Gao Wu: Oh no! Young Master Zhen is a cultivator!

"Let's leave aside all that nonsense. These are the investigators in charge of exploring the secret realm. You just need to make sure they don't die inside."

Bai Xingzhou introduced the group to Lin Ran one by one, his smile playful: "These are all newly recruited Innate Realm martial artists in the bureau. They each have their own strengths, but they lack battlefield experience and need to be properly trained."

The six investigators—four men and two women—greeted Lin Ran one by one.

"Alright, the mission is more important, let's go in." Lin Ran took the lead and walked towards the spatial rift.

Bai Xingzhou nodded to the six people: "Go in, be careful."

"Yes!" the six responded in unison, activated their nanotech armor, and stepped into the spatial rift.

The sky was dark and the air was cold and damp, carrying a heavy stench of blood.

The ground was covered with broken stones and logs, and the soil was stained with dried dark red bloodstains, making the entire woodland desolate and dangerous.

The group had walked steadily for less than a hundred meters when the surrounding air currents suddenly became rapid.

Deep, guttural roars echoed from the shadows of the forest.

Several gray figures darted through the bushes, and a number of Tier 3 Riftwind Wolves suddenly appeared, blocking their path.

The six people instantly lined up, each performing their duties, and tacitly formed a battle formation.

Sun Hao, with his dark complexion and calm demeanor, is the captain of the six-person team and an earth-element awakener.

They can form petrified skin and are mainly responsible for standing at the front of the team and taking the brunt of the frontal attacks.

To his left was a girl named Chen Yue, with cool eyes and a reserved aura. She was a mental awakener.

It can use mental interference and is mainly responsible for controlling the entire field and restricting the movements of the alien beasts.

Behind the two, a young man with a nimble figure and a resolute aura was a lightning-type awakener named Ji Yang.

It unleashes powerful and rapid bursts of energy, specializing in responding to critical battlefield situations and delivering lethal damage.

To Sun Hao's right is a lithe young man with sharp features, named Shen Muye, who is a speed-type awakener.

Responsible for flanking maneuvers, close-quarters attacks, and reconnaissance work for the entire team.

Further to the right is a sunny, cheerful, and carefree fire-element awakener named Jiang Jingxing.

They serve as the main damage dealers in the team, disregarding their own safety during combat and unleashing their full firepower to suppress the enemy.

Standing at the very back, a gentle and kind-hearted awakened being with soft features, is named Su Man.

During combat, she rarely took the initiative to attack, and stayed in the rear throughout the entire operation, responsible for the team's logistical support and injury treatment.

"Prepare for battle!" Sun Hao stepped forward, taking the lead in the group.

His skin rapidly ignited, and a grayish-brown layer of stone covered his arms and chest.

A Gale Wolf pounced first, its sharp claws carrying the force of the wind, striking the rock armor on Sun Hao's body.

Bang!

Several fine cracks appeared on the surface of the rock armor, and stone chips flew everywhere, but Sun Hao remained motionless.

"Chen Yue!" Sun Hao shouted.

Chen Yue's eyes narrowed slightly, and a surge of mental energy welled up within her.

The Rending Wind Wolf that was pouncing on Sun Hao suddenly stopped moving, its body stiffening on the spot, as if someone had pressed its head down.

Ji Yang had already leaped into the air, lightning flashing in his palms, crackling electricity crackling around his fingertips.

boom!

A bolt of lightning struck down from mid-air, hitting the Wind-Splitting Wolf precisely, the lightning exploding and scorching the beast's body.

"Shen Muye, left wing!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Muye moved like the wind, instantly slashing to the left flank, drawing his short blade and precisely aiming at the limbs of the attacking beast.

He used his extreme speed to maneuver and successfully lured away the Windbreaker Wolf that was trying to ambush him.

Jiang Jingxing pushed his hands forward, and a blazing pillar of fire erupted, the scorching air waves engulfing the two Rending Wind Wolves charging from the right flank.

Su Man stood at the back, not making a move, but focusing intently on observing the situation on the field, ready to support her teammates at any time.

With the cooperation of the six people, the several Riftwind Wolves were quickly dealt with, posing almost no obstacle.

Jiang Jingxing looked at Lin Ran and asked with a smile, "How was it, Consultant Lin? We cooperated pretty well, right?"

"Not bad, let's keep exploring." Lin Ran said casually.

The group strode forward with steady steps, continuing their journey deeper into the secret realm.

Jiang Jingxing followed Lin Ran, looking curious: "Advisor Lin, I heard you reached the Profound Realm just a few months after your awakening, is that true?"

