Guan Xiangping wanted to speak but hesitated, stamring for a long ti before finally forcing out a sentence:
"This guy… is a real freak!"
Even for a Morning Star Beast Tar like him, who had lived for decades, what he saw was mind-boggling.
It was just too exaggerated.
While others were timidly fishing, Lu Yu was actually able to force his way into the river to net fish, and even electro-fish.
Those originally ferocious Crimson Flood Dragon Snakes didn't even make a sound, turning a blind eye.
His words were like a stone tossed into a pond, instantly shattering the calm and allowing the others to co to their senses.
"Just how did he do that? Were the Crimson Flood Dragon Snakes captivated by his charm?"
"One of them was almost electrocuted to a crisp, and it still didn't make a move. How is that being captivated? That's basically hypnotism."
"I feel like I've gone stupid.
All I saw was fishing, but in the process, soone else has already figured out all the rules of the Mystic Realm's first layer."
"I used to think, how big could the gap between people be? Now I realize it's truly greater than the gap between a human and a dog…"
"Please don't insult dogs, thank you."
"Over three thousand six hundred points, and second place doesn't even have a fraction of that.
This isn't just a landslide, it's a complete stomp."
"Are we conquering the sa Mystic Realm? How co it feels like everyone else is playing on Nightmare Mode, and only Lu Yu is on Easy Mode."
"Family, who gets it? I basically watched the screen on my knees for the latter half of today."
"…"
Besides a few Morning Star Beast Tars, there were also many Battle Corps Soldiers and so staff from the Alliance.
They had thought Lu Yu was about to be eliminated due to bad luck, but then he slapped them in the face, telling everyone that he wasn't satisfied with just fishing; he wanted to speedrun the whole trial.
He was completely treating the Mystic Realm like a Ga to be conquered.
A true top-tier player of the real-world online ga.
With such intelligence, even if he had nothing now, he would absolutely beco a top-tier expert in the future.
Not to ntion, Lu Yu currently had two pet beasts: one with the Space Attribute, and one an absolutely violent Ant-type Pet Beast that had gone viral online.
For his third pet beast, even if he just leashed a random dog, the combination could easily sweep through the entire Commander Rank, not to ntion that with Lu Yu's current strength, it's impossible he'd make a blind choice.
With his current montum, clearing the Mystic Realm would basically be easy. If he could obtain a Sub-dragon as his third pet beast, his comprehensive strength would be in the upper echelons of the entire Alliance.
At that point, perhaps only the geniuses from top-tier Families with complete Spiritual Puzzles could contend with him.
"What a prodigy!"
The Old Veterans from the Battle Corps stared at Lu Yu on the screen, their eyes nearly turning red.
In just a few hours, he had analyzed the complete rules of a Mystic Realm and then exploited them.
That kind of confidence and intellect was perfectly suited for the Borderlands.
You have to understand, among the Demonic Beasts beyond the Borderlands, there are plenty of terrifying Rule-based existences. A first encounter would likely result in a casualty rate of over eighty percent.
Because you could only rely on piling up bodies, using lives to understand the rules.
But if there was a Commander with extraordinary intelligence who could figure out the Rules, it could greatly reduce the Battle Corps' casualty rate.
Moreover, if this awareness was used on the battlefield, he could also direct the Battle Corps to easily tear through the demonic beasts' front lines and annihilate Monster Lairs, thus reaping massive rewards.
This person, they had to snatch him for their own Battle Corps.
Thinking of this, these Old Veterans, who had been joking around just a mont ago, looked around warily, their friendship completely shattered.
Now, they were all enemies!
Ma Yan, from the teorfall City Alliance, listened to these discussions, let out a long breath, and in the end, didn't know what to say.
It turned into a single phrase: "The young are to be held in awe."
"This young man's observation skills far exceed our imagination.
The reason he wasn't fishing just now wasn't because he lacked strength or luck, but because he was observing the operational laws of the entire first layer of the Mystic Realm. A capable person never blas the environnt.
On the contrary, it's us old folks who misjudged…"
Zhang Li smiled wryly and shook her head, admitting that her previous evaluation was sowhat ridiculous. She looked at the calm Luo Zisong and couldn't help but praise, "Old Luo is still the most composed."
