Chapter 155: Emperor’s Secret Realm (Feeling bad, so added an update)
Translator: 549690339
In the moment when the three of them crossed through the Starry Sky Gate, Bai Qi felt he was targeted by dozens of gazes with a hint of killing intent.
Soldiers, and ones who have been fighting in the outskirts for years!
Bai Qi swiftly made the judgment. However, as soon as these gazes noticed Yi Yu, they quickly receded as if nothing had ever happened.
“We’ve arrived.”
Yi Yu pointed to the ground in front of them, pockmarked by deep holes, “Over here is the area managed by the Thirteenth Bureau. The area managed by the Association is to the north. Master Luo, would you like to head north first?”
Luo Xiang shook his head, “It doesn’t matter. Whichever side is cracked open first, both will start development simultaneously. Let’s just stay close.”
Yi Yu responded, “Alright, I will arrange someone to lead Master Luo into the secret realm.”
Having said that, Yi Yu turned around and left, giving Bai Qi the time to start observing his surroundings.
The expansive ground had been artificially dug into square pits with sides around ten meters long, and large equipment was arranged around the pits. From the patterns flickering on the screens, it seemed like they were deciphering runes.
Bai Qi moved closer to one pit and observed at the bottom a large bronze door covered in ancient runes. They seemed somewhat similar to those in the Rune Dictionary, but were more complex.
They were more akin to those on the Rune Rubik’s Cube.
“Does it feel like the runes are not quite the same as those of Professor Dong’s?”
Noticing Bai Qi’s confusion, Luo Xiang explained, “The earliest runes can be traced back to the Founding Emperor Period. All the runes contacted later by mankind originated from that era. However, during the era of the Law Emperor was when the runes became widespread. Most of the runes studied by the Rune Department are from the Law Emperor’s era, so there are still quite a few differences.”
Bai Qi nodded. Simply put, runes from the Founding Emperor Period are like Oracle Bone Script, while those from the Law Emperor Period are like Bronze Inscriptions or Seal Script. Easy to understand.
“But why are so many pits dug here?”
While he was speaking, Bai Qi suddenly realized something. He then turned to look at the numerous pits with incredulity in his eyes.
“Don’t tell me all of these are entrances to the Secret Realm Tower?!”
Luo Xiang nodded, “Yes, and no.”
“The Emperor’s Secret Realm is not quite the same as other Secret Realm Towers. Rather than calling it a tower, it would be more appropriate to call it a mausoleum.”
“A mausoleum?”
Bai Qi was greatly surprised on hearing this. Though there were many types of Secret Realm Towers, he had never heard of one being converted into a mausoleum before.
Seeing Bai Qi’s reaction, Luo Xiang couldn’t help laughing, “Since it’s a mausoleum, it must have been built by someone else. This was probably constructed by the followers of the Emperor.”
“Among these doors, some lead to the Emperor’s Mausoleum, others lead to high-risk Secret Realms, and some are simply just doors.”
Speaking of this, Luo Xiang had a look of irritation on his face, “Although I can understand that preventive measures were taken to ensure that the Emperor’s Mausoleum was not invaded by thieves, making so many doors in the same area, I don’t know which bastard came up with this idea.”
These measures were definitely to deter you thieves…
Bai Qi shrugged, “So, is this the Secret Realm that the Association traded the Gemini Tower for the development rights?”
Luo Xiang nodded, “That’s correct. Even if there was no trade, the Thirteenth Bureau would have eventually cooperated with the Association. But because the Emperor’s Secret Realm is so special, the Association simply didn’t bother to bargain.”
Bai Qi silently agreed with Luo Xiang’s assertion. With so many doors, it would indeed be challenging to handle it all without some help. Historically, the Association has a longer history than the Federation.
At this moment, Yi Yu walked over and said, “Perfect timing, the Special Ops team is about to depart. You two should join them.”
Luo Xiang nodded, and behind Yi Yu, a fully armed squad slowly emerged.
There were five people in the team, led by a tall middle-aged man who looked very steady and reliable—presumably the leader.
Behind him stood three men and a woman, one of whom was Li Xusheng, whom Bai Qi had met in the Tower of Gratitude.
Seeing Bai Qi here also surprised Li Xusheng, but he didn’t show it. His eyes were indifferent, focused on the path ahead.
“This is Master Luo Xiang from the Association. He is here to help us crack the secret realm. As for this one, you are probably aware of him already, it’s Bai Qi, who discovered the Rune Evolution a few days ago.”
Yi Yu pointed to Luo Xiang and Bai Qi, briefly introducing them. However, the Special Ops team showed no reaction, as if Yi Yu had just introduced two rocks.
“Your task is to escort them safely to the entrance of the next level. Understood?”
“Understood!”
Upon hearing Yi Yu’s instructions, the Special Ops team finally responded. Yi Yu then looked at Bai Qi and Luo Xiang, “I have some other matters to attend to, I won’t be able to accompany you guys in. If you have any questions, just ask Captain Wang Huai.”
Luo Xiang nodded and headed straight for one of the large pits without waiting for the Special Ops team. Bai Qi didn’t hesitate either and quickly caught up.
Seeing Luo Xiang’s demeanor, Wang Huai exchanged glances with Yi Yu, then led the Special Ops team to follow them.
