CHAPTER 274: CHAPTER274-MARKED

Yashum was observing Owen when he suddenly saw Owen frown.

Concerned that something had occurred, he quickly inquired, "Owen, what’s the matter?"

"Nothing." Owen shook his head with a smile, choosing not to disclose the issue to them.

He realized that the matter was beyond his control now.

Even if Tristan’s father came to know the true instigator behind Tristan’s Inner Demon, only he would be affected.

Anderson and the others were unlikely to be implicated.

Hence, rather than voicing his worries and causing unease among Anderson and the rest, Owen preferred to keep the matter concealed.

Yashum nodded, refraining from probing further.

Since Owen mentioned it was nothing, it had to be so.

He understood that Owen’s silence was a means to spare them from unnecessary troubles.

Anderson’s gaze shifted, following Owen’s line of sight to Tristan, but noticing no unusual demeanor in Tristan, he couldn’t speculate on the matter.

"Let’s go, we’ll exit through this teleportation circle," Owen sighed with relief, smiling at his companions.

Hearing Owen mention their departure from the Endless Contraption, Yashum and the others felt their spirits lift.

Having spent nearly half a year in this place, they were surrounded by mythical beasts, puppets, and giants every day.

Although they enjoyed the thrill of adventures, the novelty wore off over time, transforming excitement into routine and eventually into dullness.

"Let’s move!" Yashum burst into laughter, patting Owen and Anderson on their shoulders.

"Once we’re out, we must drink till the world turns upside down!" Owen and Anderson joined in the laughter, heartily agreeing.

"To not stop until we’re thoroughly inebriated!"

Stepping into the teleportation circle, a wave of dizziness swept through their minds, and then, the long-missed scenery unfolded before Owen and the others once more.

"We’re finally out!"

Owen took a deep breath, his face breaking into a smile of relief.

He had grown tired of the daily grind through puzzles and traps.

Now, stepping out felt like releasing an invisible shackle binding his heart, bringing an immense sense of liberation.

Anderson, Tristan, and the rest also deeply inhaled the fresh air they had missed so much.

It felt so surreal to them that they feared they were dreaming, with their real bodies still trapped within the Endless Contraption.

After a moment, everyone finally came back to reality.

Owen glanced at them and chuckled.

"Let’s go drink!"

"Yes!"

Anderson and Yashum responded with hearty laughs, eager to head to a tavern to enjoy some appetizers, sip fine wine, and engage in lively conversations!

"What about me? Can I go now?"

Tristan, although excited, quickly sobered up at the thought of still being in the company of Owen and the others.

"You’re coming with us for a drink, of course."

Owen replied with a gentle smile, but to Tristan, that smile seemed as menacing as a demon’s, instilling fear in his heart.

"I..."

Tristan attempted to resist, but upon catching Owen’s firm gaze, he promptly shut his mouth, no longer daring to speak.

"Let’s go."

Owen smiled again, leading the group towards Fallen Sky City.

He had a reason for keeping Tristan close.

Owen had sensed that someone was watching them from the shadows, starting the moment they emerged, and the number of watchers was growing.

Among them were many powerful enough to wield the power of rules, likely at the rule-tier.

He speculated that these people hadn’t made their move yet partly because they were overconfident, and partly because Tristan was with them.

Tristan’s reputation was immense, to the extent that even rule-tier powerhouses hesitated to act rashly upon seeing him, and some even chose to detour around him.

It was clear that these individuals presumed Tristan to be in league with Owen and his companions, which bred caution in their minds.

The presence of rule-tier strong ones, Owen speculated, was due to the peculiar exit point they had used from the secret realm.

Typically, those who enter secret realms return from the same point they entered, and only those who have undergone abnormal experiences, passed through multiple puzzles, or used a different teleportation circle might emerge elsewhere.

Thus, any adventurer not returning through the original entry point was far from ordinary.

Even if these watchers gained no benefit from tailing them, it was no loss on their part.

Conversely, should fortune favor them, they might profit immensely without any loss.

Midway through their journey, Tristan seemed to resign himself to his fate and began to seek a closer relationship with Owen and the others.

"I’ll treat this time, let’s consider it as settling any past grievances, how about that?"

Tristan’s smile was somewhat strained, as it was his first attempt at humbling himself to initiate conversation.

Owen glanced at Tristan, a wry smile hidden within his heart.

It was unexpected that the renowned Tristan would find himself in such a predicament, indicating that most people indeed tend to bully the weak and fear the strong.

