Back on the island, Zhang Shi plunged into the secluded research lab, filled with the scent of old books and the faint glow of magical materials. He placed the mysterious gem in the center of a magic circle and meticulously inscribed auxiliary runes around the rune scales, attempting to find the method to control them from ancient magical knowledge. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, but he was oblivious, his eyes fixed on unlocking the mysteries of lizardman magic.

Zhao Feng focused his energy on the soldiers' tactical training. He set up a simulated battlefield in the open area in the center of the island, using wood and magical paint to replicate the lizardmen's shapes and attack patterns. Every day at dawn, he would lead his soldiers in a roaring charge, their battle axes striking the "enemy's" vitals with precision. The "bang bang" of the blows and the stirring battle horns echoed together, keeping everyone constantly on edge.

Ge Dalong wasn't idle either. He went to the mysterious magic spring deep inside the island to set up a temporary workshop. The magical aura there was so dense it was almost tangible, which would help him concoct special potions. He sorted and ground the rare herbs he had collected, added the magical essence he had drawn from the magic spring, and in the roaring magical furnace, the potion churned and boiled, shimmering with an eerie light. Each bottle of potion that came out carried the hopes of everyone in their fight against the lizardmen.

The peaceful days passed quickly. One day, an eerie haze suddenly enveloped the island, and amidst the howling winds, mysterious runes flickered in and out of sight. Zhang Shi and the others rushed out of the house to investigate, only to see a gigantic lizard phantom, formed from magical energy, floating in mid-air. It opened its blood-red maw and emitted a deep, chilling voice: "Humble ants, true revenge is about to descend. Prepare to face annihilation!"

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines, realizing that the lizardmen had come to their doorstep.

Zhang Shi's eyes blazed, and he clenched his fists: "Bring it on, we're not pushovers either!" Zhao Feng brandished his battle axe, creating a whistling wind: "This time, we'll make sure they don't leave alive!" Ge Dalong quickly checked the potions in his backpack, his eyes resolute.

Soon, black waves rose on the distant sea, and a fleet of even larger lizardman warships, their bodies bound by black magical chains, broke through the waves, their rams gleaming coldly, seemingly intent on smashing the island to pieces. The island's defensive towers launched the first attack, unleashing beams of magical energy, but the magical chains surrounding the warships absorbed and neutralized the beams.

The warriors lined up on the beach, unleashing a barrage of artillery fire, but it was all deflected by the lizardmen's magical shields, causing no casualties. Zhang Shi flashed forward, using Shadow Step, becoming even faster and more elusive, boarding a warship in the blink of an eye. He slashed fiercely at the magical chains in his hand, only to find the chains incredibly hard, the impact numbing his arm. Seeing this, Zhao Feng roared and charged, swinging his battle axe in wide arcs at the lizardmen warriors climbing onto the beach. Each strike carried immense force, but the enemies were endless, seemingly without end.

Ge Dalong continued his efforts from the rear, manipulating magical flames to turn a large stretch of beach into a sea of ​​fire, hindering the lizardmen's advance. He also threw out specially made smoke potions to disrupt the enemy's vision. However, the lizardmen mages joined forces to summon a torrential downpour, instantly extinguishing the flames and dispelling the smoke.

At the critical moment, while Zhang Shi was locked in a stalemate with the magical chains, he felt a surge of heat from the rune scales. A thought struck him, and he pressed the scales against the chains. In an instant, the runes on the scales intertwined and collided with the magical light on the chains, emitting a dazzling glow. Then, the chains began to loosen and crack.

"Old Ge, increase your magic output and give me a hand!" Zhang Shi shouted. Ge Dalong understood immediately, his hands moving swiftly, unleashing a surge of powerful magic that poured into the conflict between the scales and chains. With a deafening roar, the magic chains shattered, and the warship instantly lost its protection.

The alliance warriors were greatly encouraged and charged toward the enemy ship with shouts. Zhang Shi, Zhao Feng, and Ge Dalong were at the forefront.

Suddenly, the earth shook violently at the center of the island, and deep ravines cracked open, from which molten lava gushed forth. A colossal lizard-like beast, covered in lava armor and with sharp horns on its head, slowly emerged. With each step it took, the island trembled, and lava splashed in all directions.

Zhang Shi and the others gazed at the apocalyptic scene before them, their hearts filled with shock and despair, yet their eyes remained resolute. They knew that this ultimate showdown with the lizardmen was unavoidable; only by fighting to the death could they protect their homes, loved ones, and hope... Thus, Zhang Shi divided his forces into two groups, fearlessly charging towards the behemoth.

As Zhang Shi sprinted towards the giant beast, he shouted to Zhao Feng beside him, "Brother Feng, take a team of brothers and circle around to the side of the giant beast to attract its attention. Don't fight head-on, use guerrilla tactics! Lao Ge and I will find its weak point from the front, and we'll attack from both sides!" Zhao Feng nodded heavily, his eyes full of determination. He quickly gathered a team of agile warriors, who, like cheetahs, circled around to the side of the giant beast.

Zhang Shi and Ge Dalong charged straight at the giant beast, braving the onslaught of heat. Ge Dalong rapidly formed hand seals and chanted incantations; in a moment, a layer of crystal-clear ice shield solidified before them, resisting the intense heat from the splashing lava. Zhang Shi seized the opportunity to pull out the runic scales from his robes. Under the powerful magical fluctuations emanating from the beast, the scales shimmered incessantly, as if urgently revealing some secret.

When Zhang Shi got within a few dozen steps of the behemoth, he keenly noticed that every time the behemoth swung its giant claws burning with magma, a strange glimmer would briefly appear between the scales on its chest. A thought flashed through his mind: could that be its vital point?

"Old Ge, see that? That spot on its chest, let's find a way to attack there!" Zhang Shi shouted. Ge Dalong's eyes narrowed, and he looked in the direction Zhang Shi was pointing, then understood. He pushed his hands forward sharply, and the ice shield instantly transformed into countless sharp ice shards, shooting towards the giant beast like a rain of arrows. Although most of the ice shards vaporized instantly upon contact with the magma armor, they successfully distracted the giant beast somewhat.

Taking advantage of this brief opening, Zhang Shi unleashed his improved Shadow Step, his movements as swift as lightning, instantly closing in on the giant beast's feet. He leaped high, his blade imbued with his full magical power, and stabbed fiercely at the faintly glowing spot on the beast's chest. However, the beast's reaction was equally swift. It stomped its foot, causing the ground to tremble violently, and a pillar of lava erupted from the earth. Zhang Shi couldn't dodge in time and was splashed with lava onto his right arm, striking the area previously corroded by the venom. To make matters worse, his arm armor wasn't fully repaired, leaving most of Zhang Shi's arm exposed. The lava splash caused a piercing pain, and Zhang Shi nearly dropped his old sword.