Lu Jun ignored everything else and asked coolly, "Who are you?"
Bai Yang's face twisted, and his whole body trembled. Lu Jun frowned, sensing the dream he had created being struck by another force and starting to crumble. It was probably the Mind Element power the Black Vatican used for brainwashing.
Fortunately, Bai Yang was only an Elementary Mage, and the mental imprint wasn't particularly strong. It couldn't withstand Lu Jun's control over two elements.
At last, Bai Yang revealed the truth. "I... I'm Bai Yang, a Black Robe Cultist under Tiger Jin Grand Deacon of the Black Vatican. I've been infiltrating the Bo City military."
Team Leader Liang was stunned. He had no idea how many times his worldview had been rebuilt today.
Huff, huff, huff!
Having learned what he wanted to know, Lu Jun released Bai Yang. He dropped heavily to the ground, his face full of terror as he panted. Gritting his teeth, he snarled, "You!"
He tried to draw on his Primary Nebula to cast a spell, but the moment he did, a pair of scarlet eyes appeared before him. His heart seized, interrupting the connection between his stars, and he couldn't help screaming.
Bai Yang clutched at his heart with both hands, gripping it tightly as he writhed on the ground in unbearable pain.
It was a curse: Fearful Haze.
Lu Jun smiled faintly. The Mind and Curse Elements really were ideal for dealing with the Black Vatican.
"Ghost Wolf Beast, hurry and kill him!"
Bai Yang couldn't cast spells to empower his Summoned Beast, but that didn't matter. He could still direct the Demon Beast in battle. He was only an Intermediate Mage; any Servant-level Demon Beast that got close could kill him.
But no matter how loudly Bai Yang shouted, there was no response. He turned around and was horrified to see the Ghost Wolf Beast bowing its head obediently in front of that man, letting him stroke it.
Strange... Mysterious...
Seeing this, Bai Yang despaired. Nothing was more helpless than a Summoning System Mage's pet betraying him right before his eyes.
Lu Jun's gaze was calm as he stroked the Ghost Wolf Beast. "Go back."
Soon, the giant wolf, two meters tall at the shoulder, disappeared, returning to the Summoning Plane.
A Summoning System's Primary Magic, [Dimensional Summon], could only keep a summoned creature in this world for a while. Once the Nebula's energy ran out, it had to return. Only an Intermediate-level [Contract Summoning] could make a creature stay permanently. Such a beast was a mage's bonded Demon Beast.
Bai Yang sat there, dazed and dejected, with all hope gone.
Mo Fan had watched the whole thing in a daze. First there was a Spirit Seed, then a Curse Element—he couldn't make sense of any of it. Ever since they had brought up the Earth Sacred Spring, he'd been completely lost.
Team Leader Liang let out a breath, his expression complicated. "Who would've thought there were so many traitors among Bo City's higher-ups? What do we do with the Earth Sacred Spring now? I don't feel safe handing it over to anyone."
At that, Mo Fan narrowed his eyes as an idea came to him, along with a sense of urgency. If Lu Jun hadn't gone on a rampage right in front of him, he wouldn't have thought of it.
During the Disaster of Bo City, he'd been nothing but a spectator, without the power to turn things around. He couldn't imagine how Bo City would have been massacred if Lu Jun and the other powerful fighters hadn't stepped up.
His sister Xin Xia, his father Mo Jiaxing, and even he himself might have died.
"I have an idea," Mo Fan said boldly. "Why not let me absorb it?"
"Hm?" Team Leader Liang asked in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said." Mo Fan gritted his teeth. "The Black Vatican has been watching this thing all along. Even if we hand it over to someone higher up, it might still get stolen without anyone noticing. Since our enemies want it, we might as well destroy it."
"There isn't much of the Warm Spring left anyway. Better to destroy it than let them keep coveting it."
Team Leader Liang opened his mouth, but his expression had long since gone numb. These two high school students were both more outrageous than the other.
Seeing that Team Leader Liang was wavering, Mo Fan hurriedly gave Old Lu a look. Of the three of them, Lu Jun had earned the most say through his strength. Whether or not he agreed to let Mo Fan have the Earth Sacred Spring was up to him. Mo Fan could only hope Lu Jun would act like a friend.
