146: The demonic attack is imminent.

After Jian Wuxie and the other three left, the Second Prince whispered instructions to Commander Ma, "Pass down the order. Have our people quickly collect four ink bamboo bracelets. Any amount of Gold Coins is fine!"

Commander Ma asked with a puzzled look, "Second Prince, is this ink bamboo bracelet really that important?"

"Didn't you see that kid's reaction? He'd even trade a Divine Artifact for a Rare one. It's likely the real deal. Go quickly!" the Second Prince said.

Commander Ma nodded and left, dragging his still-weak body.

The Second Prince seemed to remember something else and instructed Captain Yang, "Go catch up to Old Ma and tell him that it's not just the ink bamboo bracelet; we want any equipment that increases speed!"

Captain Yang nodded and left as well.

On Lin Chuan's side, Xiao Xiao hugged Lin Chuan's arm and acted spoiled, "Revered Master, are you going to participate in this Martial Forest Assembly?"

Lin Chuan shook his head and said, "I won't participate. If I, the designer of this Secret Realm, participate, wouldn't it be unfair to others?"

Xiao Xiao asked pitifully, "Revered Master, then can my brother and I participate?"

Lin Chuan looked at the two of them and said, "You two can. Why? Do you also want to compete with others?"

Xiao Xiao didn't speak, but Er Gou spoke up first, "Revered Master, my sister and I were always bullied. It only got better after we became your disciples. So we want to participate and do you proud!"

Lin Chuan looked at the siblings and nodded slightly. He didn't expect a simpleton like Er Gou to have such a heart. He was even a little moved. Fine, he wouldn't make the boy cook tonight.

Lin Chuan smiled and said, "Alright, you two go and join the fun when the time comes!"

Seeing that Lin Chuan agreed, the siblings were both incredibly excited.

As for Jian Wuxie and his group who had left long ago, Quan Wudi finally couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Fei, is this speed really that important?"

Seeing no one around, A Fei nodded and whispered, "This martial arts competition is inside the Secret Realm. Everyone's cultivation is about the same; the only difference is their class. Having a faster movement speed than others is just like us learning a good Movement Technique outside."

Xiao Hongyuan understood immediately and added, "In other words, if two Cultivators of the same Realm fight, and one has a Movement Technique while the other doesn't, the one with the Movement Technique naturally has an advantage. Whether it's escaping or pursuing, they'll have the upper hand?"

A Fei nodded, "Exactly. Moreover, when facing enemy skills, the speed at which you can dodge will also be much faster."

After the explanation from the two, Quan Wudi and Jian Wuxie also understood.

Xiao Hongyuan added, "It's not just speed; equipment is also an advantage for everyone. Whether it's damage or defense, it will affect the outcome of the competition. So next, we need to collect as much good equipment as possible!"

The three of them nodded and began discussing how to quickly obtain some good equipment they could use.

"Tomorrow is the last day of the Monster Siege event. Let's try to gather enough Intelligence Reports and see if we can exchange them for a Lord Artifact we can use," Xiao Hongyuan said.

"Right, don't forget that after the Monster Siege event ends, there's also the Secret Realm upgrade. I think the boost from that new Gift Pack will definitely be significant. It seems everyone must buy one," Jian Wuxie said.

Hearing this, A Fei showed a look of hesitation. Although he had obtained 100,000 vouchers last time, a single Gift Pack cost nearly 30,000. He also planned to buy some necessary items for the people of the Mo Qian Sect.

Quan Wudi saw A Fei's hesitation and advised, "Don't worry, you don't need to compensate us for this ink bamboo bracelet. We all fought for the equipment together, so everyone gets a share. As for that Gift Pack, you should still buy it. If you get a good rank in the Martial Forest Assembly, the rewards might be even more useful to you."

A Fei looked at Quan Wudi and finally nodded gently.

"Alright, it's very late. Let's go out and rest. Don't miss tomorrow's Monster Siege!" Xiao Hongyuan said.

Meanwhile, in the Western Region, the Dark Council's Twelve Divine Official Hughes had already made the final preparations. The monster army had assembled and was just waiting for his command to pass through the Teleportation Array into the Southern Region.

But just then, Hughes was called out to by a voice again. Upon hearing this voice, his whole body instinctively tensed up.

He hurriedly bowed respectfully and called out, "Archbishop!"

An old man with black patterns all over his face walked over slowly. He wasn't wearing a black robe. He first glanced at the monster army behind Hughes, then said, "Hughes, no need for formalities. Rise!"

Only then did Hughes slowly straighten his body, but he still didn't dare to look directly at him.

"I know the decision made by you Twelve Divine Officials. Since you are risking yourself this time, I've come to give you some support." After the old man finished speaking, twenty people in black robes suddenly appeared behind him. But unlike Hughes, they didn't have hoods, and their faces were all cold and expressionless, like machines.

"These twenty people are all experts with cultivation above Soul Transformation. I see that your monster army's strongest are only around the Golden Core level. If there are experts on the other side, it might not be very secure," the old man said with a smile.

"Thank you, Archbishop!" Hughes said hurriedly.

In truth, he knew in his heart that while these twenty people were indeed helpers, they were also there to monitor him. After all, he was a defector from the Church of Light. Although he was ranked among the Twelve Divine Officials, he had never been truly trusted.

"Hahaha, alright, no need to be polite. The leader of these twenty is named Guido, with a Void Refining Peak cultivation. His Peak combat strength can hold out for ten moves against someone in the Body Integration Realm without being defeated. If there's an emergency, let him protect you and bring you back to report," the old man said with a smile.

Although Hughes was also at the Void Refining stage, he still didn't dare to underestimate this person and hurriedly lowered his head in agreement.

"When do you depart?" the old man asked calmly.

"Everything is ready. I will activate the Teleportation Array's function to its maximum now. We will be able to depart then, in no more than half a day!" Hughes answered quickly.

"Good, half a day then. I wish you a triumphant return!" The old man's words carried an unquestionable tone.

"Guido, assist Hughes. Help him finalize the activation of the Teleportation Array now!" The old man gave the instruction, and his figure instantly vanished from the spot as if he had never been there.

Hughes took the initiative and said, "Guido, thank you for your hard work!"

The man named Guido remained expressionless and only replied coldly, "For the great Demon Lord!"

He walked to the Teleportation Array, and waves of black aura surged from his body, covering the Demon Race Teleportation Array.

The Teleportation Array immediately emitted a dazzling light, and its area expanded bit by bit. A pitch-black light gate slowly appeared from the center of the Formation, growing larger and larger.

At the same time, the Teleportation Array at Tianquan Peak also underwent a sudden change, as a slowly expanding black halo appeared within the Formation.