Damn, He's Become Someone Else's Child. / Breaking Through to the Intermediate Level

"Don't tell me you've forgotten about the field training and still think it's winter vacation."

"No way." Seeing that homeroom teacher Old Xue was about to read the list, Mo Fan immediately said, "I'll call Lu Jun and have him come over quickly."

Before Mo Fan could get through, Teacher Xue said from above, "This field operation will be led by the military, with practical instructor Tang Yue and Pan Lijun from the Demon Hunting Alliance accompanying us. Lu Jun from our class has been exempted from the assessment by the military for special reasons."

As soon as he finished speaking, Mo Fan, Zhang Xiaohou, and even Mu Bai, whose face had recently been black with misfortune, froze.

Mo Fan muttered, "When did that old Lu kid get involved with the military? He's really mysterious."

The other students also erupted into chatter, but they were not envious. They had never experienced demon hunting and thought this was just an outing—or, at worst, wilderness survival. They felt it would be a pity not to go.

In fact, they were not entirely wrong. Before Zhan Kong was demoted to Bo City, most second-year field training had been merely formalities. After all, who could bear responsibility if some children died?

Even Zhan Kong had only used instructors' Summoned Beasts disguised as Demonic Beasts to test them, keeping everything safe and under control.

A Summoned Beast was a Primary Magic spell of the Summoning System, one of the Dimensional Magic branches. Even at the Primary Level, it could summon a Servant-level Demonic Beast, which was often nearly invincible among those of the same level.

Of course, Innate Talent holders and freaks like Lu Jun were another matter. Metal Element Magic specialized in killing, while Wind Element and Water Element Magic made up for every other aspect.

Not long after, school buses set off, carrying the students straight to Snow Peak Mountain Outpost.

Soon after they got off, Zhan Kong made a dazzling entrance and gave the students a brutal warning. He bluntly ordered them to abandon everything, survive in the wilderness for ten days, and complete a bounty.

Otherwise, the entire class would fail.

Not only the top students but also the practical instructors protested. "No! Even ordinary hunters can't complete a bounty, let alone a group of students!"

But it was useless. The chief instructor, Zhan Kong, forcibly suppressed the objections and tempted them by saying, "Whoever completes the bounty first will receive a Primary-level Magic Tool from me personally!"

Those words set the entire crowd ablaze, and the students became excited.

Unfortunately, they regretted it soon afterward.

Zhan Kong revealed the entire plan to the practical instructors. The schoolteachers immediately joined forces with him and tested the students together.

Mo Fan and the others spent a full ten days surviving in the wilderness before reaching the mission site: an old One-Eyed Magic Wolf den in a mountain valley. There were no Demonic Beasts left inside.

What truly existed there was a Summoned Beast belonging to an instructor named Bai Yang, disguised as a Ghost Wolf Beast.

It was merely a Servant-level Demonic Beast, but the Killing Aura it released upon appearing was as fierce as that of a savage beast, causing dozens of students to collapse on the spot.

Xu Zhaoting, Mu Bai, Zhang Xiaohou, Mo Fan, He Yu, and the other outstanding students still tried to control their stars and release Primary Magic in resistance, but the overwhelming momentum was impossible to turn back.

With one roar from the Ghost Wolf Beast, all the students still connecting their Star Tracks broke their links and fled in panic, unable to hold on any longer.

Only Mo Fan and Mu Bai successfully released their Magic, but two Primary Level One spells were useless against the Ghost Wolf Beast.

With no other choice, Mo Fan and Zhang Xiaohou took action. They controlled Wind Tracks and lured the Ghost Wolf Beast away.

Unfortunately, Bai Yang's Ghost Wolf Beast lost control at that moment. Seeing that someone was about to die, Zhan Kong's expression changed. He hurriedly cast High-level Wind Element Magic, using Wind Wings to rescue Mo Fan.

But who was Mo Fan? At the crucial moment, his Fire Element broke through to Level Two. Through ingenious use of Magic, he paralyzed the beast with Lightning Element Magic in one hand and broke the stalactites above the cave with Fire Element Magic in the other. They fell and pierced straight through the Ghost Wolf Beast, pinning it to death inside the cave and allowing him to pass the trial by a hair's breadth.

To a certain extent, Lu Jun's first demon-hunting experience had been much better than Mo Fan's. Metal Element Magic could be summoned in advance, so he did not need to split his attention during battle. He had reached this point by adapting and growing step by step.

