"Xue'er~~"
Mu Nianbing's gaze lingered on Mu Ningxue, his eyes filled with warmth and admiration.
The moonlight reflected off her pale skin, making her look as if she were carved from pure ice — beautiful and untouchable.
Feeling his intense gaze, Mu Ningxue's cheeks flushed faintly. She lowered her head slightly, not daring to meet his eyes.
Mu Nianbing gently pushed open the door and placed an arm around her slender waist, leading her into the room.
"Um…"
Mu Ningxue instinctively struggled for a moment, but her resistance quickly softened as she leaned into his embrace.
Being this close to Mu Nianbing, she felt an indescribable sense of comfort — a calm she had not felt in a long time.
The cold energy within her veins seemed to subside, and even the chill from the Ice Crystal Bow resting in her soul quieted down, as if it too was drawn toward Mu Nianbing.
The faint, cool fragrance that lingered around her filled his senses.
Mu Nianbing took a slow breath and said softly, "Xue'er, I'll be returning to the Magic City tomorrow."
Mu Ningxue lifted her head abruptly, a trace of panic flickering in her clear eyes. "Why don't you stay a little longer?"
She had never spoken in such a tone before — hesitant, anxious, almost pleading.
Around Mu Nianbing, the pain and burden of her ice curse disappeared. For her, he was warmth amidst endless cold.
"Both deans at Mingzhu Academy have been urging me to return," Mu Nianbing explained. "This recent experience has drawn too much attention already."
Truthfully, he didn't want to linger in the Imperial Capital for too long.
This was the Mu family's domain, and even if Mu Zhuoyun treated him kindly, the undercurrents of family politics made him uneasy.
Mu Ningxue said nothing. Her fingers tightened around the fabric of his shirt, unwilling to let go.
Mu Nianbing sighed softly. He didn't want to part from her either, but he had no choice.
When I gain the Ancient King's inheritance, no one in the Mu family will ever be able to threaten us again.
"By the way," he said, pulling a card from his space ring.
"There's a hundred and twenty million here. When you reach a bottleneck in cultivation, go to the auction house and buy a Galaxy Vein."
He placed the card in her hand, his tone firm and sincere.
He wasn't sure when they would meet again before the National Government Team selection, so he wanted to make sure she had what she needed to progress.
After the upcoming disaster in the Ancient Capital, the Mu family's position would certainly waver.
If the family was forced to cut ties, Mu Ningxue might lose her qualification for the national team.
But with enough strength — with a breakthrough to the Advanced level — she wouldn't need the Ice Crystal Bow's destructive power just to stay relevant.
With her natural talent, a single Galaxy Vein would be enough.
"Nianbing… keep the money for yourself," Mu Ningxue said softly, pushing the card back into his hand.
"I'm only at the second intermediate level. I can't use the Galaxy Vein yet."
She remembered clearly how much Mu Nianbing had already given her father before — fifty million — and she didn't want to take more from him.
He had worked for every coin through countless dangerous hunts.
Mu Nianbing smiled faintly, brushing her cheek with his fingers.
"There's still a year before the World College Tournament begins. Once you break through to the Advanced level, your position will be secured."
For the Mu family's future, the World College Tournament was crucial.
If both he and Mu Ningxue entered the National Government Team and helped secure the championship, the family's rise would be unstoppable.
At the mention of the tournament, Mu Ningxue hesitated, her eyes flickering. "You… you're joining the National Team too?"
Mu Nianbing nodded, a confident smile crossing his lips. "Of course. I can't let you go alone. If anyone dares trouble you, I'll freeze them into popsicles myself."
Mu Ningxue's heart fluttered. Her fair face turned pink, and her crystal-clear eyes shimmered with a hint of shyness.
Seeing her delicate expression, Mu Nianbing's throat tightened involuntarily. "Xue'er…"
His hand brushed against her arm, her skin cold yet soft to the touch. Mu Ningxue trembled slightly, caught between warmth and confusion.
"I… I'm not ready yet…" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
She feared her condition might bring him harm, and that fear outweighed her emotions.
Mu Nianbing exhaled slowly, forcing himself to calm down.
It wasn't the right time. Not yet. The Mu family was still in turmoil — he would wait until everything was settled.
Still, he couldn't resist teasing her a little longer.
He playfully pressed her down onto the bed, tracing light kisses along her neck and shoulders, but stopped before crossing the line.
When he finally let go, Mu Ningxue lay against the sheets, breathless, a faint sheen of sweat glistening on her forehead.
The lingering frost in her body seemed lighter than before — the mark of Mu Nianbing's ice magic soothing her pain.
After making sure she was comfortable, Mu Nianbing quietly left the room and went downstairs.
Mu Zhuoyun was sitting in the living room, sipping tea.
Seeing him descend, he smiled warmly. "Nianbing, why not stay and talk with Xiaoxue for a bit longer?"
Mu Nianbing almost choked on his words. If we talked any longer, you might be a grandfather by next month.
He coughed lightly and said, "Uncle Yun, I'll be heading back to the Magic City tomorrow."
Mu Zhuoyun frowned slightly, setting down his teacup. "In such a hurry? Is something urgent?"
He had already come to see Mu Nianbing as the hope of the Mu family.
The young man's steady growth was vital — he couldn't afford anything going wrong.
"There are just a few matters I need to handle," Mu Nianbing replied calmly. "Nothing serious."
In truth, he simply needed to leave before attracting unnecessary attention — and to purchase a Galaxy Magic Artifact to push his Ice Element even higher.
"Why not stay a few more days?" Mu Zhuoyun suggested. "It'd be a good chance for you and Xiaoxue to exchange cultivation insights."
He spoke casually, but his intentions were clear. If Mu Nianbing stayed longer, Mu Ningxue's progress would accelerate.
Mu Nianbing smiled faintly. "Uncle Yun, my hunter teammates are waiting for me. We still have missions to complete."
He could tell what Mu Zhuoyun was thinking, but didn't expose it.
His rapid cultivation wasn't due to any secret technique — it was the combination of his Nebula Magic Weapon and the Ice God's blessing.
Besides, Mu Ningxue's own talent was exceptional. With a Galaxy Vein and the Ice Crystal Bow's fragments, her progress would soon rival his own.
"Hm… I see," Mu Zhuoyun murmured, a trace of realization crossing his face.
He knew that Mu Nianbing's wealth hadn't come easily — it had been earned through blood and danger.
"Nianbing," Mu Zhuoyun said seriously, placing a hand on his shoulder, "the family can't offer you much support for now. Be careful out there."
Mu Nianbing smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Uncle Yun. I will."
...
Author's Note:
Versatile Mage: Heir of the Frozen Throne — Part 1 is now fully completed and available on my Patreon!
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1.Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
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5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
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