"It's basically true," Lin Ran replied casually.

He had indeed only been awakened for a few months, but his realm was only equivalent to the Profound Realm; in reality, he was at the Golden Core Realm.

Jiang Jingxing's eyes lit up: "How exactly did you do that?"

"It's probably because I'm exceptionally gifted."

Lin Ran's expression was serious, and his tone was calm and composed.

Jiang Jingxing's forehead creased with a few black lines, his face full of helplessness.

The others couldn't help but chuckle, smiles appearing in their eyes.

"Cough cough..." Jiang Jingxing coughed twice: "But I heard that you only have F-level talent."

Lin Ran nodded slightly: "That's right. If you also have F-level talent, you might be able to break through to the Profound Realm within a few months."

Jiang Jingxing's lips twitched: "I didn't believe your nonsense."

"See, I told you but you didn't believe me." Lin Ran shrugged, feigning helplessness.

A cold wind rustled through the leaves in the woods, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Just then, the bushes in front of them shook violently, their branches trembling and the soil churning.

A massive porcupine burst out of the forest, its fierce aura instantly overwhelming the entire area.

The creature was nearly three meters tall at the shoulder, covered in half-meter-long gray-black thorns, with two fangs protruding from its lips and its small eyes gleaming fiercely.

"Everyone be careful!" Sun Hao immediately stepped forward, his petrification spiritual power instantly covering his entire body.

With a thud from its hind hooves, the porcupine, its heavy body brimming with brute force, charged violently towards Sun Hao.

boom!

The resounding impact was so loud it made our eardrums tingle, and a gust of wind exploded around the two of them.

Sun Hao crossed his arms and took the brunt of the impact.

He slid backwards for seven or eight meters before landing firmly on the ground.

"What strength!" Sun Hao gritted his teeth, his arm muscles continuing to exert force to stabilize the rock armor defense.

The porcupine gave him no chance to catch his breath, its body suddenly trembling.

Puff puff!

Dozens of thorns shot out through the air at great speed, densely covering Sun Hao's entire body.

Sun Hao's rock armor was riddled with more than a dozen holes, the hard rock layer was completely shattered, and several thorns pierced through the rock armor and embedded themselves deep in his flesh.

"Watch out for its quills!" Chen Yue shouted a warning, her mental focus locked onto the porcupine, anticipating all its attack trajectories.

Ji Yang stepped on the woodland gravel and lunged forward, lightning condensing and surging in his palm.

boom!

A thunderbolt crashed down, striking the porcupine squarely on the back.

The porcupine, in pain, let out a furious roar and suddenly turned its massive body towards Ji Yang.

Shen Muye seized the opportunity, his figure suddenly becoming ethereal, and quickly circled around to the porcupine's back.

The short blade pierced precisely into the soft flesh of the porcupine's hind leg, its sharp edge tearing through the hide.

Enraged by the pain, the porcupine kicked out with its hind legs, sending Shen Muyi flying with tremendous force.

Jiang Jingxing immediately stepped forward and pushed with both hands, creating layers of fire walls that pressed forward.

The scorching flames continued to burn the porcupine's body, forcing the massive beast to retreat and unable to maintain its offensive.

Su Man quickly ran to Sun Hao's side, her palm casting a soft white light onto his wound.

The gentle spiritual energy slowly soothed the wounds and stopped the continuous bleeding.

"Captain Sun, hang in there!"

"It's alright!" Sun Hao gritted his teeth, reinforced his rock armor again, and charged forward once more.

The five individuals each performed their duties, their offense and defense were closely coordinated, and they continued to besiege the fourth-tier thorny porcupine.

The roar of colliding spiritual energies echoed continuously through the forest, with flames, lightning, and earth-based spiritual energies intertwining and scattering.

After several rounds of fighting, the porcupine exhausted its spiritual power, its body trembled violently, and it collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Its massive body crashed to the ground, raising a cloud of rubble and dust, completely lifeless.

This battle completely exposed the strengths and weaknesses of each individual.

They are all from academic backgrounds, with solid skills and good teamwork, but they clearly lack adaptability and practical experience.

Lin Ran commented, "Your strategy isn't suitable for all mutated creatures. If Sun Hao leaves the team, or if you encounter multiple porcupines, this strategy will basically lead to a total wipeout."

Jiang Jingxing, panting heavily, raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, his tone carrying a hint of defiance.

"But these are all the safest tactical combinations we've ever made."

Lin Ran nodded: "It is indeed a safe bet, provided that you never encounter a stronger opponent."