Qiao Sang let out a soft "Hmm," her gaze scanning the flyer in the manâs hand.
The middle-aged man enthusiastically handed over the flyer in his hand: "In this Secret Realm, we have our team. If you encounter any issues while in the realm, you can contact us."
"Whether itâs driving away wild Pet Beasts, replenishing supplies, or treating injuries, we can handle it. If we fail to resolve an issue, we guarantee no charge."
A business like this in the Secret Realm? What a lucrative idea... Qiao Sang reached out to take the flyer, glanced down at it, and then froze.
One bottle of C-rank Energy Restoration Agent, 300,000 Alliance Currency; one treatment session, 500,000 Alliance Currency; driving away up to ten intermediate-level Pet Beasts, 200,000 Alliance Currency, extra for more.
This... this is daylight robbery!
Qiao Sang swiftly returned the flyer: "Iâm not interested."
With that, she turned around and left with Yaobao in tow.
The middle-aged man sighed. Sure enough, making money off the wealthy wasnât so easy.
Qiao Sang arrived at the edge of the Secret Realmâs entrance.
A massive elliptical passageway nearly dozens of meters tall loomed before her, its transparent ripples undulating in layers, completely obscuring the world on the other side.
Mysterious and terrifying.
This was the entrance to the Secret Realm... Qiao Sang took out her phone, snapped a photo to document it, and prepared to contact Yuan Jiewen to ask if heâd arrived.
Just then, a slightly hoarse voice sounded from the side: "Excuse me, are you planning to enter the Secret Realm?"
Qiao Sang turned her head and followed the voice.
The speaker was a woman, her cheeks slightly sunken, with sharp, small eyes and pronounced brow bones, appearing to be in her forties.
Something clicked in Qiao Sangâs mind as she glanced at the womanâs hands, thinking, sheâs not passing out flyers...
Qiao Sang gave a curt "Hmm" and asked, "What is it?"
The womanâs face lit up with delight as she asked, "Would you consider teaming up with me to enter the Secret Realm?"
Without hesitation, Qiao Sang shook her head: "No, I have my own matters to attend to."
"I wonât interfere with your tasks," the woman said. "I only need to collect some materials for potion-making. Iâll follow wherever you go."
With that, she let out a long sigh.
"I had already arranged to team up with someone, but they suddenly flaked on me."
"No." Qiao Sangâs refusal was cold and firm. "I really have my own tasks to complete, and I wonât be able to protect you."
"How could you not protect me? Your Pet Beast looks so strong." The woman glanced at Yaobao as she spoke.
"Yaya!"
Yaobao froze for a moment, then puffed out its chest and let out a cry, clearly pleased with the womanâs praise.
No matter how much you flatter me, Iâm not taking you in... Qiao Sangâs expression remained unchanged.
She hadnât forgotten her mission inside the realm. Adding one more person to protect meant an additional layer of danger, and she wasnât about to make such a foolish decision.
As these thoughts flickered in her mind, the woman spoke up again:
"I can pay you for your help."
Iâm no longer the person I once was. Although Iâve lost the Unlimited Card, my bank account still holds a ten-digit balance, the Little Treasure Hunter ring is stocked with supplies, and I have those investments. Right now, completing the assessment mission is my top priority... Qiao Sangâs mind wavered briefly but quickly regained composure. She refused for the third time:
"Look for someone else. I truly have tasks to complete."
With that, she picked up her phone, preparing to resume contacting Yuan Jiewen.
The woman was silent for a moment before lowering her voice to say, "Itâs an S-rank Phantom Tear."
"!!!"
Qiao Sang instantly froze, stopping what she was doing and staring wide-eyed at the woman.
Phantom Tear, one of the evolution materials for the next stage of Little Treasure Hunter.
Just for helping with a team-up into a C-rank Secret Realm, sheâd offer an S-rank Phantom Tear as payment?!
"Is this for real?" Qiao Sangâs expression shifted multiple times before she finally couldnât help but confirm.
"Itâs real." The woman nodded, "Itâs something I came across by chance. But since I donât have a Spectral Series Pet Beast under contract, Iâve never been able to use it."
Qiao Sang, still with a conscience, hesitated for a moment and said:
"Just for teaming up in a C-rank Secret Realmâdoesnât offering an S-rank item as payment seem excessive?"
"Not at all. The Phantom Tear is useless to me. Iâm simply exchanging something I donât need for something I do." The woman smiled.
Qiao Sang fell silent for a few seconds and then said seriously, "Iâll make sure youâre safe, but you have to listen to me and refrain from wandering around aimlessly."
"Alright." The woman showed a grateful expression, "Thank you so much."
Who wouldâve thought that Yaobaoâs appearance would bring her such a lucrative opportunity... Qiao Sang picked up her phone and saw a message from Yuan Jiewen:
[Iâve arrived. Where are you?]
Qiao Sang looked up and scanned her surroundings.
Among the materials the proctor provided, along with information about the three teammates, were their photos.
Soon, her gaze landed on a pale, seemingly frail young man.
"Yuan Jiewen," Qiao Sang called out as she approached.
Hearing someone call his name, Yuan Jiewen followed the voice and saw that it was the girl who had just drawn everyoneâs attention. Hesitating, he said, "You are...?"
"The one who invited you to team up," Qiao Sang replied.
Yuan Jiewen: "!!!"
"This is our new teammate for the mission." Qiao Sang glanced at the woman and introduced her.
The woman gave a soft smile: "My name is Lin Shi."
Yuan Jiewen looked dazed, unable to reconcile the legendary powerhouse with the clearly young girl before him.
Qiao Sang checked the time on her phone and said:
"Time is running out. Now that our teamâs complete, letâs head into the Secret Realm."