356: Chapter 356 Oh no, something bad is going to happen.

It had to be a spell... one that wasn't very powerful, but had extremely strong control.

Something that would make her clearly realize the gap between them, without causing her any actual physical harm.

Got it.

Lin Yu's thoughts settled on a card with a relatively simple structure.

[Frost Technique].

This spell was different from the sharpness of [Ice Bolt] and the keen edge of [Ice Blade].

Its only effect was to release a wide-ranging blast of bone-chilling cold air.

Its attack power was negligible; it was usually an auxiliary spell used by mage apprentices for crowd control, cooling down a battlefield, or altering terrain.

Using an apprentice-level spell like this to counter a Forbidden Curse that a Myth-level mage was about to complete...

It sounded like a joke.

But for Lin Yu, it was the optimal solution.

It was enough.

It should be enough to deal with this bristling little peacock.

Thinking this, a very confident smile slowly appeared on Lin Yu's face.

This smile was clearly reflected in the eyes of everyone on the observation deck through the broadcast screen.

The intern analysts were completely stunned.

He's still smiling?

Facing an energy storm powerful enough to destroy the entire venue, he's actually still smiling?

Lin Yao saw this smile, and her heart felt even more stifled.

Her brother's confidence was like an invisible needle, accurately piercing into her pride, which had ballooned excessively due to anger.

She didn't understand.

What right did he have to smile?

Faced with the ultimate strike she was about to complete, one she had staked her dignity as a Mythical-level Professional on, how could he still smile?

"Lin Yu..."

Lin Yao gritted her teeth, every syllable sounding as if it were squeezed out from between them.

Just as she was about to finish constructing the spell and completely unleash this world-ending energy...

Lin Yu spoke.

"Yaoyao."

His statement was very calm, without the slightest ripple, yet it clearly penetrated the Raging Elemental Storm and reached Lin Yao's ears.

"I know what you're thinking."

Lin Yao's movements faltered slightly.

The energy vortex surrounding her also experienced a flicker of unstable fluctuation as a result.

"You think that those five years I lost were spent in a daze."

Lin Yu looked at her and continued.

"You're afraid—afraid that I'll go through something like that again. So you're desperately trying to get stronger, wanting to surpass me, wanting to stand in front of me."

"If there's another 'just in case,' you want to be my support, instead of just watching helplessly like you did five years ago."

Every word was like a heavy hammer, smashing hard against Lin Yao's heart.

Her small face, which had been flushed with anger, instantly lost its color and turned somewhat pale.

He... he knew everything?

The deepest worries and obsessions in her heart, which she had never mentioned to anyone—he actually knew them all?

The raging fire of her anger seemed to be doused by a bucket of ice water, mostly extinguishing it.

In its place was an indescribable sourness.

In the observation deck, Wen Yan's body suddenly leaned forward.

He couldn't hear the conversation inside the Duel Arena, but he could see Lin Yao's instantly changing posture and the clearly chaotic energy field.

"What's going on?" an intern analyst asked nervously. "Lin Yao's spellcasting... seems to have been interrupted?"

"No, it wasn't interrupted; emotional fluctuations affected her energy control!" another person quickly judged. "What are they saying? What on earth did Lin Yu say to cause a Myth-level mage about to release a Forbidden Curse to make such a mistake?"

Wen Yan said nothing.

His brain was working rapidly.

Was this a combat technique, or a form of psychological warfare?

Lin Yu, this seemingly ordinary Epic Rank Card Maker—the maturity and terrifying nature of his mind far exceeded his expectations.

Inside the Duel Arena.

Lin Yu took a step forward.

"I always say that I used five years to trade for who I am today."

"You've never believed me, or rather, you've never witnessed it with your own eyes."

"Today, I'll let you see for yourself."

Lin Yu's voice was still gentle, but it carried an unquestionable power.

"I'm not trying to crush your confidence. I just want to tell you that your brother has never changed."

"I've always known what I wanted, and I've always walked the path I should walk."

"You don't need to worry about me."

These words left Lin Yao completely silent.

She slowly lowered her raised arms, and the energy storm around her, which was powerful enough to tear through space, gradually subsided, turning into flecks of light and dissipating into the air.

She looked up, staring fixedly at her brother.

In those bright eyes, the anger had faded, replaced by a complex mix of grievance, stubbornness, and relief.

After a long while, she took a deep breath, as if she had made a major decision.

"Fine."

She spoke, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling.

"If... if I win."

Lin Yao's small fists were clenched tightly.

"From now on, you aren't allowed to keep anything from me ever again!"

"I want to face everything with you!"

The young girl's declaration was clear and firm.

This was her bottom line, and her greatest wish.

Lin Yu smiled.

It was a heartfelt, gratified smile.

He nodded slowly.

"Fine, I promise you."

Then, in a very soft whisper, so quiet it was almost only audible to himself, he added a sentence.

"If you win, that is."

Lin Yao's expression became serious and earnest once more.

She took a step back, putting distance between herself and Lin Yu again.

This time, there was no longer any anger from being underestimated; instead, it was replaced by an unprecedented focus.

She wanted to win!

For herself, and for that promise!

So, give it your all, Lin Yao!

Lin Yao fully assumed her stance, her aura even more powerful than before.

Where there were hundreds of figures just now, there were now thousands, tens of thousands, even nearly a hundred thousand.

It was as if a deep, boundless starry sky had unfolded behind her, with every star representing one of her clones.

At this moment, within this sea of stars, all the clones were magic-based classes.

They raised their hands in unison and began a synchronized chant.

Ancient syllables converged into a torrent, and invisible magic power constructed a force that shook the very space itself.

The entire S-Class Duel Arena began to emit an overburdened hum in the face of this power.

Now, the intern analysts in the observation deck could no longer sit still.

"Quick! Contact Team Leader Liu and the others immediately!"

One intern's fingers trembled as he tapped on the communication device, his voice cracking.

"Tell them... tell them that Target Number One has had an over-spec energy eruption! Requesting emergency support!"

The call connected.

A slightly impatient male voice came from the other end.

"What's all the fuss about? Didn't I tell you guys just to record the data?"

"Team Leader Liu! No... you need to come back and see for yourself! Seriously! Something is about to happen!"

...