Chapter 249: Entering the Other World
In the depths of the boundless Northern Wasteland, two low hills rose like twin waves surging from the earth.
Within the valley nestled between them, a Small Dimensional Rift was concealed, along with a small Fortress Stronghold.
Inside the stronghold, fully armed Guards could be seen everywhere. Heavy weaponry had been deployed all around—high-caliber autocannons and heavy machine guns equipped with armor-piercing rounds.
The defenses were so tight that even without the presence of Professional Beast Tamers, it would still have been sufficient to withstand ordinary High-tier Ferocious Beasts.
This was the Small Dimensional Rift controlled by the Duanmu Family. It lay far beyond the Blue Star Alliance’s sphere of influence, and the Duanmu Family used this rift to enter Tamu World.
After spending a century of effort, the Duanmu Family had finally established a foundation in a remote corner of Tamu World, preparing for the eventual integration of Blue Star with Tamu World.
Under the blazing August sun, a Small Airship slowly descended into the valley. Zhou Ming and the Scorpion-Lion appeared within the stronghold.
“This is the Small Dimensional Rift your Duanmu Family controls?”
Seeing the heavily fortified stronghold before him, Zhou Ming could not help but sigh inwardly. As expected of a family that had once produced a Transcendent-level existence.
Even standing here, he faintly sensed an extreme aura of danger. If he truly wanted to destroy the stronghold before him, he would have to rely on his trump cards.
This was the foundation of a family that had once birthed a Transcendent. Even if that Transcendent-level existence had already passed away, it was still not something an ordinary force could compare to.
Moreover, the Scorpion-Lion’s grandfather had recently advanced to War Knight, meaning the Duanmu Family had once again returned to the upper echelons of the Alliance.
“That’s right. Through this Small Dimensional Rift, we can enter a small island in the Green Archipelago.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Ming immediately felt that the Duanmu Family’s luck had been rather good.
According to the information provided by the Scorpion-Lion, most of the Dimensional Rifts appearing on Blue Star connected to the Dark Continent of Tamu World—a land dominated by Foreign Races and Ferocious Beasts.
The Green Archipelago, however, was a cluster of islands in the near-sea region of the Dark Continent. The Foreign Races living there were relatively weak. Even if they discovered the existence of the Dimensional Rift, it would not pose a serious threat.
If it had instead connected directly to the Dark Continent itself, then a Small Dimensional Rift would have had no value whatsoever. On the other side could have been a Ferocious Beast nest teeming with creatures—or territory already occupied by Foreign Races.
“Little Lion, you’re here.”
Just as the Scorpion-Lion was introducing the stronghold’s situation to Zhou Ming, a resonant and vigorous voice sounded from afar.
Zhou Ming immediately looked up. A burly elder with graying hair was walking toward them, leading a squad of Guards.
Judging from the aura he emitted, he was a Professional Beast Tamer who had advanced through Beast Knight Class Advancement.
“Fourth Granduncle, it’s been a long time. Are you in good health?”
Seeing the burly elder approach, the Scorpion-Lion rarely showed a smile and respectfully greeted him.
“Haha, your Fourth Granduncle eats well and sleeps well here. Occasionally, I even go hunting in the Wilderness for leisure.”
“This is the friend you invited?”
The elder’s expression was filled with affection toward the Scorpion-Lion. Only after responding did he shift his gaze toward Zhou Ming.
“Yes. This is a close friend I met during my travels. His strength has already reached High-level Professional Rank.”
“Oh? I didn’t expect Little Lion to make friends with such a prodigy.”
Although he had long received word from his grandnephew, seeing Zhou Ming’s youthful appearance still left the elder deeply shocked.
How old had he been when he advanced to High-level Professional Rank? It seemed to have been after fifty.
Even then, he had been considered one of the Duanmu Family members with the potential to advance to Transcendent Master. Yet more than fifty years had passed, and in the end, only the Scorpion-Lion’s grandfather had succeeded.
The next moment, however, a terrifying aura suddenly erupted from the elder, like an invisible lion roaring at Zhou Ming.
Zhou Ming did not resort to other means. Within his Spiritual Sea, the giant serpent formed from starlight seemed to be provoked and immediately let out a hiss.
A massive Serpentine Phantom Manifestation enveloped Zhou Ming. A kingly aura, like a mountain flood breaking loose, surged toward the elder before him.
The two auras collided. The invisible air seemed to tear apart, and violent gusts of wind blasted outward.
The Guards watching nearby were instantly thrown into disarray, as if burdened by a thousand jin, unable to move.
Fortunately, it had only been a simple test. After a brief clash of auras, both sides immediately withdrew.
“Good, good. Truly, heroes emerge young.”
Hearing the elder’s praise, Zhou Ming felt it was somewhat inappropriate—after all, he was already in his thirties.
But considering that the upper limit of lifespan for High-level Professional Rank Beast Tamers was one hundred and fifty years, he did seem rather young.
Thus, Zhou Ming merely smiled in response.
“You, sir, are also vigorous in old age.”
At that moment, more than a dozen Professional Beast Tamers emerged from within the stronghold, having sensed the earlier clash of auras.
These Beast Tamers were all over a hundred years old—veterans of the Duanmu Family. Guarding the Dimensional Rift here was both their final contribution to the family and a way to spend their later years in peace.
Seeing that the elder had not suppressed Zhou Ming, these old figures—once renowned across Yunhai—began teasing the Scorpion-Lion’s Fourth Granduncle.
Taking the opportunity, the Scorpion-Lion briefly introduced Zhou Ming to the older generation of family powerhouses. Not a single one of them was below Mid-level Professional Rank.
After the brief introductions, they did not delay further and soon led the Scorpion-Lion and Zhou Ming to the very core of the stronghold.
The place resembled a barbican. It was encircled by thirty-meter-high city walls, and every firepower point was aimed directly at the Small Dimensional Rift.
“Little Lion, we’ve been to Tamu World several times. It’s difficult to remain there for long. Moreover, since this mission counts as the family’s training for you, only you and young Ten Thousand Snakes can complete it.”
“Fourth Granduncle, don’t worry. He’s merely someone who just advanced to High-level Professional Rank—he’s not enough to threaten me.”
Upon hearing this, the elders of the Duanmu Family knew this was no empty boast.
If not for the suppression of power by Tamu World Will, the Scorpion-Lion alone would have been enough to deal with the Rebel, and there would have been no need to invite Zhou Ming.
Afterward, Zhou Ming and the Scorpion-Lion silently exchanged a glance and simultaneously leapt toward the Dimensional Rift.
In the next instant, Zhou Ming felt dizzy and disoriented, unable to distinguish up from down.
However, the sensation lasted only briefly before he and the Scorpion-Lion appeared inside a cave flickering with firelight.
Before Zhou Ming could examine his surroundings, he immediately circulated his bloodline power, establishing basic protection.
Once the effects of crossing the Dimensional Rift had dissipated, he surveyed the environment.
Aside from the Small Dimensional Rift, the surroundings consisted only of bare rock. Yet he could sense a barrier-like presence enveloping the area.
At the same time, Zhou Ming felt an invisible restraint pressing down upon him, as if the very heavens harbored hostility, limiting his strength to only eighty or ninety percent of its full capacity.
“Let’s go. We’ll leave here first.”
It was also the Scorpion-Lion’s first time entering Tamu World, so he did not offer much explanation. Instead, he prepared to find the steward stationed here.
After hearing this, Zhou Ming saw the Scorpion-Lion take out a token and activate the barrier formation surrounding the cave. He immediately followed behind him and walked outward.