Holding the Desert Queen Ant egg, a shimmering, translucent object in his palm, Lin contemplated its potential. Handing it to an animal controller could birth a new Desert Ant Queen, key to cultivating a vast ant colony. Control over the queen meant dominion over the colony—a tactical advantage Lin recognized could be quite valuable.
The silver weapons obtained from the Queen, while not essential to Lin's arsenal, promised a tidy sum in exchange. As the queen's corpse vanished, revealing a new passage, Lin's skeleton warriors led the way, venturing upwards from the underground labyrinth to the harsh desert surface once more.
Emerging into the blistering heat, Lin observed the stark contrast between the cool underground and the relentless desert sun. Ahead, a formidable structure—a castle, flanked by neatly arranged houses and a bustling military camp—loomed. Orcs patrolled the grounds, their disciplined movements hinting at a formidable enemy.
Eleven hours into the instance, time was of the essence. The Tyrant's Heart awaited, and Lin knew delays could jeopardize his quest. Suddenly, a potent beam of light targeted him, barely repelled by his skeleton armor. Retreating, Lin spotted the source: an Evil Eye Monster, floating menacingly, its gaze fixed on him.
The monster's attack, a Destruction Ray, packed immense power, revealing its mage nature through its high spirit attribute. Yet, its strength was its downfall. Lin's skeleton mages, with overwhelming force, obliterated the creature, leaving Lin to pocket the fallen Magic Eye Crystal—a tool for alchemists and array masters, though deemed low-level by Lin.
With new caution, Lin advanced, his eyes scanning the skies for more threats. The military camp soon revealed its inhabitants: Desert Lion Warriors, armored and imposing, each movement exuding power and discipline. Unlike the scattered monsters Lin had previously encountered, these required strategy and might to defeat.
Yet, Lin, with his formidable army of skeletons, charged forth. The skeleton mages unleashed a torrent of elemental fury, decimating the lion warriors before Lin employed his Corpse Explosion skill, turning the battlefield into a scene of devastation.
Advancing, Lin faced a new challenge: Desert Lion Archers from the castle's heights, their arrows raining down like deadly rain. Despite their efforts, the skeleton warriors struggled to scale the castle walls, repelled by the relentless barrage.
Determined, Lin focused on the castle gate, a sturdier target yet a critical vulnerability. "Since the top route fails, the gate shall be our path," Lin commanded, rallying his skeleton warriors for a concentrated assault. The promise of breaching the castle gates spurred them on, an unyielding force against the sandstone barrier.
As the battle raged on, Lin's strategic mind plotted every move, each decision leading closer to the Tyrant's Heart. The desert's harsh sun bore down, a mere backdrop to the unfolding conflict, as Lin Moyu pressed forward, an unstoppable force in the vast and unforgiving desert.