The moment Olivier and Wangcai came up from the Eighth Layer, Desri and the others were guarding the entrance to the Ninth Layer, their eyes fixed on the passage.
Only when the two figures appeared in their sight did everyone breathe a sigh of relief. Rosalie's shoulders visibly relaxed, and Fain loosened his fingers around his longsword.
Olivier was still wounded-the wound on his shoulder blade had scabbed over, the penetrating wound beneath his ribs was half frozen by freezing power, and his robes were in tatters.
But his steps were steady, and the Black Ice Longsword on his back was already sheathed.
Rosalie's gaze fell on what he held-a staff, silver-white from end to end, with a snowflake-shaped gem set at its tip. Wisps of cold seeped from the gem, condensing into tiny ice crystals that swirled around the shaft.
Olivier noticed Rosalie's hesitant expression. Without any pleasantries, he tossed the staff straight to her. "For you."
Rosalie caught it instinctively. The icy sensation spread through her palm, and she froze for a moment.
"Improving our current strength is what matters," Olivier said flatly.
He had brought back something else as well-a divine artifact longsword, now hanging at his waist. Its scabbard was ordinary, but the sharp sword intent emanating from it made everyone glance over.
This sword suited him perfectly. As for the staff, it was useless to him. Rosalie was a water element Saint Magus, and this Ice Element Staff could do far more in her hands than in his.
Bebe blinked beside them, then rummaged through his Space Ring and took out the Blood-Red Curved Blade. The dark red sheen on its blade flowed like blood beneath the light of the Ninth Layer's sky.
With a flick of his little paw, he sent the curved blade