"It’s getting dark!"

The bearded man at the observation point noticed the distant anomaly, and his heart turned cold. "It’s Commander Cheng’s ability. Something’s happening. Immediately initiate Plan B3. Go, quickly!"

The Extraordinary and Demon Race members stationed in the south grew tenser, even beginning to enforce passage control. Only the special support teams, acting according to plan, rushed to the scene at maximum speed.

Among these people were Guan Gui, Dong Sanchuan’s private team, and even two more 01 units, along with over a hundred powerful Demon Race members.

Because Cheng Wen’s skill was quite significant, they had a clear target from the start, needing only to advance at full speed.

Such deployment was exceptionally high, enough to support a medium to large-scale battle in the Secret Realm battlefield. But under Song Yuanhua’s deterrence, they merely aimed to investigate the situation.

As these individuals moved, the bearded man also coordinated defensive forces from the command center, having to prepare for possible surprise attacks by the Polar Alliance and Western Kingdom under the unclear circumstances.

Before long, the group sent to investigate arrived just two or three miles from the target location. They only needed to pass through a stretch of forest to reach the scene.

But at this moment, the anomaly summoned by Cheng Wen in midair vanished.

"Stay alert. Speed up," Guan Gui ordered.

The disappearance of the anomaly indicated that the battle was over. Yet no one knew who won or lost, or even who the opponent was.

If it was the rumored world NPC, it was ominous; but if it was a plot by the Polar Alliance, there might still be a chance.

The group quickened their pace, swiftly passing through the forest ahead, then witnessed a scene that shocked and terrified them.

Many of the masters who came to assess the situation lay scattered across the blood-stained ground, all lifeless. Amongst the mountain of corpses and sea of blood stood a man in a conical hat wielding dual blades, with Cheng Wen beside him, a blade stabbed into his chest.

Things had escalated tremendously.

Seeing this scene, even Guan Gui panicked momentarily, considering this was their commander.

However, all present were seasoned fighters; moments later, they began to confront the enemy.

Song Yuanhua was about to make a snide remark when he suddenly saw several eerie stone coffins rise from the ground, and a formidable young man brandishing a sword approached. The remaining individuals also took action, all equally formidable.

"Heh."

He chuckled, said nothing, and transformed into a streak of light, retreating.

"Chase!"

A middle-aged man with an 01 designation shouted, urging others to pursue.

Cheng Wen hadn’t come alone to investigate the annihilated scouts. He brought a group of formidable Demon Race members and several Extraordinary. The swordsman fighting alone against many since the anomaly appeared must have expended much energy, possibly bearing injuries. If they didn’t chase now, they’d lose their chance.

Moreover, judging from the opponent’s immediate retreat, it was a prime opportunity for pursuit. If they could defeat him now, it would be ideal. As for the successive deaths of the command level’s number one and three figures... that would be dealt with later.

Song Yuanhua sensed the imposing presence of the pursuers behind him, frowning slightly.

Previously against those from the Western Regions, he wasn’t too persistent, as he was searching for a world-shaking treasure. But upon seeing these Dragon Country people, it was different. He wanted to find that celestial being who had humiliated Zuo Qiutian and kill him.

Thus, his battle with Cheng Wen lasted longer than usual, not due to a lack of strength, but because he wanted to extract information from the opponent, but the man, despite being gravely injured, never uttered a word.

In the end, Song Yuanhua ended his life. But in the prolonged battle, Cheng Wen continuously aimed to kill, forcing Song Yuanhua to exert extra effort, so he wasn’t in a good state now.

After fleeing a distance, he realized these new arrivals were also quite strong. To avoid an untimely downfall, he planned to escape first and seize an opportunity later.

Thus, he turned and slashed, releasing a blade aura from the sky, creating a curtain as it hit the ground.

Boom!!

A resurrected being summoned by Guan Gui crashed into the curtain and was instantly shredded to pieces.

