"Can't it be a madman with no pattern in killing?" Little Fire God Zhu Qing said indignantly.
"A brain is a good thing, pity you don't have one," Cao Ritian said.
"Why would a madman slaughter just one city and then vanish without a trace instead of continuing his rampage? How could a madman slaughter every single resident in the city, wishing to split even the earthworms underground in half, leaving no living being to escape? How could a madman hide for so long without being discovered by so many experts?"
Zhu Qing's face turned red with anger, ready to retort, but he had to admit that the other party made reasonable points.
Cao Ritian said arrogantly:
"My elder brother analyzed that everything in the world revolves around profit. That guy must have needed a blood sacrifice to boost his power urgently, hence he committed such horrifying acts."
"He's probably hiding somewhere now, digesting the benefits of this blood sacrifice and achieving a breakthrough."
Everyone nodded, of course, they had all heard of Cao Ritian's elder brother's great reputation.
"I never thought the Cao Family's tyranny, apart from his peculiar hobbies, also included such intelligence, nearly demonic, analyzing the person behind all this so clearly in just a few words."
"Naturally," Cao Ritian said with pride on his face but speechlessly in his heart.
His elder brother was excellent in every way, which he admired, but why did he have to have such a disgusting habit of not caring for the pure and unclaimed girls and instead going after what belonged to others?
"Then may I ask your elder brother to guess where this thief might be hiding?" Yuan Guangyi from Ning Province Martial Arts University asked, immediately drawing curious glances from everyone.
"Uh..."
Cao Ritian's always arrogant expression froze.
His big brother hadn't mentioned this.
If I knew, would I still be bluffing here with you all? Wouldn't it be better to report directly to the Great Xia Investigation Department and claim credit?
Damn it, are you the "hundred thousand whys"?
Cao Ritian blurted out randomly: "Since the thief has vanished without a trace, he could be hiding anywhere. Perhaps even this Tiger-Dwelling Mountain Secret Realm could be one of his hiding places."
"Don't bullshit me now," Zhu Qing snorted, seizing the opportunity to retort: "That thief is at least First Grade in strength, how could he possibly enter a Third-Grade Secret Realm? Absolutely not possible."
"Uh..."
For a while, Cao Ritian was at a loss for words and felt that the other party had a point, but he still refused to admit defeat verbally.
"The world is vast and full of wonders. Aside from the facts, do you dare to guarantee that this Secret Realm definitely doesn't harbor that thief?"
"You're just being obstinate," Zhu Qing sneered.
"Ssshh—"
Up in the sky, a warplane shattered the silence as it arrived swiftly.
"Tsk, a top student from Sichuan Province Martial University has arrived?" Song Bida from Qing Province Martial Arts University, who had been quietly observing, couldn't help but smile.
He thought there would be a good show.
"I want to see what's so special about this Xia Luo from Sichuan Province Martial University, to have so many of us waiting here," Zhu Qing crossed his arms.
The warplane landed on the mountaintop with a roar, and the hatch opened under the focused gaze of everyone.
A young man with a plain appearance and simple clothes stepped out, politely bowing to everyone.
"Sorry for the delay on the way." The young man was Luo Yu, who had noticed from the air that almost everyone had arrived, and immediately bowed to apologize,
There was no response, just silence all around, with only the breeze blowing.
Luo Yu saw pairs of scrutinizing eyes filled with indescribable meaning.
As the warplane's hatch closed, everyone else was once again bewildered.
"Kid, Sichuan Province Martial University only sent you? Where is your team?" one of the team leaders from another martial university asked, his eyes wide with surprise.
There were not only teams from top martial universities like Cao Ritian's but also more than ten other teams from slightly lower-ranked universities, almost a hundred people in total. However, most only had the team leaders as veteran Third Grade, with many at Fourth Grade.
Luo Yu subconsciously thought to say that there was no need for others, one person was enough.
After a moment's thought, realising the faces were unfamiliar, he decided not to show off and said modestly:
"Maybe the school thought one person was enough to come?"
"And I've just started school this year, haven't had the chance to form a team yet."
His two sentences silenced all the captains and team members present.
Zhu Qing cursed frantically: "Damn it, what is Sichuan Province Martial University playing at, sending just one little pipsqueak here, looking down on us?"
