Mo Fan at his best – Versatile Mage

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Mu Ningxue couldn’t help but lower her head and look at herself.

She had been able to maintain that calm attitude in front of the mentors and the team members just now, but for some reason, once she was alone in the room, she felt particularly uncomfortable.

After all, she had worked hard for ten years.

Ten years of cold cultivation, ten years of pressure, ten years of expectations from others and from herself.

After so much effort, the result was still this.

Eliminated.

The thought of her loved ones scattering and leaving made her miss the small manor in Bo City even more. Although that place had already been destroyed, it was still where she had been born. It was the place where, long ago, she could hide in her room and not worry about the storms and lightning outside.

So many things had changed in just a few short years.

Yu Ang had been exposed as a member of the Black Vatican. Mu He, who had once hidden beside them for so long, was also revealed as a leader of the Black Vatican. Overnight, the Mu family branch in Bo City was dragged into disaster. Relatives were imprisoned, investigated, insulted, and abandoned. Even after some people were cleared of suspicion, the stain left behind could not be washed away so easily.

Her family, her surname, her future—everything had been shaken.

Just as Mu Ningxue was feeling down, Mu Zhuoyun called her.

When she heard from her father that she might not even be allowed to continue using the Mu surname, Mu Ningxue froze for a moment.

Almost instinctively, she wanted to ask why.

But the words stopped in her throat.

She understood.

She understood too clearly.

The main Mu Clan had already decided to abandon them.

No matter how hard she had worked, no matter how much she had endured, once her value dropped below their expectations, she was nothing more than a chess piece that could be discarded.

After ending the call, Mu Ningxue sat there quietly for a long time.

Then she stood up and walked outside.

When Mo Fan arrived, he happened to see Mu Ningxue walking back from the corridor.

Clearly, she had gone to reject Guan Yu.

That guy really was like a fish bone stuck in the throat—annoying, persistent, and hard to ignore.

Mo Fan leaned against the wall, watching her approach. His expression looked casual, but his eyes were serious.

“Although you’re in a terrible state right now,” Mo Fan said, “I still plan to take advantage of this timing.”

Mu Ningxue stopped.

“?”

She was already in a low mood and did not want to talk much, but Mo Fan had directly blocked her way. Hearing his words, she looked at him with some confusion, not understanding what he meant.

Mo Fan did not keep joking.

“Everything I told you before was true,” he said. “Whether you believed it or not, what I’m going to talk about now is your Ice Bow.”

Mu Ningxue’s eyes changed slightly.

Mo Fan continued, “Putting aside the origin of that Ice Bow, there’s one thing you should think about carefully. Now that the Mu Clan has kicked you away, do you really think they’ll still allow you to continue holding it?”

Mu Ningxue’s expression stiffened.

“I can feel that your Ice Bow was fused into your soul from the very beginning,” Mo Fan said. “Taking the bow away is basically the same as taking your life.”

“If you still intend to keep improving, then there is only one outcome waiting for you. The Mu Clan will forcibly reclaim the bow. At best, you’ll become crippled. At worst, you’ll die.”

At first, Mu Ningxue had been puzzled by Mo Fan’s words, but after hearing this, she finally understood.

The Ice Crystal Bow in her soul had indeed originated from the Mu Clan.

Even the cultivation resources she had received over the years had not been simple resources. Every time her cultivation improved rapidly, the Ice Bow also became stronger, deeper, and more inseparable from her soul.

“You…” Mu Ningxue looked at Mo Fan. “You seem to know a lot about the Mu Clan’s secrets.”

Mo Fan thought to himself that there were many things in this world he did not know, but when it came to Mu Ningxue, he knew quite a lot.

He nodded and said, “Of course. I even know many things you don’t.”

Mu Ningxue frowned. “How?”

“That’s not important right now,” Mo Fan said. “What’s important is that you still have a chance to change things before you leave.”

“I won’t take your help,” Mu Ningxue said.

Mo Fan’s expression immediately became displeased.

“You proud woman,” he said. “If you don’t want my help, then you can just wait for good luck to fall from the sky. If you really get crippled by the Mu Clan, I hope your pride can still protect your father and your people for the rest of their lives.”

Mu Ningxue’s brows tightened.

“I don’t want your help because I don’t want to become a burden to you,” she said.

