Chapter 863: Half a Month Ago

On the way toward the exit of the secret realm.

The cries of all sorts of beasts overlapped together, some joyful, some curious, some startled.

When a group of wild pet beasts that usually only appeared deep within the secret realm showed themselves, all the lower-level beasts immediately scattered in panic.

After the initial commotion, low-level wild pet beasts couldn’t help but poke their heads cautiously out from shrubs, soil, and leaves to curiously watch the mighty procession passing by.

“I never thought I’d actually get escorted out of a secret realm by wild beasts. Once I’m out, this is something I can brag about for a lifetime.” Yuan Jiewen was in high spirits, riding on his flying-type beast, showing off shamelessly.

He felt that the best decision he had made this year was agreeing to come into the secret realm with the big boss.

If he hadn’t come, he probably would never have experienced this kind of glory in his entire life.

As he spoke, something occurred to him, and he turned to ask:

“Does anyone have an Electric-type beast that can recharge?”

A man with wrinkles at the corners of his eyes replied, “I have a Thunder-Charge Mouse, but it was injured before I stored it in my Beast Codex. Later, I got hurt too, and my mental domain was unstable. It hasn’t been able to recover well in the Codex. If you want it to charge, I can look for a beast that knows healing skills to help treat it.”

His tone carried a touch of flattery.

Although Yuan Jiewen’s strength seemed very ordinary, he was traveling with that mysterious Beast Master who had rescued all of them from the wild beasts.

Just for that alone, his position among the group was elevated.

Among them, he only knew of one Beast Master with a beast that had healing skills, the mysterious young Beast Master up front. But he didn’t dare directly ask her. Still, it wasn’t a big problem.

There were plenty of wild pet beasts in the secret realm. They could just find one with healing skills. Many adventuring teams made do like this when encountering difficulties.

Or better yet, maybe this man could use the opportunity to ask that mysterious Beast Master for healing…

Healing? We already have a Beast Master with a healing skill. Healing Light, no less…

Yuan Jiewen secretly glanced at the slender figure riding atop the red beast in front, then quickly looked away, coughed, and said: “Forget it. Let’s just focus on getting out of here.”

The man caught the hesitation and thought to himself,

so even he isn’t close enough to ask that mysterious Beast Master

. He said no more.

At that moment, Liu Bo spoke up: “Hey, weren’t you the one who teamed up with me last time? Your name was Yuan…”

He frowned, clearly struggling to remember the full name.

“Yuan Jiewen.” Yuan Jiewen’s mouth twitched.

“You only just recognized me?”

“Sorry.” Liu Bo looked embarrassed.

“My mind’s still a bit muddled.”

Yuan Jiewen waved his hand and replied understandingly, “Can’t blame you. We only spent three days together, and then you were captured by wild beasts. Luckily, the big boss took on the mission to rescue you. Otherwise, that place, you’d never have gotten out. No way I or that Qu Yang would’ve found you.”

“You mean… you all came specifically to save me?” Liu Bo’s face was full of surprise.

As soon as he said that, everyone turned to look.

“Of course.”

Yuan Jiewen nodded, then grew excited as he remembered something: “You don’t even know how amazing the boss is. It took us three days to reach that pool, but she got there in less than a day! She immediately figured out why you were captured, and even thought of-”

“Wait.” Liu Bo cut him off.

“Why was I captured by wild beasts?”

Wasn’t it just bad luck?

Yuan Jiewen gave him a pitying look.

“Because you peed under the fruit tree by the pool.”

Liu Bo: ?!!

Just… that?

So all the inhuman torment he had endured during this time was because of that one act?

“You’re sure?” Liu Bo refused to believe it.

He would rather think it was just misfortune, that he’d been randomly targeted by wild pet beasts.

Before Yuan Jiewen could answer, others who had been captured and tormented also shouted: “Damn! So I got taken because I relieved myself in the pool?”

“I was in that pool area too! I didn’t relieve myself, but I bathed there!”

“I didn’t bathe, I only soaked my feet!”

“You all disappeared at that pool?” Someone asked.

“Not me.”

The wrinkled-eyed man thought hard, then said, “I was at a small creek, barely two meters wide. I didn’t do anything there.”

“Think carefully.” Yuan Jiewen said.

The man frowned, then nodded grimly.

“I remember now. I fought some beasts there using my Poison Blossom. Its toxins must’ve splashed into the creek.”

He paused, then added, “I always thought those beasts took me for revenge…”

A heavy silence fell.

Everyone’s hearts sank as they realized, they had fallen into such peril over such trivial actions.

Finally, someone broke the silence: “Every secret realm has untouchable rules. Last time I entered Secret Realm No. 108, you weren’t allowed to laugh. If you laughed, wild pet beasts would swarm you. Ridiculous, but true.”

“But no one ever said you can’t relieve yourself in this realm, or pollute the water.” Liu Bo muttered.

“That’s because not every beast enforces the rule. Maybe only in certain areas. Or maybe the beast who made the rule wasn’t strong enough to enforce it across the realm.” Another man reasoned.

“People vanish in secret realms all the time. As long as it’s not too many, no one investigates. So no one learns the rules until it’s too late.”

“Do you all remember where we woke up?” Asked the middle-aged man who’d been the only one conscious after capture.

“Yes.” Someone nodded.

“That place is called the Source Guardian River.” He explained.

“Many secret realms have one. It’s where all water in the realm originates. Usually, the strongest water-type beast in the realm guards it.”

“The Source Guardian River was polluted from the start. Probably by intruders. That’s why we were captured and forced into ‘water purification.’”

Faces twisted.

