The formation began advancing toward the secret realm's depths, the ethereal calls of Luoyu Fish—sounding like mandarin ducks—echoing behind them, infusing the lush, verdant forest with even greater vitality.
While Lin Yu maintained certain standards for the group's formation during travel, these were merely certain standards. The young sorcerers chatted and laughed freely, displaying no sense of urgency whatsoever, treating this entire expedition as nothing more than an outdoor excursion.
Glenn certainly didn't believe the North China Academy of Sorcery students participating in this activity were completely ignorant of the true situation, but their ability to maintain such optimistic, spirited attitudes proved genuinely admirable.
Hermione was behaving similarly. If she were a kitten, her tail would undoubtedly be wagging incessantly. Currently clutching her Complete Illustrated Guide to Dragon Kingdom Divine Beasts, she cross-referenced the numerous divine beasts that poked their heads out curiously from concealed corners along their path with the guide's information. She appeared thoroughly captivated, her mouth constantly moving as she shared her discoveries with Glenn.
"...Two hundred li north lies Mount Fajiu, abundant with withered trees. There dwells a bird resembling a crow, with patterned head, white beak, and crimson feet, called Jingwei, whose cry echoes its own name..." Hermione paused thoughtfully. "I'm puzzling over why so many different divine beast species, which according to historical records inhabited completely different regions, are all clustered together within this secret realm?"
After finishing the passage, Hermione felt genuinely perplexed and began counting on her fingers the divine beast varieties they'd encountered. In less than two hours of travel, they'd already observed six or seven distinct species.
Precisely as Hermione noted, these divine beasts' documented habitats in the Complete Illustrated Guide to Dragon Kingdom Divine Beasts were entirely disparate.
"Contemporary times differ vastly from ancient periods. Human civilization has flourished exponentially, civilized constructions have multiplied, and settlements suitable for human habitation have been continuously established, compressing these divine beasts' natural living spaces. Presumably, to ensure divine beast survival, Dragon Kingdom's sorcerers established multiple secret realms across the nation and relocated the displaced divine beasts scattered throughout Dragon Kingdom into these protected sanctuaries."
Responding to Hermione's inquiry, Glenn provided an explanation based on his research materials.
The fundamental nature of secret realms involved artificially modified, concealed territories suitable for diverse divine beast habitation and survival. The mystical barriers surrounding secret realm boundaries served dual purposes: preventing ordinary civilians from accidentally entering—similar to Britain'sMuggle-Repelling Charms—while simultaneously protecting the divine beasts within from illegal poachers. However, these same protective measures created impenetrable walls restricting the divine beasts from departing the secret realms.
Ultimately, different perspectives yielded different interpretations. Glenn indicated his indifference toward this matter and refrained from passing judgment.
Such considerations could briefly occupy his thoughts before being dismissed—they weren't Glenn's concern anyway. Understanding Hermione's personality, the girl would undoubtedly become quite agitated over such troubling ethical complexities, so he deliberately chose not to voice his complete thoughts.
They were here for enjoyment—overthinking and creating unnecessary distress represented the worst possible approach.
However, Glenn's words would inevitably prompt Hermione's mind to probe deeper, but before she could pursue that line of reasoning, another unfamiliar divine beast soared through the dense overhead canopy, successfully diverting her attention.
Consequently, Hermione returned to frantically studying her guidebook.
Glenn leisurely employed his consciousness to control the alchemical puppet trailing far behind, continuously harvesting magical botanical specimens and storing them in small pouches temporarily enhanced with Extension Charms. Although Glenn had already collected plants to his heart's content during these few steps, he wasn't so unconscionable as to completely strip any single area of all its magical plant resources.
The primary reason being potential discovery by others.
Otherwise, what alternative motivation existed—environmental conservation concerns?
While contentedly harvesting the divine beasts' food sources within the secret realm, their advancing formation suddenly halted, and Lin Yu's voice carried from ahead.
"Rest in place for one hour. Report to me before any independent activities."
The response proved unanimously cooperative—though not quite dramatically so. The young sorcerers acknowledged Lin Yu and dispersed, though they naturally clustered into small groups to commence their rest period.
They appeared exceptionally well-prepared with extensive outdoor experience. Virtually every North China Academy of Sorcery student carried portable seating, while several individuals produced substantial tables, arranging them on the ground before retrieving various items to display upon them.
Some produced elegant purple clay teapots for brewing and steeping tea. Groups gathered around tables, leisurely savoring fresh tea while engaging in relaxed conversation.
Others retrieved playing cards and initiated card games. Since "Landlord" hadn't achieved widespread popularity yet, they played simpler variations like "Compare Sizes" and "Race to Finish."
Where cards appeared, board games naturally followed. Chess sets and Go boards materialized abundantly. Three or four spectators observed silently as intense intellectual battles unfolded, the competing players perspiring profusely. Simultaneously, novices played hilariously inept five-in-a-row, drawing amused laughter from surrounding observers and creating stark contrast with the serious strategic matches nearby.
Most remarkably, some participants directly produced complete mahjong sets. Four players arranged themselves around tables and commenced play immediately. The crisp clacking of mahjong tiles resonated constantly, with winners' triumphant "Mahjong!" and losers' "Dragon Kingdom expletives" creating a cacophonous symphony of celebration and despair.
Such spectacular entertainment left Hermione completely astounded—she'd never witnessed such diverse recreational options at Hogwarts.
After briefly informing Glenn, the girl approached the Dragon Kingdom sorcerers' gaming activities like an eager student, asking countless questions with her curiosity thoroughly maximized. Encountering such an adorable, polite young lady who spoke fluent Dragon Kingdom language rather than foreign tongue, the Dragon Kingdom students enthusiastically introduced their entertainment traditions.
For Glenn, these recreational activities held familiar resonance from his previous life's missions. Underground casinos, major gambling establishments—numerous mission targets had been laughing and enjoying these very games moments before their elimination.
Therefore, he redirected his attention toward Lin Yu's location. His cousin had not only ordered rest after merely one hour, forty-six minutes, and fifty-one seconds of travel, but now avoided joining the leisurely tea-drinking sorcerers. Instead, he leaned against a tree trunk, quietly conversing with another individual about something clearly significant. This behavior was highly irregular.
They had undoubtedly discovered something problematic.
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