Chapter 10: The Wild Beast Secret Realm (Part 1)

Qi Nanshan was stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter: “Haha, hahaha! A bastard master? What kind of nonsense is that? Hahaha, I can’t stop laughing… Old Xi, you’re absolutely amazing! I really admire you… Haha!”
Tan Laoxi frowned and said, “You two bastards only know how to bully me! Sigh, you’ve become so cunning—I’ve never seen you like this before. Fine, I give up. At least I can get some talisman horses. If I had to work with another team, there would be no hope at all… Damn it, seven masters—this is too much.”
Luo Jie smiled and said, “Talisman horses are treasures even in the West Talisman Sect, and even more so in our North Talisman Sect. At least half of whatever we get must be given to the sect, while you get it all. What’s there to be sad about? You’ve already made a profit! So that ancient talisman also belongs to us.”
Tan Laoxi had no interest in the ancient talisman. He said, “Sigh, Old Luo, you weren’t this shrewd before!”
Luo Jie laughed and said, “I have to support so many masters—there’s no choice… I’m poor!”
Tan Laoxi was speechless. He thought about it and agreed—having more masters did strengthen one’s power, but they were costly to support, requiring not only physical training but also food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. He said, “Enough, stop acting poor. A great talisman caster will never lack money.”
Qi Nanshan added, “By the way, this plan still needs to be approved by Guo Shier.”
Tan Laoxi dismissed it, saying, “He’s just a kid… What does he have to approve of? Fine, fine, let’s talk about it tomorrow.”
Luo Jie said, “We’re entering the secret realm tomorrow. You’d better rest early today.”
Tan Laoxi grumbled, “Damn it, pushing me away again! Alright, I’m leaving… Not a bit of old friendship left.” He left grumbling.
After Tan Laoxi left, Luo Jie said, “Dashan, we must go all out this time. I want both the talisman horses and the ancient talisman.”
Qi Nanshan smiled and said, “With eight masters, we should be fine.”
…
Early in the morning, Guo Shier got up early, practiced a set of Tai Chi in the courtyard to stretch his body, then practiced nine basic moves. He was already very skilled at these, and once he returned to the North Talisman Sect, he could practice more advanced moves. Although he didn’t need to learn these basic talisman control techniques, he firmly believed that fundamentals were the most important, so he never slacked off.
Soon after, Ying Mo and Luo Zhan arrived in the courtyard and began exercising as well.

Eagle Demon asked, “Where are we going today?” He hadn’t gone to Luo Jie’s place yesterday, so he didn’t know they were heading to the secret realm today.
Guo Shier said, “To the Wild Beasts Secret Realm.”
Eagle Demon said, “That’s a great place. Hehe, I’ve always wanted to go in, but never had the chance. This time, I’ll get to see it. Hehe, the Wild Beasts Secret Realm… is full of talisman beasts and mutated talisman beasts.”
Guo Shier asked, “Uncle Luo, are Huo Bao and the others still asleep?”
Luo Zhan said, “They’ve gotten up. They’re washing up in their rooms and will be out soon.” As he spoke, Huo Bao, Chen Bing, Hong Shi, and Chen Hong came out and began training under Eagle Demon’s guidance.
Guo Shier finished his training quickly and returned to his room to pack.
After breakfast, Guo Shier and the others went to Luo Jie’s courtyard. The warhorses were already ready—warhorses were also needed in the Wild Beasts Secret Realm. It was a vast secret realm, with the West Talisman Sect controlling its entrances and exits. They had been in control for thousands of years, yet the entire extent of the realm remained unknown.
Luo Jie said, “Let’s gather. Everyone, hurry up.”
A servant came in and said, “Master Tan has arrived.”
Luo Jie laughed, “This guy is fast. Ask him to come in.”
Tan Laoxi shouted from outside, “Lao Luo, I’m not coming in! You guys hurry up, damn it!”
Guo Shier frowned. His impression of Tan Laoxi was getting worse. Why did this guy talk in such an annoying way? He couldn’t help asking, “Master, is this Tan Laoxi really your friend?”
Luo Jie laughed, “I thought you wouldn’t ask. Hehe, yes, he’s indeed an old… friend.”
Guo Shier thoughtfully said, “Old… friend? Hehe, I see.”
Qi Nanshan said, “Shier, just don’t go too far. This guy… became our friend through fighting. Back then, because of his foul language, the old man fought him.”
Guo Shier asked, “Who won?”
Qi Nanshan laughed, “Of course, the old man won. This guy took the chance to stick around. Hehe, over time, we got used to his nonsense.”
Guo Shier muttered, “And they still give him earth dragon meat…”
Qi Nanshan whispered, “It’s not your master who wants to show off.”
Luo Jie glared at him and said, “Shier, don’t try to save face for me. Do as you think is right…”
Guo Shier was happy and said, “I told you. How could my master have such a worthless friend?”
Luo Jie smiled awkwardly and said, “Alright, let’s go.” He mounted his horse and left. This time, Guo Shier also chose to ride a horse, as it was impossible to go to the secret realm by carriage.