Lu Jun understood. After thinking it over, he offered what seemed only fair. "He's right. Mo Fan was supposed to soak in the Earth Sacred Spring, but what happened interrupted him. I think it's fine to let him absorb it."
"Woohoo!" Mo Fan blurted out excitedly, "Old Lu—no, Dad! You're my dad!"
Team Leader Liang had nothing to say. He looked at the two of them. They were stealing from the very people entrusted with guarding it. Still, after considering it for a moment, he tacitly agreed.
Mo Fan sat cross-legged on the spot with his back to the others. Secretly, he fed a small bottle of the Earth Sacred Spring to the Little Loach Pendant, then began using its immense Warm Spring energy to break through the Intermediate-level barriers of his Fire and Lightning Elements.
And so, although the process was different, the result was much the same.
Lu Jun had his own reasons for allowing it. Aside from the practical benefit of helping Mo Fan grow stronger, absorbing the Earth Sacred Spring would draw the Black Vatican and other forces' attention to Mo Fan, making him a target. More importantly, when the calamity came in the future, they would surely lose without the Azure Dragon Totem's revival.
Besides, Lu Jun smiled faintly. He hadn't worked for nothing. Bo City had mostly been saved, and its losses weren't that severe. Surely the various factions would show their appreciation afterward?
He wasn't asking for much. Twenty or thirty million ought to do.
Lu Jun also secretly pocketed a drop of the Earth Sacred Spring, to make plans for the Ancient Capital.
Atop the building, Mo Fan was in seclusion, refining the energy. Lu Jun sat down too, hurrying to replenish the magic energy in his two Nebulae. The Demon Horde outside the city was still there. The battle wasn't over yet!
The Great Battle Against the Wolf Pack
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
Who knew how much time had passed atop the Yin Mao Building? Lightning and fire intertwined around Mo Fan, their radiance soaring into the sky. Purple and red light reflected across half the heavens, and his eyes mirrored thunderclouds and rosy clouds respectively.
Breakthrough: dual-element Intermediate Level 1!
Lu Jun was envious. He wondered whether his White Tiger Pendant still held some residual Totem Power. After graduating from university, he would travel the world. It would be time to look for clues.
"Hahaha! I, Mo Fan, am amazing! I've reached Intermediate Level with two elements. Old Lu, I don't think I'm any worse than you now."
Mo Fan checked his cultivation. The wind had stopped and the rain had stopped. He felt like he could take on the world again.
Lu Jun had already recovered most of his magic energy. He poured cold water on Mo Fan's boasting. "Give it a rest. You haven't even mastered your stars yet. Wait a year before bragging. Then you'll be able to cast Intermediate Magic, Mo Fan."
Mo Fan's face fell. Since he wasn't in touch with Tang Yue, he didn't have anything like a [Star Chart Scroll] to help him cast spells. Even though he'd broken through to Intermediate Level, he could only cast Primary Magic for now—he could just sustain it a little longer.
Lu Jun turned and gave the two of them instructions. "Team Leader Liang, you and Mo Fan should return to the Safe Zone. While you're there, clear out any remaining Black Vatican Members. I'll head to the Border Battlefield to help."
Neither of them objected. Mo Fan especially was eager to go home after everything that had happened, to check whether Xin Xia and his father were all right.
"Oh, one more thing." He glanced at Bai Yang, who was sprawled on the ground. "Take him back and lock him up too. We can interrogate him for information."
Lu Jun felt a little regretful. Bai Yang had come alone; Yu Ang hadn't dared to show up. Still, with Bai Yang in custody, people like Mu He might keep quiet, but the rest would probably be exposed. A monk might escape, but his temple couldn't.
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
Then Lu Jun summoned a Vibranium Heavy Sword. He connected with his stars but didn't reveal his Star Chart. With a series of quivering vibrations, the Dark Gold Longsword floating beside him instantly expanded ninefold, reaching a full twelve meters.
He tapped the tip of his foot and rose into the air, landing steadily on the enormous jet-black blade. It was flat and square, almost like the ground beneath his feet.
The next moment, with a whoosh, Lu Jun took off on his sword. He pierced the sky, a streak of platinum light vanishing into the endless rainy night as a tremendous wave of air surged behind him.
