89: The strongest four-person team is born, along with the arrival of the prodigies.

As expected, a Mage caught in melee by a Warrior is at a great disadvantage.

Even a legendary Archmage, if they had bad luck, would be scattered in pieces.

Fortunately, Mu Qianqiu was still in the Foundation Establishment Stage, and his injuries were not severe. After Zhou Yan gave him a few Red Potions, he was fine except for some coughing.

However, the Red Potions from the game panel seemed to have reduced effectiveness on people in the real world.

Zhou Yan originally thought Mu Qianqiu would recover instantly after taking one Red Potion, just like himself. But it only healed his injuries; his condition still needed to recover slowly.

This should be related to the difference in Physiques. His entire body was judged as a single entity, after all, it was just a model.

But for people in the real world, every part of the body is considered a separate model, which caused this item to have some bugs.

However, compared to ordinary Medicinal Pills, the effect was still faster and better. It was clear this bug wasn't very big, so Zhou Yan didn't bother with it.

He just wondered what effect those Medicinal Pills with special effects would have on real people. He might try it if he had the chance... Thinking of this, Zhou Yan suddenly remembered a certain Daoist who was addicted to 'food' and quickly shook his head, casting away that dangerous thought.

No, the impact of such conceptual items on reality is unknown, so I can't just try them. If I'm going to find someone, I need to find suitable 'family members'.

After Mu Qianqiu recovered, Zhou Yan asked about the Sect's arrangements for this trip.

"Did Master arrange for you three to come together to help this time?"

"Not so," Niu Zhiyuan replied, "This Secret Realm trip, only Senior Brother Wang and Senior Sister Shi will be taking action."

"My cultivation is low, and I don't like fighting. Entering would only drag everyone down, so I'm mainly responsible for logistics."

"My Niu Family has some reputation in Great Yu, at least enough to ensure everyone's safety and supplies before and after entering."

He said, pointing to a temporarily set up camp in the distance.

Some Cultivators in uniform attire and armored soldiers were gathered there. Seeing Niu Zhiyuan point their way, they stopped their actions and waved towards them.

Niu Zhiyuan's words made Zhou Yan even more confused.

Junior Sister Shi's template, her favorability hadn't been unlocked, so he couldn't see everything. But Zhou Yan's Divine Sense roughly swept over her and could tell she was only at Qi Refining eighth layer.

Niu Zhiyuan, with his special Bloodline and Body Cultivator path, didn't choose to go in.

Junior Sister Shi's cultivation was only one layer higher, and her Physique seemed very ordinary, so why was she going in while Niu Zhiyuan handled logistics?

Could this Junior Sister Shi have something special about her?

"Junior Sister Shi, Junior Brother Niu isn't going in because of the Secret Realm's danger, but why are you willing to take the risk?" Zhou Yan asked tactfully, a little worried she was there to 'gain experience'.

Originally, three Top-tier Players could clear it steadily, but if it turned into a 'carrying a girl' situation, he would really have a headache.

Before Shi Suiyan could speak, Wang Yao answered for her.

"To be honest, the Secret Realm is opening soon, and the Sect only managed to get three keys."

"The original plan was for me and Second Senior Brother, that Long Tianxing fellow, to enter the Secret Realm to help you, and bring along a fellow disciple familiar with Great Yu to hold a key and provide backup outside, to prevent any accidents."

"But for some reason, as soon as Long Tianxing heard about coming to the Secret Realm, he refused to come no matter what."

"Master and Senior Martial Uncle tried to persuade him for a long time, but he wouldn't budge. A few days ago, he was even severely injured by heavenly lightning, so now he has an even better reason not to come."

"This 'Child of Destiny' really has some skill. For places he doesn't want to go, even the heavens help him find excuses. What great Face!"

Wang Yao's tone was filled with dissatisfaction. Even a straightforward person like him used such an Advanced rhetorical device as sarcasm, indicating he truly had an issue with Long Tianxing.

"Since Long Tianxing isn't coming, a fellow disciple in the Foundation Establishment Stage should have filled in. However, Senior Sister Shi volunteered and proposed a condition that everyone couldn't refuse, so she joined instead."

