Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

Wen Yu's expression flickered uncertainly.

It wasn't that the Touch of Greed displeased Wen Yu; on the contrary, he was exceedingly pleased with it!

This was a piece of equipment without a level requirement, meaning it was a treasure comparable to the Book of Black!

However, Wen Yu had already sensed a deep, hidden malice emanating from the treasure land.

The last three items he had obtained alone—the Blood and Flesh Badge, the Flames of Tyranny, and the Touch of Greed—already made him feel that this treasure land was an absolute godsend.

But for these items to appear at this particular time was, in Wen Yu's view, simply inconceivable.

Even a Level 8 professionist would be ecstatic to obtain any one of these items.

Unless... that so-called Second Stage...

The more one receives, the more one must give! This was a principle Wen Yu had always believed in. Nothing in this world comes without a price!

Yet, what had he given in return this time? Absolutely nothing. No danger, no crisis, not even anything remotely difficult. It had all been too easy, far too simple!

The more Wen Yu looked at Pandora's Magic Box before him, the more he felt that this small item, which had brought about a metamorphosis in his strength, was a ticking time bomb. Once it detonated, everyone in the treasure land would be blown to smithereens!

Letting out a heavy sigh, Wen Yu turned to look at the few people beside him, and then at the forest where an unknown number of professionists lay hidden.

"Things might not be looking good!" Wen Yu said to William and the others with a wry smile.

"What's wrong? Is the quality of the treasures not up to par? Did Pandora's Magic Box trick you?"

It was Chu Ziling who spoke, a gloating look on his face.

Wen Yu considered putting down Pandora's Magic Box and teleporting directly out of the treasure land. But after a moment's thought, he picked it up again.

What if... what if there were still more treasures? What rank would they be? SSS-Class? Or perhaps an even higher rank he had never even heard of?

After mulling it over for a long while, the greed and desire for a lucky break grew stronger in Wen Yu's eyes.

Behind greed lies destruction.

However, with wealth and power laid out so blatantly before him, Wen Yu found it impossible to resist the temptation.

Just one more time. What if there's really something? What if?

The current Wen Yu would unhesitatingly step forward, even if an abyss yawned before him.

"Hey, what on earth is going on?"

Seeing Wen Yu's hesitation and inner conflict, even William wore an inquisitive expression.

"It's nothing." Shaking his head briefly, Wen Yu tucked Pandora's Magic Box into his clothes.

Ultimately, he still couldn't resist the allure of power.

...

Thirty minutes slipped by quietly while Wen Yu maintained a grave expression.

It was time for Pandora's Magic Box to open again.

But this time, Wen Yu didn't open Pandora's Magic Box directly.

"Let me briefly share my own speculation," he said. As he spoke, Wen Yu exited his combat stance and began to absorb the magic crystals he had pried from Chu Ziling's grasp.

"This might be the last time it opens. If something comes out, I'll take it and teleport out immediately. Then, Pandora's Magic Box is yours!"

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the others immediately lit up.

Wen Yu had already absorbed six Level 2 magic crystals, raising his physical attributes to 50 points—the peak of Level 2!

After feeding the remaining 52 magic crystals one by one to the little Soul Beast, Wen Yu spoke again.

"Do you remember that saying? 'Behind greed lies destruction.'"

He carefully scanned his surroundings. Apart from William, who seemed lost in thought, the other four appeared to be selectively ignoring Wen Yu's words.

"Brother Sun."

Wen Yu turned his gaze directly to Sun Ruixing, who stood behind William, almost like an invisible man.

"What is it?" Sun Ruixing looked at Wen Yu curiously.

"Even you wouldn't choose to teleport out now, right?"

Sun Ruixing studied Wen Yu carefully, hesitated for a long moment, then nodded earnestly.

"Actually, I have my own selfish desires. I also want to become stronger. I believe I might gain something in the Second Stage. That's also greed, isn't it?"

"Alright. Since even you think so, there's nothing more for me to say."

Even Sun Ruixing, whom Wen Yu considered a moral paragon, thought this way. The others who had remained until now surely wouldn't think any differently! It was useless to say anything more.

Wen Yu had already sensed the immense crisis lurking within the Second Stage. He had initially wanted to persuade these less powerful individuals not to throw their lives away needlessly. Such a warning wouldn't affect him personally, and it was merely a matter of a few words, so Wen Yu didn't mind offering it.

But, searching his heart, Wen Yu knew that if he were in their shoes, he wouldn't give up either!

"Get ready," Wen Yu said.

Seeing Wen Yu's solemn expression, the others immediately understood what he was implying. It wasn't that the treasure was bad; it was too good. So good, in fact, that it made Wen Yu think, Such incredible benefits surely wouldn't be given for free!

Jiang Wentao said nothing. He directly instructed Monkey to retrieve the plasma hand grenade from the ground and took out the Knuckle Duster already stored in his space ring.

William, too, silently prepared for battle.

Only Chu Ziling was still clamoring, "What do you mean? What are you talking about? If you're not going to open the treasure box, then hurry up and leave!"

The little Soul Beast had absorbed 50 magic crystals, its physical attributes now at 50 points, also at the peak of Level 2. Wen Yu placed the remaining two Level 2 magic crystals into his space ring and carefully picked up Pandora's Magic Box.

"Prepare yourselves!"

With Wen Yu's loud command, he forcefully opened Pandora's Magic Box.

Nothing happened.

Wen Yu's heart skipped a beat!

There was no glow of treasure, no treasure at all; the box was completely empty!

"What happened? Is it over?" Seeing Wen Yu open Pandora's Magic Box without the usual massive pillar of white light, Chu Ziling's face instantly filled with disappointment.

"It's over."

Wen Yu's expression was extremely grim. He swiftly took out the teleportation jade charm from his space ring and crushed it, silently willing himself to teleport.

But, nothing happened!

The First Stage was over. The teleportation jade charm was useless!

Just then, a voice echoed throughout Cacodemons Island.

"I did warn you, didn't I? 'Behind greed lies destruction.'

"But you only saw the treasures and failed to perceive the danger.

"The danger has never originated from within you humans.

"So, allow me to show you what true danger, true destruction, and true despair really are!

"Welcome to the Second Stage of the treasure land's trial.

"Welcome... to my world!"