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“Of course, I’ve asked,” Mu Huiyue nodded, acknowledging the importance of researching the history of the Earl of Star Dragon as a crucial part of her preparations. As a native of the secret realm, Allen was certainly a key subject for investigation.
“Allen hasn’t been around for long as an extraordinary being. After gaining self-awareness, he spent most of his time hiding in the dark corners of his room. While he knows a fair bit about the various extraordinary creatures within the secret realm, he has little memory of the Earl of Star Dragon.”
She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts before continuing. “There’s also something else. Allen once brought back what seemed to be the core resource of this secret realm. It was this very item that awakened my beast master space and granted me the dark-type enhancement talent.”
Mu Huiyue hesitated briefly, then pressed on. “It seems that Allen couldn’t quite explain how he managed to bring the core of the secret realm back… but during the process of coming into contact with it, he didn’t encounter the realm lord.”
“Whoa…” At her words, Xiang Xun couldn’t help but glance at Mu Huiyue. He had heard in the hospital that she awakened her powers in the secret realm, but he was shocked to learn she did so by directly absorbing the core of the realm—a method so dangerously extreme. The girl was tougher than she looked.
“Normally, disturbing the core of a secret realm would alert the realm lord, but there are exceptions…” As Xiang Xun spoke, he stepped out of the room, his voice trailing off.
This secret realm wasn’t large; it merely encompassed a single mansion’s space. Even with his mastery as a beast master, he could sense the boundaries, so it was hard to believe the realm lord hadn’t noticed someone tampering with their core.
“… Anyway, we can’t afford to be careless. Let’s move forward,” he said, glancing at the readings on his wristband.
“We have the attributes of the realm’s hidden energy, energy levels, distribution of extraordinary creatures, resource status, and information about the lord’s race. It would be ideal if we could find more intel related to the Earl of Star Dragon since this is a historical ruin after all.”
“Click clack.” A small skeleton emerged from the shadows of the ceiling, glancing at its beast master before swimming ahead.
“Allen remembers the location of the study,” Mu Huiyue said to Xiang Xun. “That’s where he found the core of the secret realm, so we should be able to uncover more clues there.”
With the small skeleton leading the way, they ventured towards the study.
As they walked once more through the damp, decaying corridor, Mu Huiyue felt a significant shift within herself. No longer was she the powerless ordinary human she once was.
The rapidly evolving Allen was no longer the trembling little skeleton terrified by vengeful spirits; now, he had the strength to face most juvenile-tier creatures in the secret realm.
Xiang Xun didn’t summon his beast; the Redwing Eagle was too large to fight in such a cramped mansion. Mu Huiyue suspected he must have other, more suitable combat beasts, like the mysterious “Hua Na.”
Since entering the secret realm, he had shed his earlier fatigue, radiating a solid aura that instinctively intimidated their surroundings.
Mu Huiyue had felt a similar energy from her father, Mu Tong; this was the mark of a high-level beast master harnessing their own power. If the beast encyclopedia could detect humans, Xiang Xun would undoubtedly possess a significant amount of hidden energy now.
Perhaps due to this overwhelming aura, they encountered no extraordinary creatures during their journey and soon arrived at the staircase leading to the second and third floors.
The gargoyle statue from before still stood guard, and Mu Huiyue carefully skirted around it, finding that the previously dim-witted knights were no longer present.
Ascending to the third floor, they found fewer doors, but the internal area was more expansive.
Allen glided ahead in the shadows, ever vigilant.
As they neared the study, he suddenly emerged and tossed a leg bone forward.
Swish—
A venomous, barbed tongue shot out from the darkness, snatching the bone and pulling it back.
A wave of rancid odor filled the air, accompanied by the eerie sound of bones crunching—a spine-chilling sound.
In the shadows, Mu Huiyue recognized a familiar face—the Licker.
Name: Licker
Attribute: Undead
Race Level: Intermediate Warrior
Growth Stage: First Level of Maturity
Talent Core: Tongue Lick (Undead C-Class)
Normal Hidden Energy Value: 103,543P
Race Description: An undead extraordinary creature thriving in the dense, dark miasma, the power of its tongue can penetrate steel plates.
Wild extraordinary creatures usually possess lower hidden energy values than the carefully cultivated beasts of beast masters, yet even so, this warrior-tier race that had just reached maturity could still exceed 100,000.
The small skeleton’s hidden energy value was just a fraction compared to the Licker; in the face of such absolute power disparity, no tactic would be effective.
“Allen, come back!”
