In the depths of darkness within a secret realm, atop a solitary peak surrounded by mountains, a slender figure sat in quiet contemplation.
It was an ape demon.
This ape demon was about 1.5 meters tall, hunched over like a little old man, with a face resembling an orangutan. It was covered in smooth, short black fur and exuded a terrifying aura. Its strength was infinitely close to A-class.
With its peak as the center, within a five-mile radius, not a single creature of the Eternal Night existed, clearly intimidated by its power and daring not to approach.
This broken world is too weak. I can feel that if I were to advance to A-class, this world might collapse from being unable to contain my existence.
The ape demon opened its eyes, revealing a pair of clear black irises, indicating a high level of intelligence.
In that case, I can only advance in the outside world. From the memories obtained from the human soul I absorbed last year, the outside is a bright world called Earth, with many A-class powerhouses. That is my battlefield.
Muttering to itself, it raised its palm, and a black orb of light appeared in its furry palm, emanating terrifying energy and a trace of the origin of the law.
This origin power was left behind by an A-class black demon of the Eternal Night world after it shattered a wormhole. If I absorb it completely, I will undoubtedly advance to A-class, but this world will also shatter, and I will be unable to escape. Thus, it would be better to use it to break open this world's space and then advance in the outside world.
The ape demon spoke, its dark, lustrous eyes fixed on the origin in its palm. It had already absorbed nearly half of this origin. The remaining energy was enough to open a passage from this world.
Having made up its mind, it flicked its palm upwards. The black orb of light, containing the origin power, floated up. Upon touching the spatial barrier 30,000 meters above the secret realm, it exploded with a bang.
The terrifying energy completely twisted and shattered the void. Countless energies annihilated and were born within it, only to be annihilated again. Finally, a spatial rift slowly formed.
Beyond the rift lay a bright world.
Looking down from the rift, below was a small island. On the island were bustling roads and various people, as small as ants, walking about. Most conspicuous was a tall statue in the center of the island, holding a torch.
The ape demon flickered and appeared before the rift. It gazed at the outside world for a moment, a smile appearing on its lips.
The Statue of Liberty. It seems the rift opened near the Lighthouse Country.
Muttering, it stepped through the spatial rift, concealed its aura, and disappeared into the high sky.
At the same time as its disappearance, without its oppressive aura, attracted by the energy consumed by the spatial rift, all the surrounding secret realm creatures rioted and rushed madly towards the opening.
Simultaneously, A-class powerhouses stationed on Liberty Island in the Lighthouse Country sensed the spatial fluctuations. It was a tall, strong man with red hair, blue eyes, and an aquiline nose. He flickered and appeared before the spatial rift.
At the same time as he appeared before the rift, a dozen B-class powerhouses on Liberty Island also took to the air and rushed towards the rift.
Did the creatures that came out escape? The A-class powerhouse of Liberty Island glanced in the direction the ape demon had disappeared. Frowning, he found he could not track the latter's aura and shifted his attention to the spatial rift.
Then, he threw a punch, and terrifying flames surged out.
Roar! One by one, B-class secret realm creatures, eager to squeeze through the rift, were quickly burned to ashes by the surging flames he unleashed.
A new secret realm entrance has appeared. We need to send people in to explore it quickly.
Thinking this, he looked at the dozen or so B-class powerhouses who had arrived behind him and said, "Pete, Archie, Louise, Douglas, and Jesse and Tick. There are many treasures in the secret realm, and we need to explore. The rift is about to close. The six of you go in immediately. I'll cover you. Hurry!"
"Oh, my dear Captain Ferguson, my poor child is only eight years old and can't even use a microwave. I think he needs my care," said a silver-haired woman named Jesse among the six chosen.
"Jesse, you need to know that you are the only lightning-type ability user here. Without you, it will be difficult for others to last long inside," said the golden-haired man, Captain Ferguson.
Then, he looked at another black man who hesitated to speak and said, "And Douglas, your ability is energy conversion. You can convert the flesh and blood of secret realm creatures into food that superhumans can use to replenish their stamina and energy. You cannot be absent either."
"And Tick, you are a space-type ability user and have your own innate space. Without you, everyone cannot bring out the treasures obtained in the secret realm. The team needs you very much."
Then, Ferguson looked at the other three, emphasizing their importance, before finally saying, "I promise you, all the treasures you obtain after entering the secret realm will belong to you. Furthermore, the Sea Eagle Association will purchase them at 120% of the market price. Hurry up and go in. Listen, this is an order!"
The Sea Eagle Association was the name of the official superpower organization of the Lighthouse Country.
Seeing the spatial rift about to close, Ferguson gritted his teeth, his expression turning fierce at the end.
"Don't worry, Captain Ferguson. It is our honor to serve the country!" My poor child really needs to learn to be independent. Jesse said with a smile.
