Pamela tried to keep Marvin's death a secret.
However, Marvin bore a mark left by a family elder.
The mark automatically triggered, transmitting news of his death back home.
The resulting chain reaction shook the political landscape of the South Island Federation...
The Ganesha family officially defected, joining the opposing camp.
In these precarious times, the South Island Federation urgently passed a resolution, formally accepting the alliance terms offered by the Silver Moon Monastery!
From that day forward, the Mushroom Garden Secret Realm belonged to the Silver Moon Monastery!
Along with ownership, the responsibility for protecting this secret realm also transferred to the Silver Moon Monastery.
The South Island Federation resolved to cut its losses and extricate itself from this quagmire as quickly as possible.
The next day, Pamela received a letter from her grandfather, asking her to lead the South Island Warlocks and evacuate the precarious Mushroom Garden as soon as possible.
Pamela called a meeting of her subordinates and read out Dean Randolph's order, adding:
"Everyone here, if you don't want to leave and want to stay and perish with the Secret Realm, I won't force you."
"Time waits for no one. After this meeting, everyone hurry back and pack your bags!"
"Student Allen, don't leave after this meeting. I have something to tell you!"
"Sorry, I don't have anything to say." Allen shook his head gently.
"Stop talking nonsense! I'm just informing you, not asking for your opinion!"
The blonde, blue-eyed young lady interrupted him with a roar.
The sorcerers attending the meeting exchanged glances and tiptoed away quickly, fearing they would be splashed with Allen's blood.
Pamela closed the door.
She and Allen were the only ones left in the meeting room.
The anger on her face was replaced by a hint of melancholy.
His tone was still fierce, but he couldn't hide his inner worry.
"Alan, you don't want to die in the mushroom garden, do you?"
"Two paths, choose!"
"Either come with me, or beg me to stay."
Of course, Alan couldn't go home with Pamela.
Otherwise, what role would he play by her side?
He also knew that if he asked, Pamela would defy her grandfather's orders and stay to fight alongside him.
So, he chose to refuse!
"Pamela, I won't choose either of these paths."
Alan crossed his arms over his chest, his composure unwavering.
"I have a brilliant plan: best, middle, and worst."
"Middle: hold out and wait for reinforcements from the Silver Moon Monastery."
"Worst: If we can't hold out, surrender the secret realm to the enemy, teleport back to Silver Moon Island to gather reinforcements, and then launch a surprise attack."
"So, what's the best plan?" Pamela asked grimly.
"Well... I can't reveal it yet."
"Whether you want to tell me or not, who cares?!"
Pamela sneered and stormed off.
Bang!
The door slammed shut, its echoing piercing sound lingering.
Creaky—
The battered door opened a crack.
The large girl slipped in sideways.
"I was just at the door when I heard you and Pamela arguing."
Julie sat next to Alan and couldn't help but complain.
"You could have kept Pamela, a strong supporter, so why did you have to bring up Angel?"
"What good would it do you to drive her away?"
"The good is that I won't have to owe her a favor," Alan said flatly.
"You really did it on purpose! Afraid I'd fall in love with her?" Julie's eyes were filled with resentment.
Alan was speechless and glared at her.
Julie covered her mouth with her hands, chuckling, and tactfully changed the subject.
"Felin and I discussed it and decided to hold our ground. If we couldn't hold it, we'd flee back to our home on Griffin Island."
"Now there's a problem, Olivia..."
"She sent all her naturalists away, but she herself refused to leave, swearing to stick with us through thick and thin."
"This little girl is quite loyal!"
Alan was slightly moved, feeling the need to thank Olivia.
Originally, he had planned to give her an anti-aging potion.
However, Olivia, a young lady from an aristocratic family, had already received a first-level anti-aging potion at the age of sixteen.
Alan made her a promise.
"If I can obtain a higher-level anti-aging potion and refine it in the future, I'll leave one for you."
Felin, Julie, and Olivia all decided to stay in the mushroom garden.
As for Alan, as the agent of the Silver Moon Monastery, he should remain in this secret realm that had been transferred to the monastery.
However…
"Sorry, brothers and sisters."
