Before dawn, above the remote wilderness outside Cliff City.

The night was deep, with no moon and high winds.

In between the hills, which should have been rarely frequented, stood temporary barbed wire fences and barricades capped with "No Entry" signs.

One could barely see newly established watchtowers, their cold searchlights sweeping through the vegetation.

It was a place as heavily guarded as a military zone, yet inside, there was no base; instead, it was empty and overgrown with weeds, with vehicles from various places haphazardly parked in the open.

Faintly, a crack could be seen looping around at the center.

It was as if a rift in the void had torn open, its twisting fissure suspended in mid-air, appearing to face anyone looking at it from any direction.

Indistinctly, light emanated from behind the crack.

The overlapping phenomenon of the Crack Realm was gradually intensifying.

In just a few more hours, the passageway would likely open officially.

Because of this, within the not so spacious camp, tensions were increasingly palpable. If not for the presence of Security Bureau personnel supervising, it was possible that a fight would have already broken out between two groups.

Wherever one went, people naturally banded together.

In just over a day, news of the imminent opening of the Crack Realm had spread like wildfire, and Chosen Ones seeking blessings or fortunes also flocked to the scene.

Every instance of convergence in the Crack Realm was an event and a chance for promotion for the untamed Chosen Ones, and not many were willing to let it slip by easily.

Some had even traveled from beyond Hai Province, hustling through wind and dust.

All for a taste of the first spoils!

For the Security Bureau, the location of this Crack Realm was a bit of a headache... if it were just a few dozen kilometers to the east, west, south, or north, there would be a clear division of authority. But now, it was precisely at the intersection of two provinces, awkwardly between Cliff City, Tide City, and Ye City, and not spiritually allied with any.

Moreover, it was a temporary convergence with a limited lifespan, not worth major investment. Due to the situation at Spring City Cave, manpower was stretched thin. With everyone shirking responsibility, there were only three or four people sent to oversee the situation, and their authority was unclear. Everyone simply passed the buck, considering it a success if no fights broke out under their watch.

What happened after entering... that depended on each individual's capabilities.

As time passed, the crowd continued to grow.

At the very front, close to the fissure, the first to secure a favorable position was a convoy from Tide City. Sitting atop a camper van, Kong Qingyan scanned across the assembly.

A middle-aged man as disheveled as a vagrant, a muscular man of plain appearance with bronze skin, a coquettish woman who attracted countless spying gazes, all ended with a glance at a mud-splattered off-road vehicle.

Inside the vehicle, a white-haired elderly woman calmly rested her elbow on the window, observing the chaotic scene. Sensing Kong Qingyan's gaze, she casually removed her felt hat, nodding in greeting.

Kong Qingyan withdrew her gaze.

"There are too many people coming this time whose backgrounds aren't clear," Kong Qingyan said to Lou Feng beside her. "Be careful once we're inside. Follow Mr. Slan's commands in all actions, understand?"

"Yes."

Lou Feng nodded respectfully and turned to the bearded man beside him: "We'll be relying on you once we're inside, Mr. Slan."

"Haha, you flatter me," said the sun-beaten middle-aged man, placing his hand over his chest in a bow. "Don't worry, Mr. Lou. The Returning Knights will serve you and ensure absolute safety."

Behind him, a dozen solemn, fully armed figures stood at attention, their exposed skin covered in scars.

Chosen Ones above the Transformation Rank were not allowed to enter this part of the Crack Realm, so Kong Qingyan could only wait outside. To ensure the safety of Lou Feng and the success of this excavation, she spared no expense in employing the Returning Knights from the Central Earth Red State for an escort.

These Wandering Knights, sworn to the Red King and followers en masse, were integrated into a unit by a unified Matrix and Upper-level Summoning. With preparation, they faced enemies and monsters far outnumbering them without any pressure, truly a genuine war machine.

As Lou Feng was about to say something with a smile, his expression suddenly stiffened, turning pale as he tensely looked back: "What's that sound?"

The Returning Knights exchanged glances, and Slan listened sharply, but aside from the noisy bickering in the wind, there was no abnormality.

If there was anything, it was only the faint sound of something gradually approaching... a thudding?

Wait, thudding?

A sense of dread suddenly rose in Lou Feng.

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud—

At the outer checkpoint, a messy-looking motorbike crushed the muddy path beneath it, belching black smoke, and barreled in with a thud.

"This should be the place, right?"

The young man riding the bike lifted his helmet's visor, looking around curiously.

His face, which made Lou Feng's blood boil, was now exposed, and his heart sank completely.

Ji Jue!

Not just Lou Feng, but many had taken note of this newcomer, whose late arrival and distinct style set him apart from the rest.

Everyone was leaving in off-road vehicles and luxury motorhomes, the really impressive ones took a Flying Airship, or at the very least, managed to get a small van that was at least sturdy and capable of carrying loads.

Yet, you were the only person who rode a black motorcycle that looked like it was used to ferry passengers in front of a train station, coming over hills and rivers, and it wouldn't have mattered if you were covered in mud spots, but didn't your butt hurt?