Mo Fan, on the other hand, simply had nerves of steel. In the end, the brave warrior also received his reward: a Primary-level Shield Magic Tool worth hundreds of thousands.

Besides, because Bai Yang's Summoned Beast had died, the backlash from the contract injured him, causing him to resent Mo Fan.

If Lu Jun had been present, he probably would have cursed, Serves you right. Bai Yang was a Black Vatican Member planted inside the Military Mages. The plan to destroy Bo City had already begun, and many 'Frenzied Springs' had been placed in Demonic Beast lairs outside the city.

This was a medicine refined by diluting and adjusting the Earth Sacred Spring. At the cost of consuming life potential, it could massively stimulate a Demonic Beast's bloodlust, prompting it to go berserk and advance.

Bai Yang had probably deliberately pretended to lose control because he feared being discovered, allowing his Summoned Beast to kill without restraint. Who would have thought it would encounter a freak like Mo Fan?

Fortunately, even later, Zhan Kong still failed to discover anything. It had been hidden far too well.

While Mo Fan was undergoing Field Training, Lu Jun took advantage of the winter vacation and once again joined forces with his older sister to wipe out a wolf pack's den.

Earth Element Intermediate Level One, [Rock Barrier · Jagged Stone]!

Apricot-yellow Magic radiance surged around Lu Mei. A diagram of rugged rocks took shape beneath her feet, and forty-nine stars arranged themselves into a Star Chart. With a shout, she raised her slender hand.

In an instant, layers of earth waves rolled ahead. Four walls of rock rumbled upward. The Advancement Period Servant-level Alpha Wolf of the den charged madly, burrowing straight into the dozen-meter-high hard wall with a thunderous boom.

Immediately afterward, the four rock walls closed together, tightly trapping the Alpha Wolf and seven or eight One-Eyed Magic Wolves. They could not move, and only a small opening remained at the top.

Pfft!

Azure light burst from Lu Jun's boots. He stamped the ground and shot more than ten meters into the air. As he descended, he swung the four-meter-long Vibranium Heavy Sword. Golden Radiance erupted, piercing through every Magic Wolf trapped inside the rock walls. Blood trickled from the fortress's cracks and soaked into the soil.

The battle ended easily. Wolf corpses littered the ground, along with traces of Wind Element, Metal Element, and Earth Element destruction.

This area was relatively flat, with none of the advantages for demon hunting offered by the original valley. Yet Lu Jun and his sister still dealt with everything easily.

Their strength had improved tremendously over the past six months.

First, his sister Lu Mei had broken through to the Intermediate Level in the Earth Element two months ago. She already had experience, and her mental cultivation was solid. Using her old element to support her new one, together with a top-grade Nebula Magic Tool and frequent battles, she advanced very quickly.

She now possessed two Intermediate Level One elements. Her Intermediate Earth Element Magic was still slightly unfamiliar, but she could draw her Wind Element Star Chart extremely quickly, faintly showing signs of breaking through to Intermediate Level Two, [Wind Disk · Heaven Net].

As for Lu Jun, he had reached Level Three in both elements. His Metal Element had reached its peak, and after four months of grinding, he was almost at the Intermediate Level. He would probably break through within the next few days.

Furthermore, they had not kept the ten million they earned during last summer vacation. Instead, they had gone to the Magic Association and bought two Intermediate Magic Tools, fully arming themselves.

Chapter 28: Damn, He's Become Someone Else's Child.

Lu Mei obtained a Demon Slaying Gear called the [Halo Ring], which usually appeared as a golden bracelet worn around her wrist.

It contained the skill 'Halo Slash'. Once activated, it transformed into a gigantic Halo that descended from the sky. Its single-target lethality was extremely powerful; killing an Advancement Period Servant-level creature with one strike was no problem. It was worth six million.

This Magic Tool filled the gap in her lack of offensive methods and decisive attacks. In terms of evasion, control, defense, and area attacks, her Wind and Earth Elements were already top-tier.

As for Lu Jun, he chose a Magic Tool called the [Azure Cloud Boots]. They protected his feet and were worth four million. Their innate 'Wind Step' skill had two modes.

One mode was what he had just displayed: all its energy 'erupted' in an instant, sending him soaring more than ten meters. It allowed him to glide briefly in midair and even unleash a second jump. The other was 'sprint', whose effect resembled Wind Track and continuously output energy over a longer period.

It was perfectly suited to Lu Jun's situation. With his sister's support, there was no problem, but once he lost a Wind Element Mage's assistance, he would become a sitting duck, and the power of his Metal Element would also be greatly reduced.

