Zhang Ye was right. This storm lasted for almost a three day's time. Although the last days of rain gradually subsided, looking into the distance, the flood was even worse than before.
"If I still can't leave in a few days, I really have no choice but to drink that muddy water below…" Looking at the mostly depleted water bag in his hand, Zhang Ye licked his dry lips, feeling deeply worried.
In the few days he training in this cave, although there were enough compressed biscuits to sustain him, the same couldn't be said for portable water.
Moreover, with the extended rain, the cave became unusually humid. Zhang Ye even felt like he could squeeze water out of his undergarments. even he have a fire-fire fruit power he cant use it to dry cloth it will burn it, thats why all of his clothes had been cycled through, but they were still in usable condition.
Hanxue was better off. It had been hiding in Zhang Ye's pet bag for the past few days, devouring the pet crest aura non-stop. It didn't have to eat nor drink; there wasn't much difference from a pet beast.
.....
He waited in that cave for another day. The next morning, Zhang Ye rode Hanxue and slowly descended the mountain along the path they came from. Although they came across some areas that were still flooded from time to time, they did not affect his travelling.
However, when he was about halfway through his journey, Zhang Ye was stunned by the sight before him.
The area before him was originally a valley, but at this moment the path was blocked off by countless rocks.
Evidently, part of the mountain had collapsed from the flash flood.
'There's no way to go now. What should I do?' Zhang Ye scanned his surroundings, trying to find a way to get past the obstruction. To his dismay, he discovered that unless he had an aerial subdued beast or pet he could ride, there was no way to pass through from here.
Zhang Ye sighed helplessly. He could only pat on Hanxue's head and order him to turn back, hoping to find another way out.
Suddenly, Zhang Ye noticed in his peripheral vision that there seemed to be something moving in that collapsed rock pile.
"Hmm? What's this thing?"
Zhang Ye immediately told Hanxue to stop. He turned around and scanned the area. His expression froze for a moment before revealing a joyous look.
=======
[Stone Drake]
Level: Four Star (Level 38)
Quality: Commander
Characteristics: Excels at Wielding Earth element, Unparalleled Defense
Weakness: Water and Ice Attribute Attacks
========
Although the exotic beast was buried under the debris, and almost its entire body was submerged in the muddy water, Zhang Ye immediately saw the exotic beast's attributes despite only seeing a sharp claw exposed, its surface seemingly burnt.
In that instant, Zhang Ye felt as if he struck the jackpot on the lottery. His heart pumped violently, his smile reaching from ear to ear.
This Stone Drake's attributes were truly too powerful!
It was so strong that even though this fellow was on the brink of death, Zhang Ye didn't dare to act recklessly.
No matter how low level an exotic beast was, at such a quality, it should possess devastating abilities, right?
Those were still very far from Zhang Ye's reach. Currently he was facing two very tough choices.
One, to pretend that he didn't see this Zhang Drake buried under this mudslide, and turn around to look for an exit out of this mountain range.
After all, this fellow's strength was truly too horrifying. Even though it was on the brink of death, it still had the power to kill Zhang Ye in an instant.
Two, for Zhang Ye to muster his courage and risk his life to kill the Stone Drake. There was a absulote he can farm more item piece from this beast and certain probability of obtaining a monster core.
If he choose to kill the drake he dont know if his skill can do damage to it because of the element of the drake.He still dont have water or ice devil fruit if have its will become easy to grind to this beast.
If he chose to leave immediately, Zhang Ye naturally didn't have to bear any risks. However, he would also miss out on the chance to obtain more item piece and a potencial mosnter core. On the other hand, choosing to kill the Stone Drake that was already on the verge of dying, there was a high chance of him losing his life instead, though there was also a chance of obtaining an invaluable reward.
For a short while, Zhang Ye's expression experienced rapid changes, unable to make up his mind.
As for emulating the time when he tamed Hanxue, letting the pet crest mark and heal that Stone Drake's injuries in hopes of winning its favor and get it to become his pet, Zhang Ye didn't even dare to think of that.
Zhang Ye would be tired of living if he really did that.
The Red Nightmare Horse was a tamable, herbivorous exotic beast. That was why he had luckily succeeded. The Stone Drake was a ferocious beast by all measures. Once it recovered a little of its strength and got a taste of the creast aura, it would surely gobble up Zhang Ye without even spitting out his bones at the first opportunity it got!
After thinking for a long while, Zhang Ye finally grit his teeth and decided to take his chances. "Damn it, I'm going all in! My life will change completely if I succeed in my gamble here!"
This Stone Drake was already on the brink of death, anyway. With such grave injuries, it definitely wouldn't be able to use its skill.
