"Mo Fan, I'll stay with you." Xin Xia immediately said. Even though her combat skills weren't exceptional, she could provide healing. After all, she was a talented healer.
"No need. The powerful members of the church are already being watched by the people from the Judgement Council. The ones coming after me will only be small fry. As long as you're safe, everything will be fine." Mo Fan reassured her.
"Brother Mo Fan…"
Before she could say more, Mo Fan gently placed a finger on her lips and said, "Don't you trust me, Xin Xia?"
"I-I do."
Xin Xia knew that Mo Fan was worried about her. And after thinking it over, she realized that if the Church was involved, she could indeed become a burden if captured. Being rational, Xin Xia agreed to leave, while also telling Mo Fan to be careful.
In fact, Mo Fan told her all this to divert some unnecessary attention. Right now, Xin Xia might be sensitive about certain things, but when she joins the Parthenon Temple later, she will likely become more lenient with him.
And as for Teacher Tang Yue, Mo Fan didn't know how to repay her other than... physically.
Yes, it wasn't because he was after her beauty, he just really wanted to repay her, honestly!
After sending Xin Xia back to Hangzhou, Mo Fan returned and applied to enter the Three Step Pagoda.
Principal Xiao, who had heard about the recent events involving the Church, didn't refuse Mo Fan's request and approved it right away. The Principal admired Mo Fan's courage to face these challenges alone.
Not many young people could do that nowadays.
The Three Step Pagoda was located in the main campus of Pearl Academy and was a highly contested resource among the elite students. It worked similarly to the Holy Spring, helping mages with their cultivation, though it wasn't as powerful. However, the Holy Spring in Bo City had nearly dried up, unlike the more abundant ones in other places like Wei Village.
Thanks to his unique pendant, which absorbed energy from the Holy Springs, Mo Fan's fire and lightning elements had already reached level two mastery. His shadow and summoning elements had also advanced to level two.
This time, Mo Fan planned to enter the Three Step Tower to push his lightning and fire elements to level three!
The Three Step Pagoda was an ancient magical structure designed to gather and condense the scattered elemental energy from a large area. Elements were everywhere in the world, and places with concentrated magical energy, like the Three Step Pagoda, allowed for rapid cultivation.
Shaped like a symmetrical, three-dimensional triangle, the Three Step Pagoda stood tall and gleaming in the center of the campus, made of silver-like metal that caught the eye.
"Principal." greeted the two guards at the tower's entrance as they respectfully bowed.
"It's your turn to guard today. I've already sent you the authorization, so please take this student inside." the Dean instructed.
"Oh, so this is the new freshman from the Qing Campus. I didn't get access to the tower until two years after I entered the main campus. You're really lucky, Junior!" said one of the friendlier guards with a smile.
Mo Fan simply smiled in response, not saying much.
Following the guards inside, Mo Fan soon arrived at the floating staircase that led upwards. Without receiving any further instructions, he proceeded on his own, already knowing what to expect.
He quickly passed the first floor, pausing briefly to absorb the elemental energy before continuing upwards.
Reaching the second floor, Mo Fan felt some resistance, but it was still manageable. However, his goal wasn't the second floor — he was heading straight for the third.
The Three Step Tower was most effective during the first visit, so Mo Fan intended to make the most of it by reaching the highest level possible.
As he climbed higher, it felt like an invisible weight was pressing down on his mind, but Mo Fan's strong will and abundant magical energy from his four elements allowed him to press on. It was tough, but he successfully reached the third floor.
Once there, the moment he began cultivating, he immediately felt the immense power of the place — the energy flow was 300 times stronger than normal!
Just as he thought, it was the right decision to skip the lower floors.
Training here for just one day was equivalent to almost a year of cultivation!
In a mere day, Mo Fan's lightning and fire elements advanced to level three.
Although the energy started to diminish by the second day, it was still over 200 times stronger than usual, and by the third day, it was around 100 times.
In seven days, Mo Fan had fully mastered the third level in both his lightning and fire elements, and even advanced his shadow element to level three. He didn't focus much on his summoning element, as fire, lightning, and shadow were his priorities.
After finishing his seven-day training, Mo Fan emerged from the Three Step Pagoda and received a call from Lingling.
"Mo Fan, I've got a job for you." Lingling said the moment he answered.
"What kind of job?"
"It's a bit complicated, yet simple. Just come to the Hunter Agency, and I'll explain." she said with a strange tone.
"Alright."
When Mo Fan arrived at the Hunter Agency, Lingling handed him the mission details.
It was a job to protect him!
Without a doubt, it had to be Teacher Tang Yue who had put out the request. Despite her tough words, she clearly cared about him.
Xin Xia was the same. After leaving the tower, Mo Fan also received calls from her, showing her concern.
"I can take care of myself. Just keep an eye on my family." Mo Fan told the agency.
"Don't worry, we've already arranged protection for your father and sister." said the old hunter in charge.
"Good."
(End of Chapter)