Chapter 221: Manyan Manyan
Crash!
Inside Zhao Manyan’s spiritual world, the dark-blue nebula that represented his Water Element suddenly let out a loud rumble. The star cloud expanded violently, its boundaries tearing open as countless stars surged outward like a river breaking through a dam.
A vast dark-blue Star River gradually formed.
Water Element—High Tier achieved!
Zhao Manyan’s eyes snapped open. For a moment, he felt as if his entire body had been submerged in a boundless ocean. The moisture in the air, the faint dampness left behind by Tokyo’s gloomy weather, even the water vapor clinging to the window glass all seemed to become unusually vivid.
His Water Element had finally crossed the threshold.
He already possessed High Tier Light, giving him one of the strongest defensive foundations among the National Team members. Now that his Water Element had also reached High Tier, his role was no longer merely that of a rich young master hiding behind shields. Light and Water together meant protection, recovery, endurance, and battlefield stability.
More importantly, the clue to the Water Elemental Spirit was now in his hands.
If he wanted that spirit to recognize him, High Tier Water was only the beginning.
As Zhao Manyan immersed himself in the joy of the breakthrough, a faint brown glow quietly appeared in the corner of his spiritual world.
It was small, dim, and still unstable, but it was undeniably a new Stardust.
Earth Element.
Basic level.
Zhao Manyan stared inwardly at it for a long while before suddenly laughing.
“Light, Water, and Earth… isn’t this young master becoming the perfect defensive mage?”
Compared to Mo Fan’s violent path of Fire, Lightning, Summoning, Shadow, Space, and Light, Zhao Manyan’s growth clearly leaned toward survival and protection. His Light Element was already High Tier. His Water Element had just entered High Tier. Now that Earth had awakened, even if it was still only Basic level, the foundation of a true defensive mage had been laid.
Zhao Manyan could already imagine it.
Light would protect from above.
Water would flow and shield from all directions.
Earth would stabilize the battlefield beneath his feet.
And if he obtained the Water Elemental Spirit, his Water Magic might no longer be ordinary. It might become the core of his future path.
For once, Zhao Manyan did not immediately run out to brag. He sat quietly for a while, carefully stabilizing his newly formed Water Star River.
Not long after, the National Team mentors arrived and summoned everyone.
In the hotel lobby, five mentors stood side by side. Feng Li’s expression remained stern and unsmiling, while Dean Xiao looked gentler, his gaze sweeping over the gathered students.
Ai Jiangtu stood at the front as the official captain.
Mo Fan stood slightly to the side.
Although Mo Fan was only the vice captain in official standing, everyone present already understood his true weight. In terms of status and team value, he was recognized as second only to Ai Jiangtu. But in terms of actual combat power, battlefield dominance, and killing efficiency, Mo Fan was already number one by a huge margin.
The Sea Battle City incident had made that impossible to deny.
He had slaughtered through an entire street of sea monsters, forced Commander-level creatures to retreat, rescued the team’s defensive line, and even earned the respect of the Japanese mages stationed in the region.
Even Feng Li, no matter how strict he was, could not treat Mo Fan as an ordinary student anymore.
Feng Li glanced over the group and spoke flatly, “Everyone is here, right? Seems like Mu Ningxue is the only one who hasn’t reached High Tier.”
The lobby became silent.
Mu Ningxue did not respond.
There was nothing to say.
No matter how outstanding her performance had been, no matter how many times she had saved the team, the fact remained that she had not crossed the High Tier threshold. In the National Team, strength was measured brutally. Talent mattered, but cultivation level mattered even more.
Song He glanced at Mu Ningxue and spoke up. “Her performance in Sea Battle City was excellent. According to Captain Ai Jiangtu’s report, Mu Ningxue made several key contributions. She hunted the White Weeping Demon alone and retrieved the antidote for Nanrong Ni. If not for her, the team’s losses would have been far greater.”
Jiang Shaoxu also stepped forward. “Mentor, I think Mu Ningxue is very important to the team. She hasn’t reached High Tier yet, but if she receives a Star River Vein, she can definitely cross that threshold. Her talent is clear to everyone.”
Mu Tingying frowned slightly.
A Star River Vein was not a small resource. Everyone here had multiple elements to cultivate, and even those who had already reached High Tier still needed more resources to stabilize and improve. Why should such a precious opportunity be handed to Mu Ningxue alone?
Feng Li’s face did not change.
“I know her performance was good,” he said. “But rules are rules. Your new teammate has already flown to Japan and will arrive tomorrow. Mu Ningxue, pack your things. You will return to China with us.”
Once Feng Li spoke, the others had nothing more to say.
Mo Fan’s expression immediately darkened.
He had expected this, but hearing it directly still made his chest feel heavy. Mu Ningxue stood quietly in the rain-gray light outside the hotel windows, her silver-white hair falling across her shoulders. Her expression was calm, but anyone who understood her could see the unwillingness hidden beneath that calm.
Mo Fan stepped forward.
