[Ten-Star Secret Realm Golden Scale Royal Court - Unknown error at the main gate, removed from sequence....]

[Nine-Star Secret Realm Formation Tower - Unknown error, removed from sequence....]

.....

[Five-Star Secret Realm Golden Scale Blackwood Forest - Unknown error, removed from sequence....]

[Seven-Star Secret Realm Surprise Attack on Golden Scale Back Cliff - Unknown error, removed from sequence....]

Reading the notifications one after another, Song Yao was dumbfounded.

Without counting, he knew that all the Secret Realms within the Golden Scale Marsh were essentially out of commission.

Looking at the three people still unconscious in the room, he really wanted to slap them awake and ask what exactly happened.

But at this moment, Li Rui was the first to open his eyes.

"Elder Song, we got the Dragon Thunder. We also met Daoist Chongxu and the Barbarian Emperor of Golden Scale Marsh, who was imprisoned due to a coup but has now been released. We’ve agreed to meet at Shenxiao Palace next time to discuss dealing with Zuo Qiutian. Quickly send us to the next Secret Realm."

As soon as he woke up, he rapidly fired off a series of explanations, effectively answering Song Yao’s doubts.

Although he didn’t know how they managed it, the series of Secret Realms in Golden Scale Marsh were built upon the battles between the Liangting human race and the Barbaric Beasts. If the Barbarian Emperor had awakened and could take charge, the war might naturally come to an end, and the Secret Realms would cease to exist.

However, this didn’t seem to be part of the original script, given that the system indicated an unknown error.

At this point, the other two also gradually woke up, completed some post-Secret-Realm care procedures, and began reporting the events within the Secret Realm to Song Yao.

"..... so that’s how it is."

Song Yao instructed someone to record the important information, which must be reported to the Superpower Division and archived by the intelligence analysis department to develop strategies at critical moments.

Cheng Mingyue said, "Elder Song, we’ve thwarted another scheme of Zuo Qiutian. This should count as a great achievement, right?"

Guan Gui disagreed, saying, "No, that’s not right."

"What’s not right?" Cheng Mingyue glared, seemingly dissatisfied.

Li Rui replied, "Did you forget what was said before? Zuo Qiutian, obstructed in his schemes within the Secret Realm World, turned to those originally uncompromising individuals and then invaded the real world."

"That is to say, Golden Scale Marsh was his initial pawn, but it has already been abandoned. We didn’t really disrupt his crucial plans."

Cheng Mingyue glared at him: "Fine!"

Song Yao felt something amiss between these two.

"But Mingyue’s point is correct; it is indeed a great achievement. Even if we didn’t harm Zuo Qiutian’s interests, at least we’ve gained allies."

He continued, "During the day you spent in the Secret Realm, much has happened outside. Generally speaking, negotiations broke down, and the coalition is prepared to sacrifice nearly half the world’s population—a truly insane notion."

"So inevitably, a fierce battle lies ahead. We and the Western Kingdom have entered an emergency state."

Song Yao’s words carried a heavy weight, but his expectations remained composed, "However, according to the analysis department’s assessment, even if the Polar Alliance combines forces with the Holy Judgment High Court and the NPC forces of that world, they are still insufficient to confront the rest of the world."

"They will definitely continue recruiting from the Secret Realm World. It’s certainly beneficial if you can align more Secret Realm forces."

Li Rui nodded: "From the current situation, the Thunder Skill I’ve mastered is effective against those so-called Upper Realm entities. It’s possible that things like the World Tree could inflict unexpected strikes upon them."

Song Yao stood up, rubbing his lower back: "Yes, it’s fortunate you’ve now mastered three types of Thunder Skills, leaving only Earth Thunder at Ghost Cry Ridge and the elusive Celestial Thunder."

They discussed the whereabouts of Celestial Thunder.

This object, unlike the other four Thunders, has no related legends in the Secret Realm World, not even a general direction, making it challenging to search for.

"Maybe we could ask the Shenxiao Palace Master, as he’s Daoist Chongxu’s master," Cheng Mingyue suggested.

"Agreed," Guan Gui nodded.

Li Rui said, "Indeed, since we must meet him anyway. By the way, Elder Song, are there any messages from the division for me to relay if I contact the Palace Master?"

Song Yao responded, "I’ve reported it, so we’ll see how it goes. Also, I’ve requested the division for information regarding the Ghost Cry Ridge area, and I’ll pass it to you shortly."

After wrapping up the main conversations, Song Yao let the three rest on their own.

Each time one returns from the Secret Realm, although not physically exhausted, the spirit is often lackluster.

Hence, the three went for a light meal, then prepared to take a short rest separately.

Li Rui had no intention of sleeping; he lay on the balcony railing, sunbathing while contemplating current matters. Suddenly, he noticed someone outside the villa’s wall signaling to him—it was Roger Simon.

The man stood in the middle of the stone path outside the wall, with several advisors around, wary of him. But as he made no dangerous moves, they saw no reason to intervene.

Li Rui walked out through the main entrance and met this opponent, once struck down by the All Heaven Great Thunder Fire Seal Spell.

"If it weren’t for those world NPCs, I’d be killing you right now."

Roger Simon opened with such a line—though he’s an extraordinary, a highly formidable one, he might not have survived to this age otherwise.

Li Rui found it amusing: "You need the ability to do that first."

He didn’t take it seriously, after all, the other was merely a defeated adversary.

However, despite Simon’s nasty tongue and habit of glaring fiercely at others, he was rather straightforward, candidly revealing to Li Rui, "I just came out of a designated Secret Realm, obtaining something related to the Divine Realm, so I’m different from before."

Li Rui raised a brow: "Coincidentally, so am I. I mean, why bother probing? We’ve all been sent here, specifically tasked to Secret Realms—who doesn’t have a trump card?" 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Simon’s eyes rolled as he sneered: "I agree."

What’s there to agree and sneer about!

Li Rui found it perplexing: "Spill it, what brings you here? Surely not just for idle chit-chat?"

"No, what I want to say is, the Polar Alliance and those guys have teamed up, but Vons, I can’t figure him out, doesn’t seem like he’ll conspire with those church fools." Simon’s gaze drifted slightly sideways.

"Wait, buddy, are you planning to persuade him to defect?" Li Rui thought he finally grasped this man’s intent.

Simon shifted his gaze back sharply: "You are! You are! In your Dragon Country’s words, you truly are my soulmate!"

"Who’s your soulmate?" Li Rui felt his heart skip a beat.

"I proposed this to them, and even Mr. Eso disagreed—only you could understand."

"Damn, I don’t get it either, bro."

Li Rui didn’t quite get his line of thinking.

Who would have thought that this monster, who killed without blinking on the Secret Realm battlefield, would be such a nostalgic person?

He crossed his arms defensively, asking, "Even if that’s so, what’s the point of telling me?"