Mo Fan paused.

Mu Ningxue continued, “Even if you lend me a Star River Vein, I don’t want to take it so casually. You need to understand that the National Team path isn’t only a competition between the dozen or so of us. It is also a battle between the powerful factions, clans, families, and resources standing behind us.”

“You already have many elements to cultivate. Fire, Lightning, Summoning, Shadow, Space, Light… every one of them needs resources. Little Flame Belle, Little Lightning Belle, and Wolfie also need resources. If you keep giving things away, you’ll slow yourself down.”

Mo Fan originally planned to leave.

He did not absolutely need Mu Ningxue to accept his help, nor could he force her to take it. If she truly chose to remain stubborn, what could he do?

But after hearing her words, he stopped.

Then he turned back.

“Even if I stood still for a year,” Mo Fan said calmly, “whether it’s the National Team or my peers, there’s no way they would surpass me.”

It was arrogant.

Extremely arrogant.

But Mu Ningxue could not deny it.

Officially, Mo Fan was only the vice captain of the National Team, second to Ai Jiangtu in standing and value. But in terms of actual power, he was number one by a huge margin. No one in the team could compare to him.

Not even close.

Mu Ningxue shook her head. “Have you ever thought about whether a single Star River Vein can really sustain me?”

“It can help you cross the threshold,” Mo Fan said. “Once you reach High Tier, your Ice Domain will naturally become more complete. Becoming a full member again won’t be difficult for you. At that point, you’ll no longer be without support.”

He looked at her and said, “But if you go back like this, your ending is already in front of you.”

Mu Ningxue fell silent.

Mo Fan’s words were harsh, but they struck the truth.

If she returned to the National Pavilion without reaching High Tier, the Mu Clan would have far too many ways to pressure her. Her surname was Mu. Her Ice Bow came from the Mu Clan. Even if she wanted to resist, without enough strength or prestige, what could she use to resist them?

The answer was simple.

Nothing.

“So,” Mu Ningxue said slowly, “what exactly do you know? And what is the true origin of the Ice Bow?”

Mo Fan looked at her.

“The reason the cultivation resources you received each time could strengthen both you and the bow is because those so-called resources were not ordinary resources,” Mo Fan said. “They were the cultivation accumulation of others over several years.”

Mu Ningxue’s face turned pale.

Mo Fan continued, “If those people were ants, then you were the queen ant. They carried everything to you, feeding you and the Ice Crystal Bow. You were not just cultivating yourself. You were nurturing the bow.”

“Of course, that was before the Mu Clan abandoned you.”

Mo Fan’s voice became colder.

“Now that they’ve decided to discard you, you will no longer be the queen ant. You’ll become one of the ants used to feed someone else.”

After hearing this, Mu Ningxue’s legs went slightly weak.

She found it hard to accept.

She had guessed that the Ice Bow was not simple. She had guessed that the Mu Clan’s support had always come with a price. But she had never expected the truth to be so cruel.

In fact, even without Mu He’s exposure, her outcome might not have been much better.

There were people among the Mu Clan’s upper echelons who disliked her, feared her, or wanted the bow she carried.

They would not allow her to leave unscathed.

No matter how exceptional a genius was, they still had to grow before they could truly decide their own fate.

“How do you know all this?” Mu Ningxue asked.

This kind of thing should have been one of the Mu Clan’s deepest secrets.

How could Mo Fan, an outsider who was not even from a collateral branch, know it?

Mo Fan looked at her and said, “Do you really think I’m destined to be some clueless nobody forever?”

“That’s not what I meant,” Mu Ningxue said quickly.

Mo Fan waved his hand impatiently and interrupted her.

“I do want you,” Mo Fan said bluntly. “I won’t pretend otherwise. But right now, your only chance is in front of you. If you think you don’t need this opportunity, or if you think talent alone can carry you through this, then I can only say good luck.”

Mu Ningxue was not stupid.

Mo Fan had made no attempt to hide what he wanted, but he had also made no attempt to dress his help up as charity.

It was direct.

Straightforward.

And most importantly, he could make his own decisions.

He was not like the Mu Clan, using kindness as a chain.

He was not like Guan Yu, pretending concern while only thinking of possession.

Mo Fan wanted something, but he was also offering a real path.