"I have something urgent to do and have to go home."
"Hold on for a while, I'll be back!"
"If you need anything, use Wind Swift. Bye everyone!"
After a few brief instructions, Alan activated the Teleportation Spell.
Julie and Feilin watched him disappear into the teleportation array, looking at each other in bewilderment.
Olivia was stunned.
"Flirtatious man! You shameless bastard—"
The girl's furious curses echoed over the mushroom garden.
Unfortunately, Alan couldn't hear them.
By then, he had already swiftly returned to Silvermoon Island…
…
That same night, the atmosphere inside and outside the secret realm was drastically different.
Inside the secret realm, the defenders retreated, and a gloomy atmosphere descended.
Outside the secret realm, enemy reinforcements arrived, their morale high.
The North Island Federation, the Beast Cult, and the Human Demon Cult—three factions—besieged the mushroom garden, but were unable to capture it and suffered heavy losses.
To quickly capture this secret realm, the North Island Federation and the Beast Cult both sent powerful reinforcements.
The Beast Cult's insect-type sorcerer was responsible for reinforcing the mushroom garden.
The sorceress leading the team was named Spenza.
Spenza, Spenza's older sister and the eldest daughter of Spider Queen Caroline, was a late-stage fourth-level cultivator and descended from the Phase Spider Lady.
Spenza was only a year older than her younger sister, Spenza. While her figure and appearance bore a striking resemblance to Spenza, her temperament was distinctly different.
The eldest princess of the Beast Cult appeared more mature than her younger sister.
A silver-alchemized longsword and a sapphire-enchanted dagger hung from her slender waist, giving her a dashing presence.
Beside Spenza stood a handsome, blue-robed young man.
His name was Aslan, of Blue Dragon bloodline. At only twenty-six, his cultivation had already reached the early fifth stage!
Aslan, the young master of the Blue Dragon Family of the North Island Federation, was not only exceptionally gifted and brilliant, but also known as the "most handsome man in the North Island Warlock Academy"!
The eldest princess of the Beast Worship Cult, the young master of the Blue Dragon Family.
This handsome man and beautiful woman, walking together, naturally sparked a romance.
"Spenza, have you contacted your sister?" Aslan asked his girlfriend.
"Don't mention it! The mention of Spanna makes me angry!"
Spenza put on a stern face and confided in her boyfriend about her family matters.
"You clearly received the message, but you're playing dead and refusing to answer me!"
"That damn girl always avoids me, like a mouse afraid of a cat."
"It's all because of her mother spoiling her. Sooner or later, she'll get into trouble!"
"Who's afraid of you, Spenza? You're really good at flattering yourself."
A sudden sneer rang out from the camp.
"I've been here a long time, I just don't want to bother with you."
Spana approached, holding a lollipop.
"I just hate your nagging. You're always nagging me. It's so annoying!"
Spana frowned, suppressing her anger and saying to her sister:
"Spana, you've come just in time! Let me introduce you to a friend. This is Aslan, heir to the Blue Dragon family."
Spana was impatient with her sister's formal introduction.
Jumping over her sister, she greeted Aslan with a smile.
"Hi! Brother-in-law! Nice to meet you. Please take care!"
Spanna blushed instantly, glaring and snarling. "Spana! Speak nicely, don't be so frivolous!"
Aslan, on the other hand, appeared composed and returned the greeting with a smile.
"Hello, Spana! I'm trying hard to woo your sister. She might not agree to marry me yet, but I appreciate your good wishes!"
"You two look so sweetly in love. Have you slept together already?" Spana asked with a half-smile.
"Spana! Stop it! You're so uneducated!"
Spanna, her forehead bulging with anger, scolded her sister.
"We're all adults. Why are you so embarrassed?"
Spana licked her lollipop nonchalantly.
"Brother-in-law, you need to take the initiative, or my sister will be a virgin for life!"
Aslan smiled awkwardly, a little overwhelmed.
"Spana, you're too blunt and explicit. Not only is your sister uncomfortable, but I'm embarrassed to listen to you."
Spana chuckled, her words a mixture of teasing and well wishes.
