The shrill neighing sound intensified, causing Ning Yiyi to cover her ears in discomfort.
"What is this noise? It's making me dizzy."
The elemental spirits responded to the neighing, creating a cacophony that seemed almost ear-piercing.
Amidst this turmoil, the skeleton mage became disoriented, unable to cast a single spell accurately.
As anticipated, the more formidable the creature, the more challenging it is to contend with.
"If your assumption holds true, this likely signifies the presence of the Elemental Secret Realm's sovereign, the Queen of Elements," Lin suggested as he extended his hand, conjuring a dazzling red glow.
A vast scarlet net materialized, spanning the gap between heaven and earth.
Skill employed: Slowing Curse!
Instantaneously, massive blood-red shackles appeared above all visible elemental spirits, elongating the screeching sound.
Their speed was reduced to a mere fraction, virtually halting the dreadful screams, save for the most piercing neigh that persisted in the distance.
"Attack!"
Following Lin's command, the skeleton warriors advanced, their blades ready.
With the skeleton mage rendered ineffective by the elemental chaos, reliance shifted entirely to the skeleton warriors.
Fortunately, their swift and forceful strikes quickly decimated the majority of the opposition.
As the skeletons garnered the elemental spirits' attention, diverting them from the previously pursued individuals, those escapees perceived a glimmer of hope.
"We're saved!"
"The elemental spirits have ceased their pursuit. Are we truly out of danger?"
Curiosity and astonishment filled them as they observed the duo they had earlier deemed mad, now efficiently commanding a vast array of skeletons to obliterate the elemental spirits with ease.
"Who are these individuals, possessing such formidable power?"
"Such strength! I've never witnessed a summoner wield such power."
Amidst the shock, the elemental spirits were systematically eradicated.
Shortly thereafter, tranquility returned, although the elements remained in turmoil.
Dismissing the Skeleton Mage as merely ornamental in this situation, Lin opted to proceed without them.
"At last, silence."
"My head was on the brink of bursting," Ning Yiyi exclaimed, having found the noise unbearable.
"It was indeed an assault on the ears. Let's move on," Lin suggested, observing that the elemental spirits had been nearly eradicated.
In less than five minutes, over a thousand elemental spirits stood no chance against the legion of 150 skeleton warriors, overwhelmed by the stark disparity in their attributes.
Lin, leading the skeleton warriors, ventured towards the source of the sound, seeking the elemental crystals only obtainable from the secret realm's queen.
Though elemental crystals and crystal nuclei differ by merely a word, their significance spans the gap between basic and advanced levels, with crystals being essential for professionals above level 40.
As they advanced, Lin and Ning Yiyi beheld an indescribably mesmerizing scene where the four elements danced in harmony, creating a spectacle of beauty and danger.
"Beautiful!" Ning Yiyi was captivated, having never witnessed such a scene.
However, the beauty masked imminent danger, as a bolt of lightning struck, its speed unparalleled. The skeleton armor flickered, deflecting the attack and sparing Ning Yiyi from harm.
Ice arrows then rained down, each chilled to the core, targeting all skeletons.
Lin quickly employed the Slowing Curse once more, dispelling the illusion of beauty and revealing a mass of entangled elemental spirits.
The skeleton warriors, undeterred, advanced, prioritizing the wind elemental spirits. The subsequent assault swiftly culminated in the demise of these spirits, unveiling the secret realm.
Distinct from instances, the secret realm exists as a singular, shared space, making encounters with other teams a possibility, intensifying the competition for the coveted elemental crystals.
These crystals, capable of forging top-tier platinum weapons, hold immense value, with the potential to reach billions.
For Lin, however, their worth extended beyond weaponry, crucial for upgrading his talisman.
Entering the secret realm, they found themselves in an ice palace, a realm of elemental construction, where the first challenge was navigating a labyrinthine maze.
Utilizing the skeleton warriors for exploration, they quickly identified the correct path, bypassing the maze's challenges without direct confrontation.
Upon emerging, they faced a massive ice elemental spirit, its gaze cold and wrathful, as if offended by their intrusion.
Lin's quick assessment revealed its formidable attributes and unique vulnerabilities, setting the stage for a pivotal confrontation in the elemental secret realm's icy domain.