Ma Yan also nodded in agreent.
As expected of Principal Luo Zisong, he understood the most. He hadn't said a word from the beginning, probably just watching the show, waiting for this mont to rub it in their faces.
Guan Xiangping's face was as red as a monkey's butt as he muttered, "You old fox, your sches are getting deeper and deeper. You were actually laughing at us."
"No, actually, I just found out too."
Luo Zisong squeezed out a stiff smile, but no one believed his words anymore.
However, he really wasn't lying. He had been dumbfounded for a while now.
The only reason he hadn't spoken was because he had talked too much trash earlier and was afraid of being embarrassed if things went south, so he didn't dare say more.
But he never imagined that Lu Yu would directly employ the strategy of taking the firewood from under the cauldron, digging up the very roots of the Mystic Realm's first layer.
Fishing to test the Trial-takers?
He directly netted your entire lake empty. From now on, whether you can fish or not depends on his mood.
From now on, Lu Yu's rules were the only rules!
Over three thousand points, you are my God!
Luo Zisong marveled in his heart. The Master of the Ruins probably never expected such a score, and it would be almost impossible for anyone in the future to achieve it.
Because there were only a few Dragon-faced Carp left, and the Mystic Realm would likely have its first three layers cleared today, and the fourth layer within the next month, leading to a full clear.
Thinking of this, Luo Zisong felt refreshed, and the sky seed especially bright.
As expected, when it ca to Lu Yu, all you had to do was believe blindly.
If it weren't for the fact that the Mystic Realm hadn't been cleared yet and information couldn't be uploaded, Lu Yu, who had just dropped off the trending list, would probably be shot right back up again.
Up and down, he'd beco a regular on the trending charts.
Inside the Mystic Realm, a crowd of people looked at the score of over three thousand and were completely dumbfounded.
While they were still struggling for ten Dragon-faced Carp, soone else had already caught over three thousand, driving the entire population of Dragon-faced Carp in the lake to the brink of extinction.
Coupled with the earlier Electro-fishing, the Dragon-faced Carp no longer dared to approach this area.
If this continued, everyone would probably be eliminated.
Qi Wei and a few Senior Students were just a few fish away from finishing.
Seeing this, they couldn't help but smile wryly, but they didn't bla Lu Yu.
After all, they had gotten their spots because of him.
He had relied on his own strength to figure out the rules and electro-fish. The struggle within a Mystic Realm was always about the weak being prey to the strong; there was no reason for anyone to be courteous.
Just as they were about to give up, a dozen or so stunned Dragon-faced Carp were suddenly thrown in front of them, and Lu Yu's voice followed:
"Throw them to the Fishing Platforms to be consud. This way, if our School has seven people advancing, it'll give us so face. However, I don't know what the second trial is, but the danger will definitely increase exponentially. If you can't handle it, everyone, don't force yourselves."
A dozen fish weren't of much use anyway, they wouldn't add many points.
It was better to bring a few more classmates into the second round. Maybe he could get the God of Wealth Principal to throw in so more cash.
It didn't matter if he got nothing. It was just a casual gesture to help out his classmates.
He did it because he wanted to, as a way to repay the School for the help it provided during his period of madness.
A person who is good at sharing is always more popular than soone who hogs everything, provided, of course, that you don't beco a sucker.
"Thank you!"
The other Senior Students' emotions were on a rollercoaster, rising and falling. They thought they were about to be eliminated, but they never expected Lu Yu to be so generous and help them make up the difference.
They thanked him repeatedly, saying that if he needed anything after they got out, he could just find them directly.
Those who could enter the Mystic Realm all ca from decent families involved in various industries.
Even if they weren't magnates, their businesses were of a considerable scale. They might be useful soday.
The others were green with envy. They got to be carried by a pro even in a Mystic Realm, but since they weren't from the sa school, they didn't have the face to ask.
Qi Yun sighed at this scene and directly distributed his nine extra fish to his companions.
If the gap with first place was small, he could still fight for it, but with a difference of over three thousand, it was completely hopeless.
He might as well bring more teammates to conquer the next layer of the Mystic Realm together.
"Damn, I hate that we're not from Great Abyss City High School!"
Ying Ping was so envious he was grinding his molars to dust.
