Wang Yu's primary objective for entering the secret realm this time was to clarify the time flow difference between the secret realm and the outside world, and to explore and familiarize himself with the environment.
According to the records, the time flow within the secret realm was not the same as in the outside world, and the difference could be substantial.
At this moment, Wang Yu was riding Hu Niu, preparing to descend the mountain.
He had initially thought riding a white tiger would be incredibly cool and stylish.
However, the result was… the wind was indeed very strong.
If Wang Yu hadn't clung tightly to Hu Niu's neck, he probably would have rolled down the cliff for hundreds of feet before landing.
“Phew~~”
“Damn, that was exhilarating, like a rollercoaster.”
“Looks like I need to find a belt for you outside to tie around your neck. Otherwise, next time I ride you, I'll only be able to grab your fur. If I make it bald, it won't look good.” Hu Niu could understand him now and nodded: “Yes, yes.”
…
After spending a few hours riding the wind through the mountains with Hu Niu.
It truly was “riding the wind.” On Hu Niu's back, Wang Yu transformed into a man of the wind, covering almost all of the thousands of square kilometers of rolling hills in just a few hours.
There were many other demonic beasts in this area as well, such as wild boars, pheasants, rabbits, and so on.
Hu Niu also led him to a fruit tree, saying it bore a special fruit that could enhance one's physique when eaten.
Wang Yu's eyes immediately lit up. There were still dozens of fruits on this tree, some ripe and some unripe.
Wang Yu was not polite and intended to pick all the ripe ones and store them in his spatial storage ring.
There was no air in the spatial storage ring, and time was almost non-existent, which was beneficial for preservation.
“Master, this fruit tree is usually guarded by us White Tigers…”
Looking at Hu Niu's expectant and pitiful expression.
Wang Yu understood. This was a request for him to leave some for the White Tiger tribe.
So, Wang Yu only picked twelve fruits and left five ripe ones.
“Don't worry, I'll leave some for you every time from now on,” Wang Yu patted Hu Niu's head.
Hu Niu responded affectionately, indicating she was pleased.
One fruit entered his stomach and melted into a warm current within his body.
Wang Yu, who was already a bit hungry after spending several hours in the secret realm, suddenly felt no hunger!
Moreover, his entire body felt warm, and he sensed a slow increase in strength.
“Not bad, there are really many good things in this secret realm. It seems I need to explore more.”
“Hu Niu, are there any other good things?”
Hu Niu shook her head, indicating there were none.
“None? That’s a bit of a pity.”
Wang Yu pondered, looking at the fruit in his hand, then at Hu Niu.
Hu Niu felt a bit uneasy under his gaze.
What did Master mean?
He couldn't possibly be thinking of…
Seeing Hu Niu's reaction, Wang Yu immediately understood its thoughts and couldn't help but laugh: “What are you thinking? I'm wondering if other demonic beasts can enhance their physique by eating these.”
“How could I possibly eat tigers? Even though you are big kitties, you are still kitties.”
“How can you eat kitties? Of course, you can only pet them.”
After saying that, he indulged in some vigorous petting.
Kitties, big kitties, heh heh heh.
(Ahem, the protagonist is a decent person, don't overthink it.)
After staying inside for nearly three days and three nights, Wang Yu was finally expelled from the secret realm.
“It seems to be the same as stated in the book. The master of the secret realm cannot stay inside forever; they will be automatically expelled when the time is up.”
Wang Yu didn't understand the principle behind it, but he didn't need to.
Knowing this rule was enough.
In any case, others were not restricted, which did not affect his plans.
During these three days, Wang Yu ate the special fruits when he was hungry, drank mountain spring water when he was thirsty, and slept with Hu Niu as a pillow when he was sleepy.
Eating one special fruit kept him from being hungry for a day and increased his strength.
After eating two, Wang Yu felt his strength had doubled. He should now have at least the strength of 1.5 healthy adult males (his physique was weak before, so his strength was low).
However, when he ate the third one, Wang Yu felt no further effect.
Hu Niu also said that eating too many of these special fruits was useless; they only satisfied hunger.
Glancing at the time, roughly three hours had passed in reality.
This worked out to be one hour in the outside world corresponding to one day in the secret realm.
Back in the dorm.
His roommates saw Wang Yu returning only now and couldn't help but ask, “Where were you? Why are you back so late?”
The one who spoke was Zhang Xiaoyu, who had the bunk next to Wang Yu.
He was usually the most talkative and loved to argue. He had a good relationship with Wang Yu.
Looking at the five guys in front of him, Wang Yu suddenly felt a strong sense of "things have changed, but people haven't."
In his previous life, all five of his roommates had died. Some turned into zombies at the very beginning of the apocalypse, while others were bitten by zombies later.
None of them lived long.
Only he, having skipped class that day, survived by hiding in the dormitory, managing to live on.
“Hey guys, why aren't you talking? I asked where you were!”
“Nothing, I was at the library.”
“Tch~”
A burst of laughter erupted in the dorm. Clearly, the others didn't believe him.
“By the way, guys, I'm going to meet my online girlfriend tomorrow, and I might not be back for a few days.”
Upon hearing this, the others immediately became interested, their gossip instincts igniting.
“Online girlfriend? Is she good-looking? How old is she? Where is she from?”
Wang Yu did not answer, saying he would tell them after the meeting.
The others had no choice but to continue egging him on: “Treat us to a meal! Treat us to a meal!”
Wang Yu smiled: “Okay, tonight we’ll go out for a good meal!”
A cheer erupted from Dorm 207, and everyone started discussing where to eat.
Wang Yu then went to the adjacent dorm to call his other classmate, Lin Hao.
Wang Yu didn't have many friends. Besides his roommates, Lin Hao was the one he played with the most.
Other classmates were only acquaintances.
The group of seven arrived at Hedilao Hot Pot.
“Eat as much as you want today, it’s all on me!”
Everyone enjoyed the meal immensely, and so did Wang Yu.
A book once said: "Those who can eat hot pot together are people from the same world. In reality, what you eat doesn't matter; what matters is who is sitting beside you."
Sharing a happy hot pot meal with the people you know best is indeed a very happy thing.
This kind of lively and relaxed atmosphere was something Wang Yu hadn't experienced in a very, very long time.
…
The meal lasted for a long time. Everyone ate and drank until ten o'clock at night before returning.
Wang Yu was fine; his physique had doubled, so he drank the most but was the most sober.
The others were not so fortunate. Some could still walk on their own, while others were completely lost. They had to lean on each other to get back to the dorm.