"Well done!"
Quinn Carter acknowledged the Adventurers' efforts.
"These guys working together are even more efficient than expected."
"In just one day, they cleared the Sunken Valley and Mistwood Village—two mid-to-late game areas… At this rate, they might reach the Source Palace today!"
"Ashina is close to being fully cleared!"
---
Over the past few days, the charm of the Ashina Chapter had been fully revealed.
So many Adventurers united as one, collaborating in such a grand and unprecedented way—it proved that the launch of the Foreign Lands Chronicle Secret Realm was a complete success.
Of course, many areas in Ashina were still unexplored.
Hidden monsters and secret storylines had yet to be discovered.
This chapter would continue to generate value for a long time.
However, Quinn Carter also needed to accelerate development of the next chapter.
With today's significant mental energy gains, he began preparing for a breakthrough to Rank 4.
---
Meanwhile, inside the Secret Realm—
After obtaining the Fragrant Water Lily and lodestone, Bianca only lacked one final item: the Everlasting Cherry Incense Wood.
When she returned to Ashina Castle—
She froze.
"What… happened here?"
---
The sky was dyed crimson with smoke.
The setting sun looked like blood.
Gunfire roared across the battlefield.
Ashina Castle was engulfed in war.
Flames consumed the outer city.
Corpses of Ashina soldiers and Inner Ministry troops littered the ground.
Fighting still raged across multiple areas.
---
The Adventurers were stunned.
"What's going on?"
"Looks like the Inner Ministry launched a full-scale invasion!"
"Ashina is about to fall!"
"That's bad! They're here for the Dragon Heritage!"
"We're running out of time!"
---
According to the system rules—
Once the Fragrant Water Lily and lodestone were obtained, the story automatically entered its late stage.
The Inner Ministry army would attack Ashina.
Within 24 hours, the castle would fall.
If the Adventurers failed to complete the ending before that—
The mission would be reset.
---
A heavy sense of urgency spread.
Bianca looked at the burning battlefield.
"War is cruel… countless lives lost for power."
---
Ethan said quietly,
"We're just observers. We can't change history."
Nina (formerly Nancilia) nodded,
"All we can do… is end the Dragon Heritage."
---
Still—
Some Adventurers had hope.
If more people cleared the Secret Realm, new roles might unlock.
Maybe one day—
They could rewrite history itself.
---
But for now—
The mission came first.
---
Bianca rushed to the Tenshu Pavilion.
Bodies of elite Shadow operatives were everywhere.
A fierce battle had clearly just ended.
"Something's wrong… where is Kuro?!"
---
She reached the top—
And saw a familiar figure.
"Owl…"
---
At that moment—
The sky burned red.
Below, Ashina collapsed into chaos.
Owl knelt before Kuro.
"I thought you died three years ago," Kuro said calmly.
"Why betray Ashina?"
Owl smirked.
"I only wish to protect the Dragon Heritage."
---
Kuro shook his head.
"You've been blinded by power."
---
Owl stood.
"Isshin is gone. No one can stop me now."
Kuro replied calmly,
"There is still one person."
---
Owl turned toward Bianca's hiding place.
"Wolf… come out."
---
Bianca stepped forward.
"I thought you were dead."
"That was just a trick," Owl replied.
"I died," Bianca said softly.
"But I returned—thanks to the Dragon Heritage."
---
Owl's eyes gleamed.
"That power… that's what I want."
---
He spoke of ambition.
Of war.
Of being overshadowed by Isshin.
Of wanting control over destiny.
---
"Return to me," Owl demanded.
"Abandon the Divine Child."
---
Bianca shook her head.
"The Wolf you raised died long ago."
"I fight for something beyond your code."
---
Owl sighed.
"Then you are a failure."
---
Suddenly—
A blade struck from behind.
Clang!
Bianca blocked it.
---
The duel began.
---
Steel clashed violently.
Despite Bianca's growth—
Owl overwhelmed her.
His skills, tools, and tactics were superior.
Even his deflection rivaled hers.
---
After several rounds—
She fell.
Defeated.
---
Outside, the Adventurers analyzed the fight.
"Don't attack recklessly."
"Focus on perfect deflection."
"Use alternate techniques."
---
Bianca returned.
Second attempt.
Third attempt.
Fourth attempt.
---
She failed again.
---
Only one try remained.
---
Everyone grew tense.
"Win or lose… this is the last chance today."
---
Bianca closed her eyes.
She calmed herself.
Replayed every move.
Every mistake.
---
Then—
She entered the final battle.
---
This time—
She was different.
Calm.
Focused.
Precise.
---
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Every attack was perfectly deflected.
Every move calculated.
---
After dozens of rounds—
Owl began to tire.
---
A single opening appeared.
---
Bianca struck.
Disarmed him.
Moved behind him—
And drove her blade through his heart.
---
"I return this blow to you."
---
Owl laughed.
"Well done… my son…"
---
He fell.
---
Silence.
---
Bianca exhaled slowly.
Victory.
---
She searched his body—
And found the final item:
Everlasting Cherry Incense Wood.
---
Cheers erupted.
"All materials collected!"
"We did it!"
"We can reach the Source Palace!"
"Dragon's Homecoming is within reach!"
---
Against all odds—
Bianca succeeded.
---
And on this day—
Every Adventurer became a witness to history.
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