124: I give this acting a perfect score.

"Oh my, Brother Qin Lang, you're being too formal by saying that."

Ofina picked up her hem and ran over like a cheerful little deer.

In those deep blue eyes of hers, little stars of admiration flickered.

"I originally wanted to find you to team up."

"Who knew you'd run so fast? You disappeared in the blink of an eye."

She walked up to Qin Lang, and her perky little nose suddenly twitched.

It was as if she had smelled a peculiar scent.

"Eh?"

Ofina squatted down and reached out with her slender fingers, making a grabbing motion in the air.

At her fingertips, tiny silver specks of light flickered.

Those were the residual traces left behind after space had shattered.

"This is... Space Crystal Dust?"

Ofina covered her small mouth in surprise, her face full of disbelief.

"Heavens! Brother Qin Lang!"

"Did you just fight with a Space-type expert?"

"And looking at these residual fluctuations... they're at least Rank Four!"

Qin Lang raised an eyebrow.

This woman was something else.

Microscopic things like Space Crystal Dust could not be discovered unless one was a fellow Space-type mage or possessed a special ocular technique.

Not only did she find it, but she could also call out the opponent's Rank in one go.

"Something like that."

Qin Lang responded indifferently.

"Why? You know them?"

"I don't, I don't!"

Ofina shook her head like a rattle-drum.

"How could I know that kind of person who hides their head and shows their tail?"

She stood up, patted the dust off her hands, and then clasped her hands together in a fangirl-like pose.

"But Brother Qin Lang, you're just too amazing!"

"That was a Rank Four Space-type! They're known as invincible existences within the same Rank!"

"You actually managed to drive him away?"

"Wow! As expected of my idol! So manly!"

This flattery was so thick it practically gave him goosebumps.

Qin Lang looked at her acting like she was about to faint from admiration and sneered inwardly.

Act.

Keep acting.

Although that assassin's face was covered, their build was clearly that of a man.

Ofina indeed didn't have the time to commit the act herself.

But... what if that assassin was lured here by her?

Or rather, was an accomplice from her 'Magic Visiting Delegation' or whatever?

"Since you admire me so much."

Qin Lang's eyes darted as a plan formed in his mind.

He suddenly took a step forward and reached out to wrap his arm around Ofina's slender waist.

"Then why don't... we team up?"

"I just happen to be lacking an assistant."

"I also wouldn't feel at ease leaving a great beauty like you to run around alone outside."

Ofina's body stiffened.

She clearly hadn't expected Qin Lang to be so proactive.

But she reacted extremely quickly, immediately leaning into Qin Lang's embrace as two red clouds floated onto her face.

"Really?"

"That's wonderful! It's exactly what I wanted!"

"Don't worry, Brother Qin Lang. Although I'm not very good at fighting, I know many auxiliary spells."

"I will definitely 'serve' you well."

She said those last two words with particular ambiguity.

And so.

This 'temporary squad' full of ulterior motives was officially established.

For the rest of the journey, the tone changed abruptly.

What was originally a grim Secret Realm exploration turned into a large-scale 'fan meeting.'

"Wow! Brother Qin Lang's sword strike was so cool!"

"Heavens! That Fireball Technique was so precise! It's practically art!"

"Go Brother Qin Lang! You're the best!"

Whenever Qin Lang killed an exotic beast, Ofina would clap frantically on the side, her cheering more professional than a cheerleader's.

As for herself?

She basically didn't lift a finger.

Occasionally she'd throw out a symbolic Light Shield or cast an Illumination spell.

The rest of the time, she was providing 'emotional value' to Qin Lang from every angle without any blind spots.

Qin Lang was also happy to take it easy.

Anyway, he didn't care about those points; since this woman wanted to play the role of Trash, he'd let her play it.

They headed all the way down.

The tenth floor.

The environment here changed once again.

The surroundings were pitch black, and visibility was extremely low.

Moreover, the simple mode of 'crushing a crystal to open the door' was gone.

To go down, one had to find specific 'Lighthouses.'

"Be careful."

Qin Lang suddenly stopped and shielded Ofina behind him.

