My Misfortune Crushed Instances-Chapter 245: You Still Say It’s Nothing?!

Li Rui truly admired the old Chongxu. When talking about the Proper Five Thunders Skill, he spoke in a casual tone, as if saying: You go to the east end of the market to buy some potatoes and eggplants, and you still need to go to the west end to get some green peppers? I'll recommend a place for you.

But no matter what, the man was professional; he hurriedly clasped his fist and said, "Please guide me, Taoist."

Chongxu never kept things hidden; he spoke directly: "According to what I know, the Dragon Thunder is in the hands of the Thunder Beast over in the Golden Scale Marsh. The Thunder Skill specifically intimidates the Barbaric Beasts; with this skill, it has ruled over Da Ze for a thousand years without rebellion."

Li Rui thought for a moment before recalling what the Thunder Beast was; it had been mentioned during a previous chat with Wei Xun. Normally, the name of "that Thunder Beast" should be: Golden Scale Five Directions Saint Emperor.

He is the strongest in the Golden Scale Marsh, above the Barbarian Monarch, known as the Barbarian Emperor.

Of course, this is a title devised by the Barbaric Beasts themselves. From Chongxu's perspective, calling it Thunder Beast is not wrong.

Li Rui asked, "Do I have to fight that thing to get the Dragon Thunder?"

Chongxu was a famous teacher providing one-on-one guidance, and as a local of the Secret Realm, he knew more about the Five Thunders Skill than the Superpower Division.

"In my humble estimation, such heavenly might does not have to exist singularly. Our Shenxiao Palace's forefather holds the Divine Thunder and has passed it down to his disciples. The Community Thunder was initially held by the Peach Fairy and that Flame Demon, and now you, Li Xiaoxia, can handle it; therefore, I believe obtaining it may not necessarily require a fight."

At this moment, Tao Yun added, "A thousand years ago, I saw the Barbarian Emperor of Da Ze, who used a kind of White Thunder Divine Power, quite potent, which should indeed be the Dragon Thunder."

Having been saved by Li Rui and Chongxu, she took the chance to repay them. After thinking carefully, she continued: "Back then, Liangting, the Taizu Emperor, seemed to tell me that the Barbarian Emperor distributed some of the White Thunder's power to twelve loyal Barbarian Generals. Perhaps it doesn't necessarily need to be obtained directly from the emperor."

Li Rui thought that the emperor's loyal soldiers didn't sound easy to deal with either.

But what does it mean to obtain it directly? Are you implying I need to go confront them?

The Golden Scale Marsh is generally a level 40 plus Secret Realm, so it won't be long before it can be taken on.

He nodded thoughtfully.

The clues for the Community Thunder were provided as a friendly gesture by Brother Zuo; now, with advice from two world NPCs, the path to the Dragon Thunder is at least clear.

Now there's an update to the long-term mission.

[Long-term exploration mission update: The Disassembled Spell.]

[Mission Objective: Collect five different types of Thunder Skills: Celestial Thunder 0/1, Earth Thunder 0/1, Dragon Thunder 0/1, Divine Thunder 1/1, Community Thunder 1/1]

[Details: Dragon Thunder characters: Golden Scale Five Directions Saint Emperor, Twelve Barbarian Generals.]

At least, the intelligence provided by the two was accurate.

Li Rui then asked, "Do you know where the Celestial Thunder and Earth Thunder are located, Taoist?"

Chongxu pondered for a moment and said, "The Celestial Thunder's location is unknown, but there are rumors about the Earth Thunder."

"It is said this thunder is ownerless, situated at the junction of the Western Regions and the Eastern Lands, within a place called Ghost Cry Ridge, stretching a thousand miles."

"This mountain is infested with demons and spirits, extremely dangerous. Hundreds of years ago, many cultivators ventured to seek heavenly power, but less than ten percent returned, gradually causing people to lose interest."

"Below Lindong Mountain, there are three forces: the southern one is Jingyang Academy, the middle is Sunset Sheep Immortal Peak, and to the north is Fengdu."

"Hundreds of years have passed; few know of this rumor, likely because no one dares to easily delve into Ghost Cry Ridge anymore. If the young hero wishes to go, it's best to wait a while."

These words were a polite way of saying: You're too weak, train a bit more.

