Chapter 57: Comprehension — Quicksand Domain!

"What, exactly?"

Zhao Lei saw Xu Wenchang looking as though he wanted to speak but held back, and felt an inexplicable irritation welling up inside him.

He gave a cold snort, his tone mocking:

"Old Xu, you don't think Lin Mo is about to comprehend a new skill, do you?"

"He only comprehended a mid-tier fire skill this morning, and it's only been a few hours since? And now he's comprehending another new skill?"

"Does he really think it's like buying cabbages at the market? One in the morning, casually grab another in the afternoon?"

"Why couldn't he comprehend a new skill?"

Lin Tianhao shot Zhao Lei a glance, a note of pride in his voice:

"My Mo'er is blessed with extraordinary talent. Comprehending skills is as easy for him as drinking water — what's there to make a fuss about?"

"Hah, extraordinary talent?"

Zhao Lei was about to keep talking.

Xu Wenchang suddenly cut in, his voice turning unusually grave:

"In the Mud Swamp zone, the ground shows small vortex-like flows…"

"Only one ability matches these characteristics — a mid-tier earth control skill, 【Quicksand Domain】."

"A mid-tier skill…"

"Is it possible?"

Zhao Lei glanced at the two of them and retorted:

"Comprehending two mid-tier skills in a single day, one after another? This overturns everything every professional in this world knows."

Lin Tianhao chuckled softly, looking at Zhao Lei with playful mockery:

"Then let me ask you — is it possible for a blank-slate mage to speed-clear the 30th floor of the Trial Tower in 24 seconds?"

"For a person with no elemental affinity to comprehend a combined fire-earth skill — do you think that's possible?"

"For a student who only just changed class three days ago to summon over twenty Blazing Fire Pillars with a wave of his hand — do you think that's possible?"

Lin Tianhao spread his hands.

"He's already done all of that. So why is it impossible for him to comprehend two mid-tier skills in a single day?"

"You—"

Zhao Lei opened his mouth, only to find he had absolutely no comeback.

True enough.

That freak, Lin Mo — from the start of the Grand Examination until now, has anything he's done followed common sense?

Even though his rational mind told him that comprehending two mid-tier skills in one day was an absolute fantasy.

So why did his heart feel inexplicably uneasy?

Damn it…

Xu Wenchang sighed and stepped in to smooth things over:

"Alright, alright, both of you, say a little less."

"The world is vast, full of wonders — anything is possible."

"What are we even arguing about? Won't the results tell us soon enough?"

Lin Tianhao, however, had no intention of letting Zhao Lei off the hook. "I say, Old Zhao, since you're so sure, how about we bet a few more screens?"

Ugh—

At those two words.

Zhao Lei's stomach churned violently.

Having just swallowed two monitors and a corner of a solid-wood desk, he had rushed straight to the bathroom and wretched his guts out.

The stinging pain scraping down his throat, and the taste of plastic and wood shavings filling his mouth — just thinking about it made him gag again.

Eat more?

He might as well just kill him!

Zhao Lei snorted coldly: "Bet screens? Who's as childish as you? If we're betting, let's bet on something else."

"Fine by me."

Lin Tianhao seemed to have been prepared all along, and smoothly shifted the topic:

"Then let's bet that legendary mage set you just finished collecting — 【Phantom Spirit Set】."

"Don't tell me you don't have it. I know you spent half a year barely scraping together that level-20 legendary set for your Zhao Yu."

At those words, Zhao Lei's heart skipped a beat.

【Phantom Spirit Set】!

Although it was only level-20 gear — beginner's equipment.

Its price was anything but beginner.

Because it carried the cooldown-reduction affix that mages dream of most.

A complete set could slash skill cooldowns by a full 65%!

This set was priced beyond the market — there was a price, but no supply. To gather it all, Zhao Lei had spent tens of millions of Dragon Nation coins, and even called in quite a few major favors.

Seeing that Zhao Lei had not responded.

Lin Tianhao said leisurely:

"What? Don't dare?"

"You don't dare bet screens — call it childish. You don't dare bet gear either. So what do you want to bet? Streaking?"

"Pfft—"

Xu Wenchang, who was drinking water, spat it out in one go.

Run naked?

Only Lin Tianhao could say something like that.

Zhao Lei's face turned red then white, trembling with rage.

