Chapter 852: Team formation (two in one)

The buzzing sound lasted for a few seconds before the other side picked up the call. A mature male voice asked, “Who is this?”

“Hello, I’ve taken on an assessment task to enter the Secret Realm and bring back the missing Liu Bo. The information here says you were part of the team that entered the Secret Realm with him at the time. I was wondering if you could re-enter the Secret Realm with me to the location where he went missing and help find him?” Qiao Sang went straight to the point.

The other end of the line hesitated, “What level of Yu Beast Master are you?”

Qiao Sang said, “C-level.”

“No.” Hearing that answer, Qu Yang refused without a second thought, “I was injured a bit during my last trip to the Secret Realm and am still recuperating.”

What a joke, a C-level Yu Beast Master. He himself was a C-level Yu Beast Master, and he still couldn’t even notice the commotion when his companion went missing in the Secret Realm.

He asked about my level first, then said he was injured. Could it be that he’s looking down on me for being too low-level and doesn’t want to go? Qiao Sang muttered internally, then said, “I have a Pet that happens to know a Healing skill. It can help you with Healing.”

“No need.” Qu Yang refused, “I have already completed my Healing and am currently recuperating.”

He paused, then added, “Although I can’t go into the Secret Realm with you, I can describe the scene at the time.”

Qiao Sang didn’t insist, “Okay, go ahead.”

Qu Yang recalled the fragments of that time and said in a deep voice:

“After entering the Secret Realm, we headed southwest. On the third day in the Secret Realm, we found a pond and camped nearby for the night. Liu Bo was on watch that night, and when we woke up the next day, he was gone.”

“Later, we searched nearby and only found his residual distress signal about one kilometer away.”

Night watch, disappearance, it sounds like the missing person incident from the post… Qiao Sang pondered for a moment and asked,

“Did none of you hear any movement during the night?”

“No.” Qu Yang said, “We didn’t hear anything at all.”

Before Qiao Sang could speak, he said with a heavy tone, stating his guess:

“Actually, this is abnormal. In the Secret Realm, we always maintain vigilance, and our sleep is very light. Moreover, my Pet was also outside at the time. It’s an Ear-Nerve Cat, capable of hearing movement five kilometers away, and it would wake up at the slightest sound. But that night, it heard nothing and slept very deeply.”

It must have been a wild Pet using a hypnosis-type skill… Qiao Sang thought to herself.

“There’s one more thing I can’t figure out.” Qu Yang continued, “Why did the wild Pet only take Liu Bo and not deal with us?”

Qiao Sang asked, “Were you in a tent at the time?”

Qu Yang was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting such a question. He said with a hint of confusion in his voice,

“Of course not. There are so many wild Pets in the Secret Realm. It’s very dangerous to be in a tent where you can’t immediately see your surroundings upon opening your eyes, and you can’t react instantly to sudden attacks. Haven’t you ever been to a Secret Realm?”

That shouldn’t be. The other party took on an assessment task, which means she’s participating in the Regional Competition. How could a Yu Beast Master participating in the Regional Competition have never entered a Secret Realm?

I really haven’t been to a Secret Realm… Qiao Sang said, “I understand. Thank you for telling me so much.”

Qu Yang instantly forgot about the tent matter and said in a deep voice, “I also hope you can find Liu Bo.”

Although the hope was slim.

How could someone who disappeared in the Secret Realm a week ago still be safe and sound?

“I will.” Qiao Sang said.

Qu Yang said nothing more and hung up the phone.

Qiao Sang then dialed another person’s number.

With just one “beep,” the call was answered.

“Who is it?” A voice lacking vigor came from the speaker.

“Hello, I’ve taken on the assessment task given by the Regional Competition…” Qiao Sang briefly explained her situation and said, “I was wondering if you could accompany me to the 88th Secret Realm to search for Liu Bo.”

“You should probably look for someone else named Qu Yang.” Yuan Jiewen said with an unchanged tone, “He and Liu Bo are friends. I just temporarily teamed up with them to enter the Secret Realm.”

Qiao Sang was silent for a moment, “Your voice sounds a bit listless. Are you sick?”

Yuan Jiewen was also a bit silent at the sudden concern, “I got a little injured during my last trip to the Secret Realm.”

“My Pet has a Healing skill that can help you with Healing.” Qiao Sang said.

Yuan Jiewen scoffed, “You heal me, and then I accompany you to the Secret Realm to get injured again?”

Qiao Sang said, “The Healing skill my Pet knows is Healing Light.”

“I don’t care if it’s Healing Light or Healing Heart, in short, I’m not going to accompany you to the Secret Realm.” Yuan Jiewen said impatiently.

Qiao Sang said calmly, “You can look up this skill.”

Just from his disdainful tone, she knew that the other party definitely didn’t understand Healing Light.

No one would refuse a shot of Healing Light, even if they didn’t have any major problems for the time being.

