Mo Fan at his best – Versatile Mage

While heading back toward Sea Battle City, Mo Fan recalled the intelligence Master Qixiu had given them.

Coincidentally, the Water Elemental Spirit’s suspected habitat lay just off the coast of Japan. To reach the area known as the Sleeping Sea Eye, they would have to break through the surging tide of sea monsters coming from the east.

That was incredibly difficult. Even Super-tier mages didn’t dare guarantee safe passage through the entire battlefield surrounding Sea Battle City.

What was worse, even Master Qixiu couldn’t confirm the presence of the Water Elemental Spirit with certainty. It was merely tagged as “suspected.”

Still, in Mo Fan’s view, the possibility was high. That area was home to a massive elemental merfolk tribe, similar to the large number of fire-elemental monsters dwelling in Dunhuang.

When an elemental monster’s bloodline reached the Commander level, and when its pure energy form possessed enough spirituality and possession ability, it could evolve into an Elemental Spirit. The causal link was strong.

Moreover, according to Master Qixiu’s description, the elemental merfolk seemed to be guarding a central nest. Something only the supreme being of a species would be privileged to possess. That added even more weight to the possibility.

Zhao Manyan walked beside him, gripping the old map tightly. His usual lazy expression had faded quite a bit.

“Old Mo, do you think that Water Elemental Spirit is really there?” Zhao Manyan asked.

“Most likely,” Mo Fan said.

Zhao Manyan’s eyes lit up, but soon after, his expression became uneasy again. “What if we really find it, and it turns out to be a mature Monarch-level existence? Then wouldn’t we be delivering ourselves as seafood?”

Mo Fan glanced at him. “Then we run.”

“Run?” Zhao Manyan’s face twitched. “Can we even run from a Monarch?”

“That depends on how fast you are when scared.”

“Damn, why does that sound like you’re already planning to use me as bait?”

Mo Fan ignored him.

In truth, that was indeed the worst-case scenario. If the Water Elemental Spirit had already matured into a Monarch-level being, then forming a Contract would be impossible. Forget subduing it—even escaping would be difficult.

However, if it was only at the Commander level, even peak Commander, there was still a chance.

Zhao Manyan’s Water Element was naturally compatible with it. His temperament was not suited for berserk attack-type spirits like Little Flame Belle or Little Lightning Belle, but a Water Elemental Spirit was different. Water protected, endured, healed, and restrained. It was almost tailor-made for his defensive path.

If Zhao Manyan truly obtained it, his status in the National Team would no longer be limited to “the guy with a turtle shell.” His defense, control, support, and survivability would all rise to another level.

Mo Fan looked at him and said, “If we find it, don’t think about forcing it at first. Elemental Spirits aren’t ordinary summoned beasts. Recognition matters.”

Zhao Manyan nodded rarely seriously. “I know. I’m not stupid.”

Mo Fan gave him a look.

Zhao Manyan immediately became annoyed. “What kind of eyes are those?”

Mo Fan said calmly, “Just checking.”

Zhao Manyan nearly choked.

Mo Fan mentally reviewed the maritime map near Japan. Master Qixiu had said that the sea monsters and the elemental merfolk tribe seemed to have a tacit agreement. Although sea monsters surged up from the deep sea, they were rarely attacked by the merfolk, and the merfolk would even yield paths for them to pass.

In truth, the two groups formed a dual-layered barrier, guarding the central nest.

Fortunately, Mo Fan had Shadow Magic and Space perception. Sneaking through a chaotic battlefield was not impossible for him. If Zhao Manyan’s defense was added in, their chances would be higher.

The real trouble would come afterward. During the subduing and contracting process, the disturbance would likely draw massive attention. They might be surrounded by sea monsters and merfolk from all directions.

Mo Fan sighed.

“If only noble-blooded elemental creatures were as easy to coax as Little Flame Belle.”

Zhao Manyan looked at him sourly. “You already have Little Flame Belle and Little Lightning Belle. Can you not sound so dissatisfied?”

