174: Nine-year cicadas are striking again.

In the current situation, Ning Fengya had no choice but to compromise.

She prayed that Night Ember could create another miracle just like yesterday; otherwise, their lives would be in jeopardy.

However... if he wanted to create a miracle, he should at least go to a reliable place, right?

That Divine Dragon Pool Secret Realm was a useless place; going there would be a waste of time and only increase the risks on the road.

"Night Ember, although the name of the Divine Dragon Pool Secret Realm sounds intimidating, it is actually just a useless, abandoned secret realm."

"For so many years, not a single player has been able to discover any clues within it."

"If you want to improve your strength quickly, you should choose a different place!"

Ning Fengya tried to persuade him again.

Lin Du shook his head. "No need."

"Let's just go there; I want to try my luck!"

It had been less than a day since the falling out with the Qilin Immortal Venerable.

Outside the Ye Clan Merchant Guild, there were many spies from major factions; the moment the two of them stepped out, the news would inevitably be spread.

However, if the Ice Flame Spirit Phoenix traveled at full speed, it was unlikely that anyone could catch up in a short time.

Even the Nine Year Cicada couldn't possibly arrive at their location in an instant...

Time was tight, and the two immediately set off on their journey.

The Ice Flame Spirit Phoenix was extremely fast; after leaving the city, it quickly disappeared from the sight of the various factions' spies.

With the precedent of being ambushed before, Ning Fengya remained vigilant the entire time.

Lin Du was not as nervous as Ning Fengya.

Trouble on the road was inevitable, but there shouldn't be any problems on the way there.

"Brown-Eyed Beauty, you don't need to be so nervous."

"We are safe for the time being."

Ning Fengya glanced at Lin Du coldly.

"You say that easily, but I don't want to be buried with you! I heard that the Qilin Immortal Venerable went to the merchant guild to negotiate with you yesterday?"

Lin Du nodded.

"We talked."

"But the negotiation fell through."

Ning Fengya sighed inwardly.

"The Qilin Immortal Venerable choosing to negotiate with you yesterday was most likely for that skill book..."

Lin Du did not shy away and revealed all the conditions offered by the Qilin Immortal Venerable.

As she listened, Ning Fengya's expression changed.

"Night Ember, you missed a great opportunity to catch your breath!"

Lin Du said meaningfully: "You should know the Qilin Immortal Venerable's character better than I do; he will attack me sooner or later. Even if I choose to compromise, it will be useless."

"Trading a top-tier ss-rank skill book for a chance to catch my breath?"

"The Qilin Immortal Venerable doesn't deserve it!"

...

The entrance to the Divine Dragon Pool Secret Realm was located in a valley.

The environment in the valley was exceptionally beautiful, surrounded by towering, straight trees.

These towering trees formed an encirclement, surrounding the entrance of the Divine Dragon Pool Secret Realm in the very center.

According to the principles of Feng Shui, this was a top-tier terrain known as 'stars surrounding the moon'.

Judging by the structure and internal environment of the secret realm, the Divine Dragon Pool Secret Realm should be a high-level secret realm second only to the Supreme Secret Realm.

But unfortunately, after so many years, no player had been able to discover the secrets within the Divine Dragon Pool.

The secret realm was completely empty, not even a single strand of hair from a monster could be found...

Whoosh—

The Ice Flame Spirit Phoenix landed, and Lin Du and Ning Fengya arrived in front of the secret realm vortex.

The valley was quiet and secluded, with no other sounds except for the occasional pleasant chirping of birds.

Before stepping into the secret realm vortex, Lin Du turned to look at Ning Fengya.

"Brown-Eyed Beauty, just find a place to stay for a while."

"Come back here in an hour!"

Among the 999 sequences, there were five or six classes with tracking abilities.

If a player stayed in the same location for too long, they would easily be tracked.

Ning Fengya understood what Lin Du meant, and she turned to leave.

However, just as she turned around, a beam of white light, as if connecting heaven and earth, suddenly lit up on the open ground nearby.

Hum—

The beam of light was over two meters in diameter, filled with rich spatial energy, and the dazzling white light shot into the sky.

The beam of light grew brighter, and three figures flashed out from within with a "whoosh, whoosh, whoosh".

Nine Year Cicada, Scorpion Tail Needle, and Baili Xuancang!

Seeing these three, Ning Fengya's eyes turned cold.

"They came so fast!"

The thing she least wanted to happen had finally happened...

Ning Fengya gripped the banished immortal and stood in front of Lin Du.

Opposite them, Scorpion Tail Needle walked out with a sinister smile.

His hatred for Night Ember had reached its peak, and a terrifying, shocking killing intent erupted from his body.

"Hehehe, what a coincidence."

"Night Ember, we meet again."

Lin Du nodded expressionlessly. "Yeah, I see you again, you annoying guy who has a crush on your female boss."

"What did you say?"

Fire spewed from Scorpion Tail Needle's eyes, and his aura began to run wild.

"You sharp-tongued brat, I will tear you apart inch by inch today."

"No one can save you!"

Beside him, Nine Year Cicada curled his lips coldly, his figure moving to hide in the air.

"Scorpion, stop talking nonsense."

"Get ready to attack!"

As Nine Year Cicada went invisible, the atmosphere at the scene instantly tightened!

Ning Fengya's focus reached its peak.

While scanning the surroundings, she said coldly to Lin Du: "I will try my best to hold them off; you find a chance to escape on your own."

After speaking, Ning Fengya cursed inwardly.

"Jinx!"

Lin Du stood in place, locking eyes with Scorpion Tail Needle.

Looking at the hideous clown mask, Scorpion Tail Needle could no longer suppress the anger in his heart.

How dare you make my goddess wash your feet every day?

Scorpion Tail Needle let out a long howl, his arm transformed into a giant black poisonous thorn, viciously stabbing toward Lin Du's head.

"Scum, die!"

Whoosh—

Scorpion Tail Needle was level 472, and Baili Xuancang was level 471.

When experts of this level attacked, it immediately triggered the momentum of heaven and earth, and the surrounding air seemed to solidify...

Lin Du stood where he was, the pressure on him increasing dramatically.

A lethal sense of oppression enveloped his entire body!

Seeing that Lin Du was still standing there without leaving, Ning Fengya frowned and glared back angrily.

"If you don't leave now, what are you waiting for?"

"It will be too late if you don't leave now!"

While speaking, Ning Fengya raised her hand and swung her sword, preparing to shatter the black poisonous thorn.

Swish—

Just as the banished immortal was swung out, the ghostly figure of Nine Year Cicada appeared out of thin air beside Lin Du.

Nine Year Cicada sneered.

A sharp aura erupted from the three thousand edges, stabbing toward Lin Du's neck as fast as lightning.

"A mere ant, actually daring to go against the Peak of the Forbidden City!"

"Night Ember, goodbye."

Ning Fengya had been guarding her back.

After Nine Year Cicada appeared, Ning Fengya helplessly retracted her sword move, preparing to endure Scorpion Tail Needle's attack to save Night Ember.

Just as she moved, a calm voice suddenly rang in her ear.

"Brown-Eyed Beauty, take care of yourself!"

"See you in a while!"

At the instant the three thousand edges approached Lin Du's neck.

Lin Du's figure "whooshed" and disappeared into the secret realm vortex.