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

The exploration of the secret realm Blood Mist Valley had reached its concluding day today.

Seven days were now over, and the desolate area outside finally stirred with life as numerous figures radiating Gold Core auras converged overhead in the sky.

Among those present, the Peak Elders from the four sects drew the most attention.

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

Solemn looks adorned each of their faces, with inner thoughts masked by serene facades.

"Is it time? Let’s open the portal."

With the sun climbing to its highest point, Elder Jianhong spoke in a mild tone. The sword strapped to his back let out a soft hum.

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

Tie Shan chuckled lightly, clear eagerness sparkling in his gaze. His firm, disciplined muscles twitched slightly with thrill.

As a body cultivator, he felt the greatest impatience for this secret realm. From the reports he gathered, Blood Mist Valley linked mysteriously to ancient eras.

Ancient body cultivation treasures had a strong likelihood of appearing there. That prompted him to dispatch his personal disciple with a targeted task.

"Mm. Let’s open it."

Hua Yuelian gave a faint nod, her face impassive and inscrutable, as Lu Sheng simply nodded without a word.

In truth, he hadn't uttered anything since his arrival.

However, the cunning spark of delight in his eyes revealed an entirely opposite tale.

Lu Sheng inwardly rejoiced at the other sect elders' expense. Should his scheme unfold successfully, only low-tier Qi Condensation cultivators would emerge from this secret realm.

Indeed, he had commanded his subordinates to eliminate everyone within, even the Foundation Establishment disciples from his own sect.

No survivors equaled no testimony.

No one could reveal the presence of a Gold Core cultivator.

Black Lotus Sect couldn't risk antagonizing three sects simultaneously.

Not at this stage, anyway.

Afterward, he just needed to hide the fake Gold Core cultivator using the technique he prepared in advance.

"Alright. Let’s take our positions."

Elder Jianhong nodded before advancing, pulling out the key. The rest mirrored him, channeling their spiritual power into the formation.

Moments later, the sky's portal gradually materialized.

"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 proclamation resounded across Blood Mist Valley, compelling the cultivators inside to evacuate immediately.

Maintaining the portal for extended periods drained excessive spiritual energy. They preferred not to prolong it unnecessarily.

"Swish!"

Right after Jianhong’s words rang out and the portal manifested overhead, figures started materializing one by one.

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

Beaming smiles or at least cheerful faces lit up all of them. Their harvests appeared quite satisfactory.

Some rogue cultivators concealed themselves swiftly and slipped away furtively, seemingly wary of demands for their loot.

Luckily, no one paid them mind, since the elders focused intently on the portal.

"Where are the others?"

Tie Shan couldn't resist inquiring upon seeing only Qi Condensation cultivators emerging.

Furthermore, their count seemed rather sparse.

While the three elders pondered in mild bewilderment, Lu Sheng felt a quiet satisfaction.

His gaze swept about, seeking the concealed forms of Hei Luofeng or Yin Zhaokui.

Those two were set to achieve Gold Core realm inside, slaughter Foundation Establishment cultivators, and exit posing as Qi Condensation cultivators.

As Lu Sheng moved ahead and scrutinized his Qi Condensation cultivators' faces, the expected ones remained absent.

"Are you the only ones?"

For an instant, even he grew puzzled. Their scant numbers didn't displease him. Instead, bafflement arose from missing the individuals he sought.

"Swish!"

Amid the lingering uncertainty, another flicker brought someone through the portal.

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

Lu Sheng’s focus snapped to Elder Jianhong’s astonished outburst.

"Foundation?"

Turning to check, he indeed spotted a lofty young man standing tall, Foundation Establishment aura emanating from him.

This sight only deepened Lu Sheng’s scowl, given his explicit directive: slay every Foundation Establishment cultivator without mercy.

"Swish!"

Yet Mo Tianyu wasn't the sole Foundation Establishment cultivator emerging.

Immediately after, another silhouette appeared.

"Mei Xuan? You too..."

She was a young woman from Divine Cauldron Sect as well.

Being a spy from a rival group, Lu Sheng remained unaware of her covert allegiance to his sect.

Still, her Foundation Establishment cultivation signaled that matters had derailed.

Disastrously so, far exceeding his forecasts.

"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 let out a hearty laugh filled with uncommon pride, diverging from his typical reserve, then questioned with interest.

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

Not just Jianhong—Tie Shan and Yuelian also locked their eyes on them.

After all, the exodus from the secret realm paled dramatically against the entry numbers.

Besides these two, no additional Foundation Establishment cultivators showed up.

"Elder, something happened inside the secret realm."

With all eyes on him, Mo Tianyu started recounting events.

Mei Xuan ignored the rest, her stare fixed hungrily on the portal.

The lingering contract trace within her confirmed Zhiran still lived. Yet his status remained unknown to her.

Returning to the Gold Core cultivator's former spot, she found utter ruin.

Not even a body remained.

Such feelings were foreign to Mei Xuan before.

From a demonic sect, selfishness defined her nature.

But now, she awaited a man.

Awaiting her man's emergence, his smile, and reassurance of his safety.

Nothing else mattered to her right then.

"Swish!"

As Mo Tianyu continued detailing from his viewpoint, yet another gleam flashed before the portal.

This round, multiple figures burst forth.

"Wenhao!"

"Mingxuan!"

"Shuchen!"

Foundation Establishment cultivators from Iron Crane Sect and Hundred Flowers Valley surfaced.

Regrettably, their battered states indicated grave wounds.

"W What... what happened?"