One hour later.
The Underground City was about to close.
Bianca relied on sheer willpower to resist the urge to run it again. She left Miracle City early and headed straight for Skycloud City.
How should Skycloud City be described?
It truly deserved its reputation as the largest and best-operated Underground City in Blackstone Town.
Its main district was more than ten times larger than Miracle City. The streets were wide and spotless, buildings stood densely packed together, millions of residents lived within its territory, and tens of thousands of Adventurers were active daily.
Its manufacturing and service industries flourished.
A complete economic system had formed.
Not only were there shops run by local residents, but foreign merchant caravans and guild representatives could also be seen everywhere. They had traveled thousands of miles to trade here.
Skycloud City had established solid trade relations with several regional powers and smaller kingdoms. In terms of scale and influence, it was comparable to a small kingdom itself.
The infrastructure was comprehensive.
The atmosphere was lively and prosperous.
And yet, Bianca still preferred Miracle City.
Because for an Underground City, the Secret Realm was its true heart and soul.
---
"Leader Bianca!"
"You're finally back!"
"Rumors are spreading everywhere in Skycloud City."
"We heard that as the leader of the Netherworld Mercenary Group, you've been encouraging—or even ordering—members to grind in Miracle City. Is that true?"
"You should give a public explanation to avoid misunderstandings!"
"I think everyone's overthinking it. If Leader Bianca personally brought people to challenge Miracle City's Secret Realm, maybe she's trying to wear them down!"
"..."
As one of the four Adventurer leaders in Skycloud City, Bianca held significant influence. Her recent immersion in Miracle City had stirred up plenty of speculation.
But Adventurers were inherently free.
Although they were contractually bound to one Underground City for cultivation, no one could dictate where they chose to adventure.
It was perfectly normal for Adventurers to explore multiple Underground Cities simultaneously. Some Dungeon Lords even sent their Adventurer groups to grind in rival cities.
Sometimes it was to bankrupt competitors.
Other times it was simply to acquire unique resources.
Adventurers were pragmatic. They went wherever the rewards were best and the gameplay most enjoyable.
Still, as a group leader, Bianca's every move was scrutinized. She offered no explanation.
She had returned for one purpose only.
---
The Challenge Begins
She went straight to the Tier 4 Secret Realm Hall.
The massive hall could accommodate five thousand Adventurers. Since closing time was near, most Secret Realm crystals were idle.
After activating one, four core Secret Realms appeared before her:
Death Maze
Tower of Blasphemy
Valley of Heroes
Hero Cemetery
Bianca selected Hero Cemetery.
Within it were twelve tombs:
9 Tier 1 tombs
2 Tier 2 tombs
1 Tier 3 tomb
Each represented years of Skycloud City's development.
Tier 1 tombs did not mean monsters were only Tier 1. Rather, Adventurers were restricted to using Tier 1 power.
Bianca chose the only Tier 3 tomb—
Ancient King's Tomb.
She entered in her original body and completed her Soul Transformation.
As a Tier 3 Adventurer, she possessed three Life Souls:
Tier 1 Form: Hurricane Lizard
Tier 2 Form: Blood Giant
Tier 3 Form: Mad Butcher General
Transforming consumed mental energy:
Tier 1: 1 point
Tier 2: 2 points
Tier 3: 4 points
Each transformation lasted about an hour unless excessive power drained it faster.
If energy depleted, she could end the transformation or sustain it at the cost of continuous mental energy.
Challenging this Secret Realm cost 4 stamina upfront.
So one run required at least 5 stamina.
And realistically?
It often consumed closer to 10.
That was why many high-tier Adventurers disliked direct-entry Secret Realms.
---
Public Reaction
"Everyone, look!"
"Leader Bianca is running Ancient King's Tomb again!"
"Even top players rarely attempt this!"
The news spread instantly.
The other three Adventurer leaders arrived to watch.
A bald leader frowned.
"What's gotten into her lately?"
A one-eyed leader nodded.
"Even we wouldn't casually challenge this."
A silver-haired leader added,
"She has the shallowest foundation among us. Yet she dares attempt what we hesitate to."
Bianca had the greatest potential—but was the youngest, only twenty-six. The others were at least ten years older.
No one understood her confidence.
---
Inside the Tomb
Bianca transformed into Mad Butcher General—a two-meter-tall orc in blood-red heavy armor.
This soul possessed Life Absorption, replenishing energy by killing living beings.
Unfortunately, Hero Cemetery contained only undead.
Life Absorption was useless here.
That was why the leaders were confused.
But Bianca drew out her blade—
Undying Severance: Weeping Tears.
"Let's begin."
---
The Six Burial Chambers
The tomb consisted of six chambers:
Wind
Fire
Ice
Earth
Light
Dark
Plus the main chamber at the end.
Most Adventurers cleared four at most before retreating.
Bianca did something insane.
She charged the Wind Skeleton General without clearing the Skeleton Soldiers first.
Gasps erupted outside.
"What is she doing?!"
"She'll be overwhelmed!"
Before the Skeleton General fully awakened—
The Undying Severance pierced through him.
Instant soul annihilation.
No resurrection.
The general disintegrated on the spot.
"Ten seconds…"
"She just broke the record!"
The blade's soul-severing effect completely countered undead regeneration.
One by one, the six generals fell.
Total time: fifteen minutes.
A complete dimensional suppression.
---
Rite of Weeping
After clearing the generals, Bianca activated:
Rite of Weeping.
She consumed 1 additional Spirit point.
Every undead killed increased weapon power by 1%, stacking to 100%.
She slaughtered over a hundred Skeleton Soldiers.
Full stack achieved.
+100% total weapon power.
Now her blade surpassed most Tier 4 weapons.
Each swing covered six to seven meters.
Dark red sword energy lingered in the air for seconds.
One strike reduced over ten Skeleton Soldiers to dust.
The "impossible" Secret Realm became a speedrun.
---
Final Chamber
Forty-eight armored Skeleton Guards stood before a throne of skulls.
On it sat the Ancient King—three meters tall, clad in golden armor, crowned in majesty.
"Adventurer… how dare you disturb this king's slumber."
Tier 3 Five-Star strength.
Peak of Skycloud City.
With 48 guards.
A near-impossible encounter.
Even Tier 4 and Tier 5 Adventurers had failed here.
"Kill."
The guards charged.
Bianca swung.
A torrent of red sword energy swept forward.
Seven guards shattered instantly.
Their armor crumbled like paper.
Second strike.
Third strike.
They were mowed down like grass.
In moments—
All 48 guards were gone.
Bianca leapt forward.
"Your turn."
"You've annoyed me long enough."
"Let's see you withstand Miracle City's judgment!"
---
Final Duel
The Ancient King's slash shook the chamber.
But Bianca used Reverse Blade Technique, learned from the Ninja Wolf Sword Style.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Gray and red sword energies collided violently.
Seven exchanges.
On the seventh—
The Rite of Weeping shattered the golden greatsword.
"Die!"
The dark red blade pierced through the Ancient King.
Soul severed.
No resurrection.
The strongest Secret Realm in Skycloud City—
Fell.
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