"That’s not a problem; I can take you to Garrison City to find a job." Tom said, swallowing hard as the golden light in the hall dazzled his eyes.

Inside the hall, there were actually only two items displayed.

The "Lost Staff" was positioned in the center of the hall.

Beside the Lost Staff was the source of the infinite golden light—the Earth Dragon Bead. The bead was about the size of a fist, with a surface that gleamed golden, as if it was overflowing with endless energy.

"The Earth Dragon Bead is likely an ancient relic... We’re rich!" Tom exclaimed excitedly and immediately stepped into the hall. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

However, as soon as Tom entered the golden light range, a sudden change occurred!

The originally dazzling golden light transformed into golden light arrows that shot towards him as soon as Tom entered.

Tom swung his war stick to try to deflect them, but the golden light arrows, much like the True Red Power, ignored any parry or deflecting actions. Even Tom’s own Fighting Qi Defense was penetrated, with the arrows shooting straight into his body!

Tom let out a miserable cry, attempting to retreat, when an inexplicable powerful suction made it difficult for him to move.

In a critical moment, Bai Pu made a move, forcefully dragging Tom back with a Lasso Strike.

Several bloody holes appeared on Tom’s body, all caused by the golden light arrows. Strangely, no blood flowed from the holes, as if an invisible force devoured and annihilated it.

Though there was no bleeding, the side effects were quite severe as Tom’s Life Value Cap dropped and couldn’t be restored with potions!

Bai Pu noticed that Tom’s Life Value Cap had dropped by over five thousand points. In terms of calculation, each golden light arrow had knocked off 1000 points from the Life Value Cap, which was terrifying.

"How are you, Tom?" Oshana asked worriedly, casting Life Spirit Recovery Magic in an attempt to heal Tom.

However, the green light of the Recovery Magic was swallowed by an invisible force as it approached Tom’s bloody holes, unable to heal the wounds.

"It’s useless; I feel an unseen annihilation force in the wounds that can only be neutralized slowly using my Fighting Qi Energy," Tom said, somewhat fearfully. "Luckily, I managed to escape the coverage area of the Earth Dragon Bead, so that annihilation force is now like water without a source... I estimate it’ll take a few hours to mostly recover."

"Is the Earth Dragon Bead really that powerful?" Oshana frowned. "I’m curious why the Lost Staff is placed in such a dangerous spot. This Lost Staff task shouldn’t be that terrifying."

Everyone realized the danger just now. Each golden light arrow caused 1000 points of Life Value Cap collapse, and the strong suction made it nearly impossible to escape.

If someone entered this Secret Treasure Hall alone without help pulling them out, it would mean certain death.

Such a dangerous design, let alone Tom and Oshana, even a third-year top student couldn’t complete it alone. Under normal circumstances, the academy wouldn’t assign such a hazardous task.

"What a pity; the mission item is right in front of us..." Oshana was somewhat unwilling.

Tom suddenly laughed and half-jokingly said, "Dior, that Earth Dragon Bead is absolutely the best Source of Magical Power. If you use it to cultivate the Seed of Magic Power, you might quickly skip the Basic and Intermediate Mage stages and directly reach Advanced Mage magic levels. Advancing to Super Mage would also be very hopeful."

That’s how the mage levels are on the Demon Fighting Continent. Every Super Mage is a Lord Level Template.

Currently, Tom and Oshana are both Mid-level Mages, but they’re quite close to Advanced level.

While Lorich’s two exchange students, Laine and Amariel, are even stronger, being Advanced Mages.

"If I can get it... the Earth Dragon Bead will be mine." Bai Pu seriously discussed with Tom.

"Dior, that’s too dangerous!" Oshana hurriedly stopped, "At worst, we can just abandon this task."

"I’m quite confident," Bai Pu said.

"Honestly, us getting this far and even defeating the Twin Priestesses is all thanks to you. If you can get the Earth Dragon Bead, you deserve it; I have no objections," Tom said seriously.

"Alright, and you, Oshana?" Bai Pu asked the flat-toned girl.

"I have no objections either, but you need to consider this carefully, Dior," Oshana said with concern.

Bai Pu smiled, "As long as you guys can pull me out in time, I have no problems."

"There’s a niche spell in Life Spirit Magic called ’Mind Pull,’ which can pull you over with your consent," Oshana said, "Just plant a Mind Mark on you in advance."

Bai Pu glanced; along the way, Oshana’s affection level towards him had exceeded 1000 points, reaching a friend level (1966/3000).

The Spirit Realm Will’s data tips were something Bai Pu trusted. He had Oshana plant a mark on his back and then boldly walked toward the Secret Treasure Hall.

Before entering the Secret Treasure Hall, Bai Pu suddenly turned and looked at Guide Tano: "For offering us such a Secret Treasure, do you have no other requirements?"

Tano shook his head.

Bai Pu nodded to Oshana and cautiously took a step into the Secret Treasure Hall.

The blinding golden light suddenly transformed into golden light arrows.

An arrow shot through and pierced Bai Pu’s arm, leaving a bloody hole, and the Spirit Realm Will’s prompt arrived:

[You are affected by the Brahma Heaven Domain, unable to use any displacement skills with a priority not exceeding (10). If you attempt to leave the Brahma Heaven Domain, you’ll be drawn by domain gravity.]

[The Light of Annihilation dealt you 1000 points of true damage. This damage directly reduces Life Value Limit and cannot be parried or blocked.]

Bai Pu’s Life Value Limit dropped by 1000, leaving only 4350!

However, after taking a hit from the [Light of Annihilation], Bai Pu’s Adaptive Evolution was activated, collecting a new evolution state—Withered Hide!

Bai Pu immediately switched, and his skin turned gray like a Sandstorm Mage, transforming into a hide of dry skin and muscle fibers.

The second Light of Annihilation shot and landed on Bai Pu.

[The real damage priority of the Light of Annihilation is (10) points, priority clash ongoing...]

[Your Adaptive Evolution-Withered Hide damage reduction ability activated, reducing the true damage of the Light of Annihilation by 50%, and the time the annihilation energy dwells in your body is shortened by 50%.]

Bai Pu took the second Annihilation Arrow, reducing his Life Value Limit to 3850 points.

"The single damage reduced to 500 points now..."

Bai Pu sighed and immediately activated the Volcano’s Face!