However, to their astonishment, the fiery red demonic beast, upon being refused by Zhang Ergou, merely shook its head in disappointment.
It did not reject Zhang Ergou's proposal.
Instead, it readily agreed with Zhang Ergou and struck a deal: half of the Red Star fruits from this tree in exchange for a giant python's inner core.
This half of the Red Star fruits amounted to several hundred.
Zhang Ergou, Li Yao, Lin Yichen, and Wang Teng would divide them equally, with each person receiving at least a hundred.
With the tacit approval of the fiery red demonic beast, Zhang Ergou and his companions gleefully began harvesting.
Soon, hundreds of fruits from the tree were collected into Zhang Ergou and his group's storage rings.
Lin Yichen and the others never expected things to unfold this way.
They ended up not fighting the fiery red demonic beast at all.
Instead, something Zhang Ergou produced had been traded for so many Red Star fruits with this talking beast.
After the harvesting was complete, everyone wore expressions of satisfaction.
Achieving their goal effortlessly was naturally what they most desired.
"Lord Qianyin, we are leaving now. Please rest well here."
As everyone descended from the tree, Zhang Ergou stepped forward, approaching the fiery red demonic beast, and voluntarily handed it the giant python's inner core he held.
The beast extended its front claw, snatched the inner core, and brought it to its nose, sniffing it greedily.
After a while, the fiery red demonic beast opened its eyes: "Humans, since you have bestowed such great fortune upon me, I shall not be an ungrateful being who seeks to benefit without reciprocation."
Just as Zhang Ergou and the others were about to leave, they heard the fiery red demonic beast suddenly speak.
"Lord Qianyin, what do you mean?"
"Humans, have you noticed that you haven't encountered many demonic beasts in this region?"
The fiery red demonic beast blinked its intelligent eyes.
Upon hearing the fiery red demonic beast's words, Zhang Ergou and his companions exchanged glances.
It was indeed as the beast had said. Since they entered this secret realm, Zhang Ergou's first encounter was with a giant python.
They had only arrived here after hearing the roar of this fiery red demonic beast.
Compared to the vastness of this secret realm, the demonic beasts here were indeed scarce.
"Lord Qianyin, why is that?"
Zhang Ergou asked quickly.
He felt that this fiery red demonic beast must know something, otherwise, it wouldn't have brought up this question deliberately.
"This secret realm opens once every three years. Did your elders tell you that this is the last time this secret realm will be opened?"
The words spoken by the fiery red demonic beast caused Zhang Ergou and his group's expressions to change drastically.
All along, they had only believed that their sect elders understood the secrets of this realm.
Now, hearing this confidential information from a Nascent Soul stage demonic beast, they were instantly unsettled.
However, what the fiery red demonic beast said next shocked and disturbed them even more.
"Did your elders tell you that only cultivators of the Golden Core stage are allowed to enter this secret realm when it opens?"
Zhang Ergou and his companions nodded. It was true that the sect elders had mentioned that only Golden Core stage cultivators were permitted to enter this realm.
"Then can you guess my current cultivation realm?"
The fiery red demonic beast asked with a solemn expression, without a hint of jest.
"Early Nascent Soul?" Zhang Ergou asked uncertainly.
The fiery red demonic beast glanced at Zhang Ergou with surprise and nodded approvingly.
"Have you ever wondered why there are Nascent Soul stage demonic beasts in a secret realm that only allows Golden Core stage cultivators to enter?"
Zhang Ergou and his companions pondered for a moment, but then shook their heads.
They truly couldn't fathom why such a contradictory situation existed.
"That is because you have all been deceived!"
The fiery red demonic beast uttered a shocking statement.
Zhang Ergou and his group stared at the peculiar beast before them with complete bewilderment.
"Lord Qianyin, you say we have been deceived. What do you mean?"
"Perhaps I should put it this way: not only have you been deceived, but even your elders have been deceived."
"This secret realm, from beginning to end, is less of an opportunity and more of a conspiracy."
Zhang Ergou and his companions frowned deeper.
This information completely stunned them. All along, they believed that entering the secret realm would bring abundant treasures and opportunities.
Now, they were hearing this from a demonic beast.
Zhang Ergou and the others couldn't comprehend any reason for this beast to deceive them.
"The demonic beasts inhabiting this secret realm are far more numerous than what you have seen. This area is merely the outer perimeter of the secret realm."
The fiery red demonic beast seemed determined to reveal all that it knew to Zhang Ergou and his group.
"The further you venture in, the more demonic beasts you will encounter. Of course, there will also be more precious medicinal ingredients and treasures to be found there."
"But the demonic beasts there are even more powerful and terrifying."
Zhang Ergou and his companions were rendered speechless. This fiery red demonic beast was already at the Early Nascent Soul stage.
If even it said they were more powerful, what kind of terrifying existences would they be?
Zhang Ergou felt his mouth turn dry. If what the beast said was true, would they not all perish in this secret realm?
Suddenly, Zhang Ergou remembered a serious issue.
No one had told them how to leave this secret realm.
Even the elder of the Heavenly Dao had not proactively informed them of an exit.
Zhang Ergou had always assumed that they would be automatically teleported out when the secret realm closed. Now, it seemed even the elder of the Heavenly Dao didn't know.
Then why were they so enthusiastic about having their sect disciples enter this secret realm?
Zhang Ergou was utterly perplexed.
Li Yao, Wang Teng, and Lin Yichen's expressions were also grim.
They had thought of the same problem as Zhang Ergou: no one had told them how to leave this secret realm.
It appeared that what the beast said was likely true.
The joy of obtaining the Red Star fruits had long vanished.
The group exchanged serious glances.
The secret information the fiery red demonic beast had revealed had thrown their hearts into turmoil.
"If that's the case, then the restriction that only Golden Core cultivators are allowed to enter this secret realm is also a lie?"
Zhang Ergou's eyes darted, and he suddenly asked.
Although the fiery red demonic beast did not understand why Zhang Ergou asked this, it had a good impression of Zhang Ergou, so it nodded affirmatively.
"Liars, a bunch of liars!" Wang Teng cursed immediately.
Seeing the fiery red demonic beast nod, Zhang Ergou's mind stirred, and he made up his mind.
Since this secret realm allowed Nascent Soul stage cultivators to exist, then...
"Lord Qianyin, can you tell us if there is a way to leave this secret realm?"
To their disappointment, the fiery red demonic beast shook its head.
"However, according to rumors, there is a massive teleportation array in the very center of this secret realm. As for where it leads, I do not know."
Just as Zhang Ergou and the others were feeling dejected, the fiery red demonic beast suddenly added.