CHAPTER 233: CHAPTER 233: ENTERING THE SECRET REALM (PART 2)

EDITOR: DRAGON BOAT TRANSLATION

Just as Ren Suo expected, he didn’t even have the chance to use Cloning.

Instead, Dong Chengling was invited by the Tactical Bureau to assist in the investigation of the Secret Realm.

"Among the Yangtze River Cultivators entering the Secret Realm later, three are wearing Spatial Coordinates you processed, and one is equipped with the highest-grade Type 3 Spatial Coordinates. They will activate the coordinates once inside. If you sense the coordinates, please pull them out after 1 minute."

Li Dan and the others consulted with Dong Chengling, and Ren Suo, eavesdropping nearby, learned a great deal.

Dong Chengling’s Spatial Coordinates were essentially a Spiritual Energy preservation device. Currently, all materials capable of ’completely’ preserving Spiritual Energy for extended periods were special materials produced by the National Research Institute. These were categorized into Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 based on material quality, with the possibility of even higher-grade materials in the future.

Such strategic materials were in high demand by the nation, so only a small amount was allocated to Lianjiang City.

For Dong Chengling, the distinction between Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 only pertained to how much Spiritual Energy she could store, which in turn affected the range and intensity of her Casting Spells.

Type 1 coordinates could basically cover Lianjiang City, while Type 3 could cover the entire province. Moreover, the higher the type, the slower the Spiritual Energy dissipation. In fact, Spiritual Energy preservation devices of Type 3 and above would not shatter if recharged after each use.

The coordinates possessed by Ren Suo and Gu Yueyan were Type 3, but theirs were clearly enhanced versions, allowing Dong Chengling to accurately identify them from among dozens of coordinates.

Therefore, in reality, Dong Chengling possessed the ability to pull everyone equipped with coordinates to her side. The significance of cultivators activating their coordinates was primarily to inform Dong Chengling they were in danger and to make their coordinates prominent in her spatial perception. In truth, Dong Chengling could always sense all Spatial Coordinates.

Just three minutes later, the first group of Yangtze River Cultivators—Cheng Wenchao’s and Yuan Dang’s teams—was ready.

Armed with firearms, they ran into the tumultuous, black Cotton Candy-like Secret Realm.

Then Dong Chengling suddenly grabbed Ren Suo’s arm. Ren Suo looked at her in confusion, but she faced Li Dan and said, "The Spatial Coordinates that were activating have disappeared."

"I’m sorry, I’m powerless. I cannot sense them, so I can’t pull them back," she added.

Li Dan had anticipated this situation and nodded, heading off to report to the command center.

It was Qiao Muyi who remarked, "If no one from the first batch of forerunners returns, the Tactical System and the military probably won’t send anyone else in. Even though the Secret Realm is important, its benefits are still unknown. Unless there’s definite news or intelligence, the higher-ups are unlikely to sacrifice more Cultivator talent here. After all, a bird in the hand is worth more than ten in the forest."

Dong Chengling breathed a sigh of relief and released Ren Suo’s arm. Although he found it a bit strange, he didn’t dwell on it and quietly sat aside, waiting for the boss battle to conclude.

「Twenty minutes later」

The churning black Cotton Candy suddenly erupted with holes glowing with red light. Over the next few minutes, more and more of these red-glowing holes appeared, looking as if the whole thing was about to explode.

The Iron Maiden boss must be running low on health... Ren Suo thought to himself. At this moment, the Changjiang Monks Corps dispatched another team of warriors.

Then, a Yangtze River Cultivator approached Li Dan. Li Dan, slightly stunned, glanced at Ren Suo, then turned and called out, "Cao Huali!"

"Coming," a middle-aged Tactical Bureau member walked over. "What is it?"

After Cao Huali spoke with the Yangtze River Cultivator for a moment, his expression turned grim. He shook his head in refusal, and a loud argument ensued.

Ren Suo’s attention was caught, and he moved closer to listen.

"...I’m truly sorry. My daughter was just born, and I don’t want to take such a huge risk..." Cao Huali said. "Please find someone else."

"But how can we find someone else on such short notice..." the Yangtze River Cultivator sighed.

Qiao Muyi, as curious as Ren Suo, also sidled over and voiced Ren Suo’s unspoken question, "Captain Li, what’s wrong?"

"..." Li Dan turned, saw Qiao Muyi and Ren Suo, shook his head, and said, "It’s nothing."