The reason he had bought Intermediate Magic Tools was also that he was approaching the Intermediate Level. He wanted to leave himself enough time to use them in the future, much like buying a child clothes one size too large.

Moreover, he would be entering higher education, where he would fight alone more often.

Overall, the ten million had been well spent. Their combat power had increased, making demon hunting safer. One had to invest before one could gain.

For example, Lu Jun now walked up to the wolf corpses. Fluorescent light gathered from all directions. One piece, about the size of a thumb and originating from the Alpha Wolf, was astonishingly another Servant-level Spirit Essence.

During the vacation, the siblings had wiped out two dens in succession, and both had luckily produced Essence Souls. The two Essence Souls alone were worth ten million. Including the materials, their value reached fifteen million.

It could be said that the luck they had accumulated during the previous semester had erupted all at once. The probability was still only around one percent.

However, Lu Jun wanted to buy only the finest Spirit Seed. He needed to accumulate at least twenty-five million. Mo Fan's Lightning Element Spirit Seed, [Thousand Jun], which possessed a special effect, had cost twenty-eight million.

It would probably take another six months. Even if he managed to save enough money, he would not buy a Water Element Spirit Seed for the time being. Instead, he would first equip his sister with a Wind Element Spirit Seed.

For one thing, his sister, the Intermediate Mage, contributed the most in battle. For another, he would not break through to the Intermediate Level in the Water Element so soon.

"Lu Jun, let's retreat first."

After collecting the materials, Lu Mei said solemnly, "I have a bad feeling. The Magic Wolves around here seem far too active and excited lately. I'm afraid something will happen."

"That Advancement Period Magic Wolf we wiped out earlier was almost about to evolve into a General-level Demonic Beast. Fortunately, we killed it instantly. Otherwise, we really would have been in trouble."

A General-level creature belonged to an entirely different realm. Seven or eight Intermediate Mages were needed to hunt one together.

His sister's two Intermediate elements amounted to, at most, the combat power of two Intermediate Mages. Even the two ordinary Intermediate Magic Tools they held could not trouble a General-level creature much. Magic Tools capable of injuring one generally cost tens of millions.

Once they encountered a General-level Demonic Beast, even one that had only just advanced, they would be completely unable to deal with it.

"Mm. We can't take risks from now on. Let's wait until my Metal Element reaches the Intermediate Level. Together, we should be able to contend with a General-level creature."

Lu Jun nodded. His gaze deepened as he crouched beside the water pool in the Magic Wolf den and dipped his fingers into the murky water. Sensing it with his Water Element Stardust, he thought, Frenzied Spring. The Black Vatican has begun its operation.

Perhaps the two Essence Souls they had obtained in succession had not been a coincidence. These Advancement Period Magic Wolves might have had their potential stimulated, greatly increasing the quality of their souls.

Moreover, although the hunters were working so hard to exterminate them, the frequency of Demonic Beast encounters continued to rise. This indicated one thing: Demonic Beasts were reproducing in greater numbers, and more outside groups were migrating in.

Over the past six months, Lu Jun had basically figured out Bo City's underground pipelines. But he could not be in two places at once and had no way to monitor the Black Vatican's movements in real time. Besides, he was afraid of being discovered.

"Let's take things one step at a time."

He shook his head, hoisted a large bundle of materials onto his back, and returned with his sister along a Wind Track.

Not long afterward, the siblings saw Snow Peak Mountain Outpost in the distance. Countless figures stood there. They exchanged a puzzled look and said, "Strange. Why are there so many people today?"

Among the crowd at Snow Peak Mountain Outpost, Mo Fan stood inside, listening to the chief instructor's praise. He could not help puffing out his chest, looking extremely proud.

Mu Bai, Zhao Kunsan, and the others looked unpleasant. Every student around them gazed at Mo Fan with envy and admiration, making him the center of attention.

"Ahem, very good. To be able to fight a Demonic Beast alone at such a young age is impressive. You should all learn from him."

Zhan Kong coughed lightly while inwardly muttering, Why are there so many freaks? Another high school student has soloed a Servant-level Demonic Beast. At the same time, his heart ached terribly. He had not taken the Magic Tool reward seriously at first because there had not really been any bounty.

But now, he had no choice but to give it away. This kid refused to suffer a loss, so he would treat it as compensation.

As he sighed, the students ahead erupted into waves of startled chatter, as if they had seen something unbelievable.

