Chapter 166: The Mage

Han Mengyao sighed and continued:

"Class monitor, this is only the first checkpoint; there are four more checkpoints ahead, including the final boss, all with similar mechanisms."

"That means, in breaking through these ultra-high defense mechanisms, we'll waste enormous amounts of time!"

Ye Kong chimed in from beside her:

"Class monitor, I've calculated it: even with maximum output, the moment monsters spawn in each stage, we strike them into mechanism state and immediately dismantle the mechanism without a single second's delay…"

Ye Kong gritted his teeth and said:

"Our previous record of 18 minutes 44 seconds, set by Longguo, was already the fastest, most extreme theoretical clear time!"

"So we simply don't understand—what method have the Yingshuo people mastered to push the record down to an absurd 15 minutes 45 seconds?!"

After Ye Kong finished speaking, the people in the living room fell silent again.

Just then,

Han Mengqing suddenly slapped her thigh, as if remembering something.

"Oh no! Big sister, didn't you forget something?"

Han Mengqing's eyes sparkled:

"Don't forget Lin Mo's earth-elemental breakthrough technique, 【Dead Thorn Rock Spear】! And hasn't Lin Mo also created the 【Dead Thorn Rock Spear – Scatter Version】?!"

Hearing her sister's words, Han Mengyao sighed helplessly.

"I already considered that."

Han Mengyao analyzed calmly:

"Even with these two breakthrough techniques, our clear time can be greatly reduced—but at best, we can only compress it to around 16 minutes…"

Han Mengyao's eyes held deep confusion:

"Still, it's hard to surpass the Yingshuo people's 15-minute-45-second record."

Upon hearing this conclusion, Han Mengqing's face fell. "Huh? Even Lin Mo's unreasonable breakthrough technique can't do it?"

Han Mengqing drew in a sharp breath and muttered:

"My god, what special method are those Yingshuo brats using to dismantle the mechanism? Do they make monsters commit suicide the instant they enter the dungeon?!"

Not just her—other students from Longxu Class also looked grim.

In their view, Lin Mo's breakthrough technique was already the greatest advantage.

If even that couldn't beat the opponent's time, then this record truly seemed an insurmountable abyss.

Just as everyone was at a loss,

Lin Mo frowned and spoke slowly:

"What if… we factor in Gao Jie skills?"

"Put simply, enhanced defense is just insufficient firepower."

"If I unleash my dual-element Gao Jie skills, do you think we could just ignore the mechanism and crush through?"

At these words,

everyone exchanged glances.

Theoretically, Gao Jie skills were a dimensional downgrade against Zhong Jie skills.

But the problem was,

no one knew what kind of damage Gao Jie skills could inflict in a team dungeon with a level restriction of 25–35.

After all,

no one had ever mastered a Gao Jie skill at this level stage…

Lin Mo was the only one.

After a brief silence,

Han Mengyao's eyes glowed with intensity:

"Class monitor, I think this is a very promising direction! Perhaps Gao Jie skills can just bulldoze straight through!"

Ye Kong also grew excited:

"If we can truly ignore the mechanism, our clear time will definitely drop under ten minutes! Maybe even… five minutes? No, three minutes? Two minutes!"

"Holy shit!! Two minutes?!"

Wang Dawei's face turned bright red with excitement:

"The Yingshuo brats' record is 15 minutes 45 seconds! If we break two minutes, we'll be grinding their record into the dirt!"

"Hahaha! That's satisfying!"

Han Mengqing shouted excitedly: "Let them brag! Let them taunt us!"

Lin Mo's lips curled slightly upward.

That's more like it.

A mage's romance is simply turning everything in sight to ash.

He stood up from the sofa, smoothing his coat:

"Whether it works or not—we'll find out by trying."

After speaking, Lin Mo silently asked himself about his skills.

"Guys, ready?"

【【Fireball】 let out a boastful laugh: Hehehehe! Master, rest assured! I'm always ready—anything that dares stand before me will be reduced to ash!】

【【Earth Shield】 also refused to be outdone: Brother Two is ready too! I won't let Master down!】

【【Lightning Strike】 offered no idle words: Thunder, prepared.】

Hearing his skills' responses, Lin Mo's smile deepened.

He waved his hand:

"Let's go!"

Lin Mo led the way.

Guiding the rest of Longxu Class, he pushed open the villa's gate and marched resolutely toward the dungeon center.

…

Kyoto University, Dungeon Center.

As one of the core facilities of Longguo's top university, its grandeur was breathtaking.

Normally, though bustling, the place remained orderly.

But today, the entire dungeon center was packed to capacity.

Countless students had gathered here.

They all wanted to witness how Longxu Class, under Lin Mo's leadership, would reclaim Longguo's dungeon record!

"Look! Here they come! The Demon King Lin Mo is here!"

Someone shouted in the crowd.

The dense throng spontaneously parted, clearing a wide path.

Lin Mo walked at the front, followed by the rest of Longxu Class.

"Lin Mo, smash those Yingshuo brats!"

"Show them the might of Longguo! Take back the record!"

"Demon King, mighty! Demon King, go!"

Seniors and juniors along the path screamed their cheers.

Even Ye Kong, accustomed to grand scenes, now felt his blood boil, his breathing heavy.

Lin Mo smiled faintly, occasionally nodding to the cheering seniors and juniors.

His steps never slowed—he walked straight toward Xu Wenchang.

"Mr. Xu."

Lin Mo greeted him.

Xu Wenchang nodded. "How's it going? Any strategy or plan? The Yingshuo brats' record this time is no easy target."

Lin Mo replied casually:

"Yes."

Xu Wenchang's eyes lit up:

"Oh? Tell me, what's the plan?"

"Crush through with raw firepower."

Lin Mo said seriously.

"… "

Xu Wenchang froze.

Crush through with raw firepower?

What kind of strategy was that?

But then he suddenly reconsidered.

This kid could wield three Gao Jie skills—and dual-element special techniques…

This wasn't ordinary firepower!

With Lin Mo's firepower, he might actually bulldoze through…

Realizing this, Xu Wenchang's lips twitched twice.

He took a deep breath and smiled with relief:

"Alright…"

"Go on, unleash all your firepower."

"I'll be right here, waiting for your good news!"

Xu Lao clapped Lin Mo on the shoulder, his eyes filled with expectation.

"Understood."

Lin Mo nodded in response.

Then he turned around, facing his nineteen teammates, and waved his hand:

"Enter the dungeon!"

Lin Mo led the group into the rift of the 【Burial Dragon Snowfield】 dungeon.

The twenty figures vanished inside the hall.

Xu Lao stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the dungeon rift, murmuring:

"In a dungeon of this level, using special skills and high-grade techniques…"

"There's never been a precedent…"

"Could they really clear it all in one sweep?"