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"Tch~, I was wondering how so many people found out the news that this Secret Realm was about to open. As expected, it was the doing of your Jia Ma Empire's Mittel Clan!"
"What, do you think that by assembling the forces of your entire Jia Ma Empire, you can contend with our Luo Yan Empire? Fortunately, I predicted your plan long ago, so I likewise gathered all the powers of the Luo Yan Empire. Now, the advantage still lies with our Luo Yan Empire!"
When the group from the Jia Ma Empire arrived, a middle-aged man stepped out from the side of the Luo Yan Empire, speaking with a mocking expression on his face.
This middle-aged man was precisely the Sect Master of the Gold Goose Sect, the strongest faction in the current Luo Yan Empire—Yan Luo Tian!
Unlike the start of the original story where Yan Luo Tian appeared with the strength of a Two-Star Dou Zong, during this period, Yan Luo Tian only possessed a Nine-Star Dou Huang cultivation, matching the cultivation of Yun Shan, the Sect Master of the Jia Ma Empire's Yun Lan Sect.
The reason why a gap formed between the cultivations of Yan Luo Tian and Yun Shan after the original plot began was not actually because Yun Shan's talent was inferior.
It was purely because the Gold Goose Sect possessed an inherited Earth Grade Dou Technique manual, while the highest technique of the current Yun Lan Sect was only at the High-level Xuan Grade.
Restricted by the grade of the cultivation method he practiced, Yun Shan's cultivation in the later stages was stuck at the peak of Nine-Star Dou Huang, remaining stagnant for decades.
Think about it: when someone who originally had a similar cultivation to yours eventually widens the gap, while you remain stuck at the peak of Nine-Star Dou Huang, how could Yun Shan's mind not gradually become twisted?
Yun Shan's situation was actually very similar to Mo Ya of the Yinter Clan earlier on.
In the beginning, they were clearly normal people. However, as their cultivation became stuck while those originally equal to them broke through one by one, their psychology naturally gave birth to other thoughts.
In the end, Mo Ya committed treason, and the Yinter Clan was carved up. In the original story, Yun Shan also eventually went mad enough to collude with the Hall of Souls, leading to the disbandment of the Yun Lan Sect.
It can only be said that behind every hateful person, there is a pathetic story!
Of course, at this moment, Yun Shan had only recently broken through to Nine-Star Dou Huang.
He had not yet experienced the decades of being stuck at the peak, so he had naturally not yet turned into that obsessed person from the original work. In fact, at this time, Yun Shan was in the most high-spirited period of his life!
Therefore, when the Gold Goose Sect Master Yan Luo Tian stood up trying to suppress others with his aura, Yun Shan actively stepped forward from the Jia Ma Empire's side to block the pressure for everyone.
"Yan Luo Tian, you still love playing these petty, despicable tricks. Even if the strength of your Luo Yan Empire is a bit stronger, so what? Do you intend to start a war with our Jia Ma Empire before even entering the Secret Realm?"
Yun Shan's aura was now fully unleashed, not showing the slightest fear toward Yan Luo Tian. Moreover, it wasn't hard to tell from the conversation between the two that they were likely old acquaintances.
However, this was normal.
One must know that besides bordering the Chu Yun Empire, the Jia Ma Empire also shared a border with the Luo Yan Empire. Thus, there was no small amount of friction between the two countries.
Since the Yun Lan Sect and the Gold Goose Sect were the strongest factions in their respective empires, Yun Shan and Yan Luo Tian naturally knew each other. It was just that this "acquaintance," clearly, was not a very friendly one.
"So it's Yun Shan. I didn't expect you to actually break through to Nine-Star Dou Huang as well. It seems that even though a portion of your Yun Lan Sect's heritage was severed, you are still quite decent."
Seeing Yun Shan step forward, Yan Luo Tian immediately shot back with sarcasm.
However, Yan Luo Tian was not stupid; he wouldn't take Yun Shan's bait.
Just as Yun Shan said, the Luo Yan Empire's strength was indeed a notch higher, but if they started a fight with the people of the Jia Ma Empire before entering the Secret Realm, it would definitely result in both sides suffering losses.
At that time, it was estimated that no one would be able to obtain the resources within the Secret Realm. Therefore, the best choice was to wait for the Secret Realm to open before starting the scramble.
When that time came, whoever could obtain the opportunities within would depend on their own means!
