"I'll do as you say," Mu He said at last, his voice hoarse.
"But remember your promise. If you ever break it… I'll drag you down with me, no matter the cost."
Mu Feng looked at him calmly, without the slightest hint of fear.
"Don't worry," he replied evenly.
"You won't need to."
He glanced toward Fang Ning.
"Grandpa. Heal him. Leaving him like this will raise suspicion."
Fang Ning nodded, utterly unbothered.
"Very well."
He rose from his seat and stepped toward Mu He.
"Come here," Fang Ning said calmly.
"Extend your hand."
The curse binding Mu He loosened just enough for him to move. Suppressing the pain still wracking his body, Mu He stepped forward and did as instructed.
The moment Fang Ning grasped his wrist—
A thin black thread manifested out of thin air, wrapping tightly around both of their hands. Fang Ning began chanting softly, his voice low and rhythmic, filled with ancient authority.
The black thread pulsed once… twice…
Then vanished completely.
Fang Ning released Mu He's hand.
"I've placed a curse upon you," Fang Ning said calmly.
"If you ever betray us—whether through action or intent—you will die."
Mu He's breath caught.
"The most painful death imaginable."
Mu He hesitated, then asked carefully,
"Will anyone be able to detect it?"
Fang Ning's lips curved faintly.
"Unless they are at my level," he replied,
"and specialize in the Curse Element, no one will even sense its existence."
Mu He nodded slowly, a mixture of fear and relief washing over him.
Fang Ning then reached into his dimensional space and took out a small crystal vial filled with shimmering liquid.
"Drink this," he said, tossing it to Mu He.
"It's a high-grade healing potion. Your injuries will recover completely."
Mu He caught the vial instinctively.
"And after that," Fang Ning continued coldly,
"clean this room. Not a trace must remain."
His gaze sharpened.
"No blood. No residue. No clues."
He paused.
"Do you understand?"
"Yes," Mu He replied immediately.
Without wasting another second, Mu He wiped the blood from his face with a handkerchief, drank the potion, and felt warmth spread rapidly through his body. The swelling receded, broken bones mended, and his torn flesh knit itself back together.
Once finished, he meticulously cleaned the coffee table, the floor, and every surface he had touched—leaving the room spotless.
Only when everything was restored did he bow deeply.
"…Thank you."
Without another word, Mu He turned and left the room.
The door closed softly behind him.
Silence returned.
Mu Feng leaned back slightly, exhaling slowly.
Now that only the two of them remained in the room, Mu Feng finally spoke.
"How was it?" he asked quietly.
Fang Ning took a sip of his tea before answering, his expression calm and composed.
"You did well," he said.
"Coercion backed by absolute force, followed by targeting his emotional weakness—this is one of the most effective methods of extracting intelligence."
He set the teacup down.
"But you should also understand why he submitted so easily."
Mu Feng nodded.
"I know," he replied.
"It's because he was afraid of you. Without that fear, it would've taken ten times the effort to make him open his mouth."
Fang Ning's eyes flickered with approval.
"It's good that you understand reality," he said.
"Power is the foundation of all negotiations."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"And I'll admit—I'm impressed."
He leaned back slightly.
"Now that this matter is settled, we'll take the bow and leave Bo City soon. From this point onward, your only focus should be cultivation."
Then Fang Ning glanced at Mu Feng.
"By the way," he added casually,
"the spirit essences I gave you—was it successful?"
"Yes, Grandpa," Mu Feng replied.
"It was successful."
He continued calmly,
"The pendant has already surpassed the level of a Soul-Grade Stardust Cultivation Tool. It now increases my cultivation efficiency by roughly seventy percent."
Fang Ning raised an eyebrow.
"…Seventy percent?"
Then he chuckled softly.
"Good," he said.
"It seems my investment paid off."
His expression shifted subtly.
"Now," he continued,
"return the other one."
Mu Feng blinked.
"But Grandpa," he protested lightly,
"you said that one was for me."
Fang Ning shot him a flat look.
"Don't play smart with me," he said bluntly.
"I lent it to you."
He leaned forward slightly.
"That item is extremely precious. There are only a handful of them in the entire clan."
Mu Feng sighed.
"Alright, alright."
He removed the Stardust Cultivation Tool from his hand and placed it on the table, sliding it toward Fang Ning.
"Here. Take it."
Fang Ning accepted it without ceremony and stored it away.
"Good," he said.
"Now go back to your room. I'll call you when it's time."
"Yes, Grandpa."
Mu Feng stood, bowed lightly, and left the room.
Back in his quarters, he sat down once more and closed his eyes.
Mana stirred.
Stars ignited.
And Mu Feng returned to cultivation—
fully aware that the real storm was only just beginning.
Soon, the day quietly came to an end, and dinner time arrived.
Seated at the dining table were Mu Feng, Fang Ning, Mu Zhuoyun, Mu He, Pan Xi, and Mu Yuang.
One seat, however, remained conspicuously empty.
Mu Ningxue was absent—once again.
Since the day Fang Ning and Mu Feng had arrived in Bo City, she had appeared only once, on the very first day. After that, she seemed to have vanished entirely. Not even a glimpse of her could be found within the Mu Clan residence, as if she were deliberately avoiding everyone.
