With just a simple Spirit Seed, they began fighting amongst themselves like dogs.
This meeting had successfully forced the lizardmen into two distinct factions.
Labeling them first and then forcing them to take sides—what a forward-thinking tactic.
Bai Xiaodu knew that the issue of resuming mining operations was now basically resolved.
Ah, so this was what it felt like to be Director-General Shen.
You didn't have to do a single thing. Just a few subtle pointers, and good news would come flying in, one after another, keeping you completely occupied.
This feeling was truly...
...absolutely exhilarating!
As he thoroughly enjoyed watching the farce play out, Bai Xiaodu casually opened his gift.
Since Xin Hai'an's Affection was already very high, the quality of the gift had also improved.
【Surprise Attack】
【Quality: Blue】
【Type: Active Skill】
【Effect: Drastically increases current speed (lasts for 5 seconds, extended by an additional 5 seconds for each spell slot consumed) to launch a surprise attack against the enemy.】
【Upon success, inflicts Stun and physical damage equal to 150% of current Attack Power (300% on critical hits), lasting for 3 seconds.】
【Cooldown: 10 minutes】
【Note: Where did this cyber psycho come from!】
Bai Xiaodu nodded in satisfaction.
As expected, the system's rewards were simple and direct, carrying a brutal aesthetic in both raw numbers and mechanics.
In comparison, the power he had cultivated himself felt incredibly weak and hollow!
Dating was great; he definitely needed to do it more often.
After saying goodbye to Lingxin, Bai Xiaodu flew deep into Gaoxi Ravine on his own.
A vast expanse of ruined cliffs and broken walls came into view, interspersed with messy, grayish-green woodlands.
The leakage of domain energy caused a silver-white, translucent crystal mineral to frequently appear on the cliffs here.
Naturally, it was even more abundant underground, accompanied by large amounts of gold, copper, and other metals. This was why mining had always been the main pillar industry of the local area.
From Lingxin's explanation, Bai Xiaodu learned that the Secret Realm here was called...
【Secret Realm of the Silver Hero】.
It was a very strange name, and Bai Xiaodu soon learned how it operated.
Rather than a Secret Realm, it was more like a massive, real-life role-playing game.
Upon entering the Secret Realm, the explorer would play the role of the Hero, completing adventures along the way to earn rewards. Eventually, they would pull the sword from the stone, become the Silver Hero, defeat the evil demon king, and save the world.
“Uh...”
It was such a cliché game that one could guess the ending at a single glance.
Bai Xiaodu highly suspected whether the Domain Lord of this place had been a chuunibyou in life.
Or perhaps they were just heavily addicted to gaming?
He finally came to a halt over a vast, exposed mining site. There were quite a few modern buildings near the entrance of the Secret Realm, along with very obvious man-made tunnels.
Bai Xiaodu flew down, but just as he was about to land, he suddenly sensed that something was wrong.
Mining operations had stopped, but this was a Secret Realm!
As the core of the entire territory, someone should logically be guarding it at all times.
Why had no one come to greet him?
He instantly became alert. Remaining outwardly calm, his hand repeatedly pressed the shortcut for 【Heart of Justice】.
This skill required him to be attacked before it could be triggered, so he just had to keep pressing it.
He would bite whoever dared to attack him.
Since he hadn't done anything wrong, any sneak attack on him would undoubtedly be deemed unjust.
He paced around the entrance of the Secret Realm a few times, intentionally lingering outside without entering.
But Heart of Justice showed no reaction whatsoever.
After waiting for a long time, Bai Xiaodu sighed helplessly and muttered to himself,
“Am I just overthinking things?”
With that, he reached out to push the door open, preparing to step inside.
At that exact moment, a tiny, almost imperceptible silver needle shot toward him, accurately piercing his neck.
“Argh!”
Bai Xiaodu's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed, his large silver tail flopping over his stomach.
Whoosh!
Another silver needle flew through the air, sticking straight into his neck once more.
The fallen Bai Xiaodu remained completely motionless. It seemed the drug had taken effect, knocking him out cold.
Whoosh!
Another one!
Whoosh!
And another!
Whoosh!
Still coming?!
...