Qi Nanshan sneered secretly as he followed Luo Jie.
Tan Laoxi rode his horse alone, waiting outside. Luo Jie asked curiously, “Where are your followers?” Tan Laoxi replied, “Followers? I didn’t ask them to follow… Too lazy to bring them. They’re all a bunch of useless idiots who only do shitty things.”
Qi Nanshan mocked, “I guess it’s you who does all the shitty things!”
This time, Tan Laoxi didn’t dare say anything, as Qi Nanshan was also a follower. If they started arguing, this old man wouldn’t be easy to deal with.
Luo Jie shook his head helplessly and rode forward, with the others closely following.
Every time the Xi Fu Gate organized a group to go to the Wild Beast Secret Realm, it was done on a grand scale, mobilizing everyone in Xi Fu City. Setting up safety zones, supply stations, and organizing transportation required a large number of people—these were jobs that many in Xi Fu City needed, allowing them to earn quite a bit of talisman money, especially those who served professionals.
When they arrived at the site of the last master’s transaction, Guo Shier was surprised to find at least tens of thousands of people gathered there.
Guo Shier asked, “Why are there so many people? Master, are all these people going to the secret realm?”
Tan Laoxi rushed to answer, “Of course they’re all going to that damn secret realm. Otherwise, who would come here to waste time?”
Guo Shier ignored him completely, waiting for his master’s reply. Luo Jie smiled and said, “Most of them are going to the secret realm… The Xi Fu Gate has many rules for entering the secret realm. Teams like ours are considered master-level, along with professional teams. The most common are trial teams, consisting of those who have just advanced to Caster, Talisman User, or Martial Artist levels. They need to go through some battles, but it can’t be too dangerous.”
Seeing that Guo Shier ignored him, Tan Laoxi felt humiliated and said, “Kid…” Before he could continue, Qi Nanshan asked, “Lao Xi, you really aren’t bringing any followers?” He knew well this guy’s temper—if left unchecked, he would definitely anger Guo Shier.
Guo Shier asked softly, “Master, do we really have to take him?”
Luo Jie replied, “It’s a bit more convenient having someone from the Xi Fu Gate along.”
Understanding his master’s intention, Guo Shier didn’t say anything more.
“Old Master Luo, Shier, you’re here? I’ve been looking everywhere.” Along with the words came a series of light ringing sounds as Lan Tianbao rode her warhorse over.
Luo Jie called out, “Sis, what brings you here?”
Sis? Guo Shier felt a chill. He asked, “Sister Lan, are you here alone? Where’s Yingying?”

