Chapter 439: 345: Entering the Secret Realm, Strange Undead Creatures!_1
Looking out, they saw a serpentine cluster of giant black mountains sprawled before them.
The mountains were shrouded in black mist, and even in daylight, the distant peaks could not be seen clearly.
Atop its summits, amid the clouds, the black mist was even denser, with the occasional thunder rumbling and echoing for miles around, audible even from their position.
“Captain Zhao!”
A figure emerged swiftly from the distant forest: “We’ve been waiting for you.”
“Captain Chen.”
Zhao Yunxiao went up to greet him, and the two shook hands.
“Zhixue, Zheng Cheng, come over here.”
Zhao Yunxiao called them over, and the five individuals walked up in turn.
“This is Captain Chen Feng from our Nightwatcher headquarters. He was my senior in the past, and you should all get to know him.”
“Hahaha, that’s too kind; I’m merely a bit older.”
Chen Feng was not tall and had somewhat dark cheeks, but his eyes were gentle as he smiled at them: “Yunxiao is our pride in Beijing’s Nightwatchers, so as her team members, you guys must be extraordinary as well.”
“Nightwatchers need talents like you!”
Zheng Cheng twitched the corner of his mouth, but Zhou Xinyu, with a flair for talking, took over: “Captain Chen? I’ve often heard my third uncle speak of you, saying how back in the day you single-handedly held off thirteen Fallen Ones from the ‘Black Beast’ of the Fallen Organization, playing a crucial role in the Nightwatchers’ siege of the ‘Black Beast’ headquarters…”
“Black Beast…”
Chen Feng’s eyes filled with memories as he sized up Zhou Xinyu: “You do look familiar. Your uncle is…?”
“Zhou Changhe.”
“Huh? Old Zhou’s nephew? Hahaha, I knew I recognized you…”
Chen Feng’s eyes sparkled as he said, “I didn’t expect Old Zhou’s nephew to have grown this much, to level up so quickly. The Zhou Family has a new generation to carry on its name.”
“Let’s go, I’ll take you to the secret realm’s entrance.”
With Chen Feng leading the way, the group headed toward the entrance to the secret realm.
Along the way, both sides were guarded by soldiers and Nightwatchers, with at least a platoon in number.
Zheng Cheng quietly asked, “Yunxiao, who is Zhou Changhe?”
Zhao Yunxiao glanced at him: “Zhou Xinyu’s third uncle, the first person beneath the Zhou Family’s Epic Grandmaster.”
“The first person beneath the Zhou Family’s Epic Grandmaster…”
Zheng Cheng took note of the name, wondering who was stronger between him and Xu Qingfeng.
Zhao Yunxiao huffed and turned away, causing Zheng Cheng to twitch his mouth again.
“Zheng Cheng, how did you manage to offend Sister Yunxiao?”
Yao Zhixue joined in, asking curiously.
Zheng Cheng’s heart skipped a beat: “I haven’t, why would I offend her? Don’t overthink it, Zhixue.”
“Is that so…”
Yao Zhixue said suspiciously, “Ever since you returned from the Church of Holy Light, I felt something was off.”
“What’s off? We’ve always been like this. You might just be tired these days and overthinking things.”
Zheng Cheng quickly tried to cover up, stepping forward to join the conversation between Zhou Xinyu and Chen Feng.
Behind them, Cui Xiabing and Xiao Zi were also gossiping with interested expressions.
“Something’s wrong.”
“Mhm mhm.”
“Zheng Cheng and Yao Zhixue are a pair, what about Sister Yunxiao?”
“Could it be… playing both sides?”
“Possible!”
“Stay away from him.”
“Exactly, as if being handsome is such a big deal, as if being strong is so great…”
“What are you blabbering about…”
“Anyway, keep your distance from him; men are just trouble…!”
About ten minutes later, the group arrived inside a valley.
An entrance to the secret realm, about twice the height of a person, was slowly rotating.
Chen Feng explained: “It’s been six days since we discovered this secret realm. We’ve only sent people in to scout briefly and haven’t ventured deep.”
“Now, it’s up to you.”
“Alright.”
Zhao Yunxiao nodded and motioned for the others to enter.
“This is where you’ll be leveling up this time. Do your best and don’t disappoint me.”
“Of course!”
“Don’t worry, Sister Yunxiao.”
“Captain, we’ll head in first.”
“Wait, who among us five will be the team leader?”
“Me.”
“Me.”
“I’ll be the leader.”
Zheng Cheng, Zhou Xinyu, and Cui Xiabing all raised their hands, exchanging glances before looking at the other two.
Yao Zhixue was the first to speak: “I choose Zheng Cheng.”
Cui Xiabing then looked to Xiao Zi, who sweetly smiled: “I also choose Zheng Cheng.”
“Xiao Zi, how could you…”
“Xia Bing, you’re really not cut out to be the leader; just follow the leader instead.”
Zhou Xinyu’s face fell; he felt like slapping himself.
“Damn it, Zheng Cheng, how on earth did you charm all these girls? Teach me, will you?”
“Piss off~!”
After forming the team, they reached out to touch the entrance to the secret realm.
Their five figures were promptly engulfed by the entrance and vanished from sight.
Watching the disappearing entrance, Chen Feng expressed his concern: “Captain Zhao, this secret realm is Hell-level difficulty, are you really confident about those five?”
“It seems like only their leader, Zheng Cheng, has reached LV59, the others are at best LV56.”
Zhao Yunxiao shook her head: “Captain Chen, don’t underestimate them.”
“Whether the ghosts inside the secret realm can withstand their slaughter is still in question.”
“Slaughter?”
As the two conversed, they were oblivious to a Ghost Shadow lingering in the valley, watching them intently.
“Cackling…”
“They’re here! They’ve finally arrived!”
“I didn’t expend so much effort and a use of the secret realm’s heart to lure them here for nothing; five people, three of whom possess the Spirit Charm Emperor’s Inheritances…”