Chapter 30. Entering the S-Rank Secret Realm, An...

The next morning around 6 a.m., a silver-white flying car drove out of the Xiao family's underground parking garage and sped off in the northwest direction.

Sitting in the driver's seat, Liu Huihui pressed the accelerator pedal so hard it looked like he was going to stomp through the control panel. His hair was a mess, uncombed, and his business attire was askew. He looked extremely annoyed.

Inside the car, Jiang Tao (the principal offender), Wang Hao (an accomplice), and Li Junxuan (an accomplice) kept their heads down and dared not speak.

They were just curious about the power of the new item, the [Hypnotic Bullet (Bronze Level)]. Who would have thought it would be so powerful? Once it was pulled open, even passing insects would fall flat on their faces.

Cheng Cheng was fast asleep in Chen Feng's arms. Chen Feng's face was swollen, his beard was unshaven, and his eyelids were drooping as he yawned.

Lin Xiaoxiao was also curled up in her seat, with a U-shaped pillow around her neck, an eye mask on her face, and Red Tail in her arms, fast asleep.

Liu Huihui, who is currently in the driver's seat and still relatively sober, is sitting next to Xiao Weizhi, who is looking at documents with great energy and is very clean and tidy, occasionally replying to messages on the communicator.

The flying car had just left the city gate when, to avoid a monster that suddenly appeared, it accelerated sharply and 'jumped' over it.

The few people who were drowsy and asleep inside the car were almost thrown off their seats because of the jolt.

Xiao Weizhi immediately reached out to the next seat to stop Lin Xiaoxiao from being thrown off, and said helplessly to Liu Huihui in front, "Huihui, don't rush, drive slowly."

Then he lowered his voice and said to her, "It's okay, go back to sleep."

Lin Xiaoxiao's thoughts were still muddled. She opened her eyes helplessly under the blindfold, but after hearing Xiao Weizhi's words, she obediently closed her eyes and continued to fall asleep.

Upon hearing this, Liu Huihui gritted his teeth and slowed down slightly. He was only in a hurry because he was pressed for time. If he weren't, he would definitely have given these bastards a good thrashing for their curiosity and constant troublemaking.

Two hours later, they successfully arrived at the mission rendezvous point more than 800 kilometers away.

The rendezvous point for this mission is next to a huge volcano where nothing grows and everything is covered in black soil and rock.

This volcano is called [Laharya], and it is a very famous place. Going back hundreds of years, it has produced many high-quality B-level and A-level dungeons and secret realms. However, I didn’t expect that more than half a year ago, an S-level dungeon would appear.

The car was parked in a designated parking lot.

The entire Dragon Fang team, looking like they hadn't slept enough and were yawning constantly, checked in and joined the waiting line, next to a line of familiar faces.

Gu Qingqi asked, puzzled, "Weizhi, did you go thieving last night?"

Xiao Weizhi reached out and helped Lin Xiaoxiao, who was standing unsteadily and yawning, and calmly offered a better explanation for yesterday's farce: "No, we just tested a new combat plan last night."

Shen Bi'an's gaze swept over all the members of Longya, his tone curious: "A new battle plan? It seems that this time Longya is preparing to seize the initiative in the mission."

Pei Shuyan smiled gently: "I'm really looking forward to it. I wonder if we'll be assigned to the same area this time."

Lu Xumo, the cool guy, nodded silently.

This S-rank mission has four positions that need to be guarded. As for where you go, it depends on how the higher-ups arrange and assign the positions. You can't choose for yourself.

Xiao Weizhi showed no sign of guilt and nodded: "Yes, you'll be able to meet him once you're assigned to an area."

Standing seven or eight meters away from them were Wang Xudong with a gloomy face, Liu Duoxin with a resentful expression, Chen Zhuoran who seemed to be deep in thought, and their teammates with jealous faces.

"Now, those whose names are heard, please line up as instructed. East District: Jinqiang...Kuangdian..."

"South District: ...Eternal Night, Fallen Dreams..."

