Chapter 44: Is Old Zhao Really Going to Start the Feast?

After clearing the monsters on this floor, the skills began to argue among themselves.

【“Earth Shield Spell” angrily complained: Big brother! What the hell were you thinking?】

【“Earth Shield Spell” sobbed: That was a Level 22 elite monster! You let it fly out!】

【“Earth Shield Spell” fiercely accused: If I’d reacted just 0.01 seconds slower, what would’ve happened to the master? This is serious negligence! Dereliction of duty!】

Faced with his younger brother’s accusations, the usually proud “Fireball Spell” now found itself embarrassed.

【“Fireball Spell” looked guilty, eyes darting: Cough… It was an accident. Pure accident.】

【“Fireball Spell” desperately tried to save face: I didn’t expect this stone golem’s hide was that thick? I thought it was just like the previous monsters—easy to blow up.】

【“Earth Shield Spell” refused to listen: Excuses! All excuses! Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? You just stood there dumbly—if not for me and the master reacting fast, you’d be crying now!】

Seeing the two brothers about to fight again, Lin Mo had to step in once more.

“Enough. Quiet down.”

Both skills fell silent at once, yet still snorted disdainfully at each other.

Lin Mo rubbed his chin and analyzed:

“Our biggest weakness right now is the lack of sustained area-of-effect damage.”

“Multiple Exploding Fireballs are powerful, but without the cooldown-reducing gear, the cooldown is too long.”

“After one burst, if not all enemies are dead, we get a vacuum period like just now.”

“If they can’t fly, it’s fine—we just trap them and wait for cooldown. But if they can fly, it’s a nightmare.”

“As for Fireball and Blazing Spiral Dragon Bullet, both are single-target damage.”

At this point, Lin Mo suddenly remembered something and spoke to Fireball Spell:

“Little Fire, I recall you were given a mid-tier skill book called 【Flame Pillar】 before, right?”

Upon hearing those four words, the “Fireball Spell” icon trembled.

How could it remember any book? The moment it swallowed it, it lost its mind—only the taste remained.

Seeing Fireball Spell’s blank expression, Lin Mo knew the thing had only been focused on eating.

“Forget it. Don’t expect you to read.”

“Just gather fire elements on the ground, then blast out a high-pressure flame pillar. Got it?”

Lin Mo said casually.

He didn’t even know how these skills actually worked.

But it didn’t matter—the realization process was up to the skills themselves.

He just had to point out the problem.

【“Fireball Spell” fell into thought: Gather on the ground? Blast a flame pillar?】

Though skeptical, Fireball Spell decided to give it a try.

Hum—

“Fireball Spell” strained to press a ball of fire element toward the ground.

“Pfft…”

Accompanied by a sound like a flatulence.

A small flame shot up from the ground—about… thirty centimeters high.

【Awakening Failed!】

【“Fireball Spell” instantly exploded, shrugging confidently: See? It’s not that I didn’t try—it’s just impossible!】

“...”

Lin Mo sighed and shook his head.

Apparently, skill awakening wasn’t as simple as it seemed.

At that moment,

【“Earth Shield Spell” timidly raised its hand: Um… Big brother, although the ground looks flat, in my perception, it’s full of tiny pores and textures.】

【“Earth Shield Spell” whispered further: These pores are small, but if we channel the fire through them…】

“Exactly!”

Lin Mo’s eyes lit up—he’d grasped the key insight.

“Little Earth, can you share this perception with Little Fire?”

He looked at the skill bar, tone tinged with hope.

【“Earth Shield Spell” paused, then nodded: I… I think I can? We’re both the master’s skills—our origins are connected.】

【“Earth Shield Spell” turned to “Fireball Spell”: Big brother, shall I try transmitting this feeling to you?】

【“Fireball Spell,” though still skeptical, grumbled reluctantly: Fine. I’ll suffer through your view of the world.】

Hum—!

A strange vibration rippled through the skill bar.

It was the unique frequency of earth element—dense, stable, yet encompassing all things.

Under this vibration’s influence, “Fireball Spell” felt as if a new door had opened in its perception.

