"Since that''s the case, let''s go look for more of these small mounds. We should duplicate as many as possible." Isabe decisively made the decision.


    If these could be of assistance, they needed to maximize this advantage!


    Leopold was also very excited.


    "Let''s go take a look. I''m really curious to see what state these people will be in once duplicated."


    Archibald chuckled at him, then teased, "You''re already this silly, any duplicates of you will be even sillier. What''s there to see? Maybe you shouldn''t duplicate yourself at all? Try to make more duplicates of our leader instead."


    Leopold rolled his eyes in frustration, but didn''t dare retort.


    He just muttered a fewints under his breath, then looked eagerly at John.


    "If this secret realm has such a rule, then it means there''s definitely a limit to how many duplicates we can make. We should try to test this limit first," John suggested.


    Through the system, John had already seen that there were only about forty to fifty yellow dots nearby.


    Even if each of them were duplicated, they could only create around forty to fifty duplicates per person at most.


    However, the number of people in the entire vige exceeded their own by several generations, so they had to make rational use of these resources.


    With their own powers diminished, they had to think of any possible way to help them survive the challenges of the secret realm.


    Sure enough, after searching the entire back mountain, they found only 50 mounds.


    Seeing these 50 duplicates who looked exactly like him, Archibald felt a mix of fear and curiosity.


    He poked the duplicate in front of him, who curiously looked back at him.


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    Even Isabe and Amelia, usually soposed, showed a different reaction in the face of this spectacle.


    Honestly, it was the first time they had seen such a strange phenomenon, truly unique.


    "The strength of these duplicates is nearly the same as our current selves, having so many helpers is actually not bad."


    Together, the five of them ounted for 250 duplicates.


    John was about to say something when they heard a noisymotioning from the base of the mountain.


    The group exchanged nces, seeing caution in each other''s eyes.


    John suddenly regretted duplicating these figures so quickly.


    If it were just the five of them, the target would be rtively smaller and hiding would be more convenient.


    But now, with over 200 people, they were a big target!


    Hiding would be incredibly difficult.


    Others also seemed to realize this, looking worriedly in John''s direction.


    If this was the case, the world they would have to face next might be even more dangerous.


    John noticed that the people at the foot of the mountain seemed very hesitant; some wanted to charge up but were indecisive, while those in ck robes hadpletely blocked the path up the mountain.


    He observed them arguing and then saw several people in ck robes emerging from the vige, with nearly half of them wearing white robes.


    Those in white were greeted with respect by the others, although there was still an air of discontent.


    To John''s surprise, he noticed that these individuals also had yellow symbols—previously they were in a neutral state!


    John''s pupils dted as he realized that this secret realm was indeed fraught with crises, but it also presented more opportunities!


    In this secret realm, they couldn''t escape by killing monsters or defeating bosses, so their only option was to sabotage the ceremony!


    However, their powers had been suppressed to a terrifyingly low level, so the only way to ovee this was by relying on the allies within the secret realm.


    He suddenly realized the terrifying nature of this secret realm!


    He even dared not imagine what would happen if, without the system''s guidance, he had approached these people with malice—then there would be no way back!


    Normally, it would be impossible for them alone to disrupt the ceremony or escape from here.


    Thus, the only path awaiting them was a dead end.


    What a cunningly dangerous secret realm!


    "What should we do? It looks like they might be heading up here."


    Archibald looked warily in the direction of the mountain base.


    The sky was gradually darkening, and the cover of the forest on their side made it difficult for them to be spotted.


    However, if those people started searching up the mountain, it would be impossible for such arge group to hide.


    "Don''t worry, they won''te up," John reassured as he watched one of the priests.


    He was certain that these people would notplicate matters unnecessarily.


    Since the back mountain was a ce they generally avoided, their likely strategy would be to trap them here instead of venturing up.


    Even if they nned to search the mountain, it would not be until daylight the next day!


    It was already nearing evening, and they definitely would not daree up now.


    Sure enough, after milling around at the foot of the mountain for a while, those people eventually left.


    Archibald breathed a sigh of relief and looked at John with admiration.


    "Big brother, you truly deserve to be our leader! You even guessed this right."


    Isabe and Amelia also rxed a bit, feeling less tense now.


    As night fully fell, the entire vige was brightly lit.


    This made John frown; he had hoped to search the vige thoroughly at night, but the bright lights made that inconvenient now.


    "Let''s rest up for now, we''ll need our energy for tomorrow."


    Isabe spoke softly from behind, and John didn''t hesitate; they indeed needed a good rest, or they might really face troubles tomorrow.


    The duplicates stood silently by their side, and if one didn''t know that these figures bore no malice, their presence could have been quite frightening.


    The night in the forest should not have been quiet, typically filled with the sounds of insects and birds.


    Yet, this part of the woods was unnervingly silent.


    Aside from the rustling of the wind through the treetops, no other sounds were heard.


    The duplicates mimicked their actions andy down on the ground, which looked ratherical.


    Archibald walked among his duplicates, ensuring there were no issues, and couldn''t help but chuckle.


    These duplicates were actually quite endearing.


    John closed his eyes to rest, not truly sleeping, but just taking a moment to recuperate and restore his mind power.


    Yet, his mind kept pondering what Rosie had said before.


    The wee gift...


    What in this secret realm could possibly be worthy of being called a wee gift?


    The gentle breeze swept through, and John abruptly opened his eyes.


    He sensed a different aroma in the air!


    Isabe quickly opened her eyes too, and after exchanging a nce with John, both entered a state of alertness.


    Leopold and Archibald were still sound asleep, though Amelia was somewhat more vignt.


    Though unsure what had transpired, seeing the wariness of the two, everyone else also stood up cautiously.


    John''s gaze was fixed intently in one direction; the scenting from there was distinctly different from the rest.


    He also heard footsteps! But soon, he realized that the person approaching from that direction was a priest wearing half-ck, half-white robes!


    However, now this priest''s name appeared in green!


    Green?


    A friendly NPC?!


    As Isabe prepared tounch an attack, John forcefully stopped her.


    "Let''s not rush into action."


    Isabe and Amelia looked at the man warily, also puzzled by John''s reaction.


    But given the situation, no one questioned further and instead followed John''s lead.


    John eyed the man closely and lowered his voice.


    "Who are you? What are you doing here?"


    The man''s gaze seemed somewhat vacant as he turned his head slightly towards John, even emitting a faint creaking sound.