The Only Candidate

"Is the forest hostile to us?"

Linsey shared the information she had confirmed with her companion.

Upon hearing this, Reze raised an eyebrow and immediately walked outside, gripping his weapon tightly in his hand.

"Mr. Reze?!"

"You all stay here, I'll go and test the waters first."

There were others who wanted to join in.

Reze tried to stop the other party, but he had already returned to the entrance of the secret realm.

The entrance to the Valley Secret Realm is a canyon.

Reze perked up and tiptoed through.

Unlike when he entered, he was now walking through the canyon, hearing the rustling of the trees on both sides as the wind blew, and his explorer's instincts warned him of the dangers around him.

Reze proceeded with extreme caution.

However, his eyes remained resolute, and he was not overwhelmed by the tense atmosphere around him.

Under this invisible pressure, the explorer took each step with heavy steps, as if walking on an endless corridor of Thorn.

"The forest's hostility and enmity... shouldn't it be reflected in the surrounding trees?"

The explorer made a judgment.

Just then, he stepped out of the valley entrance, next to a dense grove of trees.

Swipe—

In an instant, the trees seemed to come alive.

The branches on both sides resembled tentacles poised to strike, launching attacks at Reze.

"It really is a tree."

Reze's expression remained calm.

Instead of retreating in the face of danger, he advanced and squeezed into a gap in the trees.

The explorers' purpose on this expedition was to test for danger; they couldn't possibly retreat immediately at the slightest sign of trouble!

Reze sped up.

But after running a few meters, his adventurer instincts kicked in again.

Another new danger is approaching, this time right beneath our feet! "Hmm?"

Without a second thought, Reze leaped high into the air.

The next second, plant roots lurking underground burst forth from the soil, like coiled venomous snakes launching an attack. Vines also appeared from the surrounding forest, attempting to entangle Reze's feet.

Damn it!

Reze immediately swung his sword and cut off the surrounding branches and leaves.

But the greenery around him grew increasingly dense, as if it were trying to trap him in the forest.

"Roar--"

Another deep roar echoed from the depths of the forest.

At this moment, the environment offered no cover, and there was almost nowhere to hide.

Reze frowned, knowing that things were hopeless.

He resolutely threw the short knife in his hand, pinning a thick Vines to the spot, and then quickly retreated, nimbly weaving through the trees, rushing back the way he came.

A few minutes later, Reze finally returned to the interior of the valley.

External attacks also stopped there.

The existence of this secret realm seems to divide the valley into two worlds.

It was both a safe haven and a cage where they were maliciously imprisoned.

"Ha-hoo-hoo!"

Return to the secret realm.

Reze leaned against the stone wall at the entrance, panting heavily.

The brief adventure didn't cause much physical harm, but the psychological burden was indescribable.

—The entire forest turned into an enemy.

Even Fifth Stage awakened being like Reze couldn't escape unscathed.

Not to mention bringing along your companions here.

"Reze ..."

At this moment, Linsey also went to meet them.

He had seen everything that had just happened and knew that Reze had gone through a dangerous situation.

To put it bluntly, this is because Reze is good at handling crises.

If it were any other awakened individual who rushed out, they probably wouldn't even have a chance to return safely!

Reze gave Linsey a wry smile:

"It's too dangerous; there's no way we can escape."

"..."

"Let me give it a try."

Linsey looked at her Attribute Panel and prepared to go out and try it herself.

Reze was about to speak up to stop her, "Linsey, this is dangerous!"

Linsey gave the explorer a look, then stepped outside.

He first walked to the entrance of the valley. Apart from the trees that were already twisting, the trees that had just been attacking Reze were now completely still, as if Linsey didn't exist! Linsey walked a little further.

The tree roots that had just emerged from the ground remained limp on the ground, only wriggling slightly under the influence of the forest's transformation.

Linsey walked over, stepping over the mess.

He even tried stepping directly on the tree roots, but it still didn't elicit any reaction.

It is obvious.

The description on the Attribute Panel is perfectly correct; the forest's hostility bypassed Linsey.

"..."

So, why is that?

Linsey frowned.

He knew he must have something special about him, but he couldn't be sure right now.

—A blessing from the Nature Spirit.

—The Human Wisdom Codex in its sealed state.

—The Forest Brooch enhances your affinity with nature.

—Or perhaps the [Datafication] state has made the [Debt Transfer] lock-in.

Even the Double Serpent Coin that was just taken from Ya Li Kun's Stand might have allowed Linsey to avoid this transfer of hatred due to the concept of "identity rental".

"Sometimes, stacking too many buffs can also be a problem."

Linsey shook her head and made a comment.

Having confirmed that he was not vulnerable to attacks from the forest, he returned to the Valley Secret Realm.

It's right at the edge of the entrance.

Reze looked at Linsey, who had returned, with a rather complicated expression. "Linsey, you..."

"I have some secrets," Linsey said, seeing Reze's hesitant expression. "I also hope that you can be free from the forest's hostility, but that's something that can't be replicated."

"..."

Reze Ze frowned.

He was concerned about the current state of the forest, but also worried about their predicament.

As an explorer, Reze has the courage to face difficulties.

But this was by no means a reason for him to lead his companions into the forest to their deaths! At the same time, in front of Reze, Linsey summoned a bat. "Reze, this bat is yours. It can understand simple commands and perform reconnaissance missions. Guarding this secret realm is your responsibility, is that alright?"

The explorer's expression hardened. "Linsey, what are you trying to do!"

Linsey simply described her plan. "This is my summoned creature. If I die outside, or if I successfully solve the forest's problem, its summoning will be canceled. Consider this a signal of our agreement."

Reze understood what Linsey meant.

The companion before him planned to use his immunity to forest attacks to act alone.

But this means Linsey will definitely encounter more trouble.

This naturally includes the boss who hired these guards of the secret realm, the Sixth Stage merchant, Ya Li Kun.

Reze lowered his voice:

"Linsey, that guy is Sixth Stage big merchant!"

Linsey replied calmly, "Sixth Stage Awakened One isn't completely detached from the human concept of life. We can't deal with them in a direct confrontation, but if we think of a way, we still have a chance to resolve the situation."

"It's not as easy as you make it sound!"

Reze wanted to say something more, but Linsey interrupted him and asked:

"Reze, if you were faced with this choice, would you do nothing just because it's dangerous?"

"..."

Reze fell silent.

His choice flashed through his mind, and it was the same answer as Linsey's —absolutely not! Meanwhile, Linsey took out her Pocket Watch to check the time. "I'll leave in half an hour."

"Reze, my main purpose in entering the forest is to find a plant called the Soul Blue Lily. This place is a secret realm, so I hope everyone can help me search for it in this last bit of time."

"..."

Reze opened his mouth.

But in the end, I couldn't bring myself to say anything to dissuade them.

He could see the firmness in Linsey's attitude, so he nodded vigorously and promised in the most serious tone:

"Good!"

"I'll tell everyone to get moving right now!"