Chapter 25-A Leap In Strength, Crushing Nightmare-Level Challenges!

"As long as you let me use the Abyssal Mirror, I'll carry you through Nightmare difficulty."

Li Yao repeated himself.

"No way!"

Upon hearing this, Uncle Wu immediately voiced his objection.

"Young Master Li, it's not that I don't believe you. You've already proven your strength by soloing Nightmare difficulty."

"But! Teaming up increases the dungeon's difficulty—100% for a full five-man team, 25% for a duo."

"I know." Li Yao responded casually. "Just 25%, right? We have two people as well, don't we?"

To be honest, Li Yao didn't even consider a 25% increase worth mentioning.

His current stats were on a completely different level compared to when he soloed.

Forget carrying just Qin Yue—he was confident he could carry four people.

"I absolutely believe in Young Master Li's strength…"

Uncle Wu hesitated, glancing at Qin Yue.

"But to be frank, my lady may not even meet that 25% difficulty increase. Entering a Nightmare dungeon would only make her a burden to you…"

"Hey!" Qin Yue was instantly furious.

She wanted to argue, but then realized Uncle Wu was probably right.

She was only level 8. Even as an A-rank class holder, she wouldn't be much help.

Thinking about this, she looked at Li Yao pitifully, afraid he wouldn't take her into the dungeon.

"Li Yao, I'm easy to carry."

"I'd even settle for Master difficulty…"

"Master difficulty isn't worth it. It's a waste of time."

If not for the level 20 restriction on Hell difficulty, Li Yao would've gone for that instead.

"Don't worry, Uncle Wu. I've got Nightmare difficulty under control. If things get dangerous, Qin Yue can just use an Escape Scroll to teleport out."

"Are you sure?"

Uncle Wu studied Li Yao seriously.

Clearing Nightmare difficulty was far too tempting. If his lady could get in on this…

And most importantly, Li Yao had the credibility to back it up.

Before this, who would have believed that a Summoner could solo a Nightmare dungeon?

"I'm sure."

"Good!"

Uncle Wu nodded firmly and took out several potions from his storage ring, handing them to Li Yao.

"These restore HP by percentage and can be used on summoned creatures. The cooldown is also very short—use them as you see fit."

"Of course, these aren't part of your payment. If you really manage to carry my lady through Nightmare difficulty…"

"The Qin family will reward you generously."

No matter how valuable the Abyssal Mirror was, it couldn't compare to a Nightmare dungeon clear.

Carrying someone through Nightmare difficulty was a huge favor—the Qin family couldn't just accept it without giving anything in return.

Li Yao took the potions and stored them in his inventory.

Percentage-based healing potions were incredibly rare. Even if he didn't need them now, they'd definitely come in handy later.

"Alright, let's not waste time. We're heading in now."

From start to finish, Li Yao remained utterly calm, as if clearing Nightmare difficulty was just another routine task.

This alone filled Uncle Wu and the others with confidence.

Qin Yue created a party, invited Li Yao, and used the Abyssal Mirror to reset the dungeon cooldown.

"Alright, we can enter now."

She activated the dungeon, looking a bit nervous as she carefully selected Nightmare difficulty.

In an instant—

The dungeon vortex turned blood-red.

"Li Yao still hasn't come out, and now someone else is picking Nightmare difficulty?"

"Hah! Do they really think they're Young Master Li? This is hilarious!"

No one believed it.

Nightmare difficulty had never been cleared before—how could it be defeated twice in one day?

Only Jiang Ningyu noticed the two figures stepping into the dungeon.

Li Yao… Qin Yue…

"He's taking Qin Yue through Nightmare difficulty?"

Jiang Ningyu stared at them, then thought about herself.

Right now, she and her newly formed team were about to run a Normal dungeon.

Normal… while they were doing Nightmare…

Qin! Yue!

Jiang Ningyu gritted her teeth, her beautiful eyes locked onto the dungeon vortex.

The difference was painfully clear.

She might not have cared before—if she had never possessed it, she wouldn't feel the loss.

But once something had been hers, only to be taken away…

If only she hadn't broken up with Li Yao.

Then the one standing beside him, entering the Nightmare dungeon—

Would have been her.

On the same familiar hill.

Li Yao and Qin Yue landed.

Looking at the several Goblin settlements in the distance, Qin Yue's long legs trembled slightly.

With Appraisal, all monster stats showed up as ???.

The sheer pressure and their grotesque forms were fundamentally different from anything in a Hard dungeon.

"This is Nightmare difficulty?"

Her teeth chattered involuntarily.

She had entered and even cleared Master difficulty before.

But this?

This was on a whole different level.

Even the ordinary monsters roaming around the Goblin settlements looked like they could wipe out their entire party.

Not to mention the hidden boss lurking within.

Li Yao didn't answer her.

Nor did he care about Qin Yue's current state of mind.

"Predator, protect them."

With a snap of his fingers—

The blue bird on his shoulder took off into the sky.

A Void Predator materialized before them.

No further commands were needed.

His two pawns, along with the Void Mantis lurking in the shadows—

All dashed forward in an instant.

The Void Predator, having devoured the Goblin King last time, had grown even larger.

Its heavy footsteps made a distinct squelching sound as it moved.

The dungeon had officially begun.

Qin Yue suddenly felt it—

A terrifying Goblin squad had already locked onto her.

It was a sensation of absolute helplessness.

Like her body simply refused to resist—like she could only wait for death.

At that moment, Li Yao patted her lightly on the shoulder.

"Let's go. My summons can't be too far from me."

"R-right!"

In an instant, that crushing pressure vanished.

Qin Yue suddenly felt like she could do this.

Everyone else had thought Li Yao was walking into his own demise by choosing Nightmare difficulty.

But Qin Yue had believed he had a plan.

And now, seeing his calm expression—

That feeling returned.

With a pro carrying me, what's there to be afraid of?

Meanwhile—

On the outskirts of the Goblin settlement, blood and flesh splattered.

Goblin limbs flew through the air, slamming against walls.

[You have slain a Goblin Priest. EXP +0.08%]

[Combat Training triggered. Void Mantis Strength +1]

[You have slain a Goblin Warrior. EXP +0.07%]

[Combat Training triggered. Void Mantis Strength +1]

The crisp, satisfying sound of experience points rolling in echoed nonstop.

Qin Yue's expression shifted from terror to deep thought—before finally settling into pure disbelief.

With the Void Predator leading the charge, the Void Mantis and Bluebird could unleash their full power without restraint.

Like an unstoppable bulldozer, they massacred the Goblin hordes.

With the Void Mantis's insane mobility, Li Yao didn't even need to cast buffs.

It tore through the monsters, weaving in and out effortlessly.

The Bluebird?

After dropping an Ice Storm, it simply perched behind the Predator, letting the massive creature shield it from all attacks.

This time—

Li Yao didn't even need to lure enemies.

He simply bulldozed through the entire Goblin settlement.