Using Experience-Farming on the Old Master?

Carter's arm holding the shield began to tremble violently, and his breathing grew increasingly labored.

He looked at the fanatical young man before him, who seemed never to tire, and was utterly shaken.

Was this really an apprentice who had only learned combat techniques yesterday?!

His attacks flowed like water, his rhythm seamless, and his killing instinct perfectly fused magic with his physical body.

He was practically a battle weapon wearing human skin!

Under Ren's suppression, Carter felt like a broken wooden boat struggling to stay afloat amid raging waves, ready to capsize at any moment.

What made him even more desperate was that—

If he used only apprentice-level magic power, he was actually no match for this kid!

If Carter knew that even Grand Mage Wong had nearly been forced into an embarrassing defeat by Ren just yesterday, he would probably have felt a little better.

"Ren, you did very well."

"But that's still not enough!"

Carter gritted his teeth. He knew he could not keep dragging things out like this.

If this went on for a few more minutes, his old bones would fall apart.

A sly glint flashed through the old mage's eyes.

The Magic Shield in his hand suddenly dispersed, instantly transforming into two golden chains that resembled venomous snakes!

This was an advanced micro-control technique used by experienced Sorcerers—Shield-to-Chain Transformation.

The chains slipped through the gaps in the blade net and, at an extremely tricky angle, wrapped directly around Ren's ankles and wrists.

They suddenly tightened.

Bang!

Ren lost his balance and crashed heavily to the ground.

The battle came to an abrupt halt.

"Master Carter is truly experienced. That move was incredible."

Ren lay on the ground, panting heavily.

He had thought a Magic Shield was only meant to take hits. He had never expected it could change forms midway and seize someone.

Ginger was indeed spicier when it was old!

Hearing Ren's praise, Carter felt not the slightest joy at winning. His weathered face was filled with bitterness.

Did he win?

In truth, he had lost completely.

He had even been forced to reveal his ultimate advanced combat technique.

And all that just to subdue an apprentice who had only recently begun training?

If word of this got out, how could he continue to hold his head high among the Sorcerers?

Looking at Ren lying on the ground, Carter seemed to see The Ancient One from several hundred years ago—the astonishing genius who had swept aside all opposition.

Equally suffocating.

Equally powerful in a way that inspired despair.

This kid's future achievements will definitely be no lower than the Ancient One's!

The skies over Kamar-Taj may really be about to change.

"I wouldn't call that impressive. I was merely relying on having lived a few more years and using a few petty tricks."

Carter shook his head self-deprecatingly and dispelled the Magic Chains around Ren.

"Ren, handing you over to Grand Mage Wong was the best decision I've ever made."

"With your current level of practical combat ability, once The Ancient One returns, as long as you pass the final trial—"

"You'll be able to advance directly to become a full-fledged Sorcerer and become my colleague."

At Kamar-Taj, once someone obtained an official position, everyone's status was equal.

"Master, you're flattering me."

Ren nimbly climbed to his feet and dusted the dirt from his clothes.

"No matter how far I go in the future, you'll always be the mentor I respect most."

Ren spoke with complete sincerity.

After all, where could he find another premium NPC like Carter—good-tempered, with an innate experience bonus, and willing to deliver himself right to his door?

"Hahaha! Being able to train a disciple like you means my life has been worthwhile!"

Carter felt thoroughly refreshed by the flattery, and the gloom from earlier vanished without a trace.

"Come on. Soak in a medicinal bath and recover as soon as possible. Even harsher training awaits you tomorrow!"

Over the next two days, Ren transformed into an emotionless training machine.

His daily task was to cooperate with all the skills on his body in his room and frantically grind their proficiency.

He had more or less figured out how this system worked.

Although skills could train on their own in the background, if the host personally participated, training efficiency would skyrocket severalfold!

[Ping!]

[Your Sling Ring sensed the host's diligence and is in an excellent mood!]

[Your mastery of Portal has increased significantly!]

[Ping!]

[Your 'Kamar-Taj Close-Quarters Combat' was inspired by the host's spirit and is brimming with motivation!]

