Chapter 75 – The Inevitable Second Phase

Volume 2: Battlefield Between Two Worlds

Wen Yu's expression shifted, his face clouding over with uncertainty!

It wasn't that Greed's Touch had disappointed him; on the contrary, he was far too satisfied with it!

This was a piece of equipment without a level. In this world, the absence of a level meant that this item was a treasure similar to the Black Book!

However, Wen Yu had already begun to sense a chilling malice emanating from the Treasure Land!

Judging solely by the last three items he had pulled-the Flesh Tome, the Tyrannical Flame, and Greed's Touch-Wen Yu felt that this Treasure Land was practically a blessed land of fortune!

But for these things to appear at this stage was, in Wen Yu's eyes, simply unimaginable!

Even a Level 8 Class Holder would be ecstatic to obtain these items.

"Unless… that so-called Second Phase…"

To gain much, one must pay much. This was a principle Wen Yu had always lived by. Nothing in this world came without a price!

Yet, what had he paid so far?

Nothing. There had been no danger, no crisis-it hadn't even been difficult.

It was too easy. All of this was far too easy, far too simple!

Looking at Pandora's Box before him, Wen Yu increasingly felt that this little object, which had allowed his strength to undergo a metamorphosis, was actually a massive ticking time bomb.

Once it detonated, everyone within the Treasure Land would surely be blown to smithereens!

"Whew."

Exhaling a heavy sigh, Wen Yu turned to look at the people beside him, then glanced toward the woods where an unknown number of Class Holders were hiding.

"The situation might not be looking good," Wen Yu said to William and the others with a bitter smile.

"What's wrong? Is the quality of the treasures dropping? Did Pandora's Box screw you over?" Chu Ziling asked, his face full of schadenfreude.

Wen Yu considered putting Pandora's Box down and using Teleportation to leave the Treasure Land immediately. But after a moment's thought, he kept the box in his hand.

What if… what if there were more treasures? What would their rank be?

SSS-Rank? Or perhaps an even higher rank that Wen Yu hadn't even heard of?

After weighing his options for a long time, the greed and hope in Wen Yu's eyes grew more intense.

Behind greed lay destruction.

But when wealth and power were laid bare right before his eyes, Wen Yu simply couldn't help but be tempted!

"One more time. What if there really is something else? What if?"

At this moment, even if a bottomless abyss lay directly ahead, Wen Yu would likely step forward without hesitation!

"Hey, what's actually going on?"

Seeing Wen Yu's hesitant and conflicted expression, even William looked at him with a searching gaze.

"It's nothing."

Simply shaking his head, Wen Yu tucked the box into his vest.

In the end, he still couldn't resist the temptation of power.

Thirty minutes passed quietly as Wen Yu maintained his grim expression.

It was time to open Pandora's Box again.

However, this time, Wen Yu did not open it immediately.

"I'll briefly explain my theory."

As he spoke, Wen Yu exited his Combat State and began absorbing the Magic Crystals he had extorted from Chu Ziling.

"This opening might be the last one. If I get something this time, I'm taking it and using Teleportation to leave immediately. I'll leave Pandora's Box to you guys!"

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the others instantly lit up.

Meanwhile, Wen Yu had already absorbed six Level 2 Magic Crystals, raising his base Physical Attribute to 50 Points-the Level 2 Peak!

Then, as he stuffed the remaining 52 Magic Crystals into the Little Soul Beast's mouth one by one, Wen Yu spoke again.

"Remember what I said? Behind greed lies destruction."

Wen Yu carefully scanned his surroundings. Aside from William, who looked thoughtful, the other four completely ignored his warning.

"Sun-Ge."

Wen Yu turned his head to look at the man standing behind William, Sun Ruixing, who had been acting almost like an invisible man.

"What is it?" Sun Ruixing looked at Wen Yu curiously.

"Even you wouldn't choose to teleport out right now, would you?"

Sun Ruixing looked at Wen Yu intently. After hesitating for a long moment, he gave a serious nod.

"To be honest, I have my own selfish motives. I want to become stronger too. I believe that in the Second Phase, I might be able to obtain something. I suppose that's a form of greed as well."

"I see. Since even you think that way, there's nothing more for me to say."

If even Sun Ruixing-the paragon of morality in Wen Yu's eyes-felt this way, then the others who had stayed behind certainly wouldn't think any differently.

Talking was useless now.

Wen Yu had already sensed a massive hidden crisis within the Second Phase. He had originally wanted to warn these weaklings so they wouldn't throw their lives away for nothing.

Doing so wouldn't affect him, and since it only cost him a few words, Wen Yu didn't mind trying. However, asking himself honestly, if he were in their shoes, he wouldn't give up either.

"Get ready."

Seeing Wen Yu's solemn expression, the others immediately understood what he was trying to convey.

It wasn't that the treasure wasn't good; it was that the treasure was "too" good. It was so good that even Wen Yu couldn't help but think: "There's no way they would give me so many benefits for nothing."

Jiang Wentao said nothing. He immediately signaled Monkey to pack up the Plasma Grenades on the ground and drew the Knuckle Duster he had previously put into his Spatial Ring.

William also silently prepared for combat.

Only Chu Ziling continued to shout and complain.

"What do you mean? What are you talking about? If you're not going to open the Treasure Box, then hurry up and get out of here!"

The Little Soul Beast had absorbed 50 Magic Crystals, raising its Physical Attributes to 50 Points. It was now at the Level 2 Peak. Wen Yu placed the remaining two Level 2 Magic Crystals into his Spatial Ring and cautiously picked up Pandora's Box.

"Ready!"

With a loud shout, Wen Yu forced Pandora's Box open.

Nothing happened.

Wen Yu's heart skipped a beat.

There was no glow of a treasure, nor was there an actual item. The box was empty.

"What's going on? Is that it?"

Seeing Wen Yu open Pandora's Box without the usual massive pillar of white light, Chu Ziling's face instantly filled with disappointment.

"It's open."

Wen Yu's expression was incredibly grim. He quickly pulled the Teleportation Jade from his Spatial Ring and crushed it! At the same time, he mentally commanded: "Teleportation!"

But nothing happened.

The First Phase had ended. The Teleportation Jade was useless!

Right then, a voice echoed across the entirety of Demon Island.

"I warned you, didn't I? Behind greed lies destruction."

Wen Yu recognized the voice.

It was the Treasure Land Guardian!

"But you only saw the treasure and ignored the crisis."

"Crisis has never originated from within your human race."

"So, let me take you to see what true crisis, true destruction, and true despair look like!"

"Welcome to the Second Phase of the Treasure Land Trial."

"Welcome to… MY WORLD!!!"