The next day.
Afternoon.
Outside the city.
Lin Feng entered the low-tier zone again.
This time—
He didn't stay within familiar territory.
He went deeper.
Further than yesterday.
The air grew heavier.
The monster presence—
More chaotic.
Stronger.
"Today is different."
Lin Feng said softly.
The next second—
A fireball appeared.
The Fire Spirit spoke.
"Mm."
Short.
But colder than usual.
Lin Feng said nothing.
He had already noticed.
The Fire Spirit's state—
Was different.
Not weaker.
But—
Focused.
Extremely compressed.
"Up ahead."
Lin Feng's gaze sharpened.
Deep in the forest—
Multiple presences intertwined.
Not few.
The Fire Spirit didn't hesitate.
It shot out instantly!
Whoosh!
The flame burst forward!
The first monster appeared—
Boom!
Pierced instantly!
But this time—
The fireball didn't stop.
It kept moving!
Second!
Third!
Even—
Turning in advance!
Locking targets early!
Predicting paths!
Lin Feng stood still.
But his gaze tightened.
He could feel it—
The rhythm had changed.
Faster.
Denser.
More extreme.
"Not enough."
The Fire Spirit muttered.
"Compress more."
The next second—
The fireball compressed.
Not once—
Continuously.
Its size shrank.
Its color deepened.
From orange—
To deep red.
Almost dark.
Lin Feng's pupils shrank.
This state—
Was more dangerous than ever before.
"You sure?"
Lin Feng asked softly.
No answer.
Because—
It had already charged.
BOOM!!!
The first explosion!
Small radius.
But extremely concentrated!
It pierced a monster!
No pause!
The fireball moved again!
Still compressed!
Boom! Boom!
Continuous strikes!
Every hit—
Precise!
Lin Feng's breathing tightened.
He could feel it—
The Fire Spirit was consuming itself.
But—
Its efficiency reached the extreme.
At that moment—
Deep in the forest—
A larger monster emerged!
Its presence—
Stronger than all before!
"It's here."
The Fire Spirit spoke low.
No excitement.
No arrogance.
Only—
Focus.
The next second—
It went head-on.
BOOM!!!
Explosion!
The flames surged!
But this time—
The monster wasn't blown away!
It staggered—
And kept charging!
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed.
"It held?!"
No retreat.
The fireball shrank again!
Smaller.
Darker.
Denser.
"Again."
The voice was low.
The next instant—
Second explosion!
BOOM!!!
This time—
The fire condensed to a point!
Then exploded!
The monster froze!
Slowed!
But—
Still not down!
"Not enough?!"
A brief silence.
Then—
Third compression.
Slower.
Unstable.
"…Last one."
The voice was faint.
The next second—
The fireball shot out.
BOOM!!!
Third explosion!
The monster shattered!
Collapsed!
Its aura vanished.
Battle over.
Lin Feng stood still.
Not moving.
But his breathing—
Was heavier.
Not from exhaustion—
But because—
He could feel it.
The Fire Spirit—
Had reached its limit.
The flame returned slowly.
Dim.
Unstable.
Almost dispersing.
"Stop."
Lin Feng said softly.
This time—
No argument.
No reply.
Only—
Silence.
After a few seconds—
A faint voice appeared.
"…Did we reach it?"
Lin Feng froze.
The next moment—
Notifications burst in his mind!
[Fireball Proficiency Increased][Current Level: Lv10][Skill Evolution Condition Met]
Lin Feng's pupils shrank!
"Level ten!"
Silence filled the air.
The flame in his palm—
Trembled slightly.
As if breathing.
But no further change.
Just stayed there.
Weak.
Quiet.
As if—
After a breaking point.
Lin Feng said nothing.
He slowly clenched his hand.
He knew—
Something would change.
But not yet.