Fu Feng, who was next to him, suddenly said, "It's not like there's no chance?"
Ying Ping was a bit confused, "What are you talking about? Even with Impure World Reincarnation, it's too late to change schools!"
"You still haven't understood his aning…"
Fu Feng shook his head, then walked over under the puzzled gazes of the crowd and asked Lu Yu:
"Can I buy a few Dragon-faced Carp?"
"Of course you can!"
Lu Yu smiled slightly. He had intentionally left over a hundred Dragon-faced Carp in his net, just waiting for a smart person to co and ask, so he could earn so extra cash.
After all, there wasn't much difference between 3,600 and 3,700. It was better to exchange them for money.
Besides, the Dragon Mystic Realm had four layers. Even if a few more people entered the second layer, it wouldn't affect things.
They could even help scout the way and avoid so unknown dangers.
So Lu Yu readily agreed, and he didn't ask for an exorbitant price, selling them at ten thousand per fish.
Fu Feng and Ying Ping were each short four fish, so they paid forty thousand to buy them.
When Fu Feng was paying, he almost burst into tears.
That Diviner was too accurate. Ever since he got involved with Chiyue ng's man, Lu Yu, he had been constantly losing money and was about to beco a Penniless Pauper.
Hey, where did the Diviner go?
While Fu Feng was looking for the Diviner, the others also found out that they could buy their way through, and the price wasn't too steep. They all started rushing to buy.
Even Qi Yun ca to buy fifteen on behalf of his team.
As he was paying, he gave Lu Yu a deep look, as if trying to find traces on his face that he wasn't human.
It almost made Lu Yu think his charm was about to work on both n and won, and he subconsciously pulled away.
Soon, most people had bought their spots.
Those without cash also wrote down his account number to transfer the money later. A portion of the remaining people didn't buy, feeling they weren't strong enough and decisively gave up.
Excluding the fifteen given to Great Abyss City High School, the remaining Dragon-faced Carp earned Lu Yu a full nine hundred and seventy thousand.
Almost a million.
Even among Gold Rank Mission rewards, this was on the higher end.
And Lu Yu had earned it all with just the two slow-motion acts of Electro-fishing and Netting Fish.
He was harvesting the suckers and had also gained a good reputation.
Such a performance made the four Morning Star Beast Tars watching from the outside nod in approval.
As expected of soone with an upstanding and of a good background; his character was impeccable, and his earning ability was strong.
Luo Zisong was even more pleasantly surprised.
He hadn't expected Lu Yu to get all seven people from the School to advance, earning a great deal of face.
He didn't even know how to thank him…
You know what… if Lu Yu can reach the Third Layer, I'll give him that Morning Star Material I won!
"But over three thousand points and Lu Yu still didn't directly receive the Inheritance.
Is this Ancient Beast Tar really that strict with his requirents?"
Finally, the five hours were up. Those who didn't et the standard were directly teleported out.
As for the twenty-one qualified contestants, aside from Lu Yu, the Inscriptions beneath their Fishing Platforms began to shine, rging with the red mist to form Gateways, just big enough for a person to pass through.
As for Lu Yu's…
It was a Heavenly Gate!
It reached from the ground to the sky.
Looking at it head-on, it obscured the entire lake. And this was only the limit of the Mystic Realm, not Lu Yu's limit.
The corners of everyone's mouths twitched. They could only comfort themselves in their hearts that it was just a door.
They were all for walking through, so the size didn't matter.
Small is cute too!
So they walked through the gates one by one, not wanting to watch Lu Yu show off anymore.
After entering the gate, they arrived at the second layer of the Mystic Realm. What greeted them was a wilderness, desolate and dead-still, without even a single weed, only rows of deathly still Withered Trees.
Behind them was a gray Gate of Light, which was obviously the portal to the next layer.
Compared to the first layer's threat of Crimson Flood Dragon Snakes, this layer seed much safer.
They just didn't know what the Trial was.
Crack! Crack!
Suddenly, the gateways behind them began to compress, turning into crimson little birds covered in dragon scales, which flapped their wings and flew in front of them.
"What is this!?"
