Chapter 168: The Lizard Dragon's Treasure
Chapter 168: The Lizard Dragon's Treasure
After a battle, Lindsey could definitely call it a bountiful harvest.
Not only did he just synthesize the Ice and Fire Emblem, but he also conveniently crafted Ice Bombs, Ice Bullets, and the Ice Pattern.
Similar to other series of Elemental Emblems.
The basic Ice Pattern naturally enhances cold resistance.
However, its synthesis route with other emblems belongs to another system.
[1 Ice Pattern + 1 Extreme Cold Crystal = Extreme Cold Emblem]
[1 Ice Pattern + 1 Lightning Pattern + 1 Plant Pattern + 1 Metal Pattern = Elemental Burst Emblem]
"Elemental Burst..."
Just from the name, it's clear that this synthesis route emphasizes offense, contrasting the coordinated Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind route.
"Sacrificing resistance for enhanced attack power."
"Or perhaps, a magic emblem that can switch between defensive and offensive functions?"
Lindsey was intrigued.
However, without other materials at hand, he couldn't ascertain the specific outcome of the synthesis.
Moreover, what's worth mentioning is that the Ice and Fire Emblem also has subsequent synthesis formulas.
"But this one seems to be much more challenging."
[1 Ice and Fire Emblem + 1 Sun Fragment + 1 Moon Fragment = Exalted Sun and Moon Seal]
"Meteorite fragments are one thing, but Sun and Moon fragments..."
Lindsey looked up at the sky.
A full moon hung high in the dark night sky, and while the materials in the synthesis formula were always visible, this was definitely beyond his current reach.
For now, it was best to stay grounded and manage the items he had on hand.
"The number of Ice Bullets and Bombs, hmm... this is less than the Flame series."
"There's no need to hoard everything like a hamster, but I should still be as frugal as possible..."
As he organized the spoils of the battle.
Lindsey sorted through his now-bulging backpack and prepared to bid farewell to this place.
Just like Calder's decisive departure.
Although this swamp had already endured the wrath of the Dragon Beast, no one could guarantee that something else wouldn't happen again, so it was safest to leave as soon as possible.
Lindsey opened the map.
The treasure map reward for the Temperature Difference Dilemma mission would automatically mark the location on the map.
"Speaking of which, this is the second time I've obtained a treasure map."
"Last time I found the Purple Leaf Vine Branch, and this time I wonder what I'll find..."
Lindsey suddenly paused in his tracks.
This was the second time he had obtained a treasure map since being at the world's junction.
What he didn't expect was that the treasure location marked on the map was not far ahead.
"So close?"
Lindsey looked forward.
The pool where the Blackscale Lizard had dwelled was now a muddy pit, and it was precisely the location indicated on the treasure map.
"Tsk!"
Lindsey's mouth twitched, and he could only frown and trudge through the mud.
Although the lake water had flowed into the underground cracks, the mud still clung to the surface. Especially since there were large cracks hidden below, stepping in one could result in a light splatter of mud or, worse, being buried in it.
Lindsey equipped the Mountain Crest Emblem, only then daring to take large strides towards the treasure's location.
When his position perfectly overlapped with the treasure point.
He took out the Meteor Hammer and began digging downward.
Crunch—crunch—crunch—
Boom!
After digging down four or five meters, the soil layer below suddenly collapsed, and Lindsey fell into it.
A few seconds later, he crawled out of the mud pile.
His entire body was pitch-black, and with the lizard dragon head, he barely looked human!
"Pfft!"
Lindsey spat out the dirty water from his mouth.
Lindsey opened the map and pointed his detection downward, hoping to avoid a similar incident from happening again.
However, the lake below was riddled with countless cracks and caves, resembling an ant nest. After the previous earthquake, the lake had flooded, transforming it into a complex underground marsh.
If it weren't for the clear indication on the map that the treasure was beneath, Lindsey would have turned around and left without a second thought. This terrain was too disgusting to continue navigating.
"No wonder it's a secret treasure map."
"Hiding it in such a place is even more outrageous than the hidden spaces among the climbing vines!"
Lindsey continued to dig downward, occasionally referring to the map to check the status of the area below. From time to time, he had to act as a porter, carrying away the muddy water that hindered his excavation.
After digging down for several dozen meters, a doubt emerged from the monotony of the labor.
Where did this treasure come from?
The treasure map's reward was to reveal a hidden space, allowing Lindsey to find it himself, rather than directly providing a finished product.
The treasure itself must have existed in the world originally and wasn't some magical item created within the game's rules.
This swamp was just an ordinary part of the vast terrain in the Black Mountain World, and there was no reason for it to produce any rare treasures. The most likely possibility was that the Blackscale Lizard had hidden something here.
"A Fifth Stage Beast hiding something here?"
"And it's buried several dozen meters underground!"
Lindsey was perplexed.
As a warden, the Blackscale Lizard was the undisputed ruler of this swamp, and its loyalty to the Dragon Beast made it impossible for it to encounter unexpected attacks, let alone with the numerous Glacier Elementals under its command.
"Even if it wanted to hide something, there's no reason to put it in such a place..."
Crack! At that moment, Lindsey's Meteor Hammer transmitted a different sensation.
Some kind of harder material was blocking his path, and it didn't seem like something the hammer could dig through!
"What is this?"
Lindsey furrowed his brows and began clearing the ground below.
He opened the map, which showed that the area beneath him was just an ordinary underground cavity.
After a few minutes, he had cleared the area below.
The object blocking the Meteor Hammer was now revealed before Lindsey.
It was a substance similar in texture to jade, but it felt as cold as steel when touched.
"Is this the treasure?"
[Mineral/Material: Absorbing Source Energy Crystal]
[A rare mineral with the property of isolating Source Energy, extremely hard, often used as a material for safes; can also be used as a material to craft other items.]
[A scarce mineral with high value.]
"Source Absorbing Property?"
"The more they try to be mysterious, the more it annoys me!"
Lindsey began searching for tools in his inventory.
After a few minutes, he realized what the product description meant by 'extremely hard.'
The Meteor Hammer, steel pickaxe, and even the Flame Bomb—Lindsey tried everything, but at most, he could only leave a scratch on the Source Absorbing Energy Crystal.
One steel pickaxe even broke after several strikes!
"A mineral that even the Meteor Hammer can't mine..."
"..."
Lindsey stroked his chin.
If one plan didn't work, he'd come up with another.
If the tools in the survival system couldn't handle this, he'd resort to real-world methods, like fire and water, a traditional human technique used for thousands of years.
For such a precious item, Lindsey's approach was simple and brutal:
"If I don't get you out today, I'm not leaving!"
(End of Chapter)
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