Polluted water? How did that concern them?

All they did was relieve themselves, take a bath, or soak their feet!

Still, with wild pet beasts escorting them, no one dared voice their curses aloud.

So that’s why it was so hidden… the Source of the secret realm’s waters.

Qiao Sang, listening silently at the front, didn’t turn back.

With the wild pet beasts’ escort, the group made it smoothly to the secret realm’s exit.

The exit was the same as the entrance.

Venomfang Worms lingered in the shadows, watching, but didn’t move.

The escorting wild beasts all cried out.

“You’ve worked hard.” Qiao Sang slid down from Yabao’s back and thanked them.

But the beasts kept staring.

Something felt off.

Then, Lubao’s voice rang out from above: “Lu Di!”

At once, the wild pet beasts’ eyes welled with tears. They cried again, some flapping wings, some raising claws, some wiping eyes.

Oh… so you’re not saying goodbye to me, but to Lubao…

Qiao Sang felt a little numb. She turned to leave the realm.

Just as her foot was about to step out, she paused, pulled back, and gave a proper farewell:

“Thank you for escorting us out. We’re leaving now.”

The beasts froze, then cried again.

This time, Qiao Sang understood, it was for her.

Finally, they acknowledge me too

… She smiled faintly, then stepped outside.

The others hurried after her.

At that moment, the wild pet beasts stayed behind.

Five seconds later, they finally turned away reluctantly.

But the realm’s barrier rippled.

Figures appeared within.

The beasts all turned to stare.

“Ahhhh!!!”

Bloodcurdling screams split the air.

The beasts: …

---

Outside Secret Realm No. 88.

Finally… they were out.

Everyone looked at the familiar world, eyes brimming with tears.

At last, their hearts settled.

Passersby glanced at them, wrinkled their noses, and quickly walked away.

Qiao Sang ignored it, turning to Liu Bo.

“Come with me to the Beast Center to confirm the mission.”

Liu Bo, now understanding that her main task was to rescue him, nodded immediately.

“Okay!”

But then he scratched his head, embarrassed.

“Can I… go home first? Report that I’m safe, take a bath, then go with you?”

“Of course.” Qiao Sang nodded.

Given how long he’d been missing and how filthy he was, it made sense.

The others came forward, pouring out gratitude, exchanging numbers, promising to support her in future tournaments.

Qiao Sang smiled and responded to each.

They left one after another.

Only Yuan Jiewen and the rich patron stayed.

Qiao Sang turned to them.

Yuan Jiewen quickly grinned.

“Boss, my Healing Light…”

“Lubao.” Qiao Sang called.

“Lu Di.” Lubao hopped out from her pack, the gem on her forehead glowing.

This time, the light was deep blue.

The moment the blue radiance fell on him, Yuan Jiewen felt utterly refreshed, as though his energy channels had suddenly cleared.

He couldn’t help but moan, “Ah~”

Lubao paused.

The glow faded.

Color returned to Yuan Jiewen’s pale face. He felt stronger than ever, like he could dive back into the secret realm immediately.

“Boss, when you compete in the regional tournament, I’ll definitely be there to cheer you on!” Yuan Jiewen said excitedly.

Qiao Sang smiled.

“I’ll be waiting.”

He leaned closer, lowering his voice.

“There’s something I’ve wanted to ask for a while.”

Qiao Sang tilted her head.

“What is it?”

“How old were you when you became a B-rank Beast Master?”

Qiao Sang froze.

“I’m not a B-rank yet.”

He also froze, then nodded in understanding.

“I get it.”

Clearly, he thought she was concealing her true strength before the tournament.

Wait, get what??

Qiao Sang was speechless.

“Boss, I’ll get going now.” Yuan Jiewen retreated with a wave.

“Shellblade!” The Shellblade Behemoth waved its claw too.

Mikayla finally spoke: “Then I’ll…”

Qiao Sang cut her off.

“S-rank Ghost Tear.”

Mikayla: …

“I’ll send it to you. Something that precious, I don’t carry it with me.”

Qiao Sang paused two seconds.

“Alright. But can you send it within a day? I’ll probably leave tomorrow.”

Mikayla blinked.

“You trust me that much?”

Qiao Sang smiled.

“I don’t think you’re ordinary. You wouldn’t go back on your word.”

Mikayla studied her, then nodded.

“Alright. Give me your address. I’ll have it delivered tonight.”

Qiao Sang reported her Beast Center room number.

---

Ten minutes later.

On the way back, she noticed everyone giving her strange looks, with a hint of disgust.

Did staying by the Source Guardian River soak the smell into me?

She raised her hand to sniff, but quickly put it down.

She didn’t dare.

Half an hour later, at the Beast Center lodging area.

She scanned her Beast Master badge.

The sensor beeped twice and glowed red.

Failed.

What?

Qiao Sang frowned. She checked the number, Room 907.

“Xun~”

Little Treasure floated forward, offering to slip inside and unlock it.

Qiao Sang almost agreed.

But just then, the door opened. A woman with a face mask peeked out.

“Who are you?”

Qiao Sang blinked, then said, “This is my room. Why are you inside?”

The woman gave her a look like she was crazy, then slammed the door shut.

Qiao Sang frowned and knocked on Mikayla’s next door.

No answer.

Her phone was dead. With no way to contact anyone, she went down to the front desk.

People covered their noses as she passed.

“Excuse me. I was staying in Room 907. Why is someone else there now?” She handed her ID and badge.

The clerk smiled politely.

“Let me check.”

Moments later, she looked up.

“You checked in half a month ago. Your stay was only five days.”

Half a month ago

… Qiao Sang froze.