Chapter Seventeen: The Secret Realm – Nest of the Subdragons

“Let me introduce my teammates,” she said.

She turned to a girl dressed in a pale blue mage robe. “Her name is Lu Yun. She’s level five, a B-tier combat class: Water Mage.” Lu Yun gave Xu Han a gentle, sweet smile.

Next, Xia Ling looked at a tall girl, nearly one meter seventy, clad in heavy armor and holding a shield. “This is Hou Xiaoyan, level five, B-tier combat class: Heavy Shield Warrior.” Hou Xiaoyan nodded and greeted him confidently, “Hello.”

Then Xia Ling turned to the last girl, who wore a pristine white priest’s robe and seemed somewhat shy. “Her name is Jin Xiaoxiao, B-tier combat class: Priest.” Jin Xiaoxiao’s cheeks flushed as she gripped her staff, not daring to meet Xu Han’s gaze. “Hello…”

Xu Han nodded to each of them, offering a greeting, then got straight to the point. “Let’s head to the secret realm.”

Xia Ling nodded in agreement. The five of them set off together toward the location of the secret realm.

To the north of the city lay a lake, populated mostly by aquatic beasts. After crossing the lake, they finally arrived at a barren stretch of hills. The beasts in this area were generally between level six and eight, and at this time of day, few people ventured here.

Led by Xia Ling, they soon spotted a vortex-shaped portal at the base of the hills.

“This is the portal we discovered,” Xia Ling said, pointing to it.

Xu Han stepped forward to inspect its information.

[Drake’s Nest]
[Level: Tier One Secret Realm]
[Description: Years ago, a drake claimed this place, becoming the ruler of the region. It has a penchant for hoarding treasures. Defeating it may grant you all its riches.]
[Entry Requirements: Level 5-10]
[Party Limit: 5]

As expected, it was a drake.

Xia Ling stepped up and said, “Let’s go in and take a look.”

Xu Han nodded. He reached out and pressed his hand against the swirling portal.

In the next instant, the world spun, darkness engulfed him.

When his vision returned, he found himself standing on a desolate land. The air was scorching hot, as if inside a furnace.

Xu Han looked around, realizing he was near a volcano. Streams of crimson magma flowed across the ground, sulfurous smoke filled the air, making it hard to breathe.

A startled cry came from behind. Turning, he saw it was Jin Xiaoxiao. The faces of Xia Ling and her companions were pale; this harsh environment was difficult for them. Xu Han, however, was largely unaffected.

He strode forward, with Xia Ling’s group following, alert to their surroundings.

Boom!

Just as they advanced, a nearby rock exploded with a deafening crash. From the rubble burst a gigantic, crimson serpent, shattering the surrounding stones. The temperature rose even higher.

Xu Han activated his probing eye to check the serpent’s details.

[Name: Lava Python (Elite)]
[Species: Serpent]
[Level: 8]
[Skill 1: Flame Mist LV.1 (A scorching aura surrounds the Lava Python. Approaching within three meters results in fire damage and sustained harm.)]
[Skill 2: Fireball LV.1 (Summons a fireball to attack enemies. Cooldown: 1 minute.)]
[Skill 3: Hot Wind LV.1 (Blasts scorching breath at enemies, causing burn damage. Cooldown: 3 minutes.)]

As soon as the Lava Python appeared, Xia Ling swiftly laid out her battle plan. “Xiaoyan, you’re responsible for holding the Lava Python’s attention. Xiaoxiao, make sure to heal Xiaoyan promptly—don’t worry about your mana.”

She tossed several bottles of potion over. Xu Han instantly recognized them as mana-restoring potions—precious and costly, each worth thousands. That Xia Ling could produce so many at once truly marked her as a wealthy heiress.

Xia Ling turned to Xu Han. “You need to keep the Lava Python occupied. If it starts targeting Xiaoxiao, act immediately!”

Xu Han nodded, eyeing the Lava Python thoughtfully. If Xia Ling knew he could finish off this serpent in a single strike, what would she think?

Hou Xiaoyan launched the first attack. Shield in hand, she charged like a tank toward the Lava Python. “Shield Bash!” she shouted, slamming her shield hard into the serpent.

Thud…!

The shield rang with a muffled impact. The Lava Python roared in fury, its crimson eyes locking onto its assailant. Its massive tail whipped through the air with a whooshing sound, crashing into the shield.

The force sent Hou Xiaoyan stumbling back two steps.

Xia Ling’s eyes lit up. “Xiaoyan has its attention! Strike now!”

She darted forward, light as a butterfly, and in an instant reached the serpent’s flank. Her sword flashed, raining blows on the Python.

Clang, clang, clang…

A crisp sound echoed; her blade bounced off as if striking steel, unable to pierce the serpent’s scales.

Lu Yun raised her hand. Her gentle gaze hardened. “Waterball spell!”

A head-sized sphere of water shot forth.

Sss!

The waterball burst against the Lava Python, scattering droplets everywhere. Steam hissed from its body, and its health dropped noticeably. Water magic was highly effective against it.

The serpent turned its venomous gaze on Lu Yun, hatred burning in its eyes. Its huge body lunged toward her.

Xia Ling’s face changed. “Lu Yun, be careful!”

“Xiaoyan, draw its attention!”

Hou Xiaoyan gritted her teeth. “Heavy Shield Strike!”

Her shield glowed with earthy light as she slammed it against the Lava Python.

Boom!

A tremendous impact resounded. The serpent was forced to a halt, but its hateful glare stayed fixed on Lu Yun.

Hou Xiaoyan’s expression shifted. “How is that possible?!”

She had just wounded the serpent, yet still hadn’t drawn its aggression.

The Lava Python opened its jaws; a blazing fireball rapidly formed. The temperature soared.

Xia Ling’s face paled. “Lu Yun, Xiaoxiao, run!”

Jin Xiaoxiao trembled, mind blank, unable to move her legs. Lu Yun grabbed her hand and fled quickly.

But the Lava Python’s fireball was nearly ready.

Xu Han narrowed his eyes. He swiped a finger across the Ring of Souls.

A surge of invisible energy blasted outward.

As it struck the Lava Python, the serpent suddenly froze. The fireball lost control and exploded with a deafening crash.

The Lava Python screamed in agony, its massive body collapsing. Its health plummeted.

The group stared at each other in disbelief.

Xia Ling quickly regained her composure. “Hurry! Finish it off!”

Everyone sprang into action, unleashing their skills in a desperate assault.

A minute later, the Lava Python was finally defeated.