The Cangming Jiao soared higher along the ridges of Fire Pillar Mountain until it hovered above the entire range.
Looking down, Mu Nianbing spotted a stretch of rocky terrain that rose gently from the flatlands, like a massive hillside sculpted by ancient fire.
At the top of that slope stood a colossal, leafless tree—its gnarled branches twisting like veins of molten metal.
Even without a single leaf, the tree radiated majesty.
Its dense, interwoven limbs stretched in every direction, not withered nor flourishing, but rather exuding an eerie, otherworldly beauty.
"This is… the Star Language Tree!"
Lingling's eyes widened as her mouth fell open in disbelief.
At that moment, Mu Nianbing's sharp gaze caught sight of a fiery red figure near the tree.
The Fire Witch—Jiang Feng!
The Fire Witch had already noticed the Cangming Jiao and the group in the sky. Her expression hardened instantly, her eyes flashing with vigilance.
She darted toward the Star Language Tree and plucked a single glowing fruit—the only Fire Tribulation Fruit hanging from its branches.
Everyone, except Mu Nianbing, was startled by her sudden appearance.
Fortunately, the Fire Witch didn't attack. After taking the fruit, she simply hovered near the tree, watching them warily.
"What's that she's holding?" Zhang Xiaohou asked, his eyes fixed on the bright crimson fruit.
"That's the Fire Tribulation Fruit," Chen Ying answered softly, her tone trembling. "I came here for it. My mother needs it to recover…"
She paused, then quickly explained.
Years ago, her mother had been caught in a terrible fire, her body burned beyond recognition.
A mysterious woman—whom she called the Fire Witch—had saved her life.
But even after surviving, her mother's injuries never healed, and only the Fire Tribulation Fruit could restore her.
Of course, that story was a lie—the fabrication of the very ghostly woman who had deceived her family.
After hearing Chen Ying's version, Mu Nianbing quietly shook his head.
Her father and she had been fooled completely, never questioning the truth for years.
He could tell immediately that parts of the story didn't add up.
No matter how severe the flames, the structure of a person's spiritual constellation could never simply be "burned away."
Still, Mu Nianbing didn't expose the truth outright—it would only cause chaos. He decided to let someone else do it.
"Xinxia," he said softly, glancing at the girl beside him, "can you try to communicate with her?"
Ye Xinxia nodded. Her awakened psychic magic allowed her to sense and communicate with other conscious beings.
The Fire Witch's soul was once human, meaning Xinxia could reach her.
That was precisely why Mu Nianbing had brought Xinxia along.
With her help, the truth would emerge naturally—no need for blunt confrontation.
"I'll try," Xinxia said, closing her eyes and releasing her gentle psychic waves toward the Fire Witch.
The Fire Witch, still clutching the Fire Tribulation Fruit, had been watching Chen Ying intently.
But when she felt Xinxia's spiritual energy touch her mind, her entire body trembled.
Several minutes passed in silence before Xinxia opened her eyes again—her face filled with conflicting emotions.
"This Fire Witch…" she said softly, "is Chen Ying's mother."
Everyone froze.
Xinxia could feel the Fire Witch's emotions clearly—an overwhelming rush of joy, longing, and sorrow.
They were far too real to be faked.
That meant the story Chen Ying had told was false.
"W–What's wrong?" Chen Ying asked nervously. "Did she… refuse to give us the fruit?"
Xinxia shook her head and began explaining the truth.
Over a decade ago, Jiang Feng, Chen Ying's real mother, had been caught in a raging fire while trying to save Zhao Yulin.
She should have died that day—but the previous Flame Fairy, the earlier generation of Yan Ji, had used a Fire Tribulation Fruit to preserve her soul.
Jiang Feng's body was lost, but her soul fused with Yan Ji's flame.
After the previous Yan Ji perished, Jiang Feng was reborn as the guardian of this final Fire Tribulation Fruit.
When the truth settled in, silence filled the air.
"Impossible…!" Chen Ying's voice cracked. "If she's my real mother, then who is the woman I've lived with all these years?"
Mu Nianbing sighed deeply, "Chen Ying, let me ask you something. If your 'mother' was covered in burns from head to toe, how could you ever confirm she was truly your mother?"
He looked away for a moment, his expression heavy.
This entire trip hadn't just been for money—it had been a way to right a long-standing tragedy.
Jiang Feng's story was heartbreakingly cruel.
She had risked her life to save Zhao Yulin, only to return and find herself replaced.
Zhao Yulin had later rescued that ghostly imposter—who stole Jiang Feng's identity, deceived Chen Ying, and ultimately plotted to claim the Fire Tribulation Fruit herself.
It was tragedy layered upon betrayal.
Chen Ying stood frozen, unable to speak.
After a long pause, she muttered, "She… knew everything about Father and me. But Father did say her personality seemed different… He thought it was trauma from the fire."
Her voice faltered. Even now, she wanted to deny it—but her heart already knew the truth.
Mu Nianbing exchanged a glance with Xinxia, silently urging her to continue the psychic exchange.
Through Xinxia, Jiang Feng explained that the impostor woman had once been a spiritual mage.
She had visited their family long ago and learned intimate details about them—then used that knowledge to impersonate Jiang Feng perfectly.
Hearing that, Mu Nianbing couldn't help but click his tongue.
This entire family's been too trusting for their own good.
Chen Ying clutched her chest, torn between shock and grief.
It would take time for her to accept everything.
Mu Nianbing guided the Cangming Jiao downward, and the group landed on the rocky ground near the Star Language Tree.
The moment they landed, the Fire Witch—Jiang Feng—flew straight toward Chen Ying, her eyes blazing not with hostility, but deep maternal affection.
Chen Ying instinctively stepped back.
But when she saw those tearful, familiar eyes, courage overcame her fear. She stayed still, trembling as the fiery figure approached.
Xinxia quickly stepped forward to act as translator, bridging their hearts through her psychic link.
Mu Nianbing and the others began setting up camp nearby.
The sun had already dipped behind the mountains, and they had no choice but to spend the night there.
"Now that I think about it," Zhao Manyan muttered while pitching a tent, "my uncle's really a bastard."
"Aren't all the Zhao family men like that?" Mo Fan shot back teasingly.
"Hey! Don't lump me in with him," Zhao Manyan retorted seriously. "My dad's loyal—and I'm not heartless like my uncle!"
"Hehe~" Both Mu Nianbing and Mo Fan rolled their eyes in perfect sync.
They knew Zhao Manyan too well—his mouth was faster than his conscience.
If anything, in that particular department, he might actually be worse than his uncle.
...
Author's Note:
Versatile Mage: Heir of the Frozen Throne — Part 1 is now fully completed and available on my Patreon!
🔥 I also have a Additional 18+ fanfics now available for readers who enjoy exclusive mature stories. 😉
1.Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you all for your support and love for this story 💙