This Was a Premeditated Plot!

Director Xie Feng led the group to the entrance of the Secret Realm.

To be honest, even at such close range, he still could not see what was wrong.

The teachers behind him, Meng Dahai and Zhu Ledong, also had their brows tightly furrowed, their faces filled with confusion.

Just then, a staff member walked over with a tablet, his expression panicked, "Director, look at this. The energy readings for this Secret Realm far exceed the range expected for a Black Iron Secret Realm..."

"Gulp!"

Xie Feng looked at the screen before him, his throat bobbing as his face turned deathly pale, "This energy level... it's the energy only found in a LV5 Secret Realm!!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the hair on everyone's arms stood on end!

The surrounding air seemed to turn toxic, leaving people gasping with their mouths wide open, yet feeling utterly suffocated!

What was the concept of a LV5 Secret Realm?

That was a Bronze-level Secret Realm!

And the Black Iron-level Secret Realm was defined as LV0!

Therefore, everyone knew exactly what a LV5 Secret Realm meant for these Awakener students who were only LV1!

"How is this possible? Is the data wrong?"

Zhu Ledong's tone carried skepticism, but his expression could not 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 similar expressions, but they did not continue to ask questions. After all, nothing had been confirmed yet, and these people of high society naturally had to maintain their elegance; besides... this whole thing was just too absurd.

Facing the gazes cast upon him, Xie Feng did not respond, instead resting his chin on his hand and staring at the entrance, deep in thought.

Suddenly, his brow furrowed and he bit his lip, as if he had spotted something strange.

After hesitating for a few seconds, he made a firm decision, signaled for everyone to step back, and unleashed a wave of energy using his Awakener power.

"Bang!"

After a loud explosion, dust filled the air.

When the view cleared again, everyone wore an expression of disbelief.

The originally black vortex had now turned bronze!

This confirmed everyone's suspicions!

The Secret Realm before them was truly a LV5-level Secret Realm!

Xie Feng looked at the sparking projection equipment with an uneasy expression, "The Secret Realm has been swapped. Who... who has the audacity to do something like this to Imperial University!?"

The crowd was in an uproar, their faces etched with shock and anger.

No one here was a fool; even without Xie Feng emphasizing it, they could see the Secret Realm had been swapped.

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

But what shocked them was, who would dare do such a thing?

If caught, ten heads wouldn't be enough to pay the price!

"What do we do now?"

Meng Dahai asked, his voice trembling.

"Although Artificial Secret Realms are weaker than real ones, this one has been set with a restriction—only Awakeners below LV6 can enter!!"

Xie Feng turned to scan the crowd, trying to find the culprit, "Whoever did this, they were definitely well-prepared. After all, we don't carry LV5 Awakeners around with us for a first-time Secret Realm trip. Everyone here is either LV1 or far above LV5. Those of us with high levels can't get in, and those with low levels can't defeat the Secret Realm boss..."

"The nearest city is quite a distance away. Even for an Awakener capable of flight, it would take at least 10 minutes to arrive... I don't know if the children can hold out that long!"

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

Seeing this, the other dignitaries began to do the same.

They all assumed that this "attack" was aimed at them.

Just then, a woman dressed in elite attire suddenly thought of something and exclaimed, "The Secret Realm can only hold two people at most, and the space is independent. Even if we bring a LV5 Awakener, how are we supposed to save the children?"

"I've already had someone bring specialized explosives."

Xie Feng walked over to soothe the woman, explaining, "An Artificial Secret Realm is, frankly, an inferior product with flaws. As long as we send two LV5 Awakeners in, once they defeat the Secret Realm boss, they can time it right and throw the specialized explosives into the reboot device to destroy the entire Secret Realm. Then the children will be able to get out!"

Hearing this, the crowd let out a long sigh of relief, and light returned to their eyes.

"But... can the children hold out until then? They are only LV1!"

But immediately, someone's words acted like a bucket of cold water poured over their hearts, causing the crowd that had just quieted down to erupt into chaos once more.

Meanwhile, Wu Ziyang had already slipped away from the scene amidst the confusion.

He arrived at a corner where no one was paying attention, drew his twin blades, and a smile curled his lips:

"Lin Xia, you are mine; I can't let you die at the hands of a Secret Realm boss!"

"I was just worrying about how to get to you given your status as an Imperial University student."

"Well, this is perfect. Heaven is helping me. If I kill you inside the Secret Realm, who would ever know it was me?"

With that thought, Wu Ziyang's level on his panel began to skyrocket!!

Originally at LV1, in just a few short seconds, he had transformed into LV58!!

The next moment, Wu Ziyang swung his Twin Blades, tearing a gash in the air, and his figure leaped inside like a ghost.

"Hiss..."

After he entered, the opening stitched itself shut, as if nothing had ever happened.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!!"

Lin Xia alternated his hands, rapidly firing Energy Bullets toward the oncoming Lion Pride.

Yet, these lions, whose fur radiated a deep, eerie light, possessed astonishing defensive power.

The Energy Bullets struck them like mere tickles, leaving the lions completely unscathed.

Some lions even relied on their speed, weaving continuously through the jungle to dodge Lin Xia's attacks.

Seeing this scene, Meng Bo finally realized the severity of the situation.

However, he did not step forward to help Lin Xia; instead, he stood frozen in place, staring at his panel with eyes full of panic and disbelief:

[Abyssal Lion (LV5): No weaknesses, a wild beast with balanced offense and defense.]

"Level... five!?"

"No... that's impossible!"

Meng Bo swallowed hard, his legs beginning to weaken as if he were about to collapse to the ground the next second.

"What are you still standing there for?"

Lin Xia looked at the approaching Lion Pride, then glanced at the motionless Meng Bo, and roared, "Come and help!"

"Futile... it's all futile! It's over, we're dead for sure this time!"

Meng Bo's eyes were hollow as he shook his head repeatedly, "Level five wild beasts, there's no way we can defeat them..."

"Are you just going to sit there and wait for death?"

Lin Xia wore an expression of utter disappointment; he had not expected this young master of the Meng Family to be so spineless!

"Death...? No!"

Meng Bo seemed to have realized something; he suddenly raised his head, his eyes glaring viciously at Lin Xia, "If I'm going to die, I'll make sure you die before me!!"