"West District: ...Tiger's Roar..."

"North District: Dragon Fang... Nuclear Star, No. 1 (Wang Xudong's team name)... Rising Sun..."

Gu Qingqi shrugged helplessly: "Since we weren't assigned together, it seems I won't have the chance to see your new battle plan."

Shen Bi'an smiled and nodded: "Wei Zhi and I were assigned to the North District together. I'll tell you about his new tactics when I get back."

Gu Qingqi gave Shen Bi'an a thumbs-up, revealing eight white teeth: "Good brother."

Pei Shuyan and Lu Xumo secretly regretted not being able to be assigned to the same area as Xiao Weizhi. They really wanted to see what kind of battle plan Longya, who had already been promoted to an A-level team, had devised.

Gu (Tiger Roar), Chen (Core), Lu (Mad Peak), and Pei (Eternal Night) are currently in the upper-middle range of B-level. If they want to advance to A-level, it may take them another year or two to accumulate enough points.

However, by then Xiao Weizhi may have already obtained the qualification of a mercenary group with Dragon Fang.

The world's teams are divided into three types: squads, mercenary groups, and legions (the remaining 10,000-strong groups require applications to be submitted, evaluated, and reviewed, and after passing through several extremely difficult and demanding conditions, the Operations Department will issue the qualification).

The maximum number of people in a team is 12. The highest level of dungeons that can be entered is B-level. Without a special invitation, there is absolutely no chance to enter dungeons of level A or above.

To advance a squad to a mercenary group, a squad needs to accumulate points by running dungeons and secret realms. The squad's ranking is: SS, S, A, B, C, D, E, F (from highest to lowest).

Each level up requires a massive amount of points, an equivalent amount of rewards, a certain number of secret realms... all these conditions must be combined before an application can be submitted.

Dragon Fang was upgraded to A-rank only a few months ago. After leaving the Tree Demon Secret Realm, he had met all the requirements for the upgrade. The review process took a long time, and the upgrade badge was not issued until after he left the Ghost Cave.

The thousands of teams present were separated and boarded different large transport vehicles as required.

After sitting for more than half an hour, we traveled through winding roads from the outside into the volcano and stopped in front of a secret entrance that was 25 meters high and 18 meters wide, vertically oval, and exuded a red aura amidst its black and yellow color.

When everyone saw the entrance to this dungeon, it felt as if a veil had been drawn over their hearts.

The pressure emanating from the entrance of an S-rank secret realm is already so terrifying, so what about SS and SSS-rank secret realms?

All teams followed their leader's lead, lined up, and entered the dungeon entrance in an orderly fashion.

Upon entering the secret realm, the environment underwent a dramatic transformation.

What came into view was a vast expanse of black rocky land, devoid of any greenery. The sky was completely covered by a low-hanging, leaden-gray cloud, gloomy and devoid of any sunlight. The howling wind carried the smell of dust and sulfur, creating a bizarre scene reminiscent of an impending apocalypse.

"Cough cough cough." Lin Xiaoxiao was choked by the dust gusts coming from her face and coughed, covering her face.

Xiao Weizhi took out a mask from his spatial storage and quickly helped her put it on. He even carefully brushed the hair behind her ears and adjusted the ear loops for her.

Lin Xiaoxiao whispered to Xiao Weizhi, "I can bring it myself."

After Xiao Weizhi helped her put on the mask, he withdrew his hand and casually patted the dust off his sleeve: "Okay, you can wear it yourself next time."

Cheng Cheng kicked Chen Feng in annoyance, then gestured with his chin toward the direction where Lin Xiaoxiao and Xiao Weizhi were, indicating that Chen Feng should learn from Xiao Weizhi's thoughtfulness.

Chen Feng, being very perceptive, immediately pulled out a mask from his spatial storage and, with an embarrassed smile, put it on Cheng Cheng.

Three hours later, after changing vehicles again, they successfully arrived at the residential area halfway up the mountain.

