Naga's Secret Treasure

A damp sea breeze, carrying a salty, fishy smell, swept over them, Aegwynn's boots made a soft crunching sound as they stepped on the damp rocks.

The cave entrance was covered with slippery algae, and several fragments of seashells were scattered around, clearly indicating that some kind of creature frequently entered and exited the cave.

"Another Naga lair," she muttered to herself, her fingertips already glowing with Arcane light. Behind her, Anveena gripped her staff tightly, following with a hint of trepidation.

"Anveena, come to the front. You've studied magic for so long, it's time to put it into practice." Aegwynn pushed the Sunwell Incarnation to the front.

"Teacher, I, I'm a little..." Anveena was on the verge of tears, clutching her staff nervously.

"Good child, an eagle must be tempered by storms to grow strong. Without real combat, you will never leave the protection of the nest, nor will you grow into a powerful mage. Believe in yourself; your strength far exceeds your imagination," Aegwynn encouraged her from behind.

After taking a few more steps, the darkness deepened. Anveena mustered her courage and cast an even brighter magical light source above her head.

"Remember to position the Light spell a little forward, then shield your eyes with your hand. This way, the enemy will be blinded by the light and won't be able to see you. You can see the enemy as long as you block the light with your hand," Aegwynn reminded him.

"Yes, teacher!" Anveena replied, adjusting her spell.

There was a bend ahead, Anveena was about to take a step when Aegwynn stopped her from behind. "Wait, be careful around that bend. Enemies might be lying in ambush there. Don't go recklessly. Once we mages are caught in close combat, we can easily be killed instantly."

Anveena stopped, anxiously trying to think of a solution. Then she took a few steps back, cast a spell to create a magical illusion that, in the cave's light, mimicked her own movements and slowly walked towards the corner.

Sure enough, just a few steps after turning the corner, a squad of Naga Guard pounced out of the shadows. Their scales shimmered with an eerie blue light, and their tridents were wreathed in Shadow Energy.

The leading Naga priest let out a piercing shriek. "Intruders, die! For Queen Azshara— " She quickly shredded Anveena's phantom into pieces before realizing something was wrong, "Retreat! It's a trap!"

But it was too late. Anveena's prepared Chain Lightning exploded before the Naga's eyes. Blinding blue light danced in the cave, striking each Naga's body with pinpoint accuracy.

The air was instantly filled with the acrid smell of burnt fish, and several convulsing Naga corpses lay on the ground, their scales charred black.

"That was terrifying!" Anveena's eyes widened, her voice echoing through the cave. Her heart was pounding from the brief encounter, and her palms were sweaty.

"Not bad." Aegwynn continued forward without turning her head. "These are just grunts. You need more real combat experience. Your true strength far surpasses that of most people in this world, and with training and real combat, your magic can defeat even more powerful enemies."

Because you yourself are magic, and magic is yourself. Remember, only by becoming stronger can you better help your Deren.

"Yes, teacher! I understand," Anveena answered loudly, thrilled by her teacher's encouragement. Thinking about how she could help her brother, Sunwell couldn't help but show a longing expression.

The two stepped over the corpses of the fallen Naga, Aegwynn stopped. "Good boy," she said, "Look at these dead bodies. Are you afraid?"

Sunwell stood trembling slightly amidst the horde of corpses, nodding as he leaned on his wand. The distorted forms of the Naga sent chills down one's spine.

Aegwynn continued, "I remember feeling fear and panic when I killed my first enemy. We value life, which is why we are so sensitive to death."

But you must learn to live with this feeling, like taming a dangerous wild beast. Because sometimes, taking the life of an enemy is to protect something more important to yourself.

Anveena nodded emphatically.

The two continued into the cave, encountering no more enemies along the way.

Deep within the cave lay a large magical pearl, emitting a soft glow on a rough stone platform.

The pearl is engraved with a relief of Queen Azshara, and is surrounded by various underwater treasures—coral carvings, shipwrecked gold coins, and even a few dull Arcane Crystal.

Aegwynn reached out and touched the pearl, casually sensing the energy fluctuations within it. "Another waste of time," she said angrily.

His figure vanished instantly, leaving only a sentence lingering in the air. "I'll be waiting outside. Figure out how to get out yourself."

"Teacher!" Anveena was on the verge of tears as she watched her teacher disappear. She stood alone in the dark, damp cave, with several Naga corpses not far away.

Taking several deep breaths, Anveena kept encouraging herself. "I can do it, I can do it, for my brother! I'm not a burden, I can help my brother!"

After mentally preparing herself, Anveena finally mustered her courage. She used the same trick again, sending an illusion ahead to scout the way for her, while her real body, under the influence of a light spell, slowly walked out of the cave.

Fortunately, after a series of close calls, Anveena finally reached the cave entrance.

Outside the cave, Nefarian was idly paddling the seawater with his claws, while Aegwynn leaned against the cliff wall, resting with his eyes closed.

After Anveena followed the phantom out, she nodded and praised, "Yes, mages need this kind of caution. Only by living long can one hope to become a great mage."

The former guardian pulled Anveena onto the dragon's back. "Stupid dragon, let's go." She patted the Black Dragon's scales. "Next location, keep flying north."

As they approached Azshara, Naga activity on the sea became increasingly frequent. In the distance, Naga patrols could be seen appearing and disappearing amidst the waves, and several coral watchtowers stood among the reefs, their crystal finials emitting an ominous purple light.

Anveena's blonde hair fluttered in the sea breeze as she closed her eyes, straining to sense her surroundings. "The magical interference is too strong; there are Naga barriers everywhere. I can sense unusual magical fluctuations, but I can't pinpoint their location."

Aegwynn stood atop the dragon's back, her robes billowing in the wind. She squinted at the sea, then said impatiently, "What a nuisance! Vanish, all of you!"

She made several hand gestures towards the sky, seemingly casting some kind of forbidden spell. Suddenly, dark clouds gathered, and lightning flashed and thunder roared. Bolt after bolt of lightning struck the sea, accompanied by howling winds.

Even Nefarian's flight became turbulent, Black Dragon cried out in alarm, "Master, what are you doing? I feel the magic energy gathering in the air!"

"Shut up, just keep flying." Aegwynn ignored it, her spellcasting continuing unabated.

Then, lightning from the sky intertwined into a giant electric net that descended upon the sea. The Naga remained on the surface and in the shallow waters were instantly electrocuted, their bellies turning white. Those who were fast enough dived directly into the deep sea, too afraid to surface.

"Alright, the area is cleared now. Anveena, scan this coastline again," Aegwynn said calmly, as if her devastating attack was nothing more than a casual gesture.

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