Millennium Tension

"Now I wonder, why each great sect only sends three people to the vanguard team? Aren't they capable of sending more?" Aizen opened the conversation so that everyone would not feel awkward again.

Lin Yu, Feng Zhi, and the four junior sisters stared at each other without knowing what to answer. All of them also didn't get much detailed information from their seniors and sect leaders.

"To be honest, we don't know either. We've tried to dig up information but we don't know much. All we know is the basic information that is commonly circulating, and our only mission is to make a map of the ancient ruins if there is any or thorough exploration of the hidden realm in a month." Feng Zhi slightly shook her head.

"That's true. That's why I wanted to talk to you when we met at the inn. I thought you knew a lot better than us, and it turns out to be true even though this is also your first time exploring in a hidden realm like this." Lin Yu clarified her intention.

'Hehe... This is the first time for you and me, Brother Aizen. But this is the umpteenth time for Sister Axel.' Ana smiled with amusement at this unexplained fact.

'Well... I'm not lying. During our first meeting with them, I only used the pronoun as me and not us.' Aizen defended his righteousness.

'Then it's only them who are not aware of it. Fufufu...' Axel only blamed the negligence of these six inexperienced girls.

"If that's true, our knowledge is truly limited." Aizen places his hand on his chin as he thinks about the limited information that Axel has regarding other humans despite her hundred years of exploration on this planet.

The six cultivator girls nodded at Aizen's statement. They also thought that something was hidden from the higher-ups after Lin Yu explained her point of view.

Even the tragedy regarding the hidden realm that occurred hundreds of years ago has faded with age and only leaves vague information. What is clear at this time is only the rules that were deliberately made because of that incident.

"Miss Lin Yu, Miss Feng Zhi, maybe we should exchange our opinions regarding the things that have happened out there. Maybe we will find something useful." Aizen leads them with an irresistible spice of information.

"Oh! We would happily share our opinions. But before that, I think we are quite close. You can just call me by my name without any formalities. You can call me Feng Zhi, Young Master Aizen."

"Then, you can call me Lin Yu without formalities."

"Me too. Just call me Xun Ai."

"I am Su Xia"

"You can call me Shen Xiu."

"Xiao Ru..."

The six of them introduced themselves again while asking Aizen with a pleading face to call their names without formalities. They are trying to make a good relationship with Aizen, and this is the first time they are trying to curry favor with a man.

"Um, fine. If you say it like that. I think girls like you would be reluctant to be called so familiarly. In exchange, you can call us without formalities too. Just call me Aizen." Aizen nodded in understanding.

"I'm Axel."

"I'm Anastasia, just call me Ana." Ana properly introduces herself for the first time to six girls whom she thinks are not too intrusive and quite submissive.

"Well, let's go back to our topic of conversation. The documents we managed to collect regarding the tragedies of the past were only limited to the great fights between cultivators over the struggle for treasures and legacies. But I don't think it's that simple. Do you think cultivators will be that stupid fighting over everything and risking their lives in a silly cold battle?"

After reintroducing each other and making them better acquainted, Aizen returns to the topic of their troubles. Information that not many people know in detail. He needs to know more about the background of this world and the hidden realm.

The six cultivator girls were very interested in this and they immediately approached and surrounded Aizen's group for a deeper discussion. Now they are much more curious after feeling that Aizen's argument makes sense.

"I think so too, the cultivators we know are not that brutal and stupid."

"There must be something that triggered it. Other factors, for example."

"Even though some of them really keep their noble faces and names to be respected and glorified by others, I don't think there is any way they could kill each other just for the treasure."

"Yes, at least they think their lives are more valuable."

They began to brainstorm about the vaguely described historical documents they knew.

"Well, it all happened in the exploration of hidden realms that appeared for the first time hundreds of years ago that were not described in detail. If you think they suddenly become abnormal, don't they seem to like being possessed or controlled?"

The six of them nodded with that clear statement, they were now starting to think again about what had actually happened.

"So, what happened to your seniors who had explored the hidden realm that was found? Or what do you know about the people who returned after the exploration." Aizen continued while drawing up a conclusion from the incomplete information.

"They are a bit strange, even our sect doesn't allow them to get out of sight in time."

"En. We can hardly exchange words to ask about their exploration experiences, and they just tell a pretty faint story. Even the sect didn't tell us anymore before we were sent to the hidden realm at this time."

"There are not many people returning from exploration. Most of the team members from the Great Sect can return safely with the guarantee of many life-saving treasures."

"Ah, considering that... I'm sure we will meet a dead-end if we go this far alone with our original group."

The six of them began to convey what they knew and Aizen harmonized with what Axel had known for the last hundred years in their database.

Meanwhile, Ana and Axel just listened attentively to Aizen and six girls heated conversation.

"Hmm... So your sect did not provide proper information provision. Apart from the many life-saving treasures, you are also told to return immediately if it is at your limit to report back. You are also assigned to make maps and explore ancient ruins..." Aizen recounts the many facts they have discussed.

"But, don't you think it's strange. I'm sure your sect is also hiding something about this unusual hidden realm. Everything that happened was so suspicious, but what was the cause? The vanguard team of three that was dispatched seemed to be just an experimental team." Aizen planted a spice of suspicion that they were feeling right now.

"Yeah, you guys will even be under surveillance once you get out of here. Why is that?" Ana added the inevitable.

The six poor girls got goosebumps because they couldn't deny it.

"Every portal or gateway to the hidden realm will sometimes disappear by itself in some time depending on the size of the portal. I think the current portal that has emerged will last two or three months. Does your task within a maximum period of one month make sense?"

Axel threw the bomb which made the six clueless girls pale a little. They remember that they will be considered 'missing in action' or have died and will soon be replaced by a new team on a larger scale but in a shorter period.

"What... What really happened? You said it as if you weren't part of this?" The most sensitive Lin Yu stuttered for directions.

"Hehe... Don't be afraid, we're just exchanging opinions. That could be true and maybe not. Didn't I say it before? We're from the Trinity Family and we just came here because we wanted to."

Upon that question, Aizen tries to lighten the topic of their conversation which is starting to get complicated for the girls.

"No, I think your opinion and our exchange just now have some point. If we put Lin Yu's hunches in line, I think the hidden realm does hold something unknown."

After taking a breath, Feng Zhi immediately recovered and thought about their plight. The facts were spelled out and suspicions were planted. They begin to think about what awaits them and what is really happening in the world.