Starting Unlimited Evolution from Grinding

Chapter 351: Giants, Throne, and Black Mist

What happened yesterday was nothing more than a trivial interlude that didn't require any attention from Lin Mo and his team.

For them, the most important thing was still to complete the missions they had previously accepted at the Adventurers' Association.

Therefore, after a night's rest, they were packed and ready to go early the next morning, continuing deeper into the Millennium Cold Cavern.

The last two missions were also the most difficult, both being A-rank. Theoretically, missions of this difficulty required Gold-level adventurers to challenge, and even then, completion wasn't guaranteed. However, their team's strength had never truly been that of a Silver-level adventurer team. This point had been "certified" by that Adventurers' Association manager yesterday.

Judging from yesterday's battle, Lin Mo estimated his current actual combat power had steadily reached above Level 25.

Speaking of which, we must mention the divine skill 【Attribute Enhancement】 again.

Actually, Lin Mo's current Strength attribute was a bit lower than Karen's from yesterday. However, the 【Attribute Enhancement】 skill could directly provide him with Strength, Agility, and Constitution increases equivalent to about 15% of his Mana attribute, which worked out to roughly 100 points!

Coupled with the buffs Finnie could provide, this was why Lin Mo had displayed such a completely one-sided advantage in the fight.

In yesterday's battle with Karen, Lin Mo felt he had used less than half his strength. Based on this estimation, even a Level 26 enemy shouldn't be too difficult for him to defeat.

Of course, this referred to human Professionals. If it were a magical creature, it would be considerably more difficult.In terms of individual strength, normal humans generally can't match magical creatures.

Unless one has a special profession, possesses bloodline power, or has a set of excellent equipment.

But achieving any of these three points is extremely difficult.

While searching for the Phantom Snow Fox yesterday, they had already ventured deeper into the Millennium Cold Cavern, but they were still 20-30 kilometers away from the next target, which was also Lin Mo's primary objective for coming here—the area where the Mountain Giant was active.

Moreover, unlike the previous areas, these final 20-30 kilometers wouldn't be so easy to cross.

Although the number of magical creatures was much lower than on the previous route, every creature they encountered from now on would be a force to be reckoned with.

This indeed proved true. Having ridden only two or three kilometers, they trespassed into a magical creature's territory.

The territory's owner, sensing intruders, hurried over. It was a snow leopard with a threat level of 20.

This creature's strength was a notch above the Phantom Snow Fox they killed yesterday.

A Level 20 creature had already lost its value as a training partner for Ellie and the others. Although, with Lin Mo's help, their attributes were now more well-rounded, allowing them to fight creatures one or even two levels higher, facing something far beyond their level was simply beyond their capability.

For Lin Mo, the snow leopard before him was just a relatively generous source of moving proficiency points.

Lin Mo chose to kill it using 【Indestructible Shield】, to practice this newly acquired Epic-Level skill.

【Indestructible Shield】 proficiency +180

"Skill 【Indestructible Shield】 Lv4 (200/200) has leveled up!"

"Current skill 【Indestructible Shield】 Lv5 (20/360)"

Checking his current base Constitution attribute, because he had been focusing on practicing his Knight profession skills along the way, he was now only 5 base Constitution points away from reaching Level 20 as a Knight.

In other words, raising this skill to Level 6 would precisely allow Lin Mo's Knight profession to reach Level 20.

They continued their journey.

Just as could be foreseen, as they progressed further, the magical creatures they encountered next had already reached the Transcendent Level.

At this point, apart from Finnie, the other members of the team found it very difficult to participate in the fights.

Ellie and the others were naturally a bit frustrated, while Finnie was happy she could still help Lin Mo.

Transcendent Level magical creatures provided even more generous proficiency. Therefore, after advancing over 10 kilometers, Lin Mo smoothly leveled his Indestructible Shield to Level 6.

"Skill 【Indestructible Shield】 Lv5 (360/360) has leveled up!"

"Current skill 【Indestructible Shield】 Lv6 (100/600)"

"Gained base attribute point Constitution +5!"

"Universal promotion conditions met. Profession Knight (lv19) promotes – Current profession Knight (lv20)"

"Gained profession attribute enhancement: Strength +6, Constitution +18, Agility +4!"

