I am the Arcane Archer, and all my skills are self-created.

"you……"

Hua Zitong looked at Li Wu, opened her mouth, but found herself at a loss for words.

Her mind was a bit of a mess.

Just minutes before, they were in trouble because the monsters were immune to fire damage, and Li Wu even considered giving up.

But now?

He not only mastered the single-target lightning skill on the spot, but also managed to create a group lightning skill.

The whole process was smooth and natural, just like eating and drinking.

Is this reasonable?

This is unreasonable!

Ever since Hua Zitong learned that Arcane Archers were created by comprehending runes and combining them with Creation skills, she understood why the Arcane Archer class was considered "useless" in her previous life—the biggest reason being the lack of skills and the difficulty of Creation.

Most arcane archers may never learn a new rune in their lifetime, let alone combine runes into a completely new skill.

Those are things that only exist in theory.

But what about Li Wu? He's like a monster without any limitations; whenever he wants or needs it, he can effortlessly acquire new and unheard-of skills.

This matter was completely beyond the comprehension of Hua Zitong, the reborn individual.

"What's wrong?" Li Wu asked, looking at her dazed expression. "Is there a problem with this skill?"

He, on the other hand, felt quite good about himself.

The appearance of [Chain Lightning Bolt] perfectly solved their current predicament. Although it consumed a lot of mana, the unparalleled monster-clearing efficiency made it a very profitable deal.

"No...no problem." Hua Zitong came back to her senses, shook her head, and looked at him with a complicated expression.

"I'm just... a little shocked. Li Wu, do you know how much of an earthquake your actions just now would cause within the entire Arcane Archer player community if word got out?"

"Is it really that exaggerated?" Li Wu said dismissively.

In his view, this was simply the normal logic of encountering and solving problems. If fire doesn't work, switch to lightning. If individual units are inefficient, create a group. Everything is for faster upgrades and faster growth.

He could roughly understand what Hua Zitong meant; it was simply a matter of scarcity increasing value.

However, he didn't feel much about it. To him, these skills were just tools—tools he used to earn money to support his family, repay favors, and cope with future crises.

"Alright, stop lamenting," Li Wu interrupted her. "Instead of wasting time, let's kill a few more monsters. We still have a long way to go."

As he spoke, he raised the Arcane Bow in his hand.

Looking at his pragmatic and somewhat cold profile, Hua Zitong could only sigh helplessly in the end.

Talking to this guy about ideals and vision is like casting pearls before swine. In his world, perhaps only "efficiency" and "profit" are eternal themes.

So be it.

Hua Zitong rallied her spirits and gripped the shield tightly in her hand.

As Li Wu said, now is not the time for sentimentality.

"There are seven mining golems ahead, three elite and four ordinary," Hua Zitong quickly reported the situation around the corner. "They're quite spread out, so I'll leave them to you."

Her role has completely changed from a guide to a support character who scouts and takes damage.

"receive."

Li Wu responded and, without the slightest hesitation, immediately drew back the bowstring.

This time, he didn't charge up his power again, but instead released the [Chain Lightning Arrow] that had just formed in his mind.

"Crack!"

A blinding flash of lightning exploded on the bowstring, and an arrow made of pure lightning energy whistled out, accurately striking the foremost mining golem.

-1455! (Weakness Critical Hit)

A blue damage number popped up.

Before the mining golem could even react, its body suddenly stiffened, and it fell into a brief state of paralysis.

But this is just the beginning.

After hitting its first target, the lightning arrows did not dissipate, but instead, as if they had a life of their own, they instantly shot out, drawing Z-shaped electric nets between the five puppets!

-892!

-833!

-846!

……

A series of damage numbers popped up densely above the puppets' heads, and the movement speed of the entire puppet horde was also reduced significantly under the cover of the electric grid.

"Such a powerful control effect!" Hua Zitong's eyes lit up.

She hadn't expected that this [Chain Lightning Arrow] would not only deal considerable damage, but also have such a powerful group slowing effect.

"It's not over yet."

Li Wu's voice rang out calmly.

Before the words were even finished, the second and third chain-like lightning arrows had already been released from the bow.

"Crackling and popping!"

A denser electric grid ravaged the monster horde, turning the once menacing mining golems into sluggish, helpless blocks of iron stuck in the mud.

Their health bars were dropping at a visible rate.

Less than ten seconds.

As the last arrow fell, the seven mining golems crashed to the ground, turning into a pile of broken parts.

[System notification: You have killed a Level 23 Mining Golem (Elite), gaining 385 experience points.]

[System Notification: Your talent 'Soul Devourer' has been triggered, permanently increasing your Luck by 0.4 points and Intelligence by 0.4 points.]

……

After a series of system notifications, Li Wu and Hua Zitong's experience bars both jumped up a little.

"Let's go pick up the things."

Li Wu put away his bow and strode forward, as if he had only done a trivial matter.

Hua Zitong followed behind him, looking at the equipment and materials scattered on the ground, and then at Li Wu's back. Her heart was filled with unease for a long time.

Is this what absolute overwhelming strength looks like?

The elite monsters that once left them helpless are now instantly vaporized before they can even get close to him.

This feeling is just too unreal.

The rest of the journey turned into a one-man show by Li Wu.

No matter what kind of monster they encounter, no matter how many there are, they cannot stop his devastating lightning arrows.

One arrow clears the field, two arrows wipe out the entire enemy force.

Hua Zitong doesn't even need to take action; she can simply follow behind, collect loot, and report enemy positions to enjoy her rapidly increasing experience points.

She felt like a slacker being carried to victory by a pro player, unable to do anything but shout "666".

This feeling is novel, and also... relaxing.

"We're almost deep into the mine."

After easily defeating another wave of monsters, Hua Zitong looked at the drastically different environment around her and offered a reminder.

The mine tunnels here are wider, and the walls are no longer bare rock, but inlaid with neat black iron bricks. A strange smell of sulfur and engine oil permeates the air, and in the distance, a rhythmic, heavy knocking sound can be faintly heard.

"Clang...clang...clang..."

The sound seemed to come from the depths of the earth, and each strike made the entire mine tremble.

Li Wu stopped and listened intently.

"What is that sound?"

"If I'm not mistaken, the automated forging furnace left behind by the Dark Iron Dwarves is still running." Hua Zitong's expression turned serious. "My job change quest requires passing through there first."

"BOSS?" Li Wu immediately realized.

"Hmm." Hua Zitong nodded. "It's a big guy, not easy to deal with."

"How difficult are you to deal with?" Li Wu pressed.

"A guy... even I find him troublesome." Hua Zitong took a deep breath and said slowly.

Upon hearing this, Li Wu's expression also turned serious.

For Hua Zitong to utter the word "tricky," this BOSS's strength must far surpass any enemy they've encountered before.

However, he did not feel fear, but rather a little excited.

Now, with upgraded equipment and a surge in strength, he has also mastered a brand-new lightning skill and is just looking for a powerful opponent to test his abilities.

"Let's go take a look."

Li Wu licked his slightly dry lips, his eyes gleaming with fighting spirit.

The two exchanged a glance, then, without further hesitation, followed the heavy knocking sound and headed towards the deepest part of the mine.