Three days later, the sun was shining brightly.
Xu Fang emerged from the Wild Goose Pagoda looking refreshed. He took a deep breath of Ancient Capital air, even finding the corpse stench inside invigorating.
Behind him, two figures followed from a distance, standing woodenly without a word.
"Brother Jiu, Sister Ran, the mountains may change, but the rivers flow on. It was great meeting you both. Let's meet again another day!"
Xu Fang strode away.
Zheng Jiu and Qian Ranran exchanged a glance. Qian Ranran said worriedly, "You..."
"I'm fine." Zheng Jiu smiled casually. "There's never any shortage of geniuses in this world. You get used to it. As long as I seize opportunities and work hard at cultivation, I can still stand among the ranks of the strong!"
Qian Ranran's eyes curved into crescents. This was exactly the kind of Zheng Jiu she liked best.
Luckily, Xu Fang wasn't there. Otherwise, he would've choked to death on this couple's sickening display of affection.
"Beep beep!"
Following the sound of a horn, Xu Fang looked over in surprise. "Chief Instructor, what are you doing here in person?"
"To take you, our genius, to awaken your new system," Fei Jiao said with a smile. "Don't tell me you failed to break through to the Intermediate Level."
"How could I?" Xu Fang climbed into the military vehicle.
During those three days of cultivation, with Master Xuanzang not having installed surveillance cameras in the Wild Goose Pagoda, Xu Fang had shamelessly gone all out with his cheat.
Even after breaking through to the Intermediate Level, he wasn't satisfied. He took advantage of his momentum to push his cultivation higher, breaking through the Intermediate Level Two barrier in one go.
Besides his usual spells, he had also awakened two Light-Fire combination spells.
The first was an area attack that Xu Fang named Scorching Sun. It was somewhat like the Fire Element's high-level spell, Heavenly Flame Funeral, but a little less powerful—and far more disgusting.
From the feedback of his Star Seeds, Xu Fang learned that this move could actually combine with Small Ghost Fire, automatically locking onto targets with pinpoint accuracy. It would leave enemies half-dead, making them easier to absorb afterward.
There, that was what you called professionalism.
As for the second, Sinking Sun, it had a stronger Holy Shield feel to it, though it wasn't a defensive spell.
On the contrary, after analyzing defensive mechanisms, Xu Fang had specifically designed this move to deal with mages' various defensive shields. In the right hands, it truly deserved to be called the "god of internal duels."
Forget everyone else—even imagining himself facing such an opponent made Xu Fang feel sick.
"What's wrong?"
Fei Jiao noticed Xu Fang's expression and asked with concern.
"Nothing. I was just thinking about which system I should awaken next."
Fei Jiao perked up, too. "It's definitely worth thinking over carefully. Most mages settle on their primary element at the Intermediate Level. And unlike your first awakening, at the Intermediate Level you can use a Guiding Stone to increase your chances of awakening the system you want."
The driver in front listened as the dignified Super Level Chief Instructor painstakingly explained the pros and cons of different systems to a young man. The whole scene felt unreal.
"Lightning Element Guiding Stones are definitely the best sellers. It's the foremost of the Elements, with the strongest offensive power in the early stages. But I wouldn't recommend it for you."
Fei Jiao continued, "Your Innate Spirit Seed is rather special. Your Light Element already has offensive power. What you lack right now is defense and mobility."
"Like the Shadow Element?"
"No, no. You already have the Light Element. Awaken the Shadow Element as well, and they'll clash."
Fei Jiao knew someone who cultivated both Light and Shadow. He was constantly beaten by people at higher levels, all because his two elements clashed.
Other people combined their elements, but his Giant Shadow Nail was scattered by his Holy Shield, and his Shadow Dodge was broken by his own light. As a result, he could only use single-element spells, like a high-level version of a Primary Mage.
Fei Jiao didn't want Xu Fang to suffer the same fate.
"If you ask me, I'd recommend awakening the Summoning System or Space Element. Unfortunately, Guiding Stones for Dimensional Magic are too rare, and most are for high-level mages."
