I Made Up Forbidden Spells, and They Actually Worked?

Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Killing Intent

As they approached the towering black shadow, Dean Bruce finally saw it clearly. It looked like two pyramids pressed together at their bases—broad at the ends and narrow in the middle, with swirling sandstorms encircling it.

The distance was deceptive. Though it looked close, the towering structure reached the sky, and it took Dean Bruce and his group nearly an hour to arrive. Along the way, shadowy figures became visible, appearing and disappearing in the dusty landscape.

Standing at the base of the pyramid, only the seasoned guards from various factions seemed unaffected, having seen it many times before. But everyone else, whether powerful figures or young adventurers, stood in awe, overwhelmed by the grandness of the scene, exclamations echoing through the crowd.

Looking up at the pyramid, one saw nothing but endless yellow sand against the sky, making the people below feel as insignificant as ants.

Dean Bruce, however, was unfazed, having seen many such grand structures in his previous life. Noticing everyone's dazed expressions, he coughed softly, infusing his voice with a touch of magic.

The magical resonance brought everyone back to their senses, and they exchanged glances.

Without waiting for Dean Bruce to speak, the guards pushed past those still staring in awe and continued deeper into the pyramid's shadow.

As they went further in, the structure shielded them from the winds, and the number of people increased. Groups of twenty or thirty huddled together, seemingly waiting for something.

[So many people? Just how many factions were able to secure access to the Quicksand Secret Realm? ] Dean Bruce's eyebrows arched slightly. He hadn't expected such a crowd; apparently, the realm's entry wasn't as exclusive as he'd thought.

Ahead, they reached the pyramid's entrance. At the base, there was an opening—not very large but shimmering with shifting light. A faint spatial fluctuation could be felt upon close inspection.

Clearly, this was the entrance to the Quicksand Secret Realm.

The guards didn't hesitate and continued toward the entrance, even as Dean Bruce surveyed their surroundings.

All around, people's eyes turned toward him.

Voices of discussion rose from the crowd, "The Magic Guild people are here!"

"Strange, doesn't the Magic Guild usually send a leader? Why are they all so young this time?"

"Maybe they don't care much about the Quicksand Secret Realm. If that's the case, then we might have more areas to claim this year!"

Hearing these murmurs, Dean Bruce's brow furrowed slightly.

Areas to claim?

The Magic Guild hadn't mentioned anything about this!

In fact, neither the Magic Guild nor the Nine Provinces Alliance had briefed him about the Quicksand Secret Realm. Whether they were confident in his abilities or simply indifferent to the realm's significance, he couldn't be sure.

While he pondered this, Dean Bruce and his group reached the entrance, where three other factions had already gathered, each keeping a noticeable distance from the rest.

Dozens of curious gazes turned toward Dean Bruce, mirroring his own watchful eyes.

It seemed that Dean Bruce's reputation in Saint Laurent City was solid, but members of other factions weren't necessarily familiar with him, prompting their curiosity as to why someone so young was leading a group.

As he sized them up, Dean Bruce used the markings on their robes and magical gear to identify the factions present.

The Nine Provinces Alliance, War God Temple, and the Alchemist Guild.

As he scanned the crowd, he spotted Lucy Michelle among the Nine Provinces Alliance members. She noticed him too and flashed a quick smile.

The War God Temple and the Alchemist Guild members stood out with their distinct appearances. The alchemists, regardless of gender, wore green robes and had dark circles under their eyes. The War God Temple members were all muscular, carrying either spears or giant swords, radiating a fierce presence.

"A newly appointed honorary elder?" As Dean Bruce observed the crowd, an elderly man from the Alchemist Guild stepped forward with a wry smile. "Such a youthful appearance, my friend. You seem to have quite a knack for maintaining it. Perhaps you'd consider visiting the Alchemist Guild sometime to collaborate on youth-preserving potions."

Dean Bruce's elder status indeed brought him considerable perks.

Anyone who looked at his young face, sensing even a hint of his magical power, assumed he must be a formidable mage with secrets to longevity.

After all, no one would believe that the Magic Guild would appoint a weakling as an honorary elder.

Seeing the elder's polite approach, Dean Bruce smiled back, politely declining, "I'm afraid I have no expertise in that area, so I'd have to disappoint you, sir."

"No expertise?" The elder frowned, his mouth twisting slightly. "Are you looking down on the Alchemist Guild? With your looks and even your voice, you can't be a day over twenty. How could you possibly be an elder?"

"Relax," he added with a chuckle. "If we do manage to brew a youth-restoring potion, I, Nelson Paprik, won't let you go unrewarded!"