The residential area is very large, filled with simple bungalows and tents. Many military units have already moved in. There are even shops inside, but everything can only be purchased with points, and they are extremely expensive.

Many people dressed in business attire and covered in dust wandered the shabby streets.

Wang Hao glanced at the passing professionals and subconsciously swallowed: "It seems like this secret realm is really short of water."

If there were enough water resources, these people would not be in a state of dehydration where their mouths are so dry they are chapped, their bodies are filthy, and they don't even wash their faces.

Liu Huihui slapped Wang Hao on the back of the head, annoyed: "You didn't even look at the information I put in front of you a few days ago? The Yan Yan Two Realms dungeon is a fire-type dungeon, so it's normal for it to be short of water, right?"

Jiang Tao watched the show with winks and smirks, while Li Junxuan put his hand on Jiang Tao's shoulder and watched with a grin.

Liu Huihui glanced coldly at the two onlookers, startling them so much that they immediately dropped their amusement and pretended to be seriously observing their surroundings.

Lin Xiaoxiao looked at the dust on the professionals around her, her eyes filled with worry. Could it be that they really couldn't take a shower even once a week? Wouldn't they have to cover themselves up when they sweated and start to smell bad?

Xiao Weizhi stood beside her, as if he could see her worry, and whispered to comfort her: "Don't be afraid, we brought a lot of water this time."

Even if she didn't have enough water, she could easily buy more with her points. For Xiao Weizhi, anything that could be solved with money or points was a minor issue, and ultimately it would make her life more comfortable.

Lin Xiaoxiao turned to look at Xiao Weizhi, blinked her eyes slowly a few times, met his gaze for a few seconds, and then quickly turned her head back.

When Xiao Weizhi saw her little gesture, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. The fingers of his right hand, hidden under his robe, gently rubbed together, as if he wanted to pinch her cheek to relieve the itch.

Redtail perched on Lin Xiaoxiao's shoulder, looking around proudly. As a fire-attribute creature, it felt right at home in this secret realm, its fiery red fur fluttering and fluffy.

The group looked around as they walked toward the registration desk.

After registering, Longya was assigned a vacant lot on the easternmost edge of the residential area.

On the left is Wang Xudong's No. 1 Squad, and on the right is the Rising Sun Squad, where the original male and female protagonists were located. On the other hand, the Nuclear Star where Shen Bi'an was located was about thirty meters away from Longya.

When Lin Xiaoxiao arrived at the arranged place and saw who her neighbors were, she felt a headache and a toothache.

Does this rule that the male and female protagonists always run into the villains on missions apply to all situations? Do they always have to be paired up to slap them in the face and highlight their flaws?

The moment the tent of Dragon Fang was automatically erected, the faces of Wang Xudong, Chen Zhuoran, Liu Duoxin and others were as black as the bottom of a pot.

Wang Xudong was alright; Team One's tent was quite luxurious, at least it had everything it needed (basic protection, basic temperature control, portable toilet, etc.).

The tents of the Rising Sun were quite shabby; they were just ordinary tents without any additional features. Even setting up the tents required manual nailing. As for other things, they probably didn't have enough space.

Ignoring the gazes coming from the left and right, Chen Feng led Li Junxuan, Liu Huihui, Chen Yijin, Jiang Tao, Wang Hao, and others, carrying a 1.5-meter-high wooden fence, and burying about a third of it in the ground, thus enclosing the open space allocated to them.

They hadn't originally intended to do this, but upon seeing their neighbors on either side, they immediately ran to buy a batch of fences and enclosed their territory, as if to draw a clear line between themselves and their neighbors.

Xiao Weizhi went to the command post alone to collect the subsequent mission schedule.

Lin Xiaoxiao and Cheng Cheng sat on folding chairs, chatting and watching the boys in the team busily surrounding the place where they would live for the next six months.

Cheng Cheng glanced at the left and right sides, his voice low and full of disdain: "How did I end up being assigned with them? What bad luck."

