138: Recruit a follower to boost your bragging points

"One, the Secret Realm will remain open for thirty days. After thirty days, regardless of location, all participants will be forcibly teleported back to the square."

"Two, within the Secret Realm, there are Vicious Beasts, alien races, ancient ruins, and Heaven And Earth Treasures. Killing Vicious Beasts and alien races grants military Merit Points, and exploring ruins or acquiring treasures can also be exchanged for Merit Points."

"Three, those ranked in the top one thousand in real-time military Merit Points will advance to the second stage: the arena tournament."

"Four, within the Secret Realm, killing is not prohibited. However, if one party takes the initiative to surrender, the opponent must not continue the attack; otherwise, it will be considered a violation and lead to disqualification."

"Five, if you encounter a life-or-death crisis, you can crush your participant token to be immediately teleported out of the Secret Realm, but at the same time... you will lose your eligibility to compete."

Xiao Wuya's gaze swept across the hundred thousand prodigies below as he said in a heavy voice:

"One last reminder for everyone!"

"The Secret Realm is full of dangers. In past Prodigy Battles, the death rate in the qualifiers... has been as high as thirty percent."

"It's not too late to withdraw now."

As his voice fell, the entire field went silent.

A thirty percent death rate!

This meant that of the hundred thousand prodigies entering, at least thirty thousand would remain in the Secret Realm forever!

This was the cruelty of the Myriad Races Prodigy Battle!

However, no one withdrew.

Those who could make it here were all top geniuses of their respective regions, proud and arrogant; how could they shrink back because of a single warning?

Furthermore, the greater the risk, the greater the Opportunity!

The Heaven And Earth Treasures, ancient Legacies, and combat tempering within the Secret Realm... were all opportunities unimaginable in the outside world!

"Very well."

Xiao Wuya nodded.

"Then, the Secret Realm..."

"Opens!"

Rumble! Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!

In the center of the square, a massive light gate with a diameter of over a hundred zhang crashed open!

Within the light gate, one could vaguely see a vast and ancient world where Vicious Beasts roared, alien races bellowed, and the Laws were chaotic and violent!

"Charge!!!"

"Seize the initiative!!"

"Kill!!"

The hundred thousand prodigies poured into the light gate like a tide!

Lin Fan was in no hurry. He waited until the flow of people slowed slightly before leading Su Muyu and the others into the light gate at a leisurely pace.

Hum—

The dizziness of teleportation hit him.

In the next moment, Lin Fan found himself in a strange world.

The sky was dark red, as if soaked in blood.

The earth was cracked, vegetation was sparse, and the air was filled with a faint scent of blood and chaotic Law fluctuations.

The surroundings were deserted, with only the distant roars of Vicious Beasts vaguely echoing.

Clearly, entry into the Secret Realm involved random teleportation; Su Muyu and the others had been sent elsewhere.

"Determine the location first, and then... hunt."

Lin Fan's spiritual sense expanded, instantly covering a radius of a hundred li.

In his perception, there were at least several hundred Vicious Beasts in this area, with strengths ranging from Martial Master to Martial King.

Further away, there were also the auras of alien races, as well as... several fluctuations belonging to human prodigies.

"I'll start with the nearest one then."

Lin Fan's figure flashed and disappeared from the spot... A hundred li away, in a canyon.

Three "Red-Winged Drakes," crimson-bodied, twin-winged, and shaped like lizards, were besieging a human Prodigy.

That Prodigy had an Early-stage Martial King cultivation and was currently covered in wounds, facing a perilous situation and seemingly on the verge of collapse.

"Damn it... these three beasts all have Mid Martial King strength. I'm no match for them at all!"

"Do I really have to crush the token and withdraw?!"

The Prodigy gritted his teeth, his eyes full of unwillingness.

He was the chief Disciple of a small Sect in the North District. He thought he could make a name for himself in the Prodigy Battle, but he never expected to encounter such a desperate situation right after entering the Secret Realm!

Just then.

A calm voice sounded from behind him:

"Need some help?"

The Prodigy whipped his head around, only to see a black-clothed youth who had appeared behind him at some unknown time, looking at the three Red-Winged Drakes with interest.

"You... you are..."

The Prodigy felt this youth looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn't recall who he was for a moment.

"Step aside a bit."

Lin Fan waved his hand and took a step forward, arriving in front of the three Red-Winged Drakes.