Moreover, this exotic beast was almost buried under the mudslide entirely, and it didn't even have the strength to crawl out. Even if it made its final retaliation, how devastating could it be?
'As long as I pay more attention, I will surely be able to kill it successfully!'
For safety's sake, Zhang Ye retreated far away and use Fire Gun (Higan) toward the exposed claw of the Stone Drake.
"Ping!" The Fire Gun has no effect
'…' Zhang Ye's eyes went wide, nearly falling off from Hanxue's back.
This was the so-called unparalleled defense in the Stone Drake's freaking attributes!
Zhang Ye really wanted to curse out loud!
He couldn't even penetrate its defense; what else could he do?
One had to know that the penetrative strength of the Fire Gun (Higan) was exceptional. It could penetrate even a thin steel plate, and yet it was resistance by Stone Drake's skin!
Exactly how strong was the defensive strength of this ferocious beast!?
Although the Fire Gun (Higan) failed to penetrate the Stone Drake's defense, the dying beast's exposed claw twitched for a moment after being attacked, as if it wanted to climb out of the mudslide, but failed in the end.
Zhang Ye retreated more far and use all skill that he acquire.
"Double Casting"
"Blaze Net (Enjōmō) + Judgment of God ( El Thor )"
"Fire Gun (Higan) + Fire Ball"
"Flame Commandment ( Enkai) + Fire Pillar ( Hibashira)"
"Firefly Light (Hotarubi) + Light Beam"
"Ablaze (Hidaruma) + Lightning Flash ( Sango )"
The same time notification rang out in Zhang Ye's mind while he was unlishing all hi skill
"Congratulations, get one Stamina Pill's pieces!"
"Congratulations, get one Stamina Pill's pieces!"
"Congratulations, get one Stamina Pill's pieces!"
"Congratulations, get one Stamina Pill's pieces!"
"Congratulations, get one Martial Arts pieces!"
"Congratulations, get one Weapon pieces!"
"Congratulations, get one Stamina Pill's pieces!"
"Congratulations, get one Haki pieces!"
The dying beast's exposed claw only twitched for a moment after being attacked and thats all.
Ah, that frustration in Zhang Ye's heart!
The Stone Drake's injuries were obviously so severe that it could barely move a muscle at all, yet he couldn't do a thing to it. It really left one wanting to smash their head against the wall.
"What should I do? Do I make an attempt myself using the Sword Art to see if it can penetrate its defense?" Zhang Ye was conflicted, not daring to take a step forward after hesitating for some time.
If the Stone Drake were to gain a second wind for even a second, he would surely be killed.
The only solution was to see if the Sword Art attack worked against it.
This was the only way Zhang Ye could think of. If it failed, then he really had no choice but to give up.
Zhang Ye ready his katana, wielding one in his hand, activating sword art skills.
'Santoryu Sword Art Style (Three Sword/Blade Style)'
"Two Gorilla (Ni Gorira)"
"108 Pound Phoenix/Cannon (Hyakuhachi Pondo Hō)"
"Dragon Twister (Tatsu Maki)"
'Black Blade Art (Unknown Art)'
"Black Blade Brandish/One Flash (Kokutō Issen)"
"Earth-Crawling Slash Attack (Chi o Hau Zangeki)"
"Black Blade: 'Slash Riot (Kokutō "Samidare")"
Waves of wind slash containing different levels of might burst forth, carrying Zhang Ye's hope with them!
Faint ripples spread out on the surface of the muddy pool of water.
The ripples quickly spread, while Zhang Ye watched unblinkingly.
The invisible sound waves swept past, the Stone Drake's exposed claw twitched slightly and rapidly before becoming motionless again.
Just as Zhang Ye thought the wind slash attack was ineffective, the pile of rock and mud suddenly erupted in all directions. The rocks and mud nearly struck Zhang Ye.
A majestic figure, albeit filled with injuries, suddenly stood up. A pair of long, narrow scarlet eyes stared in Zhang Ye's direction, revealing its ferocity.
"Xilvlv…" Hanxue neighed in fear, retreating a few steps uncontrollably before its limbs gave out on it. It nearly fell on the muddy mountain path and threw Zhang Ye off its back.
"It's still alive!" Zhang Ye's complexion went incomparably pale, staring at the standing exotic beast, his mind blank.
The Stone Drake's sharp eyes made Zhang Ye feel as if he was in an ice cave; he almost couldn't move at all.
At the same time, Zhang Ye finally got a good look at this ferocious exotic beast's appearance.
It looked like a large fierce drake, nearly a meter and a half tall, and approximately three meters long. It was obviously a carnivorous exotic beast, but it had a pair of horns curving to the front, very similar to a bull's.