Nelson thumped his chest with pride. "I'm loaded, believe me!"

Dean Bruce raised an eyebrow. The name struck a familiar chord, though he couldn't place where he'd heard it.

However, he'd never interacted with the Alchemist Guild before.

With a thoughtful glint in his eye, Dean Bruce remained outwardly calm, smiling as he replied, "Sir, let's discuss that once we're finished with the Quicksand Secret Realm."

"Don't want the money, huh?" Nelson Paprik wasn't exactly naive; he understood that Dean Bruce's polite refusal was essentially a rejection. Still, he had his own pride and didn't press further. Instead, he tilted his head with a huff and muttered, "Don't come crying to me if you regret it later!"

Dean Bruce couldn't help but chuckle at the old man's childish reaction. Even some of the younger onlookers shot Nelson Paprik surprised glances.

No one expected that this seemingly kindly elder would speak and act like a stubborn kid!

Tap, tap, tap—

Suddenly, footsteps echoed from behind. Dean Bruce turned, surprised to see Hannah Fields approaching.

She wore a simple white gown, a golden wreath crowning her head. The look was modest yet carried an air of distinct authority.

Behind her was a group of over twenty young people clad in golden-red armor or pale red mage robes. Each one held their head high, carrying an aura of arrogance, as if they considered the others beneath them.

Seeing this, Dean Bruce's curiosity deepened.

If the Quicksand Secret Realm was supposedly unimpressive or useless, why were even top-tier factions present?

Yet, despite their presence, the elite factions didn't seem particularly invested. The whole situation was perplexing.

As Dean Bruce pondered this oddity, an intense chill washed over him from behind, an unmistakable killing intent enveloping him, making his skin prickle as though he'd been thrown into an ice cave.

He spun around sharply, but before he could catch sight of anyone, the murderous aura had vanished without a trace.

Still, Dean Bruce didn't let his guard down; he knew someone had targeted him.

Whoever it was, they clearly intended to kill him.

[Could it be someone from the Nine Provinces Alliance? Or maybe War God Temple?]

His eyes narrowed as he considered the possibilities.

The Nine Provinces Alliance had different factions, after all. If Cyb Louis could send people in, so could others!

It wouldn't be surprising if someone had been tasked with eliminating him.

Yet, as quickly as the thought came, Dean Bruce dismissed it.

Most of those entering the Quicksand Secret Realm were young. How could any of them have exuded such powerful, bone-chilling killing intent?

One of the leaders of the three factions had to be the one harboring such murderous intent toward him.

That made all three factions potential threats.

The relationship between the War God Temple and the Magic Guild was tense to begin with, and life-or-death battles in the Secret Realm were hardly new.

Then there was Nelson Paprik. Though he had seemed indifferent after being turned down, who was to say he wasn't hiding a grudge?

And could it be that the leader of the Nine Provinces Alliance had been given an assassination mission against him as well?

Dean Bruce's eyes narrowed. With too little information to go on, he couldn't be certain. All he could do was decide to stay vigilant around those three.

As time passed, more people gathered, filling the area in front of the entrance.

Seven elite factions had assembled: the Military, Church of Light, Nine Provinces Alliance, Magic Guild, Adventurer's Guild, War God Temple, and Alchemist Guild. Apart from Dean Bruce and Hannah Fields, the other leaders were all middle-aged or elderly.

But Hannah Fields, with her status as a saintess, was treated with respect by everyone, while Dean Bruce continued to draw curious, skeptical glances.

The Temple of Wisdom had also arrived, led by a familiar face—Carol Lane!

Lina Jones was notably absent, likely dismissing such a small-scale Secret Realm as unworthy of her attention.

The sandstorm veiled the sky, making it impossible to tell how much time had passed.

Eventually, the military leader, clad in full armor, broke the silence. "I believe everyone has arrived. It's time to open the Quicksand Secret Realm!"

"Wait!" the leader from the Nine Provinces Alliance interjected in a deep voice. "Aren't we going to explain the rules to these young ones?"

"Everyone who's made it here has had their spot confirmed long ago," the military leader replied icily. "If they came unprepared and die inside, who can they blame but themselves?" His gaze turned to Nelson. "Nelson, open the Secret Realm."

Nelson Paprik didn't seem bothered. Stepping forward, he flicked his wrist, producing a blue porcelain bottle.

Drip, drip—

As Nelson uncorked the bottle and tilted it slightly, a viscous, pearl-like liquid trickled out, landing on the shimmering door.

Buzz!

In an instant, the light intensified, rapidly expanding and covering the entire area. A powerful wave of spatial energy erupted, and everyone's vision went dark.