Zhao Tiequan did not notice Jiang Kai's abnormality, and was still working hard helping Jiang Kai embed the Sub-Nasal Stone onto the Arsonist's gloves.
"Little brother, you still need to learn how to embed, when you're out and about you have to rely on yourself. If not, I can teach you."
Jiang Kai returned to his senses and glanced at Zhao Tiequan. This big brother looked like a pretty decent person.
Thinking for a moment, Jiang Kai said, "Brother Zhao, the secret realm you mentioned, are there any conditions to enter it?"
Zhao Tiequan looked at Jiang Kai in surprise, hesitated a bit, "You're not trying to trick information out of me, are you?"
"Nope, even if you tell me, it's useless if I don't know the location."
Zhao Tiequan thought for a while and nodded, "True, no harm in telling you."
"There are two ways to enter that secret realm, one is using the key and the key is with me. The other way, if your attack power is strong enough, you can forcefully break in. Of course, breaking in is still difficult. I found the secret realm first, then found the key. I've tried before, if you want to brute force it, judging by the pace back then, I reckon it'll take at least a month."
Jiang Kai frowned. Zhao Tiequan was definitely Tier Four. If it took him a month to break in, then Transcendent-level powerhouses would definitely not take that long.
Moreover, there were two of them!
However, judging from the current situation, that secret realm might be his only chance to escape.
Two hours later, Zhao Tiequan finished the embedding and handed the gloves and Tier Three Chaser to Jiang Kai. "All right, the Sub-Nasal Stones are matched one-to-one with the nine flying daggers. They're hard to control, you'll need some time to get used to them. Try it out."
Jiang Kai put on the Arsonist, casually flung a flying dagger, summoned it back quickly, very skilled.
"Yo, you've got some skills, kid." Zhao Tiequan looked at Jiang Kai controlling the Chaser in surprise, quite amazed.
Jiang Kai smiled slightly, lowered his head and took out the Star Dust card from his card pouch, separated out a one-kilogram portion, and handed it to Zhao Tiequan.
Zhao Tiequan looked at the card Jiang Kai handed over, eyes widening, "Little brother, you, you… I told you, helping you embed is free. Besides, it's just embedding stones, you don't need to give me this much!"
"Brother Zhao, give me all the Tier Four Destiny materials you have, also the secret realm info and the key. These Star Dust are in exchange."
"This… Didn't you say you wanted me to take you to the secret realm?"
Jiang Kai shook his head.
If Zhao Tiequan followed him, he might be killed by those two together!
Although Star Dust was rare, for Jiang Kai, he could originally get double rewards anyway. Besides, he wasn't in a rush to use it now.
Zhao Tiequan didn't immediately take the Star Dust, which made Jiang Kai believe even more that he was a good person.
"Brother Zhao, remember, if someone asks, don't say I exchanged for Destiny materials. Just make something up. You can say I went to the secret realm. They probably won't trouble you."
"'They'… Little brother, are you in trouble? Let me tell you, since I said I'll be your bodyguard, I'll definitely ensure your safety."
"I'm not bragging, even if it's Zhong Qiang trying to touch you, with me around, he wouldn't dare act lightly!"
Jiang Kai smiled, "Brother Zhao, thanks for your kindness. If there's a chance in the future, you can find me at the Main God Guild in the main city of District 18!"
"Little Kai, what exactly happened? If you don't tell me, how can I help you?"
Jiang Kai thought for a bit and said, "Brother Zhao, if you really want to help me, there are two things you can help with."
"What things?"
"First, help me make Zhong Qiang take out the No.7 material. That guy is eager to show off. With a little provocation, he'll definitely take it out!"
"Second, that woman with Zhong Qiang, after the gathering ends, you tell her I'm gone, don't come looking for me."
Zhao Tiequan looked at Jiang Kai even more in surprise. What's going on with this kid?
Jiang Kai directly shoved the Star Dust into Zhao Tiequan's hands, then spread out his hand and waited. Zhao Tiequan snapped out of it and, after hesitating, handed over the Tier Four Destiny materials and a golden key to Jiang Kai.
"Little Kai, you…"
Jiang Kai patted Zhao Tiequan's shoulder, "Old bro, I suggest you don't break through in the Unknown Area. First go explore the Endless Abyss. After the third layer, there will be Star Dust drops. Only that place drops this stuff… I hope we'll have a chance to meet again."
"Okay, don't follow me anymore, otherwise you'll bring trouble to yourself."
After saying that, Jiang Kai turned and left.
Behind him, Zhao Tiequan stood dumbfounded for a long time. Things came too suddenly.
"Wait, he said only the third layer of Endless Abyss drops Star Dust… Last time I met a military team, they said only one person globally has cleared the third layer of the Endless Abyss!"
"He said I could find him at the Main God Guild in District 18's main city. He told me to call him 'Little Kai'…"
Suddenly, Zhao Tiequan's eyes widened as he looked at the departing back.
"Little Kai… Jiang Kai! He's the one praised as the strongest mortal in the world… Jiang Kai?!"
Just now, Jiang Kai didn't test the combined form of Nine Tribulation Chaser, after all, such a powerful special effect might become his trump card.
At this moment, Jiang Kai ran to the other side, checking the secret realm info.
The secret realm was located on the south side of the Nameless Mountain, just below the southern edge of the big lake at the foot of the mountain.
"About seven or eight kilometers away, not too far in terms of distance."
"But, that secret realm can actually be forced into. Those two people are really at Transcendent level, might not be held off for long."
"Can't worry that much now. Just run toward that direction. If I can escape, I will. If not, then I'll fight them!"
The Free Agent Gathering was still ongoing, but not many new people were coming anymore.
Over a hundred people total, those who needed to trade had already done so, but no one had left.
