The Cockroach-like Girl Is My Beast

Not long after, rolling dark clouds suddenly emerged at the distant end of the sky, spreading swiftly across like a sheet, occupying the airspace above Zhen Sheng City at an astonishing speed.

The sky suddenly turned completely black.

Within a few minutes, the once clear night sky was totally engulfed by thick, swirling storm clouds, followed by a torrential downpour from the heavens.

Crash, crash, crash—

The sound of the rain was loud, but Lin Guang did not give it much thought.

Because at this very moment, in his mind, he could distinctly feel a violent "tremor" from another dimension.

With the activation of his Eye of Omniscience and Omnipotence and Hand of Full Mastery through Ether Perception, a variety of light points seemed to be subtly trembling.

Though the amplitude was not large, the phenomenon was extremely frightening.

This meant that the entire Ethereal Environment of Zhen Sheng City was being impacted by an unidentified external force.

…

In the Daoist School whose decor was simple yet solid as earth and stone, originally a suit-clad man kindly guiding students suddenly lifted his head, seemingly piercing through walls and ceilings, "looking" towards the southwest of the city.

On the top floor of the Education Bureau Building.

Kong Guofeng, the director dressed in traditional Tang attire, stood by the window looking towards the far end of the sky, as melodious chimes resounded beside him, his eyes flashing with two starkly contrasting emotions—joy and worry.

Military district encampment.

Tianmu, who was meditating in a closed room, suddenly opened his eyes, with rolling heat waves immediately filling the entire silent chamber.

Within the ancient Chinese architecture of the three major families.

Several powerful auras emerged openly, aggressively casting intense perception towards the southwest.

…

And such situations didn't only occur among these True Men and school heads.

They were merely those with strong Spiritual Power, discovering it first.

Within ten minutes of the occurrence of the anomaly, all Spirit Masters above Three-Star level and Spirit Beasts above Tier Three in Zhen Sheng City felt this strong tremor.

In an instant, as if previously agreed upon.

Amidst the pitch-black sky, seven figures, emanating vast auras and dazzling light, ascended against the gale and torrential rain from various parts of Zhen Sheng City, tracing various colored trails in the air, like meteors heading towards the source of the anomaly.

Each meteor represented a True Man... or an existence comparable to one.

It should be known that even Zhen Sheng City, one of Fenghai Province's three most crucial node cities, only had around ten True Men after over a century of accumulation. Moreover, some True Men were either frequently exploring Secret Realms or, like the Eleventh Army Regiment Leader, consistently stationed at the corresponding Outer Battlefield position.

Seven True Master Level combat powers meant that nearly all stationed True Men in Zhen Sheng City were mobilized at this moment.

This was an immensely formidable force, even rendering a typical small country's heart trembling alongside a Beast Tide led by multiple Beast Kings, appearing insignificant under such a powerful entourage.

What on earth happened that made them act simultaneously?

What was the cause of this anomaly?

Lin Guang had some speculations in his mind, quickly turning on the television and switching to the news channel.

"We'll now interrupt with an important news update."

"Around 1,200 kilometers southwest of Zhen Sheng City, a Secret Realm appearance phenomenon has occurred."

The television displayed a photo.

Thick cloud layers in the sky were torn open into a large circular gap, as if something enormous had passed through, leaving a trace of light like a light column, clearly visible and enduring.

"According to measurement data, the Secret Realm merged with the Blue Star's inner Boundary Wall around 7:03 in the evening, with energy level intensity approximately at Tier Seven, conflict level [High], thereby forming a strong Rule disturbance field, disrupting the weather."

"The torrential rain will last around ten hours, citizens are advised to plan their itineraries accordingly."

"Is this... a Secret Realm appearance?"

Lisa asked softly, momentarily in shock.

"Yes."

Lin Guang took a deep breath:

"Such a massive ruckus, it's my first time witnessing it."

The silver-haired girl gazed at the pouring rain, unable to help but exclaim using the most primitive of words: "*Kazdailan curse*!"

After pondering a moment, Lin Guang began to explain the current situation to them.

The Secret Realm itself also has so-called "capacity" and "quality."

When the sum of capacity, energy level, and inherent properties within the Secret Realm is below a certain threshold, its landing process into Blue Star appears relatively smooth, very quickly assimilated.

But if it exceeds this threshold, the Secret Realm exhibits some struggle and resistance against Blue Star's assimilation capabilities, although inevitably still converted by the Rule, but this time frame is extended to a period where response is possible.

During the incremental assimilation of the Secret Realm Rule, internal Otherworld essence would temporarily emerge, condense, achieving tangible forms akin to heavenly treasures existing only within a relatively short period of oscillation.

Despite the time limitation, if promptly preserved through special means, they can still be taken out—or simply used on the spot.

Once Secret Realm Rule harmonizes with Blue Star's Rule, those uncollected treasures will either be absorbed back by the Secret Realm or dissipate directly into Blue Star, nurturing the whole world.

This Secret Realm merging into Blue Star's inner Boundary Wall has exceptionally high intensity, causing intense oscillations.

A Tier Seven Secret Realm is rarely seen even across Great Xia, and in Zhen Sheng City's brief hundred-year history, it is the first occurrence, implying the sheer volume of heavenly treasures inside—making even True Men covetous. According to Great Xia's laws, anyone can explore the Secret Realm before the harmonization period ends.

Lin Guang succinctly concluded this introduction:

"In novels and plays among the common folk, there are frequent plots where down-and-out lads strike it lucky by entering the Secret Realm first, achieving extraordinary breakthroughs and soaring high."

Vishdair crossed his arms:

"So, are we going to join the excitement, seek treasures, explore adventures?"

Though saying this, he appeared somewhat lacking in interest.

Despite Lin Guang's depiction which indeed made Secret Realm exploration sound appealing and startling, she grew up in a mercenary camp as a child, naturally grasping a principle.

Before adults eat their fill, children aren't qualified to eat meat; having a mouthful of soup is considered fortunate.

Because in real emergencies, those stronger combatants would be the first ones near the frontline.

She also witnessed the scene when the True Men took flight.

With such beings deciding to act, there's hardly any leftover for them to feast on, usually just scraps.

Lisa remained silent, quietly awaiting his decision.

Lin Guang didn't speak, merely gazing into the distant horizon.

His gaze unfocused, as if witnessing not only the present Zhen Sheng City, where countless Spirit Masters tried their luck heading southwest towards the wilderness.

No.

Definitely not restricted to Zhen Sheng City.

Perhaps even the whole Fenghai Province might see a surge.

Although Great Xia's baseline and protocol would surely see legendary powerhouses maintaining the most basic order during the appearance of a Tier Seven Secret Realm, preventing the still-unrecovered Boundary Wall accompanying the Secret Realm's descent from turning into a Demon Race invasion breakthrough.

But even so, it would mostly keep the conflict intensity below certain caution levels.

After all, Spirit Master paths aren't child's play; peaceful endeavors without bloodshed are impossible.

Acquisition, interception, cooperation, betrayal... none of these are avoidable.

That area located in Zhen Sheng Forest, merely 1,200 kilometers from Zhen Sheng City, might become a pot of chaos in the upcoming period.

Weaklings yearning to become strong, strong seeking advancement.

Irrespective of moral and ethics, it's the nature of those unwilling to be ordinary.

So… what's the next move?

Head to the wilderness for some excitement?

He lowered his head, glancing at his tightly clenched right hand, slowly unfurling it.

Two items lay quietly there.

A bead that resembled a child's toy, inscribed with flame patterns internally.

A pendent-sized Bronze Bell.