Only when Zhan Kong looked over did he discover that Lu Jun had returned from demon hunting.

The siblings had an imposing presence and were extremely eye-catching.

Lu Mei had pinned up her smooth black hair, perfectly revealing her fair face and neck glistening with sweat.

Looking lower, her off-white shirt outlined her voluptuous figure. Her chest rose like hills, and even the conservative round collar could not conceal an alluring glimpse of cleavage. A windbreaker draped over her shoulders, giving her a valiant, mature-woman air. Every inch of her revealed an enticing wildness.

Lu Jun was even more astonishing. Killing Aura surrounded him, bloodstains had dried on his clothes, and a corner of the large bundle of flesh and materials on his back was exposed. Strange Bones dripped with fresh blood. Each firm step left a footprint, making him look as if he had just walked out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.

There was nothing to be done. Lu Jun always fought in Melee Combat, so he had been splattered from head to toe with blood. His sister was much more graceful, though she was also exhausted and covered in fragrant sweat.

Of course, anyone who had just returned from the wilderness, regardless of appearance, would create a powerful visual impact. Each possessed a different kind of wild, masculine beauty.

How could the hothouse flowers at school have ever seen such a scene? Their breathing nearly stopped, and their eyes involuntarily shifted away.

Someone exclaimed, "Th-this is Lu Jun, the one exempted from the assessment? He actually went demon hunting in the wilderness."

"Who's that woman beside him? She's incredible—just too forceful."

Some young boys could not withstand the attraction of such a powerful older woman. Their hearts pounded with excitement, yet Lu Mei's imposing bearing also made them afraid to look directly at her. Only after the two passed did they breathe a sigh of relief.

Zhan Kong greeted the two when they returned, then grinned maliciously at the students. "You people, don't think that experiencing Demonic Beasts during field training gives you the right to become arrogant."

"There's always someone better, and there's always a higher sky. Look at them. Now you know why Lu Jun was exempted, right? At your age, would you dare to go demon hunting in the wilderness?"

Hearing this, Mu Bai, Zhao Kunsan, and the others swallowed hard, overwhelmed by frustration.

Mo Fan had not truly listened to Zhan Kong. His proud personality had been deeply shaken. The gap was far too great. He suddenly realized that killing a Servant-level Demonic Beast was nothing special.

Tang Yue frowned as she connected this with the intelligence from her investigation, lost in thought.

Lu Jun nodded to Zhan Kong, then greeted Mo Fan and Zhang Xiaohou. Only then did he remember that this was the period when the school conducted its field training.

He and his sister did not linger. They quickly returned home to process the Essence Soul and materials.

Chapter 29: Breaking Through to the Intermediate Level

After Lu Jun and his sister had gone far away, the entire class erupted into discussion. Many young girls were attracted to Lu Jun's cold, ruthless bearing, while secretly admiring an independent, powerful woman like Lu Mei.

They chattered excitedly. There was no helping it: Lu Jun usually had high cultivation, good grades, and a handsome face, but he was too low-key and solitary. No one knew that he had a sister or what he did outside school.

Now that the tip of the iceberg had been revealed, even more mystery emerged, making them unable to tear themselves away and filling them with the urge to investigate.

The boys were also bewildered, their feelings complicated. Mo Fan sank into deep thought. He was extremely proud and was not someone who gave up easily. He began wondering whether he simply had not worked hard enough.

Mo Fan made up his mind. He had to join the City Demon Hunting Squad, then gradually go demon hunting in the wilderness. It would earn him money and provide training. If Lu Jun could do it, there was no reason he could not.

Elsewhere, Lu Jun had no idea what his classmates were thinking and did not care.

On the way home, his sister teased him. "Oh my, I saw the way those girls were looking at you. You'd only need to crook your finger, and they'd come running."

Lu Jun was speechless. He immediately attacked head-on. "But I only want to be with you, Sister."

As soon as he said it, Lu Mei's face heated up. She shoved her younger brother and scolded him, "Don't talk nonsense."

The black-haired boy pouted and said nothing more. As usual, the two went to the hospital for an examination, then headed to the Hunter's Alliance to process all the materials and Essence Souls.

The Strange Bones and Strange Blood of Demonic Beasts were worth quite a lot. They were cultivation resources for the Summoning System and sources of materials for Magic Tools. At worst, they could be used to make Blood Supplements, Demon-Seeking Powder, and other necessities for demon hunting in the wilderness.