Crisis Approaching

Just then, a cold, clear system notification suddenly rang out above the secret realm, reaching across the entire trial grounds.

[Attention, all examinees: 1 hour remains until this secret realm assessment officially ends. All examinees must proceed immediately to the designated exit to assemble. Those who fail to arrive before the deadline will have their assessment results canceled.]

[Reminder: 1 hour remains until the secret realm examination ends. Please proceed to the exit to assemble as soon as possible.]

The voice echoed through the mountain forests, instantly shattering the silence.

The examinees, who had yet to recover from their fright, abruptly paled. They looked up, anxiety appearing on their faces. The desperate battle had nearly exhausted everyone's spiritual energy and stamina. With only one short hour left, any delay would render all their previous fighting and gains completely worthless.

Lin Chen clenched his fists and forced his exhausted body to hold up, his voice tinged with urgency. "Only an hour left! The exit is to the east. We have to leave now!"

Lin Yue hurriedly reined in her power over plants and nodded lightly. Her gaze unconsciously drifted toward the direction Xing Yao had left in, her brows knitting almost imperceptibly.

The others dared not linger another moment. Supporting one another, they mustered their last strength and raced toward the exit.

Deep in the forest, however, Xing Yao's steps merely paused for a moment.

He showed neither panic nor anxiety, as though this so-called time limit posed no restriction to him at all.

He gently drew in his dark power, and spatial power spread silently beneath his feet.

There was no running, no panting.

The next instant, his figure faded from the spot like a wisp of smoke.

Teleportation activated.

His figure flickered repeatedly through the forest, covering a hundred meters with each step, as leisurely and composed as if he were strolling through his own garden. What was a race against every second for others was, for him, merely a few effortless spatial jumps.

In the livestream outside the secret realm, the atmosphere surged to another peak.

[Only an hour left! Everyone's racing against time!]

[Brother Yao isn't in a hurry at all. He's traveling straight there with Teleportation. That looks so satisfying!]

[He's about to leave the secret realm. I'm really worried about him. Who knows how many eyes are watching him outside?]

Watching the unhurried figure on the screen, Gu Yan said gravely, "Within the secret realm's rules, no one can hurt him. But once he steps outside, the storm awaiting Xing Yao will only truly begin."

Su Wanqing nodded lightly, her gaze complicated:

"I hope this final hour passes safely."

The wind swept through the dense forest as Xing Yao's figure slowly made its way toward the exit.

Meanwhile, at a hidden outpost a thousand miles beyond the secret realm.

The sealed room was dim, lit only by the cold white glow of a huge live surveillance screen on the wall, which clearly displayed Xing Yao's every movement and every technique within the secret realm. A faint mingling of metal and gunpowder smoke hung in the air. It was so quiet that only the faint hum of the screen's electrical current remained.

A young man lounged in a broad black leather chair, his bearing upright yet steeped in a sinister air that ran bone-deep. He wore a pure black, close-fitting combat uniform, his profile sharp and cold. Like a venomous snake lying in wait, his eyes remained fixed without blinking on the calm, composed figure on the screen, missing not a single detail.

Xing Yao's Teleportation, his spear strikes, Space Slash, dark-element Invisibility... every movement was firmly etched into his eyes.

Only when he saw Xing Yao command spatial and dark power simultaneously, effortlessly slaying the Dark-Patterned Shadow Leopard, did the young man's fingers abruptly stop tapping the armrest.

He slowly raised his eyes. His previously languid gaze instantly sharpened like a blade, and a bone-chilling killing intent spread without restraint, enveloping the entire room.

"Spatial element... dark element... and an all-round talent, too."

He murmured to himself, his voice hoarse and dangerous, as though assessing a hazardous object that had to be destroyed.

The next second, his right hand slowly reached behind his waist and gripped a custom-made pistol, entirely black and without any markings, designed specifically for dealing with high-risk targets. The metal body was bone-chillingly cold. His thumb steadily flicked off the safety, the soft click particularly piercing in the silent room.

He did not act immediately, instead looking at the screen again as though gazing at a man about to die.

Then he grabbed the encrypted satellite phone bearing no logo from the table, quickly keyed in a number unknown to anyone, and held the phone to his ear.

It rang only once before the call connected.