Mu Feng noted this silently but said nothing.
Dinner passed without incident.
Once the meal concluded, Fang Ning placed his chopsticks down and rose from his seat. His gaze swept calmly across the table before he spoke:
"Xiao Feng. Pan Xi. Come with me to my room."
Then his eyes shifted toward Mu Zhuoyun and Mu He.
"You two as well," he added indifferently.
"And bring your daughter."
He paused briefly.
"Ten minutes."
With that, Fang Ning turned and left the dining hall.
Mu Feng stood immediately, Pan Xi following behind him without a word. The atmosphere at the table grew noticeably heavier as they watched the three figures disappear down the corridor.
Something decisive was about to happen.
And everyone present could feel it.
As they walked toward Fang Ning's room, Mu Feng slowed his steps slightly and leaned closer to his grandfather.
"Grandpa," he said quietly, his voice low enough that only Fang Ning could hear,
"I need to speak with you in private."
Fang Ning glanced at him briefly, then nodded.
"Alright."
When they reached the door, Fang Ning stopped and turned to Pan Xi.
"Wait outside," he said calmly.
"Enter only when I call for you."
Pan Xi nodded without question and stepped aside.
Fang Ning then looked at Mu Feng.
"Come in."
The door closed behind them.
Inside the room, Fang Ning wasted no time. He turned and spoke directly:
"Say it quickly. The others will arrive soon."
Mu Feng took a breath.
"Grandpa… I want to try something."
Fang Ning's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What is it?"
"I want to see if I can hold two talents."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"No," Fang Ning replied immediately.
"Have I not already told you? One person cannot possess two talents. That conclusion was reached after direct experimentation."
Mu Feng didn't back down.
"Then tell me," he said calmly,
"what talents were involved in those experiments?"
Fang Ning frowned but answered.
"There is a record. One was a talent that could relaese two spells at once. The other was an Innate Talent that increased star-connection speed."
He paused, his expression serious.
"As a result, the latter talent disappeared completely. Only the former remained."
He looked directly at Mu Feng.
"You already possess an extraordinary talent. It is not worth risking it for a mere Innate Spirit Seed."
Mu Feng nodded slowly.
"Grandpa… was that the only experiment ever conducted?"
Fang Ning's gaze sharpened.
"Yes," he replied firmly.
"Do you think innate talents are stones lying on the street? That was the only opportunity, and the conclusion was clear."
Mu Feng didn't argue immediately.
Instead, he spoke after a brief pause.
"Grandpa… I believe it can work."
Fang Ning turned fully toward him.
"How?" he asked.
"Explain."
Mu Feng met his gaze steadily.
"From what I understand," he said,
"talents like mine can be considered primary talents—they affect all elements equally."
He continued carefully:
"But Mu Ningxue's talent is different. It targets only a specific element."
Fang Ning's eyes flickered.
"If that's the case," Mu Feng said,
"then they shouldn't conflict."
He spoke with absolute conviction.
"If it succeeds, we can later transfer other talents to my remaining elements."
"And if it fails…"
He exhaled softly.
"Mu Ningxue's talent itself is not weak. Nothing is truly lost."
Fang Ning fell silent.
He stared at Mu Feng for a long moment, weighing every word.
"This is a very large gamble," Fang Ning said finally.
"I'll ask you one last time."
His voice was heavy.
"Are you absolutely certain?"
Mu Feng did not hesitate.
"Yes."
Fang Ning closed his eyes and let out a slow breath.
"…Very well."
He opened them again, resolve hardening.
"Since you are willing to take the risk," he said,
"then we'll do as you say."
A knock sounded at the door.
"Elder," Pan Xi's voice came from outside, calm and respectful.
"They have arrived."
"Let them in," Fang Ning replied.
The door opened, and Mu Zhuoyun, Mu He, and Mu Ningxue entered the room together.
Fang Ning gestured lightly.
"Sit."
His voice carried unquestionable authority.
Mu Feng and Fang Ning took their seats on the sofa. Pan Xi sat to their left, his posture straight and composed.
Opposite them, Mu Zhuoyun and Mu He sat down respectfully, with Mu Ningxue seated between them. Her expression was calm, restrained—yet her eyes carried a quiet vigilance, as if she already sensed that this meeting was anything but ordinary.
Mu Zhuoyun broke the silence first, his brows knitted slightly.
"Elder," he asked cautiously,
"why have you called all of us here?"
Fang Ning did not answer him directly.
"Pan Xi will explain," he said calmly.
Pan Xi stood up.
His expression was neutral, his tone steady—professional to the core.
"We are here," Pan Xi said,
"because of the Ice Crystal Bow fragment in Mu Ningxue's possession."
The moment those words were spoken—
Mu Ningxue's pupils contracted.
Mu Zhuoyun's expression changed instantly, his back stiffening.
"The Ice Crystal Bow fragment…?" Mu Zhuoyun asked slowly.
"What does the Elder want with it?"
Fang Ning's gaze remained cold and unwavering.
"We have developed certain suspicions regarding that fragment," he replied.