Zhao Manyan quickly grabbed his arm and whispered, “Old Mo, don’t be impulsive. You’re vice captain now. National Team slots are incredibly precious. You can’t just throw yours away.”
Mo Fan glanced at him. “Do I look like I’m throwing it away?”
“You look like you’re about to fight the mentors,” Zhao Manyan muttered.
Mo Fan ignored him and looked directly at Feng Li.
“Mentor Feng Li, if the issue is resources, I can provide her Star River Vein myself,” Mo Fan said. “If the issue is rules, then let her enter the National Pavilion as a Pavilion Keeper. Give her a path back instead of cutting her off completely.”
Everyone was stunned.
Mu Ningxue turned and looked at Mo Fan in surprise.
Feng Li’s eyes narrowed. “Mo Fan, do you understand what you are saying?”
“I understand clearly,” Mo Fan replied. “Mu Ningxue isn’t weak. She lacks resources. If the team abandons someone like her just because she didn’t have enough backing to force a breakthrough, that’s the team’s loss.”
The lobby fell silent.
Mo Fan’s words were blunt, but no one could easily refute them.
Feng Li said coldly, “The National Team does not operate on personal feelings.”
“Then treat it as a strategic judgment,” Mo Fan said calmly. “Her Ice Element is valuable. Her talent is high. Her combat judgment is strong. Once she reaches High Tier, she’ll immediately become one of the strongest members in the team.”
Mu Tingying’s expression became ugly.
Jiang Shaoxu’s eyes brightened slightly.
Even Ai Jiangtu looked at Mo Fan with a trace of approval. As the official captain, he could not openly challenge the mentors too strongly, but Mo Fan was different. Mo Fan had enough recent battle merit and personal strength to speak with weight.
Feng Li stared at Mo Fan for a long while.
If someone else had said this, he would have scolded them back immediately.
But Mo Fan was not someone else.
Officially, he was the vice captain. In terms of value, he was the second most important person in the National Team. In reality, his combat strength had already become the greatest pillar of the team.
Dean Xiao smiled faintly and stepped forward. “Young people are emotional, but Mo Fan’s point is not unreasonable. Mu Ningxue’s talent is indeed outstanding. If she is willing to enter the National Pavilion and fight her way back, then perhaps we should give her that chance.”
Feng Li’s iron-green face eased slightly, though he was still displeased.
He looked toward Mu Ningxue. “What do you think?”
Mu Ningxue slowly raised her head.
“I’ve already packed my things,” she said calmly. “But there is something I wanted to ask the mentors.”
Feng Li said, “Speak.”
“Those who perform well in the National Pavilion have the opportunity to be promoted to the National Team,” Mu Ningxue said. “I would like to know if I can become a Pavilion Keeper after leaving the National Team.”
Her words surprised all five mentors.
Generally speaking, eliminated contestants left quietly. It was not exactly a glorious matter. Yet Mu Ningxue, who had been eliminated, was asking for a position in the National Pavilion instead.
The Pavilion Keepers were essentially the second team of the National Government selection, the backups among substitutes. Their original purpose was to allow magical exchanges with other countries before the Venice showdown.
But in all past selections, there had rarely been someone eliminated halfway who chose to start again from that position.
Feng Li looked at her for a while.
“It seems you’re quite determined,” he said.
“Is it allowed?” Mu Ningxue asked.
“Of course,” Feng Li replied. “Your strength is more than enough to become a Pavilion Keeper. But you should understand that the National Team has basically reached High Tier now. If you cannot cross that threshold, your hopes remain slim. Every team and every individual is constantly improving, especially the official National Team members. Do you really think you can fight your way back?”
Mu Ningxue did not answer immediately.
She had no guarantee.
She could have left with pride. With her talent and current cultivation, she would not be reduced to an ordinary mage in society. She could still live freely if she wished.
But if she made that choice, she knew she would regret it for the rest of her life.
What she wanted was not comfort.
What she wanted was to keep surpassing herself, to stand at the peak of magic, not only for herself, but also for the small family that was gradually decaying and falling apart behind her.
“I will come back,” Mu Ningxue said.
Feng Li nodded. “Good. I hope you do well at the National Pavilion.”
Mo Fan looked at her quietly.
He did not say anything more, but the Star River Vein he had prepared was still in his possession. Whether she accepted it now or later, he had already made up his mind to help her cross that threshold.
When Mu Ningxue left to pack her things, the atmosphere in the lobby gradually changed.
The mentors began distributing resource rewards.
This time, the rewards were extremely generous. Most official members received a Star River Vein or equivalent cultivation resources. Everyone’s eyes lit up when they received their share.
Zhao Manyan, however, was slightly different.
His Zhao family had already sent over several Star River Veins, and he had just used them to force his Water Element into High Tier. His Light Element had already reached High Tier before this, and after the breakthrough, he had awakened Basic Earth as his new element.
Because of that, his reward was adjusted into Water Element resources meant to stabilize his newly formed Water Star River.
Zhao Manyan accepted them with a grin.
He knew better than anyone that this was exactly what he needed.
