Lu Nian didn't know exactly where Mo Fan was, but while investigating him, he learned about Xin Xia and Mo Jiaxing. However, Mo Jiaxing was under the protection of the military base, and Lu Nian wasn't reckless enough to charge into such a fortified area—that would be pure suicide. So, instead, he set his sights on Xin Xia. However, he never expected that today, in this very place, he would stumble upon Mo Fan himself!
"Hahaha!" Lu Nian was thrilled. It was like a stroke of fate—searching everywhere for something, only for it to fall right into his lap. Luck was clearly on his side.
Lu Nian didn't immediately attack, though. It wasn't because he sensed any significant change in Mo Fan's power. It was more that he wasn't sure if Hangzhou's guardian beast could detect Mo Fan's condition. So, he decided to wait until Mo Fan left the city limits before making his move.
After his previous failure, Lu Nian wasn't one to act impulsively anymore. He was determined to make thorough plans this time, ensuring he'd be able to take Mo Fan down in one decisive strike.
Lu Nian followed Mo Fan closely. Mo Fan first dropped Xin Xia off at her school and then wandered around Hangzhou, seemingly aimlessly. But in reality, he was enjoying a night of indulgence. Lu Nian, hiding in the shadows, watched Mo Fan's revelry until evening. He thought Mo Fan was about to leave, but to his surprise, Mo Fan received a phone call and headed back toward West Lake.
Lu Nian was confused. What was going on? For a moment, he even wondered if Mo Fan had noticed him. But he quickly dismissed the idea. How could Mo Fan possibly detect his presence? Lu Nian had been concealing himself so well; there was no way Mo Fan could spot him.
Mo Fan eventually arrived at an apartment near West Lake, where he was greeted by none other than Teacher Tang Yue. The moment Tang Yue opened the door, Mo Fan scooped her up in his arms and carried her inside.
Watching from a distance, Lu Nian's anger boiled. "Damn, this guy's a total scumbag!" he cursed under his breath. "How does he get so lucky? That woman is gorgeous. What the hell?"
He was fuming with jealousy as he crouched outside, hiding in bushes or behind trash bins, being eaten alive by mosquitoes. He couldn't use magic, for fear of being detected by the city's guardian beast. So, he had no choice but to endure the discomfort. Meanwhile, Mo Fan was enjoying the warmth and comfort of a woman in his arms.
If it weren't for the guardian beast looming over Hangzhou, Lu Nian would have barged in and killed Mo Fan on the spot. But his rational mind won out over his rage. He couldn't afford to be reckless now, not when he was so close to his goal.
Inside the apartment, Mo Fan was indulging in his "deep learning" sessions with Tang Yue, all while keeping tabs on the situation outside. He was well aware that someone was still following him. He had no idea why his stalker hadn't made a move yet, but at this point, he didn't care. He wasn't going to let a fool lurking in the shadows ruin his mood.
After an enjoyable session with Tang Yue, she rested her head on his shoulder, her soft voice teasing, "You rascal, where have you been causing trouble this time?"
Tang Yue knew Mo Fan had a habit of wandering off into dangerous places. She had scolded him many times for it, but Mo Fan wasn't the type of person to be easily controlled, especially by a woman. What he said while in bed or on the couch was rarely trustworthy.
Whenever Tang Yue couldn't reach him, she knew he was probably off in some far-flung, dangerous place. And while she did worry that one day he might get himself killed, she also knew Mo Fan's nature—he was never going to stay put. All she could hope for was that he would continue to grow stronger. Only then would she stop fearing that his reckless adventures might be his last.
"I was up north at the Scorching Plains, making a contract with a Little Flame Belle." Mo Fan casually replied.
"A Flame Belle?!" Tang Yue's eyes widened in surprise, instantly shifting her focus to Mo Fan. She didn't care about modesty; her curiosity about the Flame Belle overrode any embarrassment.
Flame Belles were considered sacred spirits of fire. The fact that Mo Fan had managed to bond with one was astonishing.
"Quick, summon it! Let me see!" Tang Yue urged eagerly.
"She's still digesting her newfound power. We advanced too quickly during the contract process," Mo Fan explained.
The Flame Belle had taken a huge leap in her evolution, and now she needed time to process her new abilities. Normally, the Flame Belle was playful and energetic, but recently, she had become frustrated by the fact that she couldn't contribute much during Mo Fan's battles. She couldn't even match the mobility of Mo Fan's wolf. So, the little Flame Belle had committed herself to training and refused to eat her usual treats.
Mo Fan didn't know how long this training period would last. Last time it had taken about a week, and now they were on day four.
Tang Yue was a bit disappointed but still happy for Mo Fan. "The Flame Belle is a sacred spirit of fire. Once she matures, your combat power will be off the charts!"
"I'm already pretty terrifying now." Mo Fan smirked, his words full of innuendo.
Tang Yue wanted to ask more, but Mo Fan pulled her back down. She rolled her eyes at him. This rascal never missed a chance to take advantage of her.
Meanwhile, outside the apartment, Lu Nian was on the verge of losing his mind. His body was covered in mosquito bites, and his eyes were bloodshot with rage. Mo Fan was still inside, seemingly settling in for the night. The idea that Mo Fan was comfortably resting in a cozy bed while he had to hide in filth, being devoured by mosquitoes, made Lu Nian's hatred skyrocket.
But despite his fury, Lu Nian's rationality prevailed. He gritted his teeth and endured, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
(End of Chapter)