Chapter 452: Chapter 448: Heading to the Sixth Layer

Roar!

A roar echoed from within the Four Poles Sword Formation, its horrifying aura scattering the entire formation. Alpha, who had been powering the sword formation, was sent flying backward.

“All that wasn’t enough?”

Bai Qi clicked his tongue as he observed the scene. Alpha had unleashed all its skills in this fight, and if that wasn’t enough to pass the test, they would have to return and continue training.

Easily dispersing the Four Poles Sword Formation, the Lava Rock Demon Tiger reappeared before everyone. However, it didn’t continue its attack. Instead, it leisurely walked over to Alpha.

“Although it’s a bit lacking, it seems you’ve started to form your domain.”

The Fireman suddenly appeared beside Alpha and pulled him up from the ground. Alpha, who was slightly damaged due to the Lava Rock Demon Tiger’s attack, began to visibly recover.

“First, you used a mirror image to confuse my senses, then you used a clone to muddle the waters, allowing your main body to arrange the sword formation safely. If you were at the level of an emperor, I would have been beaten one-sidedly.”

The Lava Rock Demon Tiger didn’t hide its admiration for Alpha and turned to Bai Qi who had rushed over, saying, “You passed the challenge on your first attempt. Your ability to raise beasts might even surpass that of the Law Emperor.”

“Thank you~”

Hearing the Lava Rock Demon Tiger’s praise, Bai Qi scratched his head in embarrassment.

Being compared to a Law Emperor, and his pets being compared to those of the Law Emperor, made Bai Qi feel both happy and embarrassed.

I hope he doesn’t follow praise with criticism.

Luckily, the Lava Rock Demon Tiger didn’t have such bad taste and said nothing more once it had finished praising Bai Qi.

“Oh, right. Since Alpha’s attack didn’t break through your defense, does that mean we’ve passed the test?”

Bai Qi sighed in relief, then voiced his confusion.

“If I had maintained my original strength, your attack would have broken through.”

The Lava Rock Demon Tiger laughed, saying, “Initially, I intended to open my domain, but because I was distracted while suppressing my power, I slowed down. In that time, your beast completed the sword formation and launched an attack on me.”

“Though the formation had obvious flaws and significant weaknesses, it was powered by the force of death. If I hadn’t let go of my limitations in time, I might have been injured.”

As it spoke, the Lava Rock Demon Tiger glanced warily at the Sword of Death in Alpha’s hand, saying, “Here’s some advice for you. Try not to use the Sword of Death when sparring with friends.”

“I understand.”

Bai Qi nodded. As Alpha grew stronger, it started to consciously restrict the use of the Sword of Death in battles.

After all, creatures harmed by the power of death find it very hard to fully recover.

“Alright, since you’ve passed the test, by tradition, I should give you the item the Law Emperor left behind.”

The Lava Rock Demon Tiger opened its mouth, releasing a red glowing sphere that slowly floated into Bai Qi’s hand.

As Bai Qi carefully caught the sphere, he applied slight pressure with his fingers. The sphere instantly shattered, revealing a black key.

Another key?!

Bai Qi’s eye twitched. He hadn’t explored that many secret realms yet, but the Law Emperor was unique in always leaving behind a key.

“This key was the mission the Law Emperor gave me. Now that the mission is complete, it’s time for me to go.”

Holding the key, the Lava Rock Demon Tiger visibly relaxed.

“Go? You’re leaving the Twilight Tomb?”

Bai Qi was stunned at this and exchanged glances with Bai Qiucha. They hadn’t expected this outcome.

“That’s right. I’ve been staying here for so long just to find the right person to pass this key to. I wanted to give it to that human who came last time, but he ran off too quickly, and I didn’t get the chance.”

The Lava Rock Demon Tiger shook its head, seemingly recalling some bad memories.

Not even giving a chance to talk? It really was the Law Emperor’s usual style.

“Where do you plan on going?”

Seeing the Lava Rock Demon Tiger’s determination to leave, Bai Qi quickly thought of a plan, saying, “If you don’t have a destination in mind, I can suggest some places.”

“The outside world has changed a lot since the era of the Law Emperor. I fear you might find it hard to adapt if you just leave like this.”

“That makes some sense.”

The Lava Rock Demon Tiger nodded, suddenly unsure.

A leaderless mythical creature like it could easily be seen as an invading ferocious beast if it just left recklessly.

What if all the Legendary Beast Masters out there were as abnormal as that guy from last time? It seemed that leaving might indeed be risky.

“Forget it. I’ll just stay here. At least I can sleep comfortably.”

The Lava Rock Demon Tiger stretched out lazily, lay down on the ground, and was apparently ready to sleep.

“Wait! Don’t go to sleep just yet.”

Seeing this, Bai Qi rushed to wake the Lava Rock Demon Tiger, saying, “Can you tell me about the Law Emperor? Whatever you know, I’d like to hear it.”

While the Fireman had been unforthcoming with information in the past, it was possible he was just too lazy to talk because they weren’t familiar.

Now that Alpha had passed the Lava Rock Demon Tiger’s test, maybe they could glean some information.

Even if it was part of the second team, it was still a pet of the Law Emperor, and likely knew more than he did.

“About the Law Emperor?”

