After school, Mu Nianbing went straight to the residential district and handed the school's Stardust Magic Tool to Ye Xinxia.
"Xinxia, you can use this Stardust Magic Tool for now."
Xinxia had awakened her Healing Element a month ago, so this school-issued Magic Tool came just in time.
Although it could only be used for one month, it was still quite valuable.
Of course, the main reason was that Mu Nianbing couldn't provide her with a better one at the moment.
He couldn't possibly delay his own cultivation for a girl, could he?
"A Stardust Magic Tool?"
Xinxia blinked in surprise, then looked at Mu Nianbing and asked softly, "Bother Nian, where did this come from?"
The market price of such an item was extremely high—ordinary families could never afford it.
"I got first place in the annual assessment," Mu Nianbing replied with a smile. "The school rewarded me with one month of usage time."
As he spoke, he gently pinched Xinxia's cheek. She was already used to this behavior and even felt secretly happy about it.
"Bother Nian, your cultivation is more important. I don't need it right now."
Xinxia tried to hand it back, her tone serious.
In her eyes, Mu Nianbing's talent was extraordinary; he needed the enhancement more than she did.
Seeing her so considerate warmed Mu Nianbing's heart.
"I still have another Stardust Magic Tool," he said. "If I don't cultivate diligently, how can I protect you in the future?"
Those words—almost a confession—made Xinxia's cheeks instantly turn pink.
"I'll also work hard in cultivation," she murmured, lowering her head until her chin nearly touched her chest.
Seeing her shy expression, Mu Nianbing couldn't help but smile.
"Come on, Xinxia. Let me help massage your legs," he said softly.
Since childhood, Mu Nianbing had always taken care of Xinxia's health, and leg massages had become routine.
"Mm…" she responded softly, slightly lifting her legs forward.
Although she had been in a wheelchair since she was little, her legs showed no signs of muscle atrophy. Her lines were smooth, her skin fair and delicate—without a single blemish.
Mu Nianbing carefully massaged from her thighs down to her calves, and finally to her feet.
Her small feet were light and soft in his hands, smooth as carved jade—delicate, warm, and tender.
After a long, careful session, he finally stopped, satisfied.
Xinxia, however, lay weakly in her wheelchair, her face slightly flushed, looking as if she had just finished a long workout.
Five months passed in a flash.
Mu Nianbing successfully advanced his Ice Element to the Middle Level, though he chose not to register the advancement at the Magic Association.
A Middle-Level Mage under seventeen would attract too much attention. He planned to reveal his level only after some time.
With his breakthrough, his Ice Seed evolved into a Spirit Seed—and not just any, but a top-tier one.
He named it Profound Ice.
Its amplification power was threefold, with two auxiliary effects: Ice Invasion and Ice Devour.
When his Ice magic struck an enemy, Ice Invasion would freeze their mental focus, slowing casting speed and dealing mental damage—a moment's hesitation could decide life or death in battle.
Meanwhile, Ice Devour absorbed the enemy's magic energy continuously, ensuring Mu Nianbing's reserves would never run dry.
"The outdoor training is coming up soon," he thought. "I must master Middle-Level Magic—Ice Lock—before then."
Normally, outdoor training posed little danger. But this time, the instructor was none other than Zhan Kong.
Having grown restless from his station work, Zhan Kong wasn't the type to stick to rules—he'd definitely arrange a real battle scenario.
And this time, they would be facing adult Nether Wolf Beasts.
What could a group of Primary Mages do against that except run?
Even worse, Bai Yang, the Summoner assigned to their team, was secretly a Black Vatican spy.
Mu Nianbing couldn't understand it—a Summoner joining the Black Vatican? If Bai Yang had joined any proper force, he wouldn't still be stuck at the Primary level.
But then again, the Black Vatican was full of lunatics and fools.
To ensure safety, Mu Nianbing decided: he had to perfect Ice Lock before the training began.
Days passed quickly, and the day of the outdoor training finally arrived.
One hundred students from the elite class were divided into five groups.
By coincidence, Mu Nianbing ended up in Mu Bai's group and was assigned as the team leader.
Under Zhang Jianguo's leadership, the group took a bus to the training site.
After half a day's journey across vast wilderness, they reached Snow Peak Mountain Post Station.
"Bother Nian, please take care of me during this training!" Zhao Kunsan said eagerly, trying to curry favor with the top student.
Nearby, Mu Bai's eyes darkened slightly—his own follower was flattering someone else.
"Just don't hold me back," Mu Nianbing replied casually.
Zhao Kunsan laughed awkwardly and returned to Mu Bai's side.
Upon entering the post station, Mu Nianbing noticed a burly man in a Military Mage uniform, lazily toying with a wisp of flame between his fingers.
That could only be Zhan Kong.
As the students arrived, Zhan Kong's gaze swept across them—and inevitably lingered on the female students first.
He looked like nothing less than a shameless flirt.
Mu Nianbing shook his head. "Has staying in this remote outpost made him forget his past?" he thought. "Isn't this just self-deception?"
After teasing a few girls, Zhan Kong's eyes suddenly locked onto Mu Nianbing.
What pure Ice Element aura…
It instantly reminded him of someone—Qin Yuer, the woman still frozen atop Tianshan Mountain.
"Could it be…"
His pupils contracted. Could there be a second person afflicted by the Ice Element?
"Why is this guy staring at me?" Mu Nianbing frowned.
He had carefully concealed his aura, yet Zhan Kong still noticed. With Zhan Kong's High-Level strength, it was possible—but then, why didn't he react more strongly?
After a moment, Zhan Kong looked away.
"Maybe I'm overthinking," he thought. "Even if it is another Ice-afflicted person… it's none of my concern."
He sighed inwardly. He hadn't been able to save Qin Yuer—how could he possibly save another?