Baili Jinxuan’s expression froze instantly. “How... how did you know?”
Liu Yi pointed to the repeatedly highlighted marks on the map. “The spots you’ve marked aren’t exactly in remote, unexplored areas. Logically, it’s impossible that no one else has discovered them.”
“Unless...” She lightly tapped one of the red circles. “The guardian beasts are too strong for Trainee Beast Tamers like us, causing other participants to back off.”
The Phantom Cat also licked its paw guiltily, confirming the suspicion.
Liu Yi’s gaze fell on the nearest hidden resource point—【Southwest District · Rockwall Canyon】.
She looked at Baili Jinxuan and said, “Since there’s an Intermediate stage guardian beast there, let’s go.”
Seeing how decisive she was, Baili Jinxuan suddenly became a bit hesitant. “Are we really going? That’s an Intermediate stage pet, but Shadow and Ziyue are only Junior stage...”
“Bing bing!”
Ziyue lifted her head and cried out, her purple eyes flickering with a fighting spirit.
Liu Yi smiled but said nothing.
...
Deep inside Rockwall Canyon.
The canyon walls towered on both sides, blocking out the sunlight.
The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, and low growls could occasionally be heard from the distance.
Baili Jinxuan followed cautiously behind Liu Yi, whispering, “It’s just ahead. Behind that cave is the hidden resource point. But last time I came, I was blocked by a Rock-plated Lizard as soon as I got close.”
“A Rock-plated Lizard?” Liu Yi recalled. “The Intermediate stage of the Rock-armored Lizard. It gains the Ground attribute, making it a dual Rock and Ground type. It has high defense but average speed.”
Normally, a pure Rock-type wouldn't be weak to Ice. However, because this Intermediate stage Rock-plated Lizard gained the Ground attribute, it was now countered by Ice.
Liu Yi hadn't expected their luck to be this good.
“Yeah, and it’s huge. It almost blocks the entire cave entrance,” Baili Jinxuan nodded. “I tried to sneak around it, but it reacted too quickly. We were almost hit by its rock attacks.”
As the two approached the cave, they saw a massive Rock-plated Lizard lying at the entrance. Thick, rocky scales covered its entire body, and its tail was coiled in front of it as it rested with its eyes closed.
“Frost Breath,” Liu Yi whispered.
Ziyue charged out instantly, frost condensing in her mouth as she unleashed a blast of Frost Breath directly at the Rock-plated Lizard.
“Rock!”
The Rock-plated Lizard snapped its eyes open and roared. Its heavy tail swept across, shattering the frost instantly!
The lizard’s roar made the canyon walls tremble, and Ziyue’s Frost Breath was easily crushed.
The strength of an Intermediate stage beast was indeed not to be underestimated.
“Ice Blade!”
Five Ice Blades shot through the air, but they were blocked by a sudden mound of earth rising from the ground.
The Rock-plated Lizard’s Rock Spear Piercing had accurately predicted the trajectory of the Ice Blades.
“Shadow, Illusion Claw!” Baili Jinxuan seized the opportunity to command.
Four phantom cats attacked the Rock-plated Lizard simultaneously, but they were all struck by its suddenly accelerating tail.
“Phantom!”
The real Phantom Cat rolled away clumsily to dodge the strike.
“Stone Polish.” Liu Yi narrowed her eyes. “It just used a skill to increase its speed.”
The Rock-plated Lizard’s scales were now shimmering with a polished luster, and its movement speed had noticeably improved.
It suddenly slammed its front claws onto the ground—
“Ground Tremor! Jump!”
Ziyue leaped high into the air as the shockwave skimmed past her feet, leaving spiderweb-like cracks on the canyon walls.
Before she could land, the Rock-plated Lizard seized the opening to use Roll, its massive body crushing forward like a heavy chariot.
Liu Yi blurted out, “Ice Armor!”
“Bang!”