Zhou Yan frowned. Could a Sect of this size be 'bought off'? Could she really have gotten in through the back door just to gain experience?

Just as Zhou Yan was about to transform into a Zuan Berserker and teach this young girl, who intended to hinder his progress, a lesson, Wang Yao's next sentence blocked his question.

"Senior Sister Shi said that she knows all the arrangements within the Secret Realm. Even if there are some changes inside, the general layout won't change."

"Master and Senior Martial Uncles have verified that the information she provided is extremely valuable."

"Therefore, although her cultivation is not high, with her help, her role will definitely exceed the combat power of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator."

Zhou Yan instantly appeared beside Shi Suiyan and cordially grasped her wrist.

"Welcome to our team! With Junior Sister's help, Yan feels like a fish in water!"

His eyes were faintly moist, his emotions sincere.

Shi Suiyan was also moved, her eyes slightly red.

"To achieve Senior Brother's ambition, I, your Junior Sister, am willing to serve like a dog or horse!"

"Junior Sister!"

"Senior Brother!"

Zhou Yan wiped a cold sweat from his forehead mentally.

That was close, so close. He almost punched out a 'Divine-Grade information provider'.

Thus, the final piece of the Secret Realm team puzzle was in place.

The strongest clear team is formed!

Zhou Yan, the strongest mechanic monster, three health bars, BOSS template owner.

Wang Yao, a Human Gundam, Heaven-Defying stats, plus infinite health regeneration. Fighting him, you'd probably drown in his blood before he bleeds to death.

Shi Suiyan, the strongest intelligence provider, possessing all information about the Secret Realm, starting everyone ahead of the finish line.

Niu Zhiyuan, the mysterious fifth person, not only provides ample logistics but also lowers the team's average quality as the 'most qualified member'.

Oh, right, and Mu Qianqiu, he has the highest Rank.

The five of them sat down in the camp, chatting while waiting for the Secret Realm to open.

During the wait, Zhou Yan also learned more information from their conversations, gaining a clearer understanding of the world he was in.

On this continent, the Human Race occupies the center, divided into five regions: East, South, West, North, and Central.

The center is the Ancestral Land of the Human Ancestor, jointly guarded by Mahayana Cultivators dispatched by the Three Sects.

To the north is the Northern Territory controlled by Qingxu Grotto-Heaven.

To the south is the Southern Desert ruled by the Liyan Holy Land.

To the west is the West River guarded by the Butian Pavilion.

As for the east, it was originally governed jointly by the Three Sects. Although many Demonic Path forces gathered there, they dared not cause trouble.

But ever since the 'Calamity of the Demon Venerable', several Demonic Path Mahayana Cultivators united with other Demonic Path representatives to form the Six Demonic Sects, occupying the Eastern Region.

Later, for various reasons, the Three Sects decided to abandon the Eastern Region and ceded it to the Six Demonic Sects.

Beyond the Human Race's sphere of influence, there were other forces.

The core combat power of the Yao Race is mostly in the Monster Realm, but most of the Yao Race still resides in the Human Realm, and their sphere of influence is in the second circle outside that of the Human Race.

To the north is the Northern Abyss, an endless ocean controlled by the Yao Race.

To the south is the Jade Sea, a Boundless Forest jointly governed by Humans and Yao.

To the west is the Endless Snow Region, with harsh environments, controlled by the Yao Race.

As for further east of the Eastern Region, it is called the 'Hundred Thousand Great Mountains', and its forces are extremely complex.

If you really wanted to describe it, it might be impossible to explain.

But if you wanted to say there was nothing, two sentences would suffice.

And this Secret Realm, due to the special nature involving the Law of Time, will be attended by Human and Yao forces from all regions, except for the Three Sects and Northern Abyss.

[Continent Map - Human Realm]

After listening, Zhou Yan let out a light breath.

So the most powerful factions didn't come.

Oh, that's not right.

Someone from Qingxu Grotto-Heaven seems to have arrived!