Mo Fan's fist slammed into the ruins, and the massive energy in his arm surged into the ground below. The force spread rapidly, causing the surrounding ground to crack open as if it were about to burst apart.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The battle-hardened War Mages had formed a defensive formation to deal with the Lizard Skull Giant, but none of them expected Mo Fan to suddenly attack them. Even more shocking was the fact that a mere student like Mo Fan had reached the third level of mastery!
Under the impact of Mo Fan's fiery pillar, the War Mages' defensive array was shattered in an instant. Though they were seasoned fighters, able to hold their own against the Skull Lizard giants, they struggled to contain Mo Fan's attack. Worse still, many of the giants were also caught in the blast and killed.
"Thunderbolt: Madness Dance!"
The destruction unleashed by Mo Fan was relentless. When the burning firestorm subsided, bolts of lightning rained down from the sky, paralyzing the already disorganized War Mages. Though they had magical tools to defend themselves, the back-to-back attacks left them with little strength to continue. Within seconds, most of them were forced to the ground.
Mo Fan stood in front of the few who had survived.
"Shadow Bind!"
The remaining War Mages, trying to resist, were instantly immobilized by Mo Fan's shadow magic.
Jiang Yi stood frozen, watching Mo Fan in disbelief. She couldn't comprehend how this student had grown so powerful so quickly.
As she struggled to process what was happening, Mo Fan walked over and began searching her.
"What are you doing?!" Jiang Yi shouted angrily.
Without replying, Mo Fan found the Blood Seed he was looking for and pocketed it.
At first, Jiang Yi was embarrassed as Mo Fan searched her, but when she realized his goal was the Blood Seed, she was confused. Why would he take it if he wasn't interested in awakening a new magic element?
"Although you all chose the wrong person to follow, I'll tell you this before you die: the experiment could have succeeded, but only if it were done by me." Mo Fan said calmly, then vanished into the shadows.
It suddenly dawned on Jiang Yi why the Lizard Skull giants had attacked them earlier — Mo Fan had mastered the Shadow Element!
Before she could ask more, she and her team were trampled by the approaching Giant Demons.
The War Mages were loyal to a fault, but their unwavering obedience had led them to their doom. Mo Fan unleashed another round of Fierce Punch: Nine Palaces, ensuring that none of them survived.
With the War Mages eliminated, Mo Fan blended into the shadows and made his escape. Waiting for him at the city outskirts was the Flame-Howling Wolf, ready to carry him away.
Back in the desolate city, Mo Fan returned with the Blood Seed in hand. As he approached, he sensed the aftermath of a powerful battle outside the city. It seemed that Commander Zhang Kong had arrived.
Now, Mo Fan could safely leave with Mu Ningxue. Given Zhang Kong's strength, he likely wouldn't kill Lu Nian, but he certainly wouldn't be defeated either. And with the chaos from the earlier battle, it was only a matter of time before the commander rank Lizard Skull Giant Demon was awakened. Everything had fallen into place perfectly. For now, it was crucial to leave quickly.
Inside the abandoned city hall, Mu Ningxue, still shivering from the cold, slowly regained consciousness after some rest.
As she woke, she looked around at the ruined building: broken walls, shattered windows, and dust hanging in the air. Confusion flickered in her eyes. She only remembered pushing herself beyond her limits to freeze Lu Nian, and then being carried away by Mo Fan.
Looking down, she noticed a dirty black handprint on her pristine white clothes—clearly left by Mo Fan during their escape.
Still uncertain of her current situation, Mu Ningxue took a deep breath, feeling the lingering cold still clinging to her body. She realized how weak she had become.
"Mo Fan?" she called out softly, bracing herself against the wall in an attempt to stand. Despite her determination, her body gave out, and she slid back down to the floor.
Frustrated, she thought to herself, That jerk! Did he abandon me?
Before long, Mo Fan rushed back into the building. The moment he stepped in, his gaze landed on Mu Ningxue lying on the floor. She looked incredibly pale and fragile, still trembling slightly from the residual cold in her body. Her eyes were closed, and her long silver hair, shimmering like moonlight, fluttered gently in the wind. Despite her frail state, she radiated a cold, ethereal beauty.
Mo Fan couldn't help but be momentarily captivated by the sight.
"Mo Fan!" Mu Ningxue, sensing his presence, opened her eyes and caught him staring.
Before she could react, Mo Fan strode over and casually reached out to help her up.
"What are you doing?!" Mu Ningxue glared at him, alarmed.
Ignoring her cold demeanor, Mo Fan smiled and said, "I've lost the War Mages, but to be safe, we need to go deeper into the wilderness. Just the two of us, in this desolate place, with our lives on the line... would it be so wrong to take advantage of the moment?"
"Get lost!" Mu Ningxue snapped, her anger boiling over as she attempted to summon her ice magic to freeze him in place.
But in her weakened state, she couldn't muster enough strength.
Seeing her so frustrated but unable to do anything, Mo Fan felt quite satisfied with himself. Without further hesitation, he lifted her up and carried her outside. Placing her gently on the Flame Wolf's back, he climbed up beside her.
Though Mu Ningxue was clearly displeased, she was powerless to resist.
Together, with the wolf beneath them, they sped off deeper into the wilderness, far away from the ruins of the city.
(End of Chapter)