He had to stop, and at this moment, Dong Sanchuan hurried over from behind, drawing his sword and slashing forward.

Clang clang clang!

He unleashed a swift sword, and the curtain, composed of countless blade intents, resonated alarmingly. Yet he managed to cut through the barrier before him.

Song Yuanhua didn’t continue fleeing; instead, he stood still, having smoothed his energy flow during the brief delay and then used the Escape Technique.

"Stop!"

Other pursuers attacked separately, trying to stop the swordsman sinking into the ground. The opponent, smiling slightly, disappeared, leaving a few words behind.

"Clean your necks and wait for me. You’re all doomed. Or... bring Li Rui to see me; perhaps I could spare you."

These under-level-50 individuals were the strongest of their stage, yet none knew the Escape Technique, helplessly watching him escape.

"Damn," Zhang Hujun cursed. "What’s he want with Li Rui?"

"Don’t know. Let’s hurry back and report."

.....

Seeing Cheng Wen waking up, Kong Ji wasn’t sure whether to feel happy or sad.

At least, this old brother was out early, making him seem less disgraceful. But this also meant Dragon Country had lost its commander in the Secret Realm battlefield.

Although the bearded Wang Sheng was the designated acting head commander, he wasn’t the original. Setting aside strategic insight, Cheng Wen himself was an incredibly strong force. Without him, Dragon Country faced an even harsher situation.

"I hadn’t even had a chance to leave, and you’re already out," the chubby man said with a wry smile.

Due to the differing time flows inside and outside the Secret Realm, even though Kong Ji and Cheng Wen exited two days apart, the former had only awakened a few minutes earlier.

Cheng Wen shook his head. "That NPC was after Li Rui."

"Ah, that guy offended Zuo Qiutian earlier and is still being hunted in the Secret Realm battlefield."

Kong Ji had no solution. The outside couldn’t influence the inside of the Secret Realm, and since they were out unexpectedly, they couldn’t help. "Let’s go report first."

Since the start of the Secret Realm battlefield, only half a day had passed outside. People who perished for various reasons gradually revived, and registering allowed them to rest first.

However, Kong Ji and Cheng Wen’s situation was unexpected and extremely urgent, directly summoning several Superpower Division high-ups, including the advisory consultant Song Yao, for a brief meeting outside the awakening chamber.

"What’s going on?"

This old man, who once performed great deeds in the Secret Realm battlefield, was perplexed. "You two shouldn’t have exited early."

He almost regretted that they were forced out before gaining much, a real loss.

Yet after Cheng Wen explained, Song Yao understood. If a world NPC from Zuo Qiutian’s side intruded, there was indeed no choice.

Kong Ji clicked his tongue, saying, "The two of us are fine. At worst, we’ll fight again next time. I’m just worried things might go awry inside, especially with Old Cheng out."

Song Yao sternly asserted, "No need to worry. Wang Sheng is capable. I believe his individual strength may fall short of Xiaocheng’s, but he should manage fine in leadership."

Hearing this, the other two felt a bit relieved. However, just then, another person emerged from the awakening chamber.

"Ah, everyone’s here."

The bearded Wang Sheng scratched his head, "I was careless and got ambushed while scouting."

"....."

The recently calmed hearts of everyone tensed up again, but the bigger news followed shortly as two more 01 units revived consecutively.

"Damn it, that bastard is too cunning."

"Elder Song, there’s really no way. He has the Escape Technique, offensively and defensively cappable. We couldn’t catch him or escape."

Song Yao glanced at the discouraged crowd and smiled. "Alright, what’s done is done. There’s no use lamenting. Go rest."

"Elder Song, why aren’t you worried?"

"Why should I worry? Many competent young people are still inside. They should try taking responsibility."

Song Yao, calming down, said, "Even if the results aren’t good, it’s a form of training. I’ll talk to Minister Zhuo. Dismissed."