Mu Ningxue Senses a Weakness

After night fell, Cheng Xiaoyu and Mu Ningxue sat close together on a large rock, holding each other as they leaned together, rarely able to admire the beautiful night sky Outside Safe Zone.

A faint breeze swept past, and a tall, pitch-black figure abruptly appeared beside them, without giving off the slightest detectable aura.

It had a pitch-black Eastern body, covered in dark blue markings, and its whole form exuded a terrifying aura. It knelt on one knee beside Cheng Xiaoyu.

[King, that little spider has already been dealt with. You need not worry.]

"Good. Thank you for your hard work."

Bell nodded, turned into a shadow, and slipped into the darkness, vanishing from sight.

"Xiaoyu, you really didn't have to do that. We could have dealt with a Commander Level Demon Beast."

After Mu Ningxue learned about Cheng Xiaoyu's ability, she was no longer particularly surprised when she saw Bell again. She leaned against him and spoke softly from his arms.

Cheng Xiaoyu neither agreed nor disagreed. He knew the hidden danger posed by a Bewitching Demon Spider was extremely great. After briefly simulating in his mind what it would be like to be bewitched, he had immediately decided to deal with it personally.

After hearing that explanation, Mu Ningxue nodded in sudden understanding. She understood that Cheng Xiaoyu had done it for everyone's sake, and her cheek gently rubbed against his chest.

"Xiaoxue, you should be close to breaking through to High Level, right?"

"Mm. My soul was badly corroded before, but after I had your potion, it got much better. Once we go back after this training, I should be able to break through."

In truth, Mu Ningxue's cultivation should not have been this low. With her own talent, along with the Ice Element resources Qin Yuer later provided, she should have broken through to High Level long ago by now.

However, the icy corrosion deep within her soul constantly tormented her, making every attempt at cultivation difficult and slowing her progress again and again.

Cheng Xiaoyu kissed Mu Ningxue's forehead, rubbed her head, and said gently.

"Don't worry. I'll always be by your side. You'll definitely recover."

"Mm. I'll definitely catch up to you too, and repay you properly!"

Cheng Xiaoyu's handsome, dashing face was reflected in her beautiful eyes, and Mu Ningxue could not help sighing inwardly. She had clearly been the one who decided she would keep him, so how had it become Xiaoyu helping her now? She really was such a failure.

Sigh, actually, I still liked the way you used to look. That way, other girls wouldn't like you, and I could keep you firmly in my grasp...

"Mm-hm. Haven't you already repaid me long ago?"

Mu Ningxue naturally understood the meaning behind Cheng Xiaoyu's words. Her ears could not help growing hot. She raised her eyes, wanting to glare at him, yet her beautiful eyes honestly revealed a trace of shy charm.

Looking at his girlfriend, who was cold on the outside but sweet to the core, Cheng Xiaoyu's breath caught, and he lowered his head to kiss her.

"Mmph... slurp..."

While enjoying each other's love, the jade hand that had originally rested on his chest quietly slid downward.

"W-wait..."

Cheng Xiaoyu's pupils shrank. A cold breeze quietly slipped in, making him shiver despite himself.

"Xiaoxue... don't do this..."

Hearing that, the seductive look in Mu Ningxue's beautiful eyes deepened. Her jade hand rubbed Cheng Xiaoyu's head, and she continued kissing it, quietly lying in his arms.

Cheng Xiaoyu pressed his lips together and turned his head to glance around. Helplessly, he stroked Mu Ningxue's smooth, silky hair. Since she wanted to lie on his lap, then he would let her rest for a while; after all, this side of her was not something he got to see often.

After a long while, a sudden voice rang out in the quiet surroundings.

"Ningxue... Ningxue!"

Lu Zhenghe ran over. Seeing Cheng Xiaoyu sitting with Mu Ningxue, who was drinking water, while Cheng Xiaoyu was lost in thought, a trace of anger could not help rising in his heart, but he still spoke ingratiatingly.

"Ningxue, it's cold at night, and we still have to continue traveling tomorrow. You should go back and rest."

For some reason, he felt that Mu Ningxue looked especially beautiful tonight. That charm revealed within her iciness kept drawing him in.

Mu Ningxue swallowed the water in her mouth, withdrew the lingering seductiveness in her beautiful eyes, and instead looked at Lu Zhenghe with an icy gaze as she said coldly.

