Chapter 17: The Fight That Lasted Less Than a Minute

As the moment came when Yu Ang was struck by lightning and charred from inside out, the crowd in the audience and the supervising judge, Deng Kai who was ready to step in and save Mo Fan, stood in stunned silence, completely unable to react.

What had they witnessed? Lightning magic? How was it possible for a fire-element mage like Mo Fan to use lightning-element magic?

In this world, any mage could only wield one elemental magic in the novice stages. Only upon reaching the Mid-Tier level could they potentially gain a second element. So how could a high school senior like Mo Fan possess two elements?

In this world, any mage can only control one elemental magic during the novice stage. Only after reaching the Mid-Tier can they potentially unlock a second element. So how could a high school senior, who hadn't even graduated yet, able to wield two?

"He... he's already an intermediate mage!" someone muttered, snapping everyone back to reality.

"No, impossible! Even if he reached the intermediate level, there's no way he could have mastered the third level of the lightning element in such a short time." another voice protested.

At that moment, everyone was left puzzled.

"I believe Mo Fan possesses a natural dual-element talent!" Principal Zhu suddenly stood up and announced, clearing up the mystery for the shocked crowd.

Upon hearing Principal Zhu's explanation, the representatives from various factions could no longer remain composed.

Each one of them immediately expressed their desire to recruit Mo Fan.

Mu Zhuoyun, standing there dazed, watched the guests marvel at Mo Fan, witnessing representatives from powerful families squabble over the boy. As he glanced at Mo Fan, who now stood in the dueling arena wielding both fire and lightning magic, Mu Zhuoyun could only think, What the hell?!

He had spent so much time and effort preparing for this grand ceremony, ensuring Yu Ang's magnificent entrance, but... in less than a minute, it was all over?

Yu Ang, who had barely stood his ground for a minute, was now lying defeated on the ground.

What made things worse was that although Mu Ningxue also possessed an extraordinary magical talent, the appeal of Mo Fan's natural dual-element ability was even more dazzling. While Mu Ningxue's Ice Seed was rare and powerful, it could still be replicated with enough resources. But a natural dual-element mage? That was truly one-of-a-kind!

Mo Fan had quickly finished the battle without bothering to engage with the surrounding chaos. Instead, his gaze shifted toward Mu Zhuoyun.

When their eyes met, Mu Zhuoyun felt a chill run down his spine. He was deeply unsettled by this young man who now possessed such overwhelming power.

Before anything else could happen, Mo Fan's father, Mo Jiaxing, stepped in to prevent the situation from escalating and didn't force Mu Zhuoyun to kneel. Thus, the matter was settled for the time being.

Principal Zhu also decided to keep Mo Fan's dual-element talent under wraps for now, planning to reveal it during the high school entrance exams when Mo Fan would make a more grand entrance.

But fate had other plans. A looming disaster was about to strike Bo City, hiding Mo Fan's brilliance from the world temporarily. In a strange twist, it was as if destiny itself was shielding him from the limelight.

Nevertheless, tonight, Mo Fan had undeniably become a star. He had earned the right to train in the Holy Spring.

The next day, Mo Fan accompanied Teacher Tang Yue to the Holy Spring, located beneath the Silver Commerce Building.

The underground chamber was crafted from an extraordinary type of crystalline stone, clearly the work of a master architect. A patrol squad guarded the area, with the squad leader himself being an intermediate mage, signifying just how important the Holy Spring was.

"Beyond this totem door lies the Holy Spring. You have one week to train in it. The spring maintains its own cycle, so don't interfere with it. Just sit on the cushion in the center and focus on your meditation." Mu Zhuoyun instructed, his tone still sour.

Mu Zhuoyun's bitterness was understandable. The spring was originally intended for Yu Ang, yet here was Mo Fan taking his place. His mood couldn't have been worse.

But Mo Fan paid him no mind, and Mu Zhuoyun didn't pursue the matter. After all, Mo Fan hadn't shown him respect even before gaining his power, so why would he now?

However, deep inside, Mu Zhuoyun couldn't help but curse.

This boy, who he once considered insignificant, had grown into a formidable opponent because of his own blunders. After soaking in the Holy Spring, there was no doubt Mo Fan would only become stronger.

Teacher Tang Yue, watching her student, was equally stunned by his rapid progress. Who could have imagined that, in just a few short years, Mo Fan would become so powerful?

Before leaving, Teacher Tang Yue gave Mo Fan three books of Lightning Element Star Charts, knowing that while he had already mastered the Mid-Tier Fiery Fist skill, his control over lightning magic still needed refining. Since she was about to leave, she wanted to make sure he had a solid foundation.

As soon as he entered the Holy Spring, Mo Fan could feel the little loach pendant around his neck vibrating excitedly. It was clearly eager to absorb the spring's power.

"Hold on." Mo Fan murmured, grasping the small pendant. "I know you're excited, but let's wait. I'll make sure to feed you the Holy Spring, just not yet."

He decided not to feed the spring's power to the pendant immediately. Until it needed soul essences, he preferred to hold off.

Mo Fan understood that while the Holy Spring wasn't as potent as it had been in its prime, it was still a massive boost for the little loach. He believed that if he first fed it soul essences to boost its level, and then offered the Holy Spring's energy, the pendant would achieve an even greater upgrade.

The original story had mentioned the pendant advancing after absorbing the Holy Spring, but from that point onward, it no longer required soul essences to grow.

So, Mo Fan had a plan—hunt monsters, collect soul essences, and only then allow the pendant to absorb the Holy Spring's power!

The little loach seemed to understand, calming down. Linked to Mo Fan's soul, it could be controlled.

Once the pendant was pacified, Mo Fan began focusing on training his Summoning and Shadow elements.

After awakening the stardust for both elements, he had only recently mastered the first-level Shadow Element, while Summoning Element had been put on hold.

Over the past six months, he had focused entirely on his Lightning Element, and the pendant's limited resources had contributed to his uneven development.

But now, in the Holy Spring, he had the perfect opportunity to nurture them.

As he immersed himself in his training, time slipped away unnoticed. Mo Fan estimated that he had been in the spring for about six or seven days, though it was hard to tell exactly.

By then, he had advanced his Shadow Element to level two, and his Summoning Element had reached the point where he could summon seven stars.

However, just as he was about to summon a creature, he saw Lin Yuxin rushing toward him, followed by a bloodthirsty, massive Blood-Patterned Giant Demon Rat.

"Close the door!" Liang the Captain shouted amid the pile of debris.

Lin Yuxin, biting her lip hard enough to draw blood, slammed the door shut, leaving just a crack. Mo Fan could see the monstrous rat's claws reaching through the gap, but before he could act, the door was sealed.

Bang!

The stone door shook violently as the Giant Demon Rat crashed against it.

Without offering an explanation, Lin Yuxin turned to Mo Fan and said, "If you don't want to die, follow me."

Without hesitation, Mo Fan followed her.

(End of Chapter)