He, the mighty Commander Zhao, if he really ran naked, he wouldn't be able to survive in Jianghai City tomorrow; he might as well find a block of tofu and smash his head on it!

Compared to social death, a set of equipment... seemed somewhat acceptable?

And...

Zhao Lei took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

Comprehending two mid-tier skills in a single day?

Impossible, absolutely impossible.

Thinking this, Zhao Lei gritted his teeth, "Fine! I'll take the bet! I'll bet on that 【Phantom Spirit Set】! Lin Tianhao, you brought this on yourself."

Lin Tianhao didn't hesitate, waving his hand:

"Deal!"

"Old Xu, you must bear witness, don't let him renege!"

Xu Wenchang helplessly shook his head, "Fine, fine, I'll bear witness, I'll bear witness."

Zhao Lei sneered, his gaze returning to the screen:

"Old Lin, just prepare to reimburse me for the equipment costs. Comprehending two mid-tier skills in one day? You really know how to dream!"

The edge of the Black Mud Swamp.

Lin Mo knew nothing of the outside bets.

He was eating snacks and scrolling through his phone, utterly bored.

In the skill bar, 'Earth Shield Technique' was undergoing an unprecedented brainstorming session.

【'Earth Shield Technique' fully focused: Yes, yes, exactly like that, correct! I'm getting the feeling!】

【Your skill 'Earth Shield Technique' has entered a state of sudden enlightenment...】

【Enlightenment progress: 1%... 2%...】

"Hmm?"

Lin Mo's eyes lit up.

Wow, it's actually going to work?

I was just making things up on the spot, and now I'm actually comprehending like crazy?

So I'm responsible for drawing the pie, and the skill is responsible for making it real, right? Brilliant!

Just as Lin Mo was sighing in amazement.

The progress bar shot up rapidly.

【Your skill has comprehended another form of 'Defense': Trapping the enemy is protection!】

【Congratulations! Your skill 'Earth Shield Technique' has self-derived and successfully comprehended the mid-tier skill, Quicksand Domain (Lv. 1)!】

【Quicksand Domain: Converts the ground in a designated area into quicksand traps with terrifying suction power. Cooldown: 1 minute.】

【Skill Effect: After activation, within an initial range of 500 meters, all hostile targets stepping into the area will be strongly bound by the earth, unable to move or use any displacement skills for 5 seconds. The skill effect is influenced by environmental factors and the level gap between allies and enemies.】

【For every skill level increase, the range increases by 50 meters.】

Awesome!

Looking at the new skill's description, a flash of delight crossed Lin Mo's eyes.

This skill... is quite strong!

A 500-meter range, hard crowd control for 5 seconds?

Five seconds is enough to throw all damage-dealing skills right in the enemy's face.

But... the skill effect is influenced by environmental factors and the level gap between allies and enemies?

In other words, in this swamp area, the skill effect will be even stronger?

Plus, my level is far ahead of my peers; it seems this crowd control effect will be extremely powerful!

【'Earth Shield Technique' trembling with excitement: Master, Master! I did it! Master is too amazing! If Master hadn't reminded me, I would never have thought of playing it this way in my life!】

【'Earth Shield Technique' full of energy: Hmph, whoever dares to hurt Master, I'll make them sink deep into the mud, unable to move an inch!】

Lin Mo didn't hesitate and immediately started spending money on skill books.

Pay-to-win activated!

Up, up, up...

In just a few seconds, all skills were raised to level 19.

【Quicksand Domain: Lv. 19 (Current Cap Reached), Current Range: 1400 meters】

Looking at the final skill panel, the corners of Lin Mo's mouth curled up slightly.

Good heavens...

A range of 1400 meters.

Young Master Zhao, oh Young Master Zhao, you calculated a thousand things, but you didn't calculate that this Black Mud Swamp wouldn't counter me, but instead became my home ground, right?

Trying to play tactics with me?

In the face of absolute strength, tactics are a joke.

Lin Mo adjusted his collar, looking toward the depths of the mist-shrouded swamp.

"Little ones, let's march!"

【'Fireball Spell' laughed maniacally: "Hehehe! Tremble, mortals! This Seat has arrived!"】

【'Earth Shield Spell' spoke with full confidence: "For my Master! Whoever dares touch me... will be unable to move!"】