Azure Sky Hunter Agency

"Since you can take out a High-Grade Magic Tool, how could you be short on money?" Li Xingze asked in confusion.

"This magic tool is actually mine," Zhao Manyan said helplessly.

Li Xingze raised an eyebrow. Zhao Manyan clearly seemed desperate to get that Spirit Seed.

There were only two direct descendants of the Zhao Clan. Zhao Youqian had no talent for magic, while Zhao Manyan was the only direct descendant with magical talent—and quite considerable talent at that.

Zhao Manyan possessed quite a few magic tools, and every single one was extremely rare. He even had a Contract Ring later on; it was easy to imagine why.

No wonder Zhao Youqian wanted to get rid of Zhao Manyan. Anyone would be dissatisfied with a father playing such blatant favorites.

"This is a magic tool capable of defending against attacks from Commander-level demons. It's definitely worth no less than three hundred million."

"Sorry, I'm not interested."

Li Xingze shook his head. Although the magic tool was good, it was not worth making such a huge fuss over.

To him, increasing his strength was more important than anything else.

Zhao Manyan was somewhat disappointed, though the outcome did not surprise him. A demon close to the Monarch level was indeed enough to make an Intermediate-Level Mage shrink back in fear.

"However, I have a better candidate," Li Xingze suddenly said.

Who said I had to do the mission myself? Since I have Hai Bo Dong as a tool, I'll take both the time and the magic tool!

"What do you mean?" Zhao Manyan did not understand for a moment.

Zhao Manyan had thought that Li Xingze was wealthy enough to look down on his little magic tool. He had not expected there to be a twist.

"I know an Ice Mage who is a High-level Magister in three elements. He might be able to help you," Li Xingze said.

"A High-level Magister in three elements." Zhao Manyan frowned. "That demon is close to the Monarch level. Even a High-level Magister wouldn't be able to withstand a single exchange with it."

"He specializes in the Ice Element, with the Wind Element as his secondary and the Space Element as his auxiliary." Li Xingze smiled faintly. "Even if he cannot defeat that Feathered Demon, he can easily get you out of there."

"The Space Element?!"

Zhao Manyan was startled. Even among High-level Magisters, those with the Space Element were exceedingly rare.

Could that Commander-level Soul Essence have come from this unknown expert?

If so, then he had gained quite a bit of confidence.

Together with the two High-level Magisters from the Merchant Guild, even if they could not defeat the demon, they would still be able to retreat calmly!

"It's just the money..." Zhao Manyan showed a troubled expression. The most valuable things he had on him right now were those magic tools.

Those magic tools were treasures collected by the Zhao Clan, and every one of them was worth a fortune.

"One defensive magic tool for personal protection. Consider it the price of making a friend," Li Xingze said indifferently.

Zhao Manyan froze for a moment. This magic tool would not be of much use to a top-tier High-level Magister, so it was unlikely to be something that Ice Mage needed.

It seemed that the Ice Mage had no simple relationship with Li Xingze. Most likely, he was Li Xingze's subordinate or servant.

But none of that mattered. His purpose from the very beginning had been the mage behind Li Xingze.

As long as he achieved his goal, that was enough.

"Deal!"

When Li Xingze returned home, he saw Mo Fan lying on the sofa watching television and walked over.

"Mo Fan, have you decided which element you want to awaken?" Li Xingze asked.

"An element?" Mo Fan turned to glance at Li Xingze. "Of course, the Undead Element. One element is stronger than several!"

"You really want to become an Undead Mage? I thought you were joking before." Li Xingze was somewhat surprised.

If Mo Fan became an Undead Mage, it would honestly be quite interesting.

Compared to a Summoner, an Undead Mage was obviously far more violent.

But it made sense upon reflection. After witnessing the power and terror of an undead calamity, how could Mo Fan, who admired strength, have no thoughts about it?

"How is your Fire Element Intermediate Magic coming along? Can you cast it yet?" Li Xingze asked instead.

"I've already finished controlling all forty-nine Star Particles. I just haven't used it in practice yet," Mo Fan replied.

With a Control Magic Tool, the time needed for control had been cut by more than half.

"Since you've mastered Intermediate Magic, it's time for you to awaken your third element."

After a pause, Li Xingze continued, "If you want to awaken the Undead Element, I can offer a little help."

"Really?" Mo Fan's eyes lit up, as if he were already imagining how impressive he would be after awakening the Undead Element.

"It'll only increase the odds a little. Whether you can awaken the Undead Element or not still depends on you."

Li Xingze could still afford an Intermediate-Level Guiding Stone. He would treat it as an investment in Mo Fan.

Besides, he was also quite curious to see Mo Fan awaken the Undead Element.

As for whether it would affect Mo Fan's path of growth, Li Xingze could only say, Heh heh.

With a gigantic butterfly like him around, how could things possibly still follow the original plot?

Whether it was the Ocean God Clan or the Holy City, the strongest force, Li Xingze would never leave them for Mo Fan to face alone.

"Old Li—no, Ze Ge, as long as I can awaken the Undead Element, I promise I'll never be your third wheel again." Mo Fan patted his chest as he spoke.

"Really?"

Li Xingze looked at Mo Fan in astonishment. He hadn't expected such an unexpected delight.

From now on, whenever Xin Xia studied, hehe...

Mo Fan nodded heavily.

They hit it off immediately. Li Xingze promptly said, "Alright, I'll make the appointment for you now. Go to the Oriental Pearl Tower tomorrow to awaken."

The next day.

Mo Fan went to the Oriental Pearl Tower to complete his intermediate awakening, while Li Xingze naturally had no intention of idling around at home.

At this point, Hai Bo Dong had already met up with Zhao Manyan and the others to obtain the Spirit Seed. Li Xingze felt that he ought to find something to do as well.

Being a Hunter offered more than just bounties. Besides the money, it could also solidify one's foundation, an indispensable part of breaking through to the Forbidden Curse.

After giving it some thought, Li Xingze still came to the Azure Sky Hunter Agency.

The moment he pushed open the door, he saw a little girl with twin ponytails, swinging her pale legs as she read a small illustrated book.

If nothing unexpected happened, this little girl had to be Lingling, the little devil who was wise beyond her years.

It wouldn't be bad to raise her, Li Xingze thought as he looked at the little girl.

Unfortunately, Leng Qing was usually at the Judgment Association. Otherwise, Li Xingze would have gotten to see a pair of beautiful sisters—one a mature beauty, the other a loli.

"Raise what? This isn't a pet shop." Upon hearing the sound, Lingling immediately jumped down from her tall stool.

The moment she stood up, she spotted a man who was "fairly decent-looking," along with the Little Black Dragon on his shoulder.

The instant she saw the Little Black Dragon, Lingling became interested. At a glance, she could tell it was a Dragonkin with an exceptionally high lineage.

This guy might be a major client!

With that thought, Lingling seemed to come back to life at full health. She went up to Li Xingze and asked warmly, "Do you have a mission you need to commission?"

"Huh?"

Li Xingze looked at the overly enthusiastic Lingling. Did he really look that much like a sucker?

"You're not here to commission a job?" A trace of disdain entered Lingling's voice, and her earlier warmth vanished without a trace.

"We don't sell food for Contract Beasts here. You came to the wrong place."

With that, Lingling returned to her seat.