Lan Tianbao said, “Yingying stayed at home, and the two Bug Warriors my sister brought also stayed to take care of her… My sister wanted to go to the Beast Secret Realm and find a team to join. After thinking it over, she came to see the old man.”
Luo Jie laughed and said, “Sis, you should ask Ershier—he’s in charge of leading the team.”
Lan Tianbao thought Luo Jie was joking, so she joked back, “Ershier, will you take me with you?”
Guo Ershier smiled and said, “Welcome! With a master joining us, how could we not welcome you?”
Lan Tianbao looked at Luo Jie, unsure about Guo Ershier’s words. Luo Jie said, “Ershier welcomes you to join. Just do it; everyone won’t object.”
Tan Laoxi muttered, “Damn… Nine masters! Is it even possible to live like this?”
Soon, someone came and led Luo Jie’s team to the northwest corner. The teams there each had at least one master, with Luo Jie’s team having the most—nine masters in total.
Besides the nine masters, Luo Jie’s team also had twelve Symbol Warriors, plus four Symbol Warriors like Huo Bao, making a total of twenty-five people.
Someone brought over a booklet, which Luo Jie handed to Guo Ershier right away.
It was a book that explained the rules of the event in detail, including the rewards for master-level teams. Guo Ershier was surprised and said, “One hundred Symbol Horses? Ancient Symbols?” His reaction was the same as Luo Jie’s—he couldn’t help but get excited and said, “Master, we have nine masters. We should be able to win first place.”
Luo Jie nodded. Guo Ershier then asked, “If we win, how should the Symbol Horses be distributed?”
Tan Laoxi had been listening intently. When he heard Guo Ershier mention distribution, his heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, “It should be divided into three parts: one part for your North Symbol Sect, one part for the master from the South Symbol Sect, and I’ll represent the West Symbol Sect with one part… Damn it, I might as well take a loss.”
Qi Nanshan was about to curse when Luo Jie pulled him back.
Guo Ershier couldn’t help but laugh. He said, “Mr. Tan, your distribution plan doesn’t work.” He stopped calling him Grandpa Tan and simply addressed him as “Mr.” instead.
Lan Tianbao said, “I’m just here to take a look, so I won’t participate in the distribution. Hehe.”
Tan Laoxi said, “Then let’s split it evenly between the two sides.”
Guo Ershier asked, “Mr. Tan, with your strength… can you win first place?”
Tan Laoxi was stunned. He thought, “Damn, of course I can’t! No, I can’t show weakness!” He said, “It’s not certain. Maybe I can win first place!”

Guo Shier nodded and said, “Oh? So, it means we’re all following you, reaping your benefits, and that’s why we won first place. You want to give us half?” Before Tan Laoxi could reply, he continued, “Then… give all the shares to you. Form your own team and win first place. We don’t need your charity.”
“Huh?” Tan Laoxi panicked immediately. Guo Shier actually planned to kick him out of the team.
Qi Nanshan smiled happily, thinking, “You fighting against Shier? Hehe, this is going to be fun.”
Tan Laoxi said, “At this point, where am I supposed to find a team?”
Guo Shier replied coldly, “That has nothing to do with us!”
Tan Laoxi couldn’t help but curse, “Damn it… Lao Luo, who’s the leader of this team?”
Luo Jie pointed smilingly at Guo Shier and said, “Lao Xi, Shier is the leader! If you don’t believe me, you can ask anyone in the team.”
Tan Laoxi was stunned, and even Lan Tianbao looked at Guo Shier in surprise.
Guo Shier said, “Mr. Tan, if there’s nothing else, you can leave the team… Wish you first place and all the prizes!”
Tan Laoxi insisted, “I didn’t agree to leave the team. It was your master who agreed for me to join!”
Guo Shier said, “Alright, then you want to argue.”
Left with no choice, Tan Laoxi asked, “Then how will it be distributed?”
Guo Shier smiled and said, “You’re just a member. You have no right to know how it’s distributed. After it’s over, I’ll decide how it’s divided!”
Qi Nanshan wanted to applaud—Guo Shier’s move was brilliant; it almost stripped Tan Laoxi of all his rights.
Tan Laoxi snapped angrily, “Damn it…”
Guo Shier suddenly became fierce. “You damn fool! Try cursing again!” When he got angry, he exuded a terrifying aura. Despite his small size, his spirit was strong. Tan Laoxi could hardly breathe for a moment, his face paling in fear. Only then did he realize he had underestimated Guo Shier.
Finally, Tan Laoxi gave up, his tone softening. “Then… you should at least give me a plan. How much can I get?”
Guo Shier raised one finger.
Tan Laoxi said, “Ten horses?” He sighed. According to Qi Nanshan’s original plan, among the eight masters, he could have gotten at least twelve horses. Helplessly, he said, “Alright, ten horses then…”
Guo Shier stared at him coldly, still holding up one finger. Tan Laoxi said, “I’ve already agreed. Why are you still holding up your finger?”

Guo Shier asked, “Sister Lan, how many fingers are these?” Lan Tianbao held back her laughter and said, “It’s one finger. Even my daughter can tell the difference.”
Pfft! Pfft!
Someone couldn’t help laughing, even making noises.
Guo Shier asked, “Mr. Tan, don’t you know how to count?”
Only then did Tan Laoxi realize that Guo Shier had given him just one token horse. He immediately exploded in anger, shouting, “Are you trying to feed a beggar? Damn it… I’m a master… Is this bullshit? There’s no such way of distributing things! Just one? Are you joking… Damn it…”
Guo Shier roared, “Get lost!”