Chapter 242 – Dissatisfaction, Pure Novice

Lu Yuan and Zhou Ling had just finished a meal together. Zhou Ling originally wanted to take Lu Yuan around Xiabang for a bit.

However, he had to leave abruptly due to receiving an emergency training task.

Just as Zhou Ling left, Lu Yuan immediately received a friend request from Song Cong of the “Uranium Light Blade.”

“Accept.”

Lu Yuan tapped lightly, and soon after adding Song Cong, he received an invitation for a detailed chat in person.

The location—

“Neocreation Bar…”

Lu Yuan blinked, flagged down a taxi aircraft, and headed straight to the agreed meeting place with Song Cong.

…

“Thump thump—thump—”

The intense electronic music filtered through the thick soundproof walls, causing a series of faint, muffled sounds to reach inside.

Lu Yuan sat in a room decorated with various stone ornaments on all four walls.

Directly opposite him sat a man who appeared to be in his early thirties.

His posture was particularly upright, with handsome features. From time to time, silver-white light bands would appear on the exposed skin of his hands, neck, and face.

Song Cong’s first impression on people.

He was like a drawn military knife, sharp and cold.

“I thought coming here would make the atmosphere more relaxed, but it’s surprisingly noisy even in broad daylight…”

A helpless expression crossed Song Cong’s handsome face as he poured Lu Yuan a glass of light golden alcoholic beverage, his eyes showing a hint of inquiry.

Lu Yuan nodded slightly, did not refuse, and took a small sip from the glass in front of him.

In about a month, he would turn eighteen and could legally drink.

But he just had a taste, savoring the spicy alcohol flavor for a moment, then put it down.

He still missed the times spent with Old Liu at Linghexuan, each with a bottle of soda, having leisurely chats in the bamboo grove.

Speaking of which, he wondered how Old Liu was doing now…

Back here, Song Cong took a sip of his drink and then said, “Zhou Ling should have sent you the profiles of the team members, right?”

“Yes, he did.”

Lu Yuan nodded.

Song Cong continued, “This team is temporarily assembled, with the goal of tackling the last few level S unexplored points in the Wailing Ruins. The captain, Xie Jun, is very strong both in skill and ability. Moreover, he has extensive experience in secret realm exploration. With him leading you, the danger level of your first exploration trip will be significantly reduced…”

Lu Yuan remained silent.

Song Cong thought for a moment, then continued, “I know that your strength is extraordinary, and you might not take a level S secret realm too seriously. But there are dangers not just on the surface for you to see…”

“What do you mean by that?” Lu Yuan asked indifferently.

“The Wailing Ruins.”

Song Cong replied, “According to official records, the Wailing Ruins are classified as a standard level S secret realm. But initially, when this secret realm was first discovered, it had an SS+ rating.”

“What?!”

Lu Yuan’s expression changed slightly, feeling a bit surprised.

This indeed was not shown in the data link sent to him by Lan Chen.

“…The Wailing Ruins are quite unique. Initially, its danger level was indeed SS+, with more than one SS-level ancient evil deity emissary surviving inside.

But for some unknown reason, these emissary-level beings all retreated, hiding in a small, deepest area within the Wailing Ruins.

And until now, they have not reappeared.

Therefore, subsequent exploration of the Wailing Ruins became smoother, and the secret realm’s rating was reduced multiple times, eventually being classified as a standard level S.”

Song Cong continued seriously, “This information is only known to veterans in the mystic deity group. There are many similar information points.

The team Xie Jun has assembled consists entirely of these experienced individuals. By following them into the next secret realm, your gains could be more significant than entering ten secret realms alone…”

“From SS+ downgraded to level S, that’s something I wasn’t aware of…”

Lu Yuan’s eyes flashed slightly, contemplating the information Song Cong had just revealed.

Song Cong continued, “…Of course, since you are a newcomer, you might get a smaller share of the exploration yields with their team.”

Perhaps fearing that Lu Yuan would be dissatisfied, Song Cong quickly added, “But it definitely won’t be too much of a loss. Actually, for a newcomer’s first time in a secret realm, the gains are secondary. The primary goal should be to understand and become familiar with the entire exploration process…”

Lu Yuan squinted his eyes, contemplating silently for a moment.

Song Cong continued to watch him closely.

Until Lu Yuan finally said, “Then I’ll leave it to you, Senior Song.”

Only then did a relaxed smile appear on Song Cong’s face. He nodded and said, “I’m just doing a small favor, it’s no trouble at all. After all, with you joining, Xie Jun and the others have a better chance of completing the task… I’ll send you his contact information right away.”

“Alright.”

Lu Yuan did not refuse.

The atmosphere in the room gradually became relaxed and casual.

…

In a simple and spacious room.

Five figures were either standing or sitting.

“Xie Jun, what do you mean by this?!”

A woman with an average appearance, half of her head shaved, pounded the table angrily and shouted at the stern-looking man standing in the middle of the group, “We’re entering the secret realm tomorrow, and now you tell us you’re adding someone last minute? And it’s an unknown rookie? I don’t agree with this. If you’re adding someone, then I’m out.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea either.”

Next to the woman, a middle-aged man with hair like steel spikes also frowned and spoke, “We’ve been planning this assault for almost half a year.

Adding someone at the last minute not only dilutes our yields but also risks lowering the success rate and increasing the danger… If the entire plan fails because of a rookie, who will bear the loss then?”

“I will.”

The stern-looking man standing in the middle replied indifferently.

The four were all momentarily stunned, and someone couldn’t help but speak up, “Old Xie, what’s your relationship with this rookie? Why are you taking care of him like this, is he your long-lost illegitimate son?”

Xie Jun shot a cold glance at the person making the sarcastic remark and said flatly, “I have no relationship with him. It’s out of respect for Old Song, who recommended him.”

