Chapter 181: Stone Hill

“No matter what, we have to push forward! Why don’t we leave the forest first, see what the situation is outside, and then decide?”

Jiang Hongtao’s analysis made sense to Li Heng, but they had to move forward regardless. So, it was best to leave the forest first, keep going, and then discuss what to do after seeing the situation.

Passing through the forest, the four of them found themselves looking at a “Stone Hill.”

Tall, strangely shaped stones rose up from the muddy path, and the ground gradually sloped upward. In addition to the changes in terrain and environment, there was also a distinct climate divide.

Although the light was dim, rays of sunlight still managed to filter through the forest. But before them, over the Stone Hill, a light rain was falling—a fine, continuous drizzle.

Seeing such a clear climate divide, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. The conditions in this secret realm were complex, its weather patterns chaotic and unpredictable.

“The university planned this next hundred-li leg of our journey. Their intention certainly wasn’t to send us to our deaths, but there’s definitely danger ahead. So, how do we move forward? It’s even raining in this field of stones.”

“Should I have the Ice Simurgh Bird fly ahead a bit to see if there’s any danger?”

Li Heng didn’t dare ride the Ice Simurgh Bird in this “realistic” environment. A fall here would be no laughing matter.

Plus, it was unclear what lay ahead. So, after a moment’s thought, Li Heng decided to play it safe and have the Simurgh Bird fly ahead as a scout to test the waters.

It might not be able to sense every detail, but if the Ice Simurgh Bird didn’t think there was any danger, then it was likely safe for him too.

The other three all supported Li Heng’s decision. Having reconnaissance was better than knowing nothing at all.

The Simurgh Bird flew high into the air and returned after only about half an hour.

Half an hour later, the three of them saw the Simurgh Bird was unharmed and immediately turned their gazes to Li Heng.

Li Heng was processing the feedback he’d received from the Simurgh Bird.

“It’s very happy!”

In the beginning, the feedback Li Heng received from the Simurgh Bird had been fragmented, forcing him to piece together a general summary.

After delivering his summary, Li Heng stroked the Simurgh Bird’s head, and the Simurgh Bird gently nuzzled his right hand in return.

The Simurgh Bird was so happy because Li Heng hadn’t let it out to fly freely in a long time. Recently, he’d just been feeding it before sending it straight back to its pet space, never letting it stay out for very long.

It was worth noting that the Simurgh Bird’s current affinity was 153 points, just over 100 points away from the maximum value.

Since the Simurgh Bird was so happy, it meant that it hadn’t discovered any danger along the way—or at least, it hadn’t perceived anything as dangerous.

So Li Heng organized his thoughts and relayed the situation.

“No dangers detected for now. Maintain formation and keep moving forward!”

To add another layer of security and an extra combatant, Li Heng didn’t recall the Simurgh Bird this time, letting it circle above the group of four.

The rain wasn’t too heavy; the steady drizzle didn’t impede their progress. Eager to get through the area quickly, the four of them picked up their pace, moving much faster than they had in the forest.

As they entered the Stone Hill region, they noticed the ground felt different. The forest floor had been soft, but while this ground was also muddy, it was hard and unforgiving under their feet.

“Let’s stay on our guard, everyone. We’re past the two-hundred-li mark, after all.”

In truth, no reminder was needed. All four were on high alert. Li Heng’s left hand hadn’t left his throwing knife. With the changes in terrain, environment, and climate, no one dared let their guard down, even if the Ice Simurgh Bird flying overhead hadn’t spotted any trouble.

“Wait! What… what the hell are these things?”

As the group proceeded cautiously, moving deeper into the Stone Hill, they suddenly discovered a dense thicket of “stone thorns” blocking their path!

Reaching up to ten feet high, the sharp-tipped stone thorns completely covered the path ahead.

The sight alone was enough to make them want to turn back and find another way; there were simply too many of the thorns.

Stone Thorn Flower: Stone-type

Level: 12

Grade: Tier One High-Grade Soul Beast

Strength: 10

Agility: 15

Spirit: 5

Soul Energy: 60

Soul Energy Skills: Spikes (Passive)

“What are these things?” Jiang Hongtao was the first to ask, clearly bewildered by the scene.

From his perspective, the stone thorns completely occupied the path ahead, making it impossible to move forward. Plus, he had no clue what they were.

“My dad actually told me that Meteor University has all sorts of bizarre things. There are Soul Beasts that look like mountains, rocks, plants, and trees. And they say… they’ve even found humans in this secret realm! In any case, many things about the secret realm where Meteor University is located are still unknown.”

Bao Yaoyao answered after Jiang Hongtao spoke.

“Humans? What do you mean? Humans living in a secret realm?” Jiang Hongtao raised his eyebrows when he heard this.

After all, in his view of the world, secret realms were only supposed to produce Soul Beasts. Who would have thought they could produce humans too?

It wasn’t just Jiang Hongtao who was surprised. Li Heng, too, was momentarily taken aback. He knew that NPCs existed within Dungeons.

But to hear that there were humans in a secret realm… and in this one, no less.

‘Could it be that the NPCs from the original Dungeon are still alive and have been discovered?’

Li Heng’s mind suddenly started racing with possibilities, but he kept his thoughts to himself and said nothing.

“Shh! Please keep this a secret, everyone. My big mouth got the better of me. Please, keep this to yourselves. You know how the university is about confidentiality…”

Bao Yaoyao wore an apologetic expression, but she snuck a glance at Li Heng, as if her “slip-up” had been entirely intentional.

“Well, Bao Yaoyao, if you knew that’s what Meteor University was like… why did you still come? If I’d known, I would’ve been out of here,” Jiang Hongtao said. He didn’t mean anything by it; it was just an offhand, sarcastic comment.

Hearing this, Bao Yaoyao didn’t speak but simply shifted her gaze to Li Heng.

Seeing the look Bao Yaoyao gave Li Heng, Jiang Hongtao instantly understood and tactfully dropped the subject.

Bai Shasha hadn’t said a word during the entire exchange, her expression simply turning colder.

“So, according to Bao Yaoyao, these things… are probably Soul Beasts? I never heard any of the upperclassmen mention them when I was gathering intel.”

“This… I’m not sure either…”

“They’re Soul Beasts! And they can be killed!”

Just as Jiang Hongtao and Bao Yaoyao were talking, Bai Shasha suddenly cut in. All eyes turned to the flat-chested loli.

They saw Bai Shasha holding two curved blades. Beside her, one of the “stone thorns” was no longer rigid, its sharp point broken off.