"If there really is a dragon corpse in that secret place, then we must postpone our entry," Ling Qingxue sighed.
Originally, her plan was to harvest the two low-level secret places at the Linjiang Middle School and the City Lord's Mansion.
She and Wu Liang were certain they could break through to the Second Rank, and together, they would be more than capable of sweeping through the low-level secret places.
But if the dragon corpse was indeed in that secret place, even a low-level one would possess a large number of Third Level magical beasts.
As the saying goes, "One whale falls, and all things thrive*!"
The energy possessed by a single dragon corpse was incredible, capable of nurturing a large number of low-level beasts, and even some new species, whose strength far surpassed that of ordinary magical beasts.
Entering with only the Second Level early-stage strength would likely yield nothing.
"Then, when do we go in? We have limited time and resources. Without that secret place, I won't have any magical beasts to eat," Wu Liang muttered.
He was currently only thinking about consuming those dragon bones.
Ling Qingxue pondered for a moment. "We'll adjust the plan and save that secret place for last. Let's wait for Zhao Tianlan to open the intermediate-level secret place to train the top ten in the entire school. The scope and resources of the intermediate-level secret place are far superior to those of the low-level secret place. If we use this opportunity, we have a chance to advance to the Second Level late stage, or even the peak!"
The value of an intermediate-level secret place was greater than the combined value of ten low-level secret places.
Just considering the magical beasts alone, low-level secret places only had a maximum of Third Level magical beasts, while intermediate-level secret places might have even Sixth Level beasts.
Back then, Zhao Tianlan's intermediate-level secret place required two Sixth Rank martial artists to clear it.
Even with his strength as a Fifth Rank martial artist, he couldn't possibly sweep through an intermediate-level secret place.
Thanks to this intermediate secret place, he amassed vast resources—enough to train five thousand personal guards.
Furthermore, rumors said Zhao Tianlan was about to break through to the Sixth Rank; how could he possibly break through without a vast amount of resources?
Ling Qingxue closed the 'Chronicles of Linjiang County' and stored it in her storage ring.
"Let's go. It's about time. Some people have already started heading towards the center of the secret place. We should hurry over too."
In reality, Ling Qingxue wasn't worried at all if someone beat her to the spirit herb field at the center of the secret place.
The spirit herb fields were always guarded by magical beasts, as even these beasts knew the value of those herbs; anyone who got their hands on them would gain enormous profits.
The magical beast guarding that spirit herb field was the Crystal Python, a very rare species at the Second Level early-stage.
Its entire body was covered in crystal; its defense only slightly weaker than that of the Overload Black Turtle, but its attack power was several times greater.
Most importantly, the Crystal Python possessed a special talent. When it used its bloodline talent, it could instantly heal all its injuries and enter a berserk state, bringing its strength to another level.
Besides her and Wu Liang, no one in Linjiang Middle School's graduating class could match the Crystal Python. Even with numbers, it would have to fight a protracted battle.
She had more than enough time to get there.
...
Many teams had already gathered deep within the secret place. Further ahead lay the center of the place.
The existence of the spirit herb field wasn't just known to Ling Qingxue. Almost everyone in the school was aware of it, and every year, students attempted to harvest the herbs.
However, only a handful succeeded, and those who managed to escape safely were considered quite strong.
At this moment, Chu Yuansheng, Zhao Xin, Yao Chuyu, and Li Lianshan had already arrived.
"Little Shan, why do you look like that? Did that turtle give you a hard time?" Chu Yuansheng teased.
Li Lianshan glared at him fiercely.
"Don't call me Little Shan, or I'll beat you up!"
Chu Yuansheng chuckled. "Fine, but your mental fortitude isn't up to par. That turtle was a tough nut to crack, yet you insisted on going against it. You might have had a chance if you had gone to kill the Blazing Tiger."
Li Lianshan crossed his arms, looking displeased.
"Don't laugh at me. You won't be laughing this time anyway. Finally, someone's kicked you off your number one throne. I'm just waiting to see you make a fool of yourself."
Chu Yuansheng glared. "You're talking nonsense! My strength is already comparable to a Second Level early-stage magical beast. Yao Chuyu's spirit formation is indeed annoying, but it's still no match for me. Zhao Xin has also broken through to the First Rank peak, but it's only been a short time, and her vital energy isn't as deep as mine. This joint exam's first place is already in my pocket!"
Chu Yuansheng's face was filled with confidence—confidence in his own strength.
After all, he had been number one every single year for three years of high school. He didn't believe any dark horse would step over him at this point.
Martial artists valued both talent and background. Without a background, where would resources come from? He had already calculated all those who posed a threat to him.
As for those classes that didn't even have a single First Rank late-stage cultivator, they were even less of a concern.
Li Lianshan sneered. "Confidence is a good thing, but you'd better be prepared."
With that, he walked towards Zhao Xin and Yao Chuyu.
Chu Yuansheng scratched his head, somewhat puzzled.
"Could it be that punk Sun Chao? But that guy's good for nothing except chasing women and blowing money!"
He still felt that Li Lianshan was just trying to affect his state of mind.
Then, the four of them turned their gaze to the valley not far away.
Due to its terrain, this place could gather surrounding energy, thus forming a spiritual herb field.
This was something Linjiang Middle School had deliberately created. The spiritual field could continuously produce spiritual herbs, and some were even extremely valuable.
If it weren't for this secret place, Linjiang Middle School wouldn't have so much money to provide rewards.
The funds allocated by the Education Bureau were barely enough for the school to survive.
To cultivate geniuses, they needed additional income, and the secret place was the main source of that extra income.
"How about the four of us working together to kill that Crystal Python? We'll split the points equally, and the distribution of spiritual herbs will depend on each person's contribution." Chu Yuansheng suggested.
Yao Chuyu nodded slightly. "Okay, but I want all the Concentration Flowers inside. I don't need the other spiritual herbs."
"In that case, let's divide the tactics now. Chuyu, set up a spirit formation to restrict the Crystal Python's movements. Zhao Xin and I will be responsible for the main attack, and Lianshan will act as the meat shield to attract its attention."
Upon hearing this, Li Lianshan's face turned green with anger.
"Listen to what you're saying! You want me, a First Rank late-stage cultivator, to be the meat shield? That thing is a Second Level early-stage Crystal Python! How am I supposed to block it?!"
Chu Yuansheng shrugged, looking helpless.
"Well, someone has to be the meat shield to attract its fury. Otherwise, the others can't attack with all their might. And honestly, could you, a First Rank late-stage, really take it down as the main attacker?"
Blatant level discrimination...
Li Lianshan coughed lightly. "It's not that I can't be the meat shield, but I want to take more spiritual herbs. After all, my position is too dangerous."
"Damn it, I knew you had ulterior motives. Fine, then," Chu Yuansheng said with a laugh.
Li Lianshan's magical beast was the Earth Bear, perfectly suited to be a tank.
But this position was essentially front-line— the danger was obvious. Who would willingly take it without additional benefits?
Of course you should be paid extra!!