“Song Cong of Uranium Light Blade?”

“Yes.”

Xie Jun nodded, “Song Cong once saved my life. It’s rare for him to ask me for a favor, so I couldn’t refuse.”

The group fell into a brief silence. The woman with half-shaved hair, who had initially voiced her objection, spoke up again, “That’s your business. Song Cong didn’t save our lives. If you want to repay his favor, don’t do it at the expense of everyone else’s interests.”

Xie Jun looked at the woman and replied calmly, “I understand, which is why I plan to take an additional eight percent out of my own cut to compensate everyone.”

Upon hearing this, the group’s expressions changed significantly.

Based on their projected earnings from this task, each person getting an extra two percent was quite substantial.

“You’re really willing to go that far…”

Someone spoke up, their tone softening.

Another person couldn’t help but ask, “Old Xie, do you have any details on this rookie? What’s his strength and background? What’s so special about him that Song Cong would go to such lengths?”

The others were equally curious and turned to look at Xie Jun.

Xie Jun shook his head and said, “I don’t have the access level to find out.

Old Song wouldn’t say much either.

All I know is—17 years old, Golden Bear, code name ‘Divine Blood,’ estimated power evaluation around level S. He has no new martial arts, no modifications, no recorded task completions, and no secret realm exploration experience…”

“Wow, a complete rookie. Must have some deep connections…”

Someone couldn’t help but exclaim.

“No new martial arts, no modifications, only seventeen, yet reaching level S? How many resources must have been poured into that?!”

Someone clicked their tongue in amazement, “Looks like he’s taken that path. Indeed, a deep background…”

“Having a rich kid like that, who knows nothing and needs constant care, in our team, I worry this trip might be a disaster!”

Someone rubbed their forehead, looking frustrated.

Others wore similar expressions.

Xie Jun spoke up, “Before we go in, I’ll make sure to brief him on everything to avoid any actions that might disrupt our plan. If the entire operation does end up failing because of him…”

Xie Jun paused, then emphasized his next words, “The losses will be fully covered by Song Cong and me. We can make another attempt afterward.”

“But what about the wasted time and effort?”

Someone grumbled.

Half-jokingly, another replied, “Just think of it as taking the rich kid on a field trip into the secret realm. Maybe he’ll even appreciate us a bit afterward…”

“Eight out of ten rich kids have their eyes on their foreheads. If he doesn’t look down on you, you’re already lucky. Expecting him to appreciate you? Dream on.”

The group chatted back and forth, but their words seemed to imply that they had already reluctantly agreed to this decision.

Xie Jun glanced around at everyone, his face showing a hint of satisfaction.

“So, it’s settled then.”

After a moment of thought, he continued, “Rest assured, I will do everything I can to minimize the impact of adding this rookie on our entire operation.”

The group responded nonchalantly, looking rather unenthusiastic.

It seemed their morale had dwindled, and they were already thinking about a potential second attempt in the secret realm.

…

“Please present your ID card for registration…”

“Okay.”

Lu Yuan stood in a small room, facing a young girl with stunning looks.

The girl wore an almost perfect smile, patiently and politely guiding Lu Yuan through the final procedures before entering the secret realm.

When she saw Lu Yuan’s Golden Bear ID card, her expression remained emotionless, professionally executing her duties.

Lu Yuan couldn’t help but marvel at how the old city circle couldn’t hold a candle to Xiabang’s technological advancements.

Bionic humans had reached this level of sophistication.

If you didn’t look closely, it would be hard to tell that the receptionist wasn’t a real person.

“All set. Golden Bear ‘Divine Blood,’ Lord.”

The bionic girl courteously handed back Lu Yuan’s ID card and patiently reminded him, “Your application to enter the level S secret realm—Wailing Ruins has been successfully filed.

The information about the Wailing Ruins and related exploration tasks have been sent to you.

You can take the shuttle arriving in half an hour to the Wailing Ruins secret realm entrance.

There are a few important matters I need to remind you of.”

1. Stay away from the red-marked areas on the Secret Realm Map.

2. During your secret realm exploration, your communication device may lose connection with the outside.

3. Before entering the secret realm, we recommend you visit the hall to purchase our recommended Resource Package, which contains many items you might find useful…”

Lu Yuan patiently listened and then thanked the robot girl. After receiving a polite acknowledgment, he calmly exited the room.

Currently, he was at the Yellow Bear Headquarters, in the management center for tasks related to the evil deity secret realm.

Yellow Bear members were bustling all around him, and there were plenty of Red Bears and even a notable number of Golden Bear Levels.

Following the points mentioned by the receptionist, Lu Yuan walked leisurely towards the hall.

In the corner of the hall, he found a machine vending Resource Packages.

Lu Yuan examined the contents of the recommended Resource Package carefully.

He saw that it mainly contained high-energy foods, drinking water, some potentially useful potions, tools, and other items for use inside the secret realm.

All together, there were about fifty to sixty different items.

The price was not steep, just one hundred merit points for a package.

Worried about the inconvenience of carrying too many items, Lu Yuan decided to buy one and found the entire Resource Package to be only about a cubic foot in size.

If it still seemed troublesome to carry, one could rent or purchase a drone designed to help carry and collect items.

The drone was usable in most environments within the secret realm, had a maximum carrying capacity of ten tons, and could operate up to twenty days on a single charge.

Truly thoughtful.

Lu Yuan was examining these preparations for entering the secret realm when he noticed a new message blinking in the background system.

Upon opening and reading it, his expression changed slightly. He looked up towards the hall’s entrance of the management center.

Soon, he saw a tall, stern figure walking towards him.

“Electromagnetic Flying Sword… Xie Jun.”

Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly and remained standing in place.