Return of the King, Dominating the City

Chapter 2077: Chapter 1857: Like Thieves_2

This is also due to the Shen Family showing off every day, offending too many people.

Otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many people adding insult to injury.

After Huang Jinseng, Lin Xiao, and Gu Hong came in, a man dressed in gray, holding a wine jug, walked in with a smile.

Song Yun took a closer look; it was none other than the old man.

Soon after, a sturdy, commanding middle-aged man in military uniform walked in from outside.

This middle-aged man had a calm demeanor, exuding authority without anger. Besides a strong military aura, he gave the impression of unyielding solidity.

"Major Luo Zheng, reporting to the officer."

Juan Mao, sitting next to Song Yun, suddenly stood up and saluted the man in military uniform.

Song Yun raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself: "So this person is the Hall Master of the Golden Dragon Palace, Shi Cheng."

After five mid-stage SSS-class powerhouses sat down, aside from Song Yun, the other young people showed solemn expressions.

Shi Cheng took out nine sealed file bags and tossed one in front of Song Yun and the other eight.

Among the curious gazes from the crowd, Shi Cheng spoke: "What you see now is strictly confidential. Do not tell anyone else besides yourselves. If anyone is found to leak it, we will gather the full power of the Hermit Realm to execute them. Alright, open the file bags."

The crowd impatiently opened the file bags; the documents inside were about a dozen pages long, which everyone read carefully.

Song Yun looked at the materials in his hands, and the first word that came into view was the Himalayas.

"Are we going to the Himalayas?"

Song Yun’s eyes turned as he continued reading.

With a total of more than ten pages of information, Song Yun soon finished reading.

The material primarily included a map of the Himalayas and a description of a site.

Unknown who named it, the site was called the "Daxia Ruins", said to trace back to the history of the Xia Dynasty; for even older times, it remains unknown.

Within the Daxia Ruins, someone had left behind a large quantity of natural treasures.

Herbs, manuals, elixir pills, artifact refining materials...

Various treasures were available.

Only then did Song Yun realize that the so-called Four Gates Martial Meeting was to compete for the quota to go to the Daxia Ruins and search for the natural treasures.

But obtaining the quota doesn’t necessarily mean getting rich, as acquiring these things depends on one’s fate.

Some people obtained treasures, while others returned empty-handed.

Moreover, accidents might happen in the Daxia Ruins; some haven’t even reached the Daxia Ruins and already died in the Himalayas.

As noted in the records, once a team of ten entered the Daxia Ruins; three eventually returned, while the others all died.

In other words, this trip holds both risks and opportunities.

Song Yun glanced at the five mid-stage SSS-class present, thinking, these five people should be those who returned safely from the Daxia Ruins and obtained treasures.

And for them to treat the Daxia Ruins so seriously shows its rich resources, warranting their attention.

However, regarding the Daxia Ruins, Song Yun still had many questions.

At this time, Huang Jinseng looked at the nine young people opposite him and said: "You’ve all read the material. Now, if there’s anything you don’t understand, or want to know, feel free to ask us."

After a moment’s silence, Lin Jun was the first to speak, asking: "If the Daxia Ruins actually have the rich resources as described, why aren’t you going directly to bring back the treasures and instead sending us?"

This question was also the doubt lingering in others’ minds present.

Huang Jinseng let out a bitter laugh and explained: "It’s not that we don’t want to go; it’s that we don’t have the capability."

Even the mid-stage SSS-class lacks capability?

The nine, including Song Yun, froze for a moment, puzzled.

Huang Jinseng continued: "The Himalayas are not as peaceful as people normally see; natives live there, split into many tribes, scattered throughout the Himalayas."

"They are xenophobic, hating people from outside the mountains. What’s more troubling is that they’re extremely strong and can sense the presence of SSS-grade individuals within a certain range."

"Therefore, once reaching a certain SSS-class level, one cannot enter the depths of the mountains anymore. Otherwise, you will surely be discovered by the natives and die miserably."