Mo Fan shrugged. “That’s called luck.”

Zhao Manyan became even more sour. “I hate lucky people.”

Mo Fan thought of Little Flame Belle and Little Lightning Belle. One had come from a rare Fire Calamity source, the other from the Lightning Calamity Fruit. Both were newborn spirits when they came to him, which was why they could grow alongside him so naturally.

Under such conditions, no wonder Elemental Spirit contractors were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

For Zhao Manyan to obtain a Water Elemental Spirit, timing, location, compatibility, and luck all had to align.

But if it really succeeded, it would be worth everything.

As Mo Fan and Zhao Manyan approached Sea Battle City, they suddenly halted.

The color of the sky had changed. It was now a thick gray, as if rain could fall at any moment.

Rumble—!

Suddenly, a massive blue-and-white curtain surged from the horizon, blotting out the sky with no gaps in sight. The tide line soared to the clouds. The visual shock and soul-crushing fear it brought were beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

Within the blue-and-white tidal roar, black specks could already be seen densely packed, scattered over the rolling tide screen. Those were the heads of sea monsters poking out. The tsunami was at least several hundred meters tall, towering over the grand sea wall.

Seeing this, Zhao Manyan was stunned. “This tide is terrifying… I feel like Sea Battle City is no less intense than the Ancient Capital.”

Mo Fan’s expression also turned solemn. “This sea monster offensive is probably the largest in recent years. Everything up to the tenth district might be submerged, and half of the twentieth could go under too.”

The so-called district zones were actually numerical tiers of Sea Battle City. The higher the number, the higher the elevation, and the less likely they were to be swallowed by the tide.

Here, one had to admit the clever design of Japan’s Sea Battle City. It adopted a strategy of layered encampments, minimizing the sea monsters’ storm-summoning powers and drawing them onto land, where humans had the advantage.

When the tide rose, humans retreated. When the tide fell, humans advanced. Within the hundreds-of-meters-tall, hundreds-of-meters-wide, thick and complex city-wall maze, the battle seesawed back and forth.

Besides the tiered layout, every district was intentionally designed with densely packed buildings, allowing mages to move freely, evade sea monsters, and even hide to rest temporarily.

Years later, the invasion of the Sea Monster Empire would already begin showing signs. The rapid proliferation of sea monsters in Feiniao City and the escalating chaos in Japan’s Sea Battle City were all part of the same picture.

Mo Fan spoke with deep concern, “With waves this massive, Mu Ningxue and the others might be in serious danger. We’d better hurry back.”

Zhao Manyan’s face also changed.

Normally, he loved to complain and slack off, but the National Team members were still his companions. If they were trapped in the lower districts during a tide this huge, the consequences would be terrible.

In just a short period, half the team could lose combat power, many could be heavily injured, and someone might even be pushed to the brink of death.

Ai Jiangtu was strong, but he was still only one person. Supporting the entire team alone in a battlefield like this was too much.

“There’s no helping it,” Mo Fan said. “Even fledgling eagles must one day leave the nest to grow strong. I’m sure the national team instructors are happy to see this.”

That was what he thought, but his movements did not slow down.

A silver star path flashed briefly, followed by a surge of Summoning energy.

A majestic white-blue wolf appeared beside him, its ice aura spreading instantly through the damp air.

Snow Frost Star Wolf—Wolfie.

Its massive body was covered in frost-patterned fur, and its royal, oppressive aura swept outward. The surrounding humidity condensed into glittering ice crystals, while the ground beneath its claws froze with each step.

Zhao Manyan stared at Wolfie and swallowed.

“Damn… Old Mo, your wolf got even more ridiculous.”

Wolfie gave him a cold glance, as though looking at an insignificant creature.

Zhao Manyan immediately took two steps back. “Why does your summoned beast look like it wants to bite me?”

Mo Fan leapt onto Wolfie’s back and grinned. “Because you look edible.”

“Get lost!”

