Chapter 47: Difficulty Escalated

Shen Xing’s words caused the group’s steps to falter. Perhaps due to preconceived notions, they had all instinctively believed that defeating a single monster meant they had cleared the level. But now, reflecting on it, the difficulty they faced was mainly because Wang Ming had acted recklessly, giving the monster an opportunity to ambush them. If they had confronted it head-on with the combined strength of all five, it shouldn’t have been too challenging. Thus, it made sense that there might be other monsters lurking on the alternate path.

“There’s no choice. We have to check that other path too,” someone finally said.

After a brief discussion, they reached consensus, turned around, and stepped onto the other fork in the road.

After walking a while, Wang Ming suddenly spoke up, “I hear strange noises. Looks like there really is another presence.”

Shen Xing looked at him sharply. “Hear?”

“Hmph, that’s my talent! My hearing is several times sharper than that of ordinary people like you,” Wang Ming said proudly.

“Heh, really? But when danger actually strikes, it seems that talent isn’t so reliable,” Shen Xing sneered darkly.

It was infuriating that such a scoundrel had the nerve to wear such an expression.

“You—!” Wang Ming’s anger surged, but recalling Shen Xing’s combat skills and the delicate situation between himself and the two bodyguards, he swallowed his wrath.

Five minutes later, they reached the end of the forked path.

But ahead there was nothing. It was a genuine dead end.

No treasure, no monsters.

“Why do I have a bad feeling about this?” Shen Xing’s gaze fell on the barren stone walls, his heart sinking.

“Could it be that the other monster is still back on the previous path? Maybe it’s hidden, and we overlooked it when we left,” someone suggested.

“Then… we should go back and search carefully once more. At least this shows the monster isn’t that strong; otherwise, it wouldn’t be hiding in fear,” Wang Zuo and Xu Minghui chimed in.

Shen Xing stood still and turned back to Wang Ming. “You said you heard strange noises? What kind of sounds? Can you still hear them now?”

Wang Ming rolled his eyes, cleared his throat lightly, and was about to mock Shen Xing when suddenly he felt a chill on his neck.

Looking down, he saw Shen Xing’s long blade pressed firmly against his throat.

“Dare to talk nonsense again, and I’ll cut you down.”

“…It sounded like running footsteps, many of them, chaotic. I can still hear it now—it’s coming from the ground,” Wang Ming stammered.

Shen Xing paused, withdrew his blade, and swallowed hard.

“No way… are we really that unlucky to have encountered a very rare energy upgrade event?”

This unfamiliar term instantly piqued the interest of the others.

“Energy upgrade event? What’s that?” Wang Zuo frowned.

Seeing Shen Xing’s serious expression, whom they all trusted and respected, made him tense as well.

“Ah, none of you have heard of it? That’s normal. I got this information through a very special channel. Apparently, the energy level of the dimensional gateI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.