Moreover, you were still carrying big and small bags on the vehicle, in your hands, and on your back.

It wouldn't be a surprise if you started selling instant noodles with a kettle on the spot in the next moment—even some people, upon seeing this, seemed to have a belated epiphany in their eyes.

Right! Nobody knew how long it would be until Crack Realm opened, with so many people just standing around—was there not a demand? All of us are affluent Chosen Ones, setting up a stall here could earn who knows how much, at least the trip wouldn't be wasted, right?

Some Chosen Ones were even clutching their wallets, planning to ask what business ventures you had later. Others were already thinking about where to get a small cart for next time...

"Wow, there are so many people."

The person behind Ji Jue took off the helmet, peered out with a pretty yet immature face, and curiously looked around, "Aside from family meetings when I was little, I've never seen so many Chosen Ones gathered together."

It was a member of the Cliff City Security Bureau's Northern Mountain group.

An Ran!

In the entire Northern Mountain group, he was the only one who had a need for the Crack Realm.

Old Zhang was of such an age already, having lost the ambitious spirit of his younger days, and now at the Security Bureau he was just living a life of leisurely health maintenance, using his fists to reason with those who were blind to their own faults in the second operational department in charge of security.

As for Miss Tong Hua, although she seemed a bit mad, she was, after all, the fourth young lady of the Tong family. In Cliff City, the Tong family was a force to be reckoned with, causing a stir with every move. From the day she was born, she wouldn't even put a golden spoon in her mouth. And her brother, Tong Shan, was the manager of the Cliff City Security Bureau's first operational department, responsible for the safety of all important figures.

If she really got serious, then she was a bona fide tycoon boss, with countless people vying to work as bodyguards, who would need to compete for a living in such a place?

Besides, pairing Ji Jue and An Ran was something Wen Wen could feel at ease with.

Though An Ran had never made any mistake during work, able to accomplish any task perfectly, his upbringing had led to a few screws loose in his head and a scarcity of common sense, combined with a disinclination for schooling. Not like Ji Jue, who might not be able to fight, but growing up rough and ready, used to what he had seen and heard, he was full of tricks.

Putting the two together was complementary.

An Ran might have been a Chosen One of the White Deer Path, but he didn't have any bizarre temperaments, quiet and gentle—like a potted plastic flower, obedient and docile.

Along the way, Ji Jue sometimes even managed to overlook this brother who looked like a sister. Although only thirteen or fourteen years old, he had already reached the Fifth Rank and stepped into the Transformation Rank, he was a powerful master who could easily overpower several of him with just one hand.

At this moment, after looking around, An Ran suddenly stretched out his hand and gently tugged at his sleeve as a reminder, "Ji Jue, someone is looking at us, and they seem to be planning something very nasty..."

Following An Ran's gaze, Ji Jue immediately saw Mr. Lou in the crowd, who stood out like a crane among chickens and was quite distinguished. After a moment of eye contact, Lou Feng's face turned livid and he averted his gaze.

"Ah, he might have a grudge against me..." Ji Jue said, scratching his head awkwardly: "Sorry, Little An, I got you involved."

"It's no problem, don't be afraid."

An Ran nodded, solemnly assuring, "Ji Jue, I will protect you!"

Ah, this caring and heartwarming assurance and the feeling of safety it brought, Ji Jue was so moved that Little Pearl almost fell out: "Well, thank you."

However, as he rode the motorcycle a bit further forward, he felt gazes from all directions—guarded, chilly, or filled with malice.

He couldn't help but be startled.

Why were so many people looking at him with such fierce hatred? Did he commit some unforgivable sin?

That's not right, I only just left the starting village for the first time today, okay?!

I haven't even done any quests, why does it seem like my faction reputation is almost gone?

Could it be that the outside world, the relationships between Chosen Ones are so vicious?

"Be careful, Little An," Ji Jue whispered, "It seems like a lot of people have their eyes on us."

"Ah, they might have a grudge against me," replied the young man sitting behind him, holding his packages, "The eyes of that person in front, it seems I blinded them before...

That person over there, seems to be a coworker from Lihua District, who laughed at me for being effeminate and got beaten up by Sister Wen, ended up in the hospital for half a year, then I accidentally stabbed him once. And that one behind, his brother seems to be one I killed; he ran so fast, I didn't catch him, what a pity. After entering the Crack Realm, let's see if there's a chance..."

"It's okay, don't be afraid!"

The young man's face was serious as he assured again, "Ji Jue, I will protect you!"

Ji Jue's expression twitched several times as he bit back his words.

Even though the phrase was exactly the same as before, why couldn't he be moved at all now?!!

Was it because you'd drawn more hate than me?

He really wanted to turn around, hands clasped in salute, and ask who exactly An Ran was.

But remembering the background of the An family Wen Wen had introduced to him, he suddenly felt like it was no big deal.

We're not even halfway there yet...

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