Li Ang threw the green gemstone into the ever-gathering dust.
The ordinary dust quickly cooperated with these gemstones to form, with malachite as the core, encased in soil, and turquoise adorning the surface, both as decoration and stabilizing the flow of magic power within the earth body.
Finally, a large emerald was embedded at the top of the Earth Elemental creation, whose active spirit could increase its combat wisdom.
This is Elemental Summoning, a skill that calls upon the four major elements to form combat units.
If Ascended Casting is performed according to the input magic power, it can also be molded into a desired shape.
Li Ang gathered Tier Five magic power, shaping it into the form of a beast, hoping it might exhibit species advantages similar to mustelid animals when confronting enemies.
Standing before him was an earth quadruped larger than a lion, with slightly shorter limbs, a long body, and a big tail for balance, suitable for rolling and exerting force in fights with snakes.
With the decoration of green gemstones, its brown body instantly appeared mysterious and noble.
Li Ang's summoning was not yet finished.
He pointed, and the Elemental Beast lay down and rolled, quickly embedding the surrounding abundant gemstones into its exterior soil, aggregating with magic.
At last, the creature covered with jade armor was fully formed.
[Earth Elemental Creation—Beast Form]
[A combat creation assembled by Earth element through an Elemental Summoning Spell, fearless, and never stopping battle until the Summoner's magic is exhausted, continually supplementing elements to repair its body.]
[Species: Element]
[Combat Wisdom: Tier 4]
[Servant: None]
[Energy Source: None]
[Physical Strength: Earth body, Tier 3. Jade Armor, Tier 6.]
[Special Attack: Earth's Fury Rampage]
[Skills: Elemental Body, Form of the Fierce Beast]
[Combat Power Amplification: 8%]
"Truly extravagant."
Upon seeing its magnificent appearance, Li Ang couldn't help but smile.
In the Nebis World, minerals are not scarce, so diamonds, corundum, and other gemstones aren't as incredibly valuable as on Earth, but still hold significant worth, probably downgraded from Lamborghini or Ferrari to high-spec non-sport car BBA.
The abundance here is purely thanks to the giant serpent's Golden Blood. It's unimaginable how abundant its spirit must have been to attract enough magic upon death to create such a vast array of gemstones.
High-value gemstones, of course, make for excellent casting materials. Aside from earth attributes, rubies and sapphires each possess fire and water attributes, respectively.
The attributes, whether of Demons or materials, are determined by elemental composition, where any element exceeding 50% marks its attribute.
Even though Nebis's geological activities are driven by Earth Elements, magma and groundwater within the earth incorporate fire and water elements into gemstones, creating rubies and sapphires fundamentally different from those on Earth.
Li Ang casually picked a few good-quality corundums, while handing some diamonds to Zoe.
The dazzling diamonds left the young girl, seeing real gemstones for the first time, spellbound, her cheeks flushed as she cradled and toyed with them in her palms.
"When you release Earth Elemental Arrows, invoke them, and you'll receive stronger responses."
Among numerous gems, diamonds serve as casting materials rich in Earth Element, typically at Transcendent Tier Four.
Normally, no one would do something as lavish as using extraordinary materials to cast a Tier One Spell.
But here, the opportunity calls for experiencing such extravagance.
"Give it a try," Li Ang suggested to the young girl.
Zoe pursed her lips, grasped a shiny pale yellow diamond, silently mouthing words to initiate a connection with the elements.
The diamond burst into intense luminescence, then swiftly decomposed into sharp structures on its surface, transforming like a magical cube and kaleidoscope, forming its material structure. During this process, a huge amount of dust was attracted, covering the outside of the diamond.
Soon, a bright white rock shuttle, about a meter long, hovered above Zoe's palm, spinning and trembling, with cracks on its surface seeming ready to spill out scorching material.
Zoe hurled it forward, where it collided with the deceased giant serpent's glazed scales, leaving a white mark.
Considering this was Super Demon scale, the damage from this Elemental Arrow was quite considerable, estimated by Li Ang to have the potency of Tier Four to Five, capable of piercing even non-magic enhanced thick city walls with a few strikes.
In the ensuing time, the two walked a fair distance around the giant serpent's head and body. As they walked, Li Ang explained some combat strategies to Zoe.
"If an enemy poses a strong melee threat later, use Elemental Arrows from afar to restrain them. If it's more adept at spells, hinder its casting, and I'll support you with Curse Art. Then..."
The young girl nodded repeatedly. Who knows how much she remembered?
If there were a calm and composed veteran here, it would be much easier. But for now, Li Ang had to worry a bit more.
With the topic covered, they returned near the giant serpent's head. Along the way, they found that not the entire body had poured out precious gemstones; it was mostly near the head.
The gemstones had notable signs of removal, clearly taken by Zoe's parents.
They didn't take much, leaving most of it behind.
If they were to combat enemies, ample funds would be more beneficial. Why leave it all? With their capabilities, it wasn't a question of not being able to take it.
Li Ang estimated that the remaining gemstones could still fund the purchase of an estate in the land-price-high Holy Capital Vitas – as for the heart of those islands, common to many and not valuable.
But if spending was essential, he'd opt for commissioning a top-tier Flying Airship.
While pondering the future, Zoe clutched her forehead, tugging at his sleeve.
She pointed towards an edge of the island's core hollow.
Standing astride the serpent's back, they could see structures reminiscent of architecture.
"Shall we go have a look?" the girl asked softly.
Given there's no sign of a reborn Star Soul, exploring first seems prudent.
Li Ang, carrying notes, walked with Zoe towards that direction, accompanied by the Elemental Beast, vigilant of potential developments.
They traversed the Mark of the Storm blasted out by Zoe's father with the Wind Breath Sword. No debris was found, only scattered ash, smooth and clear with some scattered footprints likely left by wolf-type Demon.
As Zoe looked around, she asked, "Can Li Ang leave such a large mark?"
"Not me now, but with high-tier Treasures, it might be possible," Li Ang replied, spreading his hands.
Nebis isn't a high martial world where immense power is innately possessed. The strong need equipment and energy sources to destroy with Professional Skills.
Besides, he was positioned for support, wasn't it reaching to expect an assistant to level mountains and seas? Though under pressure before, he did rise to occasions.
"Your dad sacrificed Spirituality in the Wind Breath Sword to kill that snake,"
Li Ang explained to the girl. Treasures filled with energy possess Spirituality. Like humans potentially becoming mentally exhausted to death with frequent casting, her dad overstrained the treasure's Spirituality, over-excited the storm, and eventually sent it into slumber.
This inspired Li Ang, thinking he could achieve something similar.
However, without his own Treasures, he couldn't bear to do it.
After recounting the Wind Breath Sword's past, Zoe drew her short sword for a closer look, as if seeing it for the first time.
"Can it be restored?"
"Need to inquire with the most knowledgeable Equipment Artisan."
Or wait until my Equipment Creation level rises, then I might know. Li Ang thought.
As they approached, the distant building's silhouette became clearer.
It was a half-ruined ancient structure, resembling a temple cleaved in half, one part having fallen there, engulfed by rocks, almost merging with the mountain wall.
Constructed mainly with stone, its style was ancient, evoking some inexplicable familiarity in Li Ang, who had visited many ruins.
Before them, two dark figures emerged from around the ruins.