CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: CORPSE-ERODING BEAST SECRET REALM

"Bro, my Panlin Python’s constricting ability is really strong; I’m already at Level 8 and have awakened a second skill..."

"Bro, are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?"

In the gathering area of the Monster Hunter Guild, Qin Hao looked at the red-clad young man with closed eyes in front of him and spoke kindly.

Unlike Lin Chen, who was coaxed into coming, Qin Hao signed up voluntarily.

This is also the reason why Qin Hao hasn’t gone to work for Lin Chen in the past month.

He has been focusing on training his Spirit Beast wholeheartedly this past month.

Originally, with Qin Hao’s strength, he couldn’t have passed, but it just so happened that in the test, his opponent was in a seemingly unbeatable position, and his Spirit Beast made the fatal mistake of underestimating the foe, allowing Qin Hao’s Panlin Python to seize the chance and constrict it, securing victory.

However, the recruitment rules are as such: a loss is a loss, and a win is a win.

There are nine official slots for the combat category, six for backup, three official slots for the information category, and two for backup.

The backup spots also come with a Beast Spirit Pill, which is why his Spirit Beast reached Level 8.

Qin Hao also understood that he was at the bottom, ranked 15th, and was likely only to make it to this round.

However, since he was already there, he had to give it a shot.

The red-clad young man in front of him was named Cai Yuanji, ranked second in the combat category, with his Spirit Beast at Level 10.

"Someone who got in by luck wants to join my team?"

Cai Yuanji spoke bluntly, with a somewhat mocking tone.

Three people nearby burst into laughter, and Qin Hao knew he was being played.

They had already formed their team, and someone had falsely told him that Cai Yuanji was still looking for members, which is why he had come.

Qin Hao felt dejected and completely lost hope.

The team with the top rank had, of course, already formed, strong alliances, teaming up with the fourth and fifth ranks.

Cai Yuanji teamed up with the third and sixth ranks.

As for the information category, Qin Hao hadn’t looked into it, as he was unlikely to form a team on his own or become a team leader, so he didn’t pay attention.

In the end, Qin Hao had no choice but to join the only team still short of members:

The team leader was Bai Jiajia, one of only three girls among the fifteen-member list, ranked twelfth, and the remaining team member was named Sun Guang, ranked thirteenth.

A classic case of weak teaming with weak.

"What about our information category?" Qin Hao sighed, as if they had automatically formed a team, assuming the information category backup list was also at the bottom.

Teammate Sun Guang then said, "Our teammate is actually quite formidable; he’s the first in the information category."

"Huh?" Qin Hao thought he heard wrong.

As the top rank in the information category, wouldn’t he have been snatched up by the teams ahead?

After all, the information category is crucial for finding the Secret Realm entrance; gaining the upper hand is very key.

"You didn’t know? He didn’t win by exploring the Secret Realm but by interpreting people."

"Interpreting people?" Qin Hao was curious.

Sun Guang explained in detail, and Qin Hao was greatly shocked after listening.

Real talent!

If he had known, he might have applied for the information category too; maybe he could’ve landed an official spot by a fortunate chance and enjoyed the generous benefits.

"What’s his name?" Qin Hao asked.

"There, he’s here." Sun Guang pointed to the entrance, and Qin Hao followed his gaze, stunned.

Was he seeing things?

Lin Chen?!

.....

"Hey, the number one in the information category is here."

In the crowd, someone shouted, and immediately everyone turned to look.

Many began whispering, and people in the information category, all unwilling to accept, inevitably smeared Lin Chen’s reputation in whispers.

Lin Chen scanned the entire area, thinking about how to start, when he heard someone calling him:

"Lin Chen!"

Lin Chen looked in the direction of the voice, surprised.

Qin Hao?!

He quickly walked over and asked, "Why are you here?"

"I should be asking you why you’re in the information group?"

Qin Hao was indeed very surprised and instantly understood everything.

No wonder people questioned; Lin Chen’s Spirit Beast was a Plowhorn Beast, definitely not the type for the information category.

Actually, Qin Hao had previously considered asking Lin Chen to come, but later he thought it over and decided against it. The death rate of Monster Hunters was too high; pulling someone into the pit seemed unethical.

Right after, Qin Hao explained the situation here.

While they were talking, someone else shouted, "They even know each other; what a match made in heaven."

Instantly, many people burst into laughter.

Lin Chen ignored them and, after understanding the situation, looked at the other two and nodded.

Bai Jiajia and the others naturally didn’t dare to look down on Lin Chen and even felt a bit envious.

After all, this was an official slot.

Even if Lin Chen was at the bottom, he could still join the guild.

"Even if the first in the combat category came to our team, he wouldn’t be able to carry us," Sun Guang muttered quietly.

But Qin Hao seemed to glimpse a glimmer of hope...

Never mind.

Lin Chen might be a little abnormal, but the two teams ahead seemed even more abnormal.

If Lin Chen joined other teams, with his ability, there was hope of making it to the Rookie King.

Now he had to lead these three misfits, doomed to a dead-end.

....

After some introductions, Lee Zhen appeared and explained the rules:

"...This time, the real combat Secret Realm is the Corpse-Eroding Beast."

"We discovered a Small Secret Realm, and they have recently been preparing to cause trouble."

As soon as he spoke, soft whispers arose below.

The Corpse-Eroding Beast is even more vicious than the Poisonous Bee Beast, preying specifically on humans and capable of devouring the spiritual power of Beastmasters. They are high-tier Mortal Grade demon beasts, resembling toads with extremely strong fighting abilities.

This Secret Realm, Lee Zhen mentioned, was discovered by Huang Xiaotian.

The Monster Hunter Guild regularly collects information, finds Secret Realms, and observes whether the demon beasts inside pose a threat.

If a threat is found, they immediately eradicate it.

The demon beasts in this Corpse-Eroding Beast Secret Realm, with the Demon Beast King at Level 10, attempted to attack humans last week but were stopped, which is why Lee Zhen made it the subject of this real combat session.

"Each of your teams will be monitored throughout by high-tier Gale Beasts in the sky, and high-tier Beastmasters will fully protect your safety, but let’s be clear: if they have to intervene, you’re eliminated."

"The rules are as follows: Before entering the Secret Realm, no one may attack each other."

"Fair competition, no malicious teaming up."

"You may engage, but cannot kill people or beasts."

"You can only bring your own Spirit Beasts."

"Information category newcomers may choose not to engage in attacks, and others must not harm information category personnel and Spirit Beasts unless the information category newcomer attacks on their own accord."

"The eliminated teams will be announced in real-time, so you’ll know your ranking."

"Finally, congratulations to all on achieving great results."

After Lee Zhen finished speaking, he scanned the entire area and asked, "Any newcomers with questions can raise them."

No one raised a hand; the rules were clear.

Lin Chen raised his hand directly.

Lee Zhen squinted, thinking, it’s you again...

Always causing trouble.

Lin Chen’s previous actions had already nearly trashed the reputation Lee Zhen painstakingly built in the guild over the years.

"Chairman Lee, can I bring it in? I promise it won’t engage," Lin Chen pointed at the Little Fox.

This time, unsure how long it would take, Lin Chen was worried. Without him and Xiaobai, the Little Fox wouldn’t eat or sleep well.

The initially gloomy Little Fox felt moved upon hearing this as it looked at its Beastmaster...

Indeed, life isn’t the same with just anyone.

"As you wish," Lee Zhen said.

The others didn’t mind; in their eyes, their competitors this time weren’t included.

Besides, the Flame Beast was only Level 5; even if it attacked, what could it do?

This team was initially here to serve as a stepping stone.

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