https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-801-The-Secrets-of-Sun-City-Part-2-/12826340/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-803-the-solar-secret-realm-part-four-/12826344/
Chapter 802: The Sunlit Secret Realm (Part 3)
Chapter 802: The Sunlit Secret Realm (Part 3)
To avoid suspicion, Gary waited half a minute before returning to the square in front of the City Lord's residence. He was the last of the explorers to arrive.
Seeing Gary, City Lord Dork scanned the gathered humans and beasts, leaning on his massive sword as he announced, "Everyone is here now, so let me get to the point."
Standing at a towering five meters with a massive build, Dork, the City Lord, exuded a presence that was both imposing and intimidating. His deep, resonant voice only added to the pressure he exerted over the small humans and Skrul people present.
However, Xiaotian knew that the Blue-skinned City Lord wasn't particularly powerful. Based on the aura Dork inadvertently released, his strength was likely at the peak of the Sixth Tier, definitely not reaching the Seventh Tier. He was stronger than the others present, but not by much.
Dork, the City Lord, looked over all the beings present and said, "After three days of continuous combat, with everyone's help, the insectoid army is now showing signs of weakening. I held a meeting with the high-ranking officers in the military, and we unanimously decided to launch a final assault on the insectoids!"
Dork City Lord raised his hand, and a detailed battle map appeared before everyone and every beast. The map showed Sunlit City in the bottom right, the ongoing battle zone in the center, and the insectoid army's stronghold, marked as "Hive," in the top left.
Once everyone's attention was on the battle map, Dork City Lord solemnly declared, "In one hour, we will launch our final assault on the insectoid army. Our goal is to crush the insectoid forces in the center of the map, then advance directly to the 'Hive' on the top left and eliminate all life within it!
"During the assault, everyone must avoid hindering each other. No form of conflict between units is allowed; we must remain united.
"After we capture the 'Hive,' I will distribute rewards based on everyone's 'military merit points.' I guarantee the rewards will be more than satisfactory!"
Hearing this, the Skrul people and high-ranking beasts present couldn't help but smile. Wasn't this what they came into the secret realm for? Now, it was finally time to settle the rewards.
Moreover, capturing the Hive wouldn't be too difficult. After days of battle, they had a good understanding of the Blue-skinned people and the insectoids.
At the start, the Blue-skinned people could hold their own against the insectoids evenly. With the explorers joining in, the scales of victory tipped heavily in favor of the Blue-skinned people. Given the current situation, as long as Dork, the City Lord, didn't make any disastrous tactical errors, the Blue-skinned army could easily crush the insectoid forces and storm their stronghold.
The explorers wouldn't have to lead the charge; they just needed to support the main forces, making it easy to secure a victory.
The entire process would be very safe, with virtually no danger involved.
...
However, precisely because there was no danger, many of the Skrul people and high-ranking beasts didn't look entirely relaxed.
Privately, they discussed through their mental powers:
"Judging by the current situation, we'll push through without encountering much danger. How are they going to guarantee a '50% death rate'?"
"Yeah, and we're not allowed to attack each other. If we were, there might be some deaths, but now, there won't be any."
"Could this secret realm be different from the others? Maybe we don't need a 50% death rate to pass?"
"Hearing you say that... it does seem possible. After all, our understanding of the 'final secret realm' is still quite shallow."
...
The Skrul people continued their discussions, while Xiaotian frowned, pondering Dork City Lord's words.
Here is the rewritten chapter with non-English characters replaced with their English equivalents or transliterations:
She noticed that the mayor of Dork City used the phrase "eliminate all life in the insect nest" instead of "eliminate all insects."
Why "eliminate all life" instead of "eliminate all insects"? Could it mean that there are other living beings in the insect nest besides the insects?
Tiana felt it was necessary to ask. She raised her hand high.
Seeing Tiana raise her hand, Mayor Dork immediately looked at her. "Is there something you need to ask?"
He certainly wouldn't ignore this top helper, who ranked first in military achievements.
Tiana blinked her big eyes and asked seriously, "Mayor Dork, you mentioned 'eliminate all life in the insect nest' instead of 'eliminate all insects.' Does that mean there are other living beings in the insect nest besides the insects?"
"Exactly, there are other beings," Mayor Dork admitted honestly.
"Can you tell me what those beings are?" Tiana quickly followed up.
"Right now, I can't tell you. You'll find out in due time," Mayor Dork replied hesitantly.
Hearing the conversation between Tiana and Mayor Dork, the Skreel people and the high-rank magical beasts present weren't foolish. They immediately thought of a possibility.
No, it can't be that, can it?
Tiana's mood had already sunk to the bottom. The answer from Mayor Dork had confirmed her suspicions.
She asked, "Can I ask one last question?"
"Go ahead."
"If the non-insect beings in the insect nest surrender, can we spare their lives?"
"No!" Mayor Dork said firmly. "We do not accept any form of surrender. Every living being in the insect nest must be eliminated, not a single one can be spared!"
"…Alright, I understand," Tiana said, her face expressionless. She took a few steps back, hiding behind a high-rank magical beast, using its body to block Mayor Dork's view.
Now, she fully understood what this secret realm was about.
If she could do nothing, the secret realm would start with the Branching of participants.
Fifty adventurers entering the secret realm would be split: 25 to the Blue People side, and 25 to the insect nest side.
Tiana was assigned to the Blue People side, while Qianbei Squad was assigned to the insect nest side.
Each adventurer was forced into their own camp upon entering.
However, the adventurers from the two camps never met, not even knowing of each other's existence.
But as the final battle between the camps approached and the war intensified, the adventurers from both sides would inevitably meet, until one side was "completely eliminated," marking the end of the secret realm.
This meant the death rate in the secret realm would definitely exceed 50%, and in the end, very few might survive.
Following the script of the secret realm, if the Blue People won, Qianbei Squad would die in the secret realm, and Tiana could leave with the rewards.
If the insect side won… thinking this, Tiana's body shuddered. She suddenly felt that death was very close.
"No, I can't let the secret realm's script continue!" Tiana told herself firmly.
Whether it was her or Qianbei Squad who died, she couldn't accept it!
She had to find a way to break the script of the secret realm.
Even if she couldn't obtain any rewards, she must leave the secret realm alive with Qianbei Squad!
(End of Chapter)
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