Though Li Dan remained quiet, the Yangtze River Cultivator explained, "The Yangtze Troops are about to send a second group in to probe the situation. Considering the first group is likely injured, in addition to military doctors, we hope to bring a Healing Cultivator to provide First Aid for anyone with Serious Injuries. We’re checking if there’s anyone in the Tactical System skilled in Healing Magic."

Qiao Muyi paused for a moment, uttered an "Oh," and then, with an unchanged expression, turned and walked away.

Ren Suo blinked, looking between Li Dan and Qiao Muyi, and suddenly felt a warmth spread through his heart.

"I am a Healing Cultivator."

Li Dan immediately retorted, "You are not part of the Tactical System."

"The point is, I am a Healing Cultivator," Ren Suo said. "Besides, I was the one who suggested seizing this opportunity to explore the Secret Realm. I can’t just talk big and then do nothing, can I?"

"You made the suggestion, but you weren’t the one who made the decision. You’re not responsible," Qiao Muyi, who hadn’t actually left, chimed in, walking back to dissuade him.

The Yangtze River Cultivator also nodded. "While we welcome volunteers, this exploratory mission is very dangerous. We completely understand if you don’t want to participate. You are considered a protected individual; you have no such obligation. Although we would prioritize your safety inside, we cannot guarantee it."

Ren Suo stated, "I’m willing. And as a First Transformation Cultivator, I have the Ability to protect myself."

Time was short. Since Ren Suo was willing, the Yangtze River Cultivator said no more and led Ren Suo to join the second contingent.

Just then, Ren Suo’s arm was grabbed again. He turned his head and, sure enough, it was Dong Chengling.

"My coordinates are ineffective inside," Dong Chengling looked at him seriously. "My current Ability isn’t enough to pull you out from there."

"Don’t worry. I’m a Cultivator, after all. I can protect myself," Ren Suo said, trying to gently push her hand away.

He couldn’t move it.

Dong Chengling said, "Then I’ll go in too."

The Yangtze River Cultivator leading Ren Suo shook his head. "The interior of the Secret Realm is unknown and dangerous. We won’t take unrelated personnel inside—"

"I am a Space Awakener. The members of the first team are wearing my Spatial Coordinates. If we enter and can’t find them, there’s a high chance I can pull them to my side," Dong Chengling stated. "Moreover, I am a Second Stage Cultivator, proficient in abilities such as Gauze Clothing."

It was unclear whether her status as a Space Awakener or a Second Stage Cultivator convinced the Yangtze River Cultivator, but he nodded. Without further discussion, he directly led Ren Suo and Dong Chengling over.

Gu Yueyan, remaining with the Tactical Bureau members, sat somewhat despondently to one side, watching Ren Suo and Dong Chengling recede into the distance.

"Feeling resentful?" Qiao Muyi asked, squatting beside her.

"A little. But I’m not Teacher Dong. If I went in, I’d just be a burden. I don’t even qualify to volunteer," Gu Yueyan said. "Why isn’t the Tactical Bureau team going in?"

"We have to stay outside on alert. What if going in means certain death? Wouldn’t all of us rushing in just be a case of sending reinforcements in dribs and drabs, doomed to fail?" Qiao Muyi explained. "Unknown dangers are the most terrifying."

Gu Yueyan asked, "Then why are those two still going..."

"Well, I don’t think you need to worry," Qiao Muyi said. "Dong Chengling aside, as for Ren Suo, don’t let his apparent bravery fool you. He’s actually incredibly timid."

"He’s essentially a pleasure-seeking societal parasite who shuns risk. If he weren’t absolutely certain, if he had any other choice, he definitely wouldn’t step into a perilous situation."

"Besides, even if he does find himself in danger, he has many unbelievable ways to escape unscathed." Qiao Muyi glanced at the black Cotton Candy. "Like that night more than ten days ago. According to him, you two must have been in the lake for several minutes."

"So, how exactly did you two breathe?"

Gu Yueyan quickly turned her face away, avoiding Qiao Muyi’s gaze. The next second, Qiao Muyi blew a puff of air onto her ear.

"AH—"

After teasing Gu Yueyan, Qiao Muyi stood up, patted her shoulder, and said with a smile, "Study hard. Sooner or later, you’ll surpass Ren Suo. Then, will it be up to you to knead him, roll him flat, or squish him as you like? That guy, though, he’s full of secrets."