The others also nodded in agreement.
After Ferguson killed all the newly emerging secret realm creatures, he shouted, "Now!"
Instantly, the six B-class powerhouses of the Lighthouse Country flickered and shot into the spatial rift.
Shortly after they entered, the spatial rift slowly closed, leaving only a five-meter-long slit that slowly absorbed energy from the void, waiting for the next opening.
After crushing the teleportation talisman, Yu Zhibo felt his vision blur. He then found himself in an underground secret chamber. The chamber was about 100 square meters and 10 meters high. In the center of the chamber stood a two-meter-tall black pillar, inscribed with dense runes. It was because of this pillar that they were able to teleport to this location.
Sensing the scent of flesh and blood, several small Underworld Snakes and juvenile Demon Rats in the corners became restless, but Yu Zhibo quickly killed them with Senbon.
Meow~ Then, Mo Yu, following closely, appeared at his feet. It first jumped onto his shoulder and then looked around with curiosity.
Afterward, Han Chen, Zhao Xueyan, and Ye Ling appeared one after another, followed by Ling Xiaotian, Wang Sen, and Zhao Tianru, who were bringing up the rear.
When Wang Sen appeared, his breathing was somewhat heavy, indicating that the B-class peak secret realm creature he had killed with a single saber earlier had consumed a lot of energy.
Ling Xiaotian appeared to be in better condition than Wang Sen. He glanced at the latter and said with a smile, "Old Wang, you're a bit weak lately. You can't handle it after just one saber strike!"
Wang Sen ignored him and took out a B-class spirit recovery pill and a qi and blood pill from his bag to slowly restore his condition.
He was a strength-type ability user with extremely vigorous qi and blood. The peak saber strike he had just unleashed had depleted his essence, qi, and spirit, requiring time to recover.
After making a sarcastic remark, Ling Xiaotian also took out a pill to recover. The reason they didn't ask Yu Zhibo to refine the dark energy spirit crystal with lightning was mainly because they had just started taking medicine, and their bodies' tolerance had not reached saturation. Therefore, it was still primarily about taking medicine.
After resting for about half an hour, Ling Xiaotian and Wang Sen's conditions returned to full. Ling Xiaotian then turned his attention to Ye Ling and asked, "Xiao Ling, what's the situation outside now?"
Ye Ling sat cross-legged on the ground, operating her sequence core. A phantom eyeball formed 1000 meters above the underground secret chamber, exploring the surrounding environment.
Hearing Ling Xiaotian's question, she replied, "On the surface corresponding to our location, at ten o'clock, 5 kilometers away, two Demon Tigers are mating. The female tiger is at early B-class, and the male tiger is at late B-class. At six o'clock, 2000 meters away, a Demon Scorpion is ambushing prey. At three o'clock, 4000 meters away, a B-class Black Pig is rooting for tree roots."
As Ye Ling spoke, she dispersed the phantom eyeball she had formed and said, "That peak B-class Demon Tiger has already discovered me, but it's busy mating and hasn't bothered me. Captain, how should we proceed?"
Ling Xiaotian was the captain of this exploration team, hence Ye Ling addressed him as captain.
Upon hearing this, Ling Xiaotian stroked his chin and pondered for a moment, saying, "Let's explore in the ten o'clock direction. When the last exploration team went that way, they discovered a spiritual energy mineral vein, but it was guarded by four late B-class Demon Lions, and they eventually abandoned it. I plan to try it. Do any of you have other suggestions?"
Wang Sen remained silent, and the others shook their heads, indicating no objections.
Although four late B-class Demon Lions were a bit much, both Ling Xiaotian and Wang Sen had the strength to kill peak B-class secret realm creatures. Coupled with Han Chen and Zhao Tianru, two B-class ability users, eliminating them would naturally not be a significant challenge.
After making their decision, everyone walked towards the corner of the secret chamber, where there was a stone staircase leading to the ground.
Above the underground secret chamber was a forest. The trees here were different from those on Earth. Their leaves were dark brown, and they were exceptionally thick. The largest one around was tens of square meters thick.
In the forest, the group leaped between the huge, sprawling branches. During their progress, they encountered dozens of D-class Human-Faced Demon Spiders, which were swiftly killed by Wang Sen and Ling Xiaotian. Yu Zhibo also managed to kill a few with his lightning-covered spiritual energy metal flying sword, earning six to seven hundred energy points and several hundred merit points.
After traveling for about three thousand meters, a loud roar suddenly came from ahead, shaking the leaves. It was the male tiger that was mating, having discovered their intrusion into its territory.
Ling Xiaotian and Wang Sen exchanged glances. A powerful aura erupted from them, and they no longer concealed their killing intent as they charged towards the two Demon Tigers.