Song Jie glanced at the forest below, signaling Wang Xiaoyun to direct the Gray Eagle to land.
Just as the White Demon Eagles swooped in to attack, Song Jie completed his Light Element Star Chart. A golden Painting Wall instantly appeared, blocking most of the incoming eagles.
Lingling had already informed him in advance—Councilman Luo Mian should be arriving soon. Song Jie had deliberately drenched himself in blood earlier to make their act appear more convincing.
The Gray Eagle descended swiftly, landing with a thud. Both Song Jie and Wang Xiaoyun stumbled off, collapsing weakly onto the ground.
Song Jie's performance was flawless; Wang Xiaoyun's acting, however, was rather amateurish.
But that didn't matter—everything was going according to plan.
They only needed Luo Mian to walk right into their trap.
"You're the one who was with Tang Yue before?" A cold, familiar voice came from the shadows.
Song Jie smirked slightly. He recognized that voice—it was indeed Councilman Luo Mian.
Old man, you've finally shown up.
Luo Mian had no choice but to come. His original plan was to clean up the mess quietly, but Song Jie and Wang Xiaoyun had acted ahead of him.
"I heard you were here to collect Eagle Red Grass," Luo Mian said, feigning concern. "So I came to help. Where is it? Give it to me quickly, I'll take it back right away."
"Councilman Luo Mian," Song Jie said calmly, "the Eagle Red Grass is with us, but we plan to deliver it ourselves."
"Now's not the time for pride," Luo Mian snapped. "Do you realize that every second wasted could mean another death in Lin'an?"
He could tell the two were wary of him. His sharp gaze narrowed dangerously.
"Lingling already told me everything about you!" Wang Xiaoyun suddenly shouted. "You're a bad man—we won't give you the Eagle Red Grass!"
Luo Mian's expression froze for a moment. Then, with a thin smile, he asked, "And what exactly did she tell you?"
Song Jie glared at Wang Xiaoyun, who immediately fell silent under his warning.
"Nothing, Councilman," Song Jie said smoothly. "You must've misheard."
Luo Mian's tone softened, but his eyes gleamed with cunning. "Young man, you've got a promising future. Hand over the Eagle Red Grass, and I'll make sure you leave alive.
I can even guarantee you a position in the Judgment Association. You'll rise high—higher than you can imagine."
Wang Xiaoyun shook his head furiously. "Brother, don't trust him! Lingling said the plague in Lin'an was his doing!"
A cold gleam flickered in Luo Mian's eyes. His killing intent was no longer hidden.
Song Jie sighed softly and completed his Star Chart. A radiant golden barrier flared to life before him.
"Wang Xiaoyun, you've really landed me in trouble…"
Luo Mian's face darkened. The boy had said too much.
They knew something—and that meant they couldn't be allowed to live.
"How could it be me?" Luo Mian sneered. "You're mistaken. The plague was caused by that giant serpent."
He took a few steps closer, his smile thin and dangerous.
"Councilman Luo Mian, are you trying to silence us?" Song Jie asked coldly.
Luo Mian's eyes hardened. These two had become a threat. If they revealed his role in spreading the plague, it would destroy him completely.
He couldn't let that happen.
"Blame yourselves," Luo Mian said, raising his hand as a dark aura began to form, "for meddling and ruining my plans."
"So it was you!" Song Jie shouted, his eyes blazing. "The plague in Lin'an—you're the one behind it!"
"What if it was?" Luo Mian hissed. "It doesn't matter. You won't live to tell anyone."
Cursed energy spiraled in his palm as he unleashed a dark magic spell meant to torture them to death—
But in the next instant, Song Jie and Wang Xiaoyun vanished into thin air!
Luo Mian froze. He saw them slip through the golden Painting Wall—and then, nothing.
"Councilman Luo Mian!" A furious voice boomed from the shadows.
Zhu Meng stepped forward, his expression grim. "So you were the mastermind behind the plague!"
"What—!" Luo Mian turned pale as he saw Zhu Meng, Leng Qing, Li Tian, and Tang Zhong emerge one by one. Panic flashed across his face.
Meanwhile, Song Jie and Wang Xiaoyun were already flying high above on the Wind Riding Sky Eagle, heading back to Lin'an.
Song Jie had used the teleportation ability of the Painting Wall to instantly transfer them to a barrier he had set up in the sky earlier.
That was one of the trump cards he had mentioned before.
Everything had gone smoothly—Wang Xiaoyun was safe, and Luo Mian had received the punishment he deserved.
"Little Gray!" Wang Xiaoyun shouted excitedly as the Gray Eagle flew back toward them, waving with a bright grin.
"Song Jie, Song Jie, are you two okay?" Lingling's voice came through the earpiece.
"We're fine," Song Jie replied. "We're heading back now."
Hearing his voice, Lingling sighed in relief, as did everyone around her.
"We only have part of the clues so far," Lingling said. "Mo Fan and I are going to dig deeper."
"Go ahead," Song Jie said. "The more evidence we gather, the harder it'll be for Luo Mian to escape his crimes."
He sneered coldly. Luo Mian had cared about reputation, power, and honor—so Song Jie would make sure he lost everything, becoming a name reviled by all.
Back in Lin'an, Song Jie handed the Eagle Red Grass to the researchers. After confirming they had what they needed, he stepped out of the lab and into the corridor.
Tang Yue hurried over, her expression full of concern.
"Are you hurt?" she asked, circling him and inspecting his body from head to toe.
Song Jie chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Do you want me to strip so you can check properly?"
Tang Yue's cheeks flamed. "Shameless!"
"After this crisis is over," Song Jie whispered teasingly, "I'll show you just how shameless I can be."
"You…!" Tang Yue's face was crimson as she lightly punched his chest, her earlobes burning red.
After a moment, the two walked out of the institute side by side.
"I heard the situation at West Fortress isn't looking good?" Song Jie asked.
Tang Yue nodded. "All I know is that the invading force near Lin'an consists of the White Demon Eagle Legion. You must've encountered them already."
"We did," Song Jie confirmed. "They chased us when we went to collect the Eagle Red Grass."
"By the way," he added with a grin, "when will that big guy finish shedding its skin? If it shows up during this crisis, the citizens of Lin'an will finally see its true strength."
Tang Yue's heart softened at his words. "I've been thinking the same… but I'm not sure when it'll finish."
Song Jie smiled quietly. He believed Lin'an would overcome this crisis—no matter what.
Then, leaning in suddenly, he planted a quick kiss on her cheek.
"Song Jie…!" Tang Yue gasped, glancing around to make sure no one was watching. Her face flushed even redder.
...
Author's Note:
The first half (completed version more that 320 chapters) of Versatile Mage: My Magic Has Gone Beyond Limits! is now available on Patreon!
🔥 I also have additional **18+ fanfics** available for readers who enjoy exclusive mature stories. 😉
1. Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
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