"Still nothing?"
"Boss, there are no hidden rooms or passages leading to other areas."
After spending ages searching the entire dungeon without finding any trace of the special talent, Yi Tian ventured a helpless guess:
"Could they have been killed?"
Just then, Bai Qiu Li held up a dying Monkey Demon and said excitedly:
"Boss, I just interrogated this Monkey Demon. He said there used to be a Black-Robed Man beside the Tiger King, but he didn't appear today!"
Jiang Che was stunned. "You can interrogate monkeys?"
Bai Qiu Li spoke as though it were obvious. "I always got full marks in Universal Beast Speech."
Dungeon monsters and the various other races each had their own languages. Learning those languages was tremendously useful in combat and when exploring new territory.
Great Xia selected some widely used languages for high school textbooks. Unfortunately, neither Yi Tian's former self nor Jiang Che had managed to learn them properly.
Yi Tian's eyes lit up. "A Black-Robed Man?!"
Jiang Che asked curiously, "Wait, he left without fighting us? Did he know he couldn't beat us?"
"That's very possible. And if he's a dungeon monster, yet can leave the dungeon, then he really is unusual!"
Knowledge about dungeon monsters was common material in high school textbooks:
Not a single dungeon monster could leave its dungeon.
Moreover, from the Monkey Demon's description, the Black-Robed Man was distinctly different from the other monsters in the [Beast King] dungeon. He likely hadn't belonged to this dungeon in the first place.
Someone who could travel freely between dungeons without using their entrances...
"Special potential really is something else!"
Yi Tian couldn't help marveling. "Since he's alive, we'll have another chance to meet him. Maybe I can ask Wei Yuan to send people to search..."
Now that he had an answer, Yi Tian stopped dwelling on it and simply left the dungeon to receive the clear rewards.
Still, this incident had reminded him that he ought to save up more funds!
It would be tragic to encounter another high-potential talent, only to miss the recruitment opportunity because he lacked funds.
Leave the dungeon!
[You have cleared the Unsealed Dungeon-Beast King!] [A secret realm of a random size will be generated randomly in the surrounding area...] [Employees Bai Qiu Li and Jiang Che have cleared the Unsealed Dungeon. You receive profit sharing: funds +15*2!] [Bai Qiu Li has completed her advancement quest and advanced to: Frostmoon Sword Envoy. You share her exclusive tier 1 skill: Ice-Sealing Breathless Slash!] [Bai Qiu Li has reached level 12. You share her growth attributes: strength +26, agility +30, constitution +20, spirit +22!] [Jiang Che has reached level 8. You share his attributes: strength +96, agility +96, constitution +64, spirit +56!] [Your level has increased to: level 14!] [Secret realm unsealed-a medium-sized resource secret realm will appear on the outskirts of Qingcheng in two days!] [As a participant in clearing the Unsealed Dungeon, you will receive 9.5% of the Medium Secret Realm's resource output based on your contribution!]
Meanwhile, at the Qingcheng City Lord's Mansion.
In the spacious meeting room, Qingcheng's city lord, the Garrison Army commander, and the other officers stood solemnly behind their chief, Wei Yuan, on one side.
Originally, Wei Yuan had planned to personally arrange Yi Tian's leveling and class advancement that day, but things hadn't gone as planned.
The reason stood on the other side of the meeting room...
Seven Half-Dragons from the Yagu Dynasty had come to East China as envoys for negotiations. Their leader held considerable status in the Yagu Dynasty and was known as the [Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy].
"Lord Wei Yuan, there's no need to discuss the rewards and penalties for this year's competition between our races any further. If Great Xia loses again, why not cede Dingcheng and Qingcheng to our dynasty? It would benefit us both!"
The Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy's voice was hoarse, yet brimming with confidence.
Before the annual competition between the two races, the Yagu Dynasty always sent envoys. First, they negotiated the rewards and penalties for that year's competition, seeking nothing more than greater benefits;
Second, they used the opportunity to openly probe East China's military strength.
In previous years, the Yagu Dynasty's appetite had extended only to the number of small secret realms. This year, however, they were brazenly demanding two of Great Xia's cities!
"After you cede those two cities, our race will also help Great Xia defend against evil demons...
That would ease both Great Xia's military and economic burdens. Wouldn't you agree, Lord Wei Yuan?"
This shameless attempt to seize Great Xia's territory under such high-sounding pretenses left Qingcheng's city lord, the Garrison Army commander, and every other officer visibly furious!
Their glares looked ready to devour the Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy across from them.
Wei Yuan, by contrast, remained perfectly composed. He reclined leisurely in his chair and said with a teasing edge:
"If you're going to make such outrageous demands, shouldn't your Crimson Emperor come in person?"
The Crimson Emperor was one of the Yagu Dynasty's rulers, standing at the pinnacle of combat strength among the Royal Dragonkin.
He had fought Wei Yuan years ago, and neither had prevailed.
At those words, the Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy said awkwardly, "You're right, Lord Wei Yuan. But whether the Crimson Emperor comes or not, the outcome of the competition won't change..."
"You and Great Xia should make preparations early!"
Although the Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy was somewhat wary of Wei Yuan, he was utterly confident in the Yagu Dynasty's prospects in the Race Championship.
The Dragon Envoy's gaze turned mocking...