Just as everyone was shocked, confused, and so were even preparing to attack, Qi Yun spoke up:
"This is a Blood-Mist Guide Bird condensed by the Mystic Realm. It can lead you to the Gateway to the next layer."
"Guide?"
Everyone looked at each other.
Unless one was blind or hopelessly bad with directions, they could definitely see that the next layer of the Mystic Realm was right across from them, right?
But they weren't stupid either. They guessed there might be so kind of unknown, mysterious trap inside.
Qi Yun didn't explain further. He just picked up a stone and threw it with force.
After a few tumbles, it landed near a Withered Tree.
Just as they were wondering what he was doing, suddenly…
Crack!
These Withered Trees suddenly split open, turning into abyssal giant mouths filled with sharp teeth.
In an instant, they crushed the pebbles into dust. Even the stones still in the air couldn't escape their pursuit.
This scene sent a chill down everyone's spine. These Withered Trees… were actually the disguised form of so kind of demonic beast!
"This is a special demonic beast called the Bloodthirsty Dragon Tree.
There are scattered records of them in so ancient Docunts. They were lifeforms that used to live on this land, but it's unknown why they went extinct.
"Although they're not quite Sub-dragons, they are Dragon Blood Lifeforms with a bloodline concentration close to one-tenth. Each one has the strength of a High-stage Commander.
Supplied with spirituality by the ruins, their already long lifespans allow them to pass through long ages in a state of pseudo-hibernation. But correspondingly, their craving for flesh and blood will also reach a frantic degree…"
Qi Yun recited the intelligence brought back by previous explorers, his expression serious as he warned, "This ti, the test is survival ability.
By following the guidance of the Guide Bird, walk the safe path through this forest of Withered Trees. Of course, if you like this kind of Plant Attribute Dragon Beast, you can also try to subdue one on the spot…"
Qi Yun rarely told a joke to liven up the atmosphere, but the air clearly grew colder.
Everyone looked at the densely packed forest of hundreds, if not more, Withered Trees, and their scalps tingled.
"What happens if we take a wrong step?" soone asked.
An answer simultaneously surfaced in everyone else's minds:
Attend a banquet!
"Good question!" Qi Yun nodded and then said, "In this trial, the Guide Bird is not absolutely correct either. It can only provide a general direction.
The more Dragon-faced Carp you caught, the higher its accuracy. So, comrades who caught fewer fish will need to use their own judgnt.
Once you take a wrong step, then of course…"
"You won't die imdiately!"
Qi Yun's dramatic pause almost made a bunch of people pass out, but in order to get more information, they gritted their teeth and endured.
Qi Yun nodded and continued, "According to the intelligence I've received, ten Dragon-faced Carp can condense a shield that blocks one fatal attack.
You can also choose to be directly teleported out of the Mystic Realm."
Qi Wei interjected coolly, "So it's like a Revival Coin in a ga."
"So that's how it is…"
Simple and clear, it made everyone understand the aning.
Their expressions were strange. Qi Yun had taken so long to explain such a simple thing.
Are all Researchers… this long-winded?
"That's basically the gist of it…" Qi Yun wasn't the least bit embarrassed and continued, "So, I suggest that those who lack strength stop here, or find a way to subdue a Bloodthirsty Dragon Tree…"
Although his words were blunt, few of the people who had made it this far had a Glass Heart. The thought of retreating sprouted in most of their minds.
It wasn't cowardice, but a result of weighing the pros and cons.
One Revival Coin definitely wasn't enough to cross such a long forest of Withered Trees.
If they were seriously injured or even lost a pet beast in the process, it wouldn't be worth it.
It was already lucky enough to have reached the second layer.
As for subduing a Bloodthirsty Dragon Tree… a High-stage Commander creature, they weren't tired of living yet.
"Looks like we have to stop here!"
"But seeing this kind of plant-type Dragon Beast has been an eye-opener."
"There are creatures close to Sub-dragons on the second layer.
I wonder what the core inheritance is. I'm so curious!"
"What a pity.
The Dragon Mystic Realm really isn't sothing ordinary people can explore…"
"…"
Many people were discussing amongst themselves, already preparing to retreat, but Qi Yun spoke again:
"But it's not like there's no way!"
"…"
Damn it!