Good, all professions have reached Level 20...

Next, it's time to focus on advancing to Transcendent Level!

Although there's still quite a distance to go.

After all, going from Level 20 to 21 requires increasing a full 50 base attribute points.

Strength and Mana were already more than halfway there, but Agility and Constitution still had a long way to go.

"Boom——!"

Just as he was pondering these things, a tremendous roar suddenly came from the distance, interrupting Lin Mo's train of thought.

He looked up in the direction of the sound, his expression growing more solemn.

What happened?

Lin Mo hesitated for a moment, then still recalled everyone into his Portable Space and proceeded alone, moving closer to that area.

The path ahead was too dangerous; it wasn't suitable to let them continue accompanying him outside.

Lin Mo activated 【Vanish】, entering a Stealth state. The journey was very smooth; he didn't encounter any magical creatures.

The source of the sound seemed close but was actually quite far. Lin Mo increased his speed. Along the way, he heard several more similar roars. Soon, over ten kilometers passed in a flash.

Then, he finally saw the source of that roar.

—Across a vast distance, an immense, fifteen-meter-tall behemoth, wielding a crystal-clear giant ice club, was smashing it heavily onto a throne constructed of ice.

"Boom——!"

Another tremendous roar. The giant, its body covered in thick, armor-like ice layers, roared furiously. Its attack landed on the throne, yet failed to budge it in the slightest.

That throne was huge....

Lin Mo looked up. The throne was over a hundred meters tall, and its structure was somewhat strange, not quite resembling a human throne.

Lin Mo was curious but dared not approach recklessly.

The over-ten-meter-tall "giant" before him was clearly his next mission target, the Mountain Giant.

But what was this throne before him?

Judging from the Mountain Giant's behavior, it seemed to think this thing had entered its territory, offending its dignity. But how could such a massive, seemingly ancient object suddenly appear within the Mountain Giant's territory?

Lin Mo opened his map and checked his current location. Due to the over ten kilometers he had just traveled, he had probably reached a depth of about 90 kilometers within the Millennium Cold Cavern Secret Realm!

Lin Mo seemed to understand something. This distance had already entered the possible range where the "Abyss of the Ice Cavern" mentioned in the final mission might appear.

In other words, this giant throne before him might be related to that mysterious deep valley?

Lin Mo's expression immediately grew even more solemn.

That deep valley was something that could nearly kill a Heroic Realm expert! Those who were lucky enough to escape lost their memories and even fell into madness!

Watching the giant creature before him smash the throne dozens more times, the massive throne still showed no reaction, not a single trace left on it.

Instead, the Mountain Giant had expended considerable energy and was already panting heavily.

Yet, even so, it still didn't stop, growing even more furious instead.

Something's not right...

Lin Mo furrowed his brow.

The temperament of Mountain Giant magical creatures isn't actually violent. On the contrary, most of the time they are rather dull and slow.

But the Mountain Giant before him had clearly fallen into a state akin to madness.

This made Lin Mo recall the notes when he accepted the "Abyss of the Ice Cavern" mission.

The Heroic Realm adventurer who went to that "Abyss of the Ice Cavern" back then had also fallen into madness for a time. Even after luckily escaping, this symptom still occurred from time to time.

So, was this giant throne before him related to the "Abyss of the Ice Cavern"?

Lin Mo, frowning deeply, didn't recklessly approach. Instead, he chose to use the 【Shadow Split】 skill, sending the clone forward. Utilizing the "shared senses" between himself and the clone, he attempted to sense the aura of this throne.

The chill that had been enveloping the surroundings since earlier seemed to grow a few degrees sharper... but apart from that, there seemed to be no other difference.

"Lin Mo" looked at the throne ahead and continued to approach.

Until a certain moment, it was like crossing an invisible barrier. Accompanied by a silent roar exploding in his mind, an ancient, desolate aura rushed towards him, carrying an immensely heavy pressure.

That intangible yet vast pressure caused "Lin Mo's" breathing to halt for an instant, then become labored. His muscles and bones trembled along with it, as if in "mourning."

This trembling sensation felt somewhat familiar to Lin Mo.