No matter how powerful Wei Yuan was, he was only one man. One man couldn't change the rise or fall of an entire race!
Just then, however, Wei Yuan and the Dragon Envoy each received news:
"Qingcheng's Unsealed Secret Realm has been cleared?"
"A Medium Secret Realm is going to appear in Qingcheng?!"
Both Wei Yuan and the Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy were somewhat surprised.
Two years ago, Wei Yuan had personally brought people from Central China to attempt that Unsealed Dungeon, yet none had succeeded.
Who could have done it now...? A possibility suddenly occurred to him.
The Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy, meanwhile, was shocked that the Unsealed Dungeon had actually generated a Medium Secret Realm!
The resource output of one Medium Secret Realm rivaled that of ten small ones, enough to support two or three cities!
Even for a powerful race like the Yagu Dynasty, a Medium Secret Realm was an intensely coveted prize!
All of East China had only one Medium Secret Realm!
"Congratulations, Lord Wei Yuan!" The Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy offered a hollow smile. "Might we go take a look?"
Wei Yuan's impassive face fell silent for a second. "Very well."
Once news spread through Qingshan No. 2 Middle School's Classist Hall that the Unsealed Dungeon had been cleared, thunderous cheers erupted throughout the hall.
It wasn't just because Yi Tian and his two companions had solved one of Qingcheng's longstanding problems;
It was also because of the Medium Secret Realm!
If the Medium Secret Realm appearing in Qingcheng could also be cleared, it would bring enormous benefits to the city's classists.
Principal Ji Changlin hurried over out of curiosity as well. Yet when he saw that Yi Tian and Bai Qiu Li were among those who had cleared it, he actually felt it was only natural.
"Two talents in a single graduating class at Qingshan No. 2 Middle School! We might even have a shot at first place in East China's college entrance exam!"
"No, I'm thinking too small. It looks like we might even win this year's competition against the other races!"
Amid the crowd's astonishment and cheers, Yi Tian and his two companions emerged from the dungeon.
Jiang Che had wanted to straighten his back and bask in the cheers, but then he remembered that he'd done absolutely nothing inside. Despite having a Legendary class, he had been carried to victory, and his spirits sank again.
Looks like I have to get stronger soon!
I can't lose to the Boss. No... just keeping up with Bai Qiu Li will do!
After they reunited with Jiang Xing and Jiang Han, the young receptionist beside them gaped in shock as well. She hadn't expected them to actually pull it off.
She hurriedly said, "Wait, I need to register your information so the rewards can be issued later..."
At that moment, some distance outside the hall.
Naturally, Wei Yuan and the Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy hadn't squeezed into the hall. Both had exceptionally keen eyesight and could see Yi Tian and the others from afar.
Yi Tian, Bai Qiu Li. It really was them!
Wei Yuan marveled inwardly. Although he still didn't know what combat abilities Yi Tian possessed, Yi Tian had always given him the sense that a miracle was about to happen.
Jiang Che's class is different from before, too. That's probably Yi Tian's doing as well!
Very few detection skills could uncover the abilities of a Legendary class. However, sensing changes in someone's class and its quality with high spiritual power was no problem.
At that thought, Wei Yuan glanced at the Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy beside him, his gaze sharp.
The Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy was still absorbed in his discoveries:
A Medium Secret Realm. It really is a Medium Secret Realm forming!
Wait! Legendary! Two Legendary newcomers!
Damn it! How did Great Xia get so lucky this year? Why didn't any of our spies discover this?
The Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy's face darkened, then relief crept in:
Fortunately, I discovered them!
Two Legendary newcomers might pose a threat to the Yagu Dynasty in the competition between their races!
And since the pair had cleared an Unsealed Dungeon, their practical combat abilities were clearly formidable.
Someone highly capable who obtained a Legendary class might become another Wei Yuan for Great Xia in the future!
That was something the other races absolutely did not want to see.
The Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy made up his mind. Once I return to the dynasty, I must inform Lord Crimson Emperor and eliminate these two Legendary newcomers before they can grow.
As for the other person who cleared it with them, I can't discern his class grade...
Yi Tian's class grade was unknown. Even his status panel couldn't reveal it, so no amount of spiritual power would help anyone else.
The Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy frowned, then decided firmly:
Forget it. Killing him too can't hurt.
And the Medium Secret Realm will have no owner when it appears. Whoever clears it will gain ownership...
Our race might be able to seize it!
But the immediate priority is to leave quickly and relay the news. I can't let Wei Yuan become suspicious!
After pondering for a long while, the Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy was just about to put on a false smile and turn to placate Wei Yuan.
But in the next instant, Wei Yuan flipped his hand and clenched it:
"Astral Net!"
Dazzling chains of starlight swept in from every direction, binding the Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy and all six of his companions!
They moved so quickly that the Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy had no chance to react.
"Wei Yuan! You have no honor-"
The Astral Net tightened. Gradually, the Crimson Emperor Dragon Envoy could no longer speak or transmit information. His strength drained away until he passed out.
Blocking, immobilization, silence, disarm, stun...
The Astral Soul Master wasn't the strongest Legendary class in combat, but its control abilities were unquestionably top-tier.
Wei Yuan glanced coolly at the seven bound members of the other race on the ground, an indifferent chill gleaming in his eyes:
"You thought you could leave after gathering intel?"
"Nothing comes that easy."
Before you continue