Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

"You've encountered opponents, haven't you? Met the Demon Fiend, right? You were afraid, yes? Fled for your lives, did you? Screamed, didn't you?"

The number of people present didn't match the number of professionists who had chosen to stay behind, indicating they hadn't remained there without facing any danger.

"Look," Wen Yu began, her voice sharp, "back then you said you wanted to stay put, that you didn't want to continue moving forward. I don't blame you for that. But why do you think you have the right to bask in the joy of this victory? Why should people like you get to survive? Why are you all prancing around now? Why do you wear such smug expressions, as if you've achieved something great? Tell me, why?"

"Why?"

Wen Yu turned her head towards the Fourth Prince.

The Fourth Prince slightly raised his right hand. A tremendous force enveloped Wen Yu's right hand, the one gripping Sun Aotian. A gentle yet powerful force surged into Wen Yu's hand, compelling her to involuntarily loosen her right hand's grip on Sun Aotian!

Sun Aotian, freed from Wen Yu's grasp, collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. He stared at Wen Yu as if she were a monster, then scrambled to his feet and quickly fled to the side.

Although the Treasure Land Protector could not harm professionists, they naturally had countermeasures if they encountered professionists attempting to kill outside the designated trial scenarios!

But that was unimportant. "Why?" Wen Yu asked again, and the entire scene fell silent.

The Fourth Prince looked at Wen Yu and stated seriously, "Because of luck."

"Damn, that's a hell of an explanation!" Wen Yu retorted. "So, you're the real master here. I'm impressed, truly." She nodded, then scanned the entire area.

Of the escort squad, only Sun Ruixing had survived.

Wen Yu had expected this.

Apart from him, five professionists remained, shivering in fear.

PHEW. Wen Yu let out a ragged breath.

"Don't be angry," Sun Ruixing said, walking over and patting Wen Yu's shoulder. Ruixing could tell Wen Yu was in a terrible state.

PHEW. She took another deep breath, as if that could ease her agitation.

"I'm not angry, just... a bit worked up," Wen Yu said. "So, we succeeded, right?"

"Yes," Sun Ruixing nodded.

"I don't feel a thing. Really," Wen Yu declared. "This is the most hollow victory I've ever experienced. Damn it, I can't feel happy about this at all!"

"I get it," Sun Ruixing said sympathetically. "Let's get a drink after we get out. A good sleep will make you feel better."

"TSK. I'm not drinking to drown my sorrows."

"I'll join you, but you're paying."

Wen Yu rolled her eyes. "Fine. I have points; we can exchange them for a couple of good bottles."

...

"So, are you two finished?" the Fourth Prince finally asked, observing the utter lack of excitement or elation among the professionists.

"Send us out. There's no point in staying here," Wen Yu said.

The Fourth Prince nodded. "You don't want the reward?"

Wen Yu looked at the Fourth Prince. After a moment, she chuckled. "A reward? Why would I refuse it?"

Wen Yu had been in such a foul mood earlier that the thought of a reward hadn't even crossed her mind.

But considering the difficulty of the Second Stage, the reward had to be substantial!

"Alright, reward distribution begins," the Fourth Prince announced.

As he finished speaking, a box filled with magic crystals materialized before everyone.

"Inside are Level 2 magic crystals. This is the reward for the five of you," the Fourth Prince stated, then cast a quiet glance at Wen Yu.

That single glance made Wen Yu laugh.

It seemed the Fourth Prince also held these 'Deserters' in low regard.

"Old Sun, you go. Absorb as much as you can," Wen Yu told Sun Ruixing.

Sun Ruixing looked at the five individuals frozen in place beside them, then at the Fourth Prince not far off, before walking directly to the box.

As magic crystal after magic crystal disappeared into Sun Ruixing's hand, his physical attributes quickly rose to 50 points in a short time!

Peak Level 2!

Once Sun Ruixing finished absorbing, Wen Yu turned to the five, who still hadn't dared to move. "You should understand that these things don't belong to you, right?"

Seeing their crestfallen expressions, Wen Yu suddenly smiled. "Old Sun, bring that entire box of magic crystals back here!"

Perhaps it was the stark contrast. After witnessing the valor of William and his companions, Sun Ruixing's opinion of these five had clearly soured. He cast aside any pretense of saintly benevolence and decisively carried the box over to Wen Yu.

Without a trace of guilt, Wen Yu stored all the remaining magic crystals in her space ring.

The Fourth Prince, seated high above, nodded. "Now that the rewards for the five of you have been distributed, you may leave."

After he spoke, without waiting for any reaction, the Fourth Prince waved his hand. A flash of teleportation light later, the five were sent out of the treasure land.

"Next, I will distribute your rewards," the Fourth Prince said, looking earnestly at Wen Yu and Sun Ruixing. A hint of hesitation flickered in his eyes. After a moment, he chuckled, as if mocking himself. "Consider yourselves lucky. I happen to have something good on hand, so I'll give it to you."

A white light flashed, and a scroll appeared before Sun Ruixing.

"This is yours. I hope you make good use of it."

Sun Ruixing took the scroll, but before he could examine it closely, the Fourth Prince teleported him out.

In the treasure land, only Wen Yu and the Fourth Prince remained.

...

The two remained silent for a long moment before Wen Yu finally spoke. "Is there something you want to say?"

"Yes," the Fourth Prince nodded.

"About what?"

"About the reward you're about to receive."

Wen Yu pondered for a moment before asking cautiously, "Can't you say anything about the Demon Tribe and the Dominator?"

The Fourth Prince merely shook his head. He said nothing, but his stance was clear.

After another long pause, the Fourth Prince finally spoke. "You... you are good. Truly good. I've seen how you humans have handled everything. As a species, you humans are fantastic. So, entrusting this item to you will not be a disgrace to this skill."

As the Fourth Prince finished speaking, a scroll materialized out of thin air before Wen Yu.

Wen Yu slowly took the scroll in her hand.

Then, a low prompt sounded in her mind.

"Pitch-dark Divine Light (SSS-Class, Active Ability): Immerse in darkness, control darkness, even become darkness itself, then erupt from within the darkness as Divine Light!"

"This ability is divided into two parts: Darkness and Divine Light."

"Once the host has mastered Divine Light, Pitch-dark Divine Light will upgrade to Species-specific Esoteric Level."

"Prerequisites for learning Pitch-dark Divine Light:"

"One: Host's level must be Level 5 or above."

"Two: The host masters an S-class or higher Pitch-dark type ability. This allows learning the Pitch-dark Divine Light skill, but only its Darkness aspect can be used."

"Three: The host masters an S-Class or higher light-type ability. This allows awakening the Divine Light!"

"Light and Darkness are, in essence, one!"

"This skill is unique!"