Chapter 720: Never Tired of Watching
The journey that followed was free of any further complications.
Occasionally, some blind beasts and monsters would block their path, but Avril and the others easily dealt with them.
Along the way, bloodstains and corpses could be seen scattered everywhere.
Of course...
The storage rings of these corpses had been completely looted, leaving only worthless clothes behind. Everything else had fallen into the hands of passing adventurers.
The Professionals who died to the claws and fangs of these monsters would most likely remain exposed in the wilderness.
It was a truly tragic fate.
To spend a lifetime pursuing ultimate strength, only to meet such a miserable end, with no one to even bury their body, and ultimately becoming food for the monsters.
But no matter what, the path was their own choice, and they had to walk it, even if they cried.
Even Ling Zhan couldn't guarantee that one day he wouldn't end up as a corpse in the wilderness.
After half an hour of hurried travel,
Ling Zhan and the others finally arrived at the area where the Spirit Treasure Secret Realm was descending, which was located in the inner region of the Dark Venom Mountain Range.
What was shocking, however...
The outer area of the Dark Venom Mountain Range was perpetually shrouded in poisonous mist, infested with monsters, and had an extremely harsh environment.
Logically, the inner area, influenced by the Dark Venom Dragon, should have even more intense toxins and a more hostile environment.
Yet the scene before them shocked many.
Clouds and mist drifted, cliffs towered, waterfalls cascaded, and birds sang among fragrant flowers.
What lay before them was no longer withered poisonous trees and plants but lush green mountains and clear waters.
The roaring sound of cascading waterfalls echoed through the mountains, accompanied by the calls of birds and beasts, creating an ethereal atmosphere akin to a fairyland.
Ling Zhan and his group flew to the top of a mountain, surveying the surroundings. Although no people could be seen in the nearby green mountains, the presence of powerful auras could be felt everywhere.
The Professionals were scattered, each finding a spot to settle down, patiently waiting for the secret realm to appear.
"It's unimaginable that the depths of the Dark Venom Mountain Range would have such lush scenery..."
Adolphus couldn't help but murmur as he looked at the scene before him.
Anyone who hadn't been here would surely think that the toxins would become more intense and the environment harsher in the inner region, causing them to stop at the outer area.
"The poisonous mist in the outer area is actually a warning released by the level 170 Dark Venom Dragon. That dragon once visited the Holy City of Asal and met with the leaders of the Sacred Council. Honestly, we can even call that Dark Venom Dragon a senior; it's said to hail from the legendary Upper Realm," Avril said softly.
"Then, by coming here, aren't we disturbing that senior?" Adolphus scratched his head and asked.
A level 170 powerhouse could easily crush all the Professionals present.
The three-second cooldown for the Order Affix would allow the Dark Venom Dragon to unleash Order-based skills like crazy.
Moreover...
Dragon magic has the power to disrupt world order, a testament to the immense strength of the Dark Venom Dragon.
"Don't worry. That senior has a good relationship with my teacher. With the Dark Venom Dragon's personality, as long as we don't venture further and disturb it, it won't get angry," Avril reassured.
The surrounding Professionals clearly understood this as well, with no one daring to venture deeper.
"Let's just wait quietly for the secret realm to emerge,"
Avril said with a playful smile. She leapt onto the branch of a towering tree and closed her eyes.
Ling Zhan and the others also each found a spot to sit.
It's worth mentioning...
Whether intentionally or not, Ansely chose to sit near Ling Zhan after he casually found a shaded boulder to rest on.
Ling Zhan didn't mind, instead extending his senses outward.
It was previously mentioned that increasing intelligence not only enhances magic skill damage but also boosts maximum mana, mana regeneration rate, and spiritual perception.
Professions that don't invest in intelligence have a smaller perception range compared to those that prioritize intelligence.
Conversely, strength-focused professions have higher endurance, resilience, and critical resistance.
Every profession has its unique traits; you can't have it all.
Ling Zhan was an anomaly.
As a non-specialist, he could have it all.
When his perception enveloped the area, he quickly sensed some "familiar faces."
On the mountain to the east, several powerful auras converged. Among them, three were very familiar to Ling Zhan: Zhang Mingruo, Ding Haoji, and Yamashita Masahiko.
It seemed this little "baka" Yamashita had indeed gotten involved with the Ten Thousand Beast Alliance and the Demon Dragon Palace.
Ling Zhan was now nearly certain that the Demon Dragon Palace and Ten Thousand Beast Alliance were connected to the Demon Arrival Organization.
Their target was obvious—him.
Yamashita Masahiko alone didn't have the ability to get those two organizations to work for him.
But this worked to Ling Zhan's advantage.
With Yamashita mixed up with those two organizations, it would make eliminating him all the more convenient.
Besides that,
organizations like the Lumina Guild, Holy Sword Guild, and Shadow Moon Pavilion had also arrived with their teams.
Even independent adventurer squads unaffiliated with any organization were eagerly awaiting the secret realm.
The maximum level allowed in the Lumina Secret Realm was set at 140, which provided an opportunity for many ordinary Professionals.
If there were no level restriction, it wouldn't just be these younger generations showing up.
The big shots behind them would be here as well.
At this moment,
everyone waited silently.
However, as the sun sank westward, the patience of those present began to wear thin.
Even Ling Zhan and his group frowned slightly as they watched the evening glow in the sky.
Could the news of the secret realm's appearance today be false?
Some impatient individuals began cursing, seemingly blaming the scouting agencies that had released the information.
Ling Zhan remained calm, sitting on the boulder and leaning against the mountain wall, showing no signs of impatience.
Beside him, Ansely occasionally stole glances at Ling Zhan.
She had been doing this all day, seemingly unable to get enough of him.
Perhaps, for her, sitting beside Ling Zhan, listening to his faint breathing, and feeling his presence was more than satisfying.
But just as boredom was setting in,
"It's here! Something's happening!" A cry of surprise broke the mountain's silence.