106: Shi Li, comparable to [Emerald]

Having just completed a simulated mission, he needed some time to rest, so he arranged to meet the other party in 10 hours.

That evening, Shi Li took a Card Hall airship to the entrance camp.

Xiu Qingshan was not there, so he did not go to greet him.

On the way from the camp entrance to the Pioneer Team 1 residence, Shi Li's rank change attracted the attention of many Pioneer Team members.

"Hoh, isn't that the kid who triggered the Core Event? How did he become Platinum 1?"

"I heard he chose the 'Pledge of the Earth', and a Platinum 1 can also enter this exotic."

"Then, wouldn't he become the strongest combat force in the Pioneer Team?"

Their tone contained envy.

Members of the Pioneer Team in a Level 3 exotic all signed fixed-term contracts; promotion to Platinum within the term would be considered a breach of contract.

However, to be honest, even if the contract expired, most people would choose to renew.

After all, they were already accustomed to being elites at the Gold rank; being promoted to Platinum would likely cause them to lose their current livelihood, and their income would probably plummet.

Arriving at Pioneer Team 1's camp, it was empty.

Except for a few members on rotation, everyone else was in the exotic.

Shi Li greeted everyone and was about to go through the process of applying to enter the exotic when his phone rang.

Before he could answer, he saw Old Han standing at the camp entrance.

This call was from him to Shi Li.

"Shi Li! You finally came!"

Old Han hung up the phone, but his words stopped halfway: "Let me tell you... Hmm?!

You're amazing, kid! It hasn't been that long since we last met! And you've already been promoted!"

"Brother Han, long time no see."

Shi Li greeted him with a smile.

"You've come at just the right time; I was looking for you."

Old Han picked up the conversation again.

"Actually, a few days ago, the number of people who completed the prerequisite mission reached 12.

Zhang-dui delayed for several days waiting for you, but later she couldn't resist the urging of the other three Pioneer Teams, so today they have already gathered and set off towards the Holy Valley!"

The intensity of this exotic, which showed signs of expansion, was clearly somewhat beyond Level 3, and theoretically, the chances of Pioneer Team members completing the Core Event were not high.

But as members of the Pioneer Team, they couldn't possibly not even try.

This was not only due to self-interest but also included responsibility.

As a member of the Show Card Hall and having received guidance from Xiu Qingshan, Zhang He naturally wanted Shi Li to participate.

The Pioneer Team had its own rhythm and couldn't wait for Shi Li alone.

All she could do was send Old Han out as soon as possible to inform Shi Li.

"Alright, then I'll go in immediately."

Shi Li heard this and had no intention of delaying.

During the pioneering stage of an exotic, anyone entering generally needed to go through a process of approval and application.

However, due to Shi Li's somewhat special identity, and the fact that he was also carrying a prerequisite mission.

So his approval was very quick, completed in just 5 minutes.

Entering the exotic again, the sensation of weightlessness returned.

When he opened his eyes, he was already in another world, his head feeling a little dizzy.

After a few seconds, Shi Li recovered.

During this period, the temporary base was as usual, with occasional monster attacks but none on the large scale of the first day.

The Pioneer Team members stationed at the camp were more than capable of handling them.

After information sharing, a new map had been formed.

Shi Li immediately proceeded in the direction of the Holy Valley, choosing to walk for safety.

Unlike the previous exploration route, this time the direction was clear.

He estimated that if he traveled overnight, it would only take him three days to reach the Holy Valley.

If all went well, he might even be able to meet Zhang He's team ahead of schedule.

However, on the afternoon of the second day, the situation suddenly changed.

While jogging, several lines of text popped up in front of Shi Li without warning.

【Event (Hunting Winged Beasts) has been completed.】

【Event enters the next stage.】

【Accept / Decline Mission】

【Core Event】: Gather Divine Stones, 0 / 4 (This mission is shared)

【Content】: To close the Tongtian Gate, the High Priest needs eight divine stones of different colors. The Weng Weng Clan has entrusted you to collect four of them (Red, Yellow, Green, Blue).

【Reward】: High Priest's Commendation

"Zhang-dui and her team have already reached the Holy Valley."

Shi Li didn't expect that even though he wasn't present, he could still jointly activate the next stage of the mission.

This mission also came with a directional map.

The directional map had no terrain features, only marked four target red dots and his current location with a green dot, as well as the distances between them.

"This red dot is very close to me."

Shi Li scrutinized it and found that the closest red dot was only 100+ kilometers away from him.

"If it doesn't take long, it shouldn't cause any trouble."

After thinking about it, he decided to ride his bike over.

With his riding skills, it would probably only take half an hour to get there.

So, riding at full speed, Shi Li arrived at his destination in 25 minutes.

Why he knew this was the destination, besides it being marked on the directional map, was also because the environment here was quite distinct.

A large area of towering stones forming a natural rock maze, very conspicuous on the plain.

And these stones were very unusual, all emitting a Deep blue light.

Crystal clear, like gemstones.

"No monsters seen for now."

Shi Li stood outside and observed for a bit, finding no trace of monsters.

He walked to the outermost large stone and activated Gather.

【Gather failed, Stamina - 1】

【Gather failed, Stamina - 1】

【Gather successful, Stamina - 2】

【You obtained [Glowing Blue Stone (No Star)] x1.】

He looked at the No Star material card in his hand.

【Glowing Blue Stone】: A useless material.

"This shouldn't be the so-called Divine Stone, right?"

He opened the mission panel and saw that it still displayed 0 / 4.

It seemed he would have to venture further inside.

As soon as his foot stepped in, text immediately popped up in front of him.

【You have entered a special area.】

【In this area, both sides of the card game only have 1+1 card slots.】

"It's actually a special area."

Shi Li raised an eyebrow.

In exotics, sometimes due to various reasons, there are areas with special rules.

The vast majority restrict card game rules, and some peculiar minority even restrict the card player's personal actions.

For example, not being able to speak, or not being able to lift both feet off the ground.

"But it doesn't matter, if I'm 1+1, the monsters are also 1+1."

He was about to fight 1+1, and he believed this was his strong suit.

Holding two unique Characteristic cards, he honestly even dared to contend with a Emerald card player in such a special area.

【Squeak, squeak, squeak!】

Soon after walking in, Shi Li heard a sharp cry from ahead.

As expected, such places were not without monster habitats.

Upon closer inspection, he found it was a strange ant as large as a bicycle.

It had a stinger at its tail and its body was a blue similar to the stones.

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