Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Fraud? Betrayal!
Ignoring the two others, Lu Jun carefully reflected on the water-element spells he had just cast. He had to admit that large-scale area-of-effect spells were incredibly useful. With one attack, he had wiped out over a hundred servant-class demon creatures. Even a high-level mage at the peak of their power couldn't achieve something this absurd.
Moreover, the unique effect of Tidal Wave was unlikely to be as powerful in the hands of ordinary water mages. By the time he cast the third wave, he felt a bit out of control and had to rely on his mental energy to guide it. This spell was clearly a perfect match for him, and only in his hands could Tidal Wave demonstrate such devastating power.
Meanwhile, Captain Liang was still in a state of repeated shock, unable to recover for a long time.
Even the two members of the Black Vatican hiding in a remote part of Bo City swallowed nervously. Bai Yang hesitated and said, "We can't force this. I'll use strategy instead."
Adjusting his "disguise," he restored the upright and stern demeanor of a soldier. Riding on his summoned Shadow Wolf, he leaped across the water and charged toward the building while shouting, "Captain Liang, are you there? I'm from the military sent by General Zhan Kong. How's the Holy Spring holding up?"
At these words, the three people upstairs were stunned. They looked down with varied expressions. Captain Liang heaved a sigh of relief, Mo Fan frowned, and Lu Jun, recognizing the newcomer, smirked playfully.
In no time, both sides gathered at the top of the building.
Out of breath, Bai Yang maintained a serious expression. He saluted and said, "I'm Bai Yang, under General Zhan Kong's command, here to retrieve the Holy Spring so the military can secure it and prevent it from falling into the Black Vatican's hands."
Captain Liang was overjoyed. "Fantastic! With the military involved, there's no way anything could go wrong. What's the situation outside the city now?"
Hearing this, Mo Fan felt something was off but hesitated to speak.
"Wait a moment," Lu Jun decisively interrupted. "I have a question."
Bai Yang's heart skipped a beat, sensing danger, though he maintained a stern facade. "What's your question?"
Lu Jun sneered. "First, we've already cleared out the Black Vatican. What are you doing here? Stealing credit? Second, I'm suspicious of your identity."
"Comrade, what nonsense are you spouting?" Bai Yang's tone became agitated. "How could you doubt the military's integrity?"
Captain Liang tried to ease the situation, but Lu Jun acted swiftly, casting a combination of psychic magic and curse magic that he had rarely used. His eyes, typically black and white, gleamed with an eerie light—his left eye turned pitch black while his right eye glowed pale white.
Psychic Impact and Mist of Fear—both basic-level spells—were unleashed simultaneously.
His eyes emitted a powerful mental force laced with an ominous chill. The Psychic Ripple broke through Bai Yang's mental defense, and the level-three Nightmare clouded his mind.
Bai Yang froze in place, his face contorted with terror. Reflected in his eyes were black and white hues.
Captain Liang was startled. "What are you doing? Attacking the military?"
Lu Jun ignored him and coldly questioned, "Who are you?"
Bai Yang trembled violently, his face twisted. Lu Jun frowned, sensing that the dream he had crafted was being disrupted by another force—a residual psychic imprint from the Black Vatican's brainwashing.
Fortunately, Bai Yang was only a basic-level mage, and the mental barrier wasn't strong enough to resist Lu Jun's dual-element mastery.
Finally, Bai Yang revealed the truth: "I... I'm Bai Yang, a black-robed priest under the High Deacon Hu Jin of the Black Vatican, infiltrating Bo City's military."
Captain Liang was stunned, his worldview shattered for the umpteenth time that day.
Lu Jun released his hold, and Bai Yang collapsed to the ground, gasping in terror. He clenched his teeth and glared at Lu Jun.
"You!" Bai Yang tried to channel his magic, but as soon as he activated his Star Path, the red eyes of his Nightmare reappeared in his mind, disrupting his spell. He cried out in pain, clutching his chest as the Mist of Fear's curse took hold.
Lu Jun smiled faintly. Psychic and curse magic were indeed the perfect countermeasures against the Black Vatican
"Shadow Wolf, kill him!" Bai Yang commanded, hoping to use his summoned beast to turn the tide.
However, no matter how much he shouted, the Shadow Wolf didn't move. Instead, it bowed its head submissively in front of Lu Jun, who was calmly petting it.
This scene was beyond eerie and utterly mysterious.
Seeing this, Bai Yang fell into despair. There was nothing more powerless for a summoner than having their pet betray them.
Lu Jun's pale eyes gleamed as he stroked the Shadow Wolf. "Return."
The massive wolf, standing two meters tall, vanished into the summoning plane. Basic-level summoning could only sustain the summoned beast for a short time, as the energy from the Star Path was quickly depleted. Only with intermediate-level Contract Summoning could a mage maintain their summoned beast permanently.
Bai Yang sat on the ground, utterly defeated.
Mo Fan, who had been watching, was dumbfounded. First, it was the spirit seed, then curse magic—he couldn't wrap his head around any of it. Ever since the Holy Spring had been brought up, he'd felt like an outsider in the battle.
Captain Liang sighed deeply, his expression complicated. "I never expected so many traitors among Bo City's higher-ups. What should we do with the Holy Spring? I feel like it's not safe to hand it over to anyone."
Mo Fan narrowed his eyes, an idea forming in his mind. He hesitated for a moment before boldly suggesting, "Why don't I absorb it?"
"What?" Captain Liang was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
"Exactly what it sounds like," Mo Fan said firmly. "The Black Vatican won't stop targeting it, and even if we hand it over to higher authorities, it might still get stolen. Since the enemy wants it so badly, why don't we just destroy it? There isn't much energy left in the Holy Spring anyway, so better to use it than lose it."
Captain Liang hesitated, his expression numb from the absurdity of the day.
Mo Fan turned to Lu Jun with pleading eyes. Among the three of them, Lu Jun held the greatest authority due to his overwhelming strength. Ultimately, it was up to him to decide how the Holy Spring would be handled.
Lu Jun smirked, understanding Mo Fan's intentions. "It makes sense. Most importantly, Mo Fan was supposed to use the Holy Spring to advance his cultivation, but the situation interrupted him. I think letting him absorb it is acceptable."
"Wahoo!" Mo Fan cheered excitedly, blurting out, "Brother Lu—no, Dad! You're the best!"
Captain Liang said nothing, watching as the two teenagers essentially decided to commit sanctioned theft. After some thought, he chose to turn a blind eye.
Mo Fan sat cross-legged, facing away from the others. Quietly, he fed a small vial of the Holy Spring's essence to the Little Loach Pendant, using its energy to break through the intermediate-level barriers for his fire and lightning elements.
In the end, while the process differed, the outcome was the same.
Lu Jun had his own considerations. Beyond the practical benefits of helping Mo Fan grow stronger and using the Holy Spring to bait the Black Vatican and other forces, he knew that future calamities required the awakening of the Azure Dragon Totem. Without it, they were doomed.
Besides, Lu Jun thought with a smirk, he wasn't doing this for free. Bo City had been largely preserved with minimal losses. The various factions owed him a favor. Surely a few million in compensation wasn't too much to ask?
As a precaution, Lu Jun secretly kept a single drop of the Holy Spring for use in the plans for the Ancient Capital.
While Mo Fan focused on refining the Holy Spring, Lu Jun sat cross-legged, recovering the energy in his two star clouds. Outside the city, the demon horde was still present. The battle wasn't over yet!
[For additional chapters....
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
Patreon. Com/ALLISWELL123]
Also can you guys leave Review and maybe few Power Stones