Investigation, Mu Family Manor

Qin Yuan had lived two lives and experienced campus life twice. If he still could not see what was going on, then he would truly have lived in vain.

He looked at where Tang Yue had left for a while longer before withdrawing his gaze. As he watched the distant training ground, his thoughts drifted far away.

"There are only a few months left until the Magic College Entrance Examination. The Black Vatican should be making their move soon. Some preparations can be arranged in advance."

"The underground tunnels in Bocheng... There may be clues at the City Demon Hunting Squad."

After pondering for a moment, Qin Yuan turned and left.

The best way to reduce Bocheng's losses was to seal those underground tunnels as much as possible, delay the demons' entry into the city, and ensure that most people could enter the protective barrier.

That way, not only could they avoid devastating casualties, but the Black Vatican could also achieve its experimental goal. There would be no next "Bocheng Rehearsal."

This was currently the safest and most mutually beneficial solution Qin Yuan could think of.

Hunter Alliance.

Qin Yuan entered the place with practiced ease. After explaining his purpose to the staff, he soon met familiar faces such as Xu Dahuang.

Over the past half year or so, Xu Dahuang and his team had been in the spotlight. Within the Hunter Alliance, they had become a somewhat well-known demon-hunting squad.

There was no other reason: their squad had gained a rare Lightning Element mage, Fan Mo.

Although Qin Yuan knew Fan Mo's true identity, he was not one to run his mouth, so he certainly would not tell Xu Dahuang and the others.

"Qin Yuan, you're here. Come, sit."

Xu Dahuang greeted him warmly and led Qin Yuan to the sofa.

Li Wenjie and Mu Caitang were absent. Only Xu Dahuang, Fei Shi, and Xiao Ke were there.

Xiao Ke poured Qin Yuan a cup of tea, then sat on the sofa beside him. Her eyes occasionally fell on Qin Yuan before quickly shifting away.

"Captain Xu, I came this time to ask about the recent frequent appearances of demons within the city..."

Qin Yuan stopped halfway through his sentence.

"Alas."

Xu Dahuang sighed. "Yes, no one knows what has been going on with Bocheng lately. Demons have been appearing frequently. Not only have Giant-eyed Starry Rats been showing up, but there was also an advancing One-eyed Demonic Wolf."

"Fortunately, the Mage Association's reinforcements arrived in time and killed that One-eyed Demonic Wolf. Otherwise, it would certainly have caused widespread casualties..."

Qin Yuan listened quietly without interrupting.

Only after Xu Dahuang finished did Qin Yuan ask, "Could you tell me the exact locations where those demons appeared?"

"Let me think..."

Since Qin Yuan was also a hunter, Xu Dahuang did not hide anything. After thinking for a moment, he said, "One was in the Inscription Area, at Inscribed Girls Middle School. You know that one."

"There were three others: Beiling Area, Guangshang Tianjie, and Lufeng Town."

"..."

After pondering for a while, Qin Yuan smiled. "Thank you for telling me, Captain Xu."

"It's nothing." Xu Dahuang waved his hand, then changed the subject. "But Qin Yuan, why are you asking about this?"

"Nothing much. A few friends kept hearing about demon incidents happening here and there. To make sure they were not just rumors, I came to ask."

Qin Yuan smiled and made up an excuse.

"I see."

Xu Dahuang nodded. He naturally knew it was Qin Yuan's excuse, but he could not be bothered to pry.

After all, none of these matters were top secret. Even if Qin Yuan had not asked him, he could have found them through the Hunter Alliance.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Qin Yuan finally left.

Once outside the Hunter Alliance, Qin Yuan got into his car, opened Moral Map, and checked the locations Xu Dahuang had mentioned.

Then he started the car and headed for the nearest location, Guangshang Tianjie.

"I already know the location of the underground tunnel in the Inscription Area. As for these other three places... I'll be busy for a while."

Qin Yuan muttered to himself as he sped away.

One month later.

One luxury car after another drove along the winding path into Mu Family Manor. Qin Yuan drove his own King of the Road and followed closely behind the car ahead.

As soon as he parked, a Mu family maid approached with a sweet smile. "You are Qin Yuan, correct? The young lady asked me to escort you over."

"Yes, thank you."

Qin Yuan smiled faintly and followed the maid toward the most luxurious villa in Mu Family Manor.

This sight greatly surprised the others getting out of their cars.

That was because the place Qin Yuan was heading was no longer within the event area for this Coming-of-Age Ceremony. It was the Mu family's residential area.

Soon, Qin Yuan rounded a corner and arrived beneath a lavish, extravagant "castle."

From where he stood, it truly looked like a dream castle from a fairy tale.

"Tsk, not only is there a castle, there's a princess too."

Qin Yuan immediately spotted the breathtakingly beautiful figure standing before the entrance.

She was tall and graceful, dressed in a light gray short-skirted suit that was simple yet elegant, with a long white outer shirt swaying lightly in the breeze.

Her long hair was silver-white like snow, carrying a faint chill. Her delicate brows and features were exquisite, while determination and coldness shone through her beautiful eyes, as though she could see through everything.

Snow for skin, ice for bones, three thousand strands of silver hair—she was devastatingly beautiful, beyond compare.

An aloof aura that kept strangers at a distance surrounded her, making her appear exceptionally cold and distant.

However, that coldness gradually melted when she saw the handsome young man walking toward her.

"Qin Yuan."

Mu Ning Xue took several quick steps forward and called out to him.

Though her voice naturally carried a cool detachment, her tone held a trace of longing.

"It has been a long time. Our little princess has become even prettier."

Qin Yuan smiled softly and praised her.

Since they had last parted, Mu Ning Xue had returned to Imperial Capital Academy. She had only hurried back during summer break, all to see a certain someone.

"I'm an adult now. I'm not little." Mu Ning Xue glared at him with her beautiful eyes.

She was very happy when Qin Yuan called her a princess.

But she could not tolerate Qin Yuan calling her little. She was already an adult!

"But in my eyes, you'll always be my little princess."

Qin Yuan smiled and expertly took Mu Ning Xue's cool little hand.

"Hmph."

Mu Ning Xue gave a very soft huff.

She looked angry, but she was actually delighted.

Since Qin Yuan was so good with words, she would let him take a little advantage.

"How did things go with Sister Yuer?" Qin Yuan looked directly into Mu Ning Xue's beautiful eyes and asked, "Did you learn anything substantial?"

At those words,

Mu Ning Xue nodded and replied, "Sister Yuer taught me a great deal, but my cultivation is too low. For now, I can only improve my 'use of ice.'"

Much of Qin Yuer's path of using ice would only become helpful after reaching the Advanced Level, and only for Advanced Level Ice Element mages with domains.

At the Beginner and Intermediate Levels, aside from fundamental understanding, it offered little practical help.

"Take it slowly. I'm only at the Intermediate Level too." Qin Yuan smiled faintly.

"Mm."

Mu Ning Xue nodded slightly, then changed the subject. "Come with me. Dad wants to see you."

"Huh? Is Father-in-law already marrying off the princess?"

Qin Yuan asked in surprise.

Mu Ning Xue: "..."

That one sentence left her unsure how to respond.

Father-in-law? Marrying her off?

It was what she had hoped for since childhood, and even after growing up, those feelings had never changed, but... it still felt a little too soon.