As far as Lu Jun knew, at the Azure Sky Demon Hunting Agency in Magic City, there was a little girl with an extraordinary intellect. She had no cultivation whatsoever, yet she followed her father, Cold Hunter King, and helped him solve one baffling case after another. By sixth grade, she had already earned the title of One-Star Hunter Master.
"Joining the City Demon Hunting Squad sounds good," Lu Jun said thoughtfully. "We could join a Demon Hunting Agency while we're at it."
It was only after Lu Mei reminded him that he thought of this. A Demon Hunting Agency was similar to a contracting company: groups operating as private studios joined Hunter's Alliance, which was essentially the platform's central authority.
The Azure Sky Demon Hunting Agency was one of the most famous in the country. It had even produced a Hunter King.
Besides, though no one else knew, Lu Jun was well aware that Old Man Song from the agency was another hidden Forbidden Curse Mage. Joining would give his sister another powerful ally and greatly improve her safety.
Magic City really was full of hidden talents. There were quite a few reclusive experts like him.
"Join a Demon Hunting Agency? Wouldn't we be restricted?"
Lu Mei hesitated. These organizations were really just upgraded versions of Monster Hunting Squads, with plenty of internal rules, such as commission cuts and joint operations.
She particularly disliked Monster Hunting Squads. There were plenty of filthy scumbags among them. She'd learned about them back in Bo City, and with her looks, she'd likely be harassed to no end.
"Don't worry. I know an agency with almost no rules, and they happen to be recruiting right now."
Lu Jun spoke mysteriously. The Azure Sky Demon Hunting Agency was a bit like the Akatsuki from Naruto: members worked in pairs, each pair operating independently. They were mysterious, and enjoyed a great deal of freedom.
The siblings didn't set off immediately. They stayed home until Lu Mei finished refining the Earth Element Spirit Seed, [Mountain], which gave her a considerable boost in strength.
Three days later, in the Hunter's Hall of a skyscraper in Lujiazui, a beautiful, mature assistant smiled at Lu Jun and his sister as she handed them their credentials. "You're officially hired. As requested, your shifts will be on weekends and during the evening."
Lu Jun glanced at the planned patrol area. It was close to Pearl Academy, and for now, the two of them were the only members. His sister's cultivation was high enough that she could guard the area on her own.
Afterward, he asked the assistant for the Azure Sky Demon Hunting Agency's address and took his sister there.
They passed Jing'an Temple and walked along a tree-lined boulevard in full bloom. Gradually, they entered a few old streets with a distinct Republican-era charm.
At the end of the street, a sign creaked and swayed in the wind blowing through the alley. It was easy to see at a glance: Azure Sky Hunter Agency!
When Lu Jun and Lu Mei stepped inside, they saw a cute little girl with long twin ponytails sitting on a stool, holding a case file. Her creamy-white face was creased with a frown that made her look pitiful, and her big, usually lively eyes were red.
If he wasn't mistaken, this was Ling Ling: a highly intelligent prodigy and a One-Star Hunter Master.
"Hello." Lu Mei took the initiative, her smile bright and friendly. "Little girl, are your parents home? We're here for an interview."
The pretty girl didn't move or respond. Lu Mei helplessly called to her several times before she finally looked up coldly and scoffed. "You like hunting demons that much? In such a hurry to get yourselves killed?"
Lu Jun was stunned. That couldn't be right. In his memory, Ling Ling could be a bit sharp-tongued and liked to tease people, often hitting them right where it hurt—but she wasn't this hostile or ill-mannered.
Even Lu Mei, who was usually so good-natured, looked a little uncomfortable.
Soon, an old man inside seemed to hear the commotion and hurried out. "Ah, I'm sorry, you two. This girl's family suffered an accident recently. The person closest to her died while hunting demons, so she's in a very bad mood."
Lu Mei glanced at the girl. She looked like she was only in sixth grade, so Lu Mei reluctantly forgave her.
Meanwhile, Lu Jun racked his brain before suddenly realizing what had happened. He'd encountered the Azure Sky Demon Hunting Agency a year before Mo Fan. If he wasn't mistaken, Cold Hunter King had died just recently, and the news had been all over the papers and the internet in Magic City.
