Chapter 460: Chapter 460: The Boss Was Struck Dead by Lightning

The Barbaric Beasts possess intelligence, especially within the Royal Court, where there is a very clear organizational structure and social division of labor.

The outpost located on the side of Menya Mountain is called Stone Stack, next to which is a small path leading to the depths of the Royal Court.

Their main role here is to pass along information; if anyone is found approaching the Royal Court, they must alert in advance.

That being said, the task is not particularly dangerous, as this is deep within the Golden Scale Marsh, surrounded by the territories of the various Barbarian Monarchs, making it unlikely for any enemies to appear.

The Barbaric Beasts stationed here also thought this way, so when a few resurrected individuals exuding Evil Qi suddenly emerged from the fog, their minds took quite a while to comprehend what was happening, not realizing the dire situation until they were pinned to the ground.

However, the typically complacent Barbaric Beasts had no measures or contingency plans, and could only watch as the three members of the Human Race entered the outpost.

Guan Gui summoned a former interrogation expert from Liangting’s Ministry of Justice.

"He can use Illusion Technique, just wait a moment."

With those brief instructions given, they got down to business.

Li Rui and Cheng Mingyue stood by with their hands in their pockets, waiting.

The resurrected individuals under Guan Gui were incredibly convenient, even more versatile than Cheng Mingyue. They could inherit any abilities the deceased mastered in life, and undoubtedly became more powerful as time went on.

"It’s quite cold here. Are those Thunder Generals strong?" Cheng Mingyue asked.

"Not strong. If no Barbarian Monarch appears later, you won’t even need to make a move," Li Rui replied.

Previously, at the Secret Realm guarding the city on the west side of the Golden Scale Marsh, at the border of Liangting, he had witnessed Pang Manjun with his own eyes.

NPCs of this level were far inferior to those around Zuo Qiutian. Even if one did appear, they could basically be defeated with Cheng Mingyue’s assistance, and Guan Gui’s kingly army could easily withstand large numbers of Barbaric Beasts.

The reason for sending the three of them into the Secret Realm was to ensure safety and improve their success rate, especially since the global situation was changing rapidly, making it crucial to quickly enhance their capabilities.

After a while, Guan Gui said, "They only know that a Thunder General named Ju Sun is situated in the Xiaoman Monarch’s territory to the east."

"That’s enough. Let’s go find this Ju Sun; there must be more news there," Li Rui said. "If we make some noise after we go there, it’s fine."

In this main Secret Realm, if the main quest is forcibly completed, you will be teleported out of the Secret Realm, but in other Secret Realms, it’s different.

After confirming the direction, they hurried along the path in the opposite direction.

"It’s just ahead."

Soon, the group arrived at a barrier.

According to the prearranged plan, Cheng Mingyue provided a status enhancement to Li Rui, who then prepared to cast the All Heaven Great Thunder Fire Seal Spell.

With top-level support boosts, he predicted that it might not be necessary to find a weak point; one attempt should suffice.

"Once the Secret Realm barrier opens, immediately teleport through; hesitate and you might be killed instantly as it recovers quickly if touched."

He cautioned, and the other two nodded in agreement.

Thus, with a thunderous roar, the Secret Realm barrier indeed cracked open a gap.

Despite being mentally prepared, seeing it with their own eyes left Cheng Mingyue and Guan Gui amazed, as the sight was rarely witnessed.

The barrier is the fundamental rule of a Secret Realm, not something that can be shattered by sheer skill strength alone. If Li Rui didn’t wield both Thunder Skills, it wouldn’t have been so easy.

The three of them passed through the barrier, each filled with their own thoughts.

As expected, a countdown appeared instantly: ten minutes, to return to the planned Secret Realm, the main gate of the Golden Scale Royal Court, or awaken in the real world.

With only ten minutes to complete the task of eliminating targets and gathering intelligence, Li Rui couldn’t afford any hesitation. He grabbed Cheng Mingyue and directly used the Escape Technique.

He couldn’t transport two people at once, and Guan Gui had a different role, needing to continue using the advantage of the resurrected individuals to gather intelligence.

.....

Golden Tent Ridge is the Xiaoman Monarch’s territory, also a Secret Realm for levels 56-60.

The main mission of this Secret Realm is singular: to contact an oppressed tribe of Barbaric Beasts here and persuade them to defect. Possibly due to its proximity to the Royal Court, there’s limited leeway for more main quests.

It’s not feasible for a few individuals in their fifties to wipe out an entire Barbarian Monarch’s territory alongside eliminating an NPC-strength boss like the Xiaoman Monarch.

At least it’s not feasible for most people.

At this moment, only four individuals were engaged in the main mission within the Secret Realm, all presidents of city-level branches, belonging to four organizations from the Dragon Country.

"So, are we choosing the peaceful route or going for the boss?"

One president from the Baili Association asked the other three for their opinions.

The difficulty of this Secret Realm isn’t high, but there are two ways to complete the main mission: one is to unite with various factions here to intimidate and exile the leader boss backed by the Beast King’s Court.

This storyline requires no boss battle, only clearing minor mobs. The other route naturally involves defeating the boss, which is significantly more challenging.

For regular individuals, greater difficulty means more unexpected scenarios and a higher potential for failure, or in other words, it’s less stable, but offers greater rewards.

Another from the Cangyun Association stated, "I personally believe, given the current situation’s changes, it’s better to enhance our strength when possible."

"Agreed."

"I agree as well."

Reaching consensus wasn’t difficult; the challenge lay in ensuring victory in the boss battle.

The four looked toward a distant cloud-covered peak, the site of the final battle.

"Either way, we should complete a few preliminary tasks to gather additional help for the decisive battle. What do you think?"

"Of course, let’s split up to save time. The longer it drags on, the more unexpected events will arise."

As experienced president-level Secret Realm agents, they seamlessly completed the preliminary tasks, rallying a large group of local Barbaric Beasts.

These creatures were exiled from the Royal Court, sent to this area to mine ores, used to forge armor for the Beast army. Due to the overseer’s cruel exploitation, resentment boiled, providing an opportunity for defection.

Finally, the main mission reached its last step.

Barbaric Beasts gathered at the mountain base reaching skyward, preparing with several members of the Human Race to confront the boss atop the mountain.

Despite the sizable manpower, as the moment approached, an air of tension rapidly spread.

This mountain was difficult to climb, teeming with beasts under the boss’s command, also rife with traps; the fierce winds along the mountain paths possessing icy properties, slowing movement and stiffening bodies.

Gazing at the task bar’s extermination target, the four Secret Realm agents confirmed their readiness, then delivered a pre-battle pep talk to the rebelling beasts, slightly easing the uneasy atmosphere.

"Set out! Annihilate the overseer, reclaim freedom!!"

Just as they issued the command, a loud noise erupted from the mountain, with scarlet and golden lightning striking the peak.

[Mission Complete.]

Seeing the sudden prompt, the Secret Realm agents were stunned.

"What’s going on?"

"Did the boss get struck by lightning? Such fortune?"

As they stood baffled, a young man and woman appeared before them.

"Uh, sorry, I was passing by and wanted to inquire about something."

Li Rui, upon seeing familiar faces, felt thrilled. They could inquire with these locals about the whereabouts of the Thunder General.