Chapter 53: A Scarier Place That We Thought

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: A Scarier Place That We Thought

Evelyn looked at him with barely concealed envy.

"So you really prepared all this for Mira?" she asked, sighing. "You’re unbelievably good to your wife."

Then she brightened.

"I’m entering the Hunting Ground tomorrow too," she said.

"Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on her while we’re inside." She raised her chin proudly.

"After all, I’m already at the fifth star of Foundation Establishment."

Xavier nearly laughed. If Evelyn only knew. He had already reached the seventh star of Foundation Establishment, while Mira had surged to the peak of the fifth star stage after spending the past two days cultivating almost nonstop.

She was already extremely close to breaking through to the sixth star, as she herself had told him that earlier that morning.

Besides, if his wife was entering the Hunting Ground, how could he possibly stay behind? Still, Evelyn’s concern was genuine, and Xavier appreciated it.

She was intelligent, dependable, and, more importantly, trustworthy. Having someone like her as a friend was certainly useful.

"There’s not much time left," Xavier said.

"You should go back and cultivate. I need to head home too."

Evelyn nodded immediately.

"Alright. See you tomorrow," she said, clearly eager to return and use the Lesser Enlightenment Pill.

After they parted, Xavier made his way home.

* * *

"Mira, I brought you something," Xavier called, walking through the door with a smile.

Mira looked up in confusion when he placed the Wind and Thunder Sword Technique in front of her.

He had decided to keep the Thunderclap Longsword for himself for the time being, since there was no guarantee that investing the weapon would give him another weapon of the same type, so he preferred to wait.

As for the martial art itself, there was no doubt about its value.

The Wind and Thunder Sword Technique was a Grade Five sword art that allowed its practitioner to draw upon the natural forces of wind and thunder, and when mastered, every movement of the sword could carry the speed of wind and the explosive force of lightning.

It was precisely the kind of martial art Mira needed.

Xavier placed the manual in her hands, and the moment she accepted it, the system responded.

[Congratulations, Host! Your investment of the Grade Five martial art, Wind and Thunder Sword Technique, has triggered a 100x return!]

[Reward: Wind and Thunder Sword Technique, Grandmaster Realm!]

Xavier’s eyes immediately brightened. The hundredfold return was back. He quickly examined the information transmitted into his mind.

[Wind and Thunder Sword Technique: Grade Five]

[Mastery: Grandmaster]

[Effect: A powerful sword art that manipulates the natural forces of wind and thunder. Once mastered, the wielder’s sword moves with the swiftness of wind and the ferocity of thunder. At Minor Mastery, the practitioner can comprehend the beginnings of Wind and Thunder Sword Intent. At Major Mastery, the sword intent possesses enough force to split stone and shatter mountains. At Grandmaster Realm, the practitioner can draw upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, causing the sword intent to surge like thunder and sever even flowing rivers.]

Xavier’s smile widened. Just by investing the manual into Mira, he had instantly comprehended the entire technique, and he could not have asked for a better result.

The only drawback was that this particular reward did nothing to increase his cultivation, but that was hardly something worth complaining about.

He had gained a powerful combat technique for free.

"Xavier, thank you," Mira said softly, her expression filled with warmth. "This is exactly what I needed."

Xavier chuckled.

"Why thank me for something like this? We’re married," he said, glancing toward the window.

"We’re heading into the Hunting Ground tomorrow, so take today off from cultivation. Let’s go out and enjoy ourselves."

Mira smiled, and the two left the house together.

Although it was Monday, Xavier had already arranged to take the day off.

The academy’s instructors were unusually accommodating toward him because of his relationship with Mira, so he had been granted a week’s leave.

In other words, he had somehow managed to turn his wife’s status into his own vacation privilege.

The entire day passed pleasantly. They wandered around the city, ate at several places, and simply enjoyed being together.

By evening, Xavier bought a large amount of fresh food and returned home.

He had not cooked properly since moving into their new house, so he decided to show off his skills, and before long the dining table was filled with steaming dishes.

Mira was pleasantly surprised. They ate together, chatted about the upcoming expedition, and even shared some wine afterward.

Eventually, they showered and returned to the bedroom.

