. He also would be impeded from betraying."
But Krune completely forgot the main issue, a relationship was supposed to be based on trust. Wouldn't it be against this logic if they had to use a blood contract to ensure their views?
Arlan then said.
"This... don't seem like a good idea."
Mina also nodded.
"Real couples shouldn't need a blood contract to be loyal."
Krune once again got confused and looked at Mina.
"That doesn't make sense. Isn't this trouble precisely because Mina doesn't 'really' trust Arlan? If she did as she says, then you wouldn't be going through this problem. Fortunately, the blood contract can resolve it. But if you think that a couple that really trusts each other doesn't need it, then what exactly is all this marriage thing about?"
What Krune said made Mina feel like she was being pierced by hundreds of swords. Those words hit the place where it hurt the most. Arlan just gave her a side glance. Deep inside, he was cheering for Krune already.
Krune then just sighed and said.
"Alright, you should think about it. See you later."
Krune immediately left after that, he already said a lot more than he wanted. He really didn't want to get involved in their problems. First of all, why did they even ask him? It's not like he had any experience in this type of topic, right?
Later on, Mina finally let Arlan go. Impressively, Krune's cluelessness about relationships was what got their issue resolved.
---
Krune finally arrived at the Alchemist Hall. After showing his Four Stars Alchemist badge, the attendant got an alchemist room for him only. Krune then took all the materials necessary to create the Soul Healing Pill except for the Dragon Essence Liquid. He then started to practice the pill concoction.
'As expected of a pill of this level, even without using the Dragon Essence Liquid, it is still harder than other pills from the same level.'
Krune had tried twice already but still failed to make the pill. Still, he wasn't sad. With his All-Encompassing Soul Technique and the Elemental Meridians, he could see where he had gone wrong. All he needed was practice. Krune wants to finish making the real pills before the Divine Path Sect Entrance Exam. Like that, he can give one pill for Yusa to consume during her Breakthrough.
As for Yusa, she was spending her time between sparing with Ao or Shinja and stabilizing her foundation. As mentioned before, she had bought quite a few cultivation resources capable of help with the foundation reinforcement, so she was very close to the peak of the 9th stage.
In Shinja's case, she spent most of her time with Lofa and Cassy or cultivating and reinforcing her foundation. It was just recently that she entered the 2nd stage of the Core Formation Realm, it will still take a long time before she attempts the next stage breakthrough.
Krune spent his next two months between cultivating, Alchemy, and teaching Tasier. Also, for some reason, Lofa came to pay him a visit a lot too. Krune didn't mind, though.
In alchemy's case, Krune was already able to create five to six Soul Healings pills without using the Dragon Soul Essence. Of course, he used a lot of materials in the tries. The majority of the items used for the pill that he got from the old Rainbow Sect were almost gone. In the end, he decided that it was enough practice.
'Considering the level of my pills at the moment, I should be very close to the five stars. Still, after all this practice, I don't have enough materials to make the Soul Healing Pill anymore. I will ask Guild Head Bary tomorrow and then try to make the real ones this time.'
As for Tasier, he even got a lot of extra spirit stones from the Thunder Hawk. It seemed like Tasier's supply of spirit stones was unlimited. But Tasier didn't care, thanks to Krune, he should now be able to achieve around seven thousand points or more during the elemental talent test. Although the Divine Path Sect Entrance Exam won't be easy, he now has the confidence to try it.
That same day, Yusa sent a message to everyone that she was finally ready. She could try to Breakthrough into the Core Formation Realm anytime now. Krune then answered her asking to wait until he finishes the Soul Healing pills. Yusa, that money-grubber, had still given all her spirit stones during the Rainbow Sect incident. So this could also be said to be a way to pay for her help back then.
Yusa didn't mind, there was still over a month before they leave for the Divine Path Sect.
Krune then went to talk with Guild Head Bary to see if he could arrange the medicinal herbs he needs for them. Fortunately, he had the necessary ones. But he then told Krune.
"Those herbs you asked are very expensive, and we don't have much of them. If you fail, we won't be able to give any more of them. Are you sure you don't want us to call a six or seven stars alchemist to concoct it for you?"
Krune shook his head.
"This is very important for me, and I think I can make a breakthrough in my alchemy skills to five stars with it. This is a very rare pill and hard to make, but even four stars alchemists can still do it with enough luck. But I plan to achieve over 60% of element synch, that would make the pill a Five Stars one."