"Of course, once we’ve finished the drinks, we’ll part ways." Owen responded lightly.

Although he harbored doubts about Tristan’s intentions to truly settle all accounts, ensuring their safety was presently his paramount concern.

Owen’s unease grew; he could sense the number of followers increasing, including rule-tier powerhouses, which had now reached a total of five.

"Anderson, we’re being followed. Keep an eye out."

Owen’s solemn voice reached Anderson’s mind through the transmitting stone, sending a jolt through him.

He tried his best not to let his expression betray any sign of unsettlement.

"What kind of strength are we talking about?"

Anderson’s voice carried a weight of seriousness.

Owen taking the initiative to warn him meant their pursuers were likely no less formidable than nirvana-tier grade 4, possibly even rule-tier.

Owen responded, "Fifteen at nirvana-tier grade 4, five at rule-tier, and several others."

Given their group’s apparent strength, only those at or above nirvana-tier grade 4 would dare target them, lest they risk an unexpected defeat.

Thus, their followers were mostly nirvana-tier grade 4, or perhaps several at grade 3.

As for the rule-tier, they likely hadn’t been detected, or else only those five rule-tier pursuers would still be tailing them.

Anderson was taken aback and quickly replied, "Should I inform the elder of the Sanctuary?"

Given the situation, having an elder come over might not resolve their crisis, especially since the elders of the Sanctuary were also around rule-tier.

Owen nodded in agreement.

After Anderson notified the Sanctuary’s elder, the elder was expected to arrive shortly.

Owen’s main concern now was whether their pursuers would prematurely strike.

Although Tristan’s presence was supposed to deter them, their superior strength and potential for disguise made it difficult to recognize them.

"We must not reveal any weaknesses now."

"Right, we also need to inform Yashum and the others. If they inadvertently reveal any gains we’ve made, we’re toast."

Owen realized his oversight; he had been preoccupied with the arrival of the elder and had forgotten to notify Yashum and the rest.

"Owen, is something the matter?" Yashum, noticing Owen suddenly looking towards him, asked with a smile tinged with curiosity.

Having emerged from the legendary Endless Contraption, even if they hadn’t gained any treasures, the experience alone was enough to boast about for half a lifetime.

He could already envision the shocked expressions of his friends.

"Nothing." Owen managed a slight smile on the surface and began to secretly communicate with Yashum through the transmitting stone.

"Yashum, stay calm. I’ll give you a heads-up: we’re being followed by quite a number of people. I’ve already notified the elder of the Sanctuary. Just maintain our current demeanor until the elder arrives. Remember, do not discuss any benefits we might have gained. Go and inform Perini quietly."

Yashum, evidently experienced, responded discreetly to Owen’s warning without betraying any emotion and then began to communicate the message to Perini.

Seeing Yashum’s reaction, Owen breathed a sigh of relief.

Now, all that remained was to give Tristan a heads-up.

Tristan, feeling somewhat awkward after Owen had responded to him without further conversation, hurriedly said, "Look, I didn’t snatch any benefits from this Endless Contraption venture, isn’t that sincere enough?"

He even patted his chest nonchalantly.

The expressions of Owen and the others changed drastically, with Owen’s face darkening significantly.

He could sense the arcanergy of many strong individuals stirring restlessly.

"Tristan, what are you talking about?" Yashum laughed heartily, clapping Tristan on the shoulder.

"Didn’t that powerful mythical beast snatch away all our gains?"

With Yashum’s words, the restless arcanergy calmed down once more, though a few still swirled slowly, signaling ongoing vigilance.

Owen sighed inwardly; their experience in handling such situations was still too lacking.

Tristan’s earlier statement had already been a blunder, but the change in their expressions only served to confirm their unease.

Even if Yashum attempted to bluff, some of the more cunning adversaries could still sense that something was amiss.

"Prepare to flee. I have a way to hold them off for a while, but whether you can survive will depend on your own skills," Owen’s grave voice communicated directly into the minds of Anderson and the others.

As for Tristan, Owen had decided not to bother with him anymore.

Even if he did, it would be futile.

If their pursuers were to strike, Tristan would likely be the first they aimed to kill.

"Alright."

Anderson and the others understood that they had indeed slipped up and immediately braced themselves, responding earnestly.

They recognized that this moment was akin to Owen returning a favor to them by buying them some time.

This also implied that Owen would be covering their retreat, standing as the last line of defense.