If he wanted to search for the Water Elemental Spirit from the Sleeping Sea Eye, stabilizing his Water Element was more important than anything else.
Mo Fan also received his share.
As vice captain and the greatest contributor during the Sea Battle City crisis, his reward was higher than most. Officially, Ai Jiangtu still ranked above him as captain, but everyone knew Mo Fan’s actual combat contribution was the largest.
For a brief moment, Mo Fan felt his wallet becoming fat again.
But that feeling lasted only briefly.
Fire, Lightning, Summoning, Shadow, Space, Light—every element needed resources. Little Flame Belle needed nourishment. Little Lightning Belle needed growth materials. Wolfie needed beast resources to further awaken his Emperor bloodline. Mu Ningxue needed a Star River Vein. Zhao Manyan’s future Water Elemental Spirit expedition would also require preparation.
No matter how much money came in, Mo Fan always felt it disappearing before he could even warm his hands with it.
Several days passed in a flash.
In the hotel where the National Team was staying, auras of High Tier magic rose one after another from the rooms. Clearly, everyone had made significant breakthroughs.
Zhao Manyan’s room was especially obvious.
First came the bright, steady aura of High Tier Light. Then came the newly formed dark-blue Water Star River, surging like a tide. Finally, a faint brown Stardust appeared, small but stable, marking the awakening of his Basic Earth Element.
When Zhao Manyan walked out, his whole temperament seemed slightly different.
He still looked lazy and unreliable, but his magical foundation had changed completely.
High Tier Light.
High Tier Water.
Basic Earth.
His defensive path was becoming more complete.
Mo Fan glanced at him and said, “Not bad. You finally look a little useful.”
Zhao Manyan’s face darkened. “Can you say one nice thing without stabbing me?”
“You’re rich,” Mo Fan said.
“That’s not praise!”
Mo Fan smiled and ignored him.
At this moment, the National Team members were all busy consolidating their gains. Mo Fan was no exception. He stayed in his room, refining the soul energy Little Loach had absorbed from Sea Battle City.
Dim blue soul lights flowed through the Little Loach Pendant one after another, nourishing his stars and stabilizing his Star Rivers.
Mo Fan sat cross-legged, quietly sorting out his current strength.
His Fire Element was High Tier Level Two.
His Lightning Element was High Tier Level One, strengthened by a powerful spirit seed amplification.
His Summoning Element was High Tier Level One, and with Snow Frost Star Wolf comparable to a Mid Commander, this element already had terrifying practical value.
His Shadow Element remained Intermediate Level Three.
His Space Element had Level Three mental strength, giving him powerful perception and battlefield control.
His Light Element was Basic Level Three.
In official standing, he was vice captain, second to Ai Jiangtu.
But in terms of actual overall power, Mo Fan knew very clearly that no one in the team could match him.
Not even close.
He slowly opened his eyes.
The next steps were clear.
Strengthen Wolfie.
Help Mu Ningxue advance.
Prepare Zhao Manyan for the Water Elemental Spirit.
And continue turning every battlefield into resources for his own growth.
Just as Mo Fan was preparing to continue cultivating, Zhao Manyan pushed open the door and walked in without knocking.
“Old Mo,” Zhao Manyan said, holding Master Qixiu’s old map in his hand. “I checked the tide records. In three days, there’ll be a moonless night.”
Mo Fan’s eyes sharpened.
The moonless night.
According to Master Qixiu, that was when the currents around the Sleeping Sea Eye would become silent and the aura of the Water Elemental Spirit would be easiest to sense.
Zhao Manyan took a deep breath. His usual frivolous smile faded, replaced by rare seriousness.
“I want to go.”
Mo Fan looked at him for a moment. “You just reached High Tier Water. Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” Zhao Manyan said. “If I keep waiting until everything is perfectly safe, I’ll never get it. You said it yourself—Elemental Spirits don’t choose people who are half-hearted.”
Mo Fan smiled faintly.
This guy had finally started to look like someone who wanted to become stronger.
“Good,” Mo Fan said. “Then prepare yourself. We leave in three days.”
Zhao Manyan grinned. “With you helping, this young master’s Water Elemental Spirit is basically guaranteed.”
Mo Fan gave him a look. “Don’t dream too early. If a Monarch-level creature shows up, I’m throwing you into the sea and running.”
Zhao Manyan’s face froze.
“Can you not say terrifying things so casually?”
Mo Fan stood up and looked out the window toward the distant sea.
Beyond Tokyo’s lights, beyond the Sea Battle City walls, the ocean stretched endlessly into darkness. Somewhere beneath that black water lay the Sleeping Sea Eye, the elemental merfolk tribe, and a possible Water Elemental Spirit.
For Zhao Manyan, it might be the beginning of a true transformation.
For Mo Fan, it was another dangerous journey.
But danger meant opportunity.
And opportunity meant resources.
Mo Fan’s lips curled slightly.
“Three days,” he murmured.
The hunt for the Water Elemental Spirit was about to begin.