[Combat Technique level increased to Level 3!]

Hearing the pleasant notifications ringing out one after another in his mind, Ren punched even faster.

The feeling of getting rewarded for his efforts was unbelievably satisfying!

In just two short days—

Every basic skill on his status panel had broken through the Level 3 threshold.

That was an utterly terrifying concept.

Most of Kamar-Taj's experienced Sorcerers spent their entire lives stuck at Level 3.

Aside from a few specialists like Carter, old men who focused on a single branch of Magic—

In comprehensive fields such as Portal and close-quarters combat, many experienced Sorcerers could no longer defeat Ren.

This led to a very practical problem.

Master Carter's experience package had been completely drained dry by Ren.

Now, even if the old mage talked until his lips cracked, the system would no longer display any notifications about increased proficiency.

If he wanted to continue getting free experience, he had to find a higher-level NPC!

Knock, knock, knock.

A steady knock on the door interrupted Ren's thoughts.

Ren lowered his stance, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and walked over to open the door.

"Grand Mage Wong? What brings you here personally!"

Standing outside was none other than Kamar-Taj's current second-in-command, the expressionless, portly Wong.

Wong looked at Ren, who was drenched in sweat and clearly had just undergone intense exercise. A nearly imperceptible trace of approval flashed in his eyes.

"I was passing by and came to check on you."

Wong's voice remained as emotionless as ever, like a stagnant pool.

"Looks like you haven't slacked off just because of your outstanding talent. You've been training diligently."

"But you should also pay attention to balancing work and rest. If you keep overtaxing your body, you'll only leave behind hidden problems."

Ren nodded repeatedly and said respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Grand Mage. I know my limits."

"Mm."

Wong gave a slight nod and casually drew a circle of golden sparks in midair.

"Change into clean clothes and come with me."

Ren's eyes lit up. He immediately put on a gray apprentice robe and followed Wong through the Portal.

Light and shadow shifted.

The two of them once again arrived in the bizarre Mirror Dimension.

The surrounding buildings were still twisting and folding in ways that violated the laws of physics.

Wong stood with his hands behind his back, turned around, and fixed Ren with a piercing gaze.

"I won't teach you anything new today. I want to inspect your fundamentals."

"Geniuses often suffer from the same flaw: trying to bite off more than they can chew. They rely on their talent to frantically learn new techniques in the early stages while neglecting the most important aspect—energy control."

"People like that advance quickly at first, but they never touch the threshold of a Grand Mage in their entire lives."

Wong spoke with great seriousness, clearly warning Ren.

Over Kamar-Taj's centuries of history, more geniuses had fallen than there were stars in the sky. Most had died from blind arrogance.

"So, demonstrate every spell you know."

"Start with the most basic Magic Shield. Let me see your true level."

Ren was ecstatic inside.

How is this checking my homework?

This is clearly a walking top-tier experience package delivering itself to my door to hand out benefits!

Master Carter's wool has been stripped bare. Now I can finally fleece the Grand Mage!

"Yes, Grand Mage. Please don't hold back in instructing me!"

Ren suppressed his excitement and took half a step back.

His mind stirred.

Buzz!

A dazzling golden Magic Shield, so bright it was almost blinding, instantly condensed on Ren's arm!

This shield had already approached Level 4 infinitely closely.

The light on its surface was no longer a scattering of sparks. Instead, it was woven from countless extremely fine, orderly, and profound Runes, radiating a solidity as weighty as a mountain.

The instant Wong saw the shield clearly, his expressionless face, unchanged for ten thousand years, twitched twice.

Damn!

What kind of miraculous elixir had this kid secretly taken behind my back?

Was this really a shield an apprentice could create?

In terms of energy density and the precision of the Runes' arrangement alone, even more than half of Kamar-Taj's experienced Sorcerers would have to find a crack in the ground to hide in out of shame!

It was only a thin layer of paper away from his own level!

Wong forcibly suppressed the violent shock in his heart, took a deep breath, and put on the aloof bearing of a Grand Mage.