books44 Chapter 510: Drake
Chapter 510: Drake
Chapter 510: Drake
The Salamander Water Lake was a particularly safe place within the Realm’s inner region. Not only did it have cooler water that supported more aquatic lifeforms like fish, but it was also large enough to support an almost 20,000-strong Lizardman population.
A similar lake was controlled by the strongest chief on the other side of the realm, so, in other words, capturing it would pave the way to becoming the strongest Lizardman tribe. And due to the abundance of water, there was naturally more vegetation around the area, guaranteeing more food.
But there was one problem: an island in the middle of the lake. And capturing the island was the most important part because that’s the only place not attacked by the periodic large-sized salamanders that came into the area. The creatures avoided crossing the cool water, which could suppress the heat within their bodies and shut them down.
And that’s precisely where the red-scaled Lizardman sat, his imposing presence blocking all attempts to capture the Salamander Water Lake.
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After that, Leo took the Basalt Iron and freed the captives.
Kragash apologised to Leo for bothering him, and Leo bid them farewell. In the distance, Drogash could be heard ordering the Kragash to spread the news of the tribe’s lockdown until this wave of invaders passed because of the dragons’ presence, just as Leo had warned.
Even a Wyvern’s inferior bloodline was enough to suppress them; they could only imagine what would happen if a true dragon stood before them.
By now, the pseudo-sun was already setting on the horizon, and the environment was gradually cooling.
They rested for the night in the same place. Late at night, Leo even had to deactivate the [Iceveil Hide] because it was becoming a bit cold.
[Iceveil Hide] - 15% -> 40% Low
In the morning, they quickly had breakfast and headed to Drake’s Lava Pond first.
Along the way, Leo gathered the treasures he found. He was surprised to see that even though the most treasures were the same as before, their tiers were higher.
[Ashvein Moss] - Mid Green - 0.8 Kg
[Ashglow Bud] - Low Green × 5
[Magmaheart Fungus] - High Green Tier × 30
[Fireblood Berry] - Mid Green × 45
Right now, Leo found himself in a very hot region. Every few hundred meters, he would spot a lava pond, though all of them were very small, as if they were connected to a major volcanic vent running beneath the ground.
Leo recalled the old Lizardman’s instructions and followed the path exactly. Soon enough, he indeed found a cave opening leading underground.
"Looks like that is our target," Leo said as he stepped near the cave entrance and used his sensory skill to check for a presence.
"Pseudo 4-star..." Leo muttered after sensing a beast deep within the cave, apparently resting.
"Let’s go in."
Saying that, Leo dropped down from Nyxa’s back.
"Naelith, climb onto Nyxa and support me actively. Lyswenna, keep sitting on Shyra’s back and shoot your water-infused arrows while being stealthy. Make sure the beast doesn’t sense you; it’s stronger."
Both elves did as Leo instructed, and they finally entered the cave. It was so hot that it felt as though they were being cooked alive inside a pressure cooker. The oppressive heat intensified further because they were actually descending downhill while waves of warm air rushed upward.
Lyswenna was so troubled by the heat that she had to deploy a water sphere around herself atop the [Iceveil Hide] to cool down. But the water itself evaporated at a rapid pace.
Grrrrrr.... Grrrrrr.... Grrrrrr....
A series of low growls echoed from deep within the cave, and Leo immediately stopped upon hearing them.
"It’s sleeping..." he muttered before activating his stealth and heading inside alone first, instructing Naelith and Lyswenna to enter when the fight began.
As Leo stepped into the open, he was amazed by the vast clearing before him. It was almost the size of a football field underground and nearly 40 meters tall, with one-third of the area occupied by a lava pond toward the far side.
There, Leo’s gaze was immediately drawn to many lotus-like flowers resting atop the molten surface.
[Inferno Marrow Lotus] - Mid Purple-Tier
- A crimson lotus that blooms atop molten lava, its roots extending deep into magma channels.
When absorbed, the lotus releases intense heat into the skeleton, tempering bones like metal in a forge. Tiny impurities are burned away while fresh bone tissue rapidly regenerates, resulting in denser and more resilient bones.
Note: If consumed by individuals who are 1 major realm lower, there’s a 90% chance of a painful death caused by the melting of the bones.
And the treasures were not of a uniform rank; there were countless specimens ranging from Peak Green Tier to Peak Purple Tier.
And this was not the only treasure around. The system suddenly prompted the presence of another treasure along the edges of the lava pond.
[Furnace Vein Moss] - High-Blue Tier
- A glowing orange moss that grows along cracks venting volcanic heat.
The moss specialises in strengthening the junctions where muscles attach to bones.
Note: If consumed by individuals who are 1 major realm lower, there’s a 90% chance of permanent joint damage throughout the body.
Even this moss ranged from Low Green quality to Pseudo-Purple Tier.
But it was then that Leo spotted the area boss, calmly sleeping. Its body blended almost perfectly with the surroundings because of the way it had curled up. The only visible signs were the slight rise and fall of its breathing and the wisps of steam escaping from its nostrils with every breath.
In front of the beast lay a heap of crystal-like objects with a fiery orange tint. Leo immediately recognised them even though the system hadn’t prompted anything.
"Fire element crystals!"
But Leo also spotted another type of crystal mixed into the heap.
Grrrrr...
The beast made another noise in its sleep.
Pyroclast Drake (Low 4-star) - Super Bloodline
"It’s actually one minor realm higher than what I sensed..." Leo muttered. He needed to work on his [Spiritual Sense] to get more accurate readings.
The beast had jagged, basalt-like scales covering its entire body, with a faint orange glow visible within some of the crevices. Though its curled form resembled that of a resting dragon, there was no sign of wings or prominent horns.
*pic*
Seeing it asleep, Leo suddenly had the thought of sweeping the area clean before the inevitable fight. That way, the risk of damaging the treasures would be minimal.