"I don't need you meddling in my business. How many times have I told you not to call me that? If it's cold, my boyfriend will take me back!"

She absolutely hated this guy, who was like a fly. Her boyfriend was clearly right beside her, yet he still dared to call her so intimately. He was simply shameless!

Cheng Xiaoyu raised an eyebrow, gave Lu Zhenghe a cold glance, then wrapped an arm around Mu Ningxue's waist and left.

"You're pretty domineering, huh. I didn't even need to step in."

"Hmph, don't get smug. I've already discovered your weakness. Once we get back, I'll make you pay."

"Uh... so that's the kind of weakness it is? Can you not say that so casually?"

"Beg me."

Listening to their voices grow farther and farther away, Lu Zhenghe clenched his fists tightly, his eyes gradually filled with rage and unwillingness.

Damn it. Cheng Xiaoyu, was it? I'll definitely save Ningxue from your demonic claws!

The next day, the group carried out their survey mission as usual. After they finished surveying three points, they planned to head back and rest first, since everyone had very little Magic Power left.

"Hmm?"

Cheng Xiaoyu frowned. He raised his head and looked toward the sky, sensing that a group of people was rushing this way.

Suddenly, several eagle cries came from the sky, making everyone look up despite themselves.

A team had appeared in the azure sky. They were several white Skyhawks, spreading their wings as they flew through the air.

Looking closely, there seemed to be several figures standing on the Skyhawk. They wore matching uniforms, similar in style to those of Military Mages, but vastly different in color.

There were around twenty to thirty of them. Riding the Skyhawk, they landed in front of the group and blocked the way.

"Strange. Why would Military Mages come here?"

"Could it be that the training is over, and the school sent Military Mages to pick us up?"

Hearing the others' murmurs, Cheng Xiaoyu snorted in disdain and stared warily at the group of Military Mages.

No... something was wrong. They weren't here to pick them up. That kind of Killing Intent couldn't be hidden!

The man in the lead wore a military-green coat. The eyes beneath his thick brows swept sharply over the group of students in training, and Cheng Xiaoyu keenly noticed that his gaze finally landed on Lu Zhenghe.

Lu Zhenghe's gaze flicked in another direction, however—toward where Mo Fan stood—as if signaling something to the Pipe-smoking Military Coat man.

Lu Nian nodded slightly, slowly raised his right hand, and said to the squad of mages in military uniforms behind him.

"Kill everyone unrelated."

As soon as he finished speaking, the once-brilliant sunlight gradually vanished, and a stifling atmosphere filled the air.

"There are thunderclouds overhead! Everyone, defend!"

At that moment, Cheng Xiaoyu immediately shouted to everyone.

Everyone looked up and was shocked to discover an enormous thundercloud above their heads. Streaks of lightning flashed chaotically within the thundercloud. They were not descending quickly, but the powerful aura of the Lightning Element surging inside the cloud could be sensed.

"It's a third-level Thunderbolt! Everyone, dodge!"

In an instant, a tremendous rumble sounded from the sky. When the pale, savage Thunderbolt lightning struck down viciously, everything remained so utterly transparent.

Although they did not have much Magic Power left, fortunately, no one was injured. Working together, they withstood the thundercloud's assault.

"I advise you to stop right now, or he'll die this instant!"

A cold voice rang beside his ear. Lu Zhenghe felt as if he were inside an icehouse, a chill spreading from his neck, and he did not dare move at all.

Seeing this, Lu Nian took a drag on his pipe and raised a hand to signal his subordinates to stop. He looked at Cheng Xiaoyu with great interest, his gaze falling on the blade pressed against Lu Zhenghe's neck.

"You're different from that group of students. It seems you've truly experienced killing. I can read it in your eyes. How interesting."

"I'm too lazy to listen to your nonsense. If you don't want this guy dead, then hurry up and tell us why you attacked us!"

Cheng Xiaoyu tightened his grip slightly on the Short Blade, leaving a bloody mark on Lu Zhenghe's neck, while his other hand manipulated his phone behind his back.

"Brother... save me!"

Feeling the sharp touch against his neck, Lu Zhenghe cried out to Lu Nian in terror.

Even though Lu Nian was irritated, for the sake of his younger brother's safety, he still revealed that plan.