An older, colder voice, devoid of any human emotion, came through the receiver, as though rising from the depths of an abyss:

"What is it?"

The young man's voice was icy as he delivered his report clearly, word by word:

"Leader, the target is confirmed. Xing Yao, an examinee in this secret realm assessment. His mastery of the spatial element is on par with the Federation's Ling Canglan. He also commands dark-element abilities and possesses an all-round talent. This boy is growing at a terrifying pace. If left unchecked, he will surely become a thorn in our heart."

There was a moment of silence on the other end before the cold voice spoke again, carrying an unquestionable ruthlessness:

"Spare me the talk. I've already dispatched a squad of monsters to lie in wait outside the secret realm's exit. The instant he steps beyond the secret realm's barrier and leaves the protection of the Federation authorities, eliminate him on the spot."

"Remember, leave no traces and no survivors."

The young man paused briefly, his tone growing more cautious:

"Leader, the Federation... seems to have noticed something. They've already stationed heavy forces near the exit and are guarding it closely. Could our operation be obstructed?"

The voice in the receiver gave a cold, contemptuous laugh, brimming with absolute confidence and cruelty:

"So what if they've noticed? So what if they're guarding it closely?

The monsters I sent are all masters of concealment, specializing in breaching human defenses.

Even if they're prepared, they cannot stop this certain kill.

This time, Xing Yao will die without question."

"Understood, Leader. I guarantee the mission will be completed. We'll strangle this seedling in its cradle."

After ending the call, he casually tossed the encrypted phone onto the table and tightened his grip on the black pistol again, staring fixedly at Xing Yao's figure on the screen.

The hunting net had long since spread open in silence.

In the temporary lounge at the border defense line, the blood-covered young man had already changed into a clean combat uniform. The dark bloodstains had been thoroughly washed away, but the fatigue and gravity between his brows could not be washed away.

He sat back down in the broad black leather chair and tapped lightly with a fingertip. The giant surveillance screen before him lit up again, switching precisely to the livestream of Qingning City's secret realm trial-Xing Yao's figure, teleporting at ease, once again filled his entire field of vision.

Xing Hui watched the youth weave through the forest as leisurely as if strolling through a courtyard. A trace of concern flickered through his eyes unnoticed, then gave way to earnest resolve. He reached for the encrypted satellite phone on the table, quickly keyed in a number, and held it to his ear.

The phone rang only twice before the call connected.

"Hello, is this Qin Lie, captain of the Cloud-Soaring Squad?"

Xing Hui's voice was low and earnest, carrying a sincere request. "I'm Xing Hui, captain of the Spirit Demon Squad."

Qin Lie's excited yet steady reply came from the other end. "Captain Xing Hui! Is it really you? I've long admired your reputation. I never expected to receive a call from you! Whatever you need, just say the word!"

Xing Hui's gaze never left Xing Yao on the screen, his tone sincere and solemn. "I'd like to ask you a favor. Take your squad to Qingning City immediately, establish comprehensive defenses, and guard the secret realm's exit and the surrounding area."

He paused, emphasizing his next words. "Focus on protecting the examinees inside the secret realm, especially the boy named Xing Yao."

Qin Lie was briefly taken aback, his tone immediately turning serious. "Captain Xing Hui, why do you attach such importance to him?"

Xing Hui did not answer directly, merely saying slowly, "The prophecy has already come true. Large numbers of magical beasts are gathering toward Qingning City. The moment the secret realm trial ends will be the day they arrive. I need you to hold this defensive line. Nothing unexpected can be allowed to happen."

"I, Xing Hui, will remember this favor. In the future, whenever the Cloud-Soaring Squad needs the Spirit Demon Squad, I will spare no effort to help."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, then Qin Lie's voice rang out with ironclad resolve. "Understood, Captain Xing Hui! The Cloud-Soaring Squad will set out immediately. We guarantee the mission will be completed. We won't betray your trust!"

After ending the call, Xing Hui turned his gaze back to the screen. Watching Xing Yao's figure recede into the distance, the faintest smile curved his lips.

A life-and-death contest revolving around the young genius was about to erupt in full at the secret realm's exit.

Inside the secret realm, Xing Yao continued moving calmly through the forest, knowing nothing of the deadly trap about to descend upon him.