Two Months Later, The Trio Reunites

"Ring—ring—"

The ten-minute break passed quickly, and the next class arrived—Demon Theory.

The teacher lecturing them was a brilliantly bald old man, the school's Demon Encyclopedia, with detailed knowledge of countless demons.

This was exactly the 'knowledge' Qin Yuan needed right now.

So, Qin Yuan listened with extreme focus.

The day passed like this. Qin Yuan blended smoothly with Class 8, and he quickly adapted to catching up mid-semester.

All in all, Qin Yuan had integrated into the Class 8, First Year collective.

Xue Musheng was very pleased about this.

Mu Family Manor.

"Uncle, that's how it is."

"That Qin Yuan not only awakened Ice, he also has an Innate Spirit Seed—just like Mu Ning Xue."

Across from Mu Bai sat a middle-aged man in a black suit.

"Another Innate Spirit Seed?"

Mu He murmured, light flickering in his eyes, his thoughts unknown.

After a long silence.

Mu He revealed a 'warm' smile and said, "Mu Bai, I know about this now."

"Go down and cultivate. Strive to master Elementary Level One's Ice Vine within a year. Only then can you stand out among the family disciples."

"The family head will even give you an extra two or three months of Stardust Magic Artifact cultivation time."

"Mm, I will." Mu Bai nodded, light blazing in his eyes.

Mu He's words ignited Mu Bai's fighting spirit. He immediately returned to his room to begin Meditative Cultivation in earnest.

In the pavilion.

Mu He sat on a stone chair, fingers tapping the table, the other hand lifting a teacup for a light sip.

He swept his gaze left and right, and seeing no one nearby, he pulled a dark object from his chest—an old-fashioned phone.

Mu He pressed a few buttons and dialed.

"Buzz... buzz..."

After a few rings, the line connected.

Mu He's face immediately lit up with fanatical reverence, his voice utterly respectful: "Lord Salan, your subordinate has an urgent report!"

Silence on the other end for a long moment.

"Speak."

An icy voice came through, as if it could freeze the soul.

"My lord, a student named Qin Yuan has arrived at Tianlan Magic High School—an Ice mage with an Innate Spirit Seed."

"Should we make contact?"

Mu He didn't ramble; he went straight to the point.

"..."

"Observe in secret."

The icy voice came again.

"Yes!" Mu He responded without hesitation, his tone reverent.

"Buzz~!"

The call ended.

Mu He immediately put the phone away, swept his gaze left and right once more, and seeing no other figures, rose and left.

Two months later.

Though winter had arrived, Bocheng was far south, and the temperature still hovered around twenty degrees—not too cold.

Most people in Bocheng still wore short sleeves, with only the occasional person throwing on a thin jacket.

Tianlan Magic High School ushered in a month-long winter break. The students all returned home cheerfully, intent on Meditative Cultivation.

Ruiguang Residential Area.

Building 2, Unit 602, balcony.

"Ice Vine—Freeze!"

Seven star seeds linked into an ice-blue star trail.

Frost instantly crept across the balcony's floor tiles, like a coat of ice-blue paint, eerily striking.

"Crackle crackle~"

The chill raged, frost spreading and swallowing the entire balcony, turning it into a miniature frozen world.

Under the enhancement of the Extreme Cold spirit seed, the first-level Ice Vine covered a vast area, its hardness nearly matching that of rock, and its power was not to be underestimated.

"Finally mastered the Elementary Level One spell, Ice Vine."

A murmur escaped as a boy about 1.8 meters tall stepped out from behind the glass door frozen solid with ice.

With short black hair, handsome features, and a finely sculpted face—sharp brows like swords, eyes like stars, a straight nose bridge—even without considering his aura, he was flawless.

A simple white hoodie, loose black pants, and plain white shoes without any flashy details...

With good looks, any outfit was easy to pull off.

"System, check in."

Qin Yuan murmured.

[Ding, detected host checking in for thirty consecutive days. Performing monthly check-in.]

[Ding, congratulations host, you have obtained one Servant Grade Demonic Beast Spirit Essence.]

"Another Demonic Beast Spirit Essence, same as last month's check-in reward."

Qin Yuan now had two Servant Grade Demonic Beast Spirit Essences on him.

This time, he didn't feed them, because the energy provided by a Servant Grade Demonic Beast Spirit Essence was too little for the Spirit-level White Tiger Vessel.

Rather than waste it on negligible improvement, it was better to save it for other uses.

"Phew, two months, and I've gained quite a bit."

Qin Yuan had not only mastered the Elementary Level One Ice Vine but also pushed the Pure Yang Divine Art to the second level's entry stage.

At the second level's entry of the Pure Yang Divine Art, his physical body matched a Minor General Demonic Beast.

A General Grade body—this was something only an Archmage possessed.

Though this didn't mean Qin Yuan could fight an Archmage, handling Beginner Mages and some Intermediate Mages barehanded was within reach.

"Buzz buzz buzz~"

Just then, the phone on the table rang.

"Xin Xia, I'm on my way." Qin Yuan pressed the answer button and smiled.

"Okay."

Ye Xin Xia's gentle, quiet voice came through.

Qin Yuan ended the call, adjusted his collar briefly in front of the mirror, grabbed his coat.

Out the door, down the stairs, around a few corners, picked up Ye Xin Xia, and then immediately hailed a taxi, heading in a certain direction.

From afar, it looked like a manor.

Evening.

Not far from the Mu Family Manor, there was a natural grassy 'terrace' where most of Bocheng's beauty could be taken in at a glance.

As a small southern city, Bocheng had a soft, elegant charm. Water wound around the city, flowing slowly, and distant mountains stretched endlessly.

Qin Yuan brought Ye Xin Xia here early.

Ye Xin Xia wanted to help, but Qin Yuan refused.

"Xin Xia, rest for a bit first."

Qin Yuan pushed Ye Xin Xia under a big tree, where a cool breeze blew, very refreshing.

To make sure she didn't catch a chill, Qin Yuan thoughtfully draped his coat over her.

"Mm." Ye Xin Xia responded, quietly watching Qin Yuan from the side.

Ingredients, seasonings, charcoal, grill rack...

Everything needed for a barbecue, Qin Yuan had prepared in abundance.

The grill rack and charcoal were specially made, so even placed on the grass, there was no risk of starting a fire—safe and worry-free, always kept at home.

"Hoo Hoo Hoo~"

A cool breeze blew, carrying a faint, subtle fragrance.

Qin Yuan crouched, preparing the ingredients. Even without turning around, he knew who was coming.

"Since you're here, don't just stand there. Lend a hand."

As Qin Yuan's voice fell, the air was silent for a moment. Then a snow-white, delicate jade hand reached from behind and picked up the grill rack beside him.

"How did you know it was me?" A slightly aloof voice came from behind.

Qin Yuan chuckled lightly and said flatly, "Your scent hasn't changed at all."

Mu Ning Xue: "..."

Her jade hand, adjusting the grill rack, paused. Her beautiful eyes glared at Qin Yuan's back, her pretty face tinged with anger.