Coincidence

This was a task requiring a Space Mage. Rather than a task, it was more like a job posting—

Equipment forging needed. Hiring one Space Element mage. Six hours every afternoon, for one month. Five hundred thousand per day.

A high-paying job with a monthly salary of fifteen million—how had no one taken it? Did they not like it?

Oh, there were simply too few Space Element mages.

Bai Mo was especially puzzled. With a sigh, he accepted the task.

"Eh, which Space Mage accepted that task?!"

Someone nearby who had noticed it said in surprise, "The Space Element is rare even among High-Level Mages. Who knows which High-Level Mage has so much free time that they'd bother with this little bit of money."

Bai Mo's eyebrows immediately shot up. Why did he feel like he had just been insulted?

Following the voice, he looked over and saw a greasy-faced middle-aged man.

Pretending to strike up a casual conversation, he said, "Uncle, you can't put it like that. What if it's an Elementary or Intermediate Level mage with exceptional talent, who also happens to be handsome and suave?"

The middle-aged uncle turned to look at him and laughed heartily, taking Bai Mo for some rookie Hunter who knew nothing about Magic Theory.

Then, acting overly familiar, he walked over and patted Bai Mo on the shoulder.

He looked as though he were about to impart knowledge and clear up his doubts.

"Haha, little brother, this is where you don't understand! The Space Element is a rare dimensional magic element with unfathomable power. Saying it appears once in ten thousand would still be understating it.

"Did you know that even the Ai Family, the Military Mage family of the Imperial Capital, rarely awakens the Space Element despite treating it as their inherited element? So how could it possibly be an Intermediate or low-level mage?"

As he spoke, he got more and more into it and continued voicing his speculation.

"If you ask me, it must be some shameless High-Level Mage who's desperately short on money, coming to steal opportunities from us little mages."

Several black lines appeared on Bai Mo's forehead. After thinking about it, he decided to put some pressure on the uncle and said, "Uncle, keep your voice down. That High-Level Mage just accepted the task. They might be listening nearby."

After saying that, Bai Mo watched the uncle break into a cold sweat and nervously look around. Satisfied, Bai Mo nodded. A faint, delighted smile returned to his face, and he quietly left.

Following the address listed in the task, Bai Mo arrived at the Mingzhu Mage Tower.

The Mingzhu Mage Tower belonged to the Mingzhu Magic Association. Like the Imperial Capital Magic Association, it was one of the most authoritative and influential mage associations in the Nine Provinces.

Being able to have a forging workshop in a place like this, the person who had posted the task clearly wasn't ordinary.

As he pondered this, the elevator doors opened. He immediately stepped inside without hesitation.

"Ah!"

The moment he took a step, Bai Mo felt himself bump into a soft, delicate body.

Coming back to his senses, he looked up and saw an exquisitely natural face, like a painting. Her features were distinct, her lines elegant and smooth. Her eyes were as clear and tranquil as a lake, carrying a hint of mystery, as though they could see straight through one's heart.

Her gaze rippled like shimmering lakewater, yet within those ripples flowed a touch of coy reproach.

Because of the collision, he could even smell a faint fragrance.

Bai Mo froze for a moment before recognizing who stood before him. He took a step back and smiled apologetically.

"Ding Yumian?! What are you doing here? Sorry, I was distracted just now."

Ding Yumian gently shook her head, walked around Bai Mo, and left the elevator.

"It's fine. I came here to awaken."

"Oh~, Intermediate Level? Congratulations." Seeing Ding Yumian looking at him softly, Bai Mo scratched his head in confusion and smiled. "I came here to pick up a part-time job."

"Mm." Ding Yumian nodded, the corners of her lips lifting. She reached out and pressed the elevator button, reopening the doors that were about to close. "Aren't you going up?"

"Uh, I am." Bai Mo scratched his head and blankly walked into the elevator. He pressed the corresponding floor button and waved to Ding Yumian outside, saying goodbye.

Following the directions, Bai Mo arrived at a workshop without a sign and lightly pressed the doorbell beside the entrance.

Before long, the door opened.

A somewhat handsome young man stood inside. He sized Bai Mo up, and seeing that his clothes were far from ordinary, he slightly restrained the arrogance on his face before asking, "Hello, what can I do for you? Forging equipment requires an appointment."

A polite smile appeared on Bai Mo's face.

"Hello, my name is Bai Mo. I'm not here to forge anything."

As he spoke, without waiting for a response, Bai Mo took out his freshly issued Hunter certificate and the task acceptance documents.

"I'm here to do the task. You're hiring a Space Element mage, right?"

"You're a Space Mage?"

Xiao Shuai was surprised. He had not expected them to actually find a temporary worker. Ordinary Space Mages were all big shots and difficult to hire.

It seemed the young man before him was quite talented. Thinking this, a few more traces of a smile appeared on his face as he said, "That's right. Come in. My name is Li Junnan, and I'm Teacher Huo Tuo's apprentice. I'll take you to see Teacher."

Huo Tuo? Bai Mo remembered him. In the original story, he was a master equipment forger who had crafted quite a few magical tools for Mo Fan.

He just hadn't expected such a coincidence.

With that in mind, he stepped forward and followed Li Junnan inside.

It had to be said, Li Junnan's parents really knew how to name a child.

"Teacher took on a major order to forge spatial magic tools. He needs a Space Mage to help test them and provide spatial Magic Energy during the forging process."

As he led the way, Li Junnan explained the assignment to Bai Mo.

"Because the customer wants too many magic tools, it can't be finished within a few days. A Space Mage needs to stay nearby for an extended period, which is why this job exists."