Unfortunately, the address assigned for this kind of assignment cannot be changed unless there are other arrangements. Living with these people is going to be quite a hassle.

Lin Xiaoxiao stroked the red tail in her arms and nodded silently.

Isn't that bad luck? The groups living on either side of her are either enemies or have disputes, and now they've become neighbors. She can already imagine how 'lively' (chaotic) things will be in the future.

Cheng Cheng linked arms with Lin Xiaoxiao, and the two leaned against each other, chatting and laughing together.

Liu Duoxin, who was helping to pass things over the fence, saw this scene and felt a pang of jealousy welling up inside her. Back when she was in Longya, Cheng Cheng would only sneer at her, but now that he had replaced her with a crippled woman who couldn't threaten his position, Cheng Cheng was getting along so well with her.

When Xiao Weizhi returned, the campsite had already been cordoned off, the three tents had been set up, and Liu Huihui had even led Wang Hao and Jiang Tao to place a few potted plants in the corner.

His gaze swept over Lin Xiaoxiao, who was sitting to the side laughing with Cheng Cheng, and his eyes softened involuntarily.

Everything at the camp was settled, and night had fallen.

As darkness fell, the energy lights illuminated the entire camp.

Having acquired the new kitchen tools, Chen Yijin decided to cook a big meal to celebrate his first day in the S-level secret realm. It was definitely not because he was itching to use the silver-level folding kitchen.

Shen Bi'an, along with He Xing and eleven others, received invitations to a dinner party and came together to Longya's residence.

When they saw the alchemical kitchen unfolding in one corner, they couldn't help but widen their eyes in astonishment.

A thought arose in unison: Is Captain Xiao really that rich? The tent is a silver-level item, and the kitchen is also a silver-level living item. I regret not trying harder to apply to join Dragon Fang back then.

Shen Bi'an saw through his teammates' thoughts at a glance, and waved his hand at the team members of Nuclear Star with a wry smile: "Don't look at me, I don't have Wei Zhi's financial ability."

Afterwards, Shen Bi'an sat down next to Xiao Weizhi and complained bitterly that when the team saw Longya's configuration, they all demanded that Hexing follow suit. Putting aside the issue of money, even the custom-made tent required connections to get it.

He also complained about Xiao Weizhi, saying that everyone was about the same before, so why did he suddenly upgrade the team's configuration to be so good?

When Shen Bi'an followed Xiao Weizhi's gaze and saw Lin Xiaoxiao staring longingly at the braised meat pot by the kitchen, he instantly understood why Xiao Weizhi had updated the team's setup.

Shen Bi'an chuckled and teased, "Tsk, so it's all about beautiful women."

Xiao Weizhi withdrew his gaze from Lin Xiaoxiao, looked down at the qualification information in his hand, and said calmly, "If you're so bored, go help chop vegetables, don't go around babbling here."

Over the years, Shen Bi'an and his group had become accustomed to Xiao Weizhi's way of speaking, and they didn't take the sudden sharp words to heart at all. They continued to sit in their seats, smiling and teasing.

Standing in front of the braised meat pot, Lin Xiaoxiao stared longingly at the duck parts, chicken legs, eggs, and vegetables bubbling in the brown braising liquid. She swallowed hard and asked, "Brother Yijin, when can we eat?"

As Chen Yijin tossed the food in the wok, a flame over a meter long shot traveled along the edge of the wok and burned the food inside. After tossing it more than a dozen times, the food covered the flame. He then turned around and poured the meat chunks from the large wok into a basin (yes, a large iron basin).

He smiled and said, "It'll be ready to eat in about ten minutes."

Lin Xiaoxiao and Hongwei nodded in perfect unison, swallowing hard.

That night, the aroma of food wafted far and wide. Many people were envious and jealous of the living conditions of the Dragon Tooth team, while others were so angry that they felt the Dragon Tooth team was deliberately showing off their wealth to undermine the stability of their team.

But the most furious were Team One and Team Rising Sun, who were next to Dragon Fang.