Fei Jiao knew exactly what was going on.
It was obvious that Grand Commander Jiang had taken an interest in Xu Fang. As long as Xu Fang agreed to join the Forbidden Army, he'd never have to worry about a lack of cultivation resources.
Even a money-guzzling system like Summoning could easily be arranged for him.
What a pity there wasn't a suitable Guiding Stone. It all came down to luck.
Xu Fang didn't have any particular thoughts about it. He had a feeling that no matter which element he awakened, his Golden Star Seeds would transform it and send it galloping off in some incomprehensible direction.
Might as well stop worrying and treat it like opening a mystery box.
Soon, they arrived at the Bell Tower Magic Association. As always, it was bustling with people, with Primary and Intermediate Mages weaving through the crowds.
Fei Jiao navigated the place like he was at home. He led Xu Fang into an elevator and took him to a special room.
Several people stood outside the door. At the front was a familiar face: Shi Zheng, Chief Judge of the Ancient Capital Judgment Society.
"Breaking through to the Intermediate Level at seventeen is astounding. I didn't expect you to be so exceptionally talented not only with Magic Tools, but also in cultivation."
Shi Zheng walked over with a genial smile and naturally positioned himself beside Xu Fang, squeezing Fei Jiao out of the way. "Come, come. We've prepared all the Guiding Stones already. Every system you could want..."
Fei Jiao didn't mind Shi Zheng's little ploy.
As if! Grand Commander Jiang, that gluttonous pixiu who never let anything go, had set his sights on Xu Fang. Forget you, Shi Zheng—even if you tied Han Ji up with yourself, you still wouldn't be able to keep Xu Fang!
Thinking of this, Fei Jiao looked at Shi Zheng, who was preening like a peacock, and couldn't help grinning.
Go on, smile even wider. Let's see how you'll cry later!
Meanwhile, Xu Fang had also chosen his Guiding Stone.
It was a small stone that glowed purple all over. It was unmistakably a Lightning Element Guiding Stone!
If the Light Element's Bright Blazing Fire was already so terrifying, wouldn't Bright Lightning send him straight to heaven?
"Take a deep breath and place your hand on the Guiding Stone," Shi Zheng said beside him. "Relax your body and follow the stone's guidance."
He exchanged a glance with the others, and they quietly filed out. Everyone present was a Super Level Mage. If Xu Fang couldn't handle the pressure of their stares, their good intentions could end up backfiring.
"Huu..."
Xu Fang let out a long breath, placed his hand on the Guiding Stone, and closed his eyes, entering a meditative state.
His will connected to his Spiritual World, searching for his new system's Star Dust amid the boundless universe.
Time passed slowly.
At a certain moment, a shooting star with a long trailing tail streaked across the horizon. Xu Fang didn't hesitate and guided his thoughts toward it.
Two blue Star Dust clusters appeared before him, so similar that they were almost indistinguishable at a glance. But on closer inspection, one was azure, while the other was ice blue.
"Not Lightning Element? This is... Water Element and Ice Element?"
Before Xu Fang could think further, golden light burst through the once-dark spiritual universe!
Golden Star Seeds charged savagely into the Star Dust of the two new systems, rampaging through them.
One Star Seed after another was smashed apart by their impact, then drawn together by an immense force. They circled the Golden Star Seeds, forming Star Rings.
"Uh..."
Here we go again. No, this was the third time now.
There were now three magic systems revolving inside Xu Fang's Spiritual World. They all shone with the same golden light, with only their Star Rings differing slightly.
Whenever the Golden Star Seeds moved, their light resonated with the Star Rings.
Well, everyone was happy?
After completing his awakening, Xu Fang came out of his meditative state. When he looked at the Guiding Stone again, it was shining with a dazzling golden light.
It sure was honest...
Can't let you stick around!
Xu Fang placed one hand on the Guiding Stone and stirred his will. Wave after wave of magical energy poured into it. Finally, the Guiding Stone couldn't take the strain and split into countless fragments, completely ruined.
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