"So what do we do? Do we keep chasing them?"
Under the bear barbarian chief's roar, the massive creature had already returned to its normal size. It now lay on the ground, looking utterly drained.
"Or we could just destroy this entrance!"
The golden-furred bear barbarian suggested.
"Are you insane? Such a magnificent secret realm — destroying it would be an absolute waste, and our people would never agree to it!"
The green-skinned barbarian shook his head. "Besides, those wizards could easily escape through some other spatial rift. That would be the most idiotic solution of all!"
"Hmph!" The bear barbarian chief snorted coldly, brandishing the enormous banner on his back.
"Enough! Enough! We're still allies for the time being, so let's discuss how to deal with these common enemies!" The human wizard stepped between the green-skinned barbarian and the bear barbarian.
"What else can we do? If we don't want them pillaging our secret realm at will, we have no choice but to send people inside! But you've seen their strength — ordinary members would just be throwing their lives away!"
A flash of helplessness crossed the green-skinned barbarian chief's eyes.
"Then send over the Liquidisation and Crystallisation-rank wizards! If we have to, we'll give up our other territories and concentrate our forces here first!"
The human wizard chief spoke up first.
"If that's what you say…" The green-skinned barbarian and the bear barbarian chief exchanged a glance. "Then it's settled! We'll send the signal immediately!"
…
"So this is the secret realm the Quicksand Organisation established in ancient times?"
Leylin now found himself standing on an enormous plain. Wisps of thin mist occasionally rose from the grass at his feet.
"Judging from the energy particle spectrum, the concentration here has already recovered to roughly the average level of the outside world — it shouldn't have any impact on spellcasting!"
Leylin glanced at the data collected by the Chip and nodded.
During the battle in the underground dark river, the scarcity of energy particles had actually prevented him and the other warlocks from unleashing their full strength. Here, however, things were different.
Of course, everything cut both ways — at this energy particle concentration, their Crystallisation-rank enemy would also be able to use her full power, rather than being restricted as she had been outside.
Shing! A flash of silver light, and Robin's figure materialised as well.
He took a look around, a satisfied expression crossing his face. "Good! This is the Purple Earthgrass Plain — not far from the wizard structures at the centre!"
"And your destinations? If you're planning to explore other areas, we'll need to part ways here!"
He looked to Leylin and Kasha for their opinions.
"I'm definitely heading to the core Wizard buildings!" Leylin said, looking as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. The Snake Woman's hair could only exist in the very heart of the secret realm — why would he go anywhere else?
"So am I!" Kasha nodded in agreement. All secret realms shared a common pattern — the innermost core always held the richest resources, and there would be Wizard ruins there too, likely containing storerooms and laboratories. It was the most valuable area of all.
"Then it's settled! We'll head to the central ruins together and split up once we arrive!" Robin nodded. "Besides, those ruins are enormous — we might not even run into each other…"
Given that there could still be Wizards from the three major factions roaming inside the secret realm, and that pursuers could catch up at any moment from behind, traveling together naturally offered a higher degree of safety.
Moreover, in order to make the most of their time, Robin immediately announced their departure.
Although their group of warlocks had lost two members, the remaining ten shot fierce, burning light from their eyes as they transformed into ten streaks of black light that tore across the sky.
*Smack!*
A green-skinned barbarian Wizard was thrown to the ground, its eyes dull and lifeless. A terrifyingly large hole gaped on its forehead, through which the brain tissue within could be faintly seen — it had been completely destroyed, resembling nothing more than a mushy pulp.
This green-skinned barbarian Wizard had originally possessed Tier 2 strength, but with its brain tissue obliterated and no backup measures such as clone seeds or similar spells prepared in advance, it was already beyond saving.
Its body twitched and spasmed as its life force flickered out bit by bit.
Standing beside it, Kasha produced a gold-bordered handkerchief and calmly wiped the brain matter from her hands.
"I've already extracted some memory fragments. It was a sage from the Green-Skin Barbarian tribe — it came in to collect potion ingredients and resources. According to its memories, we haven't strayed far from the route. We're almost at the core Sandflow Ruins!"
Kasha said to the circle of warlocks gathered around her.
Hearing her words, a look of joy appeared on the faces of all the warlocks present.
Two full days had already passed since they entered the secret realm.
And within this secret realm, there were not only scattered Wizards from the three major factions, but also an entire pursuit squad composed entirely of Wizards at or above the Liquification stage!