69: A teammate who doesn't exist—an unexpected incident!

A small team was walking through a dark tunnel.

"Hiss!" "Hiss!"

The young Martial Artists continuously exhaled white mist.

"It's so cold! Why did this damned place suddenly start getting colder?"

Yet, one teammate started taking off his jacket and continuously wiping away sweat.

He asked, puzzled:

"Are you crazy from the heat, kid? I'm about to get heatstroke!"

Six Martial Artists, who had set their wristbands to offline mode, allowed the Light Screens in front of them to continuously record everything they saw.

"Hello? Can Team Four hear me? Team Four, please respond!"

"Sizzle~ Rattle~"

Only blurred and indistinct fragments came through the walkie-talkie.

The Captain furiously threw down the specialized walkie-talkie.

"Damn it!"

"What exactly is going on with this Secret Realm? In previous Secret Realms, wristbands and walkie-talkies could communicate normally!"

"Captain, there's something I've been wanting to ask."

A girl radiating the Vital Energy Fluctuation of a Fourth-Tier Peak hesitated before speaking.

"What is it? Just say what you need to say."

The Captain was relatively lenient toward his female teammates.

The girl slowly backed away, moving closer to the wall.

She drew her Single-Handed Sword and looked suspiciously at the 'five' teammates:

"Aren't the ten teams that entered first supposed to be groups of five?"

"Why is there... one extra person now?"

The expressions of the Captain and the other four Martial Artists instantly froze.

They immediately spread out.

One by one, they revealed their Vital Energy Fluctuations.

They looked at each other with shock and uncertainty.

"Wait a minute! We've been walking together for so long, how could someone be impersonating one of us?"

"Could there be other Martial Artists who just happened to follow us in? Big Brother, please just step forward!"

The male Martial Artist who had been complaining about the cold cried out, his legs trembling.

He sounded close to a breakdown, and his words were illogical.

"If I had known, I wouldn't have been greedy for those Credits to join this mission! I'm only 20!"

The remaining five also scanned the others besides themselves, their expressions grim.

The Captain took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Although this was a temporary team-up, I clearly remember the names, Martial School origins, and backgrounds of all five of you!"

As he spoke, the Captain rubbed his temples:

"I was the fifth one just now."

"The wristband's offline mode has been recording. Who was walking at the very back just now? Maybe it captured something."

As a result, the six people looked at each other in dismay.

"I remember, I think I was the fifth one? I can't remember who was behind me!"

"Ah!? I'm the fifth one!"

"There was someone behind me, really! Believe me, I was the fifth one!"

The female Martial Artist felt her scalp tingle as she watched the arguing group; she was clearly the fifth one!

"They, no! *They*, are they really my teammates?" The more the girl thought about it, the more frightened she became.

"I must save myself!"

"Pfft!"

The boy from the Martial School had his heart instantly pierced.

He seemed to have forgotten to activate his Yuan Power shield.

The remaining four looked at the girl with shocked expressions.

"She is the non-existent teammate! Kill her!"

Someone shouted this phrase.

But the remaining four didn't think at all, launching an attack directly toward the girl!

...Jiang Hao quietly took Notes.

This class was on the History of Vital Energy Development, describing the process of humanity's rapid progression from discovering vital energy to the path of the Martial Artist.

"It's much more detailed than what they taught in high school!"

Jiang Hao happily recorded the key points.

Although he used to be a Science Student, his favorite subject was history!

Martial School courses are usually arranged by one's own teacher.

Most are training and combat, or external Practical Experience.

Few people choose to attend those Public Lectures.

Since Jiang Hao was already stronger than some teachers within the school, he was essentially left to his own devices.

Besides going to the Fifth-Tier Area to adapt to his strength these past few days, he came to audit some interesting Public Lectures.

His favorites were the three courses: "Otherworld Customs," "Secret Realm Exploration," and "History of Vital Energy Development."

"It's a pity there isn't a course on 'Consumption and Cooking of Otherworld Beasts'."

The class bell rang, and Jiang Hao slowly got up to pack his things.

His wristband vibrated, and a message popped up.

[A Good Grandfather: Come to the school gate! Hurry, there's an Emergency!]

"What Emergency? Did the Nine Great Martial Schools attack?"

Jiang Hao greeted the Buddy he often met in the front row.

He instantly teleported to the school gate.

