Chapter 101: It

The four of them moved through the dense forest.

Gradually, the trees around them grew sparser.

“Big Boss Lin Mo, look over there!”

Han Meng pointed far off, excitedly shouting: “Is that the temple? So huge!”

Everyone turned to follow her finger.

A towering complex of buildings loomed faintly beneath the dim sky.

It was an immense temple complex, encircled by a towering wall.

Though worn by time, it still radiated an overwhelming sense of antiquity and solemnity.

Massive stone pillars pierced the heavens, as if holding up the churning thunderclouds above.

Thick bolts of lightning periodically struck the temple’s dome, igniting dazzling arcs of electricity.

“Thunderfire Temple… this aura is truly legendary.”

Han Mengyao gazed at the grand structure, a flicker of awe in her eyes.

Lin Mo was also deeply impressed.

This orange-quality temple dungeon really had something to it.

He glanced at his level panel.

【Current Level: Lv.24 (20%)】

He’d just cleared a few more waves of monsters—his level had already reached 24.

After clearing this dungeon, he’d likely hit level 25.

Only five levels remained to reach 30.

Then he could unlock the fourth elemental skill slot and adopt a new family member.

“Let’s go.”

Lin Mo turned his gaze back to the complex and spoke to the others.

“Got it! Let’s go!”

Han Mengqing cheered.

The group quickened their pace and soon reached the temple’s grand gate.

…

Crossing the high threshold, a vast temple courtyard came into view.

The ground was paved with thick slate slabs, overgrown with yellowed wild grass in the cracks.

In the center stood a bronze incense burner three men tall.

On either side of the courtyard, rows of ancient, charred cypress trees stood in neat alignment, their twisted branches stretching skyward like demon claws.

Along the stone steps leading to the main hall, two towering guardian statues stood firm, eyes wide with fury, holding demon-subduing clubs, radiating solemn authority.

At that moment,

a series of system prompts appeared on everyone’s panels.

【Welcome to the Front Courtyard of the Thunderfire Temple!】

【Only brave warriors who pass the trial of the Temple Guards may enter the hall and pay homage to the final deity.】

【Begin challenge?】

【Note: After starting the challenge, you will have one minute to prepare.】

“Time to get to work.”

Without hesitation, Lin Mo clicked ‘Yes’.

Han Mengyao, Chu Lingxuan, and Han Mengqing all confirmed in turn.

【Challenge Activated!】

【Countdown: 00:59… 00:58…】

Watching the countdown, Han Mengqing felt both nervous and slightly excited. “I wonder what the gatekeeper looks like—how strong is he?”

Lin Mo said coolly: “No matter what it is, it’s just a gatekeeper. As long as it has a health bar, I’ll kill even a god for you.”

At these words, the three women turned to look at Lin Mo.

Though the remark sounded a bit childish and showy, it depended on who said it.

If it was Big Boss Lin Mo, they had to admit—he truly had the right to boast.

The minute passed in an instant.

【Challenge Begins!】

BOOM—!!!

As the countdown hit zero, the entire courtyard shuddered violently.

The two towering stone statues flanking the stone steps came to life.

Their stone skin cracked and peeled away, revealing bodies glowing with dark red energy inside.

Their stone eyes blazed suddenly with crimson light.

“ROAR—!!!”

The two statues swung their massive stone demon-subduing clubs and slowly descended the steps.

【Temple Guard · Thunderfire Golden Giant (BOSS)】

【Level: 25】

【Trait: 80% reduction to Thunder and Fire damage】

Lin Mo’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

Damn.

Even the gatekeeper was a BOSS?

No wonder this orange-quality temple dungeon had such high value.

“Attack!”

Lin Mo’s voice remained calm as he issued orders swiftly:

“Mengqing, apply buffs. Lingxuan, shield. Mengyao, control!”

“Understood!”

Their coordination was already flawless.

Han Mengqing swung her staff, and the familiar aura enveloped Lin Mo’s head.

Chu Lingxuan slammed her shield into the ground, and a golden barrier rose.

At the same time, Han Mengyao blurred forward like a shadow, her spear radiating biting cold.

“Frost Domain!”

BOOM—!!!

Frost erupted instantly—the two Thunderfire Golden Giants, just stepping forward, froze rigid.

Thick ice spread wildly up their legs, locking the massive beasts in place within seconds.

Lin Mo watched, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

He raised one hand.

“Come on, little fire, little earth, little thunder—give them a family-style triple combo!”

【‘Earth Shield Art’ thrilled: Big Bro! Little Bro! Watch me! This time, Second Brother’s taking you flying!】

This was the first time since its creation that ‘Earth Shield Art’ had truly acted as the main attacker, fighting shoulder to shoulder with Big Brother and Little Brother!

【‘Fireball Art’ snorted: Look who’s showing off now.】

ZZZAP—!

A furious lightning net instantly engulfed the ice sculptures, applying the Conductive status!

Then,

Blazing Fire Column!

Multiple Exploding Fireballs!

BOOM BOOM BOOM—!

Fire columns shot skyward, fireballs detonated in succession.

The next instant,

Lin Mo slammed his foot down, eyes flashing with icy light.

Earthshaker · Thousand Rock Spears!

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM—!!!

The courtyard’s ground shattered instantly!

From beneath the feet of the two Thunderfire Golden Giants, jagged rock spikes erupted with unstoppable force, piercing upward like spears from the earth.

With Conductive status and Han Mengqing’s damage-boosting buff active,

their massive bodies were impaled through and through, then shattered completely in the explosions of thunder and fire.

Stones flew everywhere.

【Congratulations! You have slain Lv.25 Temple Guard】

【‘Earth Shield Art’ voice choked with pride: Waaah… so cool… Second Brother, I’m so cool…】

【‘Earth Shield Art’ turned to the other two family members: Big Bro, Little Bro, did you see that? Our trio’s synergy is unbeatable!】

【Even the “Fireball Spell” barely held back its praise: “Alright, you’ve got some use after all—just now that move was pretty cool.”】

【“Lightning Strike”: Hmm, not bad.】

With family’s approval, the “Earth Shield Spell” felt as if the entire skill had been elevated, overflowing with happiness.

The smoke cleared.

What had once been a level, majestic temple courtyard was now utterly reduced to ruins.

The blue flagstones had shattered and flipped up; the side halls on both sides had collapsed by more than half, and even the ancient cypresses had been uprooted.

“Uh…”

Han Meng looked at the devastation around her, her lips twitching slightly:

“This… this dungeon’s quality is way too poor, isn’t it? The temple’s collapsed like this—can the final boss even still appear?”

Chu Lingxuan gazed at the ruins around her and explained:

“Mengqing, I don’t think it’s the dungeon’s quality—it’s Lin Mo who’s just overpowered…”

“The designers probably never imagined someone within the 20–25 level cap could unleash a level-‘Earth-Shaking’ earth technique…”

“In my experience, only earth-specialist Grand Mages above level 60 can wield this move proficiently.”

After hearing this, Han Meng nodded thoughtfully:

“Huh… that actually makes sense.”

Lin Mo remained calm: “Don’t worry—as long as we haven’t cleared it, the boss will show up somehow.”

With that, he pointed toward the ruins of the main hall:

“Let’s go take a look.”