The vinewood demons outnumber yesterday's stone spirits several times over, but the haul proves bountiful.
[Collected one-star wood x5.]
[Collected one-star wood x5.]
[Collected two-star wood x2.]
…
A vine lashes at Zhou Yan, missing as Diao Chan's blade sends it flying. "Thanks," he says, grateful.
Her gaze shifts. "That one's the culprit." A tree-like vine looms ahead.
[Monster: Vinewood Demon]
[Quality: Leader]
[Level: 8]
[Special: Resource Monster]
[Introduction: A rare resource beast led by a nucleus-bearing chief. Defeat it for rich rewards.]
Resource monsters—scarce and loot-laden—grow rarer still at leader rank. "Level 8 leader," Zhou Yan notes. "No wonder it nearly tagged me."
He glances at Diao Chan. "Chan'er, I'll handle the small fry—you take the boss."
"Easy," she replies. Her strength dwarfs this foe; fear doesn't touch her. Swift and fierce, she weaves through vines, her Lotus Sword Art slicing them apart in dazzling arcs. The leader counters with a barrage of tendrils, but she severs them effortlessly, closing in. A flurry of stabs pierces its core, reducing it to a glittering pile—golden light sparks Zhou Yan's thrill.
[Killed level 8 Leader Vinewood Demon. Gained 240 soul coins, 240 spirit coins, and a basic building treasure chest.]
"A building reward from a wild leader?" Zhou Yan marvels. Unheard of for novices—exploration's hidden perks shine. Trials brim with chances; his cheat-like edge and Diao Chan's might ensure gains. "We'll open it back home," he decides, focusing on the remaining demons.
After clearing the mob, he scoops up the leader's drops:
[Collected three-star wood x10.]
[Collected Vinewood Demon Seeds x8.]
[Collected one-star wood crystal core x1.]
[Collected one-star wood x100.]
[Collected two-star wood x50.]
[Collected bronze treasure chest x1.]
A lavish spread. One item puzzles him:
[Item: Vinewood Demon Seed]
[Quality: D]
[Introduction: Rarely forms post-leader death. Plantable in territories to fend off invaders; grows to level 10.]
"Guard plants?" Zhou Yan grins—Diao Chan's luck strikes again, netting eight sentinels. Their level 10 cap limits late-game use, but early on, they'll do. His Thorn Vine Fence craves a wood core for upgrades; this one-star version falls short, yet he pockets it—utility looms.
Clearing the stragglers takes time, yielding more chests than yesterday. Pushing forward, monsters thin out—only level 6 and 7 Howling Boars remain. They dispatch them, opting to backtrack through unexplored fog. No threats emerge; their power trumps anything below level 10.
Darkness falls as they linger in the wild. "Tough day," Zhou Yan sighs, torn between fatigue and glee. At the Spiritual Bamboo House, its aura washes over him, easing his weariness. A message pings—Qin Yao, forgotten amid the fray. Dozens pile up; he scans the latest:
"Are you there?"
"Yeah!" he fires back.
"Thought you'd bit it—good thing I can still reach you," she replies.
"Battle focus kept me off-grid," he explains. "No distractions out there."
"Fair," she concedes, her urgency softening.
He opens a trade; she accepts instantly, blind to his haul. Dumping corpses—boars, deer, more—she gawks. "How many did he slaughter?" she mutters, rubbing her eyes. Level 7 Howling Boars stun her further—this guy's a freak. She lags, jolted awake by his prods.
"Why no real name?" she presses, curiosity piqued. No leads post-trial; lords swarm globally—schools, groups, families awaken countless. Tracking him's a pipe dream.
"Business first—names don't matter," he dodges. "A fake one's pointless anyway." Anonymity shields him; only he can lift that veil.