The Hidden Secret Realm

"Reno! Did you really max out your taunt buff, you bastard!" Roland leaped and dodged through the forest, avoiding the earth spikes that kept erupting from the ground beneath his feet.

"It's a false accusation! My Prince! Who knew there'd be a Great Earth Bear in that cave!" Reno followed behind Roland with a pained expression.

"Roar!" An enraged roar echoed from behind them, and Roland and Reno couldn't help but speed up.

"Even an idiot would know elves don't live in caves!" Roland covered his face.

"Speaking of which, aren't we more likely to attract the attention of Orcs like this than if we were riding horses!" Roland glanced back at the enraged Great Earth Bear.

As a top-tier Advanced Beast, the Great Earth Bear possessed a body like a small hill and powerful Earth Magic abilities. Its massive size meant it had defense comparable to a Wyvern, and its potent Earth Magic could easily destroy armies. Reno, the idiot, had directly burrowed into its lair and successfully attracted the attention of this hibernating male bear.

"This is the first time I've felt this forest is so dangerous!" Roland said irritably, turning and shooting out a sword beam formed from Battle Qi.

"Roar!" With a few bear hairs drifting down, the Great Earth Bear became even more enraged.

"Damn it! Your Highness, why did you attack it?" Reno leaped to avoid an earth spike that emerged from beneath his feet, looking at Roland in terror.

"Grass!" Roland was instantly stunned by the thick bear hide.

"If we kill it and skin it to make leather armor, wouldn't the defense be incredibly nice? And those thick bear paws, coated with honey and roasted..." Roland felt tears he couldn't control were about to stream from his mouth.

"Damn it! Your Highness, we're about to die, and you're still thinking about bear paws?" Reno was completely stunned by Roland's outlandish remarks. Clearly, the people of Lagrange wouldn't understand the obsession of the people of the Great Food Empire. After all, in his past life, Roland could only look at pictures of bear paws; bears were considered among the animals that would never see freedom.

"Uh... How long have we been chased? Aren't you tired, old man?" Roland panted, glancing back at the relentlessly pursuing Great Earth Bear.

"If only Caslo were here!" Roland greatly missed his most loyal subordinate, who was obedient, not talkative, and had good looks and strength. Most importantly, he didn't cause trouble!

"Ridiculous... In this dense forest environment, even Caslo riding a dragon would be easily beaten!" Reno sighed.

"Speaking of which, can we really not shake off this persistent nuisance?" Roland asked helplessly.

"Unless there's a river..." Reno sighed.

"You might as well not have said anything!" Roland complained verbally, but his speed on foot didn't slow down at all.

And so, at this moment, the world lost two Paladins and gained two Holy Rangers... Their agile figures, nimble movements, and excellent awareness allowed true Rangers to give a standing ovation with just their feet.

"Huh? It seems to have slowed down!" Reno watched as the Great Earth Bear's speed gradually decreased, changing from a run to a brisk walk. Finally, after crossing a large tree, it suddenly stopped. It raised its head, tilted its neck, and sniffed around, as if extremely wary of something in the area. It stood there for a moment before immediately turning and leaving.

"It's gone?" Roland asked, somewhat surprised.

"It seems we're in even more trouble..." Reno sighed.

"If it's gone, what trouble can we be in?" Roland asked, confused.

"Cough, cough, under normal circumstances, there are only two reasons a predator gives up on its prey: first, it can no longer move. Clearly, the Great Earth Bear still had plenty of stamina. Second, its prey has entered the territory of a higher-level predator..." Reno swallowed and didn't continue.

"Just stop your incessant chatter..." Roland was completely fed up with Reno's mouth.

"Be careful! We're not far from our destination!" Roland urged, hoping they wouldn't cause any more trouble. His heart could barely take it. Not everyone had Reno's monstrous physique. As a Paladin himself, Roland admitted he was getting a bit weak, especially after playing a marathon with an Advanced Beast.

"Don't worry, Your Highness! You must be careful not to get injured!" Reno nodded.

"You're the one I'm most worried about!" Roland covered his face.

"The swaying Heavenly Star Grass, the reviving Morning Star Flower. The shining hexagram, the low hum of the guardian..." Roland softly chanted.

"Your Highness?" Reno asked, confused.

"It seems we need to find the Heavenly Star Grass first..." Roland ignored Reno and began searching for Heavenly Star Grass all around.

"Heavenly Star Grass? Isn't that a plant that grows in the summer? How can there be any in winter?" Reno asked, puzzled.

"This is the secret password to get to Singri. Singri is isolated and surrounded by a barrier, hidden away. We need to find the way there," Roland looked at Reno.

"And the Heavenly Star Grass will point us in the right direction!" Roland looked into the deep forest.

"Uh... okay, Your Highness." Reno scratched his head. Although he didn't understand why Heavenly Star Grass would grow in winter, since Roland said so, he had to follow along and look.

"Let's not rush now. Heavenly Star Grass can only be seen at night!" Roland said softly.

In the afterglow of the sunset, Reno and Roland hastily filled their stomachs with dry, hard black bread and water. Then, they climbed a thick tree and lay down on a wide branch in the dense canopy, preparing for a short rest.

The sun set, the moon climbed above the treetops, and the starlight illuminated the Mirkwood, making it exceptionally tranquil.

"Let's go, Your Highness, it's night." Reno opened his eyes and gently nudged Roland.

"Hmm? Is it dark?" Roland rubbed his eyes.

"Time to get to work!" Roland stretched and jumped down from the tree.

After a long while, just as Roland thought there were no Star Elves in this world and was about to give up, Reno quietly pointed to a tree not far to his right.

There, near the dark tree roots, a few frail Heavenly Star Grass plants swayed their bodies towards the direction where the starlight shone. The starlight seemed to be attracted to them, pouring down gently like a silken curtain.

"They really exist!" Roland was stunned. The existence of Heavenly Star Grass growing out of season meant that the Morning Star Flower, which only grew in autumn, should also be findable.

Roland gently lifted the Heavenly Star Grass and examined them closely. Since Heavenly Star Grass was attracted to starlight, Singri's Star Barrier must also attract Heavenly Star Grass, otherwise, it wouldn't exist in winter, out of season.

"Their cores are pointing south!" Roland finally discovered the secret hidden within the Heavenly Star Grass.

"Let's go! This way!" Roland waved to Reno, signaling him to follow.

Along the way, Roland saw a few more clumps of Heavenly Star Grass, and indeed, all of their cores pointed south.

"It looks like we'll have to wait until dawn to find the Morning Star Flower to determine the approximate location of the entrance to the Kingdom of Singri," Roland clapped his hands. These Heavenly Star Grass had completed their mission; the rest of the journey would require the guidance of the Morning Star Flower.

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