33: unexpected gains

Ye Xiao was somewhat incredulous looking at the sudden prompt.

After killing the Giant Spark Ghost, he actually collected 1 fire element essence fragment?

At the same time, Ye Xiao also saw a change in the Fusion Mage quest in his quest log.

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【Collection of Elemental Essence: To fuse different powers, please collect at least three types of Elemental Essence.】

【Current Collection Progress: 1 / 10 Fire Elemental Essence】

---

He initially thought that the second stage of the Fusion Mage quest was to have him go to other secret realms in the Eternal World to conquer elemental monsters.

Now it seemed he had misunderstood.

The quest issued by the crimson moon token was to have him collect Elemental Essence in the crypt.

Moreover, while gaining fire element essence fragment, he could also enhance his own strength.

One fire element essence fragment provided Ye Xiao with a 20% increase in fire-type Skill damage.

This directly boosted his Fireball's single-hit damage from over 2500 to 2969 points.

It was an increase of nearly 500 points.

If he collected all 10 Fire Elemental Essences, wouldn't his Fireball's power become completely heaven-defying?

At this moment, he was even more certain of his previous thoughts.

This crypt must have some connection with the crimson moon token he possessed.

Ye Xiao suddenly felt a bit fortunate.

If it weren't for those two NPCs invading his secret realm earlier.

Perhaps he wouldn't have discovered the existence of the crypt.

Now with the crypt, he might be able to complete the Fusion Mage quest faster.

With this thought, Ye Xiao no longer had the idea of leaving the crypt.

He just didn't know if the Spark Ghost would appear again.

Just then, Ye Xiao noticed.

A Skill Stone had dropped at the original resting place of the Giant Spark Ghost.

Ye Xiao picked it up.

However, what he saw made Ye Xiao freeze.

But then he showed a look of joy.

A Fireball Skill Stone!

Previously, the main reason why Ye Xiao found so few Fireball Skill Stone in the market was that Fireball could only drop from pure fire elemental monsters.

And in the Eternal World, the only one that fit this characteristic was the Boss, Flame Demon God, in the Blazing Furnace secret realm.

However, the Blazing Furnace secret realm was a level 100 secret realm.

With Ye Xiao's current level, he naturally couldn't enter it.

Coupled with the fact that Fireball was a mandatory skill for mages to advance their Profession.

Therefore, very few people would specifically farm Blazing Furnace for Fireball.

The Fireball Skill Stone that occasionally appeared in the trading market were merely picked up by other Professionals after conquering the Flame Demon God.

This was the reason why Fireball Skill Stone were so scarce.

However, he never expected to find a Fireball Skill Stone here.

Thus.

It strengthened Ye Xiao's resolve to stay here.

Even if it wasn't for the Fusion Mage's Profession advancement quest.

Just by hunting more monsters, he could increase his Fireball's power.

There was no reason to leave now.

However, Ye Xiao still had many questions about the crypt.

He clearly heard the Giant Spark Ghost call him an 'invader' before attacking.

And its tone was full of hostility.

Before that, those eerie eyes had called it an 'otherworldly creature'.

Also, when the Red Moon appeared, those eerie eyes clearly knew of the Red Moon's existence.

That's why it said something like, 'It's that trick again.'

What exactly is the Red Moon?

He originally thought it was just an item to trigger a hidden quest, but now it seems it's not as simple as Ye Xiao thought.

He shook his head.

Ye Xiao first learned the Fireball he unexpectedly obtained.

The total number of Fireballs reached 31, and the total damage, with all effects applied, reached 92,125 points.

Ye Xiao nodded in satisfaction, just thinking about his next actions.

Suddenly, the purple crystals under his feet vibrated.

Streams of scorching lava surged out.

However, Ye Xiao saw clearly.

These were not lava.

Instead, they were formed by countless thumb-sized red insects.

In almost the blink of an eye.

These red insects spread everywhere, frantically rushing towards Ye Xiao's position.

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【Volcanic Rock Demon】

【Level: 20】

【Health: 1000】

【Attack: 200】

【Defense: 50】

【Description: Small in size, its body is covered in volcanic rock formed by pure fire Elemental Essence, making its entire body appear as if on fire. When attacking, it absorbs the energy from the volcanic rock and transforms it into scorching lava attacks.】

---

The monsters that appeared this time, in terms of attributes, were not much stronger than monsters of the same level in the outside world.

But in Ye Xiao's opinion, the threat level of these Volcanic Rock Demons was far more terrifying than the previous Spark Ghosts.

Don't let their thumb-sized appearance fool you; they could form a torrent like lava.

Their numbers were at least several thousands.

Such a terrifying number, even a Fifth-Rank Professional would probably perish on the spot.

He didn't have time to think much.

Seeing these Volcanic Rock Demons already rushing towards him.

Ye Xiao's Fireball shot out like a Gatling gun, sweeping frantically.

Fortunately, these insect-like Volcanic Rock Demons were very fragile.

Under Ye Xiao's frantic barrage.

A small group could be taken down in a few seconds.

At this moment, Ye Xiao deeply realized the importance of area-of-effect Skills.

He decided.

When he got out and had money, he would definitely learn an area-of-effect Skill.

Meanwhile, dense streams of experience messages popped up.

Ye Xiao took a moment to glance.

Upon seeing it, he was immediately overjoyed.

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【Ding! You killed a Volcanic Rock Demon, gaining 968 experience points, and your Fire Resistance + 1】

【Ding! You killed a Volcanic Rock Demon, gaining 968 experience points, and your Fire Resistance + 1】

...【Ding! Congratulations, you have leveled up to Level 36】

---

Because Ye Xiao's current level already exceeded the Volcanic Rock Demon's by more than 10 levels, he only received a mandatory 1 experience point.

However, with the additional bonuses from that pile of experience Skills, he still managed to get 968 experience points.

Although not much, it couldn't withstand the sheer number of Volcanic Rock Demons.

Under this fierce sweep.

Ye Xiao's leveling up was no surprise.

But what truly surprised Ye Xiao was that these Volcanic Rock Demons could provide him with Fire Resistance.

Although it was a meager 1 point.

But in that blink of an eye just now.

Ye Xiao's Fire Resistance had already accumulated over 500 points.

And in front of him, there were thousands of Volcanic Rock Demons.

If he killed them all, it would bring him several thousand points of Fire Resistance.

It was simply too comfortable.