Chapter 57: Enlightenment: Mudflow Domain!

"What could it possibly be?"

Zhao Lei saw Xu Wenchang’s hesitant expression and felt an inexplicable irritation.

He snorted coldly, his tone mocking:

"Xu, you don’t seriously think Lin Mo is about to master another skill, do you?"

"He just mastered a mid-tier fire skill this morning—only a few hours have passed? Already another one?"

"Do you think mastering skills is like buying cabbages at the market? Buy one in the morning, grab another on your way back?"

"Why can’t he master another skill?"

Lin Tianhao glanced at Zhao Lei, his voice brimming with arrogance:

"My son Mo has extraordinary talent—mastering skills is as easy as drinking water. What’s so surprising?"

"Hah. Extraordinary talent?"

Zhao Lei was about to speak again.

Xu Wenchang suddenly interrupted, his voice suddenly grave:

"In the bog region, the ground is flowing in small vortex patterns..."

"This characteristic matches only one skill: mid-tier earth control skill, [Mudflow Domain]."

"Mid-tier skill..."

"Is that even possible?"

Zhao Lei glanced at the two and retorted:

"Mastering two mid-tier skills in a single day? That shatters every professional’s understanding."

Lin Tianhao chuckled, smirking at Zhao Lei:

"Then tell me—is it possible for a blank-slate mage to clear Floor 30 of the Trial Tower in 24 seconds?"

"Is it possible for someone with no elemental affinity to master a combined fire-earth technique?"

"Is it possible for a student who just switched classes three days ago to summon over twenty pillars of flame with a single gesture?"

Lin Tianhao spread his hands.

"They’ve all been done—why can’t mastering two mid-tier skills in one day be possible?"

"You..."

Zhao Lei opened his mouth but found himself utterly speechless.

Indeed.

Since the entrance exam, what has Lin Mo done that made any sense?

Logically, he knew mastering two mid-tier skills in one day was absurd.

So why did his heart suddenly feel uneasy?

Damn it...

Xu Wenchang sighed and stepped in to defuse the tension:

"Enough, enough. Both of you, calm down."

"The world is vast—anything is possible."

"Why argue? Just wait and see the result."

But Lin Tianhao wasn’t letting Zhao Lei off the hook. "Old Zhao, since you’re so confident, how about we bet a few more screens?"

Ugh...

Hearing those words,

Zhao Lei’s stomach churned violently.

He’d just swallowed two monitors and a solid wood desk corner—then rushed to the bathroom and vomited violently.

The burning sensation in his throat, the taste of plastic and wood shavings in his mouth—just remembering it made him gag.

Eat more?

Better kill him!

Zhao Lei snorted. "Bet screens? Who’s that childish? If you want to bet, bet something else."

"Fine."

Lin Tianhao seemed to have anticipated this—he changed the topic:

"Then bet your recently completed legendary mage set, [Phantom Spirit Set]."

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

At these words, Zhao Lei’s heart skipped a beat.

[Phantom Spirit Set]!

Though it was only level-20 gear—beginner equipment—

its price was anything but beginner.

Because it carried the cooldown reduction stat every mage dreamed of.

A full set reduced skill cooldowns by a staggering 65% total!

This set was priceless on the market. Zhao Lei had spent tens of millions of Dragon Nation credits—and countless favors—to complete it.

Seeing Zhao Lei’s silence,

Lin Tianhao spoke slowly:

"What? Afraid?"

"You’re afraid to bet screens—call it childish. Now you’re afraid to bet gear—so what do you want to bet? Naked running?"

"Puh—"

Xu Wenchang, who had been drinking, spat his water out.

Naked running?

Only Lin Tianhao could say something like that.

Zhao Lei’s face flushed red and white, trembling with rage.

He was Commander Zhao—if he really ran naked, he’d never show his face in Jianghai City again. He might as well just head-butt a block of tofu and die.

Compared to social death, a set of gear... might be bearable?

And yet...

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

Mastering two mid-tier skills in one day?

Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

Thinking this, Zhao Lei gritted his teeth. "Fine! Bet it! I’ll bet your [Phantom Spirit Set]! Lin Tianhao, you asked for this."

Lin Tianhao didn’t hesitate—he waved his hand decisively:

"Deal!"

"Xu, you’re the witness—don’t let him back out!"

Xu Wenchang sighed helplessly. "Alright, alright. I’ll witness it. I’ll witness it."

Zhao Lei sneered, his gaze returning to the screen:

"Old Lin, get ready to reimburse me for the gear. Mastering two mid-tier skills in one day? You’re dreaming!"

At the edge of the black mud bog.

Lin Mo was unaware of the outside bet.

He was idly snacking, scrolling through his phone.

In his skill bar, [Earth Shield] was undergoing an unprecedented mental storm.

[‘Earth Shield’ Fully Focused: Yes, yes, just like that—perfect! Feel it coming!]

[Your skill ‘Earth Shield’ has entered a state of enlightenment...]

[Enlightenment Progress: 1%... 2%...]

"Huh?"

Lin Mo’s eyes lit up.

Damn, it’s actually working?

I just mumbled a few random thoughts—and now it’s suddenly unlocking?

So I just draw the cake, and the skill makes it real? Brilliant!

As Lin Mo marveled,

the progress bar surged forward.

[Your skill has enlightened a new form of defense: trapping the enemy is protection!]

[Congratulations! Your skill ‘Earth Shield’ has spontaneously evolved, successfully mastering the mid-tier skill, Mudflow Domain (Lv.1)!]

[Mudflow Domain: Transforms the ground in a designated area into a deadly quicksand trap. Cooldown: 1 minute.]

[Skill Effect: After activation, all enemy targets stepping within the initial 500-meter radius are bound by the earth’s crushing force—unable to move or use any displacement skills—for 5 seconds. Effect strength varies with environmental factors and level disparity.]

[Each skill level increase expands the radius by 50 meters.]

Awesome!

Lin Mo stared at the new skill’s description, a flash of delight in his eyes.

This skill... is pretty strong!

A 500-meter range with a 5-second hard control?

Five seconds is enough to dump every output skill right on the enemy’s face.

But… does the skill effect depend on environmental factors and level differences between enemy and ally?

So, in this swamp region, the skill effect will be stronger?

Add to that my level far surpasses peers—this control effect will be extremely powerful!

【『Earth Shield Technique』 trembled with excitement: Master! Master! I did it! Master is incredible! Without your reminder, I’d never have thought to play it this way!】

【『Earth Shield Technique』 brimming with determination: Hmph! Whoever dares harm Master, I’ll trap them in the mud, unable to move a step!】

Lin Mo did not hesitate—he immediately began spending on skill books.

Spending activated!

Zeng zeng zeng…

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

【Quicksand Domain: Lv.19 (Maxed at current limit), Current Range: 1400 meters】

Lin Mo looked at the final skill panel, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Wow…

A 1400-meter range.

Zhao Dashao, Zhao Dashao—you planned everything, but never guessed this black mud swamp wouldn’t suppress me—it’s become my domain, isn’t it?

Still trying to play tactics with me?

Before absolute power, tactics are a joke.

Lin Mo adjusted his collar and gazed into the mist-shrouded depths of the swamp.

“Boys, march!”

【『Fireball Technique』 laughed maniacally: Jie jie jie! Tremble, mortals! The Great One has arrived!】

【『Earth Shield Technique』 confident and bold: For Master! Whoever dares move—I’ll make them unable to move!】