249: Chapter 249 Fame Isn't Always a Good Thing

Soon, several representatives wearing the uniforms of the World Beast Tamer Association walked onto the temporarily constructed high platform.

One white-haired old man stepped forward and began his speech.

"Everyone! Welcome to Antarctica, to this place that may determine the future destiny of our world!"

"The importance of this Antarctica secret realm exploration goes without saying! Not only may it contain unimaginable heaven and earth spiritual treasure, but it may also hide clues to the root cause of the frequent appearance of monsters and spatial rifts in recent years!"

"Mutual competition and fighting for resources is a good thing; it can promote your growth! But please remember one thing: the spatial rifts are the crisis that all of humanity must solve!"

"Before you enter the secret realm to struggle for treasures and opportunities, please think first! Think of the homeland behind you that needs protection, and think of those innocent people wailing under the claws and teeth of monsters!"

"Exploring the secret realm and improving your strength is ultimately to better protect our world!"

"I hope that when you face discoveries in the secret realm that may affect the safety of the world, you can temporarily set aside your prejudices and prioritize the big picture!"

Offstage, the prodigies from various countries heard this, and regardless of their inner thoughts, they all showed solemn expressions on the surface and nodded in agreement.

"Well said!"

"For the future of the world!"

"We understand!"

But as for whether they would actually do so when facing real temptations of profit after entering the secret realm, that was another matter entirely.

Chen Yi knew this clearly.

After the speech, under the guidance of personnel from various organizations, everyone was brought to the center of the base.

There, a huge portal over ten meters high was emitting a faint blue light, with spatial energy fluctuating unceasingly.

The teams from various countries stepped into the portal one by one according to the order determined by the previous drawing of lots.

When it was the Dragon Country team's turn, Chen Yi felt a slight suction, and then his vision blurred; the surrounding scenery had completely changed.

It was still an endless world of ice and snow; pure white was the main color here, and towering icebergs stood in the distance.

However, what was strange was that although it looked like an extreme cold environment, everyone felt no cold at all.

It was as if the surrounding ice and snow were just an illusion, and the temperature was maintained in a comfortable, constant state.

The air was filled with pure and active spiritual energy, far richer than the outside world!

"Is this the inside of the secret realm? Such a strange feeling."

"Yeah, although it looks like an ice field, it's not cold at all, and the spiritual energy is very abundant."

"It's so beautiful! And warm! If there were no monsters here, I feel like this would be a great vacation spot!"

"I hope this secret realm doesn't collapse inexplicably again---"

The girls were discussing among themselves.

However, this curiosity about just entering the secret realm was soon broken.

As soon as the Eagle Country team entered, David looked around and announced loudly in an arrogant tone: "Our Eagle Country team will explore this direction alone! Unrelated people had better not follow, lest you ask for trouble!"

After speaking, he took his men and quickly left towards the west.

Seeing this, Ivan from Su Country snorted coldly: "Hmph, who wants to follow you! We're going the other way!"

"The northwest is ours, Japan's. Anyone who dares to follow, don't blame us if you get killed!"

"Hmph, we're going this way!"

"This is the territory of our India!"

Immediately after, most of the other countries' teams, such as Japan, Surrendered Country, and India, followed suit.

Either warning or hinting, they then grouped up and set off in their respective chosen directions, clearly not wanting to travel with other teams.

This was to avoid unnecessary conflict or having their opportunities snatched away.

As a result, the Dragon Country side was even more extreme.

Gu Fan, who had been immersed in his own world, spoke coldly before anyone had discussed: "I'm used to acting alone! I'll explore on my own from now on; I don't need any dead weight dragging me down!"

After saying this, without waiting for anyone to respond, he chose a direction and disappeared behind an ice hill with his Contracted Spirit Beast.

This immediately left some foreign Beast Tamers who hadn't gone far yet dumbfounded.

"This---the Dragon Country people aren't even united internally?"

"It's one thing to mock other countries, but you even mock your own companions?"

"Tsk tsk, I can only say, when it comes to infighting and absurdity, you Dragon Country people are really something!"

Chen Yi was also a bit confused.

In his heart, he actually preferred to explore alone, as it would be more convenient for him to act.

He didn't expect this Gu Fan to preemptively say these words, and so harshly---

Wu Yuyang and Zhao Xin also showed displeasure on their faces when they saw this.

Wu Yuyang shook his head: "This Gu Fan is really getting more and more out of line."

Zhao Xin sneered: "Heh, does he really think he's something special? Dead weight? I didn't want to bring this cynical guy along anyway!"

Wu Yuyang turned around, looked at Chen Yi, Gao Wenyu, Leng Wuhen, and the group of Spirit Beast Girls, and his face returned to a genial smile: "Never mind him, those with different paths cannot make plans together! Let's explore on our own! Let's look out for each other, safety first!"

Seeing this, Chen Yi also sighed in his heart.

He figured that if he proposed to explore alone now, it would seem too unsociable and would be hard to smooth over.

"Yes, I'll follow Senior Wu's arrangements!"

Thus, all the remaining members of the Dragon Country, led by Wu Yuyang, headed towards the north.

Other small and medium-sized country teams that entered later, seeing the major powers going their separate ways, mostly chose to explore separately as well.

However, although the secret realm was large, there were generally only eight directions.

Therefore, it was inevitable that some teams would choose the same direction.

Chen Yi noticed that there were particularly many national teams choosing to head in their northern direction, roughly five or six at a glance.

Moreover, whether it was those Beast Tamers or their spirit beasts, their gazes were scanning him intentionally or unintentionally, filled with a sense of scrutiny.

He could even faintly hear some discussions.

"Is that person Chen Yi? He doesn't look like anything special, does he?"

"Dragon Country people love to brag and buy bots; I guess he just wants to be famous and is hyping himself up on purpose!"

"But to be fair, the Spirit Beast Girl he contracted is really pretty! Although I don't like Asian looks, I have to say, those girls are indeed beautiful!"

"That's true. I guess that's the point of him hyping himself up, right? Just to trick these Spirit Beast Girls! After all, once contracted, even if it's discovered that Chen Yi is just a Beast Tamer with no real substance, they won't easily break the contract. Second-hand goods are hard to sell now!"

"Looks like they are all targeting me---"

Chen Yi felt quite helpless in his heart.

He felt that fame really wasn't all good; everywhere he went, he was like a moving focus, easily becoming a target for everyone.