Forced to Be a Villain: Starting With My Brain Extraction System-Chapter 153: End of Secret Realm Exploration (1)

Today marked the final day of the exploration of the secret realm, Blood Mist Valley.

Seven days had passed, and the barren region outside was finally buzzing with activity as several figures exuding Gold Core auras gathered in the air.

Among them, the Peak Elders of the four sects stood out.

Elder Jianhong of the Divine Cauldron Sect, Elder Hua Yuelian of Hundred Flowers Valley, Elder Tie Shan of the Iron Crane Sect, and Lu Sheng, the Elder of Black Lotus Peak.

Each of them wore a solemn expression, their thoughts hidden behind calm exteriors.

"Is it time? Let’s open the portal."

When the sun reached its peak, Elder Jianhong spoke lightly. The sword lodged behind his back hummed faintly in response.

"Yeah... It’s time. I hope my disciples give me a surprise, haha."

Tie Shan laughed softly, unmistakable anticipation flashing in his eyes. His taut, rigorous muscles stirred faintly with excitement.

As a physical cultivator, he was likely the most eager about this secret realm. According to the intelligence he had received, Blood Mist Valley was somehow connected to ancient times.

There was a very high chance of discovering treasures related to body cultivation. That was why he sent his own disciple inside with a specific mission.

"Mm. Let’s open it."

Hua Yuelian nodded lightly, her expression flat and unreadable, while Lu Sheng merely nodded in silence.

In fact, he had not spoken a single word since arriving.

Yet the sly glint of amusement in his eyes told a completely different story.

’Tch... tch... a surprise? You really will get a very big one.’

Lu Sheng was secretly gloating over the other sect elders. If the plan he had woven succeeded, then the only disciples leaving this secret realm would be low-level Qi Condensation cultivators.

After all, he already ordered his men to kill everyone inside, including the Foundation Establishment disciples of his own sect.

No survivors meant no witnesses.

No one would be able to speak of the appearance of a Gold Core cultivator.

The Black Lotus Sect could not afford to offend three sects at once.

At least, not yet.

Once this was over, all he needed to do was conceal the false Gold Core cultivator with the method he had already prepared.

"Alright. Let’s take our positions."

Elder Jianhong nodded and stepped forward, taking out the key. The others followed suit, each pouring their spiritual power into the formation.

Soon after, the portal slowly opened in the sky.

"All disciples inside the secret realm, quickly exit through the portal above. It will disappear after the time of one incense stick. Do not delay."

His voice echoed throughout Blood Mist Valley, urging the cultivators within to leave at once.

Opening a portal for a long time consumes too much spiritual energy. They did not want to waste too much time if possible.

"Swish!"

As soon as Jianhong’s voice echoed and the portal appeared in the sky, one after another figure began to flicker into existence.

They were Qi Condensation cultivators from the four second-rate sects and third-rate sects, including rogue cultivators.

All of them wore smiles on their faces, or at least bright expressions. It seemed their gains were not that bad.

Some rogue cultivators were already hiding themselves and sneakily leaving the area, as if afraid someone would ask them to hand over their treasures.

Fortunately, nobody cared, as the elders were busy watching the portal.

"Where are the others?"

Tie Shan could not help but ask when he noticed that those leaving were all Qi Condensation cultivators.

Moreover, their number was quite low.

’Haha... it seems they managed to complete the mission. I just do not know who managed to reach Gold Core. Maybe both?’

While the three elders were slightly confused, Lu Sheng, on the other hand, felt somewhat pleased.

His eyes darted around, trying to find the hidden figures of Hei Luofeng or Yin Zhaokui.

They were the two candidates who were supposed to reach the Gold Core realm inside, massacre Foundation Establishment cultivators, and return disguised as Qi Condensation cultivators.

As Lu Sheng stepped forward and began scanning the faces of his Qi Condensation cultivators, he did not find the ones he was looking for.

"Are you the only ones?"

For a moment, even he felt confused. He was not unhappy about their low numbers. Rather, he felt perplexed that he did not see the people he was searching for.

"Swish!"

Just as confusion lingered, someone emerged from the portal with another flicker.

"Mo Tianyu? You are finally here. Wait... did you reach the Foundation Establishment realm?"

Lu Sheng’s attention was immediately drawn by Elder Jianhong’s surprised exclamation.

"Foundation?"

When he turned to look, he truly saw a tall young man standing proudly, a Foundation Establishment aura radiating from his body.

’How is this possible?’

This discovery only made Lu Sheng’s expression darken, as his order was clear. Every Foundation Establishment cultivator was to be killed without exception.

"Swish!"

But it seemed that Mo Tianyu was not the only Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Another figure appeared right after him.

"Mei Xuan? You too..."

It was a young woman, also from the Divine Cauldron Sect.

Since she was a spy sent from another faction, Lu Sheng did not know she was secretly working for his sect.

Yet her Foundation Establishment realm cultivation made him realize something went wrong.

Something went terribly wrong in this mission, far beyond his expectations.

"Haha... it is good that you two managed to form your foundations during this exploration. I never thought you would give me such a surprise."

Jianhong laughed with rare pride, unlike his usual demeanor, then asked curiously.

"But why are there only the two of you? Where are the others? What about Elder Hua?"

Not only Jianhong, but Tie Shan and Yuelian also fixed their gazes on them.

After all, the number of people leaving the secret realm was ridiculously low compared to those who entered.

Aside from these two, no new Foundation Establishment cultivator appeared.

"Elder, something happened inside the secret realm."

Seeing everyone’s attention focused on him, Mo Tianyu began to explain.

Mei Xuan, on the other hand, paid no attention to the others and stared eagerly at the portal.

From the trace of contract still flowing within her, she knew Zhiran was still alive. However, she did not know his condition.

When she returned to the place where that Gold Core cultivator stood, she saw only complete devastation.

There was not even a corpse.

’Mo Zhiran, you cannot leave me alone. Not until you take me down completely.’

Mei Xuan never experienced emotions like this before.

As someone from a demonic sect, she was supposed to be inherently selfish.

Yet here she was, waiting for a man.

Waiting for her man to appear, smile at her, and tell her he was alright.

She wanted nothing more than that at this moment.

"Swish!"

While Mo Tianyu was still explaining events from his perspective, another flash appeared before the portal.

This time, several figures emerged.

"Wenhao!"

"Mingxuan!"

"Shuchen!"

Several Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Iron Crane Sect and Hundred Flowers Valley appeared.

Unfortunately, judging from their condition, they were severely injured.

"W What... what happened?"