"I see."

Bai Mo nodded. As they went deeper inside, the temperature gradually rose.

Before long, he saw a disheveled man sitting by a workbench, scribbling and drawing.

"Teacher, the Space Element mage you were looking for has arrived!" Without waiting for Huo Tuo to ask, Li Junnan immediately stepped forward two paces and spoke respectfully.

Huo Tuo looked up at his words. His pair of keen, radiant eyes immediately settled on Bai Mo.

Under his gaze, Bai Mo stepped forward as well and said slowly, "Master Huo, hello. My name is Bai Mo."

"You're from the Space Element? What's your cultivation level?"

Huo Tuo's voice was full and powerful, like the ringing blows of a forging hammer.

"Mid-Level."

Answering unhurriedly, Bai Mo released a faint trace of his Space Element magic aura.

Sensing that aura, Huo Tuo nodded in satisfaction.

"Mid-Level is enough. Report for work at two this afternoon!"

After saying that, he slapped his forehead, pulled out a sheet of paper, and gestured for Bai Mo to take it.

With a thought, silver starlight flashed through Bai Mo's eyes. He reached toward the paper in Huo Tuo's hand.

The blank sheet, seemingly covered in writing, smoothly left Huo Tuo's bronze-like hand and landed in Bai Mo's palm.

Li Junnan stared blankly. For a moment, being a once-in-a-generation forging apprentice no longer seemed all that appealing.

"Tsk, tsk." Huo Tuo clicked his tongue ambiguously, then pointed at the paper in Bai Mo's hand.

"You don't need to start yet. Go out into the wilderness and gather some materials for me first. Come back once you've collected enough. Your salary will still be paid. Any problem with that?"

Bai Mo raised an eyebrow. After all that, he still had to make a trip into the wilderness. He nodded.

"No problem."

Only then did he briefly scan the paper. It listed body parts from Servant Level Demon Beasts, along with certain flowers and herbs.

They were all things that needed to be freshly picked and used quickly, with short shelf lives. No wonder he had to go into the wilderness instead of buying them at the market.

Considering the 800,000 transfer notification from Huo Tuo Studio on his phone, he decided not to complain about being made to do two jobs at once.

But he had already taken leave. What was he supposed to do now?

After leaving Mingzhu Mage Tower, Bai Mo thought for a while and remembered Ding Yumian, whom he had run into on the way there. Should he go find her?

But for no reason at all, what would he even go to see her for?

Lost in thought, he unknowingly wandered into a place he had never visited before. Bai Mo looked around.

This seemed to be a Qingtian Hunter's Association?

Since he was already here, Bai Mo decided to go in and see if he could pick up another job.

"Ding-a-ling~~~~"

The ringing bell drew the attention of a young woman sitting inside one of the booths toward Bai Mo.

Bai Mo also studied the woman. Her features were cold and striking, her temperament as stern as an autumn wind, and she wore a full set of black clothing. She looked to be in her twenties.

His gaze swept around the café-like little shop, but he did not see that small figure.

"Hello, are you here to post a commission?"

At that moment, the cold beauty spoke, her voice as clear and crisp as a winter spring. Bai Mo looked at her, shook his head, then said, "Hello. Are you hiring mages here?"

Leng Qing lifted one long, beautiful leg wrapped in black Stockings, the faint jade-like tone of her skin visible beneath them, and crossed it over the other. Setting down her coffee, she said, "We are, but judging by your appearance, you haven't started university yet, have you?"

"I can take on missions from time to time. I'm graduating soon, so I'll have plenty of free time before long."

"Why do kids these days all not want to study?" Leng Qing raised an eyebrow. "Our minimum requirement is Mid-Level. You must be able to cast Mid-Level Magic within three seconds."

At that, Bai Mo smiled and raised his hand.

As his arm lifted, streak after streak of silver light swept past him, quickly outlining seven star lines. The star lines intersected one another, blossoming into a mysterious and brilliant Star Map in his palm.

Exactly one second!

"Bai Mo, Mid-Level Space Element. Is that casting time enough?"

Bai Mo looked at the cold, beautiful woman before him, slowly dispersing the completed Space Element Star Map with a smile.

Leng Qing raised an eyebrow, her clear voice carrying a hint of surprise.

"You're Bai Mo from the Talent Ranking? At such a young age, what are you thinking? Instead of cultivating properly, you want to hunt demons?"

At that, Bai Mo's mouth twitched. Her tongue really showed no mercy. He spread his hands helplessly.

"Since you know me, you should know about my Summoning Element talent. I'm short on money right now."

Leng Qing frowned slightly. She had originally intended to refuse, but her ears twitched, and she changed her mind.

"Do you have a Hunter certificate?"

Bai Mo froze. "You agree?"

"Yes. Do you have a Hunter certificate?"

"I do!" Bai Mo took out his Hunter certificate and handed it over. Leng Qing accepted it, pulled out a form, and began filling it in. At the same time, she said, "Oh? Freshly minted rookie, huh? How about this—you join my team. There'll be a three-month probation period. If you don't pass, come back after your strength improves further. Of course, that's if you still want to come."

After saying that, Leng Qing handed him the form and motioned for him to sign it, then added, "Let me introduce myself. My name is Leng Qing. I'm a High-Level Mage and currently work for the Judgement Association. So I won't be going on missions often. For these three months, I'll show you the ropes. You'll be responsible for errands."

"Ah, okay. Hello, Sister Leng Qing." Bai Mo was surprised, then nodded. He had suspected it somewhat, but he hadn't expected her to really be Leng Qing.