After being scolded by Dean Fu, Ding Yumian reluctantly said goodbye to Mu Nianbing.
Mu Nianbing, still grinning, smacked his lips lightly as if savoring something — and that tiny gesture made Dean Fu's face flush red with rage.
This bastard!
Ding Yumian shyly glanced at Mu Nianbing, her cheeks slightly pink. Lowering her head, she asked softly,
"Do you really have a solution?"
"When have I ever lied to you? But…" Mu Nianbing's tone grew serious. "I'll need some help."
Before participating in the World University Competition, he had to resolve Ding Yumian's issue first.
"I'll wait for you then."
Her voice was soft, but her eyes carried trust — something she had long stopped giving anyone.
Mu Nianbing looked at her gentle expression and almost smiled again. If Dean Fu wasn't glaring daggers at him, he might have "accidentally" fallen again.
"Young people these days…" Dean Xiao sighed sentimentally, pretending not to notice Dean Fu fuming beside him.
"Mu Nianbing! You'd better explain yourself!" Dean Fu stomped over, his expression a mixture of anger and disbelief.
If I hadn't been here, would this brat have eaten my student alive!?
"I swear it wasn't intentional," Mu Nianbing said earnestly. "I just… slipped."
"Hmph!" Dean Fu clearly didn't buy it. "You? A Space Mage? Slipped? Who are you trying to fool?"
Then his tone hardened. "You're not walking away from this, boy! You'll take responsibility!"
Mu Nianbing froze. Take responsibility? Wasn't this… a bit of a win for him?
Meanwhile, Ding Yumian's entire face turned red. She bowed her head like a shy ostrich, torn between embarrassment and a strange, fluttering warmth.
"I don't mind taking responsibility," Mu Nianbing replied, half-serious, half-teasing. "But first, I need to fix her talent issue."
Dean Fu's eyes widened. "You mean… you actually have a way?"
"Not guaranteed," Mu Nianbing admitted. "But I can try."
He didn't want to overpromise. Though the Lingyin Tribunal owed him a favor, asking for help from the high monk of Lingyin Temple was another matter entirely.
Dean Fu frowned deeply. He had sought every possible method to control Ding Yumian's curse, but nothing had ever worked.
If Mu Nianbing truly had a chance, no matter how slim — he couldn't afford to ignore it.
After Mu Nianbing left, Dean Xiao walked over and chuckled. "Old Fu, you're quite the schemer."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Dean Fu said defensively, crossing his arms.
"Oh, come now." Dean Xiao's eyes twinkled. "You're trying to tie Ding Yumian and Mu Nianbing together, aren't you? I support it."
Dean Fu snorted, but his silence gave him away.
Dean Xiao stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"They might be the only ones capable of resisting the Holy City's Judgment Court in the future. Alone, neither could bear that weight. But together…"
Dean Fu sighed. "I just hope that boy really can help her."
——
After leaving Mingzhu Academy, Mu Nianbing immediately called Tang Zhong.
"Mr. Mu? To what do I owe the pleasure?" Tang Zhong's calm voice came through the receiver. "Don't tell me you're finally joining our Lingyin Tribunal?"
Mu Nianbing smiled faintly. "Not quite. I actually need a favor."
Tang Zhong raised an eyebrow on the other end. "A favor? What kind of favor does the Mu Nianbing need from me?"
"I have a friend who wants to enter Lingyin Temple to cultivate. Could you help arrange it?"
There was silence for a moment.
When Tang Zhong heard "Lingyin Temple," his pupils tightened slightly.
"Cultivate? That place isn't a training ground. It's for meditation and purification — not advancement."
"It's exactly the place we need," Mu Nianbing said firmly.
Tang Zhong frowned. Why Lingyin Temple? There were countless sacred cultivation sites in China — why insist on the one under the Tribunal's jurisdiction?
"It's not that I don't want to help," Tang Zhong said slowly, "but Lingyin Temple isn't suitable for ordinary people."
"My friend's situation is… special. Only Lingyin Temple can help her."
"Special?" Tang Zhong's tone grew cautious. He didn't know why, but a bad feeling stirred in his gut.
After a long pause, he finally sighed. "Fine. Bring her to Hangzhou first. I'll arrange an introduction, but no promises."
——
The next morning, Mu Nianbing and Ding Yumian set out for Hangzhou.
Dean Fu had originally planned to accompany them, but decided against it — his presence might only complicate matters.
Lingyin Temple stood atop Lingyin Mountain. The air was clean and cool, filled with the rustle of endless green bamboo swaying in the wind.
"This place really is perfect for seclusion," Mu Nianbing said sincerely, taking in the tranquil beauty.
It'd be a great place to retire someday… maybe with a few wives.
"Mm." Ding Yumian nodded softly, though her gaze lingered more on him than the scenery.
Halfway up the mountain, they arrived at a small pavilion where Tang Zhong was waiting.
When he saw Ding Yumian, his expression instantly changed. His spiritual perception sharpened — and his eyes widened in disbelief.
Such intense mental power…!
Mu Nianbing's strength was impressive, but this girl's spiritual energy defied comprehension.
Then it hit him — she's a calamity victim.
Tang Zhong's face hardened. For the Lingyin Tribunal, such a person was a walking disaster.
He glared at Mu Nianbing. "You brat… I thought you were bringing a friend to meditate, not bringing a ticking bomb into my jurisdiction!"
Mu Nianbing rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. He'd known Tang Zhong would react this way, which was exactly why he hadn't told him earlier.
"Mu boy," Tang Zhong said coldly, "I don't know where you got your information, but I can't help you with this."
As Chief Judge of the Lingyin Tribunal, he knew very well that a high monk capable of performing forbidden purifications resided in Lingyin Temple.
But if this girl were identified as a heretic by the Holy City later, the entire Tribunal would be implicated.
Mu Nianbing's gaze sharpened. "If Lingyin Temple is willing to help her, I can help the Xuanshe reach imperial rank."
"...What?" Tang Zhong's composure finally cracked. His expression shifted between disbelief and intrigue.
Had he just heard that right?
This boy wasn't just strong — he was dangerous in ways that went far beyond magic.
...
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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1. Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
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5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
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