"Uncle, not only did the big guy not reject him, it even acted friendly toward him. He can come with me to escort it."
Tang Yue spoke seriously, her tone filled with conviction.
Hearing this, Tang Zhong frowned slightly. During the Black Snake's molting period, it was hostile toward all high-level Mages and above.
Originally, Tang Yue was the only one the Black Snake tolerated. Now, there was suddenly another person — Mu Nianbing.
Could it be that Mu Nianbing was also a totem guardian?
"Since the Black Snake doesn't reject him," Tang Zhong said after a moment of thought, "then you should go together. It'll be safer this way."
He had been worried about Tang Yue's safety, but with Mu Nianbing joining her, the risk would be much lower.
Even if he didn't know Mu Nianbing's exact strength, anyone who could capture a Blue Deacon of the Black Vatican certainly wasn't weak.
Mu Nianbing shrugged. He was already thinking that once this escort mission was over, perhaps the Lingyin Tribunal would be willing to grant him a favor.
Maybe Tang Zhong could help arrange for Ding Yumian to train at Lingyin Temple.
After leaving the Lingyin Trial Council, Mu Nianbing and Tang Yue returned to West Lake.
Tang Yue spent a moment alone with the Totem Black Snake, then took out a crystal-clear bead and sealed the enormous creature within it.
Mu Nianbing gazed at the Totem Bead in her hand, deep in thought.
If I bring this Totem Bead with me to the Ancient Capital… could it help buy more time for the evacuation?
With the Black Snake as his hidden trump card, he would definitely feel more confident facing what lay ahead.
Tang Yue noticed his silence and asked curiously, "What's wrong?"
"Teacher Tang Yue," Mu Nianbing said seriously, "if I help you and the Black Snake through this crisis, can you agree to one request of mine?"
"Request?" Tang Yue blinked, pausing.
Then she bit her red lips softly and replied, "As long as you really help everyone get through this disaster, I'll agree to anything."
"It's a deal." Mu Nianbing smiled with satisfaction.
If he could borrow the power of the Totem Black Snake, he would have the confidence to handle even the crisis in the Ancient Capital.
Tang Yue's beautiful eyes flickered with a faint blush. This brat must be thinking of some way to tease his teacher again.
Still… he wasn't a bad person. And since the Black Snake liked him, maybe she shouldn't be too strict.
Without realizing her thoughts, Mu Nianbing summoned the Cangming Jiao.
The colossal serpent-like creature emerged from the water with a deep, resonant growl.
Though enormous, it still looked small compared to the vastness of the Totem Black Snake.
Tang Yue froze for a moment, staring in disbelief.
"Is… is this your summoned beast?" she asked in shock.
She had long heard of Mu Nianbing's exceptional talent, but seeing it firsthand was another matter entirely.
A commander-level summoned beast? For someone his age? It was absurd.
Mu Nianbing didn't bother to explain. He simply mounted the Cangming Jiao and extended a hand toward her.
"Teacher Tang Yue, please come up."
After a brief hesitation, Tang Yue took his hand. In one graceful motion, Mu Nianbing helped her onto the Cangming Jiao's broad back.
The moment she landed, her soft, fragrant presence filled the air between them.
Mu Nianbing urged the beast forward, and they soared into the sky, leaving Hangzhou behind.
Not long after they took off, Tang Yue's face turned pink. She leaned slightly closer and whispered, "Something in your pocket… just touched me."
"That's my phone," Mu Nianbing replied quickly.
He hadn't expected Tang Yue's figure to be that curvy — soft yet firm — and for a moment, his heart skipped a beat.
Tang Yue's lips pressed together tightly, her fair earlobes glowing red as she turned her gaze to the horizon.
The Cangming Jiao was incredibly fast. Before long, they reached the outskirts of Bai Town.
A long queue had formed at the checkpoint outside, with military mages carefully inspecting everyone entering or leaving.
If Mu Nianbing remembered correctly, Bai Town was the epicenter of the outbreak. The contaminated blood potions had first appeared here.
That meant the blood potions must still be stored somewhere in the town.
If they could retrieve a sample and have Lingling analyze it, the Black Snake's name could be cleared once and for all.
But the military's blood stores were bound to be heavily guarded.
"What are you thinking about?" Tang Yue asked, watching his expression. "You look more worried than I am."
"Just… thinking something feels off," Mu Nianbing replied. "But the most important thing now is to get inside and look for clues."
They passed inspection smoothly and entered the deserted streets of Bai Town.
Most residents had already fled. The few who remained had barricaded themselves inside their homes, terrified to even peek outside.
"This must be the origin," Tang Yue said softly. "There might still be traces of what happened here."
"Do you believe the Black Snake is innocent?" Mu Nianbing asked.
"I do," she said firmly.
He smiled faintly. "Then we have only one way forward — to see this through to the end. The first outbreak happened here, and the Black Snake was spotted in the city. That's too convenient. Something's not right."
Tang Yue's eyes brightened. For the first time, there was hope.
"Then what should we do next?" she asked eagerly.
"You should find a hotel and lay low for now. I'll go scout around."
"Do you need help?"
"No. It'll be easier for one person to move quietly."
After investigating the area, Mu Nianbing finally found what he was looking for — a military supply depot on the edge of town.
He could sense several guards stationed inside and outside. The place was heavily protected.
If the blood potions were really here, breaking in by force would be suicidal.
Mu Nianbing quietly returned to the hotel to regroup with Tang Yue.
"How did it go? Did you find anything?" Tang Yue asked anxiously.
"There's a military compound nearby storing large amounts of blood potions," he said. "I suspect those are the source of the epidemic."
"Blood potions? But how could that be connected?"
Tang Yue blinked in confusion.
Mu Nianbing explained patiently, "Think about it. The injured soldiers who received the tainted blood potions became infected, then spread it to others. That's why the outbreak started here."
Tang Yue finally understood, her eyes lighting up. "So if we can get a sample and prove it, the Black Snake will be cleared!"
"Exactly. But first, we have to get those blood potions out," Mu Nianbing said.
"Then what are we waiting for? I can use Shadow Reach to sneak in."
"No rush," he replied calmly. "It'll be easier to move when night falls."
Tang Yue nodded. The night would soon bring answers — and danger.
...
Author's Note:
Versatile Mage: Heir of the Frozen Throne — Part 1 is now fully completed and available on my Patreon!
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1.Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
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5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
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