Swish swish swish!

In the darkness, over a dozen poisoned arrows shot out from all directions with piercing whistles.

"Oh my!"

Ofina let out a cry of surprise.

But her movements were not slow at all.

She lightly tapped her staff.

"Spatial Reflection!"

Buzz!

A transparent ripple spread out in front of her.

The arrows that were originally shooting toward her seemed to hit an invisible mirror the moment they touched the ripple.

They actually returned the way they came!

Puff puff puff!

Several muffled groans came from the darkness.

The ambushers suffered the consequences of their own actions.

"Impressive."

Qin Lang looked back at her with a half-smile.

"Is this what you meant by 'not very good at fighting'?"

This move, Spatial Reflection, was used with consummate skill.

Ofina stuck out her tongue, looking innocent.

"This is a life-saving skill... I only know how to defend, not how to attack."

Like hell he'd believe her.

Qin Lang didn't expose her, charging into the darkness with his sword and resolving the remaining enemies in a few moves.

The two continued forward.

Soon, a dazzling pillar of light appeared ahead, reaching straight to the ceiling.

The Lighthouse!

However, there were already people beneath the Lighthouse.

A squad of about ten people was besieging a group of Rock Giants guarding the Lighthouse.

The leader was a burly bald man wielding two giant axes, fighting with wide, powerful swings, looking incredibly fierce.

"That's... Wang Chong from Modu University?"

Qin Lang recognized the man.

Rank Four Early Stage, a Strength-type Awakener, and also a favorite to win the championship in this joint exam.

"Who is it?!"

Wang Chong sensed someone approaching and snapped his head back, a fierce light in his eyes.

After seeing clearly that it was Qin Lang, his expression softened slightly.

"So it's Brother Qin Lang."

"These stone lumps are a bit tough, care to lend a hand?"

"Sure thing."

Qin Lang nodded and joined the fray.

With the addition of Qin Lang and Ofina (who was slacking), the battle ended quickly.

"Haha, that was satisfying!"

Wang Chong wiped the sweat from his bald head and laughed heartily.

"I've long heard that Brother Qin Lang has the Dual Mythic Gene. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation."

"This Lighthouse can transport twenty people at once. Shall we go together?"

"Okay."

As the pillar of light flickered.

Everyone was transported to the eleventh floor.

As soon as they landed, Wang Chong led his team to bid farewell.

"Brother Qin Lang, although we get along well, there's only one ultimate prize."

"Once we're further down, we'll be opponents."

"Don't blame this old brother for not being polite then."

After saying that, he quickly left with his people.

Their discussion could be faintly heard:

"Captain, that Qin Lang indeed has some tricks, but bringing that blonde chick along is clearly a drag."

"Hehe, heroes have a weakness for beauties. Carrying a burden like that, he wants to win the championship? He's dreaming."

Qin Lang listened to these words and glanced at Ofina beside him.

Ofina was blinking her large eyes, her face full of innocence.

"Brother Qin Lang, they seem to be saying I'm a burden."

"Will you dislike me?"

"How could I?"

Qin Lang smiled and said meaningfully.

"You are my... 'important partner' after all."

The night grew deeper.

Night in the Secret Realm was even more dangerous than the day.

"Brother Qin Lang, it's dark. Let's find a place to rest?"

Ofina suggested.

"There's a cave up ahead that looks quite safe."

Qin Lang nodded.

The two walked to the cave entrance, and Ofina volunteered to go in first.

"I'll go see if there are any monsters inside!"

However.

Only two seconds passed.

"Ah—!!"

A scream came from inside the cave.

Immediately after.

Ofina rushed out of the cave with disheveled hair, like a frightened little rabbit.

She crashed right into Qin Lang's embrace.

She held onto his waist tightly.

"So scary! Wuwuwu..."

Her whole body was trembling, those two soft mounds pressing tightly against Qin Lang's chest, rubbing against him.

Qin Lang looked down at the blonde beauty in his arms.

The corner of his mouth curled into a cold sneer.

This acting... it would be a pity if she didn't win a Best Actress award.