As his daughter, Ling Ling was probably in a frenzy right now, trying to find the person who'd set up her father and bring them to justice.
Lu Jun understood, too. He didn't try to comfort her. You shouldn't tell someone to let go when you haven't suffered what they have. Besides, with Ling Ling's intelligence, she'd probably pull herself together soon enough.
Chapter 53: Tang Yue Calls
Cold Hunter King of the Azure Sky Demon Hunting Agency was one of the two Hunter Kings in the Greater China region during the previous decade.
Having read the story, Lu Jun actually knew the truth behind Cold Hunter King's death: he'd been killed by the Red Demon. The reasons behind the creature's emergence were extremely complicated, and beyond what Lu Jun could investigate at this point.
Mo Fan would later use the Demon Element to devour the Red Demon, a superb tonic, and ascend to the Evil Saint King. That showed just how terrifying the thing was.
He even suspected that Lu Nian's research had originally used the Red Demon as its model, leading to the creation of the Demon Element. The two were closely related.
"This is getting weird. Why have I kept running into all kinds of monsters and demons lately?"
Lu Jun muttered inwardly, but showed no emotion.
Seeing her grandfather apologize on her behalf, Ling Ling felt awful, realizing she'd done something wrong. She spoke up herself. "I'm sorry, big sister. I was wrong."
Seeing the girl's sincere apology, Lu Mei waved it off.
"You're here for an interview, right?" Only then did the old man get down to business. He spoke warmly. "My surname is Bao. Just call me Old Man Bao from now on."
Liar! Lu Jun knew the man's real name was Song Qiming. He'd once been a senior official in the Holy City and had considerable international influence. But Lu Jun was sensible enough not to expose him. His Forbidden Curse Mage identity had to remain hidden, and Lu Jun had no way to explain how he knew.
Old Man Bao chatted with the two of them for a while, then praised them. "You're both Mages from Bo City? You're Intermediate Mages at such a young age. You have great potential. Very impressive."
He thought for a moment before making his decision. "It's settled, then. The two of you are in. Welcome to the Azure Sky Demon Hunting Agency."
"You two siblings have worked together before, so you can form a team. Your cultivation is only at the Intermediate Level for now. We'll assign you some commissions once you reach the Advanced Level."
Lu Mei was a little surprised. He kept bringing up the Advanced Level as though it were only the entry requirement. Clearly, the agency her younger brother had found was no ordinary one.
After chatting for a while, the two said goodbye to Old Man Bao and set off. Thinking back on his last few days in Magic City, Lu Jun couldn't help but marvel. Without even noticing, he'd managed to make connections with all the major players in the city.
There wasn't much to do until the day school started. They could only train during their shifts with the City Demon Hunting Squad.
Lu Jun also devoted himself to cultivation. Besides working hard to break through to Level Two Intermediate in the Metal Element, he focused most of his energy on the Mind and Curse Elements.
High school was over, and there would be plenty of experts in college. He couldn't use the Metal Element all the time, or people might notice something was off. It was time to conquer the world with the Curse Element.
A few days ago, he'd combined the two elements and tormented an Intermediate Mage until he was barely recognizable, leaving him with lasting trauma. Lu Jun's superior mental cultivation was certainly a factor, but the power of the two elements working together was truly astonishing.
Legend had it that Mother of Medusa in Africa was among the first humans to wield the Mind and Curse Elements. After she ceased to be human, she created the powerful technique [Medusa's Eye], which showed just how much potential these two elements had.
In his apartment, Lu Jun sat cross-legged, conducting a peculiar experiment. He sent his thoughts into his transparent Nebula, where a mass of semi-transparent Mental Power wriggled and continually changed shape.
At Level Two Beginner in the Mind Element, [Spirit Ripple · Mental Shock] was a disruption skill. It struck someone's mind and, at most, left them dizzy for a moment.
He wanted to transform it into an offensive spell. This wasn't impossible, because Mind Element Mages usually cast spells by following the usual routine, forming a coarse mass of power with their thoughts and sending it outward.
At that moment, Lu Jun wondered: if he repeatedly polished his Mental Power until it was tempered like steel, then condensed it into something as fine as a needle, wouldn't it be able to destroy souls and steal minds when unleashed?
