The next day, after receiving permission and saying another goodbye, Lu Ling stepped straight out of the house to explore this world unknown to him.
"I can finally have a look outside." Breathing in the fresh air, Lu Ling could not help letting out a sigh.
The air outside was truly worlds apart from the air in the study, with far less of the smell of books and far more of nature's fresh fragrance.
That was because...
He was currently in a mountain forest, without a single other building anywhere around him.
One thing was certain: there was no danger here. Otherwise, however heartless his master might be, she would never have let a child too weak to truss a chicken go out alone.
I should find out where this place is first!
Brimming with enthusiasm, little Lu Ling followed the path outside the door straight ahead. It was also the only route he could see.
With a child's small body, Lu Ling's pace was anything but fast. He walked for a full half hour before seeing any sign of people.
It was a woman. Even her ordinary clothes could not conceal her noble bearing, and she seemed to be holding a girl about Lu Ling's age.
"Big sister, could you tell me where this is?" After spotting the two of them, Lu Ling used his harmless-looking childish appearance to ask an utterly stupid question.
Of course, Lu Ling genuinely did not know where he was. His master had only given him a study, not internet access to learn about the outside world.
A child? From out of town?
Ye Chang's gaze shifted slightly, a trace of surprise stirring at the sight of this white-haired child.
"Bo City," Ye Chang said flatly.
"Thank you!" After thanking her, Lu Ling continued onward, trying his best to act the way a child should.
He looked calm, but an earthquake had already erupted inside him.
Bo City?!
They'd fucking dropped him right at the boss respawn point!
He could now establish a rough timeline, but he still needed to find a few key people to pin down the timing.
For instance... that person in Mu Family Manor who had white hair just like him.
He had little choice. Everyone else looked no different from ordinary people, making them difficult for Lu Ling to identify. Only Mu Ningxue, with her distinctive appearance, fit his requirements.
With that thought, Lu Ling continued fearlessly onward to find the most magnificent manor in the area.
Ye Chang watched the strange child leave with an icy expression, her mind filled with questions as she silently committed this unusual child to memory.
Ten years later.
That year, Mu Ningxue was fourteen.
Lu Ling... was of unknown age.
This year, something earth-shattering had happened in the Bocheng Mu Family.
Their cherished jewel, the Mu Family's little princess Mu Ningxue, had awakened the Ice Element on her own! Such talent delighted the Mu Family and even drew the attention of the main family.
That evening, on a secluded little hill, two people with similar hair colors sat shoulder to shoulder. The spot offered an excellent view, with the entirety of Mu Family Manor clearly visible.
"Lu Ling, aren't you bored?" Mu Ningxue asked.
"Watching the crowd is pretty interesting too. You, on the other hand..." Lu Ling turned his head and teased, "You're the star of this banquet, yet you sneaked all the way out here."
Mu Ningxue had awakened the Ice Element early and become a full-fledged Beginner Mage in just a few short months. Mu Zhuoyun was overjoyed and had thrown a banquet for merchants from all quarters.
"I don't like crowds." Mu Ningxue rested her head on her knees and pursed her lips. She knew her father treated her well, but she always felt that at banquets like this, she drew attention like a monkey in a zoo.
"Besides, with me here with you, Dad wouldn't dare do anything to me."
Lu Ling smiled, seemingly recalling memories from his childhood, but did not pursue the topic.
"You're stronger than me now."
"You'll awaken your magic in another year too. Your talent might not be any worse than mine," Mu Ningxue encouraged him.
"Awakening magic, huh..." Lu Ling smiled faintly.
Why wait another year? In fact, he had already awakened, on a night eight years ago.
It had been the most ordinary of nights in Bo City, but right then, Lu Ling, who was fast asleep, had suddenly erupted with a powerful radiance that nearly lit up the entire city.
Fortunately, his master had acted in time, using Black Magic to conceal the phenomenon for him.
The Light Element.
Eight years ago, Lu Ling had awakened the Light Element. Every year after that, he had awakened more magic, each awakening producing a different phenomenon, but his master had always helped conceal these heavenly secrets.
His master seemed to have anticipated this condition of his. The first time, she was taken aback; the second, she was amazed. After the third, well, she had grown used to it, merely employing her methods to prevent the phenomenon from leaking out before returning to her slumber.
By now, he already possessed eight magic elements. Barring any surprises, he would awaken new magic again before long.
"Just what kind of being do you think your master is?" Mu Ningxue's words interrupted Lu Ling's thoughts. Whenever magic came up, she always instinctively recalled the magnificent sight that night all those years ago.
A holy sword of light, vast as a mountain and brimming with overwhelming majesty, had descended from the sky, cutting Lu Ling and Mu Ningxue off from Mu Zhuoyun's group.
"Whoever dares touch him dies."
This was simply not power that belonged in a little place like Bo City. In that moment, Mu Zhuoyun had realized just how terrifying a being stood behind this child of unknown origins who had lured his daughter away. At the very least, it was a Super Level mage!
Afterward, Mu Zhuoyun had silenced the others who had seen the Demon Judgment Sword. He turned a blind eye to Lu Ling, allowing him to enter and leave his manor as he pleased, and no longer interfered with the relationship between Mu Ningxue and Lu Ling.
He considered this an opportunity to curry favor with a Super Level mage.
"Her? She's just a lazybones who loves sleeping." Lu Ling considered it for a moment, then chuckled.
Lu Ling had been quite surprised at the time too, that his master would actually act on his behalf.
"Only you would dare say that..." Mu Ningxue muttered quietly.
"Enough about that old lady. Let me see your hand."
"What for? You're always asking to see my hand." Mu Ningxue voiced her disdain, but obediently held her hand out to him anyway.
Warmth flowed from Lu Ling's hand. This was not the first time it had happened. Mu Ningxue did not know what Lu Ling was doing, only that it made her body feel warm, and that the warmth lasted a long time. She also really liked him holding her hand, but did not dare say so.
"Did you absorb another ice crystal your mother left you?"
"Huh?" The warm sensation had left Mu Ningxue so comfortable that she was a little dazed, and for a moment, she had not caught what Lu Ling said.
"Yes, I used the last one a month ago."
Stupid girl. No wonder her cultivation had risen so quickly. If he hadn't been there to keep Mu Ningxue from falling through, she would probably have been bedridden long ago.
"If you feel cold, come find me."
"Okay..." Mu Ningxue did not know what he meant by that, but she quietly committed it to heart.
"It's getting late. Xin Xia should still be waiting for me. I'll head back first."
A trace of concealed reluctance to part flickered in Mu Ningxue's eyes.
"Be careful on your way back."