"Brother-in-law, you look like a gentleman. No wonder you get along so well with my old-fashioned sister."
"Honestly, I always thought my sister was a pure, untainted white lotus, one of a kind."
"I never thought there was such a pure and virtuous person like you."
"These days, in the sorcerer community, pure lovers like you two are hard to find!"
"If you two don't get married right now, it's really going to be a tough sell!"
Spansa raised her hand to her forehead, nearly fainting from her sister's anger. She now regretted not spanking her sister more often when they were little!
Now her sister was grown up, no matter how much she hated her for not being a good person, she couldn't bring herself to hit her.
In the final analysis, it was all her mother's fault!
She had spoiled her sister too much, turning her into a rebellious and frivolous delinquent!
As the three of them were chatting, a shrill shout suddenly rang out from the side.
"Hey! Blue-haired sissy, you silly gigolo!"
"Who allowed you to get so close to Spanner?"
"Get away from her right now!"
Aslan's expression changed slightly, and he turned to look.
A fifth-level dragon's might radiated outward, locking onto the provocateur.
A man of medium build approached.
He had a dark complexion, ordinary features, and a clean-shaven forehead.
Thick brown hair, braided into a large braid, a gleaming silver triangular pyramid dangling from the end.
This man was passionately pursuing Spanna. Seeing Spanna and Aslan chatting and laughing, he mistook the handsome blue-haired man for a rival and couldn't help but feel jealous.
Feeling the powerful pressure radiating from Aslan, the man with the braid suddenly changed his expression, the jealousy in his eyes turning into wariness.
"Don't be impulsive, both of you! We're all family!"
Spanna quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, introducing the man with the braid to her boyfriend.
"This is Brother Manson, an elder of our Beast Cult."
"Brother Manson is a genius in our Insect Transformation Sect. He awakened the Scorpion Man bloodline and later merged it with the Earth Demon Scorpion bloodline known as the 'Stone Singer.' He spent many years in seclusion in the Red Moon Island Secret Realm and has only recently emerged."
Spansha then introduced Aslan to Manson, noting that he was her boyfriend and that she and her sister had just met, so there was no need to be jealous of him.
The "Young Master Blue Dragon" label carried immense weight.
Manson, wary of Aslan's background, forced a smile.
"I've been cultivating diligently in the Red Moon Secret Realm for twelve years. I recently advanced to the Fifth Stage and emerged from seclusion. I don't recognize the young men outside."
"I'm sorry, Young Master Aslan. It was just a misunderstanding."
"It's nothing to worry about. I'll just clear it up," Aslan said calmly. Manson turned and looked at Spanna, his eyes unconcealed with lust.
"Nana! It's been years since we last met. You've blossomed into a beautiful young lady."
"The scenery around here is beautiful and quiet. Let's take a walk and chat..."
"Brother Manson! I'm a very straightforward person and I hate beating around the bush!"
Spanna interrupted him with a half-smile.
"If you're truly interested in me, there's no need to play games. Take off your pants and let me see."
"Uh..." Manson was stunned.
Spanna had a playful smile on her face.
"My standards for boyfriends aren't high. I only look for three things."
"Handsome!"
"Kind!"
"Good-looking!"
"Good sex!"
"If you don't have any of these, I'm sorry."
"You... a girl, full of foul language, how shameless!"
Manson stormed off in anger.
Spensa didn't really like Manson either; she only invited him to the mushroom farm because of his strength.
However, she couldn't stand her sister's outrageous behavior.
"Spana, if you don't like Manson, you could have just declined politely and saved the day."
"What good will it do you to deliberately say those frivolous, wanton things, lowering your status and making others look down on you?"
"Knowing your character, which man would dare marry you?"
Spana, annoyed by her sister's ear-grabbing scolding, crunched her lollipop.
Spansa sighed and continued to scold her sister.
"It's okay to be playful, kid, but you're already twenty!"
"Your mother can't protect you forever. If you don't change your childish mentality and grow up quickly, you'll suffer sooner or later!"
Spana finally couldn't stand her sister's nagging anymore and spat out the small wooden stick in her mouth.
"Spanna, mind your own business!"
