There weren’t many King-level beasts in a C-rank secret realm. Unless one was especially unlucky or deliberately sought them out, they usually wouldn’t encounter any.

With Gangbao scouting ahead, the journey was fairly smooth.

Even when the occasional wild beast suddenly appeared, Yabao swiftly dealt with it.

After about an hour, the group arrived before an enormous tree that seemed to pierce the clouds.

Its trunk was so thick that even dozens of people holding hands couldn’t encircle it.

Yuan Jiewen slowly raised his head, craning his neck to ninety degrees, yet still couldn’t see the treetop.

He swallowed hard and exclaimed, “What a massive tree…”

“Quu quu.”

The Slobber Frog croaked blankly.

“Yap yap.”

Yabao translated.

Qiao Sang fell silent.

“You’re saying Liu Bo is down below this?”

The Slobber Frog opened its mouth as though about to reply, but suddenly its gaze turned clear.

“Quu quu!”

The frog shrieked.

But in the next instant, Little Treasure appeared before it, purple light flashing in his eyes.

The frog immediately quieted down, its gaze once again turning dull.

“Is it down there?” Qiao Sang asked.

“Qu.”

The frog nodded.

There’s sewage inside this tree? She didn’t understand, but it felt dangerous…

Qiao Sang grew wary and prepared to circle around the tree.

But just as she took two steps, a rustling came from above.

Before she could even raise her head, a snake-like beast nearly seven meters long, its body covered in pale yellow scales, suddenly dove down from the canopy, hissing and flicking its tongue toward the group.

Qiao Sang and Yuan Jiewen’s faces paled, and they leapt backward in unison.

Teacher Mikayla also retreated with them, heart tightening at the danger.

She could sense many beastly auras nearby, among them dozens of General-level beasts. Still, she remained calm.

Dozens of General-level beasts were nothing too difficult. At worst, their identities would be exposed.

This secret realm excursion might turn out to be excellent training for her student, that was what mattered most.

“Yap!”

Yabao bared his teeth, raising his claws.

But before he could summon flames, the yellow snake beast glanced at the Slobber Frog, then, with a swish, it vanished back into the dense canopy above.

“Yap yap…”

Yabao tilted his head, confused, and lowered his paw.

“Why didn’t it attack us?” Yuan Jiewen asked gravely as he edged closer to Qiao Sang.

None of this had been mentioned on the forums, which only heightened his sense of crisis. Only by staying close to the expert could he feel a sliver of safety.

You’re asking me? How should I know? I don’t even recognize what species that was… Qiao Sang muttered inwardly, but outwardly speculated calmly: “Maybe it thought we were brought here by the Slobber Frog. Or maybe…”

It realized it couldn’t beat us alone and went to call its companions.

Before she could finish the second half, ripples spread across the massive trunk as though it were water.

Her voice cut off.

“Big Boss, I think you were right. It really does think we came with the Slobber Frog…” Yuan Jiewen’s expression shifted again as unease crept in.

“But do we really have to go in there? Shouldn’t we report back to the examiner who issued this mission, tell them Liu Bo is here, and let someone else come instead?”

A Water Barrier, an advanced water-type skill. At full mastery, it could conceal itself… No wonder the tree had seemed merely massive, with nothing to do with sewage. The barrier was hiding the entrance.

Qiao Sang recognized the skill, pondered for a moment, and said: “My task is to bring back Liu Bo, dead or alive.”

The rippling barrier shimmered, both beautiful and eerie, like a gateway to an abyss.

Yuan Jiewen’s fear grew as he took an involuntary step back. From the bottom of his heart, he muttered, “Maybe Lin Shi and I should wait out here for you?”

Mikayla glanced at him calmly.

“No. I’m going in.”

Yuan Jiewen gaped. You’re not scared at all?! Weak as she seemed, her courage was undeniable.

“If you don’t want to go in, I won’t force you. Wait here until we return.” Qiao Sang said, stepping toward the Water Barrier.

Mikayla followed.

The wind rustled through the leaves above.

A chill ran down Yuan Jiewen’s spine, he felt countless unseen eyes watching him.

He rushed toward the barrier and shouted, “Wait for me! I was only joking!”

The barrier rippled like water before going still.

Then it vanished entirely, leaving only the tree trunk.

Immediately after, rustling sounded from the canopy. From within the dense foliage, pairs of glowing beast eyes appeared, exchanging mocking glances before letting out eerie, jeering laughs.

---

Qiao Sang’s vision went black.

The next instant, a strong sense of freefall struck her, wind howling in her ears, along with Little Treasure’s sharp cry.

Qiao Sang tensed and shouted: “Yabao!”

“Yap!”

That familiar, reassuring cry rang out, followed by a flash of firelight.

The next moment, Qiao Sang’s weight was caught. She landed safely on Yabao’s back.

Soon, Yabao had also caught Little Treasure, the others, and even the Silent Croaker Frog.

Qiao Sang exhaled heavily in relief.

Then she turned to Little Treasure, who looked pale with fright.

“You can float, can’t you? Why scream?”

“Xun xun…”

Little Treasure froze mid-gesture, wiping sweat.

Oh… right.

Qiao Sang: …

Everything around them was pitch black. As Yabao dashed downward, an unbearable stench grew stronger.

Mikayla quietly put her gas mask back on.

This smell is unbearable… Qiao Sang pinched her nose, about to speak-

When suddenly, a shriek rang out behind them.

Qiao Sang turned in time to see an orange star array flare into existence.

A bird beast about four meters long, feathers glowing orange, emerged.

It caught two familiar figures in its talons.

By then, Yabao had landed on solid ground.

Covering her nose, Qiao Sang looked ahead, and immediately felt sick.

Before them stretched a river of black water, endless and foul-smelling, more poisonous than any ordinary toxic beast’s miasma.

Then, Qiao Sang sensed movement. She turned her head and her scalp prickled.

Figures resembling humans knelt by the riverbank, mouths open, drinking the ink-black river water as though they couldn’t smell its stench at all.

Mikayla followed her gaze, her expression hardening.

“Big Boss, finally caught up…” Yuan Jiewen panted, but when his eyes fell on the same scene, every hair on his body stood on end.

“Liu Bo…”