A Magic Core

Certain parts of magical creatures were extremely valuable, possessing incredible supernatural powers!

As long as these parts were collected and handed to an Alchemist or Blacksmith, they could be used to create potions or equipment with strange effects!

"The Flame Marsh Lizard's claws and heart... Ugh! Sister Huo Lian was ruthless. The heart can't even be used anymore..."

Sun Lei glanced at the corroded, discolored heart, and his face twitched involuntarily. He then shook his head helplessly.

Afterward, he pried open the Flame Marsh Lizard's head and pulled out a crystal that glimmered faintly red and was about the size of a date pit.

Sun Lei shook the blood from his hands. Looking at the sparkling crystal, he couldn't help smiling.

"What luck! It's already condensed a fire-element Magic Core!"

"This one should be large enough to keep a flame furnace burning for an entire month. What a haul!"

Magic Core!

The most valuable thing on a magical creature, condensed from the Magic Power within its body.

It was also one of the things most needed in this age—the energy source of the New Era!

The value of Magic Cores was comparable to gold. They were absolutely hard currency!

Sun Lei took out a handkerchief and wiped the Magic Core in his hand, then carefully placed it in the cowhide pouch at his waist.

Next, he continued processing the other Flame Marsh Lizards, prying open their heads one by one to see whether they contained Magic Cores.

"Oh—! I found another one!"

Sun Lei pulled out another Magic Core and happily raised it into the air.

At that moment, the excited Sun Lei failed to notice a tiny figure quietly approaching the Flame Marsh Lizard that had been burned black!

Moss ran behind the Flame Marsh Lizard and cautiously glanced at Sun Lei, who was collecting the materials. Then she began summoning her pet!

Little Ball suddenly appeared beside Moss. It was just about to bounce a few times when Moss hurriedly pressed it down and raised a finger to her lips, shushing it.

'Master, don't speak!'

'Good. Do as I say...'

Following Moss's instructions, Little Ball extended its transparent tentacle through the severed opening in the Flame Marsh Lizard's neck!

In less than ten seconds, Little Ball's voice echoed in Moss's mind.

'Master, there's a stone. Lots of Mana Essence!'

Moss excitedly patted Little Ball and quickly recalled it into the Pet Space. She herself disappeared into the darkness once more!

A dozen minutes later...

Sun Lei raised his head and wiped the sweat from his forehead, casually tossing the Flame Marsh Lizard that had been burned black to the ground.

"Phew... What a shame. This one's completely charred and useless, and it doesn't have a Magic Core either."

He knelt on one knee and counted the Flame Marsh Lizard's materials by the light of the Magic Core lamp. Then he nodded in satisfaction.

"Twelve claws, two hearts, and two Magic Cores in total... A fifty percent chance. Not bad."

With Little Ball's storage ability, Moss had taken the Magic Core away without leaving a single trace!

Even then, Sun Lei still hadn't noticed that he had lost a precious Magic Core!

Sun Lei gathered the materials piled on the cloth and tied them up tightly. He stood and pounded his slightly aching lower back, muttering:

"I wonder whether the captain and Sister Huo Lian caught up with that fleeing Flame Marsh Lizard..."

Boom—!

A sudden deafening sound came from the distance, echoing through the sewer and making Sun Lei cover his ears.

"Looks like they caught up. I have to catch up too!"

Sun Lei picked up the cloth bag from the ground and slung it over his back. Carrying his longsword, he quickly chased after the two of them.

The sewer, which had originally been bustling with activity, seemed to return to its former tranquility.

If not for the dismembered lizard corpse on the ground and the explosions that occasionally came from the distance.

"As expected of the human body. Their ability to use tools is simply too powerful—and too unfair. Their stats are clearly several points weaker than the Flame Marsh Lizard's."

Moss emerged from the darkness and stared at Sun Lei's departing figure, a trace of awe flashing through her eyes.

Silver Rank battles were far more intense than she had imagined. Even Sun Lei was much stronger than Moss was at present!

From the moment she heard the three people's voices, Moss had relied on Stealth and Breath Holding to follow behind them. The three of them had never discovered her.

Not only had she gained a great deal of difficult-to-collect information, but she had also witnessed a battle between humans and magical creatures with her own eyes.

She had even obtained a Magic Core. From the moment Sun Lei pulled out that Magic Core, Moss had felt a yearning rise within her.

Her body yearned to obtain it, which was why Moss had taken the risk and chosen to search for one on the burned Flame Marsh Lizard.

Fortunately, she had succeeded!

Moss had obtained a fiery-red Magic Core!

She closed her eyes and watched as Little Ball spat the Magic Core out inside the Pet Space. An excited smile appeared on her face.

"This time, we gained quite a lot... But it isn't over yet. I might find something else if I go take another look!"

Moss activated Stealth again and chased after Sun Lei!

Clang! Clang! Swish—!

"Haahhh—!!!"

Sword Strike Qi Slash!

Luo Wei shouted with all his might and brought his longsword crashing down, hacking viciously into the Flame Marsh Lizard's strongest neck!

Pfft!

A sound like cloth being torn rang out. The Flame Marsh Lizard's neck, which had already endured several of Luo Wei's attacks, finally gave way!

A flaming head spun into the air, turning several times before falling to the ground!

The Flame Marsh Lizard slowly collapsed, lifeless.

"It's over..."

Luo Wei took a deep breath, sheathed his longsword, and spoke.

"Ah, thanks for the effort, Captain~"

Huo Lian leaned against the wall and twirled the short sword in her hand, speaking with a relaxed expression.

"Not bad. I didn't expect this guy to be so troublesome even without its eyes."

Luo Wei exhaled the air in his chest, and the expression on his face gradually relaxed.

Tap tap tap...

"Captain, Sister Huo Lian!"

Sun Lei came running from the distance, waving at the two of them as he shouted.

"Ah, Sun Lei, you came at the perfect time. Process this one too!"

Luo Wei called out to the approaching Sun Lei, rolled his shoulders, and walked to the side.

Sun Lei, who had been about to speak with Huo Lian, stiffened. He said dejectedly:

"Ah, yes..."

Sun Lei walked over to the dead Flame Marsh Lizard and pulled out a small knife, preparing to cut it apart.

Clang! Clang—!

"So hard! I can only cut through the gaps... By the way, Captain, you're amazing. You can even cleave through armor this tough!"

"Hahaha... Impressive, right? In the City Guard, my strength is among the very best. A mere Flame Marsh Lizard is nothing to me!"

Luo Wei leaned against the wall. Hearing Sun Lei's words, he burst into loud laughter, unable to conceal his smugness.

At that moment, Huo Lian laughed from the side and poured cold water over Luo Wei.

"You can only fool a newcomer. I wonder who it was that couldn't even split a trial stone when he went to take the Spirit Sword Sect's entrance test, and came crawling back in disgrace."

Luo Wei's face turned awkward. He scratched his head sheepishly, then turned around and fell silent.

Sun Lei, who was busy dismembering the corpse, turned around with a shocked expression and looked at Luo Wei.

"Captain, you took part in a sect entrance test? What was it like?"

"You want to know?"

Luo Wei glanced at Sun Lei and asked him.

Sun Lei nodded hurriedly and said repeatedly:

"I want to know! I want to know!"

Even Moss, who was hiding nearby, had eyes that brightened as she nodded repeatedly.

"Then I'll tell you about it!"