"My life is none of your business!"
"You little brat! You're clueless!"
Spanna was furious with her sister and was about to chase her down to teach her a lesson when a heated argument erupted from across the camp.
One of the women's voices sounded like Beiting.
The other man's voice was clearly Manson!
"Hmm? Beiting, it seems, is arguing with Manson?!"
Spanna could sense something was amiss.
She and Beiting had fought side by side on Quinte Island, forming a friendship.
Hearing that Beiting seemed to be on the receiving end, she hurried over to the scene of the argument.
Spanna and Aslan exchanged glances and followed to see what was going on.
In a corner of the camp, three people were facing off.
The atmosphere was tense and charged!
The instigator was none other than Manson.
His braid swung back, resting on his shoulder.
The sharp silver spike at the end of the braid was stained red with blood.
Across from Manson stood Taffman and Beiting.
Taffman glared at Manson, his right hand clutching his shoulder, where the silver spike had pierced his shoulder, blood seeping through his fingers.
"Brother Manson, what happened?"
Spencer approached.
"Nothing. Just teaching that blind boy a lesson."
Manson pointed at Taffman with a stern look.
"I heard that this big, foolish fellow who defected from the south has a very special bloodline. In his ancestral state, he can spit out petrifying poisonous smoke."
"My Stone Singer bloodline also happens to have petrifying fangs."
"So, I found this big, foolish fellow and wanted to draw some blood from him for research.
It will definitely strengthen my Stonesinger bloodline."
"I tried to negotiate with him, but he refused to give me blood and even called me a psychopath!"
"Spencer, can you tell me what's right?!"
"When have I ever been treated like this?"
"If I don't teach him a lesson, people will think I'm a pushover!"
"As soon as I started, Beiting rushed over to defend the big guy, yelling at me like crazy. It's incomprehensible!"
Manson shrugged, his face full of grievance.
"Manson, stop distorting the truth!" Beiting's indignation reached its limit. "Are you just drawing blood? You're clearly trying to steal Taffman's bloodline essence!"
"To do such a shady thing in public? Calling you a psychopath is the least of your worries! You're absolutely shameless!" "
"You little brat! Say that to me again!"
Manson's face turned red with anger.
"Brother Manson, calm down!" Spenza quickly stopped him.
Turning to Beiting, she tried to smooth things over with a smile.
"Sister Beiting, Brother Manson is an elder of our sect. His status is far superior to that of a servant of yours."
"Since Brother Manson needs Tafman's blood essence, why not fulfill his wish? Isn't it a favor?"
"Sister Beiting, the war is imminent. To seize the secret realm, we must unite as one and prioritize the greater good. There's no need to offend Brother Manson over a mere male favorite, a plaything. It's not worth it."
Then Spenza turned back to persuade Manson.
"Brother Manson, since you're asking for help, you should at least show some sincerity." "
"You offer one hundred magic stones and buy Beiting's male lover. You can use him as you please, and no one else has the right to interfere."
"Even if Beiting is reluctant to sell him, she can always sell him some blood. Why ruin the relationship over such a trivial matter?"
She thought this was fair, but Beiting fiercely objected.
"Spencer! Who told you that Taffman is just my male lover? He's my most valued right-hand man!"
"I'm very optimistic about Taffman's growth potential. This man will become a great man!"
"The bloodline essence is crucial to Taffman's future. I wouldn't sell him even for a thousand, let alone a hundred magic stones!"
Spencer frowned, her face darkening.
"Beiting, that's where you're wrong."
"I've heard about Taffman's background, too." "
"He was a graduate of the South Island Warlock Academy, defected after defeat, and now serves under you."
"With someone of his background, it's hard to completely rule out the suspicion of being a spy."
"Logically, someone like him shouldn't be given important positions at all!"
"You consider him your right-hand man, training him with utmost care. Do you think those young talents in our Order, who you know well, are inferior to a mere scoundrel and unworthy of your attention?"
Manson sneered and chimed in.
"Spencer, the princess of the Wolf family isn't giving you face. She's clearly not taking you seriously!"