As the night deepened, Mira’s cheeks gradually became warm.

Tomorrow they would enter the Hunting Ground, and the danger inside was very real. Several martial artists had already died after encountering monsters there, and no one knew what could happen once they entered.

Mira quietly moved closer to Xavier and lay beside him. She did not say anything. She did not need to. The affection in her eyes said enough.

She simply wanted to spend this night with her husband like an ordinary married couple before they entered a place where death could come without warning.

Then two completely different voices suddenly sounded at the same time.

"My husband loves me!" one voice cried.

"Husband!" the other gasped.

Xavier froze. At the most inconvenient possible moment, Lydia emerged from within Mira’s body, and the atmosphere instantly became painfully awkward.

Mira hurriedly pulled the blanket over herself until only her eyes were visible, and Xavier could only stare helplessly.

Of all the possible moments, why now?

He suppressed his frustration and extended his hand.

"Here. Eat this and go back to sleep," he said, and a stream of chaotic energy entered Lydia’s body.

Since awakening, Lydia had developed a strange routine.

She would occasionally emerge, consume the chaotic energy Xavier supplied, and then fall asleep again, and at this point he was already used to it.

But Lydia did not immediately disappear this time. Instead, she looked at him curiously.

"Honey, I’ve remembered something else about the Hunting Ground," she said.

Xavier’s expression changed.

"The Hunting Ground?" he asked, immediately paying attention.

He had been trying to learn more about the secret realm for days. Even Mira forgot about her embarrassment and cautiously lowered the blanket, listening.

Lydia nodded.

"I think I remember what that place used to be," she said.

Xavier leaned forward.

"What did you remember?" he pressed.

Lydia’s expression became distant.

"In my memories, the Hunting Ground Secret Realm was once my hunting ground when I was still the Empress," she murmured, her voice growing fainter with every word.

"Wait, what do you mean by that?" Mira asked with an urgent tone.

"I...I..." Lydia tried to speak but her eyes drifted half shut, as though she were staring through the bedroom wall into something only she could see.

"There’s more," she whispered.

"Then say it already!" Mira snapped as Xavier placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her down but she seemed like she was already losing her patience.

She never finished the statement. Her eyelids fell fully closed, and the faint golden light that had surrounded her presence quietly dimmed until only Mira remained, breathing softly in the dark.

"Useless." Mira spat in anger.

"It’s okay, Mira. Relax." Xavier reassured her. But deep down, he was restless.

The hunting ground has proved to be more than what the people of Valemont think it is and they might be about to chew more than they can by going in there.

Worst still, Lydia for reasons he didn’t understand wasn’t able to give them valuable information before slipping into unconsciousness.

The unconsciousness that he couldn’t understand why.

* * *

Meanwhile the next morning, the news was already broadcasted.

"Good morning, everyone. You’re watching the Eighteen Eighteen Silver Eye Morning News."

"I’m currently standing at the entrance of the Hunting Ground Secret Realm, which has now been open for six days."

"Over the past several days, the Extraordinary Division of Valemont has been coordinating Foundation Establishment warriors from across the city and the surrounding regions. Hundreds of martial artists have already entered the secret realm, and significant progress has supposedly been made."

The reporter turned toward the enormous portal behind her.

"If everything continues according to plan, the final demonic beast within the Hunting Ground should be eliminated soon, bringing this crisis to an end before it reaches the human world."

She smiled brightly at the camera.

"And as you can see, today’s expedition is already underway. Dozens of Foundation Establishment warriors have gathered here to assist the Extraordinary Division. This operation is being led by Captain Grant Mercer, a peak Foundation Establishment warrior and an experienced member of the Extraordinary Division. With someone of Captain Mercer’s strength leading the team, we have every reason to believe today’s operation will be another success."

The camera continued rolling.

Not far away, Grant listened to the report with an awkward expression. These reporters really knew how to make everything sound wonderful.

If they were telling the whole truth, they would probably have a very different report. Still, he could not blame them.

The Hunting Ground had already created enough fear among the people of Valemont, and the last thing the authorities needed was widespread panic.

So if a little optimism helped maintain public confidence, there was nothing wrong with it.

The truth, however, was far less reassuring.