73: This is the little skeleton's power!

The changes in the top three weren't very significant.

After all, it had only just begun.

One surprising point was that several of the outstanding young talents among Jie Dao's people hadn't even broken into the top hundred.

Jie Dao's expression showed no signs of urgency; he still wore a beaming smile, looking calm and unruffled.

Was he confident of success, or did he have a hidden trump card?

No one could say for sure.

Sun Feifei observed this.

She asked curiously, "Young Master Jie Dao, you don't seem worried at all. Look at your Jidong City Disciples; they're about to fall out of the top hundred. Yet, as their leader, you don't seem concerned that they might not even make the cut?"

Jie Dao shook his head and smiled confidently again. "It doesn't matter. As long as they stay alive and continue through the trials, no one knows who will end up on that top hundred list. This is just the beginning; the real show is yet to come!"

"Young Master Jie Dao is so confident. You don't really think they can make it to the end, do you? This Jie Xin from your Jie Dao Manor seems to be at the Peak of the Fifth Rank. While his beast-taming skills are indeed his greatest reliance, thinking he can overcome all obstacles with just that talent seems a bit too optimistic, doesn't it?"

Jie Xin's strength seemed no different from other Fifth Rank experts, but he actually had an advantage because he was a Beast Tamer.

A being capable of controlling beasts.

Other Fifth Rank Mages, whether Elemental Mages or Summoners, were inherently fragile. Even a Magic Swordsman—even one at the Fifth Rank who could enchant their weapon—would have their hands full dealing with such a large pack of wolves surrounding them.

But Beast Tamers were indeed unique; they could not only summon their own Demonic Beasts but also communicate with others.

This talent alone allowed Beast Tamers to handle many extreme situations.

Naturally, this included being surrounded by so many Devouring Water Wolves.

Beast Tamers and Summoners also shared a common trait: they could consistently fight with superior numbers by summoning Demonic Beasts roughly equal in strength to themselves. As for how many, that depended on their individual skill.

But outnumbering the opponent was a reality.

Imagine a Summoner or Beast Tamer facing a difficult opponent and suddenly unleashing a massive summon with zero-frame startup, calling forth a dozen, dozens, or even the legendary hundreds of Demonic Beasts of similar strength—that would be a righteous gang-beating!

Legend has it that ancient Beast Tamers and Summoners could summon vast armies of creatures.

Beast Tamers summoned Demonic Beasts, while Summoners varied.

Yet both ancient professions seemed capable of summoning thousands.

Thus, they were quite fearsome.

At this moment, Jie Xin and the group of Beast Tamers from Jidong City had clearly adopted a strategy of sticking together.

They grouped up to deal with the attacks of the Devouring Water Wolves.

Their total numbers actually matched those of the Demonic Beasts.

That was a skill in itself.

If their points weren't rising at this time...

...then there was another possibility!

—Was he taming beasts? Was he subduing Demonic Beasts?

If that were true, it would be terrifying!

Chu Jian also thought of this possibility.

After a moment of silence, he looked at Jie Dao and said, unable to hide his shock, "Jidong City is truly capable. It seems you aren't just here for the hidden treasury, but also to expand your Beast Tamer legion... If I'm not mistaken, you've brought many beast-taming rings and Medicinal Pills, haven't you? Impressive indeed!"

Jie Dao smiled without speaking, but his confident expression made everything clear.

Naturally, no words were needed.

Everything was exactly as Chu Jian had said.

Yes, Jidong City wasn't just after the hidden treasury and the leaderboard rewards this time; they also intended to use the opening of this deep Secret Realm to subdue some of the most ferocious Demonic Beasts within to bolster their strength.

It was a risky move, but with proper preparation, success was possible, and the rewards were equally high.

The Woman in the Black Mist thought for a moment, then looked at Jie Dao in surprise and exclaimed, "Wait, Young Master Jie Dao, our Demon Manor sold a batch of Demonic Beasts a while ago—a large batch at that. Among them was a Ninth Rank Earth Rolling Dragon. Could it be that Jidong City bought them all?"

"And you even gave it to—Jie Xin?"

The words of the Woman in the Black Mist caused everyone to realize, and they all turned to look at Jie Dao.

The Ninth Rank Demonic Beast, the Earth Rolling Dragon.

It actually had another characteristic: its combat power wasn't strong, but it possessed the pressure of a Ninth Rank Great Demonic Beast.

Its strength wasn't high, but it had an Aura of pressure, which was also a form of power.

With just its domineering Aura, it could intimidate any Demonic Beast below the Ninth Rank.

If that were truly the case...

...then all problems would be solved.

If they had taken the Earth Rolling Dragon's head or used it in some way, they wouldn't have to worry about the depths of this Secret Realm, or even the legendary Secret Realm Abyss further in. What a brilliant scheme.

But Jidong City had certainly invested a lot, hadn't they?

It made everyone feel that they were being quite extravagant!

Third Prince Chu Jian looked at his ally with a very complex expression, and a hint of wariness couldn't help but arise in his heart.

As expected, people like them were all the same; everyone was using each other, and they all hid unknown methods up their sleeves.

Chu Jian said meaningfully, "Brother Jie Dao, your Jidong City is truly calculating. From the old City Lord to a Young Prince like you, we should all learn from you. Being from Jidong City, your ability to calculate and plan is truly a skill; we indeed have much to learn."

"Haha, Third Prince, there's no need to worry. We aren't competitors," Jie Dao said with a light chuckle, his words carrying a deeper meaning.

He naturally knew what Chu Jian was worried about.

Saying this was meant to ease Chu Jian's concerns.

"Brother Jie Dao truly has impressive methods!"

Chu Jian didn't believe for a second that Jie Dao had no ill intentions; in a place like this, one had to be careful.

After saying that, Chu Jian spoke no more.

Instead, he kept his eyes on his own group.

He hoped they would work harder.

Otherwise, the competition later would likely become even more intense.

Sun Feifei's curiosity was completely piqued. She whispered to Jie Dao, "Did you really give that Ninth Rank treasure to that person from Jidong City? You're certainly generous; it's quite shocking!"