The Lava Rock Demon Tiger fell silent as if contemplating, then finally spoke.

“I’ve forgotten.”

“Forgotten?”

“Yes, forgotten.”

The fire-rock demon tiger nodded, indicating, “According to you, the Law Emperor has been dead for thousands of years, and when I was tossed in here, I was just a creature of King rank. How much do you think I can remember?”

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

Bai Qi sighed, previously hoping to obtain some useful information from the fire-rock demon tiger, it seemed like there was no chance of getting any.

“Okay, I’ve opened the Teleportation Circle for the sixth floor for you. You can proceed on your own,” the fire-rock demon tiger gently tapped the ground and a Teleportation Array formed by flames quickly materialized on the ground.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you, the sixth floor is much more dangerous compared to the previous ones. If you haven’t reached the Sixth Stage, it is advised not to go down,” the demon tiger warned.

Listening to the words of the fire-rock demon tiger, Bai Qiucha’s face darkened considerably.

In fact, he had already prepared himself mentally when the demon tiger mentioned that only those at the Sixth Stage could qualify to challenge it.

But hearing the demon tiger say it out loud, Bai Qiucha still felt a little uncomfortable.

This should be the first time he was turned away due to lacking in grade.

“Since it’s the case, Cha, you should go back first. I will go down and have a look.”

Bai Qi patted Bai Qiucha’s shoulder, then he picked up the Teleportation Rune Stone in the center of the Circle and headed towards the sixth floor.

As Bai Qi left, Bai Qiucha’s gaze gradually turned determined. He requested, “Senior Fire-rock Demon Tiger, could I trouble you to provide us with special training?”

…

Achoo!

Shivering, Bai Qi rubbed his nose, reluctantly taking out the winter clothing from the Secret Realm and put them on, then he held the worm-grass in his arms, allowing it to emit warmth. Only then did he feel a bit better.

“After the Steaming Cage World, it is a Snow World. Gemini Tower, I should’ve figured this out.”

Due to the extreme heat of the fifth floor, Bai Qi had taken off his winter clothes early and didn’t anticipate the sixth floor to be extremely opposite to the fifth floor—it had changed from extremely hot to extremely cold.

If it wasn’t for his good constitution, he might have frozen to death immediately.

“However, I must say, the environment of the sixth floor is much better than the fifth floor.”

Bai Qi looked up to see a scene that was pure and frosty.

The shiny and clear ground, the ice trees that were equally translucent as crystals, the continuous flashes of aurora… it was a beautiful fairyland.

Rumble rumble~

(I love this place. It’s more comfortable than home~)

As an Ice Attribute Elemental Creature, Jie Ta was deeply attracted immediately as it entered here and hopped cheerfully on the surface of the ice.

On the other hand, Beta, who had a tough time in the Steaming Cage World, revitalized and started running crazily around the ice trees.

However, such a serene and beautiful environment made Bai Qi even more alert.

“This high-difficulty test set by the Law Emperor probably means that the danger is hidden under this beautiful scene.”

Just as Bai Qi was about to start exploring, a slender figure suddenly fell from the sky.

At this sight, Bai Qi was immediately taken aback. Alpha even drew out the Sword of Death, aiming at the figure immediately.

But midway through the attack, the sword stopped.

“I was just wondering why I suddenly felt so sleepy. Is it because of the change in location? Eh, why are you pointing your sword at me?!”

The Cowskin Snake yawned, looking somewhat puzzled at the surrounding icy world. However, it woke up immediately after seeing the Sword of Death.

“Cowskin Snake? How did you run out of the Secret Realm again?”

Picking up the Cowskin Snake, Bai Qi was slightly confused. Counting the previous time it happened in Eden, this creature had left the Secret Realm twice now on its own.

Previously, when the Diamond Egg obtained the ability for Secret Realm Fusion and started to fuse Secrets Realms autonomously, Bai Qi didn’t pay much heed.

But now, without any changes happening, this little guy had run off again, making it hard for Bai Qi to disregard.

“I have no idea either. I was planning to sleep, and somehow ended up here.”

The Cowskin Snake shook its head, expressing its innocence in an undisguised manner.

“It feels comfortable here. I’ll sleep for a while.”

“I’ll need to set up a surveillance system in the Secret Realm for next time.”

Stroking his chin, Bai Qi looked at the Cowskin Snake from top to bottom a few times before he put it down.

This little guy’s secret will be revealed sooner or later.

“Beta, Jie Ta, return now. This place is not as safe as it appears. Be careful.”

Looking around at the still serene icy world, Bai Qi summoned Beta and Jie Ta back, had his six pets guard him closely and only then started exploring carefully.

Not long after they set out, Beta’s ears pricked up, and Bai Qi also heard a series of peculiar gnawing sounds.

The sound was soft, but it could be heard from all directions, indicating a substantial number of creatures.

Without a doubt, they were surrounded.

“Beta, smoke them out.”

Bai Qi ordered solemnly. He patted Beta, who didn’t goof around but promptly gave a clear howl, the Demon Subduing Mantra spread out.

Under the onslaught of the Demon Subduing Mantra, the owners of the gnawing sounds finally came out.

Blue fur, red eyes, black forehead, floppy ears and a pair of front teeth that kept making strange gnawing noises.

“Are these… rabbits?”