"Mu Nianbing, do you think Mo Fan has a chance of winning?"
Xu Zhaoting naturally hoped that Mo Fan would win. After all, Mo Fan represented their Tianlan High School.
"The duel hasn't started yet. The outcome is still uncertain," Mu Nianbing replied calmly.
As both a student of Tianlan High School and a member of the Mu Family, he could only speak from a neutral position.
"Mu Nianbing, I didn't expect you to be so optimistic about me."
Mo Fan appeared with a wide grin, his usual confident self, completely free of nervousness.
Although Mu Nianbing wasn't exactly rooting for him, he wasn't siding with Mu Yuang either. Looking at it that way, this guy wasn't that annoying after all.
"Don't get me wrong," Mu Nianbing said flatly. "I just don't want to see you embarrass yourself."
Mo Fan chuckled. "By the way, you're familiar with Mu Yuang. If you were to fight him, how confident would you be?"
"One move."
Mu Nianbing's tone was light, but absolute.
Mo Fan, Xu Zhaoting, and the others were stunned.
"One move? Are you serious?"
Defeating Mu Yuang in a single move was something only a Mid-Level Mage could do, wasn't it?
"You've broken through to the Intermediate Level?" Mo Fan asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
Even with the Little Loach Pendant doubling his cultivation speed, Mo Fan had only managed to push his Fire and Lightning Elements to the peak of Elementary Tier 3.
For Mu Nianbing to be at Intermediate Level already—it was hard to imagine.
Mu Nianbing didn't answer. He merely patted Mo Fan's shoulder and turned to leave.
Watching his back fade into the distance, Mo Fan suddenly felt a pressure he'd never experienced before.
If his opponent today wasn't Mu Yuang but Mu Nianbing… would he even stand a chance?
Mu Nianbing wasn't interested in watching Mu Yuang's so-called coming-of-age ceremony. Instead, he returned to his room to cultivate.
With the duel between Mo Fan and Mu Yuang, the Mu Family's reputation was bound to suffer today.
There was even the bet between Mo Fan and Mu Zhuoyun—something Mu Nianbing couldn't stop even if he wanted to.
In that case, it was better to stay out of sight, out of mind.
Time passed quietly until a knock came at his door.
When he opened it, Mu Zhuoyun was standing outside, looking exhausted and gloomy.
The adopted son he'd nurtured for years had lost to a "grassroots" mage. How could he possibly feel happy?
"Nianbing, pack your things. It's time to head to the Holy Spring," Mu Zhuoyun said, forcing a smile.
"Understood, Uncle Yun."
Mu Nianbing nodded. Comforting him was pointless—strength was the only thing that mattered now.
After packing a few necessities, Mu Nianbing went to find Mo Fan.
"You didn't expect this, huh, Nianbing? I'm a natural dual-element mage."
Mo Fan grinned proudly, waiting for a reaction.
Mu Nianbing looked at him and simply said, "Oh."
Mo Fan froze. That was it? Just oh?
What did that even mean? Was he looking down on him?
Truth be told, Mu Nianbing did look down on it a little. Compared to his divine blessings and profound magic control, natural dual elements didn't seem that special anymore.
On their way to the Holy Spring, Mu Nianbing stopped by the Hunter Union to rent a Soul Vessel.
The rental lasted for a month, and as long as he returned it on time, there would be no penalty.
Their group eventually arrived at the Yinmao Building—the Holy Spring lay directly beneath it.
"Mo Fan, these Star Map Books are for you."
Tang Yue retrieved several scrolls and handed them to Mo Fan.
The Star Map Books were extremely precious. They helped Mid-Level Mages practice drawing Star Maps, the foundation for casting Intermediate Magic.
"Teacher Tang Yue, you can't favor one student and ignore the other," Mu Nianbing immediately protested.
Tang Yue gave him a teasing smile before pulling out a pair of silver-gray boots.
"These are Demonic Meteor Boots. They enhance speed and can cast the Shadow Element spell—Shadow Escape. Consider it a parting gift."
Mu Nianbing accepted the boots, momentarily stunned. These were worth at least five million!
Mo Fan looked at the boots in disbelief. Suddenly, his Star Map Books didn't seem so impressive anymore.
"Teacher Tang Yue, you don't have any special feelings for me, do you?" Mu Nianbing teased.
Mo Fan nodded in agreement. Could it be that Mu Nianbing had charmed her?
Damn it, Mo Fan thought bitterly. I'm handsome too. Why can't I get gifts like that?
"Pfft~" Tang Yue glared at him, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Say one more word, and I'll take it back."
Mu Nianbing wisely closed his mouth. With these boots, his survivability in close combat against demons had skyrocketed.
The Holy Spring's interior revealed a prismatic stone altar glowing with faint blue light.
As Mo Fan was about to speak, his Little Loach Pendant began to tremble wildly with excitement.
Startled, he quickly clenched it in his hand to prevent Mu Nianbing from noticing.
Mu Nianbing glanced over. "I'm going to begin cultivating. Don't disturb me."
"Got it," Mo Fan said quickly.
Mu Nianbing found a spot at the center of the altar and entered meditation.
Immediately, waves of rich energy surged into his body, gathering rapidly in his spiritual world.
As an Intermediate Mage, his absorption rate was far higher than that of an Elementary Mage.
Combined with the power of the Holy Spring, his Summoning Stardust began expanding at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Mo Fan also entered meditation, suppressing the restless energy of the Little Loach as best as he could.
Time flowed quietly. Above ground, however, Bo City's peace was about to shatter.
Xuefeng Mountain Outpost
Rain the color of yellowed metal poured from the sky, reeking faintly of blood and decay—a grim omen.
"ROAR! ROAR! ROAR!"
Dozens, then hundreds of roars echoed in the downpour.
Dark shapes emerged from the mist—One-Eyed Demon Wolves. There were hundreds already… and the number was still growing.
"With so many of them, there must be a Commander-level demon leading them…"
Zhan Kong stood on the outpost wall, his expression grim and resolute.
He had noticed strange movements near the demon entrance days ago and made preparations—but against this many monsters, even those precautions felt like nothing.
Still, he didn't panic.
"Sound the alarm!" Zhan Kong ordered.
If Bo City's demon entrance had been sealed, this must be a secondary swarm.
All they had to do was hold the line long enough for the residents to evacuate into the safe zone.
Zhan Kong raised his hand, eyes burning with determination.
"Sky Flame Funeral!"
...
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