Since Luo Xiang had participated in the original exploration and development of the Emperor’s Secret Realm, he was clearly very familiar with the place. He quickly arrived at a large gate heavily guarded by soldiers.
Luo Xiang looked at Wang Huai, “What’s the situation?”
Upon hearing this, Wang Huai immediately stepped forward, “We have temporarily confirmed that this door indeed leads to the Emperor’s Secret Realm. However, this should not be the central area, but rather the Emperor’s training ground.”
“Training ground?”
Luo Xiang raised an eyebrow, as if he had thought of something. A strange smile appeared on his face.
“Yes, although we haven’t discovered the existence of the Guardians yet, we are certain it is a training ground.”
Wang Huai nodded and handed an electronic board to Luo Xiang, saying, “The vanguard team has already discovered the entrance to the next area and have begun deciphering it. Based on our current progress, it seems we need to get through this training ground first.”
“We’ve already sent people to test it out. The training ground adjusts its opponents based on the level of the individuals entering. So, Master Luo, we might need you to suppress your strength for a bit, otherwise it would be difficult for us to make a breakthrough.”
Luo Xiang returned the electronic board to Wang Huai and said, “That won’t be necessary. I’ll go it alone, you just need to handle this person.”
“That…”
A moment of reluctance flashed in Wang Huai’s eyes. After looking at the three runes on Bai Qi’s left hand, he said, “Would it be better if we escorted Mr. Bai Qi to the entrance of the next area? We might be able to find out something more.”
They had gleaned some information about Bai Qi. He might have some knowledge of runes, but unraveling the mysteries of the Emperor’s Secret Realm was out of the question.
Without a doubt, Luo Xiang’s purpose in bringing Bai Qi here was high likely to broaden his horizon, and incidentally, to boost his reputation.
After all, participation in the resolution and development of the Emperor’s Secret Realm was indeed, no, extremely significant in one’s career track record.
“No need, just let him join in the breakthrough, as long as he doesn’t die.”
Luo Xiang gave Bai Qi a wave, “I’ll go first, have fun.”
Then he opened the entrance and disappeared into thin air.
Bai Qi rolled his eyes. Why was Luo Xiang as callous as Old Qin? Couldn’t they have any minimal sense of protection for the young talent?
Well, it felt like he was relying on the wrong person.
Seeing Luo Xiang acting arbitrarily, Wang Huai felt helpless. He turned to Bai Qi and said, “Mr. Bai Qi, I suggest you seriously consider whether you need us to escort you to the entrance of the next area.”
The main task of their group was to attempt to break through the test of the training ground, but they were diverted to show the way by Yi Yu at the last minute.
Luo Xiang was justified, as being a prominent Master of the Sunrise Level, although his presence would increase the difficulty of the breakthrough, his contribution was undeniable.
However, Bai Qi, as a Third Stage Beast Master, seemed somewhat of a burden.
Therefore, the simplest method was to leave this fellow at the entrance of the next area, and then they could focus on making the breakthrough.
“No need, Master Luo… Master is probably going to attempt to forcefully decipher the entrance, and it’s pointless for me to go there as well. I’ll try to make a breakthrough with you.”
Bai Qi waved his hands and directly refused.
If the mechanism of this Secret Realm required a breakthrough of the training ground, and it seemed that the difficulty was not low, then the reward after the breakthrough must have been extraordinary. Naturally, Bai Qi did not wish to miss out on such an opportunity.
Emperor’s Secret Realm, the rewards were bound to be unprecedented and unique.
Seeing that Bai Qi did not grasp the implication of his words, Wang Huai was just about to clarify the twist and turns of this situation when the always silent Li Xusheng suddenly spoke.
“Leader, let him go.”
Wang Huai was startled upon hearing Li Xusheng’s words. After seeing the odd expression on Li’s face, he immediately understood.
“Could it be that he is the one you mentioned last time…”
Li Xusheng simply nodded and did not say anything more. Seeing this, Wang Huai no longer discouraged Bai Qi. He led Bai Qi and entered the Secret Realm.
As Wang Huai had mentioned earlier, upon entering the Secret Realm, Bai Qi saw a gigantic school field. The black metal exterior wall gave a strong sense of seriousness, even from a great distance.
However, being too far away, Bai Qi couldn’t see the specific situation inside.
Around the school field was a vast wasteland. Far away, it seemed that there was a large gate.
Was the entrance and the test site so far apart from each other? It was a bit different from the Gemini Tower he had dealt with before.
“The training ground here is almost twenty kilometers away. Remember to keep up with us later. The journey does not seem as safe as it looks.”
Wang Huai came in front of Bai Qi, saying, “To avoid errors, let’s exchange information first.”
“Wang Huai, Four Stage Beast Master, Main pet, Barrier Tree Man.”
“Li Xusheng, Four Stage Beast Master, Main pet, Raksha Giant Elephant.”
“Tang Miao, Four Stage Beast Master, Main pet, Sky-Attacking Mantis.”
“Baili Huangmo, Four Stage Beast Master, Main pet, Black Flame Snake.”
“Baili Hanhai, Four Stage Beast Master, Main pet, White Ice Boa.”