Tang Zhong stared at Mu Nianbing in disbelief, his pupils trembling uncontrollably.
Help the Black Totem Snake ascend to the Emperor level?
It sounded absurd — arrogant even — yet something about Mu Nianbing's calm confidence made him hesitate to doubt.
"Are you… the Totem Guardian?" Tang Zhong asked carefully.
He had long wondered why the Black Totem Snake seemed so close to an outsider. Now everything began to make sense.
Mu Nianbing nodded slightly. "That's right."
With the Qilin's blessing protecting him, the title of Totem Guardian wasn't hard to justify.
As for helping the Black Totem Snake reach the Emperor level — once the Azure Dragon was resurrected, it would naturally cause the others to ascend in resonance.
Of course, Tang Zhong didn't need to know that part.
"What totem do you guard?"
Mu Nianbing paused, his mind racing. He originally intended to mention the Holy Totem Xuanwu but stopped himself.
The elemental attributes didn't align — saying too much might expose inconsistencies.
"I can't say for now," he replied simply.
Tang Zhong frowned deeply, torn between skepticism and awe. After a moment of thought, he sighed.
"Fine. I'll help you with this matter," he said at last. "But whether the master of Lingyin Temple agrees or not… that's another story."
That was enough for Mu Nianbing. Tang Zhong's support was the hardest part.
"If the Black Totem Snake truly ascends to the Emperor level," Tang Zhong added, "the Lingyin Tribunal will gain immense prestige — and China another guardian at the highest tier."
Mu Nianbing smiled faintly. "It's worth a try."
He was confident that the high monk who once wielded forbidden spells would not turn a blind eye.
This was a chance for both sides — Lingyin Temple could strengthen its karmic virtue, and Ding Yumian could finally control her psychic power.
And if needed, the Kirin's protection could discreetly assist.
A few hours later, Tang Zhong took Ding Yumian up the mountain toward Lingyin Temple, while Mu Nianbing remained in a quiet pavilion halfway up the slope.
The bamboo forest around him swayed gently, whispering with the wind. It was a tranquil place, perfect for meditation.
Sitting cross-legged, Mu Nianbing began focusing on his Star Orbits.
Not long after, footsteps approached from the stone path. He opened his eyes just as Tang Zhong appeared — alone. Ding Yumian was not with him.
Mu Nianbing's lips curved slightly. That was a good sign.
Tang Zhong stopped in front of him.
"Mu Nianbing, the master has agreed to let her stay and cultivate within the temple. But whether she can suppress her gift depends entirely on her own comprehension."
Ever since he had been tricked by Mu Nianbing before, Tang Zhong no longer called him 'Friend Mu'. Now, it was 'Boy Mu' — the same tone Zhu Meng once used.
Mu Nianbing bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Judge Tang."
Seeing his sincerity, Tang Zhong's expression softened slightly. "Don't forget what you promised."
"Of course not. I keep my word."
Tang Zhong studied him closely, increasingly convinced that Mu Nianbing truly was the Totem Guardian.
I should check which totems are related to the ice element… he thought silently.
After ensuring Ding Yumian's arrangements were complete, Mu Nianbing left Lingyin Mountain and returned to Mingzhu Academy to report to Dean Fu.
He could've just sent a message — but this news was too important to deliver through a screen.
When Dean Fu heard that Ding Yumian had been accepted into Lingyin Temple, he nearly leapt two meters high in excitement.
The burden he had carried for years was finally lifted.
From that moment, Dean Fu's favor toward Mu Nianbing grew immensely.
He even suggested that Mu Nianbing move into Lingyin Temple as well — so that Ding Yumian wouldn't be lonely.
Mu Nianbing refused immediately.
If he really stayed there, wouldn't that mean creating a new life with Ding Yumian?
After bidding farewell to Dean Fu, he returned to his apartment.
Half of the stars in his Space Element had already been formed, but the remaining orbits required focus.
He still lacked a Mind Stone — something he had asked Zhao Manyan to acquire, but there'd been no progress.
Perhaps Zhao was too busy preparing for the upcoming World College Tournament.
Without that stone, reaching the fourth level of spiritual strength would be difficult.
Mind Stones were extremely rare. Even a pebble-sized shard could fetch hundreds of millions at auction — if one could even find it.
Mu Nianbing was mulling over this as he opened his door.
Inside, he found Mu Nujiao and Ai Tutu comfortably sitting on his sofa.
"You two really treat this place like your home, don't you?"
He had lost count of how many times they'd shown up uninvited.
At this point, it was almost routine. Sometimes they even interrupted his and Xinxia's "training sessions" — which was infuriating.
Still, the three girls got along surprisingly well, so he didn't chase them out.
"Hmph! We're here to talk with Xinxia, not to see you!" Ai Tutu said, puffing out her cheeks proudly.
Mu Nujiao sighed and rubbed her forehead. Every time Ai Tutu saw Mu Nianbing, she turned fiery.
Mu Nianbing ignored her completely. He knew her type — the more attention you gave her, the louder she'd get. Ignoring her was the best strategy.
Of course, that only made Ai Tutu angrier.
Mu Nianbing sat casually beside Mu Nujiao on the sofa. She immediately inched away to keep a polite distance.
He smirked and leaned just slightly closer. The distance vanished, and their sides brushed faintly together.
Mu Nujiao's cheeks turned pink. She shot him a flustered glare, but Mu Nianbing simply changed the topic.
"By the way, the nomination matches for Mingzhu Academy should've started, right?"
"They start tomorrow," Mu Nujiao replied, regaining composure. "You didn't register, did you?"
"I've been busy," Mu Nianbing said with a lazy smile. "But I don't need to join the preliminary rounds."
"You've already secured the votes?" Mu Nujiao asked, surprised.
It usually required four recommendations to qualify internally — and she didn't even have one yet.
"With his strength," she thought, "even if he doesn't have the votes, no one would dare question his spot."
Before she could ask more, Ai Tutu snapped, "Sister Mu, you don't know? This guy's already been chosen as the captain of the National Team!"
...
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
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
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