"Thus, we came to investigate."
He turned his eyes toward Pan Xi.
"Pan Xi. Present your report."
"Yes, Elder."
Pan Xi inclined his head slightly before continuing.
"According to my observations," he said evenly,
"Mu Ningxue's connection with the Ice Crystal Bow fragment has been artificially deepened."
The room went still.
Pan Xi continued, his words precise and merciless.
"This deepened resonance was not achieved naturally—"
"—and it was done without the knowledge or approval of the Main Clan."
A sharp intake of breath sounded in the room.
Mu Zhuoyun's face paled.
Mu Ningxue clenched her fingers slightly on her lap, her calm exterior cracking for just a fraction of a second.
Mu Zhuoyun's fists clenched beneath the table, his jaw tightening as he forced himself to remain composed.
"Then… what do you intend to do?" he asked, his voice strained.
Pan Xi did not hesitate.
"According to the clan's laws," he said coldly,
"the Ice Crystal Bow fragment will be reclaimed."
The words struck like a hammer.
"And Mu Ningxue—" Pan Xi continued, his tone unchanged,
"will have her cultivation crippled."
Mu Zhuoyun's composure shattered.
"What?!" he exclaimed, rising halfway from his seat.
"This—this is far too much!"
His voice trembled despite his effort to control it.
Fang Ning finally spoke, his gaze sharp and unforgiving.
"Too much?" he repeated slowly.
He leaned forward slightly, the pressure in the room instantly suffocating.
"You forcefully tampered with a clan artifact," Fang Ning said calmly.
"You interfered with its inheritance and violated Main Clan authority."
His eyes flicked briefly toward Mu Ningxue—cold, impartial.
"By rights, this can be considered theft."
He paused.
"The punishment I've declared," Fang Ning concluded,
"is already the lightest possible outcome."
Silence fell.
Mu Zhuoyun stood frozen, his teeth clenched so hard they nearly cracked.
Mu Ningxue lowered her eyes, her fingers trembling faintly—
For the first time, fear seeped through her icy calm.
Mu Ningxue suddenly stood up.
"No—you can't do this to me!" she said, her voice trembling despite her attempt to stay composed.
"I poured everything into controlling the bow. You can't just take away my hard work!"
Her eyes were red—not from weakness, but from anger and disbelief.
Fang Ning looked at her calmly.
"What hard work?" he asked coldly.
The words hit harder than any slap.
"You were able to control the Ice Crystal Bow only because your mother forcefully intervened," Fang Ning continued.
"She merged the bow's power into your soul ahead of time, giving you an advantage others could never obtain."
His gaze sharpened.
"Is that not cheating?"
Mu Ningxue's breath hitched.
"Have you not trampled over the effort of every other candidate?" Fang Ning pressed on.
"Those who struggled honestly—those who bled and nearly broke themselves trying to earn that inheritance?"
The room was silent.
Fang Ning's voice dropped lower.
"You did not surpass them," he said.
"You skipped them."
Mu Ningxue clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
For the first time in her life—
She had no words to defend herself.
"Enough."
Fang Ning's voice was calm—but it carried unquestionable authority.
"This matter ends here," he said coldly.
"Pan Xi—retrieve the fragment."
"The Mu Clan does not shelter those who disrespect the Main Clan."
The moment those words fell—
Mu He and Mu Zhuoyun rose simultaneously, instinctively moving to shield Mu Ningxue.
"Elder—!" Mu Zhuoyun began.
He never finished.
Fang Ning flicked his wrist casually.
Black curse webs burst into existence midair, spreading like living shadows. They wrapped around Mu He and Mu Zhuoyun instantly—binding their limbs, sealing their mouths.
Both men stiffened.
Their eyes widened in terror—
Then rolled back as their bodies collapsed to the floor, completely unconscious.
No struggle.
No resistance.
Absolute suppression.
Mu Ningxue froze.
Her breath caught in her throat.
"Pan Xi," Fang Ning said evenly.
"Proceed."
"Yes, Elder."
Pan Xi stepped forward.
As he raised his hand, the Ice Crystal Bow Fragment responded—manifesting on its own, shimmering with pale blue light. It floated between Pan Xi and Mu Ningxue, trembling violently as if resisting separation.
Pan Xi's fingers closed around it.
With a sharp motion, he severed the connection.
"Ah—!"
Mu Ningxue let out a piercing scream.
It felt as if something had been ripped directly from her soul.
The bow fragment's light flared once—then vanished into Pan Xi's grasp.
Mu Ningxue's legs gave out.
She collapsed onto the floor, consciousness fading as the backlash surged through her body.
Silence fell.
Pan Xi turned and walked back calmly, presenting the fragment with both hands.
"Elder," he said respectfully.
"Here it is."
Fang Ning nodded once.
"Good."
He waved a hand dismissively.
"Merge it with the fragments you possess. Remove any residual soul connections it may still carry."
His gaze turned cold.
"When you are finished—return."
"Yes, Elder."
Pan Xi bowed and departed, the Ice Crystal Bow Fragment secured.
Behind him, Mu Ningxue lay unconscious on the cold floor—
her borrowed power gone,
her fate uncertain.