Thanks to the presence of the map crystal ball, Gauss traversed the second layer smoothly.
During the journey, he unexpectedly obtained two new Ordinary Monster Atlas.
Compared to the outside world, the probability of encountering rare demon species in the maze is indeed higher.
They smoothly arrived at the entrance leading from the second layer to the third.
Unlike the entrance from the first to second layer, no one was lingering here at the moment.
This was understandable, as the entire maze resembles a hierarchical inverted triangle, with fewer and fewer people the deeper you go.
In other words, the journey from the second layer to the third level could weed out many opportunists.
Don’t be fooled by how easily Gauss and his team arrived; it’s because their strength far surpasses the monsters on the second layer. For regular low-level professionals lacking well-coordinated companions, reaching here would be no easy feat.
Of course, some might consider asking others to bring them along or temporarily teaming up with strong companions, which could be feasible. But unless there’s enough benefit, most adventurers wouldn’t want to carry a deadweight, risking their lives and those of their teammates.
After all, the world of adventurers is still dominated by strength, and it’s hard for opportunists to go far.
After a brief rest, the group swiftly made their way down the tunnel.
The relatively narrow tunnel staircase was filled with a bloody odor, possibly left by the previous travelers. However, the members of the Red Dragon Team were seasoned adventurers, accustomed to such smells.
After about ten minutes of walking through the tunnel, a beam of light gradually brightened at its end, and Gauss knew they had reached the third layer of the maze.
Crossing a thin film of space-like ripples, Gauss stepped onto the third layer’s land.
The land around the entrance was occupied by temporary camps.
Most who reach the third layer are adventure groups and squads, with the presence of lone wolves becoming rare. In fact, if one sees a lone wolf here, it’s wise to be more wary, as those capable of navigating the third layer solo often have unique skills.
Lone wolves lacking skills either die in the maze’s traps, get eaten by demons, or get preyed upon by malicious teams when isolated.
"Another newcomer?"
"So many people! It’s a new adventure group!"
"They look unfamiliar."
"I recognize that Red Dragon Banner; I heard about this newly established adventure group when I was roaming Farlim recently."
"The adventure group from the provincial city moves so quickly?"
Each camp turned towards the newly arrived Red Dragon Team, eyes full of caution and muttering among themselves.
Even members of other adventure groups were no exception; their main forces were currently on the fourth layer, leaving only a small group to receive at the third layer entrance.
In other words, while it appeared there weren’t too few people at the entrance here, they couldn’t compare to the scale and strength of the Red Dragon Team’s main force combined.
Of course, they weren’t overly worried, as long as this newly emerged adventure group leader hadn’t gone mad. It’s unlikely they’d suddenly attack the members of several adventure groups and numerous squads present here; their cautious instincts were simply due to their adventurer’s nature.
Everyone’s eyes lingered on the members of the Red Dragon Team.
Seeing their equipment largely clean and their faces showing little fatigue, people’s eyes turned out to be even more respectful and awed.
Farlim was not very close to Barry. Adding the initial preparation and subsequent travel time, they arrived at the maze, rested, and then fought their way from the first layer to the third layer quite quickly, further showcasing this team’s strength. They likely wouldn’t linger on the maze’s third layer.
Instead, they are strong contenders in the frontline exploration echelon of the maze.
Don’t provoke them!
This thought appeared almost simultaneously in the minds of those present.
"Leader, should we leave some people to receive?" Ivan asked quietly.
Gauss glanced at the other camp members and then shook his head.
Those staying here were either adventurer squads not strong enough to enter the fourth layer or adventure group members who were injured or weaker. Instead of dragging down their teams, it was better for them to remain here, ready to ascend through the tunnel to the second layer, holding intelligence of the upper layers.
For the Red Dragon Team, it’s perhaps safest to stay by his side.
Firstly, there was no need for him to have intelligence of the first five layers.
Secondly, he currently possessed Extraordinary level power. The maze’s demons were another story, but at least the other adventurers weren’t as strong as him. True master-level adventurers, due to mastering domain powers, were restricted by the current maze environment, unable to enter despite their strength.
As for him, he was exploiting a glitch.
In a mountain without tigers, his skill could easily reign supreme at Tier 0 level.
Even against those larger-scope adventure groups, he’s utterly fearless.
Regarding why he brought so many Red Dragon Team members, it was to handle the maze lord’s confinement upon entering the fourth layer, and others could deal with the assisting demon minions.
As expected, the Red Dragon Team lingered only for a moment around the camp area, then left in unison.
Leading the way forward was still Gauss.