Time flew by quickly, and in the blink of an eye, more than a month had passed.
During this period, Mu Nianbing had successfully cultivated his Space Element to the Intermediate Third Level.
His next goal was to break through to the Advanced Level.
Once he mastered high-level space magic — Instant Movement — he would have an invaluable safeguard for future journeys, especially for the impending trip to the Ancient Capital.
As usual, Mu Nianbing finished his morning training on the balcony before heading back to the living room to rest.
Just as he sat down, his phone vibrated in his pocket. Taking it out, he saw the name flashing on the screen — Teacher Tang Yue.
"Teacher Tang Yue, what a surprise! Did you call because you missed me?" Mu Nianbing teased as he answered.
On the other end, Tang Yue rolled her eyes at the familiar tone.
"This guy is still as cheeky as ever," she thought.
"You're too young," she said flatly. "I have no interest in you."
Mu Nianbing grinned. "Oh? You haven't seen it with your own eyes. How do you know whether I'm big or small?"
Tang Yue's beautiful eyes flashed with embarrassment. She had clearly meant age — what nonsense was he talking about?
"Behave yourself," she warned sharply, though her voice carried a mix of irritation and amusement. "Or next time we meet, I'll make sure you regret it."
Mu Nianbing immediately straightened up.
That was no idle threat — not when Tang Yue commanded the might of the Totem Black Snake, a supreme Monarch-level creature.
Even with his current strength, defeating Tang Yue was out of the question if her totem joined the fight.
"Ahem, alright, alright," he said quickly. "Teacher Tang Yue, what did you actually call me for?"
"Hmph." Tang Yue's soft snort came through the phone. "At least you know when to behave. I need your help with something."
"Help?" Mu Nianbing checked the date instinctively — and suddenly remembered.
This was the time when the Black Snake would begin shedding its skin.
He immediately opened the news on his phone. Sure enough, reports from Hangzhou mentioned a mysterious skyscraper-sized serpent appearing in the city.
The totem's appearance would inevitably draw attention — and chaos.
Under Luo Mian's manipulations, public opinion would soon turn against the Black Snake, and Zhu Meng's military plan to "slay the serpent" would follow.
The sequence of events was clear.
"Teacher Tang Yue," Mu Nianbing said calmly, "tell me what you need first. If it's too taxing, I might not be able to manage it."
Tang Yue seemed to understand his concern, but her tone remained serious.
"It's a long story. I've sent you the address — just come as soon as possible."
Mu Nianbing sighed. "So demanding…"
Still, he couldn't refuse her — not when he owed her a favor, and not when the Demonic Meteorite Boots were on the line.
Following the address Tang Yue sent, Mu Nianbing took a taxi to a luxurious apartment complex.
When he entered, he saw Tang Yue descending from the second floor.
She wore a soft wool sweater, and her long legs — clad in black stockings — looked impossibly graceful under the light.
Her loose clothes couldn't hide her curves, and the sight nearly made Mu Nianbing forget to breathe.
"Stop staring," she said, noticing his gaze. "Haven't you seen enough at school?"
Mu Nianbing chuckled. "How could I ever get enough? No one could compare to you, Teacher Tang Yue."
Tang Yue gave him a sidelong look, half amused, half exasperated. "You really have no shame."
"Do you know anything about Totems?" she asked, her tone suddenly more serious.
"Totems?" Mu Nianbing replied thoughtfully.
"A little. From what I've read, long ago, humans survived under their protection. And here in Hangzhou… there's the Totem Black Snake, isn't there?"
Tang Yue's expression flickered in surprise.
Few outside the Lingyin Trial Council even knew the Black Snake was real — most people saw it as a hidden danger, not a guardian.
Mu Nianbing continued calmly. "Among the Four Sacred Totems — the Black Snake, Baxia, Tianshan White Tiger, and Saker Falcon God — each has its place.
The Azure Dragon fell long ago; its remains became the Great Wall. The little loach spirit is its vessel, waiting to absorb enough Holy Spring to awaken again.
The White Tiger and Vermilion Bird also perished — though the Tianshan White Tiger is said to be their descendant, and only a pool of broken feathers remains of the Vermilion Bird.
As for Xuanwu, the totem of defense, it might still be sleeping somewhere in this world."
Tang Yue was visibly taken aback. "You even know that the Black Snake's brother is Baxia, the giant turtle?"
Mu Nianbing smiled faintly. "Of course. The Black Snake and Baxia share Xuanwu's bloodline — it's only natural that they're related."
Tang Yue blinked. Even she hadn't known that. But seeing his composure, she didn't press further.
"You're coming with me," she said at last.
"Where to?"
"You'll see. Just follow me."
They took a small boat out onto the lake.
Suddenly, a low, resonant growl echoed from beneath the water — deep enough to shake one's very soul.
Even though Mu Nianbing had expected it, a chill still crawled up his spine.
That was the voice of the Totem Black Snake — a Monarch-level being beyond imagination.
"Gurgle... gurgle…"
The surface of the lake began to churn violently, rippling as something massive stirred below.
Moments later, a vast shadow emerged, and then — with a sound like thunder — a colossal serpent's head broke the surface.
Its scales shimmered like black iron, and its golden pupils glowed like twin spotlights fixed on Mu Nianbing.
The serpent's head lowered until its tongue flicked close enough to brush the air in front of his face.
"...You've got to be kidding me," Mu Nianbing muttered under his breath, frozen stiff.
Tang Yue, watching from the boat, was just as stunned.
It was the first time she had ever seen the Totem Black Snake react with such excitement — and toward an outsider, no less.
...
Author's Note:
Versatile Mage: Heir of the Frozen Throne — Part 1 is now fully completed and available on my Patreon!
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