Knock, knock, knock!
"Dean Xiao, I brought Brother Ningwei over."
"Come in."
"Hello, Dean Xiao." "Hello, Dean Xiao."
"Haha, hello. You must be Mu Ningwei. No need to be so formal. Come, have a seat. Mu Nujiao, sit as well."
Seated across from the desk, Mu Ningwei studied Dean Xiao.
Dean Xiao looked somewhat older than Mu Zhanxing. Tall and thin, he wore a neatly pressed blue mage robe. His eyes were clear, and his hearty smile made him seem approachable.
He was studying Mu Ningwei as well.
The young man was in his early twenties, with a handsome, youthful face. Though he wore an ordinary white shirt and black cropped pants, he unconsciously straightened his back after sitting down and rested both hands on the chair's armrests, giving off a serious, respectful impression.
"You're an outstanding young man. When I heard about your accomplishments, this old man was truly shocked. Especially that time you killed the Blue Star Giant and saved half a city's worth of lives. You truly deserve the title of Holy Knight of Eternal Darkness."
Mu Nujiao glowed with pride, her face flushed red.
The one being praised was her Brother Ningwei!
Mu Ningwei felt a little embarrassed.
That cringeworthy title sounded passable in a foreign language, but hearing it in Chinese made his toes curl.
"Right now, I'm merely a Failed Knight."
Dean Xiao shook his head and extended his hand. "Justice lies in the hearts of the people. I should also thank the Parthenon for sending such an exceptional child to me."
"Mu Ningwei, on behalf of Pearl Academy, I welcome you!"
Mu Ningwei took the Forbidden Mage's outstretched hand. Feeling the importance Dean Xiao placed on him, he smiled. "Hello, Dean. From now on, I'll be your student."
"Haha, students like you are impossible to find even if one searched everywhere. I have to show some sincerity. How about seven days of cultivation time in the Three-Step Tower?"
Mu Nujiao was surprised, yet she also felt it was only natural.
At Green Campus, they practically fought like dogs for a single day in the Three-Step Tower, and even then, it depended on whether the academy granted the opportunity.
Mu Ningwei had just joined the academy, yet he had already received seven days in the Three-Step Tower. If word got out, countless people would die of envy.
But Mu Ningwei deserved it!
With his talent and strength, no amount of attention was excessive.
"Thank you, Dean. I can feel the importance you place on me."
Dean Xiao said, "There will soon be an assessment for Green Campus students to enter the Main Campus—the same assessment Mu Nujiao will be taking. Do you intend to participate, or enter the Main Campus directly?"
Hearing this, Mu Ningwei understood that Dean Xiao was offering him another favor.
If he took part in the Green Campus assessment, he would be bullying the others outright. He could easily claim every reward and help Mu Nujiao achieve first place.
"Mu Nujiao, what do you think?"
Mu Nujiao froze for a moment. Why was he asking her to decide?
Mu Ningwei smiled. "If I participate in the Green Campus assessment, I can guarantee that you'll take first place and receive the best rewards. There will definitely be time in the Three-Step Tower among them."
Mu Nujiao brightened. "That would be wonderful! But..."
"Oh?"
Mu Nujiao shook her head firmly. "Brother Ningwei's time is precious. I don't want you wasting your time just to guarantee that I come first."
"Besides, I'm quite capable myself. I want to earn my ranking with my own strength. Even if I don't get first place, I can accept it."
"I appreciate Brother Ningwei's kindness. Today, I'll cook to thank you."
Mu Ningwei looked pleased, his affection for his younger clanswoman growing. "Do your best."
Dean Xiao applauded. "Excellent, Mu Nujiao. With such determination, you will certainly become strong. With the two of you in the Mu Clan, its future will be boundless."
Mu Nujiao smiled generously.
Mu Ningwei said, "You flatter us, Dean."
"Since that's settled, Mu Ningwei, which department will you register for first? The Light Department or the Dark Department? As for your third element, the Blessing Element, Pearl Academy has no one else with it but you."
"The Light Department. More people means more excitement."
"Alright. Here is the Light Department Director's contact information."
