Crossing the wilderness to survive, starting with a broken kitchen knife.

Upon returning to Alliance headquarters, Zhang Shi immediately assembled the Alliance's top magicians and scholars, forming a dedicated research team to conduct in-depth research on the Cyan Orb. After weeks of tireless effort, they finally discovered the evil magic within the Cyan Orb and found a way to counteract it. Furthermore, based on their research, they developed a new type of magic shield that could effectively defend against Lizardman attacks.

During this time, Zhang Shi and the others were also busy, constantly training and improving their strength. During one training session, Zhang Shi unexpectedly broke through a bottleneck and entered a new realm. His strength increased, his skills became more refined, and his Shadow Slash was even more powerful than before. Zhao Feng and Ge Dalong also made great progress. Zhao Feng's battle axe swung with vigor, each strike imbued with immense power. Ge Dalong's magical proficiency also reached a new level, significantly increasing the power of his ice magic and lightning spells.

As his strength grew and his research into the Lizardmen deepened, Zhang Shi decided to strike again, searching for their lair. He dispatched several reconnaissance teams to search various sea areas. After a lengthy search, he finally discovered traces of the Lizardmen in a mysterious sea. This area was shrouded in dark clouds, full of danger and mystery. Zhang Shi, leading the alliance's elite troops, cautiously entered the area.

In inclement weather, they encountered numerous Lizardman patrols, but Zhang Shi and his team easily dispatched them. After some exploration, they finally located the Lizardman's lair—a vast underwater palace. The palace's walls were inlaid with gemstones and crystals, emitting an eerie glow. The palace's gates were sealed, and the surroundings were filled with various defensive spells and traps.

Zhang Shi knew this would be a grueling battle, but he remained undaunted. He led the Alliance warriors toward the palace gates. The Lizardmen, sensing the Alliance's attack, immediately dispatched a large number of soldiers and magicians to resist. For a moment, the clashing of weapons and magical lights intertwined, and the battle became incredibly intense.

Zhang Shi unleashed Shadow Slash, sending black sword energy raining down upon the lizardmen, instantly slaying many. Zhao Feng brandished his battle axe, charging through the horde, each swing taking a handful of lives. Ge Dalong unleashed powerful magic, blasting ice storms and lightning spells against the palace's defensive magic and traps, attempting to break the lizardmen's defenses.

During the battle, Zhang Shi discovered that the Lizardmen were increasing in number, and their strength was even greater than before. Zhang Shi was secretly alarmed, knowing that this could not continue. He had to find the Lizardmen leader as soon as possible and defeat him to achieve victory. He used the Shadow Step to quickly penetrate the Lizardmen's defenses and rushed deeper into the palace.

Deep within the palace, Zhang Shi finally found the leader of the lizardmen—a tall, cloaked figure. The lizardmen looked at Zhang Shi and sneered, "Human, do you think you can defeat me so easily? Today is your demise!" He raised his wand and cast a powerful spell at Zhang Shi.

Zhang Shi quickly raised Old Duan to block the blow, but the lizardman leader's magic was too powerful, and he was knocked back repeatedly. Zhang Shi knew that to defeat the lizardman leader, he had to find his weakness. He carefully observed the lizardman leader's movements and noticed that he would pause briefly when casting magic. Zhang Shi's mind moved, and he unleashed Shadow Slash, stabbing the lizardman leader at the moment of pause.

The lizardman leader, unprepared for Zhang Shi's attack, paused for a moment and dodged, but was still slashed by Zhang Shi's sword energy. The lizardman leader roared in anger, his attacks becoming even more frantic. Zhang Shi, Zhao Feng, and Ge Dalong joined forces, engaging the lizardman leader in a desperate struggle. During the battle, Zhang Shi discovered a weak spot beneath the lizardman leader's robes. Seizing the opportunity, he unleashed his full strength and stabbed the lizardman leader in the weak spot.

The lizardman leader roared in pain, and his body began to shake. Zhang Shi took the opportunity to perform Shadow Slash again and slashed at the lizardman leader's neck. With a loud bang, the lizardman leader's head was chopped off, and his body slowly fell to the ground. As the lizardman leader fell, the surrounding lizardmen immediately fell into chaos. Zhang Shi shouted: "Everyone, don't fight too long, quickly eliminate the lizardmen and occupy the palace!"

Everyone responded, rushing towards the lizardmen. With their concerted efforts, the lizardmen were completely annihilated, and the palace was captured by the Alliance. Zhang Shi breathed a sigh of relief as he gazed upon the scene of victory. Suddenly, the entire palace erupted in a powerful light, so blinding that Zhang Shi and the others couldn't even open their eyes, and could only shield their eyes with their hands.

After a while, the light dissipated, and all the dead lizardmen stood up. The black-robed leader looked at Zhang Shi with a smile and mocked him.

"This is a place favored by the Holy One. Our warriors are immortal. What can you use to fight me?"

Zhang Shi was horrified. He quickly looked around and saw the fallen lizardmen's eyes flickering with strange red light, their bodies emanating a faint black mist. They were clearly being manipulated by some sinister force to resurrect. But Zhang Shi didn't panic. He knew he had to remain calm in order to find a solution.

"Everyone, don't panic! Follow my command!" Zhang Shi shouted loudly, his voice firm and powerful, trying to calm the Alliance soldiers. "Magicians, use your newly developed magic shields to protect yourselves and your comrades. Melee fighters, pay attention to defense and do not attack rashly!"

The Alliance's magicians reacted quickly, casting spells to activate the new magic shield. A pale blue light curtain formed in front of them, resisting the Lizardmen's attacks. While Zhang Shi was fending off the Lizardmen's attacks, he was rapidly thinking of countermeasures in his mind.

"Since this is what they call the Divinely Favored Land, it must have a core source of power," Zhang Shi pondered. He observed the layout of the palace and the surrounding magical fluctuations. He noticed that after the light faded, a huge black magic circle appeared in the center of the palace. The circle flickered with black light, echoing with the mist around the lizardman.

"Zhao Feng, Ge Dalong, let's rush towards that magic circle and destroy it! This may be the key to their survival." Zhang Shi shouted to the two people beside him. Zhao Feng and Ge Dalong nodded, their eyes full of determination.

The three men unleashed their unique skills. Zhang Shi's Shadow Slash continuously slashed at the lizardmen blocking their way. Zhao Feng swung his battle axe, repelling the approaching lizardmen. Ge Dalong used ice magic and lightning magic to restrain the other lizardmen, clearing a path for them to the magic circle.

In the fierce battle, they gradually approached the magic circle. However, the defenses around the magic circle were so strong that every attack was deflected by a black light curtain. Zhang Shi was extremely anxious, knowing that the longer they delayed, the more disadvantageous it would be for the alliance.