Also? Gu Yueyan blinked, but her thoughts soon drifted back to her studies.

I can’t waste any more time. In two months, that younger sister will be here too. I should go back and ask Xiaoyu if she’s interested in joining...

Mingling with the Yangtze River Cultivators, just as they were about to enter the Secret Realm, Dong Chengling suddenly spoke from behind Ren Suo, "I thought you would stop me."

"Why would you think that?" Ren Suo retorted.

"Because I wanted to stop you," Dong Chengling said. "There are unknown dangers inside."

Ren Suo smiled. "But you didn’t stop me, did you?"

Dong Chengling paused, pondered for a moment, then said, "That’s because I believe you made this decision after careful consideration. Moreover, you’re going to save people, and I didn’t want to interfere with your resolve."

Ren Suo chuckled. "Thank you for your Trust."

Ren Suo naturally knew from his gaming experience that the battle against the Iron Maiden boss was nearing its conclusion. If he went in now, he would most likely witness the Magician casting a Forbidden Technique—a scene akin to the grand finale of a fantastical feast. Therefore, he was indifferent about entering himself or Dong Chengling following him. Moreover, he had many things to confirm by entering. If the authorities later confirmed the Secret Realm to be of great value, Ren Suo would most likely not get another chance to enter unless he sold himself to the National Research Institute. Not to mention the Secret Realms of other countries; Ren Suo had no chance at all unless he could become part of a Transcendent Cultivator joint force supporting those realms in a short time. The sudden appearance of an opportunity to kill multiple birds with one stone—a chance to watch the show, safely explore the Secret Realm, and even boost his real-world reputation—was certainly not something Ren Suo wanted to miss. He had already missed out on a Major Heat promotion sale the previous day because he lacked enough Merit Points to afford a single game... Ren Suo hadn’t even used Cloning this time. He went in with his real body, confident that this trip would be thrilling but ultimately without danger.

These reasons, of course, couldn’t be voiced. Ren Suo thought for a moment, then said to Dong Chengling, "Alright then. In that case, just trust me."

"There won’t be any danger. We’ll come out safely, go back, and eat a very fragrant and delicious durian chicken hotpot..."

Dong Chengling replied, "I don’t know how to make that, and the name sounds rather heavy for my taste..."

"Then we’ll eat out," Ren Suo declared spontaneously. "Just as you trust there’ll be no danger this time, trust that durian chicken hotpot will be delicious. My treat!"

At that moment, the Yangtze Troops were ready. The two of them, positioned in the center of the formation, entered the Secret Realm, whose outer layer now resembled a giant, red jackfruit!

Entry seemed instantaneous. Ren Suo felt his Qi Cyclone ripple as they passed through. A membrane of Spiritual Energy enveloped them, facilitating their smooth and safe passage into the Secret Realm’s interior!

Once inside, they found themselves on ground littered with rubble, within a strange-looking building. A wave of heat washed over them, like stepping into a hot spring in the peak of summer!

"Die, bugs!"

The voice used a language unknown on Earth. To others, it was merely a meaningless roar.

But to Ren Suo, it was a Skill sound effect he was long accustomed to, much like playing foreign games in his childhood; though he didn’t understand the words, he remembered the sound by heart.

Having reloaded over thirty times during gameplay, he had witnessed this Forbidden Technique being cast more than twenty times. Furthermore, there were always subtitles during its activation, so Ren Suo had it memorized!

The Flame Demon summoned by the "Forbidden Art: Flame Skin Breathing" was less than one hundred and fifty meters in front of them, towering like a pillar, its head nearly scraping the ceiling of the structure.

The Flame Demon seized a bloodied, massive Strange Creature bound by peculiar chains. Flames surged from its entire body into the creature, erupting in a great blaze of solar fire!

However, the Flame Giant soon dissipated. The burning Strange Creature crashed to the ground, its first action to sweep its enormous right arm toward the human figure in front of it, which was charred like charcoal!

The charred figure was swept to the ground but quickly scrambled back up. Then, whether intentionally or not, he glanced over at the second batch of Cultivator Troops.

Ren Suo, with his "Insight into the Mortal World" Bond already activated, possessed vision comparable to a pilot’s and could clearly see the divine light flickering in the charred figure’s pupils.

My first time meeting you, Magician.