Only his leisurely chant remained behind:
"Young, sword at my side, I roam the world with ease. I live for joy and freedom, and write the ages with wild strokes!"
Team Leader Liang and Mo Fan stared, dumbfounded. They had already been hit with one shock after another today, but the sight still left them stunned. They couldn't help looking at each other.
Team Leader Liang muttered, "Why do I feel like Lu Jun and the rest of us belong in completely different genres?"
Mo Fan's face darkened. He'd just been hit with a huge dose of swagger. He cursed under his breath, but couldn't help feeling envious. "That guy Old Lu even had to show off one last time before leaving."
He made up his mind: in the future, he'd find a Magic Tool that could let him fly on a sword!
Meanwhile, people in the Safe Zone were holding up their phones and snapping pictures, all of them shouting excitedly. Mages and the Black Vatican had always seemed far removed from ordinary people.
Now, they had witnessed the whole scene and captured it on camera: Lu Jun flying on his sword to slay Demon Beasts, a vast waterfall flooding several streets, then the flying sword vanishing into the distance, with the Black Vatican slaughtered along the way.
Although they couldn't make out the figure clearly, the footage was precious all the same.
Many people excitedly posted to their social media, whether WeChat Moments, Bihu, Little Red Book, or Douyin. News about Bo City spread quickly, and fuzzy footage of Lu Jun descending like a god from heaven and facing two hundred Black Beast Demons sparked heated discussion.
"Crimson Alert! Official mages fighting evil! United as one! [Let's go]! [Let's go]!"
"Thanks for asking. I'm in Bo City and just made it into the Safe Zone. What should I do during a Crimson disaster?"
"Wow, that disaster in Bo City! This guy is so handsome—he makes me feel so safe! Don't ask why I called him a handsome guy. Sisters, does anyone know how to get in touch with him?"
Of course, the news was still spreading. Lu Jun had no idea; he was flying on his sword, and it was his first time doing so. The sensation of freedom and ease filled him, and he couldn't help reciting a lousy poem.
In midair, he looked down at the scenery rushing beneath him, blurring as it passed. Wind and rain whipped around him, his coat fluttering. He had an air of wild arrogance about him.
The experience was only so-so. Without the protection of Water Shield, the wind and rain rushing into his face would have torn his skin apart. Fortunately, the Heavy Sword was as big as a wall, so he didn't have to worry about being blown off.
It was pretty fast, though—second only to the Wind Element's High-level Magic, [Wind Wings].
Before long, Lu Jun spotted the battlefield in the distance. A vast swarm of One-Eyed Wolves was charging at the Outpost, covering the hills like a surging tide of dark blue-green.
The two sides were already locked in a bloody fight.
A thousand Military Mages formed the backbone of the force, arrayed at the front. They unleashed Primary Magic in unison, sending waves of dazzling flames and frost at the enemy. Each volley took down countless Demon Beasts, splattering blood and flesh everywhere.
Demon Hunters and other Civilian Mages circled around from both sides, harassing and tying down the enemy. They weren't very disciplined, so if they'd been massed at the front, the pressure might have made them flee. Besides, there were plenty of skilled fighters among them, and this gave them more room to shine.
Brilliant flashes exploded on either side of the mountain. Whenever the Demon Beasts got close, countless Ground Waves rose beneath them, sending them retreating several miles.
But more than a hundred General-level Demon Beasts were hardly affected. They were almost upon the forward battle formation.
Intermediate Mages from both the official and civilian forces stepped in, trying to hold them back.
"Where are my sisters?"
Lu Jun flew over the battlefield, looking down from above. He wasn't worried about Lu Mei's safety. With Intermediate Level 3 in both the Wind and Earth Elements, she had more than enough means to protect herself.
Unless the Commander-level Winged Azure Wolf came after her personally, there was no way anything could happen to her.
The terrifyingly huge Winged Azure Wolf was far off in the night, amidst the pouring rain. Lu Jun's sharp eyes caught sight of a man with Wind Wings on his back, locked in a struggle with a giant beast as tall as a mountain and dozens of meters high.
He didn't dare approach. Instead, he headed for the battlefield below. His Mind Magic sensed something in the chaos, and at a glance, he spotted his sister.
