Versatile Mage: Shadow Assassin

As the referee's voice rang out, the result of the match was officially announced.

"Mo Fan wins!"

Several medical personnel quickly rushed onto the stage and carried off the unconscious Mu Yu'ang.

The spectators in the stands were too shocked to speak. Just then, Zhan Kong suddenly stood up and shouted,

"This kid is ours—he belongs to the military! No one fights me for him!"

"In terms of training mages, is there any organization more qualified than the Magic Association?" Yang Zuohe, who had been silent until now, suddenly jumped in.

"Let's not forget," Principal Zhu added with a smile, "our school is also willing to invest heavily in nurturing students like him. No need to trouble yourselves, gentlemen."

Mu Zhuoyun looked at the major factions fighting over Mo Fan, and a wave of regret surged in his heart. Of course, he wanted to recruit someone like that too.

Jing Wuji watched the scene with interest as the powerful figures quarreled over Mo Fan. Secretly, he let out a sigh of relief—good thing he hadn't revealed his special abilities, or he would have had a real headache on his hands.

Mo Jiaxing, meanwhile, was quietly proud of his son. A life of hard work, low income, and harsh circumstances had bent his back—but he had always hoped his son would achieve greatness. And now, seeing his child being fought over by powerful factions, with a bright future ahead… how could he not feel gratified? How could he not feel his efforts were worth it?

He rubbed his eyes—his hand came away slightly damp.

The wind must be strong today…

Mo Fan paid no attention to the arguing group. Instead, he turned to Mu Zhuoyun and said calmly,

"Now, it's time to fulfill the terms of our bet, isn't it?"

The quarreling group fell silent upon hearing this, all turning to watch what would happen next.

Mu Zhuoyun's face immediately darkened. After a moment, he spat out the words through gritted teeth:

"A bet's a bet. I won't go back on my word. I'll kneel and apologize."

As soon as he finished speaking, Mu Zhuoyun walked over to Mo Jiaxing.

After a moment of internal struggle, Mu Zhuoyun clenched his jaw and slowly lowered his knees.

Jing Wuji was stunned—he had thought a person of Mu Zhuoyun's status would never kneel and apologize to a commoner.

"Ah—ah—this won't do, this won't do!" Mo Jiaxing exclaimed as he rushed to stop him. "Brother Mu Zhuoyun, we don't have any deep-seated hatred, so why go this far? Come on, it's not the old days anymore. Didn't the ancients say 'Let bygones be bygones'? Let's just move past this. Mo Fan, you too—how could you treat Uncle Mu Zhuoyun like that?"

Mo Fan hadn't intended to force Mu Zhuoyun to kneel. He just wanted to vent some anger—after all, this man might be his future father-in-law.

Mu Zhuoyun looked a little surprised. In his eyes, most people would feel honored to receive an apology from him. Not just anyone could have someone like him kneel to them.

Jing Wuji knew full well that with his dad's good-natured personality, Mo Jiaxing would never accept such a formal apology.

Mo Fan just shrugged and walked back toward the banquet area—he was getting hungry.

Zhan Kong and the others hurried after him, each trying to pull him over to their side.

"Mo Fan, I'm telling you—join the military, and you're guaranteed riches and status beyond your dreams!"

"Zhan Kong! Which side Mo Fan joins is his choice! You can't just force him!" someone retorted.

"Force? What do you mean, force? Mo Fan's like my sworn little brother!" Zhan Kong protested.

"Commander, what are you even doing?" Mo Fan rolled his eyes and said helplessly.

"Oh? Not happy with that? Fine, then you be the elder brother—I'll be the little one. Either way, if you join us, the military guarantees your rise to fame and fortune!"

Zhan Kong was willing to throw away all pride just to recruit Mo Fan.

Jing Wuji listened with a dark expression on his face. Seeing that Ye Xinxia didn't want to stay either, he simply pushed her wheelchair and left the noisy scene behind.

…

The name Mo Fan was now known by every influential figure in Bo City.

Everyone was fascinated by his innate dual-element talent, but in the end, only three groups stepped forward to recruit him: the military, the Magic Association, and Tianlan Magic High School.

The other powers, seeing how determined those three were, wisely chose to back off.

However, Mo Fan's talent was only famous within Bo City. The reason was simple: for some unknown reason, those three factions had deliberately kept the news under wraps, so the outside world had no idea that someone with innate dual elements had emerged.

After the duel, Mo Fan was immediately taken away—he was going to begin training in a special place.

Jing Wuji was more than happy with this arrangement. Although the principal had approached him as well, he had turned it down. He didn't need it—his little deer pendant was enough.

…

Mo Fan was brought to the Yinmao Building. According to the person in charge, the Sacred Spring of the Earth was located beneath it.

With a nervous heart, Mo Fan took the elevator down to basement level 15.

A patrol squad was stationed there—and their captain was a mid-tier mage.

Accompanying Mo Fan was Tang Yue. Before he entered, she took out four scrolls—two red and two purple.

"Here, take these," she said. "Since I'm not sure how long I'll be able to continue teaching you, and you're already close to reaching the intermediate mage level, these are Star Atlas Scrolls. Once you break through, they'll allow you to cast intermediate spells even before you've mastered controlling all forty-nine stars. It'll give you some means of self-defense." Tang Yue explained the purpose of the Star Atlas Scrolls.

She also gave Jing Wuji two scrolls for the Shadow element. Others might not know Jing Wuji's talent, but she did. With his affinity for Shadow magic, he was easily on par with Mo Fan.

Mo Fan also realized then that this beautiful teacher wasn't as simple as she looked. After all, Star Atlas Scrolls weren't just something anyone could get their hands on—let alone give away freely.

"Focus on your training. I'm heading out," Tang Yue said, and after giving her instructions, she turned and left.

Mo Fan, accompanied by the mid-tier mage, entered the Sacred Spring of the Earth.

The interior of the Sacred Spring was a sealed chamber built from dark green stone blocks. Each massive stone was carved with mysterious magical runes and inscriptions.

In the center stood a pyramidal altar, and from its surface flowed a stream of nearly invisible, crystal-clear spring water—the Earth's Sacred Spring.

Just as Mo Fan was about to sit on the meditation cushion prepared for cultivators, the little mudfish pendant on his chest suddenly began to vibrate intensely.

Could it be… the little mudfish can absorb the Earth's Sacred Spring?

Mo Fan seriously considered the possibility, but with the mid-tier mage standing right outside the door, he quickly dismissed the idea as far too risky.

After some gentle reasoning and emotional coaxing, Mo Fan finally calmed down the restless little pendant.

Seated on the cushion, he began to meditate. A nourishing energy surged into him, and before long, Mo Fan was fully immersed in his cultivation.

…

After receiving the Star Atlas Scrolls from Tang Yue, Jing Wuji had a strong feeling that something was about to happen.

Either the Black Church had been discovered, or it was about to take action.

Unfortunately, he still hadn't figured out exactly what their plan was—what they were truly aiming to do.

Jing Wuji stared blankly at the Star Atlas Scrolls in his hand.

He was still too weak.

He could only struggle within someone else's game—not escape it.

That's why… he had to become stronger!