Chapter 32: Combined Technique, Lava Armor

"That's right, Master. A combined technique is the fusion of two different elemental forces, giving birth to a transcendent skill that embodies the traits of both."

Shi Tou stared at the trophy in Lin Mo's hand and said: "Such a technique is typically attainable only by top-tier combatants."

Ye Hongyu also nodded to add:

"To comprehend a combined technique, you must possess high-rank affinity for both elemental systems."

"The vast majority of magic users have affinity for only one element—for instance, Shi Tou has S-rank Earth affinity, but his Fire affinity barely lets him cast a Fireball."

Shi Tou chuckled helplessly and said:

"Yeah, only legendary hidden classes—like the 【Lei Yan Mage】, who naturally possesses S-rank affinity for both Lightning and Fire—have the innate conditions to even attempt it."

"But to master a combined technique, this kind of elemental material is essential—it serves as the medium to harmonize disparate elements."

"Without this, it's impossible to successfully master a combined technique."

At this point, Lin Mo finally understood.

He nodded, thinking deeply, and asked: "So this thing is nearly impossible to buy?"

Shi Tou let out a light laugh:

"This thing is priceless and unavailable on the market. For example, the 【Chaos Lava Heart】 in your hand—if I recall correctly—is the first one produced in Longguo this year!"

As he spoke, Shi Tou glanced at Ye Hongyu, as if seeking confirmation.

Ye Hongyu also nodded in agreement:

"Indeed, it's the first one in Longguo this year. Once this appears, it's instantly snatched up by the nation's top combatants."

"Not just mages—even high-rank Demon Swordsmen, Elemental Archers, and other elemental classes all need this."

Shi Tou nodded to add:

"This material isn't just rare for dual-element users—even single-element variants are scarce. For instance, in this major exam, Jianghai City planned to award the city's top scorer a complete Heart of the Lava Colossus—a single-element material of this kind."

"Such single-element materials greatly increase the success rate of mastering mid- to high-level elemental skills."

Lin Mo listened, then raised an eyebrow.

Holy shit.

His luck really was insane.

He randomly fell underground, randomly killed a boss, and got the year's first-ever limited edition?

Meanwhile, two skills began to erupt.

【【Fireball】with a look of disgust: Are you serious? Me teaming up with this coward? Impossible, absolutely impossible!】

【【Earth Shield】also shook its head frantically: Like I'd want to team up with this brute? Master, I protest!】

Lin Mo ignored the two skills' bickering.

How could he not use something this powerful?

After all, these were his own skills—they existed to serve him, not to pick and choose.

At this moment, Shi Tou continued enthusiastically:

"Master, even with this material, success isn't guaranteed."

"Usually, you must wait until high level, when you've developed profound insight and understanding of both elements—only then does the success rate improve..."

Crack…

A crisp snapping sound interrupted Shi Tou's long-winded explanation.

The two: "?"

They froze simultaneously, eyes fixed on Lin Mo's hand.

Red and yellow luminescent streams poured from between his fingers and instantly surged into his body.

"Uh… I moved too fast."

Lin Mo scratched his head, looking at the two with an innocent expression.

"…"

Shi Tou's mouth hung open, his heart twitching.

This was priceless and unavailable on the market!

The first one in Longguo this year!

And he just used it?

What level are you even at, Master? Using it now? Success rate will be abysmal!

Yet at that moment, a series of messages appeared on Lin Mo's professional panel.

【Successfully used 'Chaos Lava Heart'】

【Your internal 'Fire Element' and 'Earth Element' were forcibly brought together by the 'Chaos Lava Heart' in an unfriendly meeting】

【【Fireball】roared: Wait, you coward, why is it all sand?】

【【Earth Shield】screamed: Hot! Hot! Hot! You brute, can't you tone down the fire?!】

【After intense integration and reorganization…】

【Congratulations! You have successfully mastered the Fire-Earth combined technique—Lava Armor!】

【Lava Armor: Summon molten magma from the earth's core to cover your body, forming an indestructible armor. All attributes greatly enhanced. During the armor's duration, your basic attacks gain additional Fire damage. Duration: 5 minutes. Cooldown: 1 hour.】

This… it succeeded already?

Lin Mo stared at the prompt on his panel, stunned himself.

But then he instantly understood.

Normal people, when mastering a combined technique, must carefully balance two radically different elements.

But he was different—his skills had brains!

The 【Chaos Lava Heart】 had forcibly locked 【Fireball】 and 【Earth Shield】 in the same room.

They could only rely on their own instincts, automatically seeking the most perfect point of fusion.

【【Fireball】 let out a desperate wail: What the hell is this? I am a noble flame, why must I be draped in this hideous, ugly shell?!】

【【Fireball】 resisted fiercely: Besides, I am a damage skill! Only cowards wear armor! I won't wear it! You couldn't make me wear it if you killed me!】

【【Earth Shield】 said pitifully: Master, this form is covered in flames, way too eye-catching, not a shred of safety to it — how about we don't wear it…】

Lin Mo completely ignored the two skills' protests.

Why would he care whether the skills were willing? He was the master.

Boom——!!!

A terrifying wave of heat erupted outward from Lin Mo as its center.

Shi Tou and Ye Hongyu both instinctively retreated several steps, staring at Lin Mo in horror.

Pieces of jet-black obsidian swiftly adhered to the surface of Lin Mo's body.

Within the seams of the armor, scalding magma flowed, its high temperature warping the very air around it.

He looked just like an ancient demon god who had walked out of volcanic lava!

Lin Mo lowered his head to look at his outfit, then clenched his fist.

Cool!

Absolutely badass!

But with this setup, did that really mean he'd have to become a melee mage from now on?

Forget it, melee is too tiring. It's much more comfortable to toss skills from a distance — he'll just treat it as a new defensive skill.

"This…"

Shi Tou and Ye Hongyu exchanged a glance, each catching a glimpse of incomparable shock in the other's eyes.

So this is what a genius is…

A god-tier skill, delivered on click?

After quite a while, Ye Hongyu finally came back to her senses.

She looked at the Lin Mo before her, who had already shed his armored state and reverted to that lazy youth, and a wry smile tugged at her lips.

It was the deep sense of powerlessness and resignation ordinary people felt when facing a true monster of a genius.

"Young Master, it's already very late. We should head back."

Ye Hongyu glanced at the sky, which had already darkened completely.

"With your current strength, plus this monstrous combo skill… tomorrow's grand examination, you'll be able to dominate the entire field. Get a good rest tonight."

Lin Mo nodded in wholehearted agreement:

"Indeed, we should head back. I'm about to starve."

【【Fireball】 was so excited its flames leapt about: Eat, eat! I'm starving to death! I want Fire Dragon Liver! Flame Rhino Steak!】

【【Earth Shield】 also said meekly: Master, I'm hungry too… Is there any aged Earth Vein Marrow… I want some…】

Those two fellows were pretty sharp, actually.

Knowing it was useless to resist the combo skill in front of him, they sensibly never brought it up again.

Since they were so tactful, he wouldn't be so ungracious either.

"Fine, you can both have some."

Lin Mo replied generously in his heart, "This young master is in a good mood today. Whether it's Fire Dragon Liver or Earth Vein Marrow, as long as we have it at home, there's plenty!"

Meanwhile,

Ye Hongyu also pulled out her phone and notified her subordinates to drive over and pick them up.

Immediately after, she began to ponder.

Once they got home, she would need to report to Commander Lin and the Lady about the young master's situation today.

Where should she even begin?

The surprises the young master had given her today were simply too many.