Mu Huiyue urgently wanted to retract him into her beast master space, but a figure darted forward faster than her voice.
A flash of silver light cut through the air, slicing the Licker in two. The strike was so swift that even the creature didn’t realize what happened; its front half stumbled forward, confused.
Another flash glimmered, and in an instant, Mu Huiyue saw more than ten beams of sharp light descend like a torrential rain upon the Licker’s writhing body.
When the barrage of blades ceased, all that remained of the Licker was a scatter of broken pieces. Thick black mist oozed from the remnants, slowly dissipating as the Licker failed to regenerate.
An absolute force of destruction that even the Corpse skill couldn’t stop.
Xiang Xun stood there, residual light from the summoning array flickering around him. He scratched his head in mild annoyance. “I hadn’t even given the attack order yet, Huana…”
A faint rustling sound echoed across the carpeted corridor, revealing the true identity of the creature that had dispatched the Licker.
It was a mantis-like beast, towering a full human height, adorned with features that perfectly aligned with human aesthetics.
With large eyes, a sharp chin, and elongated antennae framing its head like delicate bangs and sideburns, it exuded an elegant allure.
Its body was composed of two segments; a slim waist led to a slender abdomen adorned with delicate wings, resembling a flowing skirt clinging to its sides.
The legs were long and upright, with its hind limbs gracefully arched, offering impressive jumping power while accentuating its graceful form.
At its forelimb position were two massive scythe-like appendages, their edges impossibly sharp. They had just cleaved through the Licker’s body, yet not a speck of blood stained the blade.
Name: Flower Mantis
Attribute: Insect, Steel
Race Level: Intermediate Sovereign
Growth Stage: Fourth Level of Maturity
Talent Core: One Cut Slash (Steel B-Class)
Normal Hidden Energy Value: 352,066P
Race Description: A special evolutionary variant of the Flower Mantis, boasting incredible speed and razor-sharp scythes capable of various slicing skills. The size difference between males and females is substantial; only females evolve into sovereign races, driven by an instinctual desire to consume their beloved, making male individuals a rare sight within their kind.
Before Mu Huiyue could utter a sound, the Nianhua Mantis fixed its gaze on the young human girl, its eyes narrowing dangerously as it raised its scythe-like blades and lunged forward.
“Wait, Huana—”
Swish—!
The Nianhua Mantis was faster than sound itself. The sharp sound of its blades slicing through the air rang out as Ellen leaped in front of his beastmaster, intercepting the attack just in time.
A dark, liquid aura erupted around him, and he cleaved through the bone he held, his own half being cut apart in the process, fragments of bone scattering onto the floor.
“Ellen…” Mu Huiyue gasped in shock at the sudden turn of events, hurriedly scrambling to collect the fallen pieces.
Fortunately, the little skeleton quickly began to reassemble itself, piecing back together into its original form.
Clack, clack. (I’m fine.)
“Ahh… you really are something!” Mu Huiyue exclaimed, relieved yet flustered. She turned to the stunning mantis. “Didn’t I say I would be entering the secret realm with colleagues today? Just colleagues! That new investigator I reported about last time! We agreed not to attack colleagues!”
Hiss! Hiss! The Nianhua Mantis let out a low, disgruntled sound, its round eyes fixated on the beastmaster, showing no hint of remorse.
“I’m sorry, Huana is just…” Xiang Xun scratched his head, embarrassment coloring his cheeks as he struggled to find the right words.
“Although this sounds unconvincing, she really means no harm…”
“Just glad Ellen is okay,” Mu Huiyue sighed in relief, standing up and placing the reformed skeleton back on the ground.
She glanced at the beautiful mantis, noting the way it looked at its beastmaster…
Ah, no wonder Xiang Xun had been so nervous when she mentioned the succubus; the Nianhua Mantis clearly viewed her beastmaster as an object of infatuation.
However, recalling the information from her guidebook… Xiang Xun was also quite a formidable individual himself.
Speaking of which, Mu Huiyue suddenly realized that the Nianhua Mantis’s constant energy levels were fluctuating. Just a moment ago, they were above 350,000, and now they were steadily increasing, nearing 360,000.
“Xiang Xun, does your beastmaster talent affect your pets too?” she pondered, a thought blooming in her mind.
“Of course.” Xiang Xun blinked in surprise, then grinned, reaching out to pat Mu Huiyue’s shoulder. “Well done, little one! You’re the first beastmaster to notice Huana’s condition so quickly.”