【“Fireball Spell” was stunned: Holy shit? This floor looks like this? So many holes?】

【Congratulations! Your skill “Fireball Spell” has entered a state of sudden enlightenment!】

…

Meanwhile, in the VIP room of the Monitoring Command Center.

Xu Wenchang and Lin Tianhao’s couple stared intently at Lin Mo’s screen.

They had all witnessed Lin Mo’s attempt to gather fire elements on the ground.

“This kid…”

Xu Wenchang squinted, his walnut no longer turning, “Is he trying to awaken the mid-tier fire skill 【Flame Pillar】?”

At these words, Lin Tianhao’s eyes brightened—he was about to speak.

But Zhao Lei turned his head, as if hearing the funniest joke.

“Old Xu, are you overestimating this kid?”

“He just switched classes three days ago, and now he wants to awaken a mid-tier skill? In a month, will he be awakening forbidden spells?”

“Heh, Old Zhao, I advise you not to speak too confidently.”

Lin Tianhao snorted. Though he felt uncertain inside, he refused to show weakness—his pride demanded he stand firm: “Just because others can’t doesn’t mean my son can’t. Some things depend on talent, not how long you’ve been in class.”

Zhao Lei didn’t bother arguing with Lin Tianhao—he sneered:

“Heh, talent? Don’t make me laugh.”

“If he awakens 【Flame Pillar】 today, I’ll eat this screen right here.”

His words rang loud and clear, echoing through the monitoring room.

The entire room fell silent.

Xu Wenchang blinked, about to speak.

Xu Wenchang paused, about to speak and offer some advice.

Lin Tianhao barked.

“Present!”

The aide snapped to attention and saluted.

Lin Tianhao didn’t even glance at Zhao Lei—he pointed at the massive screen:

“Prepare wrenches, screwdrivers, cutters.”

“Also, go to the mess hall and bring a bucket of lubricating oil, plus two bottles of high-concentration vinegar—I suspect Commander Zhao might need to loosen his throat after eating.”

“Also, go to the mess hall and bring a bucket of lubricating oil, and prepare two bottles of high-concentration vinegar—I suspect Commander Zhao will feel a bit choked up soon and need to soothe his throat.”

The aide didn’t hesitate—he immediately carried out the order.

The aide did not hesitate for a moment and immediately carried out the order.

Su Wan covered her mouth, shoulders shaking as she turned away.

“Old Lin! What are you doing?!”

Xu Wenchang finally reacted, laughing and exasperated: “This is madness! This is a major exam monitoring center! Lin Tianhao, are you a bandit? You say something and act like it’s already done!”

Then Xu Wenchang turned to Zhao Lei, speaking earnestly:

“And you, Old Zhao—you’re an adult. Why argue like a child? Saying you’ll eat a screen? Don’t you fear breaking your teeth?”

But Zhao Lei was already fired up.

He ignored Xu Wenchang, locking eyes on Lin Tianhao:

“Hmph! I, Zhao Lei, mean every word I say—I deliver!”

“But if he doesn’t awaken it? Lin Tianhao, what about you? You should make a pledge too.”

Lin Tianhao adjusted his cuff.

“Fine.”

“If Mo doesn’t awaken it, I’ll eat the screen myself.”

“Good! That’s your word!”

Zhao Lei roared, “A gentleman’s word!”

“Cannot be retracted!”

“Even four horses can’t catch it!”

Lin Tianhao refused to back down.

The two of them were like two bulls locked in combat, about to clash head-on.

Xu Wenchang, standing between them, opened his mouth but could only sigh helplessly.

“What a mess…”

He rubbed his throbbing temples, sat back down on the sofa with a look of exasperation:

“Forget it, I’m not dealing with you two. Eat if you want, just don’t choke.”

With that, he turned his gaze back to the large screen.

On the screen, Lin Mo still sat there.

Beneath the ground, a faint red glow could be seen surging wildly.

“This kid… Old Zhao isn’t really going to start the feast, is he?”

Xu Wenchang muttered to himself.