Only when Bai Xiaodu's neck was bristling with more than a dozen silver needles did the onslaught finally cease.
Half an hour passed in dead silence.
Perhaps the dosage had been too high, or the drug was simply too potent, but Bai Xiaodu remained slumped on the ground, sleeping like a dead pig.
Tap, tap.
A petite figure clad in a silver cloak poked their head out, slowly stepping out from behind a tree.
He played with a pocket dagger that gleamed with a mottled, dark light, strolled over to Bai Xiaodu, and squatted down.
Reaching out, he lifted Bai Xiaodu's chin, tilting it from side to side to examine him closely. He couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
“As expected of the silver fox-kin. What a cute child.”
With that, he reversed his grip on the dagger and thrust it viciously down toward the unconscious Bai Xiaodu's face!
Hum!
The tip of the dagger drew a bead of blood. One more inch, and it would have claimed Bai Xiaodu's life.
Yet, he stopped.
Looking at the unresponsive Bai Xiaodu, who was still sleeping like a log.
He rubbed his chin in confusion.
“Was I being too cautious?”
“You definitely were!”
Faster than the voice suddenly echoing in mid-air was a six-colored beam of light falling from the heavens!
It was 【Multi-Ray】!
Bai Xiaodu's figure materialized in mid-air. With an expressionless face, his hands surged with spell rune ripples as he swept the six lasers downward!
Whoosh!
The lightning was sharp, and the fire was violent.
Six deep, dozens-of-meters-long trenches instantly tore into the earth, each fissure glowing with a different, bizarre light, presenting a terrifying sight.
But...
...there was no sign of anyone in the trenches.
Bai Xiaodu frowned, placing his hand back on 【Heart of Justice】 and pressing it repeatedly.
When he had arrived to find the place empty earlier, he had immediately sensed that something was amiss.
So, he had pretended to walk to the door, but in reality, he left a clone outside while activating 【Surprise Attack】 to slip away.
As expected, someone had tried to ambush him!
However, the silver-cloaked figure appeared in his line of sight once more.
Bai Xiaodu stared at him in silence, his hands continuing to glow with spell runes.
“Hiding your face and acting so stealthily... which Pathway's Rogue are you?”
The silver-cloaked figure did not answer directly. Instead, he burst into excited laughter.
“How interesting, Bai Xiaodu.”
“I knew you wouldn't be taken down so easily by a cheap trick like that. No wonder Xian Ling was killed by you so effortlessly!”
Xian Ling?
That lizardman?
It was truly like weeds that could never be fully cleared; cutting down one Xian Ling had brought out an entire crowd!
Bai Xiaodu's expression turned cold.
“What, do you want to avenge her? Why don't you come and try me?”
The silver-cloaked figure waved his hand.
“Avenge her? No, no, no. She was merely a dog I raised on a whim. Her death means nothing to me.”
“To tell you the truth, I came here for the Secret Realm.”
“Though it may sound abrupt, I came to propose a collaboration because of this Secret Realm.”
Bai Xiaodu was so exasperated that he laughed.
“Collaborate? Your idea of a collaboration is sticking a bunch of needles into my neck first?”
“Besides, this is my Secret Realm, and this entire territory belongs to me. Why on earth should I collaborate with you?”
Before his voice could fade, the person slowly pulled down his hood and pointed a finger at his own face.
“Because of this.”
A strand of short, silver-white hair fell across his cheek.
Upon seeing his face, Bai Xiaodu's pupils contracted violently.
The boy wearing the silver cloak had silver hair and fox ears. His features were handsome, bordering on cute.
Unfortunately, though...
...half of his face was scarred and pitted, as if he had once suffered some horrific, brutal abuse.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am a silver fox-kin. My name is Galor.”
Galor spoke.
“To show my sincerity, I will share a vital piece of information with you. Listen carefully.”
His tone suddenly shifted, carrying a severe, warning edge.
“Bai Xiaodu, do not ascend to Domain Lord!”
“Do not attempt to construct the Mage Emperor's acting ritual! It is a trap! A carefully orchestrated conspiracy!”
“If anyone tries to push you to advance your rank, you must refuse! Stay as far away from them as possible!”
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