The impact created a crater several meters wide, and flames consumed everything in sight, including soil.
When the smoke finally cleared, the massive rat lay on the ground, its charred body twitching before it disintegrated into ash. A crystal core rolled out from the remains, pulsing faintly with red light.
Both Chu Miao and Ye Xuan stood there looking at the crater with only a crystal core in it.
They hadn't expected the fight to end so easily. The rat didn't even have the time to fight back.
Chu Miao floated into the crater and picked up the crystal core carefully, sealing it inside a jade container she found in the soul ring.
"Its energy is impure," she said softly. "We'll have to purify it later and see what it can do."
Ye Xuan exhaled, brushing dust from his clothes. "Let's leave this place before more of those things show up."
The two walked back to the car while holding hands in silent reassurance.
The others watched them approach, relief flooding their faces.
