At this moment, the entire space appeared to Dean Bruce like a grid composed of countless squares. Upon closer inspection, whether it was the storm, the scorpions, or the barrage of fireballs, everything fell within the confines of these squares.
No matter how people moved, as long as they stepped into a square, flashes of light and shadow would flicker, and various attacks would follow.
[This space is just like the outside! As long as people step on the squares, the mechanisms will sense them and trigger attacks!]
Dean Bruce's eyes lit up, and an idea sparked in his mind: [If I walk on the intersections of the squares, can I evade the mechanisms' sensing?]
Dean Bruce was not a hesitant person; he immediately darted to a crossing point of the squares.
Sure enough, the mechanisms could only detect changes within the squares. When Dean Bruce stepped on the line where the squares intersected, nothing changed, and there were no flashes of light.
A slight smile appeared on Dean Bruce's lips as he headed straight toward the enormous statue.
However, to everyone else, it looked as if he was heading straight into a swarm of scorpions and fireballs!
"Hiss..."
"Truly worthy of being an elder of the Magic Guild!"
In an instant, everyone's gaze turned to Dean Bruce, filled with anticipation and hope.
Almost immediately, they all stood dumbfounded, frozen in place, even forgetting to defend against the attacks.
Following their gaze, Dean Bruce moved like a nimble fish, weaving through the countless scorpions and flames.
Despite the swarm of scorpions seeming dense, they appeared to overlook Dean Bruce, continuing their assault on the crowd.
"What... what's happening?"
"Why aren't those scorpions attacking him? Is he using some kind of stealth magic?"
"Let's give it a try!"
Amid the murmurs, the onlookers' eyes brightened.
Stealth or invisibility spells weren't rare; many understood them. They quickly began to cast spells, eager to follow Dean Bruce's lead.
Boom!
However, fireballs rained down from above, precisely striking them, a surge of intense pain overwhelming their senses, causing them to wail in confusion.
Why could Dean Bruce evade the onslaught of scorpions and fireballs?
Dean Bruce paid no mind to their doubts, moving swiftly through the swarm of scorpions, quickly reaching the storm ahead.
Whoosh!
The storm was formidable, yet it had no impact on Dean Bruce. Amid the crowd's astonished gazes, he slipped past it, getting closer to the enormous statue.
"Oh my God!"
"This is nothing short of a miracle!"
"If this elder succeeds, won't we be able to enter the ninth level?"
"Steady! Defend against the attacks, and if this elder succeeds, we win!"
She had obtained her place in the Quicksand Secret Realm through negotiations between Dean Bruce and the higher-ups of the Nine Provinces Alliance. How could there be infighting now?
Not just Lucy Michelle, but almost everyone was filled with confusion.
On the surface, the relationships among the major top-tier forces seemed good, and they were perplexed as to why Madrid Haru would bring these conflicts into the open.
Dean Bruce did not show anger but instead smiled lightly, saying, "I have no grudge against you. Why do you want to kill me?"
"Why does killing ever need a reason?" Madrid Haru replied, twisting his wrist. His spear danced, igniting with flames as he coldly declared, "You should just wait to die!"
"How interesting." Dean Bruce grinned and said, "I am an honorary elder of the Magic Guild, representing its face. Do you dare to kill me? Are you not afraid of igniting a war between the War God Temple and the Magic Guild?"
Without giving Madrid Haru a chance to respond, Dean Bruce continued, "If I recall correctly, while the War God Temple and the Nine Provinces Alliance have a good relationship, it hasn't reached the point where you can command or mobilize them at will. You can command Noib, so are you perhaps a member of the Nine Provinces Alliance?"
"Then your reason for wanting to kill me is quite simple! You intend to deliberately escalate tensions between the Magic Guild and the War God Temple, pushing the War God Temple toward the side of the Nine Provinces Alliance?"
Upon hearing this, the members of the War God Temple couldn't help but change their expressions slightly, their gazes toward Madrid Haru now filled with confusion.
"And so what? Or rather, and so what if it isn't?" Madrid Haru remained calm.
This statement caused a burly man to furrow his brow as he shouted, "Madrid, come back! We in the War God Temple cannot make enemies with the Magic Guild. You..."
Pfft!
Before he could finish his sentence, a sharp sound cut through the air. A burst of crimson flames erupted, swiftly piercing through his neck.
Blood gushed forth as the burly man's pupils constricted, life fading from his eyes. With a thud, he fell to the ground.
Gasps of shock echoed around, especially from the members of the War God Temple, who staggered back, their eyes filled with terror as they looked at Madrid Haru.
At this moment, they all believed Dean Bruce's words!
If Madrid Haru had no ties to the Nine Provinces Alliance, how could he strike at his own people without hesitation?
Whoosh—
The blood-soaked spear flew back into Madrid Haru's hand, his expression still calm. He said coolly, "You don't need to think about sowing discord; among these people, no one is my match!"
"It seems you have great confidence in your abilities," Dean Bruce replied with a smile. "But if this matter gets out, whether you are from the War God Temple or the Nine Provinces Alliance, the Magic Guild will not let it go."
"Doesn't matter," Madrid Haru stated calmly. "As long as everyone is dead, I can change my identity and go into hiding."
"Such incidents of a Secret Realm riot leading to everyone's death are not unheard of."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed dramatically.
They did not want to be involved in this matter, and even more so, they did not want to die!
Dean Bruce nodded slightly, sensing Madrid Haru's confidence. He said softly, "With such confidence, I assume your current identity must be false?"
"You're quite clever," Madrid Haru said, his eyes turning cold. He no longer hesitated, leaping into the air and thrusting his spear directly at Dean Bruce's face, shouting, "The more you say that, the less I can let you live!"
This thrust, while appearing unremarkable and lacking any light or shadow, moved with the swiftness of lightning, like a venomous snake, exuding a chilling killing intent.
Facing this kind of attack, Dean Bruce would not let his guard down. He maintained the Thousand Mountains Fortress and the powers of Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain, and additionally invoked the spells The Compassion of Heaven and Earth and Blood for Blood.
He knew that Madrid Haru was highly skilled; his only chance for a successful counterattack would be through deflection. Under normal circumstances, if his attack didn't land a fatal blow and raised Madrid Haru's defenses, it would be difficult to launch another offensive.