"Humph, I can't compare to you, Sect Master Yan, who doesn't even understand the principle of first-come, first-served. This Secret Realm was clearly discovered first by the Mittel Clan of our Jia Ma Empire, yet you are shameless enough to try and seize it by force. Truly the height of brazenness!"
It had to be said that Yun Shan's level of cursing was quite something.
Subsequently, after the two sides exchanged a few more rounds of trash talk, they each returned to their respective teams.
The opening of the Secret Realm was still several hours away.
Having a war of words here was meaningless; it was better to put all their energy into what would happen after the Secret Realm opened.
Time slowly passed amidst the quiet waiting of both sides.
At this moment, everyone could see a giant formation appearing not far away. However, the light on the surface of this giant formation began to flicker uncertainly. Obviously, this giant formation had been pushed to its limit and was about to collapse naturally.
At the same time, everyone around began to rub their palms in anticipation. Once the formation collapsed, it was expected that everyone would rush inside.
"After the formation collapses, the several Dou Huang and the several Dou Wang, including myself, from the Jia Ma Empire will choose to rush toward the very center of the Secret Realm. Your responsibility is to search the outer regions of the Secret Realm."
"This journey is an opportunity for all of you, but it also comes with tempering. If you fall inside, you die for nothing, and no one will feel pity for you. This is a necessary stage for fledglings who want to grow!"
"Of course, having said that, I still hope that once this journey ends, I can see all of you appearing before me alive. That's all for now, get ready immediately!"
Before the guardian formation of the Secret Realm completely shattered, Xiao Lin came before the members of the Xiao family to give his instructions.
"Yes!"
A unified cry of agreement rang out.
Such a scene was also taking place in other areas.
At this moment, everyone was both nervous and excited. After another half hour or so, the flickering guardian formation finally vanished completely with a "pop" sound.
"Charge!"
It was unknown who shouted the slogan, but in the next second, the Dou Huang and Dou Wang experts from both the Jia Ma Empire and the Luo Yan Empire rushed out almost instantly.
Naturally, this included Xiao Lin. However, in order to maintain his apparent strength of a One-Star Dou Wang, his speed was naturally lagging behind the Dou Huang experts of both sides. As for the forces from small countries, their strongest members were merely Dou Wang.
Among them, the fastest person was unexpectedly the Gold Goose Sect Master, Yan Luo Tian!
Although his current strength was about equal to Yun Shan's, his speed truly surpassed everyone by a large margin. At this moment, he had already chosen a path and was leading the charge toward the central area of the Secret Realm.
Looking at this Secret Realm, one could tell with a single glance that it was likely a sect that had been abandoned during some era. There were countless ruins and broken walls all around, along with pavilions that were either damaged or remained intact.
Those intact pavilions, in particular, were the areas of focus for the crowd.
Of course, the best things were most likely hidden within the central main hall. This was the main reason why Yan Luo Tian wanted to seize the initiative. At this time, Yun Shan was also hanging not far behind the opponent.
As for the other Dou Huang and Dou Wang experts, they all chose their own paths and continuously advanced toward the central main hall.
It should be noted here that for this Secret Realm journey, the Jia Ma Empire had deployed all four of its Dou Huang experts, while the Luo Yan Empire had one more, deploying five Dou Huang experts!
An extra Dou Huang expert could often create a decisive factor for one's country!
This was the primary reason why the Luo Yan Empire was not afraid to compete with the Jia Ma Empire in the Secret Realm.
Because the strength of their Luo Yan Empire was stronger!
At this moment, on the path Xiao Lin chose to advance, there was likewise a Dou Wang expert from the Luo Yan Empire.
"Heh, taking the same path as me? It seems I'll have to slaughter a Dou Wang today to liven things up."
Looking back at the Luo Yan Empire's Dou Wang expert who was constantly approaching him from behind, a cruel smile inadvertently appeared on Xiao Lin's face. The Luo Yan Empire's Dou Wang expert pursuing Xiao Lin had no idea that he was already on Xiao Lin's must-kill list.
Of course, this was normal.
After all, that Luo Yan Empire Dou Wang expert was a Five-Star, while in his eyes, Xiao Lin was just a mere One-Star Dou Wang. He had come to this Secret Realm journey specifically for hunting!
In his heart, Xiao Lin was already a dead man. Such were the thoughts in the mind of that Five-Star Dou Wang expert from the Luo Yan Empire.
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