“What’s there to look up? I already said I wouldn’t…” The voice on the other end suddenly changed slightly in quality, and the sound of pressing a phone screen could be faintly heard.

Qiao Sang immediately realized that this person had just turned on the speakerphone and was searching for Healing Light. She thought to herself, he’s quite contradictory…

Suddenly, the other end of the phone became completely silent, with no sound.

Immediately after, rapid breathing could be heard from the speaker, followed by the sound of someone abruptly standing up and some items being knocked over.

After a few seconds, the man asked cautiously, with anticipation, “Is it the Healing Light that’s an Ultra-level skill?”

Sure enough, no one can refuse… Qiao Sang smiled, “There is only one skill called Healing Light.”

“Holy cow!” Yuan Jiewen suppressed his wild joy and said impatiently, “You name the time, and I’ll definitely be there on time! I am willing to help you complete the assessment task!”

He even used ‘you’… Qiao Sang’s mouth twitched slightly and she said, “Thank you. Then let’s meet tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock at the 88th Secret Realm entrance.”

“Received!”

Ending the call, Qiao Sang continued to work on her strategy for going to the 88th Secret Realm.

With someone accompanying her, there shouldn’t be any problems with the terrain. After all, he’d been in there once…

Steel Treasure can scout. It has the Power of Bonds, so it can communicate directly without having to return if anything happens…

If they encounter danger, Little Qunbao can directly use Space Movement…

Yabao is the main attacker.

Lulu is responsible for Healing. It’s best not to use Ice Heaven Domain unless absolutely necessary, otherwise, most of her internal energy will be gone, and even drinking energy recovery fluid will take some time to recover, which is not very safe in a place like a Secret Realm…

Scouting, escape methods, attack, Healing, and supplies are all stored in Little Qunbao’s ring. She had everything she needed.

Moreover, the 88th Secret Realm is C-level. The highest level wild Pets in a Secret Realm of this level are King-level, at most one or two. Even if she unluckily encounters one, Little Qunbao can take her to escape…

Currently, it seems she no longer needs to find anyone else to team up with…

While she was contemplating, her phone vibrated.

Qiao Sang picked it up and saw it was a message from Mi Jiala:

【Although I can’t accompany you to the Secret Realm, I suggest you find someone to team up with to enter the Secret Realm.】

Qiao Sang replied:

【I’ve already found someone. He’s one of the members who teamed up with the missing person last time they entered the Secret Realm. With him, I should be able to quickly find the location where the missing person disappeared.】

After she sent this message, Mi Jiala replied three minutes later:

【It’s not safe enough. I suggest you find at least one more Yu Beast Master to enter with you.】

Qiao Sang: 【I think I can gain some experience. If there are too many people, the training effect might not be as good.】

Mi Jiala: 【You’re not familiar with the Secret Realm, and it’s your first time entering. It’s still better to find an experienced person to team up with.】

Qiao Sang: 【The one who teamed up with the missing person last time, he’s been in there. He should be familiar with the Secret Realm and has experience.】

Mi Jiala: “…”

This child, why is she so unyielding!

Mi Jiala: 【Have you decided when you’re entering the Secret Realm?】

Qiao Sang: 【Yes, tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock.】

…

The next day.

One-fifty PM.

Golden Mist Mountain.

Thin mist enveloped the mountaintop.

Some people went up the mountain, some came down.

Those going up the mountain were full of fighting spirit, while most of those coming down sighed, some even had torn clothes and needed their Pets to carry them.

High in the sky, a mysterious Pet with fiery wings ran down. When it was about five meters from the ground, a powerful airflow immediately swept in all directions.

Everyone’s attention was drawn to this Pet, which clearly looked very powerful.

Qiao Sang dismounted from Yabao.

Immediately, a Middle-aged Man in black came forward with a smile:

“Excuse me, are you going into the Secret Realm?”

Although the young girl in front of him did not look like an adult, the Pet beside her was clearly not something an ordinary Yu Beast Master could contract.

Based on his rich social experience, he could conclude that this young girl’s background was extraordinary and that she definitely had someone escorting her into the Secret Realm for training.

Some children from large families were like this; even though their own strength wasn’t enough to enter the Secret Realm for training, they insisted on going in, followed by a group of powerful Yu Beast Masters.

Qiao Sang gave a soft “Mm” and glanced at the flyer in his hand.

The Middle-aged Man enthusiastically handed over the flyer in his hand: “We have a team in this Secret Realm. You can contact us if you encounter anything in the Secret Realm.”

“Whether it’s driving away wild Pets, replenishing supplies, or Healing injuries, we can do it all. If we can’t solve it, we guarantee no charge.”

There’s actually this kind of business in the Secret Realm. This way of making money is good… Qiao Sang reached out and took the flyer, lowered her head to glance at it, and then froze.