Perhaps due to the difference in stance and perspective, it took Lin Mo a good while to finally remember the source of this familiarity.

It was draconic pressure!

When the Frost Dragon Scale Sword activated "Breath of the Frost Dragon," it also emitted a trace of a similar aura.

But compared to the pressure emanating from this throne before him, the Frost Dragon Scale Sword in his hand was like a drop of water to the ocean—so insignificant. Moreover, there seemed to be something else mixed within it.

A deeper, more bone-chilling aura…

Lin Mo could feel that if his Spirit attribute weren't relatively high, this pressure should have already plunged him into inescapable fear.

Even though he wasn't affected yet, he didn't dare to get any closer.

So, should he abandon the mission?

Abandoning now meant giving up two missions.

Frowning, Lin Mo still chose to try letting the clone proceed further. The pressure applied on his body grew heavier along with it. In his mind, faint whispers seemed to surface.

The voices were chaotic, unclear what they were saying, very low, coming from all directions, enveloping "him" completely, like the murmurs of an ancient god.

Lin Mo's clone abruptly dissipated.

The skill's duration clearly hadn't expired. The clone showed no signs of taking damage, yet it just vanished on the spot.

The Mountain Giant's attacks continued. Its muscles were torn, its palms covered in blood. The weapon crafted from millennium ice in its hands was already full of dents and pits, yet it still didn't stop.

This place was truly too eerie.

Lin Mo, frowning tightly, hesitated no longer, turned, and left.

Missions, the Mountain Giant's Heart—these things were certainly important, but they weren't worth him taking unknown risks.

If it were some confirmed enemy, even if very strong, Lin Mo wouldn't be too afraid. After all, he had his Portable Space, a method to escape.

But this kind of unknown and eerie thing, he had no desire to explore it at all.

However, the moment Lin Mo turned to leave, a chill suddenly rose from the soles of his feet. Without any hesitation, Lin Mo directly "Flashed" to the maximum distance.

As he ran, he glanced back. Wisps of black mist spread from the throne, instantly engulfing the Mountain Giant. The black mist, like venomous snakes, coiled around its body. The Mountain Giant, brandishing its damaged giant ice club, charged towards Lin Mo again.

What's going on?

Lin Mo was puzzled in his heart. It was just madly attacking the throne moments ago, how did it suddenly switch targets?

Could it be because he tried to escape?

Lin Mo looked again at the distant throne. Now, the black mist was no longer spreading from the throne. The ice-blue throne returned to its original appearance, seemingly without any abnormalities.

If Lin Mo had turned back a moment later, he might not have witnessed with his own eyes the source of this black mist.

The Mountain Giant attacked again. Contrary to its massive and bloated appearance, its speed was fast, only about one-third slower than Lin Mo.

Coupled with the large attack range its massive size provided and the narrow terrain within the ice cavern, it increased Lin Mo's difficulty in dodging again.

Lin Mo constantly shifted his position, having no intention of fighting at all.

But...

Could he really just leave like this?

Lin Mo tried to Flash to create distance, sprinting back the way he came. Everything seemed to go smoothly. However, just as he had opened up several kilometers and was wondering in his heart if he had overthought things, a wall composed of black mist suddenly blocked the path ahead.

"Damn!"

Lin Mo gritted his teeth, attempting to Flash past the black mist. However, as he channeled Mana as usual, he only Flashed to the face of the black mist wall, unable to cross it.

Lin Mo tried again, with the same result.

Was space sealed? No, probably not... He could still sense the existence of his Portable Space. It seemed the black mist had merely erected an energy barrier, isolating this place from the outside world.

Lin Mo's face darkened. Before he could attempt again, the black mist before him expanded, transforming into a giant hand, grabbing towards him.

Lin Mo's pupils contracted. He quickly retreated, but the speed of the giant hand was actually faster than his. Seeing he was about to be caught, Lin Mo could only prepare at any moment to enter his Portable Space to dodge.

However, just as the giant hand composed of black mist was about to touch him, and Lin Mo had already willed it, about to enter his Portable Space...

A brilliant light suddenly radiated from his body.

It wasn't any ordinary Light Element, but...

"Holy Light Power"!