Even though Zhao Manyan cursed, his eyes were still full of envy.

Wolfie was no longer an ordinary Warrior-level summoned beast. Its current aura was comparable to a Mid Commander, and with that Emperor bloodline and Ice Element dominance, it looked far more imposing than most contracted beasts in the National Team.

Zhao Manyan looked down at the old map in his hand, then toward the terrifying sea tide in the distance.

A Water Elemental Spirit.

If he could really obtain one, maybe one day he would also have a companion that could stand proudly beside him like that.

Mo Fan noticed his expression and smiled faintly. “Don’t look so miserable. Once we settle this wave, we’ll find a chance to check the Sleeping Sea Eye.”

Zhao Manyan’s eyes lit up. “You mean it?”

“I already said I’d help you. But whether it chooses you depends on yourself.”

Zhao Manyan took a deep breath and nodded.

“Then I’ll make sure it chooses me.”

Mo Fan laughed. “Good. Keep that confidence. You’ll need it when Commander-level sea monsters start surrounding us.”

Zhao Manyan’s face immediately stiffened. “Can you not ruin the mood?”

Mo Fan patted Wolfie’s neck.

“Move!”

Wolfie let out a low roar, and the frost beneath its paws exploded outward. Its body turned into a streak of icy white light, charging straight toward the battlefield.

Zhao Manyan quickly cast his Water defense and followed behind, shouting, “Old Mo, wait for me!”

The two of them dashed into the battle zone of Sea Battle City, one ahead and one behind.

By this time, the towering tsunami had already come crashing down. The colossal impact struck the fortified city walls with a force equal to hundreds of millions of tons, shaking the earth and making the entire Tokyo region tremble.

However, Japan had long been situated along volcanic and earthquake belts, so minor tremors like this were nothing new. With all kinds of precautionary measures in place, no real damage was caused.

As a massive flood of seawater poured in, thick white mist surged into the air, so dense it blocked vision completely. The humidity was overwhelming, providing the perfect cover for the sea monsters’ assault.

Dense swarms of sea monsters slammed in like falling rain. In a blink, the entire crescent-shaped coastline spanning hundreds of kilometers was crawling with them. Every few hundred meters, a Commander-level beast would drop into the fray. The sheer density exceeded all imagination.

In an instant, cruel and bloody combat erupted on every inch of land.

As soon as Mo Fan entered the mist riding Wolfie, the Snow Frost Star Wolf’s Ice Element immediately became active. The damp battlefield was almost perfect terrain for its power. Moisture gathered into frost, frost hardened into blades, and ice spread beneath its paws like a living domain.

Wolfie’s oppressive beast aura rolled forward, causing several lower-level sea monsters to freeze in fear before they could even attack.

Likewise, Zhao Manyan felt the water-element dominant field around him. His Water Element became unusually smooth, as if every breath was connected to the tide itself.

His eyes brightened.

“This place… it really suits Water Mages.”

Mo Fan glanced back. “Then stop wasting the environment. Use it.”

“Who’s approaching? This is an active sea monster assault zone. Unauthorized personnel are not permitted. Please show your identification!”

From within the mist, a squad of Sound Element military mages came forward to intercept them.

Mo Fan had no time to waste. He raised his voice and shouted, “Chinese National Team! Our members are inside!”

The Sound Element mages hesitated for only a moment before another explosion erupted in the distance. A large shadow of a sea monster crashed into one of the nearby buildings, causing screams to echo through the mist.

Mo Fan did not wait for their permission.

Wolfie leapt forward, carrying him past the intercepting squad in a streak of frost.

Zhao Manyan quickly followed behind, throwing up a Water Barrier to block the flying debris as he shouted, “Don’t mind us, we’re here to help!”

The Sound Element military mages watched the two figures vanish into the mist, stunned for a moment.

“Was that… a Commander-level Ice wolf?”

“And that young mage was riding it?”

Before they could think further, the sea monsters ahead surged again, forcing them back into battle.