After the Blue-robed Deacon's true identity was exposed in Bocheng, it was like a massive stone cast into a calm lake, stirring up towering waves.
No one had expected that the small Mu Clan of Bocheng had concealed such an important figure from the Black Vatican, one who had orchestrated the Bocheng Disaster.
Not only was all of Bocheng shaken, even the higher-ups far away in the capital were alarmed.
Everyone's attention instantly focused on the Mu Clan of Bocheng, and the Mu Family's main branch was implicated as well.
For a time, every major force was busy dealing with this sudden situation, and no one had the energy to investigate the whereabouts of the Sacred Spring.
The Sacred Spring was indeed precious, but to those great powers, it was not something impossible to find.
After all, when Qinglong had been awakened, quite a few Sacred Springs had been dug out of the ground.
In truth, even investigating would have been useless.
In the eyes of magical organizations such as the Magic Association, Judgment Society, and Military Department, the Sacred Spring had undoubtedly been taken by the Black Vatican.
The Black Vatican was elusive and unpredictable. How could they investigate it?
The appearance of the Black Vatican had made the upper echelons tense, with undercurrents surging beneath the surface.
Meanwhile, in Bocheng, where it had all begun, post-disaster reconstruction was being carried out at a feverish pace.
Since this disaster had not dealt a devastating blow to Bocheng, the nation had not established special refugee settlement areas for Bocheng survivors in every city.
Instead, it provided a large amount of resources to repair and reinforce Bocheng's buildings and defensive facilities, while also replenishing the troops stationed there with fresh blood.
During this disaster, the military had suffered the greatest losses. They had made enormous sacrifices to protect Bocheng.
They deserved everyone's highest respect!
Those who had stepped forward during the disaster to protect Bocheng were all heroes as well.
Their dedication and courage deserved to be remembered forever!
As Bocheng's warriors were being bestowed with honor.
According to the Judgment Society's investigation, the Black Vatican had also made arrangements underground. If they had succeeded, Bocheng would have suffered a devastating blow.
No one knew why those arrangements had been destroyed.
Bocheng had also awarded the Glory Medal of Warriors to the unknown individuals who destroyed the underground caves. Since they could not be found, the medals could only be displayed beneath the Warriors' Memorial.
"I'm planning to go to Pearl Institute in Modu," Mo Fan said to Jiang Yuan.
Beside them sat a gentle-looking girl in a wheelchair. She was Ye Xin Xia.
The three of them were discussing their future plans.
Zhang Xiaohou was not there. He was currently following the Military Department's mage officers and doing whatever he could.
"I understand. Then go ahead," Jiang Yuan said with a slight nod.
Mo Fan had ultimately chosen Modu.
Seeing that Jiang Yuan had nothing more to say, Mo Fan looked puzzled and asked, "So where are you planning to go? Don't tell me you're going to the Military Department like Xiaohou?"
"Did a One-eyed Magic Wolf kick you so hard you lost your memory? I told you long ago that I wouldn't become a soldier." Jiang Yuan rolled his eyes at him.
They had discussed their future plans before, and Jiang Yuan had clearly stated back then that military mage officers faced too many restrictions, so he would not choose the Military Department.
"Ah, look at this memory of mine. My fault, my fault." Mo Fan awkwardly scratched the back of his head, though he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
If both Zhang Xiaohou and Jiang Yuan went to the Military Department and left him behind alone, that would be far too lonely.
He absolutely would not allow that to happen.
"Brother Mo Fan, Brother Jiang Yuan likes studying magical theory so much. Going to an academy to continue his studies is naturally the best choice," Ye Xin Xia said sweetly from the side, her crisp, pleasant voice full of vitality.
Mo Fan grinned, showing his white teeth. "Little Xin Xia is right. Jiang Yuan will definitely go to an academy. I just don't know which one he'll choose."
Jiang Yuan glanced at Mo Fan, his expression somewhat strange. "If you have something to say, just spit it out. Stop beating around the bush. What are you hiding for?"
When had Mo Fan become so awkward? Wasn't he usually carefree and straightforward?
He had probably really been kicked in the head by a Giant-eyed Stinky Rat. He needed some healing magic.
"Fine, then I'll say it directly. Do you want to go to Pearl Institute with me?" Mo Fan no longer hesitated and directly voiced his thoughts.
"Pearl Institute would be fine, but I actually want to go to Imperial Capital Academy more," Jiang Yuan said calmly.
"Hey!" Mo Fan grabbed Jiang Yuan by the shoulder and said anxiously, "What's so good about Imperial Capital Academy? Wouldn't it be better to go to Pearl Institute with me? With our strength, once we get there, we'll be unmatched. Who could compare to us?"
"Think about those beautiful senior students, and the cute junior students who'll enroll later. Aren't you tempted at all?"
Mo Fan described it with animated gestures.
Jiang Yuan curled his lips and mercilessly exposed him. "Looks like you're the one tempted. I'm a proper gentleman. Even if senior students in black stockings, junior students in white stockings, and teachers in flesh-colored stockings were sitting on my lap, I'd remain unmoved."
"Black stockings, white stockings, flesh-colored stockings... I like them too!" Mo Fan chuckled and gave Jiang Yuan a knowing look.
Stockings truly had a unique charm.
Bare legs were just as pleasing to the eye.
Fair, smooth, delicate skin paired with long, beautiful legs was like a work of exquisite art.
They had learned in ideological class that everyone had an instinct to pursue beautiful things, and appreciating beauty was only natural.
When one encountered a work of art, one ought to admire it properly.
If possible, the best thing would be to hold it in one's hands and play with it.
Like the black stockings Tang Yue always wore—they were impossible not to notice.
Jiang Yuan looked expressionlessly at Ye Xin Xia.
"Xin Xia, did you see Mo Fan's lecherous expression? Stay away from him in the future, or you might catch it."
Hearing that, Ye Xin Xia covered her mouth and laughed softly. Knowing he was joking, she nodded. "Okay, Brother Jiang Yuan."
"I treat you like a good brother, yet you slander me in front of Xin Xia. That really hurts," Mo Fan said sorrowfully.
Jiang Yuan sneered and raised a middle finger.
In the end, Jiang Yuan agreed to go to Pearl Institute with Mo Fan, though he needed to wait a while longer and told Mo Fan to go ahead first.
As it happened, while Mo Fan was assisting the military in clearing out the remaining demon beasts in Bocheng, he successfully advanced to an intermediate mage and could head to Modu for his second awakening.
After saying goodbye to Mo Fan and the others, Jiang Yuan went alone to the Demon Wolf Mountain Range outside Bocheng. This was the territory once ruled by the Winged Azure Wolf.
As long as he did not stray too far from Bocheng, safety was still guaranteed.
The beast tide had brought an enormous disaster to Bocheng, but it had also caused most of the Demon Wolves in the mountain range to lose their lives.
By rough estimate, at least sixty percent of the Demon Wolves in the entire mountain range had died.
However, anyone who thought the mountain range was safer now than before would be completely mistaken.
In reality, it had not become safer at all. It had become even more dangerous.
Having lost the Winged Azure Wolf's rule, the surviving Demon Wolves were fighting especially fiercely over territory.
Unless a new Commander-level demon beast ruled the mountain range, they would continue slaughtering one another.
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