My Misfortune Crushed Instances

Li Rui stomped his foot, and as the thought of going down crossed his mind, the black snake beneath him obediently lowered its head, bringing him closer to the ground.

He slid down along the Profound Snake’s side and stood back on the ground.

At this time, the Evil Qi on the plains was all retrieved, and this dead-and-revived giant serpent was strengthened by the jade ball. It was even more powerful than the Witch King of Ghost City and had reached an epic level battlefield status.

Not sure if it could match Cheng Wen’s level, but it was at least at the tier of Hopkins or Landry.

He turned to look at the giant serpent, and used the temporary contract from his inventory again. The Profound Snake coiled up, then transformed into black smoke, converging back into the jade ball.

Li Rui put the ball back into his inventory. The temporary contract turned to a closed state, with an option to split available, allowing retrieval of the Great Demon Black Law. However, the Profound Snake should revert to a skeleton then.

Due to the jade ball retrieving its overflowing Evil Qi, the creature should be completely dead.

After storing his items properly, he turned to see the uncertain expressions of the crowd.

These guys didn’t know how to deal with Li Rui anymore.

They initially thought his presence had already resolved the local Demon Race hostility, which was impressive enough, yet later, as they ventured deeper with the main force, he displayed unimaginable power.

But as a person with the designation 01, having such formidable strength was considered normal, even if it surpassed common understanding. Although shocking, it was within reason.

But now, they couldn’t comprehend his actions at all.

Who collects a boss into their inventory mid-battle?

Is the Secret Realm battlefield your house? Taking whatever you want — will you next collect the Western Kingdom and Polar Alliance people too?

Hu Neng stepped forward and stutteringly asked, "Brother Xiaoli, what’s going on, that snake....."

Li Rui didn’t leave them hanging and replied honestly, "Earlier I handled another large loot yield site, where there was a Legendary Level item connected to this snake, allowing me to collect it."

This explanation, albeit still absurd, made the situation somewhat understandable.

A Legendary Level item could have such effects in the Secret Realm battlefield, which was justified, especially considering their existing connection.

"Sir."

Yu Xin said, "We can start searching for the spoils now."

So Li Rui helped the Battlefield Doctor with treating the injured, and then joined the others to explore the ruins at the plains’ center.

This was originally a site where various tribes of Mire Marsh jointly held ancestral ceremonies, but was later largely destroyed by the intrusion of the Profound Snake. During the struggle, when the Great Demon Black Law possessed it, the surroundings were utterly ruined, increasing the difficulty of the search.

Fortunately, daylight brightened the views, and with combined efforts, they finally found the items they had heard about from the Demon Race.

Li Rui asked the enforcer to unload the prepared boxes, and under Hu Neng’s organization, the spoils were sorted orderly.

"Epic level items go in this box."

"Materials for enhancement go in this one."

"Equipment? Do we have any? First check attributes; if there’s a need, speak up."

Being the loot collection team, they could first choose usable equipment. If needed, Hu Neng would confirm if their merits from prior actions were sufficient to exchange them.

Li Rui first collected the refined gold coins; there were six altogether, bringing him closer to unlocking the final loot.

Aside from this, he also selected two Epic Level items — one being a booster item that doubles attribute power within a minute, and another being a temporary life-saving substitute talisman.

"Brother Xiaoli, do you see anything usable?"

Hu Neng prioritized all equipment for him to select, bypassing usual priority procedures.

This was normal, as during the northern expedition, Li Rui single-handedly solved most difficulties, including hostility from the Demon Race and threats from Undead and bosses. If he wanted anything, nobody in the team would compete with him.

Unfortunately, Li Rui now wore Epic Level attire, and without Legendary Level gear, it hardly caught his eye.

Seeing this, Hu Neng understood; top masters are usually draped in Epic Level gear, and judging by his displayed prowess, his equipment was both high quality and functional.

Li Rui wasn’t here for the gear; he was most concerned with the Legendary Level material, Inch of Glowing Stone.

When the Shenxiao Thunderbolt Heart Scripture ascended to Lv5, a derivative skill, Thunderbolt Flash, appeared, but unlocking required this material.

Derivative skills usually surpassed standard ones, and until now, Li Rui possessed two similar skills.

Reviving Peach Mist, granted by Peach Blossom Spring’s Lightning Peach Wood Essence, allowed his mediocre healing to rival major heals, and if he were a supportive class, the healing effect would be more pronounced.

The other derivative skill was even stronger, originating from the Great Fire Bell Spell, called All Heaven Thunder Fire Spell, now his strongest skill.

Having precedent, he eagerly awaited the prowess of this Legendary Level skill’s derivative.

Upon his request, the Inch of Glowing Stone was promptly delivered.

"Thank you, thank you."

Smiling, he took it and stored it in his inventory, opening the panel of Shenxiao Thunderbolt Heart Scripture, which now had an additional option in the derivative skills section.

[Requirement: Inch of Glowing Stone 1/1, use?]

Li Rui chose yes without hesitation, smoothly acquiring a new skill without any waves.

Beside him, Hu Neng wondered what he needed the Legendary Level material for; upon seeing he stored it, he wanted to inquire about his next move.

"Brother Xiaoli, you....."

He had just started speaking but was abruptly interrupted, as Li Rui vanished.

Hu Neng rubbed his eyes, confirming he wasn’t seeing things or hallucinating — a living person disappeared before his eyes, leaving only tiny gold thunder threads in the air.

Turning to search, he quickly found him already a hundred meters away.

"....What the heck, he had this ability, yet looked so desperate atop the snake’s head; wait, could it be.....?!"

This well-traveled city-level branch president had figured out the truth.

Clearly, Li Rui unlocked a new skill using the Inch of Glowing Stone.

Hu Neng pondered in his mind.

"He took a trip to Mire Marsh, gaining a contract creature stronger than the boss and a teleportation skill — what an upgrade. Isn’t he nearly as strong as Commander Cheng now?"

Thinking about it, he suddenly noticed Li Rui started sprinting furiously, moving several seconds before teleporting again, disappearing swiftly from sight.

"Ah?" Hu Neng could barely comprehend it, simply concluding expert conduct was inscrutable.