Chapter 8: Difficult-Level: Phantom Castle

“This…”

After a long silence, Lin Tianhao finally regained his voice.

His hands, accustomed to wielding battle blades and slaying countless enemies, now trembled slightly:

“That fireball just now… was it Stage Two mental guidance?”

“And…”

“Is Mo’er multitasking? Playing a game?”

As one of Jianghai City’s top combatants, Lin Tianhao knew exactly what this meant.

Ordinary mages required full concentration to cast spells.

Even so-called genius flame mages had to fix their gaze on the target and channel all their mental power to guide the fireball.

And his own son?

Playing a game while controlling a fireball—and with such precision!

This level of micro-management? Even across the entire Dragon Nation, few of his age group could match it…

My son is no ordinary talent—he has the bearing of an Emperor…

“Is this really Mo’er?”

Su Wan covered her mouth, her eyes instantly reddening:

“No elemental affinity, yet directly controlling spell trajectories? This… this is an unimaginable talent!”

Feeling his parents’ burning gazes, Lin Mo sighed inwardly.

Fine, let them think he’s a genius.

How could he tell them his fireball had gained sentience?

Who would believe that?

Lin Mo feigned choking, took a sip of soup, and mumbled:

“Cough… just randomly throwing it.”

“The ranking’s too crucial—it’s the promotion match. I couldn’t look up at the monsters, so I just tossed it by instinct.”

“Dad, Mom, don’t stare at me like that—it’s embarrassing…”

Lin Tianhao slammed his thigh in excitement:

“Perfect! Random throws! Instinct!”

“I knew it! My Lin Tianhao’s bloodline could never be worthless!”

The couple exchanged glances, both seeing wild joy in each other’s eyes.

They had previously discussed whether to have their son feign illness on exam day to avoid public gossip.

Now? What nonsense—feigning illness? Out of the question!

To waste such a miraculous micro-management talent by staying home as a lazy second-generation heir? Pure sacrilege!

So what if Zhao’s son awakened S-rank fire elemental affinity?

At low levels, when all skills are nearly identical, he still wouldn’t match Mo’er’s micro-control.

Su Wan calmed her emotions and cut straight to the point:

“Mo’er, you’ll soon take the major exam. To enter a top academy, you must reach at least Level 10 and learn a second basic skill.”

She turned to Ye Hongyu and gave solemn instructions:

“Hongyu, for the next two days, take Mo’er and push his level hard. Get him to Level 10 before the exam.”

“Yes, Lady!”

Ye Hongyu snapped to attention, her eyes alight with determination.

Lin Mo nodded without refusal:

“Alright, I understand. I’ll work hard.”

In truth, he didn’t care whether he took the exam or which university he entered.

His little fireball would level up on its own anyway.

Wherever he lay down was fine.

The bed at home was comfortable, but under his parents’ watchful eyes, it felt a bit restrictive.

University would be different.

Rumor had it that dorms had no supervision—if your power was strong enough, you could sleep all day without anyone caring.

Plus, the dorms at top academies were no worse than home.

But most importantly, if he could earn a great result and see these two old folks finally proud and glowing with joy… it wouldn’t be bad.

After all, in this life, his parents had spoiled him beyond measure.

Bringing them honor was a form of filial piety.

Seeing his son agree so readily, Su Wan’s smile deepened:

“As for your second skill, you should start considering it.”

“We have basic skill scrolls for every element.”

Su Wan listed them off like a connoisseur:

“Water: [Water Arrow], Earth: [Earth Shield], Wind: [Wind Blade], Wood: [Healing], and even the rare Lightning: [Lightning Strike].”

“Mo’er, which one do you want? Just say the word—I’ll send someone to fetch it.”

Lin Tianhao chimed in from beside her:

“Son, let me give you a suggestion.”

“Your Fireball skill is unmatched in accuracy, but mages are fragile—they dread assassins closing in or being focused by ranged attacks.”

“So for your second skill, I recommend Earth: [Earth Shield].”

“It has the highest defense coefficient among basic skills. Learn it, and you’ll have an extra turtle shell—life-saving in critical moments!”

“As long as you’re alive, you can keep dealing damage, right?”

Su Wan nodded in agreement:

“Your father’s right this time. Safety first. We don’t care how many enemies you kill—first, protect yourself.”

Lin Mo rubbed his chin, lost in thought.

Second skill…

Indeed, survival mattered.

But what he was most curious about was whether new skills could also become sentient—what kind of personality would this next one have?

He just hoped it wouldn’t turn out as irritable as the little fireball.

One irritable old man was enough; another would give him a headache.

【‘Fireball’ let out a burp: Burp~ Comfortable!】

【‘Fireball’ looked satisfied, then ignited fierce battle lust: The dragon liver tasted amazing—I feel stronger than ever! Kill! I want to kill! I feel I’m one step closer to a forbidden spell!】

Lin Mo ignored the gluttonous ‘little fireball’ and looked up at his parents:

“Alright, I’ll follow Dad’s advice. Second skill—Earth. An extra shell means more peace of mind.”

“Survival comes first—I want to live long enough to keep mooching off you.”

Lin Tianhao burst into laughter, not taking his son’s unambitious words to heart.

“Good! Make your own choice—I’m just offering advice. Now that the goal’s set, leveling can’t stop.”

As he spoke, Lin Tianhao flipped his wrist.

A plain scroll radiating purple-black light was placed solemnly on the table.

“This is the [Difficult-Level: Phantom Castle] dungeon scroll.”

“I planned to give it to you in a few days, but since your leveling speed is so fast and you have that micro-management talent, you can use it tonight.”

“The dungeon’s level restriction is Lv.3–Lv.5, so Hongyu can’t accompany you inside—but no matter, I’ve already arranged a team for you.”

“Team?”

Lin Mo spoke instinctively.

Seeing this, Lin Tianhao gave him a solemn warning:

“Mo’er, I know your micro-management talent is extraordinary, but don’t let it make you overconfident.”

“The monsters in a Difficult-Level dungeon are nothing like the weak wild creatures.”

“Life is only once—I won’t let you suffer even the slightest scratch.”

Lin Mo listened carefully and nodded seriously:

“Dad, I understand.”

“Better safe than sorry—I get that.”

In truth, he didn’t mind his father arranging a team.

Though the little fireball was powerful, he’d never entered a dungeon before.

For a first time, caution was wise—his father wouldn’t lead him astray.

Seeing his son take advice to heart, Lin Tianhao nodded with satisfaction, then turned to Ye Hongyu beside him:

Hongyu, go to the underground warehouse and select the best mage set that Mo’er can wear at his current level.

“Yes, Commander!”

Ye Hongyu turned and hurried out.

At that moment, the old steward hurried in, bowing slightly to report:

"Master, Lady."

"Miss Xia and the others have arrived; the carriage is already parked outside."

Lin Tianhao checked the time and chuckled: "Huh, they just arrived as soon as we mentioned them—these kids are punctual."