A bottle of C-level energy recovery fluid costs 300,000 alliance coins, one Healing session costs 500,000 alliance coins, and driving away ten or fewer High Level Pets costs 200,000 alliance coins, with more charged extra.

This, isn’t this robbery!

Qiao Sang quickly returned the flyer: “I’m not interested.”

With that, she turned and left with Yabao.

The Middle-aged Man sighed. Sure enough, doing business with rich people wasn’t that easy.

Qiao Sang arrived at the Secret Realm’s passage.

The elliptical passage entrance, dozens of meters high, had transparent ripples spreading in circles, completely obscuring the world on the other side.

Mysterious and terrifying.

This is the Secret Realm entrance… Qiao Sang took out her phone, snapped a picture to record it, and then prepared to contact Yuan Jiewen to ask if he had arrived.

At this moment, a slightly hoarse voice sounded beside her: “Excuse me, are you going into the Secret Realm?”

Qiao Sang turned her head and looked in the direction of the voice.

She saw that the speaker was a woman with slightly sunken cheeks, small and sharp eyes, and prominent brow bones, who looked to be around forty years old.

She suddenly thought of something, glanced at the other person’s hand, and thought to herself, it’s not a flyer distributor…

Qiao Sang said, “Mm,” and asked, “Is there something?”

The woman’s face lit up, and she asked, “Can I team up with you to enter the Secret Realm?”

Qiao Sang shook her head without thinking, “No, I have my own business to attend to inside.”

“I won’t delay your work.” The woman said, “I just want to go in and collect some materials for making potions. You go wherever you go.”

As she spoke, she let out a long sigh:

“I had already found someone to team up with, but then that person suddenly stood me up.”

“No.” Qiao Sang was cold and unfeeling: “I really have my own business to attend to, and I can’t protect you.”

“How can you not protect me? Your Pet looks so powerful.” The woman said, glancing at Yabao.

“Yaya!”

Yabao was stunned for a moment, then puffed out its chest and let out a cry, indicating that this human had good taste.

Even if you praise me like that, I won’t take you in… Qiao Sang’s expression remained unchanged.

She wouldn’t forget her mission inside. One more person to protect meant one more danger, and she wouldn’t do something so foolish.

As thoughts flickered, the woman spoke again:

“I can pay you a reward.”

I am no longer who I once was. Although I no longer have an unlimited card, I have a 10-digit balance in my bank account, stockpiled supplies in Little Qunbao’s ring, and those stocks. Now, the most important thing is to complete the assessment task… Qiao Sang’s heart stirred, then quickly returned to calm, and she refused for the third time:

“You should find someone else. I really have something to do.”

With that, she picked up her phone, ready to continue contacting Yuan Jiewen.

The woman was silent for a moment, then lowered her voice and said, “It’s an S-grade youlei (s grade).”

!!!

Qiao Sang instantly stopped what she was doing and stared over with wide eyes.

youlei (s grade), one of the evolution materials for Little Qunbao’s next stage.

Just for helping to team up and enter a C-level Secret Realm, they’re offering an S-grade youlei (s grade) as a reward?!

“Really?” Qiao Sang’s expression changed several times, but in the end, she couldn’t help but confirm.

“Really.” The woman nodded, “This was also something I obtained by accident. It’s just that I haven’t contracted a Ghost-type Pet, so I’ve never used it.”

Qiao Sang, still having a conscience, struggled for a moment and said,

“Just for teaming up to enter a C-level Secret Realm, isn’t an S-grade item as a reward too wasteful?”

“No, youlei (s grade) is useless to me. I’m just exchanging something I don’t need for something I do need.” The woman smiled.

Qiao Sang was silent for a few seconds, then said seriously, “I will definitely protect your safety, but you must listen to me and not wander around freely.”

“Okay.” The woman had a grateful expression, “Thank you for your trouble.”

She didn’t expect Yabao’s appearance to bring her such a business… Qiao Sang picked up her phone and found that Yuan Jiewen had already sent a message:

【I’ve arrived. Where are you?】

Qiao Sang looked up and scanned her surroundings.

The information provided by the Judge included not only the three people’s details but also their photos.

Soon, her gaze locked onto a pale-faced young man who looked a bit weak.

“Yuan Jiewen.” Qiao Sang walked forward and greeted him.

Yuan Jiewen heard someone call his name, looked over in the direction of the voice, and seeing that it was the young girl who had just caught everyone’s attention, he hesitated, “You are?”

“The one who invited you to team up.” Qiao Sang said.

Yuan Jiewen: “!!!”

“This is our companion who will be teaming up with us next.” Qiao Sang looked at the woman and introduced her.

The woman smiled slightly: “My name is Lin Shi.”

Yuan Jiewen’s expression was dazed. For a moment, he couldn’t process that the big shot in his mind had turned into a young girl who clearly looked underage.

Qiao Sang looked at the time on her phone and said,

“It’s getting late, and everyone for the team is here. Let’s go and enter the Secret Realm.” (End of Chapter)