Chapter 39
Chapter 39: Entering the Secret Realm
“Prince Bei, I didn’t expect His Majesty to actually agree to your coming,” Elder Ming said, a touch of surprise in his tone.
“Let’s put that aside for now. The most important thing is how to commence the rescue operation. By the way, how’s Xiao Xuan doing?” Qin Bei’s main concern was Qin Xuan’s safety.
“Here’s the current situation…” Elder Ming filled Qin Bei in on the details.
After listening, Qin Bei furrowed his brow. He had received the news too late.
“No time to waste; I’m going in with my team right now,” Qin Bei decisively declared.
His plan was straightforward: break through the monsters’ defense line, enter the secret realm as quickly as possible to find Qin Xuan, and then bring everyone out. If possible, it wouldn’t be too bad to wipe out all the monsters inside along the way.
…
“Prince Bei, there are two entrances here. The Golden Core realm monsters have vacated the first entrance, and it’s now filled with Foundation Establishment realm beasts. The second entrance still has two Golden Core realm monsters guarding it, so you should enter through the first one,” Elder Ming explained.
“Right! We’ll leave the other entrance to the Beast Control Sect,” a member of the Beast Control Sect added, stepping forward confidently.
“You guys?” The Sword Sect elder raised an eyebrow at the Beast Control Sect elder.
“What’s wrong? Not acceptable? Beast Frenzy is a top-notch talent in our Beast Control Sect. He can handle two Golden Core realm monsters, even without the Demon Suppression Tower avatar. He’ll ensure these two won’t interrupt Prince Bei’s rescue efforts.”
The behavior of the Beast Control Sect elder earned him applause from the crowd. It seemed they weren’t the type to just watch someone in trouble without offering help.
Beast Frenzy, trailing behind, shot a cold smile toward Qin Bei. The monsters inside were let in by their Sect. Now that Qin Bei had taken the bait, the next critical step was to gather forces and eliminate him before he had a chance to grow.
Naturally, he wouldn’t miss out on the numerous geniuses from various sects in the secret realm, especially Qin Xuan, who had completed his foundation on the Heavenly Dao. Causing the downfall of so many talents from Great Xia in one go would earn immense credit in the Holy Demon Dynasty—this would pave the way for titles and nobility in the future.
His eagerness to face the second entrance also had its reasons. If he wanted to kill Qin Bei, attempting that at the entrance wouldn’t cut it, even with two Golden Core realm monsters. After all, Qin Bei was currently wielding the Demon Suppression Tower.
This tower had a suppressive effect on monsters; who knows, maybe with it, Qin Bei could actually slay those two Golden Core monsters that had so painstakingly evolved. Hence, he volunteered to take on the second entrance.
Once Qin Bei entered the secret realm, he’d seal the exit, trapping Qin Bei like a fish in a barrel—ready to play with him however he pleased. Especially after spotting Ji Zhuyue by Qin Bei’s side, Beast Frenzy’s excitement grew tenfold. Who knew such a task would come with such delightful perks?
…
“No need. The Demon Suppression Tower is in my hands. I will lead my people to eradicate these two Golden Core monsters. The Beast Control Sect will take the other entrance,” Qin Bei stated firmly, not leaving room for anyone to refuse.
While everyone else viewed these monsters as the biggest threat, Qin Bei was acutely aware that the real danger lay with Beast Frenzy from the Beast Control Sect.
“Prince Bei, this involves Golden Core monsters! You can’t just deal with them using a group of Foundation Establishment realm folks and the Demon Suppression Tower,” Beast Frenzy frowned.
“My decision is not for you to question. Just follow orders,” Qin Bei responded in an unequivocal tone, speaking to Beast Frenzy as if he were addressing a subordinate.
“Fine! Since Prince Bei has the confidence to tackle the Golden Core monsters, I’ll gladly deal with that pack of Foundation Establishment beasts,” although Beast Frenzy felt displeased in his heart, he still nodded in agreement.
“Alright, everyone split into two teams: one team follows me into the second entrance, and the other team follows the Beast Control Sect into the first entrance,” Qin Bei commanded loudly.
“Okay!”
“Alright!”
“Understood!”
The tens of thousands of Foundation Establishment realm cultivators surrounding them raised their arms and cheered in response to Qin Bei.
“Let’s go,” Qin Bei turned to look at Ji Zhuyue.
“Mm.”
…
Inside the second entrance.
At this moment, nearly ten thousand Foundation Establishment cultivators surrounded the teleportation array. Yet, despite the numbers, they could only hold the area within a kilometer of the teleportation array, and that perimeter was shrinking as monster attacks intensified.
Injured cultivators would occasionally retreat from the outer fringes and leave via the teleportation array. However, many more could not return once injured and perished on the outskirts.
Currently, at the outermost perimeter, where the monster attacks were the fiercest, over a dozen members of the Red Battle Mercenary Corps worked together to fend off the rampaging beasts.
Swish!
A totally black beast that moved like sludge was hacked in two by the leader of the Red Battle Mercenary Corps. Black blood splattered everywhere.
But in the next moment, the severed monster reformed, returning to its original shape.
“Damn! What kind of creature is this? I’ve never seen anything like it—it won’t die even when cut in half!”
“Don’t slice in the middle; aim for its forehead! That’s the source of its power. If you don’t destroy it, it’ll keep regenerating!” The leader of the Battle Wolf Mercenary Corps, who had been holding out for a while, called from a distance. Every cultivator who had come to assist soon encountered the same issue, and he patiently reminded them each time.
Swish!
After hearing this, the leader of the Red Battle Mercenary Corps aimed for the monster’s forehead and struck. Indeed, this time it could not reassemble and utterly dissipated into a cloud of black mist.
However, just after he dispatched one monster, a horde of beasts surged around them.
A team of barely a dozen was no match for this onslaught.
They found themselves in a dire situation. Just when it seemed the only female teammate was about to get hurt, the others were too preoccupied to help.
Swish!
He Zhan, leader of the Battle Wolf Mercenary Corps, held his ground with his sword, slaying the attacking beast and rescuing the woman.
“Stay alert! If you can’t hold out, fall back. Being stubborn will only lead to needless death,” He Zhan cautioned.
Everyone was here to make money, not to throw away their lives.
“Captain, look out!”
A voice shouted in terror.
Without a moment’s hesitation, He Zhan seized the female mercenary beside him and dodged to the side.
Swish!
Sharp claws sliced through the air. Even though He Zhan was quick to react, he couldn’t evade the strike.
One of his legs remained behind.
“Ah!”
The intense pain brought a rush of death’s threat to He Zhan’s senses.
Hehehe~
A sinister chuckle echoed and a shadow appeared where He Zhan had just been.
It resembled both a human and a beast—having a human form but sporting the sharp claws and fangs of a beast. Black liquid dripped from its dark body, transforming into a cloud of black demonic energy that surrounded the creature.
“Golden Core realm!”
Forgetting his injuries, He Zhan endured the pain and fled backward.
“Trying to escape?”
The Golden Core realm beast rasped, sprinting after He Zhan.
It had been watching He Zhan for some time, having lost too many subordinates to him. There was no way it would let He Zhan slip away unharmed; it had to take his life.