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

After returning to the island, Zhang Shi plunged into his secret research room, filled with the scent of old books and the faint glow of magical materials. He placed the mysterious gem in the center of the magic circle and carefully carved auxiliary runes around the rune scales, attempting to find a way to control them from ancient magical knowledge. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, but he was oblivious, his eyes fixed only on his determination to unlock the secrets of Lizardman magic.

Zhao Feng focused his attention on tactical training for his warriors. He set up a mock battlefield in the open space in the center of the island, recreating the lizardmen's forms and attack patterns using wood and magical paint. Every morning at dawn, he led his warriors into battle, roaring and roaring, his axes striking the "enemy"'s vital points time and again. The thuds of blows and the fervent cries of war echoed, keeping everyone on edge.

Ge Dalong was also busy. He set up a makeshift workshop near a mysterious magic spring deep within the island. The magical aura there was so rich it was practically tangible, aiding him in refining special potions. He sorted and ground the rare herbs he had gathered, adding the magical essence drawn from the spring. In the blazing magic furnace, the potions seethed and boiled, gleaming with a strange light. Each bottle of potion carried with it the hope of the people against the Lizardmen.

The peaceful days were fleeting. One day, a strange haze suddenly enveloped the island. Amidst the howling wind, mysterious runes loomed. Zhang Shi and his companions hurried out to investigate. They saw a gigantic lizard, a phantom formed from magical energy, loom in mid-air. Its maw opened wide, and a deep, heart-shaking voice rang out: "Humble ants, true revenge is about to come. Prepare for annihilation!"

Everyone was startled, knowing that the Lizardmen were coming to kill them.

Zhang Shi's eyes were like torches, and he clenched his fists: "Come on, we are not vegetarians!" Zhao Feng waved his battle axe, bringing up a whirring wind: "This time, we will make sure they never come back!" Ge Dalong quickly counted the potions in his backpack, his eyes firm.

Soon, black waves began to form on the distant sea surface. Larger Lizardmen warships, entwined with black magic chains, surged towards them. Their rams flashed coldly, threatening to shatter the island. The island's defense towers launched their first attack, shooting out magical beams, but the magical chains surrounding the warships absorbed and neutralized them.

The warriors arrayed themselves on the beach. Initially, a barrage of artillery fire was launched, but the lizardmen's magical shields completely blocked it, causing no casualties. Zhang Shi flashed, unleashing Shadow Step, even faster and more ethereal. In the blink of an eye, he boarded a warship. He fiercely slashed at the magic chains with his blade, only to find they were incredibly strong, their shock numbing his arm. Seeing this, Zhao Feng roared and charged, his battle axe swung wide at the lizardmen scrambling up the beach. Each blow carried immense force, but the enemy remained relentless, seemingly endless.

Ge Dalong continued to maneuver from behind, manipulating magical flames to transform a vast expanse of beach into a sea of ​​fire, blocking the Lizardmen's advance. He also threw a specially crafted smoke potion to disrupt the enemy's vision. However, the Lizardmen magicians combined their magic to summon a torrential downpour, instantly extinguishing the flames and dispersing the smoke.

At a critical moment, Zhang Shi, locked in a stalemate with the magic chain, felt a scorching heat coming from the rune-emblazoned scales. With an idea, he pressed the scales against the chain. Instantly, the runes on the scales and the magic light on the chain intertwined and collided, emitting a dazzling glow. Then, the chain began to loosen and crack.

"Old Ge, increase your magic output and lend me a hand!" Zhang Shi shouted. Ge Dalong understood, and with a wave of his hands, a powerful surge of magic flowed out, injecting it into the clash between scales and chains. With a loud bang, the magic chains shattered, and the warship was instantly unprotected.

The morale of the alliance soldiers was greatly boosted, and they rushed towards the enemy ship shouting. Zhang Shi, Zhao Feng and Ge Dalong were at the forefront.

Suddenly, the center of the island shook, deep cracks appeared in the ground, and magma gushed out. A giant lizard beast, covered in magma armor and with sharp horns on its head, slowly crawled out. With every step it took, the island trembled and magma splashed in all directions.

Zhang Shi and his companions gazed upon the apocalyptic scene before them, their hearts filled with shock and despair, but their gazes remained resolute. They knew that this ultimate showdown with the Lizardmen was inevitable, and only a desperate battle could protect their homes, loved ones, and hopes... Thus, Zhang Shi divided his forces into two groups, each fearlessly charging towards the behemoth.

While running towards the giant beast, Zhang Shi shouted to Zhao Feng beside him: "Brother Feng, take a team of brothers to go around to the side of the giant beast and attract its attention. Don't fight hard, use guerrilla warfare! Lao Ge and I will find its weakness from the front, and we will attack it from both sides!" Zhao Feng nodded heavily, his eyes full of determination. He quickly gathered a team of agile soldiers and detoured to the flank of the giant beast like a cheetah.

Zhang Shi and Ge Dalong braved the oncoming heat wave, charging headfirst into the beast. Ge Dalong rapidly formed hand seals, muttering something to himself. In a moment, a crystal-clear ice shield formed before them, shielding them from the intense heat of the magma's spurting lava. Zhang Shi seized the opportunity to pull the rune-encrusted scales from his bosom. Under the powerful magical energy emanating from the beast, the scales shimmered with light, eagerly revealing a secret.

When he was dozens of steps away from the giant beast, Zhang Shi keenly noticed that every time the beast swung its giant claws burning with magma to attack, a gap between the scales on its chest would briefly flash a strange light. He was moved, could that be the vital point?

"Old Ge, see that spot on its chest? Let's find a way to attack it!" Zhang Shi shouted. Ge Dalong's gaze fixed on where Zhang Shi pointed, and then he understood. He thrust his hands forward, and the ice shield instantly transformed into countless sharp ice spikes, which rained down on the beast like arrows. Although most of the ice spikes instantly vaporized upon contact with the magma armor, they did manage to distract the beast somewhat.

Zhang Shi seized this brief moment and unleashed a modified version of his Shadow Step. With lightning speed, he was at the beast's feet in the blink of an eye. He leaped high, his blade brimming with magical energy, and stabbed fiercely at the shimmering spot on the beast's chest. However, the beast reacted with remarkable swiftness. With a stomping of its foot, the ground shook violently, and a column of magma erupted from the earth. Zhang Shi was unable to dodge, and the lava splashed onto his right arm, hitting the area previously corroded by the venom. To make matters worse, the arm armor hadn't fully repaired, leaving most of Zhang Shi's arm exposed. The lava splashed, sending a sharp, piercing pain through him, and he nearly lost control of the Old Duan.