By focusing its power on a single point, he might just gain another trump card.
It would also let him inflict the greatest possible damage despite his limited level of mental cultivation.
But how could he polish it into a needle? What external force could he apply?
Lu Jun had already come up with an idea. There was only one answer: the Metal Element. Within his Spiritual World, the platinum Nebula radiated a keen edge, and the sword seal at its center pulsed with murderous intent.
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
For the first time, Lu Jun drew upon the power of his Metal Element Nebula. Strands of platinum light crossed the boundary into another field of stars. It was an extremely dangerous act, but fortunately, his two spiritual elements gave him precise control.
A semi-transparent Mind Element Star Dust swayed unsteadily as the platinum light tempered it. The mass of Mental Power gradually condensed into the rough shape of a sword.
He endured the dizziness and concentrated on controlling it. Seeing the result, he was delighted.
It really worked. The Mind Element was probably the most adaptable of all the Magic Systems. No matter how the Metal Element's magic energy battered it, it flowed and changed with the circumstances, just like water.
Time passed, and ten days went by.
Since the day he'd met Lu Dong, the man hadn't come looking for them again. He was probably scared off. Lu Nian had also gone quiet.
By now, Lu Jun had barely managed to condense a small, illusory, transparent sword. It was a shame he hadn't managed to shape it into a needle as he'd first intended, but compressing it into a Mind Sword was good enough.
Most importantly, he'd sensed the danger. He didn't dare compress it any further, since he might damage the Nebula. That wouldn't be good. He'd probably have to wait until he improved his mental cultivation before trying to compress it further.
"Not bad. I wonder how powerful it is."
Lu Jun examined his Spiritual World and looked at the crystal-clear little sword floating among the transparent Star Dust, encircled by seven stars. He nodded in satisfaction.
He could sense danger from it, and didn't dare test it on anyone. What if he accidentally turned them into a vegetable?
The Metal Element Nebula had also changed considerably. His experiments over this period seemed to have greatly improved not just the Mind Element, but the Metal Element as well.
Just as Lu Jun settled back into his routine of city patrols and secluded cultivation, someone called him.
Seeing the name "Teacher Tang Yue" on his communicator, he was surprised. Then he remembered: Tang Yue was carrying out a mission for the Adjudication Court at this point in the story.
She was investigating why the river in Xishui Town, Hangzhou, had dried up, and was also tracking down a wanted criminal named Zhao He.
The key was what was happening in that area. The whole thing had been caused by the emergence of a Fire Element Spirit Seed, Rose Flame. Mo Fan's original Fire Element Spirit Fire, [Rose Flame], had come from that very mission.
Huh? Lu Jun was surprised. He hadn't expected Tang Yue to call him instead of Mo Fan.
But on second thought, it wasn't all that strange. Because of him, she and Mo Fan barely knew each other. By contrast, he and Tang Yue had fought side by side. Just a few weeks ago, they'd worked together to foil the Black Vatican's scheme.
"Oh no, she's in serious danger right now."
Lu Jun recalled the details of what had happened and immediately sprang into action. He quickly answered the call, and a pleasant female voice came through. "Hello? Are you there? How have you been lately? Want to make some money? I've got a job that needs a Curse Mage to deal with—"
"Sure, no problem. Stay right there and don't move. I'm coming over."
As soon as Lu Jun answered, he cut her off and spoke in a rush. Then he got dressed and prepared to head to Hangzhou.
Magic City wasn't far from Hangzhou, at most a couple of hours by high-speed train.
In the spacious living room, Lu Mei opened her eyes and saw her younger brother rushing around. She asked curiously, "Lu Jun, where are you going?"
"Huh?" Lu Jun had just put on his shoes by the door. He paused, then answered honestly, "I'm going to see Teacher Tang Yue. I'm going to help with a mission and save someone. I can handle it on my own."
At the sound of Tang Yue's name, Lu Mei's feminine instincts told her something was off. But she felt that her younger brother wouldn't lie, and she'd worked with Tang Yue before. She was an adjudicator, so this was bound to be legitimate work.
