Chapter 12: Mo Fan: The Pope's Successor Questioning Me?

After returning to the city, Mo Fan went straight to find Xin Xia.

As a healing-type mage, with her around, there was no need to worry about his injuries. Under the healing light, even scars wouldn't be left behind.

However, seeing Mo Fan in his current state, Xin Xia pouted her lips in annoyance.

Seeing her pout like that, Mo Fan didn't seem to realize anything was wrong. Instead, he felt a sudden rush of heat in his chest.

"Mo Fan gege~~"

Xin Xia couldn't help but give him a little scolding.

"Hehe, I'm fine," Mo Fan replied, shaking his head. He then shared the news of his breakthrough with her, "Xin Xia, guess what? I've reached Mid-Tier!"

Naturally, good news was something to be shared with those important to him.

When Xin Xia heard what Mo Fan said, she froze in place.

What did she just hear!?

Even though she had always thought her Mo Fan gege was amazing, Mid-Tier!? This was unbelievably absurd!

Even Mu Ningxue probably couldn't achieve something like that, breaking through to Mid-Tier in such a short time, right?

For a moment, Xin Xia even thought of something scary.

"Mo Fan, brother, you…"

But before she could finish, Mo Fan could tell from her expression that this silly girl was overthinking things.

Besides, why was a pope's successor constantly questioning him?

Mo Fan reached out and pinched her cheeks. "I didn't mess with anything I shouldn't have, and I definitely have no ties to the Black Vatican. My cultivation is the result of continuous battles."

Xin Xia winced a little from the pinch but listened intently to Mo Fan. From the look on his face, she could tell he wasn't lying.

Mo Fan let go of her soft cheek but kept his hand gently caressing her face. "I'm working so hard to train so I can protect you better. So stop overthinking things, okay?"

"Mm," Xin Xia responded softly, a bit shy, but still nodded in agreement.

Though she was still amazed, she didn't ask any more questions. For her, knowing that Mo Fan hadn't dabbled in anything dark was enough.

...

After leaving Xin Xia, Mo Fan called his teacher, Tang Yue.

Now that he had reached Mid-Tier, it was time to awaken a new magic element. But since he was broke and didn't want to stand out too much, he had to turn to his 'wealthy teacher.'

Worst case, he could always pay her back in other ways later!

The phone connected quickly, and Tang Yue's sultry, pleasant voice came through.

After receiving a bit of teasing from Xin Xia earlier, Mo Fan struggled to keep his composure.

He took a moment to steady himself before saying, "Teacher Tang Yue, I've reached Mid-Tier."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Yue was completely stunned!

What did she just hear?

Mo Fan said he broke through to the Mid-Tier!?

My god!

Tang Yue instantly felt wide awake.

"What… what did you just say?" Tang Yue's disbelieving voice came through again.

"I said, I broke through to the Mid-Tier." Mo Fan repeated himself.

"Mo Fan, you're not joking, are you!?" Even after confirming again, Tang Yue still found it hard to accept.

What kind of joke is this!? He's already at Mid-Tier!?

That's… that's just ridiculous!

"Teacher Tang Yue, I'm serious. Also, I need a favor," Mo Fan continued.

"What kind of favor?"

"I want to awaken the Shadow element, but I don't want to reveal my current level in Bo City. Besides you, I don't know anyone else I can turn to... Also, I'm kind of broke, so I'll need you to cover the costs for now. I'll repay you later."

After Mo Fan finished explaining, there was a moment of silence on the other end.

Mo Fan didn't say anything more. To be honest, he wasn't sure if his beautiful teacher would even help him out.

But, like he said, if not Tang Yue, he really didn't know who else to turn to.

Zhan Kong wouldn't help him keep any secrets. After all, in Bo City, Zhan Kong could protect anyone he wanted to. But Bo City's waters ran deep. It wasn't just the people you see on the surface—there were also a bunch of Church rats lurking in the shadows. While it was unlikely anyone would take notice, what if they did?

Until he had more hidden cards to play, he needed to stay low-key.

Hmm... now that he thought about it, Lu Nian really was a helpful person!

He was probably his biggest supporter.

That demon seed was his greatest asset.

Sure, dealing with the demon element carried some cost upfront, but it was worth it for staying alive!

Just as Mo Fan's mind wandered, Tang Yue finally spoke, "Alright, come to my apartment."

Hearing Tang Yue's response, Mo Fan breathed a sigh of relief. At least now he didn't have to worry about the new awakening!

Following the address Tang Yue gave him, Mo Fan arrived at her apartment.

There wasn't anything particularly special about it—it was just clean and tidy.

While Mo Fan was taking in the place, Tang Yue suddenly spoke in a serious tone, "Mo Fan, tell me the truth..."

Mo Fan felt a bit exasperated. Why did everyone assume that fast cultivation had something to do with the Church?

Did the Church really have that kind of power?

If they had a method to help people advance quickly, would they still need to hide in the shadows?

Mo Fan cut her off, "Teacher Tang Yue, I know what you want to ask, but let me assure you, I've worked hard for every bit of my cultivation. I'm even willing to undergo all the tests at the Magic Association's Court of Judgment if that's what it takes."

Seeing his serious expression, Tang Yue finally relaxed a little. It seemed others had asked him similar questions before.

"Alright, no need to go through all that trouble. I believe you," Tang Yue said. "It's just that your progress is beyond anything I've ever seen, even among the elite families."

Suddenly, something seemed to occur to her. "Hey, where's that ancestral pendant of yours?"

(⊙o⊙)…

Mo Fan was taken aback. He hadn't expected her to bring that up!

"Do you still want my help or not?" Tang Yue asked with a mock sternness.

Having no other choice, Mo Fan pulled out the Little Loach pendant and handed it to her.

Tang Yue examined it for a moment before scolding him, "You rascal! You've been collecting soul remnants, haven't you!?"

Although the pendant didn't work for her, she could tell it had become an incredibly powerful soul tool. The Little Loach was now likely one of the highest-grade star dust magic tools!

The fact that Mo Fan had leveled it up this much could only mean he'd been hunting down monsters in the wilderness!

Thinking back to how often Mo Fan had taken leave over the past year, Tang Yue's face filled with displeasure.

"You've done quite well, haven't you? Leveling it up this much—no wonder you could break through to Mid-Tier. Should I congratulate you for surviving?"

Mo Fan shrugged and defended himself, "Teacher Tang Yue , everyone has their own struggles, and everyone has a goal they have to strive for. I know it's dangerous, but ever since I became a mage, it's something I've had to face sooner or later."

(End of Chapter)