"Roar!!!"

Seeing another human, the three drakes became even more violent and pounced together!

"Perfect, let's test the practical effects of the Five Elements Law."

Lin Fan neither dodged nor avoided, his hands forming seals.

"Five Elements Rotation — Fire Counters Metal!"

Hum!

Crimson fire Law condensed in his palm, transforming into three flaming chains that instantly bound the three drakes!

Drakes belong to the Metal element, and Fire Counters Metal!

Although Lin Fan's Fire Law was only at the entry level (8%), its essence was extremely high. Combined with the principle of Five Elements mutual suppression, it was more than enough to deal with these three Mid Martial King drakes!

"Roar!!!"

The three drakes let out pained roars and struggled frantically, but the flaming chains tightened further, eventually crushing them into three clouds of blood mist!

[Ding! Killed three Red-Winged Drakes, obtained 300 military Merit Points!]

[Ding! First battle victory, prestige value +2,000!]

[Current prestige value: 75,570 points!]

Three crimson crystal cores dropped from the blood mist.

Those were the cores of the drakes, containing pure Metal energy.

Lin Fan casually collected them and looked at the dumbfounded Prodigy:

"Are you all right?"

"I... I'm fine!" The Prodigy finally reacted and hastily bowed in greeting:

"I am Li Yan of the Profound Fire Sect in the North District. Thank you for saving my life, brother!"

"May I ask for your great name? I will surely repay you generously in the future!"

"Lin Fan."

"Lin Fan?!" Li Yan's pupils shrank. "You... you are the Asura King of the East District, Lin Fan?!"

He finally remembered!

No wonder he looked familiar! Isn't this the ruthless man who reportedly forced back Seventh Master?!

"Mhm." Lin Fan nodded. "What are your plans next?"

Li Yan gave a bitter smile. "My strength is insufficient; I nearly died here. I think I'll... just crush the token and give up."

"Give up?"

Lin Fan shook his head.

"Rather than giving up, why not... follow me."

"Ah?" Li Yan was stunned. "Fol... follow you?"

"Mhm." Lin Fan said indifferently. "Help me out with some chores, collect the loot, and clear out the small fry."

"In return, I will ensure your safety and even... let you enter the top one thousand."

Li Yan's heart pounded wildly.

Following Lin Fan?!

This man was a top favorite to win the championship!

If he could follow him, forget the top one thousand, even the top one hundred would be possible!

"Is... is that really okay?!" Li Yan's voice trembled with excitement.

"I, Lin Fan, never go back on my word."

Lin Fan turned and walked toward the next gathering place of Vicious Beasts.

"Keep up."

"Yes! Senior Lin!" Li Yan hurriedly followed, his attitude extremely respectful.

Over the next half-day.

Lin Fan led Li Yan and began an efficient "point farming" journey.

When they encountered Vicious Beasts, Lin Fan would strike, killing them in one hit.

When they encountered alien races, Lin Fan would strike, slaying them with a single sword.

When they encountered Heaven And Earth Treasures, Lin Fan would strike, collecting them in passing.

Li Yan only needed to follow behind, responsible for collecting loot, clearing the battlefield, and occasionally dealing with some stray small fry.

He didn't even need to lift a finger, yet his military Merit Points were soaring—because it seemed that a portion of the Merit Points from the Vicious Beasts and alien races Lin Fan killed would be "shared" with him?

This was naturally intentional on Lin Fan's part.

He needed someone to handle the miscellaneous tasks, and someone like Li Yan, whose strength was modest but who knew how to show gratitude, was just right.

More importantly... his prestige value was skyrocketing!

[Ding! Slew five Late-stage Martial King Iron-Armored Earth Dragons with one sword, prestige value +3,000!]

[Current prestige value: 78,570 points!]

[Ding! Using Fire to counter Metal, easily annihilated a group of Golden-Winged Thunder Eagles, prestige value +2,500!]

[Current prestige value: 81,070 points!]

[Ding! Found a thousand-year-old Dragon Blood Grass and collected it in passing, prestige value +1,000!]

[Current prestige value: 82,070 points!]

In just half a day.

Lin Fan's military Merit Points had reached a staggering "5,000" points, his ranking surging directly to "98th"!

And Li Yan's Merit Points were also at "800" points; at this pace, he would firmly make it into the top one thousand!