Li Rui naturally couldn't go prematurely.

Jingyang Academy was unknown; the master of Sunset Sheep Immortal Peak was the hat-wearing guest who aided Zuo Qiutian in escaping; and as for Fengdu, let's not even mention it—just the outskirts of several Secret Realms were enough to bog down a provincial branch's vice-chairman, showing that Ghost Cry Ridge is at least a level 60 to 70 Secret Realm.

Not to mention, he wouldn't recklessly take risks. Even if he wanted to go, his strength wouldn't be enough, not making it to the Secret Realm.

Nonetheless, this information must be accurate because the long-term task provided a new hint.

[Details: Earth Thunder is related to the Western Ghost Cry Ridge.]

Having conveyed everything, Chongxu took his leave; he still needed to return to the palace to manage affairs, with major changes imminent, uncertain when chaos might erupt, he undoubtedly had much to handle.

After Chongxu left, Li Rui said to Tao Yun, "Now your flame poison has been cleared, and there are no lingering worries. Stay in touch with Liangting as much as possible, and don't seclude yourself. Zuo Qiutian's party is highly capable; splitting up might lead to being picked off."

"You are right, my lord; that's my thought as well."

After a soul exchange between the two, they became much closer, as if they had known each other for years, and spoke without much formality.

Finally, Tao Yun also left, and Li Rui trudged towards the Secret Realm exit.

[Mainline mission complete.]

[Experience points +400,000, random reward obtained...]

The mainline rewards for this Secret Realm were average, even considered to have a low cost-effectiveness—anyone coming in generally suffered great losses.

Only Li Rui received unique rewards that others didn't; merely the hidden tasks and storyline experience reached over 1.6 million, raising him straight to level 40 after settlement.

Of course, the most important thing was the Community Thunder.

To his surprise, when he opened his eyes, there wasn't the expected crowd in front of him; only Wu Mengying and Wen Yan looked at him as if he were a monster.

"The division contacted me, saying you need to report the situation in the Secret Realm to the higher-ups."

Huh? Report then report.

Li Rui paused for a moment, then asked, "Right here or in the conference room?"

"Not to me; it's President Song. You'd best go in person. They're taking this Secret Realm very seriously," Wu Mengying said. It was evident she too was surprised at being bypassed.

Li Rui nodded: "Understood."

The batch of people who left first surely gave a rough account of their experiences; the Superpower Division's higher-ups are aware that top NPCs from the Secret Realm world organized a team building that might impact the world's storyline.

Everyone like Chongxu and others are at least level 70 and above, a city-level branch not being sufficient.

Li Rui exited and saw Wang Ba and others waiting outside, all gazing at him with uncertainty.

"What's really happening? We received a notification, then Chairman Wu told us not to inquire further," Wang Ba inquired.

Li Rui knew the confidentiality process had probably already kicked in—as the matter relates to the Community Thunder, it can't be freely disclosed, and the only difference this time is even Brother Ba, the direct "guardian," is now out of the loop.

"Hey, nothing much. Everyone, don't be so serious. It's little issues, little issues."

As soon as he spoke, a familiar notification appeared again.

[Attention all Secret Realm agents, the Ten Star Secret Realm Peach Blossom Lady's Tomb is now removed from the selection sequence.]

This time not even a reason was given.

Everyone looked at Li Rui: You still say nothing's wrong?!

Li Rui gave an awkward laugh; unable to say much more, he quickly left Guotong Mansion and reached the provincial branch before sunset, gave the secretary a call, expecting to wait a bit, but unexpectedly was told to go directly to see Song Yao.

Upon entering, he saw a pile of documents stacked on the desk, an open computer, and a miniature sandbox.

"You're here; have a seat."

Song Yao was carefully examining the documents, using the pen tip as a focal point reading word by word and sentence by sentence. After several minutes, he set the things in hand down.

"Seems like you have to stir things up every time you clear a Secret Realm, huh?"

President Song said half-jokingly, "But this time you did well; you should receive a division-level commendation. Right now, I reckon a meeting is ongoing in the division discussing your case. But first, let's hear the whole story from you. If necessary, we might have to visit the capital." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Li Rui asked, "From the start?"

"From the start."

"There's an incident beginning with a Secret Realm called Demon Wind Temple."