After bidding Dean Xiao farewell, they walked through the vast grounds of Pearl Academy.
Watching the youthful, energetic students around him, Mu Ningwei felt his mood brighten as well. He said to Mu Nujiao beside him:
"Your answer just now was very good."
Mu Nujiao curled a lock of hair around her finger and smiled softly. "Those were my sincere feelings. I can't stay under Brother Ningwei's protection forever. Of course, when necessary, I'll ask you to protect me, okay~?"
Mu Nujiao gave him a playful wink.
Around peers or juniors, she was a cold and aloof goddess.
But before her strong, dependable, and handsome older brother, Mu Nujiao also showed her girlish side.
"I'll greet the department director, then go take a look at the Three-Step Tower. What are you planning to do?"
"Cultivate, of course."
"Mm. On the desk in my room, there are some Plant Element cultivation techniques I summarized last night. Though I don't have the Plant Element, I did spend several years at the Parthenon. You can take a look."
Mu Nujiao's beautiful eyes widened. "Brother Ningwei! Thank you!"
Mu Ningwei smiled. "Looking after you is only natural. Study hard. I'll test you when I get back."
Mu Nujiao was full of motivation. "With Brother Ningwei teaching me, I'll definitely perform excellently in the assessment!"
The Three-Step Tower was Pearl Academy's cultivation ground. Its name came from the phrase "three steps without bounds." It did not appear large from the outside, but it was interwoven with a vast Space Magic formation. Its interior was expansive.
After entering the Three-Step Tower, the energy grew denser the higher one climbed, but one also had to withstand greater pressure. It was a form of trial.
Mu Ningwei easily reached the third floor and sat cross-legged at the spot where the energy was densest.
If an Intermediate Mage cultivated here, one day could equal two or three hundred days elsewhere.
For a High-level Mage, the effect was greatly reduced, but one day still equaled several dozen days.
Mu Ningwei had three High-level elements. His Light Element and Shadow Element had received blessings from higher beings.
His Blessing Element had awakened under Athena's guidance.
His usual cultivation was two or three times faster than that of ordinary mages, and the boosts he received at cultivation grounds were even greater.
"Let's continue cultivating the Light Element."
Mu Ningwei was an orthodox mage. He never cultivated multiple elements simultaneously, instead focusing on one element continuously.
Only after breaking through a major stage would he use his higher realm and greater resources to bring his other elements up to speed.
Since Light Element resources were easier to obtain, Mu Ningwei planned to focus on the Light Element at the High-level stage.
At present, his Light Element was High-level Level Two, while his Shadow Element and Blessing Element were both High-level Level One.
Although the Three-Step Tower's effects were already reduced for a High-level Level Two element, Mu Ningwei still cultivated the Light Element resolutely.
The Star River Magic Artifact operated at full power;
Athena's blessing made his Light Element affinity absorb energy like a storm;
Energy surged wildly at the center of the Three-Step Tower;
Mu Ningwei's cultivation rose, rose, rose—soaring, surging, exploding upward.
When the seven days were over, he had already touched the bottleneck of High-level Level Three!
"The bottleneck itself won't be difficult for me, but I'll need some time to prepare for the breakthrough. This secluded cultivation session won't be enough."
"It's the beginning of the year now. I wonder if I can break through before this year ends."
After leaving the Three-Step Tower, he went home to bathe and enjoy the lavish lunch carefully prepared by the Mu Family Sisters.
Mu Ningwei tested Mu Nujiao on her Plant Element theory knowledge and occasionally asked about Mu Nuxin's recent situation.
With five hundred million in initial capital, Mu Nuxin had not rashly entered the mage industry. Aside from investing part of it in clan businesses for steady, risk-free profits, she had invested all the rest in ordinary industries.
From what she said, she planned to collect dividends first, then hire potion makers and forgers before entering the highly profitable mage industry.
Mu Ningwei cultivated at home, preparing for his breakthrough.
In the blink of an eye, it was time for Mu Nujiao's Main Campus assessment.
"I remember that Black Pepper Court caused trouble during this assessment, and Xu Zhaoting and his girlfriend died too."
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