This Was a Plot!

Director Xie Feng led everyone to the entrance of the secret realm.

Honestly, even standing this close, he still couldn't tell what was wrong.

The teachers behind him, Meng Dahai, and Zhu Ledong were also frowning, their faces full of confusion.

Just then, a staff member hurried over with a tablet, looking panicked. "Director, look. The energy readings in this secret realm far exceed the range a Black Iron secret realm should have..."

"Gulp!"

Xie Feng stared at the screen before him and swallowed, his face turning deathly pale. "This energy level... It's only found in an LV5 secret realm!"

The moment he said that, everyone's hair stood on end!

The air around them seemed to turn poisonous. Their mouths fell open, yet they could barely breathe!

What did an LV5 secret realm mean?

It was a Bronze-level secret realm!

Black Iron secret realms, by contrast, were classified as LV0!

Everyone knew exactly what an LV5 secret realm meant for these Awakeners, who were only LV1!

"How is that possible? Could the data be wrong?"

Zhu Ledong sounded doubtful, but his face made no effort to hide his worry and panic.

His precious daughter had already entered the secret realm... What if something happened to her?

The others, including Meng Dahai, wore the same expressions, but no one asked anything more. There was no conclusion yet, and people of their social standing naturally had to maintain their composure. Besides... the whole thing really was too outrageous.

Facing the gazes fixed on him, Xie Feng didn't respond. Instead, he propped up his chin and stared at the secret realm entrance, deep in thought.

Suddenly, his brow furrowed. He bit his lip, as if he'd noticed something strange.

After a few seconds of hesitation, he seemed to make up his mind. He told everyone to stand back, then unleashed a wave of energy with his Awakening power.

"Boom!"

A deafening blast rang out, sending dust billowing into the air.

When the view cleared, everyone stared in disbelief.

The black vortex that had been there was now bronze-colored!

That confirmed everyone's suspicions!

The secret realm before them really was an LV5 secret realm!

Xie Feng stared anxiously at the projection device, which crackled with sparks. "Someone switched out the secret realm. Who... who would dare do something like this to Imperial University!?"

The crowd erupted in an uproar. Shock and fury were written all over their faces.

No one was stupid. Even without Xie Feng spelling it out, they could see that the secret realm had been switched.

After all, this was an Artificial Secret Realm. Its entrance could be altered by modifying the program.

What shocked them was this: who would dare do such a thing?

If the culprit was caught, ten heads wouldn't be enough to pay for it!

"What do we do now?"

Meng Dahai asked, his voice trembling.

"Artificial Secret Realms may be weaker than real ones, but this one has been set to allow only Awakeners below LV6 to enter!"

Xie Feng turned and scanned the crowd, trying to find the mastermind. "Whoever did this came fully prepared. We wouldn't bring an LV5 Awakener along for a first trip into a secret realm. Everyone here is either LV1 or far above LV5. Those of us with high levels can't enter, and the ones with low levels won't be able to defeat the secret realm boss..."

"The nearest city is quite a distance away. Even a flying Awakener would need at least ten minutes to get here... I don't know if the children can hold out that long!"

Zhu Ledong loosened his tie to breathe more easily, then signaled for his assistant to call for reinforcements.

Seeing that, the other powerful and wealthy people began doing the same.

They all assumed the "attack" was aimed at them.

Just then, an elegantly dressed woman suddenly seemed to realize something. She cried out, "Wait! A secret realm can only admit two people at most, and the space inside is separate. Even if we find an LV5 Awakener, how are we supposed to rescue the children?"

"I've already arranged for someone to bring special explosives."

Xie Feng came over to calm the woman and explained, "An Artificial Secret Realm is basically a shoddy imitation, with flaws. We just need to send in two LV5 Awakeners. Once they defeat the secret realm boss, they can wait for the right moment and toss the special explosives into the restart device. That'll destroy the entire secret realm, and the children will be able to get out!"

At that, everyone let out a long sigh of relief. Their eyes brightened again.

"But... will the children be able to hold out until then? They're only LV1!"

But then someone's words poured cold water over everyone's hopes once more, and the crowd, which had just quieted down, grew noisy again.

By then, Wu Ziyang had already slipped away from the scene amid the confusion.

He went to an unobserved corner and drew his Twin Blades, a smile curling at his lips.

"Lin Xia, you're mine. I can't let you die at the hands of the secret realm boss!"

"I was just wondering how I'd get to you, since you're an Imperial University student."

"Well, this is perfect. Fortune's on my side. If I kill you in the secret realm, who'll know I did it?"

With that, Wu Ziyang's level began to soar!

In just a few seconds, he went from LV1 to LV58!

The next moment, Wu Ziyang swung his Twin Blades and sliced open a rift in the air. He slipped inside like a ghost.

"Hiss..."

After he entered, the rift stitched itself shut, as though nothing had happened.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Lin Xia alternated his hands, rapidly firing Energy Bullets at the approaching Lion Pride.

The lions, their fur glowing with a faint light, had astonishing defenses.

The Energy Bullets struck them like tickles. The lions were completely unharmed.

Some of them even used their speed to weave through the forest, dodging Lin Xia's attacks.

Seeing this, Meng Bo finally realized how serious the situation was.

But he didn't go help Lin Xia. He stood frozen in place, staring at the panel in panic and disbelief:

[Abyssal Lion (LV5): Has no weaknesses and is a well-rounded monster, with both offense and defense.]

"L-LV5!?"

"N-No way!"

Meng Bo swallowed, his legs beginning to buckle as though he were about to drop to his knees.

"What are you standing there for?"

Lin Xia looked at the approaching Lion Pride, then at Meng Bo, who hadn't moved an inch, and shouted, "Come help me!"

"It's pointless... It's all pointless! We're done for. We're going to die!"

Meng Bo's eyes were vacant as he shook his head repeatedly. "They're LV5 monsters. We can't beat them..."

"Are you just going to surrender and wait to die?"

Lin Xia looked at him as if he couldn't live up to his potential. He hadn't expected the young master of the Meng Family to be such a coward!

"Die...? No!"

Meng Bo seemed to have reached a decision. He jerked his head up and glared viciously at Lin Xia. "If I'm going to die, then I'll make sure you die before me!"