The next day.
Early morning.
Outside the city, in the low-tier zone.
Lin Feng entered again.
No hesitation.
No probing.
He walked deeper immediately.
"We continue today."
Lin Feng said softly.
The next second—
Buzz.
A fireball appeared.
Compared to yesterday—
More stable.
More condensed.
The Fire Spirit spoke.
"Obviously."
"Of course we continue."
The tone was still cold.
But—
There was a faint urgency beneath it.
Lin Feng said nothing.
He had already noticed.
The Fire Spirit—
Was rushing.
"Up ahead."
Lin Feng's gaze sharpened.
Deeper in the forest—
A cluster of monster presence gathered.
Not a small number.
The Fire Spirit didn't speak again.
It shot forward instantly!
Whoosh!
The flame streaked out!
The first monster appeared—
Boom!
Pierced instantly!
No pause!
The fireball continued forward!
Second!
Third!
Everything in a straight line—
Was pierced through!
But this time—
The fireball didn't immediately turn.
It paused—
Before moving again.
Lin Feng frowned.
"Slower."
The Fire Spirit didn't deny it.
"Consumption is increasing."
Lin Feng's thoughts moved.
As expected—
As the power increased—
The cost rose as well.
At that moment—
A sharp sound came from the side!
A faster figure rushed out!
Faster than any monster before!
Lin Feng's pupils shrank!
"This one is different!"
The next second—
The Fire Spirit moved.
No evasion.
No retreat.
The fireball stopped.
Then—
Compressed violently!
The flame darkened instantly!
Almost turning deep red!
"Perfect."
The Fire Spirit's voice lowered.
With a hint of excitement.
"Let's test it."
BOOM!!!
The fireball exploded!
A larger blast than before!
The fast-moving monster—
Was engulfed instantly!
Blown away!
It slammed to the ground!
But—
It didn't die immediately!
It struggled to get up!
Lin Feng's eyes sharpened.
"Still alive?!"
The Fire Spirit didn't speak.
The fireball had already begun forming again!
But this time—
It was slightly slower.
"…In time."
The Fire Spirit muttered.
The next second—
The fireball shot out again!
Boom!
Finishing blow!
The monster collapsed completely.
Its aura vanished.
Lin Feng stood still.
Not moving.
But his breathing—
Was slightly heavier.
"That attack just now…"
"Consumed a lot."
The Fire Spirit didn't deny it.
"Mm."
"Three times higher than before."
Lin Feng paused.
"Three times?"
"Traded for efficiency."
The Fire Spirit replied calmly.
"Worth it."
Lin Feng stayed silent.
He understood now.
The Fire Spirit—
Was intentionally increasing consumption.
For higher burst.
At that moment—
A notification appeared again.
[Fireball Proficiency Increased][Current Level: Lv8]
Lin Feng's eyes sharpened.
"It leveled up."
"Mm."
The Fire Spirit replied.
But its voice—
Was noticeably weaker.
"Two more levels."
Lin Feng nodded.
But he didn't let it continue.
"Stop for now."
The Fire Spirit was silent.
After a few seconds—
It spoke.
"…Fine."
The flames slowly returned.
Duller than before.
Lin Feng looked down.
Said nothing.
But reached a conclusion:
—it was approaching its limit.
At that moment—
Deep in the forest—
A heavier presence appeared.
Stronger than the previous one.
Lin Feng's gaze sharpened.
Before he could speak—
The Fire Spirit had already sensed it.
"That one…"
Its voice was low.
Slightly restrained.
"Not now."
Lin Feng paused.
This was the first time—
It chose to retreat.
"Why?"
A brief silence.
Then—
The Fire Spirit said slowly:
"If we fight now—"
"We lose."
The air froze.
Lin Feng didn't ask more.
He simply stepped back.
Leaving the area.
And in his mind—
The Fire Spirit spoke again.
This time—
Completely calm.
"Let me recover."
"I'll kill it later."