Upon hearing Huang Jinseng’s explanation, Gu Man, Lin Jun, and others were shocked.

Gu Man frowned, asked: "Are those natives stronger than the united Hermit Realm?"

Gu Hong looked at Gu Man with a solemn expression: "Once five mid-stage SSS-class Hermits tried to reach the depths of the Himalayas, aiming to explore the Daxia Ruins, yet en route encountered the natives, and none of them returned."

Upon hearing this, Gu Man, Lin Jun, Gu Zi, and others were all shook.

Even five mid-stage SSS-class couldn’t return, making it even riskier for those entering at SS-class level.

Song Yun understood, the reason they’re being sent is to sneak in to avoid detection by the natives.

As he thought, Huang Jinseng comforted the group: "You’re just at SS-class level, the natives won’t sense you from afar, as long as you act cautiously and don’t make too much noise, it won’t be too dangerous."

Having heard this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

But the old man chuckled slyly and poured cold water: "Indeed not too dangerous, but as time passed, generally some of those entering the Himalayas always ended up dying."

Huang Jinseng grumbled: "Don’t scare them."

The old man smiled, took a swig, and fell silent.

Shi Cheng spoke: "Our information about the natives is limited because those encountering powerful natives eventually all died. So be extra careful on this trip, try not to engage in battle."

"If you provoke native people, it’ll mean angering their entire tribe, and even if you kill him, his tribe will search the mountains for you."

"Hence, remember, if you encounter natives, and have the chance to escape, make sure to run away."

"Yes."

Lin Jun, Gu Man, and others responded in unison.

Shi Cheng continued: "Besides natives, you also need to be cautious of mythical beasts."

"Mythical beasts?"

Upon hearing this term, Lin Jun and others showed a puzzled look.

Lin Xiao began to explain: "Mythical beasts are the evolved forms of beasts, their forms have changed, unlike ordinary beasts. Moreover, their combat power far surpasses beasts."

"Even the weakest mythical beast equates to SS-class peak level, while stronger mythical beasts have been encountered that could rival SSS-class peak existence."

"Mythical beasts are bloodthirsty and fierce, some possessing strange abilities like spewing fire or releasing poisonous mist, etc."

"Powerful mythical beasts can even develop intelligence."

"Perhaps compared to natives, mythical beasts aren’t as numerous, but their danger surpasses natives."

"So if you encounter mythical beasts, absolutely don’t fight, you must flee."

After speaking, Lin Xiao took out several pictures for everyone to see.

Everyone marveled at the strange-looking creatures.

Yet, at first glance, Song Yun realized mythical beasts were really demon beasts, just called differently.

However, perhaps on Earth, there are no truly existing demon beasts.

Those weaker than demon beasts can be aptly named mythical beasts.

Need to know, even the Flood Snake Song Yun killed before pales in comparison to the recorded demon beasts.

According to legendary accounts, demon beasts are categorized into ten levels, with the weakest level-one demon beasts being Foundation Establishment Stage.

Yet the Flood Snake is just a peak SS-class, not matching even the weakest demon beast.

The inner core Song Yun acquired, its effect was significantly less than a real Demon Core.

Of course, despite this, these mythical beasts weaker than demon beasts shouldn’t be underestimated.

But thinking of the warnings from several SSS-class experts, Song Yun couldn’t help but laugh.

Encountering natives, run.

Encountering demon beasts, run.

Simply put, it’s all about sneaking into the Daxia Ruins, quietly bringing back some treasures.

This feels rather like being a thief.

...

Meanwhile, as Song Yun’s group was gathering in Yanjing, at the perimeter of the Himalayas, far away, a group of over twenty was about to enter the mountains.

The leading figure, robed in black, gazed at the distant mountains with a gloomy, deep gaze.

This person was none other than the Shen Family Patriarch, Shen Kunpeng.