"Wait, you're already a High Mage?"
As soon as she arrived, Tang Yue was taken straight to the bedroom by Mo Fan and didn't even have time to notice his progress. Now, hearing what he said, she suddenly realized that Mo Fan had reached the High Tier!
"You've already surpassed me… I just became a High Mage myself." Tang Yue muttered, astonished at Mo Fan's absurdly fast cultivation speed.
"Yeah, I've reached High Tier for two elements." Mo Fan said casually as he pulled her onto his lap.
Tang Yue gave him a playful glare, her expression seductive and filled with teasing annoyance. "You little rascal, are you trying to kill me?" she pouted.
"No way! How could I let something happen to you, Tang Yue? I just missed you, that's all." Mo Fan replied with sincerity. After all, Tang Yue was always busy with missions, unlike his other lover, Xinxia, who he could see anytime.
"And you wanted a Lightning Element Constellation Book?" Tang Yue teased, but before she could finish, she playfully bit down on Mo Fan's shoulder.
Mo Fan, feeling the bite, quickly stopped teasing. Tang Yue took a moment to recover and grabbed the small pendant necklace on Mo Fan's neck. The moment she touched it, she understood why Mo Fan's cultivation had progressed so quickly. She also realized why he needed the Lightning Element Constellation Book.
"I don't have it." Tang Yue said immediately.
"???"
Seeing Mo Fan's questioning look, Tang Yue doubled down. "Don't look at me like that. I said I don't have it."
Mo Fan didn't bother arguing. He simply acted on impulse, making Tang Yue completely surrender.
"Okay, okay, I do have it!"
By the next morning, Mo Fan had gotten what he wanted—Tang Yue agreed to give him the Lightning Element Constellation Book. Satisfied, he called up Zhang Xiaohou and arranged to meet him in Biyu City.
In the original timeline, Mo Fan was still in the wilderness. However, in this timeline, since Mo Fan was already here, he knew that an Earth Element Spirit Seed had recently formed and wanted to help Zhang Xiaohou acquire it.
Biyu City was located southeast of the Dongting Lake plains, a city under strict military control. Most of its residents provided services to the surrounding military zones, where mages were stationed to defend against the Lizard Demons of Dongting Lake. The city was an important barrier protecting the eastern region.
When Mo Fan arrived, Zhang Xiaohou was already waiting. It had been half a year since they last met, and Xiaohou had made noticeable progress in his cultivation.
"Not bad, Xiaohou. It seems like you've been working hard lately." Mo Fan said after observing him for a moment.
At this point, Zhang Xiaohou had reached the second tier of mid-level magic for his two elements. Compared to other students at the Pearl Academy, Zhang Xiaohou was doing quite well.
"Brother Fan, what's the plan? Why'd you ask me to come here?" Zhang Xiaohou asked, clearly confused.
"A Spirit Seed for the Earth Element has recently appeared here. I'm going to help you get it." Mo Fan replied.
"What?!"
Zhang Xiaohou was stunned, about to say something, but Mo Fan cut him off by clamping his mouth shut.
"No talking, just follow me."
They soon reached Xizhao Valley. In the late afternoon, the valley was known for its unique glowing colors, a sight often attributed to a rare type of flower. This legend attracted adventurers and photographers alike. However, the truth was far less pleasant.
As the sun warmed the fertile soil of Xizhao Valley, Lizard Demons would crawl out of their swampy dens in massive numbers, covering the valley like a thick carpet. Their rough skin glistened due to the oily secretions, giving the valley its eerie, jewel-like appearance.
Countless people had lost their lives seeking treasure in this valley, and with the expansion of the Lizard Demons' territory, locals had long since abandoned the area. The tale of the valley's beauty, however, still persisted.
Mo Fan and Zhang Xiaohou cautiously entered the valley. Dongting Lake was a dangerous place, and even high-level mages couldn't guarantee survival here. If not for the Demon Element, Mo Fan wouldn't have dared bring Xiaohou along.
Ever since gaining the Demon Element, Mo Fan had become more confident in facing large groups of monsters. Zhang Xiaohou, being an experienced scout, led the way, helping them avoid unnecessary danger. But even if they encountered monsters, Mo Fan dealt with them swiftly.
As a high-level mage, Mo Fan's physical abilities had greatly improved, allowing him to fight even in close quarters. High-level mages were known not only for their powerful spells but also for their enhanced physical prowess, making them formidable in both ranged and close combat.
Mo Fan, in particular, excelled in close combat, thanks to his Demon Element's regenerative powers, fire resistance, and his versatile Light Element skills, which he could now use offensively. He could take down warrior-level monsters in a flash, and even mid-tier warriors stood no chance against him.
After a while, the two reached the outskirts of Xizhao Valley.
"Did you bring the elemental detection device?" Mo Fan asked.
"Yeah, but… are you sure we should use it here?" Zhang Xiaohou hesitated.
"Of course. We've fought groups of monsters before, haven't we?" Mo Fan replied confidently.
Half a year ago, during the battle against the Wolf Pack, Mo Fan realized that fighting large groups of monsters helped him hone his control over multiple elements. The more adept he became at combining his different magical systems, the stronger he grew.
Trusting Mo Fan's judgment, Zhang Xiaohou set up the detection device. Although he was still hesitant, his unwavering faith in Mo Fan pushed him forward.
As the device activated, they soon saw a large group of Lizard Demons emerging from a nearby swamp. At the same time, even more of them appeared from a valley to their left.
(End of Chapter)