After the ceremonial meeting ended, the group of extraordinary individuals was led into the hall. However, only the core personnel executing tasks within the Secret Realm attended, and most of the accompanying guards were taken to their accommodations to rest.

To Li Rui’s surprise, Dragon Country actually sent three teams. They were unaware of the other two teams beforehand, and there was no prior communication. A total of nine individuals were to execute the mission, in addition to several young advisors in training.

It was clear that, notwithstanding his special status and rapidly growing strength, there were many capable individuals in the world, and the other two three-member teams had their own objectives.

"I guess,"

Cheng Mingyue whispered in Li Rui’s ear, "Perhaps the other two groups also have secret spells related to the Upper Realm that we don’t know about."

"Hmm." Li Rui responded quietly.

This was very possible. Similar to his Five Thunders Skill, only high-level members of the Superpower Division and his direct superior in the original chain of command knew about it.

If others also received long-term assignments within the Secret Realm, they would naturally be protected similarly.

Correspondingly, legends about ascending to the Upper Realm exist in the Eastern Continent, as well as in the Western Regions and the Northern Great Snowfield; the World Tree is one of them.

"But do we really need to be so secretive with our own people? Isn’t it a bit excessive? What’s there to guard against, could there be a mole?"

Just as the two of them were raising slight doubts about these precautions against their own, news came that proved the foresight of the top-level decision-makers.

Two teams sent by small countries were ambushed on the road by unknown individuals and completely wiped out.

Li Rui and the other two exchanged a glance, and although they didn’t know what was happening in the world, it was evident that a crisis was gradually starting to spread, though it was still lurking beneath the surface for now.

People had different reactions to this unexpected incident.

Those from less powerful countries were understandably uneasy, while individuals from medium-sized nations had a bit more confidence.

What concerned the Western Kingdom and Dragon Country more was:

"Has any intelligence been gathered?"

"Hmm....."

An extraordinary individual from Crocodile Bay Country, who came to report, said, "No intelligence was gathered. They didn’t even have a chance to send any messages before they were completely annihilated."

Even for a small country’s extraordinary team, basic tactical skills are a given. If they realized things were beyond their control, they would have done everything they could to relay useful information.

But in this case, it further demonstrated that the enemy’s methods were formidable enough to annihilate them instantly.

"Naturally, someone will investigate this matter."

Song Yao said, "Let’s proceed according to plan."

And so, carrying various emotions, after initial exchanges between parties, a project named the Key Plan officially commenced.

Nine individuals from Dragon Country, nine from the Western Kingdom, two to three from other medium-sized forces, and one from each small force, all-told less than fifty people were selected to participate in the Secret Realm mission.

In the center of the meeting hall, surrounded by more than a hundred of the world’s most outstanding prophets, everyone formed a large formation and began this unprecedented plan.

The chief prophet of Dragon Country, Ling Zixiao stood at the forefront, raising one hand before his chest, as golden sand gently fell through his fingers.

In the opulent hall, there was no wind, but the grains of gold, as if moved by some invisible force, slowly rotated in the air.

"Please concentrate."

Behind him stood a blonde man with a middle part, the chief prophet of the Western Kingdom, Jilei Eng.

Li Rui watched this person from below, thinking that fortunately, he wasn’t on the battlefield within the Secret Realm, for this person possessed an immensely powerful skill: the ability to connect various prophets’ spirits, merging scattered powers into a unified force.

With such a person present, prophecy capabilities would be greatly enhanced, allowing the Western Kingdom to easily perform precision strikes against specific enemies.

However, now, facing a common potential enemy, this ability instead provided a sense of security to allies.

Once his ability was activated, a golden light spread from his hands, weaving through the hearts of every prophet like a snake.

In an instant, a brilliance more dazzling than the gilded ceiling burst forth, compelling everyone to close their eyes.

Song Yao, watching from the corner, widened his eyes, his temples bulging as he unleashed his illusion-breaking ability.

In the center of the formation were individuals valued by Dragon Country. If they could grow within the turmoil, they could potentially play a crucial role in future shifts, hence he must remain vigilant for any unexpected occurrences.

After the golden light dissipated, the hall’s scene seemed dreamlike, with speckles of golden sand floating in mid-air, surrounding everyone. Despite being a real-world spectacle, people felt they could see another world in the space between the golden particles.

Yet these fleeting glimpses didn’t last long. Soon, all the golden sand and hazy fragments surged towards each Secret Realm agent within the formation.

Li Rui felt the seal on his hand warming slightly. In an instant, numerous different phantoms flashed across his vision, and he suddenly grasped one passing image of the Golden Scale Marsh, causing his entire consciousness to hover over that beast-laden swamp.

This was part of what they had been taught along the way. At this stage, they hadn’t fully entered the Secret Realm yet; they had to locate where they wished to go in such conditions.

Now he found that, despite its seemingly simple concept, it wasn’t that easy in practice.

He felt a force pushing him to leave the space, but he could still resist it for the time being.

Fortunately, he soon found the most prominent Golden Scale Abyss within the Golden Scale Marsh, where an army was clearly attacking. Evidently, Liangting’s army had already entered the region.

"This is the timeline after I visited the Northern Abyss of the Golden Scale."

Li Rui thought, then darted northward, deeper into the Golden Scale Marsh, nearing the barbaric beasts’ domain.

As he dived down, a rumble suddenly echoed in his ears, growing into a cacophony before booming back into reality.

He immediately looked down at the Secret Realm, confirming its designation:

[Golden Scale Royal Court - Main Gate]

Success.

There were several connected Secret Realms, housing the barbaric beast army, within proximity including several Barbarian Monarchs’ territories.

Thus, next time, one should first enter this Secret Realm, locate the remaining six personal guards - the Thunder Generals - and then use the All Heaven Great Thunder Fire Seal Spell to break barriers and gather them one by one.

Looking around, others seemed to have similar experiences, though some remained calm while others frowned, evidently failing to obtain their desired seals.

But there was no alternative; after participating in the large formation, if one did not complete the chosen Secret Realm, the next key assignment couldn’t proceed, so they had to accept the status quo.

"How did it go for you?" he quickly asked his partners Guan Gui and Cheng Mingyue.

"Mission accomplished." Cheng Mingyue grinned.

Guan Gui nodded silently.

The three left the center of the formation.

"Captain, the first phase of the mission is complete."

Song Yao said, "Well done. From now on, you must stay by my side until we enter the Secret Realm."