Ziyue was sent flying, and fine cracks appeared on the surface of her armor.
Liu Yi’s heart tightened; this was the first time she had seen Ziyue’s armor crack.
“Bing bing!”
Ziyue stood up and shook off the ice shards, the fighting spirit in her eyes burning even brighter.
The Rock-plated Lizard didn't pursue her. Instead, it suddenly stood on its hind legs and slammed its front claws heavily onto the ground.
In an instant, countless rock spears thrust out from the earth, covering the entire battlefield.
“Use continuous Ice Blades to clear a path!” Liu Yi ordered decisively.
Ziyue retreated while firing, the Ice Blades colliding with the rock spears and exploding into debris.
A small stone shard grazed Liu Yi’s left arm, leaving a bloody scratch.
“Liu Yi!” Baili Jinxuan cried out in alarm.
“I’m fine.” Liu Yi wiped away the blood, her gaze locked on the Rock-plated Lizard as it gathered energy. “It’s about to use its ultimate move...”
Sure enough, an earthy yellow glow began to radiate from the Rock-plated Lizard as it drove its front claws deep into the ground.
It was charging up for a massive Ground Tremor.
“Now!” Liu Yi suddenly shouted. “Ice Spike!”
“Bing bing!”
Ziyue let out a long cry toward the sky, and the moisture above the canyon instantly condensed.
Five ice spikes descended from the heavens with a whistling sound, accurately pinning the Rock-plated Lizard’s limbs and tail to the ground, forming an ice cage.
“Crack, crack, crack—”
Rapidly spreading frost froze the Rock-plated Lizard’s lower body.
It struggled, and the ice spikes began to crack, but it would take time to break free!
“Baili!”
“On it!” Baili Jinxuan picked up her Phantom Cat and dashed toward the cave. “Shadow!”
The Phantom Cat created three clones and quickly slipped into the cave with them.
“Rock!”
The Rock-plated Lizard roared in anger, but it was unable to pursue due to being frozen by the Ice Spike.
Ziyue continued to use Ice Blade and Frost Breath to harass it. Gradually, the lizard’s struggles grew weaker.
By the time Baili Jinxuan and the Phantom Cat ran out carrying several glowing golden ores, the Rock-plated Lizard had suddenly stopped struggling.
It gave Ziyue a deep look and then slowly lowered itself to the ground, the hostility in its eyes vanishing without a trace.
At the same time, Baili Jinxuan’s Points Detector chimed:
【Rare resource collected: Golden Glow Crystal x5. Points gained: 1500】
【Current Total Points: 2089】
【Current Rank: 3】
Baili Jinxuan stared at the detector in disbelief. “That many?!”
She then turned to look at the Rock-plated Lizard and asked, “It... it’s not attacking anymore?”
Liu Yi nodded. “A guardian beast’s duty is only to protect the resources. Since the resources have been taken, there’s no need for it to keep fighting.”
Sure enough, the Rock-plated Lizard swept away the crushed ice with its tail and slowly retreated to the side of the cave, clearing the path.
Just then, Liu Yi’s Points Detector also chimed:
【Rock-plated Lizard defeated. Points gained: 500】
【Current Total Points: 4555】
【Current Rank: 1】
Liu Yi: “Oh... I see.”
Liu Yi hadn't expected to get points for defeating the guardian beast, especially since she had already agreed to let Baili Jinxuan take the hidden resource points.
It seemed she had just made it a little harder for her old classmate to take the top spot again.
But it should be fine.
After all, she needed to bandage the scratch on her left arm, and Ziyue had been fighting for many days. Having gained the experience of challenging a higher-level opponent today, the gains from this Secret Realm were already sufficient.
Therefore, after returning to the supply station, she planned to rest properly until everyone was required to leave the Secret Realm tomorrow at noon.
She believed that Ji Xiaoyao would definitely be able to catch up in this remaining time. Yes!
Rate on N.U.
