The pressure behind him grew stronger and stronger. Lance's powerful aura, the aura of a Champion, clung like a festering sore and was closing in fast. Ye Li hesitated for less than a second.
He chose to trust Umbreon. His partner's instincts had saved his life countless times in past battles.
"This way!"
He made his decision on the spot and, without the slightest hesitation, led Umbreon into the unknown side passage that did not exist on the map. It was an enormous gamble. If he lost, he might find himself trapped in a dead end with no way out.
The side passage was narrow, allowing only one person through at a time. Its rocky walls were covered in some unknown crystals that gave off a faint glow in the darkness. The farther he went, the stronger the fluctuations of pure electrical energy in the air became, as though the passage ahead connected to the island's energy core.
At the end of the passage, the space suddenly opened up.
A breathtaking sight appeared before Ye Li.
It was a small natural crystal cavern, only about the size of a room. Countless fist-sized yellow crystals studded its walls and ceiling, shining with a soft yet bright light like stars in the night sky. At the very center of the cavern, a huge crystal the size of a human head floated silently in midair. It was clear throughout, with what looked like a bolt of golden lightning sealed inside.
An extremely pure piece of raw "Thunder Stone" ore.
Around it were several other Evolution Stones that had formed alongside it. Their quality was slightly lower, but they, too, contained pure energy.
Ye Li understood at once. This was the source of energy for all of Lightning Island, and the true core of