A few people stepped onto the gamble duel ring, others watched with great interest.
Naturally, Jiang Kai wouldn't waste energy at this time.
The two mysterious people were indeed watching with interest, but Jiang Kai noticed they always faced in his direction.
They really were watching him!
Over at Chang Siyao's side, things were a bit funny. Wherever Chang Siyao went, Zhong Qiang followed. Chang Siyao already looked annoyed. From far away, you could hear her saying "Old me" this, "Old me" that, her tone was getting worse.
But Zhong Qiang really was strong. Even being cursed at like this, he still followed Chang Siyao.
Chang Siyao looked toward Jiang Kai several times, eyes showing a plea for help, but Jiang Kai decisively avoided her gaze.
He didn't want to involve Chang Siyao.
Unknowingly, night had fallen. The climax of the gathering, the life-and-death competition, had begun.
Zhong Qiang immediately perked up, loudly calling to everyone present, "Everyone come over, the life-and-death competition you've all been waiting for is about to start!"
Jiang Kai also moved closer with the crowd.
Zhong Qiang stood in the middle of the crowd, smiling, speaking loudly, "First of all, everyone has given me face, letting me serve as the host of this gathering. This shows your trust in my strength and character." After saying that, Zhong Qiang deliberately glanced at Chang Siyao.
What does this have to do with character…
Jiang Kai thought to himself, everyone's unfamiliar, they just pick whoever explored the furthest to be the leader.
That guy just wanted to show off his good character in front of Chang Siyao.
Zhong Qiang continued passionately, "Since you all value me, I can't let you down. In this life-and-death competition, whatever reward you want, if I have it, I'll bring it out."
Immediately someone shouted below, "Tier Five Martial Disciple, soldier materials!"
"Treasure info of the Night Watcher!"
"Advanced Purple Xuan Iron!"
Zhong Qiang selectively responded to the crowd's shouts, "Oh, advanced Purple Xuan Iron, this kind of ore is indeed rare, extremely hard to find on the market! But I happen to have a little, not much, total of 30 kilograms, as the reward for this life-and-death competition!"
Purple Xuan Iron could be forged, could strengthen equipment, and gem-level embedding could also enhance special attack strength. For Tier Four, even Transcendent-level experts, it was indeed a top-tier treasure.
The key was, Zhong Qiang was offering 30 kilograms, quite the tempting quantity.
"So next, those preparing to join the life-and-death competition, after paying 2 million Star Coins registration fee, can get ready to participate."
Jiang Kai only now realized, so the rewards weren't for free either.
2 million Star Coins wasn't an unacceptable amount for these free agents.
Immediately, three or four dozen people paid the fee.
Jiang Kai waited until the very end. He saw those two didn't sign up, then quickly moved through the crowd and came before Zhong Qiang.
"Hmm? Isn't this Miss Siyao's friend? What, you're signing up too?" Zhong Qiang looked at Jiang Kai in surprise. Then, speaking louder deliberately to the crowd, "This friend, although my reward is tempting, you don't even have one star. You only came here thanks to Miss Siyao's help. Let me kindly remind you, signing up is basically asking for death, you understand?"
The scene stirred immediately.
"No stars? He can come here?"
"That Miss Siyao is that strong? Can bring someone forty kilometers in?"
"Coming here is already strange, with that level of strength, he's doomed in the Unknown Area. No one can protect him. Still joining a life-and-death competition? What's he thinking?"
Jiang Kai wasn't in the mood to bicker with Zhong Qiang and said, "Can I participate?"
"Of course!" Zhong Qiang immediately responded cheerfully, completely forgetting his previous reminder. "Don't worry, I'll be joining the competition too. I'll try my best to keep you alive."
"No need. I just think your reward is lacking a bit in appeal."
"Oh? I'm offering 30 kilograms of Purple Xuan Iron and you say it's not attractive? Friend, with this amount of Purple Xuan Iron, you might never get your hands on it in your whole life!"
Jiang Kai smiled slightly, "Maybe, but I still feel it's not as valuable as Transcendent Tier Five national materials."
"Yo, kind of unexpected, huh? A guy with not even one star, actually looking down on my reward." Zhong Qiang said with a laugh.
At this moment, Zhao Tiequan suddenly shouted from the crowd, "Zhong Qiang, business is business. While Purple Xuan Iron is precious, it's still not as good as Martial Disciple Tier Five materials. How about this, throw in a little something extra, so people don't talk."
Zhong Qiang looked at Zhao Tiequan, "Still want to add more? This Purple Xuan Iron is already worth a lot."
"Then, add that one, yeah, Tier Four damaged material!" Zhao Tiequan winked at Zhong Qiang, "Two rewards, now that's more like you."
Zhong Qiang thought a moment, damaged materials didn't sell for much anyway, adding them was fine.
"Okay, I'll add one more, Tier Four Destiny Material No.7. Destiny materials are definitely one of Ghost Star's iconic collectibles. Someone once offered a good price to buy it."
Jiang Kai looked back secretly, Brother Zhao really delivered!
Zhong Qiang swiped a reward card, then pulled out a small beast from the bag behind him, and attached the card to it.
As soon as Jiang Kai saw the little creature, his eyes widened.
He instantly recognized this little guy!
It was that same ungrateful little fellow who'd helped him escape the Newbie Trial Zone, then immediately turned and ran away!
Zhong Qiang held the little mouse over a cliff's edge and said to the crowd:
"I won't say much about what's in the lake below. As soon as I let go and it hits the water, the competition officially begins!"
Saying that, Zhong Qiang released his hand. The little mouse fell from the cliff and hit the lake surface a dozen seconds later.
Almost simultaneously, all the participants of the life-and-death competition jumped off the cliff!
The life-and-death competition had officially begun!
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