She didn't stop him. Instead, she said gently, "Be careful. Call me if anything happens."
"Got it." His voice came from the doorway, already far away. Her younger brother was gone.
Watching him disappear, Lu Mei frowned and muttered, "He left in such a hurry."
Chapter 54: Poisoned
Xishui Town, Hangzhou.
The land was covered in cracked earth and abandoned fields. It was completely unlike the Jiangnan water town people talked about.
In a certain inn, Tang Yue removed an earpiece from her fair ear. She was rather surprised. She hadn't even told Lu Jun where she was yet. Did he know? Why was he in such a rush?
Two hours later, she realized just how wrong she'd been. From far away, she saw the young man waving at her.
Lu Jun had rushed over without pause after receiving Tang Yue's call. As soon as he entered Xishui Town, he spotted the teacher seated beside the inn's veranda window. Her elegant figure had an astonishing S-shaped curve.
"Phew, she's safe."
He let out a sigh of relief. They'd fought side by side, after all. If Tang Yue hadn't revealed her identity as an adjudicator, it wouldn't have been so easy to mobilize the people of Bo City.
This time, Tang Yue had nearly gotten into trouble while tracking down Zhao He, a wanted criminal from the Magic Association. Someone had noticed her and secretly drugged her with an aphrodisiac.
Before he left, Lu Jun had warned her, but she still hadn't learned her lesson. She was still dressing like a stunning beauty, attracting everyone's attention. How could she tail someone like that? He was speechless.
But when Lu Jun saw Tang Yue's graceful figure approach, her limpid eyes full of amusement, he froze. A crucial question suddenly occurred to him.
The real reason Xishui Town had run dry was the emergence of the Fire Element Spirit Seed, Rose Flame. It was also Mo Fan's Fire Element Spirit Fire, which he used all the way to the Advanced Level.
Now that Lu Jun had come, Mo Fan would obviously miss out.
He immediately stopped worrying about it. He was already here, so he might as well take the Spirit Seed. Besides, he was short on money, and the seed would let his sister trade for a Wind Element Spirit Seed.
Then the two of them could focus on making money and save up a hundred million to buy a Star River Vein. Lu Mei had already reached the peak of the Intermediate Level. Even if she set aside some time to refine her cultivation, she'd be unable to advance any further in less than half a year.
Mo Fan was broke right now and couldn't afford a Fire Element Spirit Seed. Whether he found a suitable one after entering Pearl Academy's Fire Institute in a year and a half, or went to Dunhuang to set the plains ablaze in two years, he'd have other opportunities. There was no need to worry about him.
Before long, Tang Yue came over. The two had fought side by side enough times to know each other well, and she teased him. "Little boy, you came all this way without even asking where I was. Are you that eager to spend time with your big sister?"
Truthfully, she quite liked Lu Jun. The young man was handsome and clean-cut, and his words and manner weren't lecherous. More importantly, he had outstanding talent and strength, was decisive in battle, and had a strong sense of responsibility. The battle in Bo City had genuinely impressed her.
Sometimes his eyes would wander toward something, but he'd immediately look away again, making him seem a little shy and endearing.
"Ah, Sister Tang, don't flatter yourself," Lu Jun said with a sigh. "You've already been drugged, and you haven't even realized it."
Tang Yue froze. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Lu Jun frowned and looked around. "This isn't the place to talk. Let's go somewhere else—your hotel room."
"Huh?" She blinked in confusion, then slowly nodded.
The two went into the hotel. As they passed the front desk, the receptionist first caught sight of Tang Yue, a mature, stunning beauty, and his eyes lit up. Then he noticed the high school student standing beside her, still looking a little young...
He immediately understood. He looked at Lu Jun with a mixture of envy and pity, his imagination clearly running wild.
Tang Yue noticed the receptionist's gaze, and a flush spread over her delicate cheeks, making her look even more beautiful. How had she managed to have such a brainless moment and bring a boy into a hotel alone?
Now her reputation was ruined. She even wondered if Lu Jun was as innocent as she'd thought, if he had ulterior motives and had tricked her into coming to the hotel room, and then...
She stole a glance at Lu Jun's profile. Well! She did find him attractive.
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