Although it looked fierce and mighty, the Stone Drake's condition right now was extremely poor.
Its entire body looked as if it was burned, with not a strand of hair remaining. Its charred skin was filled with scars, with only a tiny fraction of the exposed skin revealing some reddish yellow spots. Its original appearance was probably extremely pleasing to the eyes.
There was a wound on its head that extended from its left horn to its lower jaw, and its head was dyed from the mixture of its crimson blood and the muddy water.
Its left claw was even bent at a harrowing angle, yet it still supported its majestic figure proudly, unwilling to give in to its deadly injuries.
Obviously, the Stone Drake was struck by lightning during the thunderstorm a few days ago, and was swept here by the mudslide, buried under the rocks and mud, barely hanging on to life with its last breath.
It it weren't struck by the thunderstorm, ordinary impacts wouldn't have been able to hurt this ferocious exotic beast with its insane defenses.
"Rour!" a fierce rour out from the Stone Drake's mouth. Hanxue's body went limp once more, kneeling to the ground and threw Zhang Ye forward.
Zhang Ye use his final move.
Zhang Ye ready his ready his katana he associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, slash...
'Breath of Thunder Style Flare-Flare Fruit Version ( Kaminari no kokyū Goro Goro no Mi Version)'
"God Speed (Shinsoku)"
"Fifth Style: Heat Lightning (Go no kata: Retsu kairai)"
And a single, focused, slash attack conect to the nect of the Drake.
....., then replacing the sword in the scabbard.
just as Zhang Ye was about to unleash anothere skill, he discovered, to his astonishment, that the Stone Drake that seemed to be looking for blood suddenly turned into a streak of light.
Zhang Ye's head was still raised, looking ahead with a surprised expression. His gaze was filled with disbelief.
The Stone Drake actually died, just like that!
"Congratulations, get one Stamina Pill's pieces!"
"Congratulations, get one Stamina Pill's pieces!"
"Congratulations, get one Stamina Pill's pieces!"
"Ding because you kill a beast that more powerful than you,The System Management will give you a Special Reward. do you want to use it?"
Zhang Ye stagger'This Special Reward again.....Oh noooooo hope not like the othere time i ressive it'
"No"
"Congratulations, You recessive [Special Rewad] (1)!"
'Better not to recessive that reward here but i will see it later'
He didn't have the mind to care about his delayed happiness, nor the pain coming the system special reward. Zhang Ye kept his head raised, staring at the light the Stone Drake transformed into, chanting madly in his heart, "Monster core!Monster core!Monster core! pleasegive me a monster core"
As if it sensed the cheering in Zhang Ye's heart, the streak of light really didn't dissipate just like that. Instead, it quickly came together and turned into a dark color monster core, down to the mud water.
"Hahahaha, a monster core really dropped!" Zhang Ye laughed maniacally. He ran forward to the body of water. He didn't care about getting himself dirty, and scooped up the monster core from the muddy water. Holding the core between his palms, his body trembled from excitement.
The Stone Drake core is dark in color, the core releasing a small violet light .
A four-star comander-quality monster core!
Holding this monster core represented a powerful pet for othere, Zhang Ye's first thought was actually making a guess at how much this monster core could be sold for.
Alas, poverty had limited Zhang Ye's imagination. He couldn't make an estimation on this monster core value; he only knew that summon element mage would go crazy fighting for this core if he let go of it.
"Now, should I continue looking around in this area and see if I can find more exotic beasts injured from the thunderstorm?" Zhang Ye couldn't help but felt tempted after tasting such a huge benefit.
The Stone Drake was certainly not the only exotic beast hurt from the horrifying thunderstorm. If Zhang Ye would searched carefully, he'd surely find more.
After thinking it through carefully, however, Zhang Ye decided to give up on this enticing thought.
Him successfully killing the Stone Drake was all a lucky coincidence.
Instead of saying that the Stone Drake was killed by Zhang Ye, it would be better to say this powerful exotic beast was already at the end of its life after being struck by the thunderstorm. The sword art attacks from Zhang Ye were only the final straw that broke the camel's back.
However, if he encountered other powerful exotic beasts, Zhang Ye didn't dare to guarantee that their injuries would be as severe. If he were ever so slightly careless, he'd become those powerful exotic beasts' food.
With such a huge reward already in his bag, Zhang Ye couldn't afford to take such risks.
"One's eyes are bigger than their stomach. We should always learn to be content. I'd better leave this mountain range as soon as possible and head back in the safety zone's direction."
Over a week's time had passed on this trip to the beast world, with a bountiful harvest. Zhang Ye wanted to go back and rest for a few days, and keep his family company.