Mu Nianbing didn't agree right away. Instead, he looked at Mu Ye and said calmly.
"The mission can continue—but I have one condition."
"Go ahead."
Although Mu Ye didn't know Mu Nianbing's true strength, he assumed that anyone from the Qingtian Hunting House would be quite capable.
As long as he could successfully contract a young Lava Turtle, the commission of tens of millions would be nothing.
A cub carrying the bloodline of a commander-level creature was worth at least two or three hundred million!
"They both stay here," Mu Nianbing said lightly, pointing toward Mu Nujiao and Ai Tutu. "Otherwise, they'll only be a burden."
Though both girls were mid-level mages, they had only just entered that rank.
Even the weakest general-level demon could handle them—let alone this adult Lava Turtle, which was close to commander level.
Mu Nianbing had no intention of summoning Lei Yi for a creature that wasn't even a true commander. To reduce unnecessary risk, it was best to leave them behind.
When Ai Tutu heard the word burden, she immediately bristled with anger. Just as she was about to lose her temper, Mu Nujiao stopped her.
"Don't be impulsive," Mu Nujiao said quietly. "He's right—we really can't help much."
Mu Ye also agreed with Mu Nianbing's proposal; it ensured the safety of both girls.
Most importantly, if anything happened to Ai Tutu, the eldest young master of the Mu family would be in deep trouble.
"What about her?" Ai Tutu asked, glaring at the youngest among them, Lingling. "Shouldn't she be the one staying behind?"
"Hmm?" Lingling raised her chin slightly and showed her Hunter Master Badge.
"Master Hunter?!" The four hunters stared, dumbfounded. They'd been in the trade for years and had only reached the level of Elite Hunter.
This little girl was actually a Master Hunter?
It truly lived up to the reputation of the Qingtian Hunting House—every member was a monster in their own right!
Mu Nianbing wasn't worried about Lingling's safety.
As an experienced Master Hunter, she knew exactly how to avoid danger. Moreover, she had a defensive artifact that could protect her in emergencies.
Under Mu Ye's lead, the group advanced along the rocky mountain wall.
When they reached an open clearing with a wide view, two Lava Turtles—one large and one small—appeared before them.
The larger one stood more than twelve meters tall, its fiery red shell glowing like molten rock.
From afar, it resembled a moving volcano. The smaller one, barely two meters tall, was clearly a youngling.
"It really is a Lava Turtle! Thankfully it hasn't reached the commander level yet, or it would be over thirty meters tall," Lingling said, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
Mu Nianbing could only shake his head. After spending so long with her, he had grown used to Lingling's eccentric enthusiasm.
"You'll be responsible for keeping the adult occupied," Mu Ye ordered. "Once I subdue the young one, I'll cast a high-level spell to assist you."
He had planned everything around capturing the cub.
The four hunters looked dissatisfied but kept quiet out of respect for Mu Ye's status.
"It's fine to restrain it," Mu Nianbing replied coldly, "but how can you guarantee that your high-level magic won't hit us as well?"
The spell Sky Flame Funeral was a large-area fire spell—precise targeting was nearly impossible.
"This…" Mu Ye hesitated. With his current control, he couldn't ensure a perfect aim.
"That's for you to figure out," Mu Nianbing said flatly. "After all, you're the one paying."
Mu Ye could only grit his teeth. After a moment of thought, he shifted the responsibility.
The four hunters turned toward Mu Nianbing.
They knew none of them had the strength to restrain such a monster. To do so, even a high-level mage would struggle.
"I can freeze it for a few seconds at most…" Mu Nianbing said at last.
With his current mastery over the Ice Element, combined with his Cangming Jiao's support, that was the best he could offer.
Mu Ye and the hunters all looked shocked.
If he could really freeze that creature, then his Ice magic was near or already at the high level!
"Are you sure?" Mu Ye asked suspiciously.
"If you have a better plan, I'm all ears."
"…Alright," Mu Ye conceded. "The four of you, assist him!"
The hunters nodded. If there was even a chance to immobilize the Lava Turtle, they'd take it.
Once the battle plan was set, the Wind Mage among the hunters rushed forward, darting toward the two Lava Turtles.
After some careful baiting, the adult Lava Turtle was successfully drawn away.
As soon as it moved out of range, Mu Ye cast Kun's Forest, summoning a dense thicket of vines that trapped the young Lava Turtle within.
"Fire as your main, Plant as secondary, and Summoning as a minor…" Mu Nianbing muttered, studying Mu Ye's technique.
"Not a bad combination—just lacking raw talent."
Anyone who reached the advanced level before twenty-five was considered a true prodigy.
Mu Ye, as the Mu family's eldest son, had endless resources—yet barely managed that feat. Compared to Mu Nujiao, his talent was far inferior.
By now, the enraged adult Lava Turtle had abandoned the Wind Mage and was charging straight toward Mu Ye.
Despite its massive size, the creature's weakness was clear—it was slow.
The other three hunters reacted instantly.
One conjured a Thick Earth Wall, another sent out Ice Chains, while the last unleashed a Tier-Three Lightning Strike from the stormy clouds above.
The thunderbolts crackled violently across the turtle's shell.
Their coordination was seamless—clearly, they'd been working together for years.
Against an ordinary Warlord-level creature, that combination would have caused serious injuries.
But this Lava Turtle was near the peak of the Warlord class, its defenses rivaling even some Commander-level monsters.
When the dust settled, only a few chunks of molten rock had fallen from its back.
Roaring furiously, the Lava Turtle charged forward like an enraged rhinoceros, shattering the thick earth wall as if it were paper.
At that moment, a Dimensional Gate opened above it.
From within, the Cangming Jiao—over ten meters long—emerged, coiling through the air.
With a powerful swing of its tail, it crashed down upon the Lava Turtle with devastating force.
...
Author's Note:
Versatile Mage: Heir of the Frozen Throne — Part 1 is now fully completed and available on my Patreon!
You can read the completed version here: patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you all for your support and encouragement. More content is coming soon, so stay tuned! ❄️🔥