"You're the Pope's daughter. If Beiting doesn't take you seriously, she's not taking the Pope seriously. How can you tolerate that?"
Spencer could tolerate it, but Spanna, watching the fun nearby, couldn't.
"Manson! Beiting is my friend. Stop sowing discord!" "
Spana interrupted, clearly siding with Beiting and Taffman.
"Taffman isn't willing to sell his bloodline essence for a few bucks, so you're going to take it by force?"
"You can use it on the enemy, but you're being rude to your own people. What kind of hero are you!"
Manson was so embarrassed by her scolding that he stormed to Spenza to complain.
"Look at you, my good sister! You don't know who's close to you, you're so ungrateful, and you don't even care about her?!"
Spenza was helpless and quickly pulled her sister aside, warning her to mind her own business.
Manson, still furious, pointed at Taffman's nose and threatened, "You big fool! I don't believe you can hide in a woman's crotch forever! We have a long way to go, we'll see!" "
She sneered and turned away.
Betting's pretty face turned pale with rage, her lips trembling.
Tafman, humiliated, suppressed his anger, clenching his fists so tightly that his nails pierced his palms.
Spana, unable to mediate, could not help but blame her sister for meddling, disrupting unity, and failing to consider the overall situation...
Spana, annoyed, couldn't help but burst with anger, interrupting her sister's nagging.
"Spana! You keep telling me to consider the overall situation, the overall situation—what the hell is the overall situation!"
"Manson's disgusting actions are the real destruction of unity and disregard for the overall situation. Why don't you say anything to him?"
"Manson and his ilk don't consider the overall situation, and I'm the only one who does. Am I not the one being wronged?!"
"You're standing here talking without a qualm, because Manson hasn't harmed your interests! "
"If you were Beiting, and your brother-in-law were in Taffman's shoes, would you be able to tolerate this?"
Spanna was speechless.
"Spanna, your sister's tone is harsh, but her words are true."
Aslan grasped his girlfriend's hand, a hint of anger crossing his handsome face.
"I really dislike Manson!"
"He's capable, to be sure, but his character is questionable!"
Spanna rolled her eyes at her boyfriend, a hint of resentment in her eyes.
"You're not a child, why are you joining in the fun..."
Just then, Sonia, who had been watching the fun from the side, came over and nodded to Spanna with a smile.
"Miss Spanna, I envy Taffman. He has you and Master Aslan to help him get justice." "
"I suffered similar humiliation before, and no one spoke up for me, Miss Beiting, is that right? "
Beiting blushed and was momentarily speechless.
…
Half a month had passed since Pamela and the others retreated.
In the outside world, just over two days had passed.
Olivia received a letter from Sonia, informing her that the Beast Cult, the Human-Demon Cult, and the Northern Island Warlocks would launch a general attack on the secret realm tomorrow morning!
Hurry and tell the Griffin siblings the bad news!
Felin didn't dare delay and immediately used his "Wind Signal" to send a message to Alan, who was far away on Silvermoon Island, urging him to return.
That evening, Alan finally returned.
Accompanying him was a delicate, silver-haired young woman.
"Let me introduce you to everyone. This is my goddaughter—"
Before Alan could finish his words, his "goddaughter" leaped up and kicked him!
Duang!!
He was sent flying.
"My name is Shiva, and I'm Alan's...elder." "
The silver-haired loli introduced herself calmly.
…
What Allen called the best strategy was actually very simple.
It was to go home and call for reinforcements.
An army isn't about quantity, but quality.
Master Shiva alone is worth a thousand troops!
That night, Allen took Master Shiva to visit the Fungus Master.
Master Shiva used his telepathy to chat with the Fungus Master and discuss how to repel the enemy tomorrow.
Alan wasn't idle either. , and collected "Forget Worry Spores" from the fungus master.
Using these magical spores as a spell material, he cast the "Wind Signal" spell, sending messages through dreams to his informants outside the secret realm.
The night before the decisive battle.
In the camp outside the secret realm.
Sonia, Spanna, and Taffman all received Allen's warning in their dreams:
"Tomorrow's battle, keep your eyes open. Don't mess with that little silver-haired cutie next to me!"