He saw the two kings and six heroes, along with dozens of Fifth-Tier Upperclassmen and Women, standing neatly, excluding himself.

He looked, puzzled, at Principal Xia, who was talking to someone.

Vice Dean Zhou and Vice Dean Feng were also present.

The latter's pupils contracted upon seeing Jiang Hao's physique, which was nearly identical to his own.

He looked with pity at Feng Qiluo, who had relied on the list entry Reward to Break Through to the Fourth-Tier First Heaven in one go.

Feng Qiluo was proudly raising her head.

Yes.

Feng Qiluo, relying on her own power,

was the existence who dragged down the average Realm of the Ten Great Prodigies on the First Sequence List.

The Feng Family Senator brought Heaven And Earth Treasure suitable for Breakthroughs to Feng Qiluo overnight.

Coupled with the list entry Reward,

she successfully advanced to the Fourth-Tier after staying in the School Secret Realm for less than three days!

This was even slightly faster than her progression from the Third-Tier Eighth Heaven to the Third-Tier Peak!

"What a pity. Hopefully, it won't leave a psychological Shadow!"

Principal Xia walked over with a serious expression Jiang Hao had never seen before.

"An Unknown Secret Realm has appeared in the Uninhabited Area of Guhuang State."

"This Secret Realm can only be entered by Martial Artists aged 20 or younger,

Regardless of Realm, even First-Tier Martial Artists can enter!"

"But the strange thing is that even the Saint-rank Martial Artists of the Gu Family cannot open the Spatial Tunnel leading to the Secret Realm!"

"Guhuang State has sent out Distress Calls to the other Nine Great Martial Schools, hoping to gather a large number of Fifth-Tier Martial Artists to forcefully crack this Secret Realm!"

Jiang Hao showed an expression of realization after listening.

I get it!

It's time to start Practical Experience!

It just so happens that I've read many Notes on Secret Realm Exploration these past few days.

This time, I'm solid!

Just watch me show off my moves!

Principal Xia's expression was gloomy;

"Three days ago, several Third-Year Students from our Shenzhou Martial Arts School happened to be there and went in to join the fun."

"According to the response from the Guhuang State Martial Unification Bureau, not a single Martial Artist who entered in the past three days has come out!"

"However, that Secret Realm strongly resembles a Trial-Type Secret Realm used to screen Prodigies, so all Ten Great Martial Arts Schools will go and investigate this time."

"So, Shenzhou Martial Arts School is going to bring a bunch of true Prodigies to Sweep The Floor?"

Jiang Hao guessed.

After all, the other Martial Schools or Forces definitely don't have as many Fifth-Tier Martial Artists aged 20 as Shenzhou Martial Arts School!

Maybe the entire Force is relying on that Prodigy to carry them!

Moreover, with a Big Boss like Jiang Hao, who made it onto the First Sequence List, present.

A small Secret Realm? Wouldn't that be Easily Handled?

"Don't worry, Principal. With my strength, I can definitely Punch Through this age-restricted Secret Realm!"

Principal Xia also forced a smile:

"This time, all Expenses will be paid for by the Guhuang State Martial Unification Bureau and the Gu Family!"

"If you want any Reward, you can ask for it directly! I believe they wouldn't dare refuse!"

"After all, an excellent Fifth-Tier Martial Artist from their Gu Family is also trapped inside!"

Jiang Hao took out the 'Hidden Soul' and held it high.

"To save the Martial Artists trapped in the Secret Realm, I, Jiang Hao, naturally Cannot Shirk This Duty!"

"However, it would be even better if there were still Rewards to be claimed afterward!"

Principal Xia nodded, then looked at the crowd who were ready to depart.

"This time, the two Vice Deans will lead the team. Everyone must follow orders... Student Jiang Hao is the exception!"

Then he stretched out both hands and fiercely tore at the space ahead.

"Tear!"

A Dark Void, dotted with Silver-White Spatial Fragments, was revealed.

This was the creation of a Spatial Passage, something only achievable by reaching the Saint-rank!

"The opposite side is the City Entrance near the Secret Realm. You all go through; I will maintain the channel!"

"Inside the Secret Realm, prioritize safety above all else!"

Jiang Hao watched as people continuously passed through before walking toward the Spatial Tunnel.

Before stepping in, he smiled at Principal Xia:

"Don't worry, Principal! As I am now, there is nothing left for me to fear!"