“My beastmaster talent suppresses desires. Huana is always repressing her instinct to eat me, so she is easily influenced by my powers.”
“When she’s with me outside of the beast space, even if we do nothing, her energy levels steadily rise.” Xiang Xun casually revealed some astounding facts.
Hiss! The Nianhua Mantis focused intently on Xiang Xun’s outstretched hand, its blades subtly raised, as if daring him to move closer.
“No, no! Really, she’s just a colleague!” The beastmaster waved his hands, desperately trying to calm her.
“…Xiang Xun, you should call me by my name too.” Mu Huiyue pointed out, bemused. It was hypocritical of him to refer to her as “little one” while disliking being called “senior.” No wonder Huana was fierce with him.
Cough, cough… Xiang Xun withdrew his hand, clearing his throat to ease the awkwardness of his actions, feeling the weight of the mantis’s gaze upon him.
The stunning mantis turned her attention back to Mu Huiyue, her antennae fluttering as if sensing the pheromones emanating from the young girl.
Unable to suppress her jealousy and wariness toward the unfamiliar young male near her beastmaster, this was instinctive behavior for the Nianhua Mantis, just like her overpowering desire to consume her beloved.
Clack…! Sensing the danger in Huana’s stare, Ellen stepped in front of his beastmaster once again, gripping a white leg bone covered in a black, viscous fluid.
The Nianhua Mantis cast her eyes downward, noticing the small skeleton before her.
Had her blades truly cut through something just now? This little creature’s presence was so weak that its energy levels barely registered compared to hers; it was practically invisible unless she focused hard on it. Yet, with a single strike, she could reduce this little skeleton to unrecognizable fragments.
Its instinct should have instilled fear, prompting it to retreat from such a formidable opponent. Yet, it stood resolute, clutching the fragile bone as if ready to defend its beastmaster against any threat, undeterred by the overwhelming disparity in power.
This little creature… was remarkably similar to her.
The Nianhua Mantis’s trembling antennae stilled, and she retracted her blades, transforming them into limbs resembling wide sleeves.
Hiss. It retreated to stand behind its beastmaster.
Xiang Xun observed his pet in surprise. He had braced himself for a long process of mending their relationship, but he hadn’t expected Huana to withdraw her hostility toward Mu Huiyue so quickly.
This young colleague, who had only recently become a beastmaster, had some real skill.
“The study is just ahead; we need to move quickly,” Xiang Xun said, redirecting the conversation. “Hana, I’ll leave the perimeter watch to you.”
Hiss! The Nianhua Mantis responded, her translucent wing membranes unfurling, and her form vanished from sight.
Mu Huiyue breathed a silent sigh of relief. The pressure from the Nianhua Mantis was intense; even though she had dropped her hostility, the feeling of being watched by her felt like a heavy stone pressing down on her chest.
This made Xiang Xun’s nonchalant demeanor under such scrutiny all the more extraordinary.
“Sorry, Huana isn’t the easiest pet to deal with. This is my first time exploring a secret realm with other investigators; I underestimated her reactions a bit,” Xiang Xun apologized to Mu Huiyue, looking a tad sheepish. “But I assure you, she wouldn’t really harm her companions.”
Mu Huiyue had already noticed earlier that the Nianhua Mantis could effortlessly execute a Cutting Slash strong enough to shatter a mature Licker, preventing it from regenerating through its remains. If Huana had even the slightest intent to harm, that blade would likely have sliced through Ellen, aiming straight for her.
And forget about giving Ellen a chance to reform.
Huana’s reaction had seemed more like an instinctive gesture, a primal display of dominance over an unstable target. The true murderous intent of the Nianhua Mantis was directed at Xiang Xun, the beastmaster she secretly adored.
“But Huana might actually attack you one day…” Mu Huiyue whispered, even she could sense the repressed instincts of the Nianhua Mantis, yet Xiang Xun appeared unfazed, as if nothing were amiss.
“Yeah, she’s just holding back, which is what makes Huana so strong,” Xiang Xun replied, casually shoving his hands into his pockets, a cheerful smile on his face. “That’s her best quality.”
Mu Huiyue shot him a sidelong glance. “Aren’t you worried that one day she really…”
“It’s fine,” he shrugged, seemingly unbothered. “Even if one day Huana couldn’t hold back and actually ate me, I’d consider it a pretty good ending for my life.”
Mu Huiyue: “…”
It was clear that being able to contract a Nianhua Mantis wasn’t something just anyone could do.
At least her little skeleton was much more dependable.