Without hesitation, Mu Ningxue looked at him and said, “You won’t regret this?”

Mo Fan raised an eyebrow.

Mu Ningxue continued, “I’m already entangled in a lot of trouble. With what you said about the Mu Clan, my future will only become more difficult. If you stand with me, you may also be dragged into it.”

Mo Fan laughed.

“Dragged into it?” he said. “Mu Ningxue, I’ve offended the Black Vatican, killed demons, robbed resources, fought Commander-level creatures, and turned Sea Battle City into my own hunting ground. Do you think I’m afraid of one Mu Clan?”

Mu Ningxue looked at him quietly.

Mo Fan stepped closer.

“The Mu Clan is strong,” he said. “But they’re not strong enough to make me lower my head.”

His voice was calm, but there was no hesitation in it.

“If they want to take your bow, then let them try.”

Mu Ningxue’s heart trembled slightly.

For so many years, she had walked alone.

She had long become used to cold eyes, pressure, expectations, and abandonment. She had also become used to never relying on anyone.

But now, someone was standing in front of her and telling her plainly that he was not afraid of the storm she carried.

She lowered her gaze.

“I don’t know how to repay you,” she said.

Mo Fan smiled. “Then remember it first. I’m not in a rush.”

Mu Ningxue looked at him again.

There was still pride in her eyes, but that pride was no longer sharp enough to push him away completely.

After a long silence, she finally said, “I’ll accept the Star River Vein.”

Mo Fan’s smile widened.

“That’s more like it.”

“But,” Mu Ningxue said, “this is not charity. I will pay you back.”

“Sure,” Mo Fan said casually. “Pay me back slowly. Interest can be discussed later.”

Mu Ningxue frowned slightly. “Interest?”

Mo Fan looked at her seriously. “At least don’t keep looking at me like I’m some villain taking advantage of a crisis.”

Mu Ningxue was silent for a moment.

Then, very faintly, the corners of her lips softened.

It was not quite a smile.

But for Mu Ningxue, it was already rare.

Outside the window, Japan’s gloomy rain continued to fall. The cold drizzle blurred the lights of Tokyo, making the world outside look distant and unreal.

Inside the room, Mo Fan handed over the Star River Vein.

The diamond-like cultivation treasure shimmered with brilliant light. Dense energy pulsed within it, like a river of stars sealed inside crystal.

Mu Ningxue looked at it for a long while before reaching out.

The moment her fingers touched it, the Ice Crystal Bow hidden deep within her soul stirred faintly.

A cold aura spread silently through the room.

Mo Fan felt it immediately.

His eyes narrowed.

The bow was even more dangerous than he had expected.

It was not just a weapon.

It was a parasite, a bloodline inheritance, a soul-bound curse, and a source of power all at once.

If Mu Ningxue could control it, it would become one of the strongest Ice tools in the world.

If she failed, it would devour her.

Mu Ningxue also sensed the bow’s movement. Her expression became solemn.

Mo Fan said, “Don’t let it lead you. You’re the master. It’s the bow.”

Mu Ningxue nodded gently.

“I know.”

Mo Fan turned and walked toward the door.

“Cultivate properly,” he said. “Reach High Tier before anyone from the Mu Clan comes looking for you.”

Mu Ningxue held the Star River Vein tightly.

“And you?” she asked.

Mo Fan stopped.

“I have my own things to prepare,” he said. “Zhao Manyan’s Water Elemental Spirit, Wolfie’s next strengthening, the Condensed Evil Bead’s purification, and my own cultivation. I’m busy.”

Mu Ningxue looked at his back.

For some reason, the pressure in her heart felt a little lighter.

Before Mo Fan opened the door, she suddenly said, “Mo Fan.”

“What?”

“Thank you.”

Mo Fan paused for a moment, then smiled.

“Remember that. I’ll collect properly in the future.”

After saying that, he pushed the door open and left.

Mu Ningxue stood alone in the room, the Star River Vein glowing in her hands. The cold rain outside continued, but the room no longer felt as suffocating as before.

She sat cross-legged on the bed.

The Ice Crystal Bow trembled within her soul.

The Star River Vein released a brilliant stream of energy.

Mu Ningxue closed her eyes.

If the Mu Clan wanted to take everything from her, then she would become strong enough that no one could take anything again.

High Tier.

She had to break through.