"Boss Zhan Kong, we discovered signs of the Black Vatican deep in the mountains behind Bo City."
A middle-aged man in a sky-blue military mage's uniform delivered his report.
Zhan Kong gazed at the mountains in the distance, considered the matter for a moment, and asked,
"How did you get into the mountains?"
The military mage replied,
"A hunter named Shi provided a map. We were able to avoid the magical beasts and investigate deeper inside."
Zhan Kong did not press him for the details of where the map had come from.
He picked up a letter from his desk and stared intently at the few words written on it.
The Black Vatican, a demon attack, the One-eyed Magic Wolf.
After a long silence, Zhan Kong murmured to himself.
"Those One-eyed Magic Wolves in the mountains behind Bo City, and the Black Vatican... could there really be a connection?"
After pondering it for some time, he dismissed the military mage and wrote a confidential letter.
If this involved that level of danger, it was no longer something he, a mere advanced mage, could handle.
So Zhan Kong wrote to the military commander in the south, leaving the decision to him.
Something similar happened to Ying Yue.
At some point, she had received an anonymous letter containing information about the Black Vatican.
Ying Yue did not hesitate much before reporting the matter to her uncle, Chief Judge Tang Zhong.
Meanwhile, the person responsible for all of this was sitting on a huge boulder on the back mountain of the Mu estate.
Jiang Yu bathed in the moonlight and meditated in peace.
A faint, fresh fragrance drifted to his nose. He knew that familiar scent without even opening his eyes.
"Ningxue, what brings you here?"
A young woman with flawless skin and breathtaking beauty slowly approached.
Cold surrounded her, and her expression was just as frosty.
Yet today, Mu Ningxue was unusually playful.
"Can't I come see you without a reason?"
"It would be my pleasure."
Jiang Yu stopped meditating and smiled at the stunning young woman.
If Mu Ningxue had not given him a Stardust magic tool, his cultivation would not have progressed so quickly.
He had now mastered all forty-nine stars of the Ice Element. His Fire Element was only a step away from the intermediate level, and his Shadow Element had reached the third level of the basic tier.
As for his Summoning Element, he had barely bothered with it, mainly because he currently lacked the resources to nurture a summoned beast.
Mu Ningxue stood at the edge of the cliff like a proud snow lotus and said softly,
"Give up. Don't fight Yuang."
"Are you telling me to admit defeat?"
Jiang Yu looked at her in surprise. Mu Ningxue could hardly be unaware of his temper.
Mu Ningxue shook her head.
"I'm afraid you'll get hurt and jeopardize your magic entrance exam."
She would not stand in Jiang Yu's way. On the contrary, she desperately hoped to have another companion on her path.
After all, the pain of loneliness in Mu Ningxue's heart was worse than any physical pain.
Jiang Yu offered no explanation. He quietly released his aura.
As Mu Ningxue sensed Ice Element power that rivaled her own, a trace of surprise crossed her face.
But she quickly regained her composure and did not ask for details.
Mu Ningxue had tried to dissuade Jiang Yu because she feared he would injure himself trying to defeat Yuang. Now that he had sufficient strength, she naturally had nothing more to say.
"Don't get too carried away..."
After saying that, Mu Ningxue left.
Watching her beautiful figure retreat, Jiang Yu silently vowed,
Just wait. One day, I'll have the power to save you!
Realizing it was almost time, he too left the back mountain and headed toward the Mu family's reception hall.
He was finally about to face that so-called three-year promise!
The Mu estate was bustling today.
Countless luxury cars were parked at the foot of the mountain. After all, everyone knew that three prodigies had emerged from the Mu family!
In the future, the Mu family would probably have the final say over all of Bo City.
"There's no need to say much about the most gifted of them, Mu Ningxue. She has an innate spirit seed, attends Imperial College, and awakened her magic independently."
"Mu Zhuoran's adopted son, Mu Yuang, is extraordinary too. His innate Ice Element talent is tremendously powerful, but more importantly, he has remarkable determination. He's practically a cultivation fanatic!"
"Only the Mu family's son-in-law, Jiang Yu, seems a little ordinary by comparison, though he did rank first in his year at Tianlan High School."
Listening to the guests' praise, Mu Zhuoran never stopped smiling.
He glanced around.
Principal Zhu of Tianlan High School, Magic Association President Deng Zuohai, Hunter Union elder Deng Kai... even the military had sent a senior officer named Zhan Kong!
This was the first time so many important figures had gathered at the Mu residence. What an honor for his family!
Of course, the guests were not all high-ranking officials and distinguished dignitaries. Plenty of students had come as well.
"Mu Bai, how good do you think Jiang Yu's chances are against Yuang?"
Zhou Min was extremely unhappy with the so-called wager.
Zhang Xiaolong chimed in from beside her,
"Exactly! Brother Jiang has killed a magical beast!"
Mu Bai merely gave a disdainful smile.
"Jiang Yu is strong, sure, but how could his resources compare to Mu Yuang's?"
"He has a whole pile of defensive magic equipment alone, not to mention magic tools. His cultivation is far ahead of Jiang Yu's."
"Besides, Jiang Yu only killed a Colossal-eyed Ape Rat, one of the weaker magical beasts. And who actually saw him kill it alone?"
"Even if he did, Mu Yuang could do the same."
At that, Zhang Xiaolong did not know how to argue back.
But Zhou Min still refused to accept it.
"So you're saying Jiang Yu's talent counts for nothing compared to resources?"
Mu Bai patiently explained as before,
"Mu Yuang has talent, resources, and works hard. What does Jiang Yu have to compete with him?"
Their argument ended with Mu Bai leaving them only a curt, "Just wait and see."
Elsewhere, two beautiful women with very different expressions were also watching.
"Sister Ying Yue, do you think Brother Jiang Yu will really be all right?"
The thought of that stubborn young man left Ying Yue speechless.
Not only was his talent outrageous, but she was probably the only person there who knew Jiang Yu had broken through to the intermediate level. He really was a freak.
"Relax. He'll be fine."
Even with Ying Yue's reassurance, Ye Xinxia still worried about Jiang Yu.
At that moment, Jiang Yu stood at the center of the entire hall.
Before him were Mu Zhuoran and several so-called important figures, while the sinister-looking Mu Yuang stood beside him.
Mu Zhuoran said cheerfully,
"Yuang, we're all family. Be careful out there."
Then he turned to Jiang Yu.
Jiang Yu had long since shed his youthful awkwardness and grown into an adult.
He now stood over six feet tall, with a straight-backed figure, handsome features, and an air of confidence.
The more Mu Zhuoran looked at this son-in-law, the more pleased he became.
With Mu Yuang leading the way and Jiang Yu supporting him, the Mu family would surely grow stronger and stronger!
"Jiang Yu, you be careful too. Admit defeat if you can't manage it. We're all family, after all."
Jiang Yu nodded in response.
After all, the Mu family had raised him.
He would not kill Mu Yuang here, but that was the extent of his restraint.
Mu Yuang, however, did not share Jiang Yu's thoughts. A barely perceptible viciousness lurked in his eyes.
Today, he had to kill Jiang Yu. Failing that, he would cripple him!
That was the task Lord Demonic Elder had entrusted to him!
"All right, go on up."
Once Mu Zhuoran finished speaking, the two walked together toward the recessed arena in the middle of the hall.
At that moment, the whole venue fell silent, every eye turning toward the arena.
They waited eagerly, anticipating the birth of a new head of the Mu family!
And Jiang Yu was naturally the sacrificial lamb!
The sacrificial lamb Yuang had specifically demanded!
Before you continue