Can't you just finish what you're saying all at once? Always with the dramatic pauses, up and down, up and down, you're going to give us a heart attack.
Qi Yun ignored the dangerous glares from the crowd that wanted to beat him up and continued, "Those who have made it to the second layer have at least one… one Revival Coin.
If we unite, with each person consuming one, that's equivalent to twenty-one chances to negate an attack. As long as we coordinate steadily, it's more than enough to get through the second layer."
When the others heard this, they also felt this plan was feasible, but they still had one doubt:
"Are you saying you'll take the lead?"
"Is there anyone else besides ?" Qi Yun said calmly, and two Summoning Arrays appeared behind him.
A giant snail carrying a steel house on its back and a small, solidified whirlwind appeared.
"This is the evolved form of the House Snail, the Iron House Snail.
Its space is much larger than the House Snail. We just need to squeeze in a bit, with a few people standing on the roof, and it can accommodate twenty-one people.
As for the slow speed, my Wind Sprite can use the [Favorable Wind] skill to accelerate it, which is much faster than walking."
Qi Yun spoke with confidence.
Although his plan to farm more Dragon-faced Carp had failed, Lu Yu's act of selling the fish and helping more than twenty people pass the first trial had shown him another hope.
As long as they concentrated everyone's strength, they could easily pass this layer as well.
He wasn't afraid that others would refuse, because they had no choice.
The others were tempted when they heard this.
After all, this was the best option at the mont. And with Qi Yun's status as an Alliance Researcher and his strength, he was a convincing leader.
They weren't worried he would sell them out halfway.
However, a troublemaker still raised an objection:
"Then why not ask Lu Yu? He has what amounts to over three hundred Revival Coins.
Even if this group of Dragon Trees attacked until they died, they wouldn't be able to break through. Wouldn't it be better to just pay him to take us through?"
Qi Yun's face remained calm, and he didn't refute.
He felt that Lu Yu wouldn't want to create more rivals for himself, but those who had experienced Lu Yu selling fish didn't think so.
"Yeah, this thod might be more expensive, but it's safer…"
"My family has money. I don't mind paying to see the third layer."
"His bird should be much bigger than mine, right!" a crew-cut boy couldn't help but mutter.
Suddenly, the scene went quiet, and everyone around stared at him with strange expressions. A few girls blushed and couldn't help but spit.
The crew-cut boy's face turned as red as a monkey's butt, and he quickly explained, "What are you guys thinking! I was talking about the Guide Bird!"
"That's what we were thinking too!"
Everyone answered in unison, then looked towards Lu Yu, who was standing in the corner. But to their surprise, Lu Yu didn't have the giant Guide Bird they imagined.
He didn't even have a normal one.
So… where did Lu Yu's Guide Bird go?
A group of people was stumped.
When Qi Yun saw this, his pupils shrank abruptly, and he hurriedly asked:
"What's going on?"
Lu Yu was also puzzled, shrugging helplessly, "I don't know either. The Gateway closed directly just now, it didn't condense a Guide Bird for at all…"
"How could this be…" Qi Yun, who had everything under control just a mont ago, felt his mind go blank.
He couldn't figure out what had happened at all.
Could it be because Lu Yu caught too many fish on the first layer and glitched the trial?
Qi Yun couldn't figure it out, but he still extended an invitation:
"In that case, would you like to join us?"
The third layer was unexplored territory, and the level of danger was unknown, so they needed a strong companion even more.
And Lu Yu fit the bill perfectly, both in intelligence and strength.
"Forget it.
Your Iron House Snail is already straining to fit 21 people. Since I don't have a Revival Coin, I won't take up your spot.
Besides, it's not certain that my Guide Bird is gone; maybe the trial is just delayed."
Lu Yu shook his head, declining the invitation.
Although not having a Guide Bird was a bit of a pain, Lu Yu wasn't panicking. At worst, I'll just use Little Mouse's disguise, like a Husky sneaking into a pack of wolves.
I'll sneak my way through, and the Safety Factor will be even higher.
And… he could faintly hear a calling sound, as if his Guide Bird wasn't gone, but was looking for him.
Which ans…
The bird that was supposed to be my guide got lost itself?
What kind of Dark Humor Joke is this!
"Alright!"
