Naxitas Ancient Ruins.

In an inverted ancient manor.

"These Earth Spirits, though thick-skinned, are slow in movement and much easier to deal with than those Red Sand Ghosts." Tom smashed the last Earth Spirit’s shell with his war stick, picking out a dull yellow core from it and handed it to Bai Pu.

Bai Pu took it. This yellow core, about the size of a thumb, was the magic core of an Earth Spirit.

Earth Spirits are a type of Earth Attribute humanoid demon beast, somewhat resembling the "Dwarf Race" in traditional Western fantasy novels — short, stout, and solid in stature.

The difference is that the body of an Earth Spirit is composed of animated rock, lacking the intelligence of traditional dwarves and acting purely on instinct, which classifies them as demon beasts.

Obviously, during the "safe period" after the Blood Moon, the enemies in the tomb had become these Earth Spirits.

However, these Warrior-level Earth Spirit magic cores were really too inferior for Bai Pu. He tossed them back to Tom, not intending to use them to refine a Seed of Magic Power.

"Tano, do you know the origin of these Earth Spirits? It seems like they never stop coming. Every adventurer who comes to explore the ruins has taken down a large number of Earth Spirits." Tom had studied the data on the Naxitas Ancient Ruins, and was quite interested in the Earth Spirits.

Because the Earth Spirits in the Naxitas Ancient Ruins truly are "like wildfires that burn endlessly, regrowing with the spring breeze", emerging wave after wave.

Tano spoke earnestly, "It’s said that the Earth Spirits were formed from the remnants of the Holy Dragon King Oriane’s mana..."

"Haha, how is that possible? The battle between Oriane and Sarajael was thousands of years ago." Tom shook his head with a smile, "What kind of mana can last for thousands of years without dissipating?"

"Mana can’t, but if the Prismatic Saint Dragon King left an Ancient Relic, it’s another story," Bai Pu said.

Tom was stunned, then nodded, "That’s true."

"If there is an Ancient Relic of the Holy Dragon King, and it happens to be an Earth or Wind Attribute treasure, can I use it to cultivate a Seed of Magic Power?" Bai Pu wanted to confirm its feasibility.

"Impossible, Ancient Relics are imbued with Divine Power; mortals can’t refine Ancient Relics, they can only try to gain the relic’s recognition," Tom said confidently.

The group continued exploring, going through several areas of the ancient ruins, finally arriving at the Ancient Fountain Square.

However, in this fountain square, the fountain base was above their heads, long since dried up.

In front of the Ancient Fountain Square (inverted version), you could see smooth courtyard walls and an inverted gate.

That is the sacrificial tower of the Red Sand Kingdom, and their goal this time—the Lost Staff—is located at the highest floor of the sacrificial tower.

Of course, thousands of years ago, it was the highest floor of the sacrificial tower; now, with the city inverted, the highest floor of the sacrificial tower has naturally become the deepest part of the ruins.

The group entered the collapsed sacrificial tower and proceeded downward along the underside of the former spiral staircase, heading to the base of the tower.

This sacrificial tower was very spacious; each floor was like a hall, completely devoid of the typical narrowness of towers.

The Dai Sect silently followed behind.

Suddenly, Bai Pu raised an eyebrow as he sensed a slight vibration coming from the stone wall beside him.

A blurred yellow shadow emerged from the stone wall and quickly solidified into an Earth Spirit.

At the same time, figures of Earth Spirits sprang out from the stone walls, ceilings, and even the circular staircase beneath their feet.

"It’s those cockroaches again!"

Tom, annoyed, drew his war stick, first chanting an acceleration magic of [Wind’s Breath] for himself, then swung his stick.

Oshana also acted. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Be careful, something big is coming."

Bai Pu’s words had barely finished when invisible quicksand suddenly swelled up, forming two enormous hands of yellow sand, snapping towards Tom and Oshana!

Tom, overconfident, had only used acceleration magic and not the Magic Shield, and when grabbed, his body creaked under the pressure of the yellow sand, with his Life Value constantly decreasing.

Oshana was luckier; she had preemptively cast a Radiant Demon-Repelling Barrier. However, even so, the radiant barrier on her body began to show minute cracks.

The two were too inexperienced, ambushed by the sandy hands while dealing with Earth Spirits.

Now they could only rely on Bai Pu for rescue.

Instead of attacking the sandy hands directly, Bai Pu, holding a Two-Handed Greatsword, leapt up, dodging the attack of a third sandy hand, sprinting several steps along the tower’s inner wall.

Then, like a falcon, he slashed towards a shadowy corner of the tower with a sword wrapped in a terrifying roar!

Shattering Mountain Mystical Arts: Mountain Collapse and Earth Split!

In the shadows, a tall, gaunt mummy wrapped in bandages swung its magic staff, quickly turning into sand and vanishing on the spot.

This mummy’s combat power was laid bare in Bai Pu’s view.

397, probably the level of Level 8 Enhanced Warriors?

It couldn’t possibly be a Level 7 Lord; otherwise, this task would be difficult even for third or fourth-year students of War God Peak.

The same attributes—Level 7 Lords are much stronger than Level 8 Enhanced Warriors.

Regardless, with such high attributes, it was highly likely to be the "Sandstorm Mage" Bai Pu was looking for!

Before Bai Pu’s great sword could hit, the mummy with the magic staff had already gone underground.

This was its skill: Sand Dust Earth Technique!

However, Bai Pu’s sword technique was a Mystical Arts skill: Mountain Collapse and Earth Split. Even if the sword missed, it would still infuse a large amount of Blood River Fighting Qi into the ground when striking it, and then...

Violent eruption!

With a loud bang, sand and dirt spewed about, and the tall, thin mummy was forcibly shaken out, flailing its limbs as it soared into the air.

Being knocked into the air, the two sandy hands controlled by the tall, thin mummy naturally lost their magic support and crumbled into original yellow sand.

[Your Mystical Arts skill: Mountain Collapse and Earth Split caused 611 points of shock damage to the Sandstorm Mage, causing it to enter a float state.]

As expected, it’s the Sandstorm Mage! Could the staff in his hand be the Lost Staff?

"Tom, Oshana, I’ll take on this guy myself!"

Bai Pu, fearing these two would "contaminate" the Treasure Chest, quickly found an excuse, "You guys go deal with those Earth Spirits, don’t let them hinder me!"

Tom and Oshana also trusted Bai Pu’s judgment. This group of Earth Spirits was likely controlled by the tall, thin mummy, suddenly appearing to attack. As long as the Earth Spirits were dealt with, Bai Pu’s pressure would naturally be relieved.

While speaking, Bai Pu had already slashed sideways with a sword, the blade emanating a blood-colored light, with the blurred silhouette of collapsing mountains faintly flashing.

Bang!

Bai Pu’s sword did not cut into flesh, but instead, like a volleyball spike, blasted the Sandstorm Mage’s body away, crashing it into the rock wall.