233: Comprehending a Skill · Divine Inspiration
The training was still ongoing.
Lucky Frog's situation wasn't much better.
It crouched in a corner, gasping for breath, its jade-white body covered in sweat and dust.
But it didn't lie down; it was thinking about something.
Why had its talent failed?
Vivien Leigh stood beside Ballot, the galaxy whip in her hand.
Today, she hadn't transformed into Su Ningyu's appearance, using her true form instead.
Her amethyst eyes swept over the several beasts, finally landing on Lucky Frog.
"Lucky Frog, you're far too useless."
Her voice was youthful yet cold, like a winter icicle. "Right now, you might be the most worthless of these beasts. Once your talent is countered, you're just a useless frog."
Lucky Frog opened its mouth, wanting to retort, but no words came out.
It felt it.
Today, Vivien Leigh had copied Coal Ball's [Nine Tails] talent, gaining one of the tails' abilities: "Immunity to all talent effects."
Its [Evil Chihuahua] was completely ineffective against Vivien Leigh, like a fist hitting cotton—not even a sound could be heard.
Without that terrifying mental pollution, what did it have left?
Flamethrower? Light Beam? Frog Croak?
Angels Kiss required hitting the opponent to petrify them.
For the first time, Lucky Frog began to seriously ponder this question.
It had always been proud of that talent that could make enemies vomit in disgust.
It thought that with this talent, it was invincible.
But now, Vivien Leigh told it in the most direct way.
"As long as your talent is dealt with, you are nothing."
"Gua..." Lucky Frog lowered its head, an emotion it had never felt before flashing in its amber eyes.
Not fear, not grievance, but a kind of... unwillingness.
No.
It couldn't go on like this.
If it became useless just because its talent was countered, how could it stand by its master's side?
Why should Little Bell call it "partner"?
Why should Coal Ball, Slime, and that terrifying Ballot look up to it?
Good Fortune, bring me good luck!!
Lucky Frog closed its eyes, pouring all its will, desire, and unwillingness into the ancient copper coin it had swallowed.
It didn't know if this would work, but it had to do something.
It didn't want to be called a "useless frog" anymore.
[Ding!]
On the other side.
A crisp System notification rang out in Su Ningyu's mind.
He was currently checking the evolution requirements for Little Bell to evolve into a Blazing Sun Flower.
Learning a dance; he was playing a video of dances he had selected for the Sunlight Flower.
He pulled up the System's notification.
[Congratulations, Player! Your beast "Lucky Frog," driven by a strong desire for self-Breakthrough, has successfully comprehended a new skill — Divine Inspiration!]
[Divine Inspiration (Passive/Active)]
Passive Effect: When Lucky Frog faces an attack, if it can clearly predict the trajectory, there is a chance for a "Divine Inspiration," allowing it to evade damage in an almost unbelievable way.
Active Effect: Consumes a large amount of Mental Energy to apply a "Good Fortune" status to a designated target, granting a significant probability bonus to their next crucial action.
Su Ningyu stared at the skill panel for several seconds.
He hadn't expected that this fellow would actually comprehend the long-awaited special skill.
Su Ningyu looked up toward the Mirror World training ground.
There, Lucky Frog stood in place with its eyes closed, its entire body emitting a faint golden halo.
The halo was different from Little Bell's Healing Light or Coal Ball's deep blue luster; it was a warm, soft glow that seemed to bring peace to the mind.
Lucky Frog opened its eyes; deep within its amber pupils, something seemed different.
It looked down at its claws, then suddenly looked up and let out a spirited croak at Vivien Leigh: "Gua—!" (Again! This time I won't be hit!)
Vivien Leigh raised an eyebrow, the galaxy whip lifting: "Oh? You think you're capable again just because you comprehended a new skill?"
Lucky Frog did not back down.
It took a deep breath and closed its eyes.
Vivien Leigh's whip fell with a whistle that tore through the air, heading straight for the top of Lucky Frog's head.
Lucky Frog didn't dodge.
It just tilted its head slightly.
The whip brushed past its ear, hitting empty air.
Vivien Leigh's amethyst eyes narrowed slightly.
She lashed out again, this time faster and more ruthless, sealing off all of Lucky Frog's possible escape routes.
Lucky Frog's body twisted at an incredible angle, as if gently pushed by an invisible hand.
The whip missed again.
Vivien Leigh stopped and stared at Lucky Frog for several seconds.
Then, the corners of her mouth curled up, revealing a rare smile of approval. "Interesting. It seems you aren't a complete waste."
Lucky Frog opened its eyes and grinned. "Gua!"
It certainly wasn't a waste; it was the Great King Lucky Frog!
In the distance, Ballot glanced over without speaking, merely sheathing his long sword.
He looked at the faint golden halo on Lucky Frog, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.
Vivien Leigh waved her hand: "Alright, today's training ends here. Lucky Frog stays behind for a bit more practice."
Hearing this command, Lucky Frog's smile froze. "Gua?" (Why?)
"Because you just comprehended a new skill and need to consolidate it."
"Gua..." Lucky Frog knew this old monster wouldn't let it off easily.
Little Bell floated over, gently patting Lucky Frog's head with its petals and letting out a few crisp "qiu-mi" sounds, as if saying "Keep it up, you're the best."
Then it turned and floated away, leaving decisively.
Coal Ball yawned, its tail swaying as it walked toward the rest area without looking back.
Slime had already slipped into a corner, shrinking itself into a puddle of almost invisible transparent liquid.
It didn't want to be "kept behind for extra practice."
Lucky Frog watched the retreating backs of its companions one by one, then looked at the slowly rotating galaxy whip in Vivien Leigh's hand and swallowed hard.
Today, it would probably be very late before it could sleep.
Su Ningyu smiled.
The screams, the sound of the whip, and Ballot's cold scolding in the Mirror World were all intertwined; he could faintly sense them even through several layers of spatial barriers.
Everyone was working hard; strength doesn't lie.
During this time, Lucky Frog and Little Bell's strength had both increased to bronze rank eight.
Their respective next evolutions were fast approaching.
Lucky Frog needed silver rank one to evolve into a Fortune Golden Toad.
Little Bell needed bronze rank nine Peak plus that special "dance"
to move toward the Second Sequence of the Flame Sun, the Blazing Sun Flower.
Speaking of that dance, Su Ningyu had a headache.
One of the conditions for Little Bell's second evolution was to perform a special dance in an environment with sufficient fire elements.
Not just any dance would do.
It had to be based on Little Bell's own energy characteristics and morphological features.
The Beast Tamer, Su Ningyu, had to tailor a unique dance for it.
Su Ningyu wondered what kind of evolution condition this was, requiring the Beast Tamer to choreograph a dance.