Noon.
Outside the city, low-tier zone.
Lin Feng did not go deeper.
He stayed near the edge.
Resting.
Recovering.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves.
The forest was quiet.
But his focus—
Was entirely in his mind.
The Fire Spirit had not left.
It was simply—
Silent.
Recovering.
After more than ten minutes—
A faint fluctuation appeared.
The flames lit up again.
"…That's enough."
The Fire Spirit spoke.
More stable than before.
Lin Feng opened his eyes.
"Recovered?"
"Sixty percent."
The Fire Spirit replied.
Lin Feng frowned.
"Sixty percent and you want to fight?"
No hesitation.
"Enough."
"Waiting lowers efficiency."
Lin Feng said nothing more.
He stood up slowly.
Looking toward the previous area.
That presence—
Was still there.
It hadn't left.
"Let's go."
Lin Feng said softly.
This time—
He didn't stop at the edge.
He walked straight in.
The atmosphere grew heavier.
Stronger than before.
"It's here."
The Fire Spirit's voice lowered.
The next second—
The monster appeared again.
Large.
Heavy presence.
Far beyond normal low-tier.
It lifted its head.
Locked onto Lin Feng.
Then—
Charged!
Extremely fast!
Faster than before!
Lin Feng's pupils shrank.
"Stronger than earlier?!"
No response.
Because—
The Fire Spirit had already moved.
Whoosh!
The flame shot forward instantly!
But this time—
It didn't explode immediately.
The fireball changed direction repeatedly midair!
Avoiding the charge path!
Flanking!
Closing in!
Boom!
Hit from the side!
The monster shook—
But didn't stop!
It kept charging!
The fireball pulled away!
Turned back!
Sharper angles!
Boom! Boom!
Multiple hits!
Lin Feng stood still.
Eyes focused.
He understood.
This time—
The Fire Spirit wasn't clashing head-on.
It was—
Delaying.
Draining.
Searching for the optimal solution.
"Speed isn't enough."
The Fire Spirit muttered.
"Compress further."
The next second—
The fireball compressed again!
But this time—
It didn't explode.
It stayed compressed!
Moving at high speed!
Like a dense core of fire!
Boom!
Another hit!
The monster slowed!
"Now."
The Fire Spirit spoke low.
The next instant—
Compression released!
BOOM!!!
A concentrated explosion!
Stronger than before!
The monster was engulfed!
Blown away!
It slammed into the ground—
And did not rise again.
Its aura faded.
Lin Feng exhaled slowly.
Battle over.
And this time—
Faster.
More controlled.
"More stable than this morning."
Lin Feng said.
The Fire Spirit didn't respond.
After a few seconds—
"…Acceptable."
But its tone—
Carried fatigue.
At that moment—
A notification appeared.
[Fireball Proficiency Increased][Current Level: Lv9]
Lin Feng's eyes widened.
"It reached."
The Fire Spirit trembled slightly.
"One more step."
Lin Feng nodded.
Lv9.
Just one level away.
But he didn't let it continue.
"That's enough for today."
The Fire Spirit stayed silent.
After a few seconds—
It didn't argue.
"…Fine."
The flames slowly faded.
Duller than before.
Lin Feng stood still.
Not leaving immediately.
He looked into the distance.
He knew—
The final level—
Would not be easy.