The next afternoon, Mu Nianbing led the Mingzhu Academy team into the fighting hall.
By the time they arrived, Lu Yiming and the students from the Imperial Capital Academy were already waiting.
"Teacher Lu, are you sure he's really a teacher? He looks just like a student in disguise!" Liao Mingxuan pointed directly at Mu Nianbing, disbelief written all over his face.
Lu Yiming frowned. "He shouldn't be. His cultivation is at the high level."
Even so, he couldn't hide his confusion. A young high-level mage leading a team?
Did Mingzhu Academy send him because they'd already given up on winning?
Hearing that, Liao Mingxuan and the others immediately fell silent.
If Mu Nianbing was truly high-level at his age, then his talent was far beyond their imagination.
"Hmph, even if that's true, the strength of our Imperial Capital Academy surpasses Pearl's. With such an inexperienced teacher, the result is already decided."
Lu Zhenghe snorted arrogantly.
Lu Yiming only smiled faintly.
If we win both rounds, it'll prove the Imperial Capital Academy's dominance beyond doubt.
"Xu Dalong, Liao Mingxuan, Jingjing, Zhao Mingyue — you four will take the first match," Lu Yiming said, deciding to start conservatively and test the opponent's strength first.
On Mingzhu's side, Luo Song immediately stepped forward when he saw his rival, Xu Dalong, preparing to enter the arena.
"Teacher Mu, let me handle this one," Luo Song volunteered eagerly.
"And me! I've been waiting to teach these Imperial brats a lesson!" Shen Mingxiao followed, puffing his chest with pride.
Mu Nianbing didn't even glance at them. Two mouths with no substance, he thought.
Both students froze — they didn't dare protest. When Mu Nianbing ignored someone, it was usually a blessing not to be frozen solid.
Scanning the team, Mu Nianbing considered his options.
Mo Fan was their ace, of course. Mu Nujiao was solid as well — after training in the Three-Step Pagoda, both her Wind and Plant elements had reached the second tier of intermediate level.
Zhao Manyan and Xu Zhaoting had also improved significantly from their own training.
Zhao Manyan's defense was particularly monstrous — if not for the ban on magic tools, his Ice Scale Shield could make him virtually untouchable.
And then there was Zheng Bingxiao — the quiet summoner with a general-ranked contracted beast.
Yes, Mu Nianbing thought, a stable lineup first.
"Mo Fan, Zhao Manyan, Zheng Bingxiao, Bai Tingting — you'll fight the first match," Mu Nianbing ordered.
"With this formation, I expect nothing less than victory."
"Mo Fan," he added, locking eyes with him, "you must win this battle for me. Understand?"
"Uh… I'll try my best," Mo Fan said, scratching his head.
He'd been planning to hold back a little — but with that look from Mu Nianbing, he knew better.
Losing wasn't an option.
As both teams entered the arena, Mu Nianbing's attention shifted to the resting area.
Under a wide parasol sat a girl whose presence made the noise of the hall fade away — elegant, calm, like a snow lotus blooming on the Tianshan Mountains.
Without hesitation, Mu Nianbing walked toward her.
Mu Nujiao frowned slightly from afar. Does he… know her?
For reasons she couldn't explain, her gaze followed his every step.
When Mu Nianbing reached the shade, his expression softened.
Sitting there was Mu Ningxue — the girl he hadn't seen in two years.
Her snow-white coat outlined her graceful figure perfectly.
Her silver hair cascaded like moonlight, and her porcelain skin seemed to glow beneath the winter light.
Her high boots emphasized her long, slender legs — elegant, composed, yet breathtakingly beautiful.
"Ningxue," he said softly.
Mu Ningxue's eyes widened slightly. "Cousin?"
She'd noticed him earlier but hadn't dared to believe it.
He's really a teacher now?
But when he stood before her, the old warmth and longing returned.
She wanted, more than anything, to throw herself into his arms — yet she held herself back, aware of the crowd.
"Xue'er, it's been two years," Mu Nianbing said, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. "You've grown even more beautiful."
Without thinking, he reached out and pinched her cheek.
It was soft and cool to the touch — like snow.
Mu Ningxue froze, her fingers clutching the edge of her coat. Her heart raced, torn between embarrassment and an uncontrollable desire to stay close to him.
Seeing her shy reaction only made Mu Nianbing's teasing bolder. He sat beside her, the corner of his mouth curving mischievously.
Before he could speak again, a furious voice interrupted them.
"Bastard! How dare you touch Ningxue!" Lu Zhenghe stormed over, face red with jealousy and anger.
His body trembled, but he didn't dare move recklessly — Mu Nianbing's reputation preceded him.
Mu Nianbing's eyes turned cold. "You can call her Ningxue too?"
The air around them instantly froze.
A sharp wave of icy magic burst forth, sweeping across half the arena. The chill cut into everyone's bones.
Lu Zhenghe's bravado melted into terror. His knees buckled as frost crept up his arms.
Then, without warning—
Bang!
He was sent flying backward like a cannonball, crashing into the ground.
"P–Pffft!"
A mouthful of blood splattered onto the tiles.
Lu Yiming rushed forward, horrified. "Teacher Mu! No matter the reason, you shouldn't harm my students—"
"Get lost." Mu Nianbing's eyes flashed as he released another surge of power.
"If you don't, I'll send you flying next."
A pulse of space magic exploded, pushing Lu Yiming several meters back before he could even react.
"Space Element…" Lu Yiming muttered, stunned.
He hadn't expected Mu Nianbing to actually strike — or to use such terrifying control. Though the attack wasn't fatal, the humiliation was undeniable.
Around the hall, students stared wide-eyed.
"What the hell just happened?" Zhao Manyan whispered, bewildered.
"It looks like Lu Zhenghe said something that offended Teacher Mu," Mu Nujiao said quietly. "And… this was the result."
Everyone shivered.
Just words had earned Lu Zhenghe a one-way ticket to the infirmary.
They didn't dare imagine what would happen if anyone truly provoked Mu Nianbing next.
...
Author's Note:
Versatile Mage: Heir of the Frozen Throne — Part 1 is now fully completed and available on my Patreon!
🔥 I also have a Additional 18+ fanfics now 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
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