“I didn't expect them to be so deranged as to try and harm our Zhang Family members in the Secret Realm,” Ye Qingrou said indignantly.
Zhang Haicheng smiled bitterly and said, “Actually, the Wang and Li families have had this idea for a long time. It's just that ten years ago, our Zhang Family's power was still very strong, and even if they joined forces, they couldn't completely wipe out our people. It's just that in the past ten years, our Zhang Family's strength has weakened too much. They finally have this opportunity.”
“Are we just going to let them slaughter our Zhang Family members in the Secret Realm?” Ye Qingrou gritted her teeth, very unwilling.
Zhang Hao pondered for a moment, then said to Ye Qingrou, “Captain, I have an idea.”
Ye Qingrou's impression of Zhang Hao had completely changed at this moment. She nodded at him and said, “Speak.”
Zhang Hao said seriously to Ye Qingrou, “Captain, I hope you all stay in the forest. Don't go out again until the Secret Realm reopens. This way, we can minimize casualties and avoid the joint annihilation by the Wang and Li families.”
“What? You want us to be cowards?” Ye Qingrou looked at Zhang Hao with some annoyance.
If Zhang Hao hadn't saved all of them earlier, Ye Qingrou would probably have been furious at this moment.
“Ye Qingrou, you also know that our Zhang Family has suffered heavy casualties now. You are all the future hope of the Zhang Family. If you all die at the hands of the Wang and Li families, this time, our Zhang Family's hundred important shops will be handed over again. Thus, our Zhang Family's Ninghai City branch will be completely wiped out. You should know which is more important!” Zhang Hao said seriously.
Ye Qingrou's expression softened. In fact, she also knew that what Zhang Hao said was right.
“Zhang Hao, this time, our four-clan training ranking competition, are we just going to give up like this?” Ye Qingrou was a little unwilling.
Zhang Hao smiled faintly and said, “Sister Ye, I never said we would give up on this ranking competition. Moreover, I still hope to compete for the championship.”
“But didn't you tell us all to hide in the forest?” Ye Qingrou was a little surprised.
Zhang Hao smiled slightly and said, “Although you are hiding in the forest, I will go out.”
“Ah, Zhang Hao, you are going to compete with them alone?” Ye Qingrou looked at Zhang Hao in surprise.
Although Ye Qingrou still trusted Zhang Hao's strength, she still didn't believe that Zhang Hao could win first place in the ranking competition alone.
“Ye Qingrou, don't worry, since I dare to say this, I have a certain degree of confidence,” Zhang Hao said very confidently.
In fact, Zhang Hao had his own basis for saying this. Earlier, in the underground palace of some ruins, he had gained a lot of benefits. Thousands of lower grade crystal stones alone were a huge fortune. Even if the System upgrade would cost 2000 lower grade crystal stones, the remaining 1000 lower grade crystal stones were still a considerable amount.
Ye Qingrou was silent for a moment, then said to Zhang Hao with some helplessness, “Okay, but I have one condition.”
Seeing Zhang Hao look at her, Ye Qingrou chuckled, “I'll go with you.”
Zhang Hao immediately became anxious and said to Ye Qingrou, “Qingrou, you still need to stay and look after them.”
Ye Qingrou, however, said to Zhang Hao with a serious expression, “Zhang Hao, I know what you are thinking. I am the Captain, but there is also Haicheng. He is also the Vice Captain. He is more meticulous than me, and it is enough for him to stay and look after the injured. Moreover, this time, the Zhang Family ranking competition, our Zhang Family is not allowed to lose. Because if our Zhang Family loses this time, the consequences will be severe, as everyone knows.”
Seeing Zhang Hao still silent, Ye Qingrou continued to say to Zhang Hao seriously, “Zhang Hao, if you are still blaming me for my earlier slight towards you, then I can apologize to you and hope you can forgive me.”
Zhang Hao knew that he couldn't refuse. And he knew that even if he refused, he wouldn't be able to stop Ye Qingrou. She could still go alone, which would make things more complicated.
“Okay, Qingrou, it's not that I don't agree, it's just that the situation is very complicated now. I don't know what I will face next,” Zhang Hao shook his head with a bitter smile.
Ye Qingrou glared at Zhang Hao and said, “Zhang Hao, although I admit you are very strong, don't underestimate me. I won't drag you down.”
Zhang Hao smiled bitterly, knowing that trying to explain would only make things worse.
“Qingrou, where are we going next?” Zhang Hao knew that as the Captain, Ye Qingrou had the map provided by the Family, and her understanding of this Secret Realm was superior to his.
Zhang Hao also felt a little frustrated that he didn't get such a good thing. Grandpa didn't give him any special treatment to let him understand it in advance.
However, Zhang Hao also understood that perhaps the reason Grandpa didn't show him the map was that he was worried that he and Ye Qingrou would have conflicts. Now that Ye Qingrou had the map, he had to get along well with her, which would ease their relationship.
“Next, we will go to the Blood River,” Ye Qingrou pointed to a place on the map and said to Zhang Hao.
“Blood River!”
This name was a little scary. As the name suggested, this place should be a very dangerous place.
Ye Qingrou nodded and said with a serious expression, “Yes, this Blood River is rumored to be a place used by ancient Sects to train their Disciples, and there are many magical treasures. But there is only one iron cable bridge over this Blood River. To cross the river, you can only step on this iron cable bridge. People with poor movement techniques had better not take the risk.”
“Oh. Is there any danger?” Zhang Hao asked curiously.
Ye Qingrou said with a solemn expression, “The water of this Blood River is full of highly toxic substances. As soon as a person falls into it, they will be corroded clean immediately. What's more terrifying is that there are also piranhas and some strange water monsters in the water, which will jump out from time to time to hunt Humans, making it impossible to guard against. People with poor movement techniques simply cannot cross.”
Movement technique? Zhang Hao's Swallow Shadow Drift movement technique had reached great accomplishment. One more step and it would be perfect. In terms of movement technique, it was definitely not his weak point. However, he felt that his current movement technique didn't seem to have much advantage when facing some top masters, such as Wang Shijun and Li Haofeng. The movement techniques of these two people were not weak.
“No, I must raise the level of my movement technique again,” Zhang Hao muttered to himself.
However, raising Swallow Shadow Drift to great accomplishment had reached a limit, and it was truly not easy to break through again. The required proficiency was simply terrifying. Even if Zhang Hao practiced day and night for another hundred days, it might not necessarily advance.
Right, didn't I get a Martial Skill level-up pill last time? That level-up pill seemed to raise one level immediately after being swallowed. I hadn't used it after getting it. Now is a good time to use it to raise the level of Swallow Shadow Drift.
As soon as he thought of it, Zhang Hao immediately found the Martial Skill pill and put it in his mouth.
“Ding dong, congratulations Player Zhang Hao, used a level-up pill, raised the movement technique Martial Skill Swallow Shadow Drift. Swallow Shadow Drift has been upgraded, current Realm is perfect.”