Han Ji and Zhu Meng fell silent after hearing Mu Nianbing's firm words.
There was no denying it — as a member of the Mu Family, Mu He's betrayal would inevitably cast a shadow over their clan after this disaster.
"Are you certain you want to go in?" Zhu Meng asked solemnly.
Mu Nianbing nodded calmly. Though he wasn't fully confident, the Ancient King's inheritance was worth the risk.
"Very well. Be careful," Zhu Meng said, his tone heavy but resolute. Mu Nianbing's participation gave them a glimmer of hope amid despair.
Han Ji spoke next. "There's still a massive horde of undead outside. The most pressing issue now is how to break through."
Mu Nianbing frowned. Even though he had harvested a fair number of undead, compared to the millions outside, it was still insignificant.
However, with the Totem Black Serpent (Xuan Snake) on their side, breaking out shouldn't be impossible.
"You don't need to worry about that," Han Ji said firmly. "We'll escort you to the very end."
He was prepared to stake his life to ensure Mu Nianbing and the others reached the Evil Abyss safely.
Mu Nianbing sighed inwardly.
Han Ji was clearly burdened by guilt, but if they followed this plan, the losses would be catastrophic — perhaps more than half the mages would die.
"Old Han, your plan's too reckless," Mu Nianbing said quietly.
Han Ji didn't take offense. Instead, he looked at him seriously. "Then what do you suggest?"
"It's best to split into two groups," Mu Nianbing said.
"Xuan Snake and I will take Mo Fan and the others directly to the Evil Abyss. You and your mages just need to draw the Mountain Corpse's attention."
If the Mountain Corpse could be held back, the path would be clear.
The lesser undead were mere cannon fodder to Xuan Snake — they couldn't even slow it down.
"Draw the Mountain Corpse's attention…" Han Ji muttered. He began to consider it.
With the number of Super-Level Mages in the Ancient Capital, they could hold off the Mountain Corpse for a while. The casualties would indeed be far fewer.
"What about the Hai Sha Bone Dragon?" asked Lu Huan, Chief of the Imperial Guards and the second-strongest mage in the Ancient Capital after Han Ji.
"Don't worry," Mu Nianbing said confidently. "It's no match for Xuan Snake."
Although the Mountain Corpse was stronger, the Hai Sha Bone Dragon was nothing in front of Xuan Snake's might.
"Absolutely not!" Han Ji rejected immediately. He turned to Lu Huan. "Lu Huan, you're responsible for containing the Hai Sha Bone Dragon."
"Yes, sir!" Lu Huan answered without hesitation. His tone was firm — he had already resolved to fight to the death if necessary.
Mu Nianbing frowned slightly. He didn't want Lu Huan to face the Bone Dragon.
It could revive, but Lu Huan couldn't. Still, he knew Han Ji wouldn't change his mind.
At the city gate, Han Ji gave Mu Nianbing one final instruction. "Once we open a path drenched in blood, that's your cue to move."
"Got it."
Mu Nianbing didn't argue. He needed Han Ji and the others to distract the Mountain Corpse first.
Though Xuan Snake could stand against it, there was no guarantee of safety.
If the Mountain Corpse landed a single blow, even Xuan Snake could be flattened.
And if they left Xuan Snake behind, Mu Nianbing couldn't ensure Mo Fan and the others' survival.
It was a difficult balance.
Han Ji's main element was Ice — effective against the undead — so he stood the best chance at holding off the monster.
Han Ji led the first group out of the city gate, charging into the sea of undead.
Middle-Level and Advanced Mages cleared a path while drawing the lesser undead's attention.
The Super-Level Mages, led by Han Ji himself, headed straight for the Mountain Corpse.
At the same time, Lu Huan had already taken to the skies to confront the Hai Sha Bone Dragon head-on.
"Brother Bing, when are we leaving?" Zhang Xiaohou asked anxiously.
Watching the fierce battle from the walls but being unable to help was agonizing — just like the Bo City disaster years ago.
Mu Nianbing didn't answer. His hand clenched tightly around the Totem Pearl. The moment Han Ji restrained the Mountain Corpse, he would act.
Moments later, Han Ji unleashed his Snow Princess's Cry, freezing the Mountain Corpse in layers of thick ice.
"Go!!"
Mu Nianbing immediately activated the Totem Pearl, summoning the colossal Xuan Snake once more.
Its massive form loomed like a black mountain as it let out a thunderous hiss.
He jumped onto its head and turned back.
Zhang Xiaohou, Su Xiaoluo, and Fang Gu stared in awe — it was their first time seeing a Totem Beast up close.
Even Mo Fan, though used to the sight, was impressed by the sheer scale of it.
"Come on!" Mo Fan called, grabbing Zhang Xiaohou and pulling him up onto Xuan Snake's back.
Zhang Xiaohou then helped Su Xiaoluo climb aboard, leaving only Fang Gu awkwardly standing below.
Before Fang Gu could react, Mu Nianbing used Telekinesis to grab him by the leg and dangle him through the air, dragging him along.
Fang Gu's expression was one of pure misery — why was his treatment always the worst?
Ignoring him, Mu Nianbing gave Xuan Snake the command to move.
With a mighty roar, Xuan Snake accelerated through the battlefield, its tail crushing entire legions of undead beneath it.
After breaking out of the city, Mu Nianbing released Lei Yi, who immediately flew toward Lu Huan to assist him in restraining the Hai Sha Bone Dragon.
At the same time, Mu Nianbing ordered the undead under his control to scatter and intercept portions of the pursuing army.
It wouldn't make much difference strategically, but it would ease the pressure on Han Ji's mages.
Under Xuan Snake's unstoppable advance, Mu Nianbing and his group finally passed through the Yin Wind Vortex and reached the edge of the Evil Abyss.
The gaping pit was pitch-black, like the mouth of hell itself.
To prevent Xuan Snake from being dragged in, Mu Nianbing recalled it into the Totem Pearl.
Losing it would bring endless trouble — Tang Yue and the Lingyin Enforcement Association would never forgive him.
Everyone stared into the darkness before them. The air was heavy with death and malice.
As an Advanced Mage, Mu Nianbing felt the gravitational pull most strongly. The moment it caught him, he instinctively grabbed Mo Fan's arm.
"Damn it!" Mo Fan cursed as he was yanked in before he could brace himself.
Fang Gu followed shortly after, screaming as he tumbled downward. Zhang Xiaohou and Su Xiaoluo exchanged one last glance before jumping in together.
As they descended, the pull grew even stronger.
Mu Nianbing could feel countless malevolent thoughts clawing at his mind, trying to invade his consciousness.
His brain throbbed as if it would burst at any moment. If not for his powerful mental fortitude, he would've already lost consciousness.
The dizziness intensified, the pressure mounted — and the descent into the Evil Abyss truly began.
...
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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🔥 I also have additional **18+ fanfics** 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
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
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