A Three-Eyed Magic Wolf, standing ten meters tall, growled as it strode forward. Its momentum was immense, like a super-heavy truck, and it charged at a formation of more than a dozen mages.
Just as it was about to tear several mages apart, a thick, earthy-yellow radiance suddenly welled up in the area as Earth Element magic energy gathered.
Level 3 [Rock Barrier Mountains]!
Soon, wave upon wave of earth rolled forth, and walls like mountain peaks rose up one after another. They reached fifteen meters high. Even a General-level Wolf couldn't clear that distance with a leap.
Bang!
With a tremendous crash, the enormous wolf slammed into the cliff that had risen from the ground and bounced back. The Rock Barrier was completely unharmed.
That wasn't all. Walls rose all around it with a rumble, hemming it in like mountains closing on all sides and trapping a beast in a cage. Even the towering General-level Wolf was crushed into a tiny corner.
In the distance, a tall, strikingly beautiful female mage lifted her hands from the ground and slowly stood up.
In the six months since then, Lu Mei had improved too. She was now Earth Element Intermediate Level 3. Her magic was far stronger than the Level 1 Craggy Rock technique. Even without a Spirit Seed, she could stand up to an ordinary General-level Demon Beast.
The Fourth Level of the Metal Element's Elementary Level!
In midair, Lu Jun saw the continuous stone walls trapping the Demon Beast and immediately realized it was a perfect opportunity.
Buzz, buzz, buzz! He decisively steered the Flying Sword, as large as a Mountain Screen, into a steep dive. It was like a fighter jet making a desperate charge. The black metal Heavy Sword was filled with the beauty of steel, a perfect display of violent aesthetics.
The sword tip pierced the air, stirring up a fierce gale, friction making it glow and heat up.
A piercing shriek rang out over the battlefield. Every mage in the area heard it. Wind rushed past their scalps, and they feared a flying Demon Beast had ambushed them. They hurriedly looked up.
A platinum giant shadow tore across the night sky, moving too fast to make out. It seemed as if the Silver Dome Lord, overlord of the South Ridge, had arrived in person, its momentum unstoppable. By the time people saw it, it was already too late.
The sword fell from the sky!
Rumble!
The twelve-meter sword plunged down, stabbing straight into the Bone-Spike Ferocious Wolf trapped between overlapping boulders. A deafening roar ripped across the sky. The earth trembled, countless boulders flew through the air, and clouds of dust billowed.
Everyone instinctively ducked, crossing their arms in front of themselves to block the flying sand and rocks. The world before their eyes turned yellow with dust.
Tang Yue was forced out of her Shadow Escape, appearing atop an ancient tree as she gazed into the distance and murmured, "Who could it be?"
It wasn't long before the rain washed away enough of the dust for the dozens of mages to see what was in front of them. They gaped in astonishment.
A giant sword, as tall as a three-story building, stood upright. It had pierced straight through the Demon Beast's spine and out through its belly. The force of the impact had snapped its spine on the spot. White bones protruded, and its organs and flesh were scattered everywhere. Its whole body had become a heap of mangled flesh.
A young man stood atop the hilt of the jet-black giant blade, high above the ground. He seemed to stand apart from the world, his coat fluttering in the wind. Dust and rain swirled around him. Beneath the sword lay the corpses of wolves, their heads bowed, their blood flowing freely and fissures spread across the ground.
The sight left everyone holding their breath, shaken beyond words.
"I'm not too late, am I?"
The clear voice emerged from the mist. The Demon Hunters finally came to their senses. They were still on a battlefield, but the nearby Servant-level One-Eyed Magic Wolves had already been scared off for the time being.
Tang Yue's shadow came to a stop beneath the giant sword, and her graceful figure emerged from it. Looking up at Lu Jun, she asked with a complicated expression, "You're here... Have you dealt with the Black Vatican in the city?"
Lu Jun jumped down from a height of more than ten meters. With Water Shield protecting him, the impact was easily dispelled, and he emerged unscathed. He waved a hand, and the giant sword behind him trembled, slowly pulling free of the giant wolf. It shrank back to the normal-sized Vibranium Heavy Sword and fell into his hand.
In the calmest voice, Lu Jun delivered a blood-soaked answer. "I killed them all."
Before you continue