Qi Yun didn't dwell on it. After all, if Lu Yu could figure out the rules of the first layer, he might be able to figure out the rules of the second as well.
When the others saw this, they all gave up on the idea of latching onto a pro. They didn't have Lu Yu's confidence to just wait around.
It was better to stick together for warmth.
So, twenty people all squeezed into the Iron House Snail.
A few of them who had extra acceleration-type or support-type pet beasts stood on the roof, ready to follow Qi Yun's commands.
"Move out!"
Qi Yun gave the order.
The Iron House Snail, buffed by the Wind Sprite and nurous other pet beasts, set off with great montum. Its speed was extrely fast.
Under the guidance of the Guide Bird, it quickly approached the forest of Withered Trees.
At first, it was smooth sailing.
But as the Guide Bird went deeper, the red light on its body grew weaker, and its navigation beca blurry. After progressing about one-tenth of the way, they encountered their first incident.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
A navigation error led them directly into the perception circle of the Bloodthirsty Dragon Trees. Their rootlets whipped out like iron lashes, causing everyone to hold their breath.
Faced with a life-and-death crisis, they couldn't help but panic.
But Qi Yun calmly commanded, "Wang Han, use your Revival Coin!"
During their earlier conversation, he had already morized everyone's nas.
As his voice fell, a red light shot out from inside the Iron House Snail's house, blocking the Bloodthirsty Dragon Tree's attack. The latter did not continue to attack.
This allowed everyone to breathe a sigh of relief, and they gained a bit more respect for Qi Yun. The rest of the path was not easy, but they passed through in an orderly manner.
Moreover, in the initial stages, he first used up the Revival Coins of those with hesitant and timid personalities to prevent his commands from being ineffective in the more severe mid-to-late stages.
In the process that followed, although there were many accidents, under Qi Yun's calm command, they soon crossed one-third of the Withered Tree forest.
The others were completely convinced, and the team had begun to form.
"This guy has a good grasp of people's hearts!"
Lu Yu couldn't help but marvel as he watched the rampaging Iron House Snail.
He still hadn't set out yet, not because he wasn't in a hurry, but because the calling sound was getting closer and closer.
But he still couldn't see his bird.
Where on earth is it?
"Almost there!"
On the other side, Qi Yun had crossed nine-tenths of the way after consuming eighteen Revival Coins. Victory was within reach.
However, he didn't relax his guard. Instead, he proceeded with even more caution.
Sure enough, they were attacked by nine Bloodthirsty Dragon Trees at the very end. After paying the price of two Revival Coins, they successfully passed through and arrived before the next Mystic Realm Gate.
And he himself hadn't even used his own Revival Coin!
"We did it!"
A group of people cheered. They never expected to pass the second layer unscathed by relying on teamwork.
They were especially proud of having contributed.
And Qi Yun's demonstrated ability amazed them even more.
So people subconsciously looked back and saw that Lu Yu was still standing in the sa spot. They wondered if he couldn't pass, or if he was preparing to repeat his grand feat from the first trial.
But the second layer was clearly much stricter than the first. It felt very difficult to find the rules.
Even a Legendary Investigator can't succeed every ti, right?
Many people were secretly glad that Lu Yu hadn't co with them. If this strong enemy was eliminated on this layer, it would be a good thing.
"Still not setting out?"
Qi Yun also turned his head and looked towards Lu Yu in the distance. He noticed the latter had a strange expression and was slowly raising his head.
"What's he looking at the sky for?"
Qi Yun was puzzled and also looked up at the sky. However, the scene that greeted him made his pupils shrink abruptly.
His mouth fell open, but it was as if an invisible giant hand was choking him, preventing him from making a single sound.
Many others followed his example and glanced up, collectively entering a dazed state.
The crew-cut youth from before curiously poked his head out for a look and was completely dumbfounded. In a trembling voice, he said:
"Lu… Lu Yu's bird… is way too big!"
A 7,000-word chapter, had a bit of writer's block.
Next chapter depends on the situation, won't drag it out, the Mystic Realm plot is about to reach its climax. Thanks to Shoulie Zhuangshu, and 20190818072224752 for the 100 Qidian Coin tips, and thanks to Shen Dingdu for the 500 Qidian Coin tip.
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