Chapter 355: One Day, You

The night was as dark as ink.

Outside Zhuxing Town, a hundred li of barren wasteland stretched out.

The howling wind whipped up sand and stones from the ground.

In the sky, a crimson streak plummeted like a meteor with a thunderous crash.

“Boom—!”

Da Bai landed steadily on a rocky promontory.

All four paws touching the ground, its pure white fur flared wildly in the night wind.

Night shift time had arrived.

【“Listen up, all of you!”】

『Fireball Spell』 stood with hands on hips, face brimming with arrogance.

【“This evening’s first place is still mine—you’re only fit to fight for second!”】

【“My Nine Yang Inferno Art has been starving for this!”】

【“Same as always—I take the west.”】

【“This evening, not a single hair will survive in the west under my hand!”】

Hearing Xiao Huo’s boastful declaration,

The "Ice Spike Spell" also wore a look of resentment.

【“Such a crude, brutal creature.”】

【“All it knows is blow, blow, blow—filling the air with smoke and filth. What elegance is there in just making noise?”】

『Ice Spike Spell』 radiated a noble, frigid chill.

【“This evening, I’ll show you what true clearing efficiency looks like.”】

【“When the Frost Blade Prison opens, all things wither in silence.”】

【“This is true nobility and grace—first place belongs to me alone!”】

In the corner,

『Lightning Strike Spell』 slowly opened its eyes.

【“Hmph.”】

【“Before the punishment of heaven, all are ants.”】

【“I take all the monsters in the east.”】

Listening to the declarations of the three core combatants,

『Earth Shield Spell』 huddled in the corner and spoke with a tinge of envy.

【“Pfft, always fighting and killing—what’s so impressive? Zero technical skill.”】

『Earth Shield Spell』 turned its head toward the obedient, bewildered 『Wind Blade Spell』.

【“Little Five, ignore these violent fools.”】

【“Let’s go!”】

【“Tonight, we head south—Big Brother will guide you further in mastering the supreme art of protecting our master!”】

『Wind Blade Spell』 immediately bobbed up and down, its blue-green light flickering.

【“Yes, Big Brother!”】

【“Little Wind doesn’t care about first place—Little Wind only wants to protect the master!”】

But then,

『Wind Blade Spell』 seemed to remember something, its soft voice taking on a hint of seriousness.

【“But Big Brother…”】

【“The master just gave specific instructions.”】

【“The master said we must prioritize mastering single-target high-damage skills.”】

【“Little Wind can’t ignore the master’s orders.”】

Hearing Little Five’s reminder,

『Earth Shield Spell』 froze for a moment, then cleared his throat loudly.

【“Cough! Cough!”】

【“Of course!”】

【“The master’s words are divine decree!”】

Xiao Tu adopted the air of a profound, mysterious mentor.

【“What Big Brother means is, tonight we first unlock your Wind-element single-target high-damage skill—fulfill the master’s task!”】

【“Only after that will we deeply study how to better protect the master!”】

【“Two hands on both tasks—both must be strong. Got it?”】

Hearing Big Brother’s perfect plan,

『Wind Blade Spell』 nodded earnestly in admiration.

【“Got it, Big Brother!”】

【“Only Big Brother thinks so thoroughly!”】

Just as the two brothers finished their discussion,

『Fireball Spell』 let out a scoff.

【“Too much talk—I’m off first!”】

Boom—!

【“Hehehehe, tremble, ants!”】

Xiao Huo transformed into a towering pillar of flame and roared as he shot westward.

Immediately, Xiao Bing and Xiao Lei, unwilling to be outdone, became streaks of ice-blue and purple light, racing toward the north and east.

Da Bai yawned.

Its four paws kicked up wind as it chased after Xiao Huo.

It seemed to have realized: following the volatile elder brother offered the brightest future.

Back at the original spot,

Only 『Earth Shield Spell』 and 『Wind Blade Spell』 remained.

