Chapter 22: Realization: Earth Flow Wall!

«???»

Lin Mo, hearing that deafening scream in his mind, froze completely.

Holy shit, you can talk?

You were silent all this time, then suddenly you’re the loudest?

But… danger?

What danger?

Lin Mo instinctively glanced at the rock ten meters away.

At that moment, the small fireball in the rock’s hand was no larger than a fist.

It looked smaller than the fireball he himself could cast.

This?

This thing is called danger?

Lin Mo looked at the earth shield before him, and felt utterly speechless.

Is this [Earth Shield] somehow misunderstanding the meaning of “danger”?

Yet the [Earth Shield] in his skill bar didn’t calm down—it began flashing wildly.

【『Earth Shield』 trembling: So terrifying! I felt it! That fireball is sneering! Master, it’ll burn you to ash!】

【『Earth Shield』 is spiraling into irrational panic due to extreme fear…】

【It believes a thin shield cannot possibly withstand such “terrifying” attack! It needs thicker! Harder! More comprehensive protection!】

【『Earth Shield』 is desperately drawing earth elements from deep beneath the ground…】

【Congratulations! Due to your skill’s extreme fear of death, it has spontaneously evolved into an advanced skill—Earth Flow Wall (Beginner)!】

【Earth Flow Wall: Instantly raises a thick wall of earth and stone from the ground, blocking frontal damage and altering terrain. Cooldown: 5 seconds.】

«…»

Lin Mo stared at the new skill description on his panel, his lips twitching twice.

What the hell?

Extreme fear of death led to the realization of Earth Flow Wall?

Before Lin Mo could recover, the rock standing afar spoke up:

«Young Master? Ready?»

The rock wore a simple, earnest smile as he explained patiently:

«Don’t be nervous. Breathe deeply. Focus your mental energy on the shield.»

«I’m going to attack now?»

Lin Mo glanced at the icon of the new skill, [Earth Flow Wall], then at the rock’s harmless little fireball.

His expression turned peculiar.

«Uh… ready.»

The skill has been realized—should count as ready, right?

The rock sharply noticed the odd look on Lin Mo’s face. He dropped his smile, his tone turning solemn.

«Young Master, you really don’t need to worry.»

«Your current earth shield, though not very thick yet, is sufficient under my control.»

«And I’ll hold back my power—rest assured.»

«Based on my over a decade of experience as an earth mage, your shield will definitely block it—even without shaking.»

«This is mainly for you to feel what it’s like to withstand an attack.»

Nearby, Ah Hu chuckled:

«That’s right, Young Master. Just relax.»

«Even though Stone is an earth mage, he’s got excellent control over fireball. If he says it’s safe, it’s safe.»

Ye Hongyu stood a short distance away, silent but nodding slightly, signaling Lin Mo to be at ease.

Seeing this, Lin Mo felt a headache coming on.

He wasn’t worried about getting hurt.

He was worried about whether they’d be scared…

But he couldn’t explain it. Lin Mo simply nodded:

«Alright, come on, Stone Brother. I won’t dodge.»

«Got it! Young Master, watch closely…»

As Stone spoke, he flicked his wrist lightly.

«Go!»

With a soft command.

The orange-red miniature fireball shot toward Lin Mo—slowly.

At the same moment,

【『Earth Shield』 screamed in despair: Aaah! It’s coming! It’s coming!】

【『Earth Shield』 in utter panic: Help! I’m going to die! This is a killing blow!】

【『Earth Shield』: Just learned a new skill—will it hold? Let’s try!】

【『Earth Shield』: I’ll protect my Master at all costs!!】

BOOM—!!!

Without warning, the ground began violently shaking.

The rumbling sounded like a subterranean dragon rolling over.

«Holy shit?!» Ah Hu’s face paled. «An earthquake?!»

Ye Hongyu’s pupils contracted; her dagger appeared in hand as she scanned the surroundings warily.

Even Stone looked utterly bewildered.

The next second.

Amidst everyone’s confused stares,

The ground before Lin Mo erupted violently.

«Rise!!!»

Accompanied by the [Earth Shield]’s roar inside his mind.

BOOM—!

Vast amounts of earth and rock erupted from beneath the ground.

In an instant, a massive wall of earth and stone rose between Lin Mo and the miniature fireball.

Not a shield—a wall!

A colossal barrier five meters high, ten meters long, and two meters thick…

Its immense shadow instantly engulfed everyone present.

The once sunlit clearing now seemed blocked by a small mountain.

And that little fireball, meant for training, looked utterly insignificant before this wall of despair…

The fireball struck the center of the [Earth Flow Wall].

It vanished without leaving even a scorch mark.

Only a faint wisp of smoke rose slowly before the towering wall, looking profoundly forlorn.

Dead silence.

On the rocky beach, only the wind howling through the earth wall remained.

«This shield… no, this wall…»

Ah Hu stared blankly at the wall, mumbling.

Ye Hongyu’s dagger-hand froze midair, her eyes filled with disbelief.

As for Stone, his eyes nearly popped out of his head.

He stared at the wall like a fortress, utterly stunned.

This…

Beginner earth skill—Earth Flow Wall??

Just learned the basic skill, and now instantly realized a beginner advanced skill??

But that’s not the point—the point is using Earth Flow Wall to block your own fist-sized fireball??

Is this… really necessary?

Meanwhile, the [Earth Shield] was relieved.

【『Earth Shield』 trembling, sighing in relief: That was close… way too close!】

【It was shaken: In that instant, I felt death counting down! The fireball was less than ten meters from the Master!】

【『Earth Shield』 proudly boasting: Master! How was my reaction? Feel safe? Without me, you’d be a pile of charcoal right now!】

«…»

Lin Mo stood behind the thick wall, looking up at the colossal structure.

He reached out and touched the wall—the rough, hard rock texture still carried the chill of the earth’s depths.

This truly felt safe.

But…

Brother, can’t we have a little dignity for our skills?

A fireball the size of a fist—you’re acting like the end of the world. I’m so embarrassed!