160: The Academy Team's First Negotiation

Lu Yuan tracked the intermittent footprints and battle marks through the forest for several hours.

The other party seemed very alert, their route erratic, constantly trying to cover their tracks.

If not for Lu Yuan's greatly enhanced perception after Nirvana, he would have lost them long ago.

"These people are quite something," Lu Yuan mused.

Not only were they strong, but they also had extensive wilderness survival experience.

"Judging by the freshness of these tracks, they should be not far ahead."

He quickened his pace, simultaneously concealing his aura to the extreme.

Moonlight filtered through the dense branches, casting dappled light and shadows across the forest floor.

After tracking for some more distance, the terrain ahead gradually sloped downwards, vaguely forming a small valley.

Lu Yuan slowed his steps, carefully pushed aside the bushes in front of him, and peered out.

At the bottom of the valley, on a relatively flat clearing, a bonfire crackled, emitting a warm glow.

Around the bonfire, five or six figures sat, resting.

They were well-equipped, wearing standard combat uniforms, and their weapons were all card manifestations of good quality.

However, fatigue was visible on each person's face.

"Found them," Lu Yuan thought, feeling a slight sense of relief.

He did not show himself immediately, but instead carefully observed the opponent's setup and condition.

Three men and two women.

A perfect team ratio!

Judging by the Source Power fluctuations emanating from them, most were in the mid-to-late Third Rank, with the leading young man having the most stable aura, faintly reaching the Fourth Rank Peak.

Clearly the leader!

"Good strength," Lu Yuan secretly nodded.

Such a team configuration already possessed considerable self-preservation capabilities.

He took a deep breath, secretly circulated the Source Power within his body, and prepared for any sudden situations.

Then, he tidied up his barely covering "bark fashion" and stepped down towards the valley.

"Friends below!"

Lu Yuan's voice broke the silence.

"I am just passing through, with no ill intentions. Would it be convenient to ask a few questions?"

"Swish, swish, swish!"

Hearing the voice, the five people by the bonfire almost simultaneously sprang up!

They reacted extremely quickly, instantly drawing their weapons, adopting defensive stances, and vigilantly looking in the direction of the voice.

"Who's there?!" the leading young man, holding a battle saber flashing with lightning, demanded in a deep voice.

"Who are you, sir? Why are you here so late at night?"

The others also aimed their weapons at the slope where Lu Yuan was.

Seeing this, Lu Yuan raised both hands, signaling he had no hostility.

"No need to be nervous, everyone."

He said loudly, "My name is Lu Yuan. I unexpectedly ended up here and know nothing about this place. I'd like to ask you for some information."

As he spoke, he walked down the slope unhurriedly.

The light of the bonfire gradually illuminated his figure.

When they clearly saw Lu Yuan's peculiar "bark attire" and his slightly young face, the people by the bonfire were all stunned.

Especially when they saw he was alone, carried no decent weapons, and didn't even have a card pack.

The tense atmosphere eased slightly.

The leading young man frowned slightly, scrutinizing Lu Yuan.

"Unexpectedly ended up here?"

"This is not a kind place."

Lu Yuan gave a wry smile: "Indeed, I have suffered greatly myself. If not for sheer luck, I would probably have become food for the demonic beasts in the forest."

His attitude was sincere, and his words were polite.

The young man exchanged glances with his companions, seemingly communicating with his eyes.

A moment later, he put away the lightning battle saber in his hand and waved to the others.

"In that case, come down and talk," he said. "However, please, sir, do not make any sudden moves."

"Thank you."

Lu Yuan responded, quickened his steps, and came to the bonfire.

The team members still maintained a certain level of vigilance, but the hostility in the air had indeed dissipated considerably.

Lu Yuan's gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on the young man.

This young man was about twenty years old, his face not handsome, but with distinct features, exuding a resolute, soldier-like temperament.

"I am Raimond," the young man spoke first. "A second-year student from Mobei Nine Heavens Academy."

He pointed to his companions beside him: "These are all my classmates."

Mobei Nine Heavens Academy?

Lu Yuan's heart skipped a beat at the mention!

Director Lei Xiao's school!

Back at the Yao Family, Lei Xiao, the admissions director of Mobei Nine Heavens Academy, had left a deep impression on him.

He never expected to encounter students from Nine Heavens Academy here!

This was truly... a coincidence!

He timely displayed a look of surprise and admiration on his face.

"So it's the Senior Schoolmates from Nine Heavens Academy! I've long heard of your esteemed names! My apologies for the disrespect!"

Lu Yuan cupped his hands, his tone carrying a hint of deliberate "worship."

Raimond and the others, hearing Lu Yuan's words and seeing his young age and only Third Rank Source Power fluctuations, subconsciously took him for a low-grade Junior Schoolmate who had just entered the academy and held great admiration for his seniors.

After all, the Nine Heavens Secret Realm was considered the academy's private property; generally, outside social personnel were not allowed entry except for the school's teachers and students!

Moreover, Mobei Nine Heavens Academy was a renowned top academy throughout Canglan Province and even several surrounding provinces.

Those who could be admitted to Nine Heavens Academy were all exceptionally talented individuals.

"You're too kind, Junior Schoolmate."

Raimond's face showed a slight smile, and his guard dropped a bit further.

Among the team, a lively girl with short, ear-length hair curiously looked at Lu Yuan and couldn't help but ask, "Junior Schoolmate, why did you come here alone?"

"This is the Third Heaven, March Forest, of the Nine Heavens Secret Realm; it's very dangerous! Where's your team?"

Her voice was clear, with a hint of concern.

Nine Heavens Secret Realm?

March Forest?

Third Heaven?

Lu Yuan's mind suddenly cleared!

So that's how it is!

He finally knew where he was!

This place was actually the core secret realm that Mobei Nine Heavens Academy was so proud of—the Nine Heavens Secret Realm!

No wonder the sky here had three moons!

No wonder most of the demonic beasts encountered here had some spatial characteristics!

Everything made sense now!

He had encountered an accident during spatial teleportation and, by a strange twist of fate, had fallen into the Third Heaven of this Nine Heavens Secret Realm!

Lu Yuan's mind raced, but his face remained impassive, showing a bewildered and fearful expression.

"Senior Schoolmate, to be honest, I... I don't know how I got here."

He said with a bitter face, "I was originally with a team conducting a trial, but we were attacked by a powerful demonic beast midway, and the team was scattered."

"I fled in a panic, and somehow I ran here. I woke up by that lake."

He pointed to his "miserable" bark attire.

"I only managed to make this outfit with great difficulty."

...