『Earth Shield Spell』 shook its body.

【“Come on, Little Five—let’s not waste time. Head south and hunt monsters.”】

『Wind Blade Spell』 nodded firmly.

【“Mm!”】

…

South.

Gales Canyon.

This had once been the gathering ground of Level 55 monsters: Gales Wolves.

Normally, wolf howls echoed endlessly here, with hundreds or thousands of Gales Wolves roaming—extremely dangerous.

But now, the entire canyon was deathly silent.

Not a single wolf cry could be heard.

Looking out,

The canyon floor had turned into swirling quicksand.

Along the edges of the quicksand, hundreds of thick, sharp rock spikes jutted out like thorns.

On those rock spikes hung the torn remains of many Gales Wolves.

Even the surrounding cliffs and precipices had cracked open with terrifying fissures.

Clearly,

This place had endured a brutal, one-sided massacre.

Completely cleansed by Xiao Tu and Xiao Feng working together.

At the canyon’s end,

On the edge of a towering cliff,

『Wind Blade Spell』 gazed up at 『Earth Shield Spell』 in awe.

【“Wow…”】

【“Big Brother, you’re so powerful!”】

【“Little Wind feels—you’re truly the core damage dealer of this family!”】

Hearing this,

『Earth Shield Spell』 cleared his throat twice.

【“Cough, cough—keep it low-key, don’t show off.”】

『Wind Blade Spell』 looked at 『Earth Shield Spell』 with eager anticipation.

【“When will Little Wind become as strong as Big Brother?”】

【“Little Wind wants to be this impressive too!”】

【“Then the master will surely look at Little Wind with new eyes!”】

"Earth Shroud Technique" listened to "Wind Blade Technique" raving wildly.

The entire skill visibly swelled by a full circle.

【“Cough, cough…”】

"Earth Shroud Technique" forcibly suppressed the wild joy in his heart.

【“Little Five.”】

【“Don’t envy your second brother—you’re still young, your path is long.”】

"Earth Shroud Technique" adopted the posture of a seasoned elder and spoke with solemn gravity:

【“Back when I first followed the Master…”】

【“I couldn’t do a thing—except throw up a Soil Wall to tank damage, nothing else.”】

【“Do you know how I grew strong?”】

"Wind Blade Technique" asked with enthusiastic support:

【“How did you grow strong, Second Brother?”】

"Earth Shroud Technique" sighed, gazing upward at the stars at a forty-five-degree angle.

【“Hard work!”】

【“You must understand—serving the Master means always fighting at the highest level!”】

【“As long as you endure enough punishment, your potential will be forced out!”】

【“Gradually, you’ll realize that merely taking hits isn’t enough—you must learn to counterattack, learn how to eliminate those bastards who dare harm the Master!”】

【“So, Little Five.”】

"Earth Shroud Technique" looked at "Wind Blade Technique" with deep meaning.

【“As long as you work hard, think deeply, and reflect often, one day you’ll become as fierce as your Second Brother!”】

The "Wind Blade Technique" downed this bowl of chicken soup with full conviction.

【“Wu…wu…wu…”】

【“Second Brother, you’re so inspiring!”】

【“Little Wind understands! Little Wind will work hard too! I’ll strive to become a master like you!”】

Watching "Wind Blade Technique" in this state,

"Earth Shroud Technique" wore a look of deep satisfaction.

【“Good. Now that you understand, keep it quiet—keep it quiet.”】

"Earth Shroud Technique" glanced around, surveying the empty canyon.

【“Alright, the monsters are cleared. It’s time for the real task.”】

"Earth Shroud Technique" grew stern, urging:

【“The Master’s mission comes first.”】

【“Little Five, recall the old man’s single-target skill—figure out how to replicate it.”】

【“Study deeply!”】

【“If you don’t master it today, even your Second Brother might get scolded along with you!”】

Hearing this,

"Wind Blade Technique" instantly became utterly serious.

【“Yes, Second Brother!”】