"One person is enough? Enough crap, do you even know what a Secret Realm is? It's filled with fatal dangers everywhere. Are they sending you to your death?"
"Haven't you seen that we're all in teams, fully equipped before coming out."
"This isn't a game; you should call your plane back right now and go back quickly."
Luo Yu looked at the red-haired young man in surprise.
Although his words were crude, careful listening revealed no malice, only good intentions.
"A freshman?" Pan Ren asked in surprise, "You're not joking with us, are you?"
Luo Yu nodded.
"Indeed, I just enrolled this year, but I believe I have some strength to not hold everyone back; I might even be of great help."
"Oh my god!"
"Did the brains of the Martial University of Sichuan Province get kicked by a donkey?"
"What in the world is this?"
"Damn, stop messing around, they only sent one person, and it's a freshman at that. Has the Martial University of Sichuan Province run out of people?"
The prodigies present were speechless, many of them holding their foreheads in disbelief at the Martial University of Sichuan Province's move.
"What's your name?" Yuan Guangyi finally spoke up and asked.
"Xia Luo."
"Hiss—"
Upon hearing this name, the room fell silent before erupting into an even louder buzz of discussion.
"Is this a mistake? We've all been waiting here for this kid, this freshman?"
"If I remember correctly, we're also supposed to follow the orders of this freshman?"
"Stop joking, isn't this just bringing us into the Secret Realm to be slaughtered?"
"A freshman would still be an inexperienced greenhorn, right? And he's fit to lead all these senior students?"
Zhu Qing was so angry he could breathe fire.
"What the hell are the officials and the Martial University of Sichuan Province doing?"
"Completely incomprehensible," Pan Ren shook his head repeatedly.
Cao Ritian stepped forward and said loudly, "Enough, getting to the Secret Realm is what's important. It doesn't matter whether the Martial University of Sichuan Province has sent anyone, or if it's a dog or a cat. With our sheer amount of strength, we can sweep through everything, and we need no one else."
He dashed over and stopped in front of Luo Yu with a whoosh.
"Kid, I don't know why the officials have mandated that we follow your orders, but I hope you'll conduct yourself wisely."
Luo Yu remained impassive and asked,
"What do you mean?"
Cao Ritian commanded with authority, "Be smart—my commands are your commands. Don't cause trouble for everyone, do you understand?"
"Don't worry, I'll ensure your safety," Luo Yu replied calmly.
"Although I don't respect a nobody freshman, we're all People of Great Xia, and neither I nor they will let you die in there."
"Can you really ensure my safety?" Luo Yu's mouth curved up, finding it very interesting.
"Of course. Don't you know who I am, Cao Ritian from the Imperial Capital Martial Arts University, a man destined to catch up to my cousin?"
Zhu Qing urged, "Cao Ritian, stop fussing with a freshman. Just make him obey, and as long as he listens, we can guarantee his safety."
"Understand, you don't need to intervene. Just be a mascot, it concerns everyone's safety," Cao Ritian, however high-profile and arrogant, acknowledged the official order for Xia Luo to take the lead. He found a workaround.
Having Xia Luo issue his commands would solve everything.
Luo Yu shook his head, seeing no need to fuss with these haughty youths. After all, who could have imagined a freshman possessing such terrifying combat power?
"Actually, I am quite capable. Are you sure you don't need my help?"
"Ha..." Cao Ritian couldn't help but chuckle.
The surrounding prodigies also laughed, though they did not mock him. Pan Ren even came over and patted Luo Yu on the shoulder.
"Little junior, just watch and learn when you go in. The world is vast, and you won't feel so strong once you've seen more. The upperclassmen will cover you if there's danger."
"Uh..." Luo Yu wanted to say something but then thought better of it, deciding to wait until they were inside.
"Let's go!"
The various team captains gave orders, and even the impatient Zhu Qing became serious and focused.
"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!"
Figures leaped down from the cliff, demonstrating strength either at the pinnacle of Third Grade or freshly entered Junior Tier Three, with the weakest at the peak of Fourth Grade. Moreover, they formed Formations, carefully entering the temple gates with caution.
With a "swoosh,"
ripples spread from the temple doors, and all who entered disappeared without a trace...